Podcast
Therapy, Tech and Takeout
Hosted by Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira · EN
Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S2E20| The Companies Between You and Your Therapist
2w ago00:34:33Tap to summarizeWhat happens when accessing therapy requires handing over more than your insurance card?This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni dive into the growing debate around Headway’s new biometric verification requirements - including government IDs and facial scans for some patients and providers.On the surface, identity verification sounds simple: protect patients, prevent fraud, and make sure people are who they say they are. But what happens when that data is tied to mental health care? And what happens when saying “no” could mean losing access to your therapist?Toni breaks down the ethical concerns from the therapist perspective, including informed consent, client abandonment, and the importance of protecting the therapeutic relationship. Jackie explores the bigger technology questions: Who owns our biometric data? How is it stored? And what happens when private companies collect deeply personal information?Together, they discuss:• Why facial recognition in healthcare raises new privacy questions• The difference between verification and surveillance• How venture-backed mental health platforms are changing therapy• The risks when business decisions impact clinical relationships• Why vulnerable patients may not feel like they truly have a choice• What therapists and clients should talk about before changes happenTechnology can make care more accessible - but when efficiency, data, and profit enter the conversation, we have to ask: what are we giving up in exchange?Check out Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the future of therapy, privacy, and technology.#MentalHealth #Therapy #AI #Privacy #DigitalHealth #MentalHealthTech #HealthcareTechnology #Therapists
Transcribe →S2E19| AI Companions: Cure for Loneliness or the Next Social Crisis?
3w ago00:30:05Tap to summarizeCan AI Cure Loneliness… or Is It Making Us More Alone?AI companions are being marketed as the answer to one of the biggest problems facing society: loneliness. But can a chatbot, robot, or AI friend actually replace human connection?In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the complicated relationship between artificial intelligence, loneliness, mental health, and our basic human need to belong.Inspired by a Fortune article from loneliness researcher Clay Routledge and an episode of The Daily about AI companions for older adults, we look at both sides of the conversation. Technology can provide reminders, stimulation, conversation, and support… but what happens when we start treating AI as a replacement for relationships instead of a tool that helps us build them?Toni breaks down why real relationships require reciprocity, vulnerability, and the experience of being impacted by another person - things AI can simulate but not truly provide.We also discuss:• Why loneliness is about more than having someone (or something) to talk to• The difference between sharing with a person and interacting with a chatbot• AI companions for seniors and vulnerable populations• The risks of replacing community with technology• Why pets feel different from AI relationships• Therapy chatbots, emotional connection, and mental health concerns• How profit incentives and engagement models shape technology• Whether AI could be redesigned to connect people instead of isolate them• Privacy concerns as AI enters more personal parts of our livesTechnology is moving quickly, but maybe the bigger question is not “Can AI make us feel less lonely?” Maybe it’s “Why are so many people lonely in the first place?”Media discussed in this episode:Fortune - Loneliness researcher: I’ve studied social connection for 25 years. AI companions will make our crisis worsehttps://fortune.com/2026/05/23/loneliness-researcher-ai-companions-social-disconnection-warning/The Daily - Can AI Make People Feel Less Lonely?https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/podcasts/the-daily/ai-robot-elderly-loneliness.htmlCheck out Toni’s book:Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/Subscribe to Therapy, Tech & Takeout for conversations about technology, mental health, ethics, and what it means to stay human in a rapidly changing world.#ArtificialIntelligence #MentalHealth #Loneliness #AICompanions #TherapyTechAndTakeout
Transcribe →S2E18| AI, Insurance, and the Business of Mental Health
4w ago00:44:02Tap to summarizeWhat happens when insurance companies, venture capital, and AI start reshaping therapy?This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni sit down with licensed mental health counselor Sarah LaFontaine for a powerful conversation about the collision between technology, business incentives, and mental health care.From insurance companies pressuring therapists into shorter sessions… to AI therapy bots making dangerous mistakes… to the growing role of venture capital in therapy platforms, this episode explores what gets lost when efficiency becomes more important than human connection.Sarah shares the inspiration behind her work with:Mindful MatchesMindfulHQRising Hope Counseling ServicesTogether, they unpack:The ethics of AI therapy toolsTherapist burnout and sustainabilityPsychological safety in workplacesConfidentiality concerns in digital mental health platformsWhy therapy is both an art and a scienceThe growing tension between patient care and profit motivesThe conversation also explores whether AI can truly replace human connection in therapy - and why “keeping humans in the loop” may matter more now than ever.If you care about mental health, technology, ethics, or the future of care itself, this episode is for you.Guest InformationSarah LaFontaineRising Hope Counseling ServicesRising-Hope.coFacebook: @SarahLaFontaineLMHCInstagram: @rising_hope_therapyMindfulHQMindfulHQ.comFacebook: @SarahLaFontaineMindfulHQInstagram: @sarahlafontaine_mindfulhqMindful MatchesMindfulMatches.comFacebook: @MindfulMatchesDirectoryInstagram: @mindful_matchesArticles & ReferencesBrown University AI & Mental Health Ethics ArticlePre Order Toni’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/About Therapy, Tech & TakeoutTherapy, Tech & Takeout explores the intersection of mental health, technology, ethics, relationships, and modern life. Hosted by entrepreneur Jackie Toale and therapist Toni Genovese Teixeira, the podcast tackles difficult conversations with honesty, humor, and curiosity.Subscribe for weekly conversations about how technology is changing the way we live, work, connect, and care for ourselves.#MentalHealth #AITherapy #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #TechEthics #ArtificialIntelligence #Burnout #Therapy #Psychology #FutureOfWork #MentalHealthAwareness #Healthcare #PsychologicalSafety
Transcribe →S2E17| She Thought Therapy Was Confidential. Then Her Chats Appeared in Court.
