Podcast
Out of Session w/ Kindman and Co.
Hosted by Kindman & Co. | Therapy for Being Human · EN
A feelings-forward podcast where we leave our therapist selves at the door and have messy, real conversations about being human. We’re deconstructing the narrative of an expert through uplifting lived experiences and inviting free-flowing learning with community. We invite the imperfect, unfiltered, and rawness of humanity.
10episodes
Episodes
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De-Stigmatizing Everything: What a Queer Wellness Festival Taught Us About Belonging
3w ago00:43:46Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode, Liz and Logan get into what it really felt like to spend a weekend in the desert surrounded by queer community, why spaces like No Other Festival matter more than ever right now, how the experience of seeing all kinds of bodies just existing freely can quietly shift something inside you, and what it brings up when even in the most welcoming spaces, you still find yourself wondering — do I belong here?TOPICS:Community, Queer, Vulnerability, Body Image, Personal Journey, Mental Health Support, TherapistsKEY FIGURES:Elizabeth Taylor, AMFTLogan Kim, AMFT, APCCKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS:1. Community care is a practice, not just a feeling.From sharing food and sunscreen to keeping the porta-potties clean, No Other Festival showed that collective care shows up in both the big and the small moments — and that when a community genuinely looks out for one another, it creates something transformative.2. Seeing diverse bodies can be deeply healing.Being in a space where all kinds of bodies existed freely and unapologetically — different sizes, abilities, scars, trans bodies — quietly challenged internalized shame and created a powerful sense of body neutrality. Bodies are just bodies. They get us from point A to point B.3. Even welcoming spaces can surface internalized struggles.Both Liz and Logan felt the question "am I queer enough?" arise at the festival — not because anyone made them feel unwelcome, but because internalized heteronormativity, biphobia, and transphobia have a way of following us even into the most affirming spaces.4. You don't need to earn your belonging.There is no laundry list of criteria that makes your identity valid or your presence justified. You belong simply because you are — and having doubts about that doesn't mean the doubts are true.5. Queer joy is powerful.Especially right now, the joy that filled Know Other Festival — the frolicking, the laughing, the crying, the realness — was a reminder of what is possible when people are free to show up fully as themselves. That kind of joy is worth seeking out, protecting, and bringing into everyday life.KEY QUOTES:"Everyone was looking out for each other. Here's water, here's electrolytes. That felt really special. I've never been in a space like that." — Liz"These are just bodies. Whatever they look like, they get us from point A to point B and we can dance and we can play and we can frolic and move or lay, whatever it may be." — Liz"There's only certain kinds of bodies that are visible or seen — or deemed acceptable to be visible. So just being able to see all of these different kinds of bodies — big bodies, small bodies, medium bodies, bodies with scars, with top surgery scars, trans bodies — felt like, oh shit. They can have a body and that's great, and maybe I can too." — Logan"I noticed this part of me that comes up that asks — but am I queer enough?" — Logan"I know how sometimes voices project loudest to other people, but don't always come back to us." — LoganCALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to Know Other Festival. It's a yearly queer wellness and camping experience rooted in healing, joy, and self-expression. You can find out more and keep up with everything they have coming up at knowotherfestival.com.We would also like to mention The Collective Coalition San Diego. They are building intentional queer community in San Diego, and they are doing the work of creating the kinds of spaces we were talking about today — inclusive, affirming, and real. You can learn more about them at thecollectivecoalitionsandiego.org.Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.
