Why Is It So Hard to Let People In?

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen explore why it’s so hard to let people in. We all crave connection, yet vulnerability can feel terrifying, especially when it wasn’t modeled for us or didn’t feel safe growing up. They unpack why talking isn’t the same as being vulnerable, how to build tolerance for openness, and why it’s okay to keep some relationships more surface-level.Listener questions cover how to start sharing more, what to do when you pull away from the people who could support you most (and why you do it), and how to understand protective patterns like the silent treatment. They also discuss how strength and vulnerability coexist, how men are socialized to hide emotions, and their Dear Em & Jen dives into how to navigate when a partner doesn’t want marriage.Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 3:20 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next orderSeed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first monthGreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shippingGreenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are taking on the topic of friendship, from making new ones to grieving breakups and navigating the complicated in-betweens. They share why effort matters in adult friendships, how to handle loneliness, and why friendship breakups can hurt just as much as romantic ones.Listener questions cover everything from reconnecting with old friends, financial differences, and friendship triangles to handling drifting connections, performative friends, and rejection. Em and Jen also dig into adolescent friendship wounds that still sting in adulthood, how to politely exit a new friendship, and what to do when your child’s friendships clash with your own. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener dating someone new with big-T trauma.Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 7 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next orderSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first monthGreenChef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shippingGreenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠Uncommon Goods: Shop early, have fun, and cross some names off your list at UncommonGoods.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dig into the topic of breaking intergenerational patterns and the ways in which we end up just like our parents, for good and for bad. From inherited quirks and “mental health heirlooms” to subconscious habits we don’t notice until a third party points them out, they explore what to carry forward and what to leave behind.Listener questions include how to cope when parents won’t acknowledge past harm, setting boundaries without cutting contact, and resisting the pull of old family dynamics. Em and Jen share practical tools for breaking cycles in the moment, from creating pauses and practicing new behaviors to building new normals and offering yourself compassion when you slip up. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener grieving her shifting role as her brothers’ girlfriends become part of the family.Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 2:30 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next orderSkims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchaseSeed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/shrinkchicks and use code ShrinkChicks25 to get 25% off your first monthGreen Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shippingGreenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen tackle one of their most requested topics: marriage advice! And as two Marriage and Family Therapists who are married themselves, they definitely have a lot to say on the topic.  From the best (and worst) advice they’ve gotten themselves, to questions like “How do you know if they’re the one?” and “What should we talk about before getting married?”, Em and Jen cover the messy, practical, and surprising truths about love and commitment. They explore what changes after marriage, which flaws are worth putting up with, and why “when you know, you know” isn’t always the whole story. Listener questions dig into readiness, money conversations, staying close while changing, and the difference between relational health and chemistry. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener navigating how to share pregnancy news with a friend struggling with infertility. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 5:30 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchase Green Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen tackle one of their most requested topics: marriage advice! And as two Marriage and Family Therapists who are married themselves, they definitely have a lot to say on the topic.  From the best (and worst) advice they’ve gotten themselves, to questions like “How do you know if they’re the one?” and “What should we talk about before getting married?”, Em and Jen cover the messy, practical, and surprising truths about love and commitment. They explore what changes after marriage, which flaws are worth putting up with, and why “when you know, you know” isn’t always the whole story. Listener questions dig into readiness, money conversations, staying close while changing, and the difference between relational health and chemistry. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener navigating how to share pregnancy news with a friend struggling with infertility. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 5:30 to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchase Green Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shippingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are reunited on the pod after baby Birdie’s birth, who is already showing off by sleeping through the night and sending her sister Millie into a slight spiral. In this episode, the two tackle one of the toughest topics in relationships: repairing after infidelity. From the shame and secrecy surrounding affairs to the consistent behaviors that rebuild trust, they share why some couples grow stronger after betrayal and what real healing requires. Listener questions cover everything from handling judgment from family and friends, managing breakdowns post-betrayal, forgiving yourself if you were unfaithful, and deciding whether to stay or go. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener struggling with repeated betrayal in her marriage. Whether you’re facing infidelity yourself, supporting someone who is, or just curious about this topic, this episode reminds all of us that it’s possible to write a new relationship narrative.Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners: Wildgrain: Get $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants in every box - when you go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wildgrain.com/SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your subscription or use code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchaseGreen Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are reunited on the pod after baby Birdie’s birth, who is already showing off by sleeping through the night and sending her sister Millie into a slight spiral. In this episode, the two tackle one of the toughest topics in relationships: repairing after infidelity. From the shame and secrecy surrounding affairs to the consistent behaviors that rebuild trust, they share why some couples grow stronger after betrayal and what real healing requires. Listener questions cover everything from handling judgment from family and friends, managing breakdowns post-betrayal, forgiving yourself if you were unfaithful, and deciding whether to stay or go. Plus, in Dear Em & Jen, they respond to a listener struggling with repeated betrayal in her marriage. Whether you’re facing infidelity yourself, supporting someone who is, or just curious about this topic, this episode reminds all of us that it’s possible to write a new relationship narrative.Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners: Wildgrain: Get $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants in every box - when you go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wildgrain.com/SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your subscription or use code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchaseGreen Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shippingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, it’s a special takeover with Em and Nikki — producer, head of operations, and soon-to-be mom (hard launch alert 🚨). Nikki opens up about her journey to pregnancy, sharing what it’s been like to face the uncertainty of not being “100% sure” about having kids, navigating anxiety, and learning to get comfortable with the unknown. Nikki is given full rein to ask Em anything and everything … as long as it’s on the mic. Em answers questions about her own path to motherhood, from scripting her “why,” to the biggest shifts she’s noticed in herself as a parent, to the advice she wishes she could give her past self. Together, they cover everything from comparison traps and “mommy wars,” to toxic positivity, slowing down work, and the messy reality of early parenthood. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, just curious about the emotional rollercoaster, or want to learn more about Em and Nikki, this episode is an honest and validating look inside look into pregnancy and motherhood. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners: Wildgrain: Get $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants in every box - when you go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wildgrain.com/SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your subscription or use code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchase Green Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping

This week on ShrinkChicks, it’s a special takeover with Em and Nikki — producer, head of operations, and soon-to-be mom (hard launch alert 🚨). Nikki opens up about her journey to pregnancy, sharing what it’s been like to face the uncertainty of not being “100% sure” about having kids, navigating anxiety, and learning to get comfortable with the unknown. Nikki is given full rein to ask Em anything and everything … as long as it’s on the mic. Em answers questions about her own path to motherhood, from scripting her “why,” to the biggest shifts she’s noticed in herself as a parent, to the advice she wishes she could give her past self. Together, they cover everything from comparison traps and “mommy wars,” to toxic positivity, slowing down work, and the messy reality of early parenthood. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one, just curious about the emotional rollercoaster, or want to learn more about Em and Nikki, this episode is an honest and validating look inside look into pregnancy and motherhood. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! ⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠ A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners: Wildgrain: Get $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants in every box - when you go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wildgrain.com/SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your subscription or use code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchase Green Chef: Head to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dive into the messy, complicated, and oh-so-human world of duality: how two things can be true at once. From being grateful but still wanting more, to setting boundaries and feeling both relief and grief, they explore why holding contradictions feels so uncomfortable, and why it can also be a sign of growth. They answer listener questions on everything from navigating personal struggles when others seem to have it “worse,” to holding both excitement and fear in big life changes, to grieving the loss of a therapist while still feeling grateful for the work you’ve done together. Along the way, Em and Jen remind us that pain is not a competition, gratitude doesn’t have to equal complacency, and your feelings don’t need to cancel each other out to be real. Whether you’re moving through a divorce, starting a new job, or simply facing the daily contradictions of being human, this episode offers compassion, validation, and some much-needed relief in knowing you don’t have to pick just one truth. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 9 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. Get Matched With One of Our Therapists at The Therapy Group! ShrinkChicks on Instagram Our Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal!! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners: Wildgrain: Get $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants in every box - when you go to⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wildgrain.com/SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your subscription or use code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order Greenlight: Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenlight.com/shrinkchicks⁠ Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠SKIMS.com⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in thesurvey, and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Mabē: Visit ⁠⁠mabeproducts.com⁠⁠ and use code: SHRINKCHICKS for an automatic $10 discount on your first purchase Green Chef: Head to⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Greenchef.com/50SHRINKCHICKS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50SHRINKCHICKS to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping goPure: For a limited time, our listeners get 25% off at ⁠⁠gopurebeauty.com⁠⁠ with code SHRINKCHICKS at checkout