May 2100:38:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni unpack the disturbing revelations from the Proof News investigation into Talkspace and the privacy risks surrounding online therapy platforms. Inspired by the article “Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court,” they explore how deeply personal therapy conversations (including text messages, audio recordings, and video sessions) were allegedly stored and later surfaced during legal discovery. Toni brings her perspective as a licensed therapist to explain how confidentiality, HIPAA, subpoenas, and therapist ethics actually work behind the scenes - and why many clinicians themselves may not have realized the extent of data collection happening on these platforms. Jackie examines the tech side of the issue, including AI training data, “de-identified” information, venture capital incentives, and the growing concern that sensitive mental health conversations may be fueling future AI therapy products without meaningful user understanding or consent. The conversation also dives into:The hidden privacy risks of asynchronous therapy appsWhether therapy app data is truly anonymousHow subpoenas can expose deeply personal mental health recordsWhy therapists are increasingly concerned about large corporate therapy platformsThe impact of tech consolidation on therapist burnout and quality of careQuestions consumers should ask before starting online therapyThe ethical tension between accessibility, profit, AI, and human careThis episode is equal parts fascinating, unsettling, and deeply important for anyone using digital mental health services or considering therapy online.Source article:Proof News Investigation - Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in CourtIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share Therapy, Tech & Takeout with someone who would find the conversation valuable.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.
Transcribe →S2E16| The New Teen Addiction Nobody Prepared For
May 1400:29:21Tap to summarizeOnline gambling and sports betting have become deeply embedded in modern culture - and teens are increasingly being exposed earlier than ever before.This week, Jaclyn and Toni sit down with Dr. Juleen Buser, behavioral addiction specialist and licensed professional counselor, to explore the psychology behind gambling addiction, why online betting can become so compulsive, and how technology has dramatically changed access and risk for adolescents.In this episode, we discuss:The rise of teen sports bettingDopamine and behavioral addictionWhy gambling often hides in plain sightHow apps and online games reinforce addictive patternsWarning signs parents should knowWhy gambling addiction carries one of the highest suicide risks among addictionsWhat counseling and recovery look likeLinks:Dr. Juleen Buser - LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juleen-buser-115515293/Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1657331Facebook - Cardiff Health, LLC:https://www.facebook.com/cardiffhealthNPR Article:https://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5762276/teens-getting-hooked-on-gambling-sports-bettingPreorder Toni's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.
Transcribe →S2E15| When We Automate Decisions, Who's Actually Responsible When Things Go Wrong?
May 700:28:21Tap to summarizeAn AI agent was reportedly given explicit instructions not to make unauthorized changes… and then deleted a company’s production databases and backups anyway.This week on Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni explore the ethical, psychological, and societal implications of AI systems behaving in unexpected and potentially devastating ways.Using the recent Claude AI database deletion story as a starting point, they discuss:whether AI safeguards are real or just perceivedwhy humans overtrust technologyhow automation changes our relationship with responsibilitythe psychological comfort of outsourcing decision-makingexistential fears surrounding AIthe role political leaders should play in regulating emerging technologyand how intentional technology use may protect our autonomy and mental well-beingThey also explore how cognitive bias impacts our perception of technological risk, why many tech leaders limit technology exposure for their own children, and whether AI is becoming the “junk food” of modern life.Referenced articles & resources:The Guardian article discussed in this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/29/claude-ai-deletes-firm-databaseForestiere Underground Gardensin Fresno, California: https://undergroundgardens.com/#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechEthics #MentalHealth #Automation #DigitalWellness #Psychology #Technology #ClaudeAI
Transcribe →S2E14| Cyberbullying, Sextortion & Self-Harm: Protecting Kids in 2026