Transcribe →Rewiring in Real Time: The Power of Repair
Apr 100:31:53Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode, Sarah, Madison, and Elizabeth get into what rupture really looks like, why repair feels so scary, how to know when a relationship is worth the effort, and what it actually takes to have those hard conversations without blowing everything up. So if you've ever wanted to get better at conflict — or just wondered why it feels so hard — this one's for you.SUMMARY:In this episode of Out of Session with Kindman and Co., therapists Sarah, Madison, and Elizabeth discuss “rupture and repair” in relationships. They define rupture as a disconnect or fracture that can show up as awkward energy, silence, yelling, or a gut sense that something is off, often triggering fear and nervous system responses like fight-or-flight. Repair is described as a courageous, sometimes privileged process of addressing harm through conversation, regulation, and vulnerability, which can create safety, closeness, and a “corrective experience” that rewires expectations over time. TOPICS:Rupture and Repair, Mental Health Support, Community, TherapistsKEY FIGURES:Sarah Barukh, ACSWElizabeth Taylor, AMFTMadison SegarraKindman & Co.1. Rupture doesn't always look like a big fight.Rupture can be subtle — a weird energy in the room, a gut feeling that something's off, a quiet disconnect. You don't need to be screaming at each other to be in a rupture. Learning to recognize those smaller moments is the first step toward addressing them.2. Your nervous system is trying to protect you — but it might be getting in the way.When conflict arises, our bodies go into fight or flight mode almost instantly — especially if we grew up in environments where conflict felt unsafe. That physical response is real and valid, but it can make it nearly impossible to have a productive conversation in the heat of the moment.3. Space is one of the most powerful repair tools you have.Trying to resolve things when emotions are at their peak rarely works. Giving yourself time to regulate — whether that's a walk, some time alone, or simply breathing — helps bring your prefrontal cortex back online so you can actually think clearly and communicate effectively.4. Repair can literally rewire your brain.Every time you successfully navigate a rupture and come out the other side, you're sending a new message to your nervous system — that conflict doesn't have to mean abandonment or danger. Over time, this creates a corrective experience that makes hard conversations feel less terrifying and more manageable.5. Repair requires trust, vulnerability, and a shared intention.The goal of a repair conversation isn't to prove who was right. It's to reaffirm that you care about each other and want the relationship to continue. When both people come to the table with that intention, something really beautiful can happen — even if it's messy getting there.KEY QUOTES:"When it's done, when I've done it and when people have done it to me — it really does feel like a superpower." — Sarah (on the experience of successful repair)"It's kind of rewiring you in real time. I mean, that doesn't get more magical than that." — Sarah“Those ruptures really pushed us to communicate. Figure this the hell out. And we were always stronger after." — Elizabeth“I might want a repair, but that's not always possible.” — Elizabeth (on the honest reality that not every rupture leads to repair)CALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to Kindman & Co. If this conversation resonated with you — if you found yourself nodding along, or maybe thinking about a relationship in your life that could use a little repair — just know that that feeling is worth paying attention to.Whether you're navigating a rough patch in a relationship, working through patterns that keep showing up in your life, or just ready to do something kind for yourself — we'd love to be a part of that journey. You can find us at kindman.co or come visit us in Highland Park.
Transcribe →Fixing the Unfixable: We Got This (Even When I Don’t Got It)
Mar 500:30:16Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode of ‘Out of Session’ by Kindman and Co., hosts Paul and Dani sit down in a very real, very human place: tired, grieving, a little cynical, and unsure they “got it” today. What unfolds is an honest conversation about what happens when life hands you things that can’t be fixed — persistent grief, chronic stress, old childhood loneliness, the slow drip of exhaustion.Together, they wrestle with what it means to support clients, friends, and each other when there’s no clear solution. At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful shift: moving from “I don’t got this” to “We got this.” It’s a conversation about borrowing hope, showing up imperfectly, and discovering that sometimes connection — not fixing — is what actually transforms the moment.TOPICS:Tiredness, Guilt, Self-Care, Personal Journey, Mental Health Support, Community, HopeKEY FIGURES:Paul Kindman, LMFTDani Marrufo, LMFTKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS:1. Resignation and acceptance are not the same.Both acknowledge that something “is,” but resignation feels hopeless and powerless, while acceptance leaves room for agency, compassion, and even possibility.2. Not everything in life is fixable — and that’s hard to tolerate.As therapists and as humans, there’s a deep pull to fix pain. But much of life’s suffering (grief, chronic stress, old wounds) requires learning how to carry it, not cure it.3. Hope can feel complicated.Optimism can be grounding and reassuring — or it can feel dismissive and insincere. There’s a tension between offering validation (“this sucks”) and offering reassurance (“we’ll figure it out”).4. Borrowed hope is powerful.When “I don’t got this” feels true, shifting to “we got this” can restore a sense of shared strength. Connection expands capacity.5. Showing up imperfectly can transform the moment.Even when exhausted, grieving, or unsure, choosing to show up — for a friend, a client, or a conversation — can shift the experience from isolation to connection.KEY QUOTES:1. “It takes a lot of energy just to be a person these days.” — Paul2. “I know it’s gonna just be there and I think I’m waiting to just hold it differently.” — Dani3. “Resignation is a relatively hopeless way of approaching something that just is, and acceptance is maybe a slightly more hopeful.” — Paul4. “If I show up for my friend, it might actually meaningfully transform my experience.” — Paul5. “I don’t got it.” — DaniCALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to a friend you’ve been meaning to text or wanting to show up for. We encourage you to reach out and remember that borrowed hope is powerful and showing up imperfectly can transform the moment. Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.
