The Squeeze Podcast Summary

Episode: Morgan Riddle: Pockets of Peace
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Taylor Lautner
Co-Host: Taylor Lautner (husband)
Guest: Morgan Riddle

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of The Squeeze, host Taylor Lautner welcomes Morgan Riddle, a prominent social media influencer and the wife of professional tennis player Taylor Lautner. The conversation delves deep into Morgan's personal journey with mental health, her experiences balancing public life with personal well-being, and the dynamics of her relationship with her husband.

Morgan's Background and Early Mental Health Experiences

Morgan opens up about her early exposure to mental health struggles within her family.

• Family Influence: Morgan shares, “My grandma had schizophrenia,” discussing how her grandmother's struggles profoundly impacted her understanding of mental health from a young age. Unfortunately, Morgan never met her grandmother, as she took her own life before Morgan was born (05:03).

• Personal Struggles: Her first personal encounter with anxiety occurred during high school due to academic pressures and the fear of not affording college (05:42). This anxiety persisted into her early adulthood, leading her to seek therapy during her college years in New York (06:42).

Notable Quote:

"I started seeing a therapist around that time, and that was a huge step for me." – Morgan Riddle (06:42)

Navigating College and the Pandemic

Morgan discusses her college experience in New York, where she initially hid her anxiety through an active lifestyle and community involvement. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked a significant shift, leading to increased anxiety and a return to therapy.

• College Life: Living in a sorority in New York provided Morgan with a sense of purpose and community, which helped alleviate her anxiety during those years (11:00).

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic disrupted her routine and exacerbated her mental health challenges, prompting her to seek additional therapy and eventually transition to online counseling (12:46).

Notable Quote:

"The transition during the pandemic was so hard; it was like reverting back to my high school self." – Morgan Riddle (11:00)

Transition to Content Creation and Relationship Dynamics

Morgan recounts her journey from a corporate job to becoming a full-time content creator, coinciding with her relationship with her husband, Taylor Lautner.

• Meeting Taylor: They met in 2020 via Raya during the pandemic lockdown. Initially unaware of each other's careers, Morgan learned about Taylor's tennis background and the pressures that come with professional sports (21:41).

• Building a Public Persona: Morgan faced backlash from the traditional tennis community for being more public and active on social media. Despite criticism, she embraced her unique position by “calling attention to herself” and using negativity as motivation (33:37).

Notable Quote:

"Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation... because you're so mad about it." – Morgan Riddle (33:37)

Maintaining Mental Wellness

A significant portion of the episode focuses on strategies Morgan employs to manage her mental health amidst a demanding and public lifestyle.

• Morning Routines: Morgan emphasizes the importance of personalized routines that bring joy, such as watching old Disney movies during breakfast to start her day with positivity (48:03).

• Therapy and Life Coaching: She discusses her long-term relationship with therapy, including the use of SSRIs and shifting to a life coach to address both personal and professional challenges (52:50).

• Grounding Techniques: Morgan shares practical techniques like the "worry list" and biting into a lemon to manage anxiety, highlighting the effectiveness of physical actions in alleviating mental stress (55:22, 59:00).

Notable Quote:

"Everything comes back to like, okay, what can I do today? Or what can I do in this moment that's going to cause me, like, a little spark of joy." – Morgan Riddle (48:03)

Balancing Public Life and Privacy

Morgan addresses the challenges of being a public figure while maintaining personal boundaries.

• Public Perception: She talks about the stereotypes and misconceptions people have about her, particularly viewing her solely as Taylor's girlfriend. Morgan deliberately separates her online persona from her private life to retain autonomy (46:53).

• Supportive Partnership: Her husband Taylor plays a crucial role in supporting her, helping her navigate public scrutiny and encouraging her independent career pursuits (36:19).

Notable Quote:

"He has always encouraged me and supported me to do it, and he wants to be a dual income household. And he's like, hell yeah." – Morgan Riddle (36:19)

Coping Strategies and Practical Advice

The episode concludes with Morgan sharing actionable tips for mental wellness.

• Grounding Techniques: Beyond the worry list, Morgan recommends using physical sensations (like biting into a lemon) to ground oneself during moments of anxiety (59:00).

• Technology as a Tool: She suggests leveraging technology, such as ChatGPT, to analyze and reframe anxious thoughts, although she acknowledges the environmental concerns (58:31).

• Personalized Wellness: Morgan advocates for finding individualized routines and practices that foster happiness and peace, rather than adhering to generalized wellness trends (47:38).

Notable Quote:

"Just try as much as you can in order to find that peace and that happiness." – Morgan Riddle (52:50)

Conclusion

Morgan Riddle's candid discussion on The Squeeze offers listeners an intimate look into managing mental health amidst the pressures of a public life. Her journey from familial mental health struggles to becoming a content creator and supportive partner provides valuable insights into resilience, self-care, and the importance of maintaining personal boundaries. The episode underscores the universal truth that everyone, regardless of their status, grapples with their own "sour lemons," and finding pockets of peace is essential for well-being.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Morgan Riddle (05:03):

   "I started seeing a therapist around that time, and that was a huge step for me."

2. Morgan Riddle (06:42):

   "I'm very grateful that she took it seriously because I know a lot of, you know, parents who maybe don't understand anxiety or don't understand mental health issues."

3. Morgan Riddle (33:37):

   "Sometimes I'm able to really use it as motivation... because you're so mad about it."

4. Morgan Riddle (48:03):

   "Everything comes back to like, okay, what can I do today? Or what can I do in this moment that's going to cause me, like, a little spark of joy."

5. Morgan Riddle (36:19):

   "He has always encouraged me and supported me to do it, and he wants to be a dual income household. And he's like, hell yeah."

6. Morgan Riddle (52:50):

   "Just try as much as you can in order to find that peace and that happiness."

Key Takeaways

• Early Exposure: Personal experiences with family mental health issues significantly shape one's approach to mental wellness.
• Adaptability: Transitioning roles and coping with global crises like the pandemic can amplify existing mental health struggles.
• Public vs. Private Life: Maintaining personal boundaries is crucial for mental health, especially for public figures.
• Support Systems: A supportive partner and consistent therapeutic practices are vital for managing mental health.
• Practical Coping Mechanisms: Implementing personalized strategies can effectively manage anxiety and promote well-being.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with key insights and practical advice on mental health and well-being, all through the lens of Morgan Riddle's personal experiences.