Apr 3000:31:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by licensed mental health therapist Sheena Beach for a serious and important conversation about teen sextortion, cyberbullying, self-harm, and digital shame.Inspired by a New York Post article reporting on teen suicides connected to sextortion scams, the conversation explores how online coercion can quickly become a mental health crisis for adolescents. Sheena explains what self-harm can look like, why it is not always the same as suicidal intent, and how parents can respond with calm, connection, and choice instead of shame.We also discuss the tech side of the problem: fake accounts, disappearing messages, AI, anonymous profiles, parental monitoring tools, and the difficult balance between protecting kids and maintaining trust.This episode includes discussion of self-harm, suicide, sextortion, and child exploitation. Please take care while listening.Show Notes / ResourcesArticle discussed:Sextortion and teen suicide connection:https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/us-news/38-us-teens-died-by-suicide-in-five-years-from-sextortion-scams/Cyberbullying and sexting laws by state:https://cyberbullying.org/sexting-lawsHealthcare-based guidance on self-harm:https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/when-children-and-teens-self-harm.aspxSelf-harm and suicide information:https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/self-harm/self-harm-statistics/https://afsp.org/Cyberbullying and sextortion resources:https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-ithttps://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2023/PSA230912https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortionBooks for children and teens:My Body is Private by Linda Gerardhttps://a.co/d/014SLl9sDo You Have a Secret? by Jennifer Moore-Mallinoshttps://a.co/d/0ex9FHg5Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sandershttps://a.co/d/0eoHS1scThe Internet Is Not Your Friend: Online Safety for Teens by Kyan Montaguehttps://a.co/d/09TNaHxxParental safety and monitoring tools mentioned:Bark Technology: https://www.bark.us/Qustodio: https://www.qustodio.com/en/Aura Parent: https://www.aura.com/parentsFamily Keeper: https://reasonlabs.com/platform/products/parental-control?fk_redirect=1Guest:Sheena Beach, licensed mental health therapist and founder of Canopy Counseling. Licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, with telehealth availability in Florida. Connect with Sheena www.sheenabeach.comIf you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Transcribe →S2E13| Can Technology Actually Improve Your Relationship? What the Research Says
Apr 2300:32:23Tap to summarizeCan technology actually improve your relationship? Or is it just another tool that falls short when things get real?In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni break down a fascinating meta-analysis on digital relationship interventions and what the research actually says about apps, coaching platforms, and tech-driven tools designed to improve connection.👉 Study referenced: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12482273/They explore:Whether relationship apps and online programs really increase satisfactionThe difference between relationship satisfaction vs. relationship healthWhy digital tools may fail new parents (and what actually helps instead)The surprising role of coaching and accountability in digital programsHow intimacy, vulnerability, and “healthy risk” impact long-term relationshipsWhere tech helps… and where it absolutely doesn’t replace therapyPlus, a wild conversation about haptic tech (yes… remote kissing devices 😳) and what it reveals about human connection.If you’ve ever wondered whether relationship tools are worth it - or when it’s time to go deeper - this episode gives you a grounded, honest take.
Transcribe →S2E12| When Love Turns Into Surveillance: The Rise of Relationship Hackin
Apr 1600:31:43Tap to summarizeThis week, we’re diving into a heavy but important topic inspired by a Wired article on how people are using hacking tools, surveillance, and AI to exploit partners and friends.We unpack how this actually happens in real life - and why it’s less about “hacking” and more about access, trust, and control.From shared passwords and location tracking to deepfakes and digital coercion, this episode explores both the tech side and the psychological impact of these behaviors.We also talk about:Warning signs to look for in relationshipsWhy people normalize control early onHow to protect yourself digitallyWhat to do if you’re concerned about a friendWhy trusting your gut matters more than you think⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses stalking, abuse, and sexual assault.A Call to Men website: https://www.acalltomen.org/Jackson Katz, The Macho ParadoxRAINN is the national organization and where people can start to help them find local resources: https://centers.rainn.org/
Transcribe →S2E11| Art Therapy in the Digital Age: How Technology is Changing Creativity and Healing
Apr 900:30:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when creativity meets technology in the therapy room?In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie and Toni are joined by art therapist Lindsey Jonin to explore how art therapy is evolving in a digital world. From iPads and Canva to virtual sessions and screen sharing, Lindsey shares how technology is expanding access to healing while still keeping human connection at the center.We also unpack the tension many of us feel with tech - when it isolates vs. when it connects - and how creativity can be a powerful antidote to overconsumption.Whether you think you’re “not creative” or you’re already an artist, this conversation will change how you think about self-expression, mental health, and the role of technology in both. In this episode:What art therapy actually is (and what it’s not)How digital tools like Canva and drawing apps are used in therapyWhy virtual art therapy can increase accessibility and connectionThe mindset shift from consuming to creatingSimple ways to reconnect with your creativity (even if you feel stuck)Learn more + find a credentialed art therapist:Lindsey Jonin: https://www.lilycounselingandarttherapy.com/aboutPresentations | Art Workshops | Trainings www.abstractandaligned.com Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB): https://www.atcb.orgAmerican Art Therapy Association: https://arttherapy.org
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