Transcribe →Workplace Burnout and Mental Health: Why It’s a System Problem, Not a Personal Failure
Jan 2200:34:31Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode of ‘Out of Session’ by Kindman and Co., hosts Liam and Sarah dive deep into the systemic nature of burnout. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they debunk the myth that burnout is an individual problem and highlight how workplace culture, unrealistic expectations, and lack of community contribute to this pervasive issue. They also discuss the importance of building connections with colleagues and offer practical advice on how to navigate and mitigate burnout. Tune in to explore how to reclaim your well-being in a demanding work environment.TOPICS:Burnout, Tiredness, Guilt, Self-Care, Hyper-Productivity Culture, Personal Journey, Mental Health Support, Systemic Problems, Workplace, CommunityKEY FIGURES:Liam Degeorgio, AMFTSarah Barukh, ACSWKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS:1. Burnout is systemic, not personal.Burnout isn’t caused by individual weakness or poor coping—it’s driven by structural issues like workload expectations, productivity metrics, and organizational priorities.2. Isolation makes burnout worse. When workplaces discourage connection or leave no energy for relationships, people are more likely to internalize blame and feel alone in their struggle.3. Work culture trains us to ignore our own needs.When energy reserves are empty, reaching out to friends, returning calls, or engaging in meaningful connection can feel overwhelming—often accompanied by guilt for wanting what you can’t access.4. Self-care advice often shifts responsibility away from broken systems.Productivity hacks and “fix yourself” solutions place the burden back on individuals instead of addressing the workplace conditions causing burnout.5. Technology keeps people psychologically on the clock.Constant accessibility through phones and email erodes real downtime, making recovery from work stress increasingly difficult.6. Connection and collective action are powerful antidotes to burnout.Community—whether through coworkers, shared experiences, or organized action—helps reduce self-blame and creates pathways for meaningful change.KEY QUOTES:1. “Burnout is a system problem, not a you problem.” — Sarah2. “There’s nothing more nihilistic than reducing life to something that needs to be optimized.” — Liam3. “If these corporations are treating us like machines, then we see ourselves as machines” — Sarah4. “I realized now, I mean, it is structural. The expectations of the company are not about helping people heal. It’s a numbers game.” — Sarah5. “Nothing has an intrinsic meaning, and that encourages us to ask: whose values are these that I’m living by?” — LiamCALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to the book, “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski DMA. In this book they talk about what you can do to complete the biological stress cycle—and return your body to a state of relaxation, how to manage the “monitor” in your brain that regulates the emotion of frustration, and much more.Interested in learning more about the Kaiser Permanente mental health workers that Sarah was talking about? Check out this article.Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.
