Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth – S2: #49 - Getting Dumped By Your Therapist (Smosh Advice)
Release Date: February 5, 2020
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Short), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall), Sarah Whittle, Monica Vasantani, and Courtney Miller
Introduction
In this episode of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, and their friends Sarah Whittle, Monica Vasantani, and Courtney Miller delve into a series of listener-submitted questions, offering advice on a range of personal and professional challenges. The episode is a blend of humor, candid conversations, and heartfelt insights, culminating in Sarah's personal experience of being abruptly discontinued by her therapist.
1. Is College Worth It?
Timestamp: [04:38] – [07:50]
The hosts engage in a discussion about the value of pursuing higher education. Monica shares her positive experience with community college and a full-ride scholarship, highlighting the benefits of reducing debt before transferring to a four-year institution. Sarah expresses regret over attending a four-year school instead of community college, emphasizing the financial strain it imposed.
Notable Quotes:
- Monica: “I think college was really worth it for me because I always knew I wanted to get into media or television or some type of production like that.” [06:29]
- Sarah: “I wish I had just gone to community college, saved the money.” [05:43]
The conversation underscores that while college can be beneficial, especially for those with clear career goals, it isn't the right path for everyone. Trade schools and vocational training are presented as viable alternatives.
2. How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Timestamp: [15:23] – [19:16]
Addressing the common struggle of self-comparison, the hosts offer strategies to combat feelings of inadequacy and self-deprecation. Monica emphasizes acknowledging the behavior and recognizing its mental health implications. Sarah suggests imagining how one would advise a friend facing similar issues, encouraging a compassionate internal dialogue.
Notable Quotes:
- Monica: “The first step is you acknowledge that you're doing this and it's just not mentally healthy.” [16:59]
- Sarah: “Imagine that you are saying this to a good friend.” [16:59]
They advocate for focusing on personal growth, setting manageable goals, and celebrating individual progress rather than measuring oneself against others.
3. How to Maintain Friendships with People Who Have Changed
Timestamp: [20:09] – [25:51]
The hosts discuss the natural evolution of friendships and how to navigate changes in friends' behaviors, interests, or life circumstances. Monica shares her perspective on not forcing friendships to last when mutual respect fades, while Sarah emphasizes evaluating the value friends bring into one's life.
Notable Quotes:
- Monica: “Friendships change and ebb and flow... If these people are changing in a way that you're not favorable, either you can address those changes with them or maybe adjust the friendship.” [20:38]
- Sarah: “Spend less time with them... It took us a little while to find what worked for us.” [22:15]
They highlight the importance of open communication, setting boundaries, and prioritizing relationships that contribute positively to one's well-being.
4. Handling Being a Virgin in Late Twenties
Timestamp: [32:14] – [38:31]
Sarah opens up about her experience of being a virgin at 27 and the challenges it presents, including fetishization and rejection. The hosts offer supportive advice, emphasizing personal choice, the importance of finding a respectful partner, and normalizing one's experience.
Notable Quotes:
- Sarah: “Honestly, the difference between being a 27 year old virgin and being a 29 year old virgin, not that much.” [36:23]
- Monica: “At the end of the day, it's a big deal, but it's also not... it's only as powerful as you make it.” [35:41]
Monica shares a humorous anecdote about dating an older virgin, illustrating the importance of openness and mutual respect in relationships.
5. How to Stop Being a Picky Eater
Timestamp: [39:42] – [45:40]
The discussion shifts to addressing picky eating habits. Monica and Sarah provide practical tips for expanding one's palate, such as trying new flavor profiles, incorporating new foods gradually, and understanding underlying issues like ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). They encourage experimentation and patience, sharing personal stories of overcoming food aversions.
Notable Quotes:
- Sarah: “If it's something that you don't like to do every single day, it's not like, oh, this one time this month I tried something new and it was gross and I never did it again.” [44:40]
- Monica: “Your taste buds can change. You can get used to it.” [44:10]
The hosts advocate for a gradual approach to trying new foods, emphasizing that repeated exposure can lead to appreciation and enjoyment.
6. How to Stay Motivated While Job Hunting
Timestamp: [48:49] – [57:58]
Job hunting can be a daunting and disheartening process. The hosts share strategies to maintain motivation, including networking, refining resumes, leveraging side hustles, and seeking support from friends. Monica emphasizes the importance of a concise, honest resume, while Courtney highlights the value of follow-up calls to demonstrate assertiveness.
Notable Quotes:
- Monica: “It just takes one gig... How can you best situate yourself to have the best arsenal of things to fire off when you need to make sure that resume is solid.” [49:26]
- Sarah: “Put all the numbers out there... Don't think about all the packets I sent out to people who did nothing with it.” [52:15]
They also discuss the emotional toll of job hunting and the necessity of maintaining a positive outlook by focusing on achievable goals and seeking temporary employment when needed.
7. How to De-stress
Timestamp: [57:49] – [77:42]
In the final segment, the hosts explore various de-stressing techniques. They offer a mix of practical advice and personal preferences, such as mindfulness, hobbies, physical exercise, and aromatherapy. Monica emphasizes the importance of small rewards and engaging in activities that require focus, like painting or sewing. Courtney suggests organizing thoughts through journaling and detaching from uncontrollable outcomes.
Notable Quotes:
- Courtney: “Mapping out what you're stressed about... Just write it out. Comb out that pasta and just figure out what's really the issue.” [69:26]
- Sarah: “Do things that require something to quiet your mind... Cooking is a great one because it uses my hands. It uses my mind.” [73:00]
They also discuss the impact of sensory experiences, such as favorite smells, on reducing stress and fostering a sense of calm.
8. Getting Dumped by Your Therapist
Timestamp: [59:28] – [67:00]
A pivotal moment in the episode is when Sarah shares her unsettling experience of being abruptly discontinued by her therapist after only a few sessions. She describes how the therapist informed her mid-session that she would no longer be providing therapy, leaving Sarah feeling abandoned and confused. The hosts empathize with her, discussing the importance of finding a compatible therapist and the challenges of seeking mental health support.
Notable Quotes:
- Sarah: “She's like, oh, by the way, I am gonna be taking a break from doing therapy.” [60:09]
- Courtney: “Don't knock it... If you have, like, if you're being rejected and stuff, like, it's just not meant to be.” [54:52]
Monica reflects on her own positive experience with therapy in her teens, highlighting its life-changing benefits. The conversation underscores the significance of perseverance in seeking mental health support and the necessity of finding a therapist who truly understands and supports one's needs.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with the hosts offering final advice on de-stressing, sharing personal anecdotes, and promoting their merchandise. They emphasize the value of self-care, supportive relationships, and proactive approaches to personal challenges. The heartfelt discussions, combined with their signature humor, provide listeners with both entertainment and meaningful insights into handling life's myriad issues.
Speaker Sign-offs:
- Monica: “I'm going to glue all the ones that fell off back on. See how long that lasts.” [77:58]
- Sarah: “Shout out to that.” [78:55]
- Courtney: Promotes new merchandise and encourages listeners to subscribe and engage with the Smoshcast community. [78:57]
This episode of Smosh Mouth offers a blend of relatable advice, personal stories, and comedic banter, making it a valuable listen for anyone navigating the complexities of personal growth, relationships, and mental health.