Transcribe →Rest Rebels: Choosing Rest in a World That Prioritizes Hyper-Productivity
Jan 1300:30:14Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode of ‘Out of Session’ by Kindman and Co., hosts Kaitlin, Dani, and Clarissa discuss the concepts of compassion fatigue, guilt, and shame, while reflecting on societal and cultural narratives around rest and productivity. The therapists underscore the importance of intentional rest as a form of resistance against the pressures of hyper-productivity and capitalist culture, and advocate for self-care despite feelings of guilt or inadequacy.TOPICS:Tiredness, Guilt, Self-Care, Exhaustion, Rest, Hyper-Productivity Culture, Personal JourneyKEY FIGURES:Kaitlin Kindman, LCSWDani Marrufo, LMFTClarissa SantistebanKindman & Co.CALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to a couple different places! First, Weezie, who is the ultimate ‘rest rebel’, is bringing you to MaeDay Rescue. Founded by Natalie Garcia, MaeDay Rescue is 501C3 nonprofit, and started as a one-woman mission to help abandoned dogs. Since then it has grown into a full-scale rescue effort built on collaboration, education and heart. You can view their website at maedayrescue.com.Weezie would also like you to check out Kitten Rescue Los Angeles. Kitten Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer based organization devoted to finding loving homes for unwanted, homeless cats and kittens in LA. They educate the public about responsible pet guardianship, how to care for kittens and cats, and the importance of spaying and neutering. Kitten Rescue makes educational material available via events, print, school presentations and on their website at kittenrescue.org.We would also like to bring you to The Nap Ministry. Founded by Tricia Hersey, The Nap Ministry is a community installation that examines the liberating power of naps. They believe rest is a form of resistance and install Collective Napping Experiences for the community to rest together in a safe space. Follow them on Instagram at The Nap Ministry.Be sure to check out our blog at Kindman & Co. blog - Paul Kindman has a post on Rest, Its Many Facets and the Consequences of Rest Neglect. You can also find the full transcript of this episode there as well.
Transcribe →Not an AI Chatbot: Being Human in the Therapy Room
Jan 100:27:38Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode of Out of Session with Kindman and Co., hosts Elizabeth and Logan discuss the importance of therapists embracing their own humanity and messiness. They challenge the societal expectation that therapists must always appear composed and all-knowing.SUMMARY:In this episode of Out of Session with Kindman and Co., Elizabeth and Logan dive into the topic of how therapists are not immune to the messiness of life and why it's healthy to acknowledge that. They share their own vulnerabilities, discuss expectations placed on therapists to be all-knowing, and explore the importance of authenticity in therapeutic relationships. The conversation takes a light-hearted turn with references to SpongeBob SquarePants and personal anecdotes, emphasizing that embracing one's humanness can lead to better connections both in and out of therapy sessions.TOPICS: Being Human, Therapy for Therapists, Counseling, Personal Journey, Mental Health SupportKEY FIGURES:Elizabeth Taylor, AMFTLogan Kim, AMFT, APCCKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS:1. Therapists Are Human—and That’s Not a ProblemTherapists experience anxiety, messiness, uncertainty, and stress just like everyone else. This humanness doesn’t undermine therapy; it strengthens it.2. Perfection Creates Shame, Not HealingWhen therapists are expected to be “all-knowing” or emotionally flawless, it can unintentionally reinforce shame and unrealistic expectations for clients.3. Authenticity Builds Real ConnectionBeing honest, present, and emotionally real in the room allows for deeper relational safety and more meaningful therapeutic work.4. Growth Happens in the YuckHealing isn’t about avoiding discomfort—it’s about tolerating it together. Messy moments, missteps, and emotional “muck” often create the richest opportunities for growth.5. Joy, Play, and Lightness Matter TooTherapy isn’t only about pain and heaviness. Moments of humor, playfulness, and shared laughter help foster connection and emotional regulation.KEY QUOTES:1. “The therapist is also a mess, and this is actually very healthy.” — Elizabeth2. “I think there’s this kind of expectation of therapists being all knowing or having their lives completely together, and that’s just not possible.” — Elizabeth3. “Perfection is never feeling anxious or never feeling bad or never making a mistake, and it’s just unrealistic to set that goal.” — Logan4. “It brings a space into the session to be real and to actually connect and grow.” — ElizabethCALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to Northeast Neighborhood Outreach (NENO). They are a grassroots organization working to support and advocate for unhoused people in Northeast LA. Their goal is to improve the lives of those who are currently unhoused in northeast LA through weekly outreach, connection to services, and policy advocacy. You can view their website at neno-la.orgLook out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.
Transcribe →Therapy, Politics, and Purpose: Finding Your Voice with Lillian Farzan
Dec 100:43:04Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:In this episode of 'Out of Session with Kindman and Co.', Paul Kindman, co-founder and clinical director, converses with Lillian Farzan, a psychotherapist, digital nomad, poet, and activist.SUMMARY:Paul Kindman, co-founder and clinical director, reconnects with Lillian Farzan, a psychotherapist, digital nomad, poet, and activist. The conversation delves into Lillian's journey from interviewing for a position at Kindman and Co. just before the pandemic to establishing her private practice as a therapist while traveling the world. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their professional lives, Lillian's personal experiences, including planning a wedding in Israel amidst geopolitical tensions, and the importance of integrating personal values and activism into therapy. They also explore the significance of organizations like Standing Together, which fosters solidarity between Jews and Palestinians, and the ongoing need to address systemic issues affecting mental health.TOPICS:Politics, Digital Nomad, Activism, Grief, Counseling, Personal Journey, Mental Health SupportKEY FIGURES:Paul Kindman, LMFTLillian Farzan, LMFTKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS:COVID transformed the therapy profession and opened the door to digital nomadism.Lillian describes how the pandemic fundamentally shifted her career path—allowing her to start a fully remote private practice and eventually build a lifestyle where she can live and work around the world.Personal grief and global conflict shaped Lillian’s journey.Her father’s death, reconnecting with family abroad, and being in Israel during and after October 7th created a complex emotional landscape that deeply influenced her worldview and her work.The mental health field benefits from therapists being transparent about values.Both Paul and Lillian push back against the “blank slate” model, emphasizing that therapists acknowledging systemic issues—and their own perspectives—can validate clients’ lived experiences rather than pathologizing them.Systemic context matters in understanding mental health.They highlight how anxiety, depression, and distress are often natural responses to broken societal systems—not personal failings—and therapy should reflect that broader reality.Standing Together shows a path to solidarity amid polarization.Lillian found grounding and clarity with Standing Together, a joint Palestinian–Jewish organization. It offered a place to unlearn biases, hold empathy for both communities, and stay engaged in nuanced activism when the world felt polarized and overwhelming.“COVID was a complete game changer. Suddenly the idea that therapists had to stay rooted in one place no longer made sense.” — Lillian Farzan“Recontextualizing what people feel is so important—so many of our struggles are perfectly reasonable responses to a system that’s deeply messed up.” — Paul Kindman“I felt like I was living in the center of so many extremes, trying to understand what was real and who to believe.” — Lillian Farzan“When we don’t talk about the systems, people are left thinking something is wrong with them instead of seeing the environment they’re surviving in.” — Paul Kindman“Finding Standing Together helped me realize I wasn’t alone. It gave me a place to unlearn, to grow, and to hold empathy for both Palestinians and Jews.” — Lillian FarzanCALL TO ACTION:Today's episode is bringing you to Standing Together. This is the organization that Lillian refers to several times throughout the conversation. They are a progressive grassroots movement organizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel against the occupation and for peace, equality, and social justice. You can view their website at https://www.standing-together.org/enYou can also find Lillian's website here: https://www.lillianfarzan.com/Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.
Transcribe →Why Grief Never Ends (and Why That’s Okay)
Oct 3100:27:25Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODE:Dani and Anna, who are both therapists specializing in grief, discuss their experiences and challenges related to grief therapy.SUMMARY:In this episode, therapists Dani and Anna dive deep into their experiences with grief and cultural practices surrounding it, particularly the creation of ofrendas for Día de los Muertos. They discuss the emotional complexities and mixed reactions associated with setting up an ofrenda in their office for the past three years. Dani, coming from a Mexican family, highlights how these practices bring her comfort and help embrace her culture, while Anna reflects on her own journey of adopting these practices despite concerns over cultural appropriation. They both share how this tradition has fostered a space for communal grieving and cultural appreciation within their work environment. Dani speaks about her work with clients dealing with various forms of loss, including anticipatory grief and the grief of losing relationships with living people. Anna reflects on the long-lasting impact of losing her mother at a young age and how it has shaped her worldview and therapeutic practices. Together, they explore the profound connections formed through grief work, the importance of embracing one's emotions, and the value of creating spaces for grieving within therapy. They urge listeners to seek support, emphasizing the transformative power of having someone to share the burden of grief, whether through therapy, support groups, or spiritual guidance. The episode concludes with a reminder that grieving is a personal journey, and it's essential to make room for one's emotions and experiences.TOPICS:Día de los Muertos, Grief, Counseling, Personal Journey, Mental Health SupportKEY FIGURES:Anna Kim, LCSWDani Marrufo, lmftKindman & Co.KEY TAKEAWAYS1. Grief is deeply personal and ever-evolving. Both therapists emphasize that grief doesn’t follow a timeline or end point — it changes form over time but never fully disappears. As Anna puts it, “you won’t be yourself again,” because loss fundamentally reshapes who we are.2. Grief takes many forms — not just death. Dani underscores that grief can come from heartbreak, estranged relationships, or identity-based losses. These “living losses” are just as valid and painful as the grief that follows death, and society often fails to make room for them.3. Connection and companionship ease the weight of grief. Both therapists reflect on the power of being with someone in their grief — not fixing it, but holding space. They describe the therapeutic relationship as a place where grief can be witnessed and carried together, reducing its isolation.4. Grief deepens our capacity for meaning and appreciation. While acknowledging the pain, Anna and Dani recognize that grief can enrich life. It brings perspective, empathy, and a greater awareness of life’s fragility and beauty — even if that awareness comes at a profound cost.KEY QUOTES“You can’t go back. There’s only one direction of time — it’s forward.” — Anna“All of a sudden you’re on the other side of a piece of glass from everyone you’ve known… they can see you, but they can’t see the glass.” — Anna“I can connect with people because I know what it’s like to be in that deep of a place. I don’t really like small talk anymore because I know there are bigger things we’re all carrying.” — Dani “It is so powerful to not be alone. Don’t do it alone.” — AnnaCALL TO ACTIONToday's episode is bringing you to Delicias Bakery and Some, a local highland park bakery where you can get your pan de muerto for your ofrenda. And Our House Grief Support Center - Offering specialized grief groups.Look out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected. kindman.co
Transcribe →Holding It All: Building Community Through the Caregiver Experience
Oct 200:30:27Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODEIn today’s episode, Sarah introduces Madison, a new therapist and grad student at Kindman and Co. They discuss their soon-to-be-launched caregiver support group. Both share personal experiences being caregivers and reflect on the challenges and responsibilities that come with this role. They express the importance of support systems, the evolving nature of caregiving, and their hopes for the group's impact.TOPICSCaregivers, Therapy, Support Group, Community, Mental Health SupportKEY FIGURESSarah Barukh, Madison Segarra, Kindman & Co.SUMMARYIn this episode of 'Out of Session with Kindman and Co.', Sarah and new team member Madison discuss the launch of their upcoming caregiver support group. Both Sarah and Madison share personal experiences of being caregivers. They reflect on the challenges and evolving responsibilities that come with caregiving roles and the crucial need for support systems. Their conversation emphasizes the yearning for community, understanding, and advocacy to help caregivers navigate their responsibilities more effectively and feel less isolated in their roles.The episode touches on various emotions associated with caregiving, such as anxiety, fear, and resentment, especially when caregivers consider the long-term commitments to their loved ones. Both hosts agree on the necessity of having someone to lean on, whether it's family, partners, or a support group, and the importance of defining their roles through meaningful language and ownership. They highlight that caregiving requires acute awareness and emotional resilience, often involving preemptive actions to meet the needs of those they care for.Sarah and Madison express hopes for their new support group to provide a space for caregivers to share experiences, exchange resources, and receive validation. This group aims to create a community where caregivers can find solace, exchange knowledge, and, most importantly, feel understood and less alone in their journeys.KEY TAKEAWAYSCaregiving Often Comes Without a RoadmapMany caregivers step into the role without preparation, training, or support, learning on the fly while navigating complex healthcare, emotional, and personal challenges.The Emotional Toll of Caregiving Is Deep and Often InvisibleCaregivers experience isolation, burnout, guilt, and identity shifts, especially when societal recognition and support systems are lacking.There’s Power in Naming and Sharing the Caregiving ExperienceCreating language and space for caregivers to talk about their roles fosters community, healing, and validation, helping reduce stigma and silence.Peer-led initiatives can foster meaningful change.Madison and Sarah’s support group aims to build a “spider web” of connection for caregivers, proving that shared lived experience is a powerful tool for healing and advocacy.KEY QUOTES“It doesn't make the weight any lighter, but you feel more supported in carrying it.”— Sarah“The idea that you are also allowed to have needs can feel really foreign.”— Sarah“There’s nobody to ever give you a handout for how to navigate this system.”— Madison“Community makes the hardest things feel more manageable.”— SarahCALL TO ACTIONLook out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected. Interested in joining Sarah and Madison’s support group for caregivers? Follow this link to visit the group’s page on our website. kindman.co
Transcribe →Redefining Masculinity: Vulnerability, Connection & Building New Communities
Sep 400:42:44Tap to summarizeIN THIS EPISODETwo therapists unpack how masculinity is shaped by social policing, reflect on their own experiences of being shamed for vulnerability, and introduce a new men’s group dedicated to exploring more expansive and emotionally authentic forms of masculinity.TOPICSmasculinity, vulnerability, therapy, community, connection, men’s groupsKEY FIGURESJesse Romo, Liam DeGeorgio, Kindman & Co.SUMMARYIn this episode, therapists Jesse and Liam revisit the theme of masculinity, reflecting on the ways boys and men are taught early in life to suppress tenderness and vulnerability. They share personal stories of being policed for showing emotion and describe how aggression and “boys will be boys” attitudes were rewarded, even as they caused long-term harm.The conversation explores how patriarchy limits everyone, including men themselves, and why vulnerability and emotional honesty are not weaknesses but deeper forms of strength. Liam introduces his new group, Redefining Masculinity, which provides a supportive space for masc-presenting individuals to affirm one another, experiment with new ways of expressing themselves, and challenge harmful norms together.Together, Jesse and Liam highlight the ripple effect of healing—how individual men learning to express vulnerability can influence friends, partners, families, and future generations.KEY TAKEAWAYSMasculinity often discourages tenderness and vulnerability while rewarding aggression, leading to isolation and emotional harm.Early childhood experiences of shame and policing shape how men learn to perform masculinity.Vulnerability and emotional honesty are acts of courage that foster deeper connection and resilience.Groups like Redefining Masculinity create space for men to unlearn limiting norms and model new ways of being.Healing within community ripples outward, inspiring change in families, friendships, and society.KEY QUOTES"From a young age, boys are taught to police each other into a narrow version of masculinity." — Liam"If you start crying, people will call you a girl. But if you get angry, people don’t make fun of you — they’re afraid of you. That’s how I adapted." — Jesse"Patriarchy convinces men that the easy way out is to avoid feelings. But the real work — the stronger path — is being vulnerable, accountable, and uncomfortable." — Jesse"Nobody’s born a hyper-alpha male who doesn’t want connection. Those parts of us get shut down — and it’s about reviving them." — Liam"Groups like this matter because they give us space to explore without shame, to ask questions instead of being told: ‘Don’t go there, dude.’" — Liam"Change ripples outward. When men embrace vulnerability, it impacts their partners, their families, and the next generation." — JesseCALL TO ACTIONLook out for the transcript of this episode on the Kindman & Co. blog and sign up for the Kindman & Co. newsletter to stay connected.Interested in Liam’s Redefining Masculinity group? Follow this link to visit the group’s page on our website.
Transcribe →