Mind If We Talk?

Many men grow up receiving the same messages: be strong, stay tough, don’t show too much emotion. But what actually happens when vulnerability, creativity, or sensitivity start to feel like things that need to be hidden?In this episode, host and therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with author and podcast host Cory Allen, as well as writer and poet James McCrae for a deeply personal conversation about masculinity, emotional suppression, and learning how to reconnect with themselves. As a child, James felt he had to hide his love of poetry, while Cory was raised by a father he calls a “Texas Tony Soprano.” Together with Sreela, they each explore how vulnerability ultimately became a path toward deeper connection and understanding their childhood traumas.Later in the episode, BetterHelp therapist David Yadush joins Sreela to unpack the psychology behind emotional literacy, affect labeling, and why so many men struggle to express what they’re feeling.00:00 The Challenge of Emotional Expression for Men01:42 Cory Allen on Childhood, Safety, and Emotional Development05:35 Why Vulnerability Feels Risky10:16 Masculinity, Trauma, and Cultural Expectations12:34 A Practical Framework for Understanding Emotions16:51 Emotional Armor and Its Impact on Relationships20:00 Rethinking Strength and Healthy Masculinity24:42 How Vulnerability Creates Connection30:57 What Cory and James Wish You Knew About Emotional Expression32:45 Why Many Men Struggle to Express Their Feelings33:31 Expert Perspective: Shame, Self-Protection, and Emotional Openness40:53 Movement, Mental Health, and Emotional Processing44:54 Recognizing Emotional Safety in Relationships54:07 Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becoming a parent changes everything. Your schedule, your sleep, your sense of self. And often, your relationship, too. But that's not the part we tend to talk about.On this episode of "Mind If We Talk?" host and licensed mental health counselor Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and former NFL pro Andrew East, a married couple of ten years and parents to three children. Their journey into parenthood was anything but easy. It began with an unplanned pregnancy, a miscarriage that brought grief on different timelines, and, later, a difficult postpartum experience that neither Shawn nor Andrew quite understood at the time. In this intimate conversation, Shawn and Andrew share the ways in which becoming parents has tested them— from the moment Andrew decided they needed a therapist’s help to how they've managed to keep choosing each other, even when things get really hard.Later in the show, Sreela is joined by licensed therapist Sonni Williams from BetterHelp. Together, they explore what couples underestimate most about having a baby, how to recognize the signs of postpartum mood disorders, and a 3 a.m. exercise every couple should try before the baby arrives.If you're navigating the transition into parenthood, recovering from pregnancy loss, or just feeling like you and your partner have become ships in the night, this episode is for you.00:00 Becoming Parents Changes Everything00:47 Welcome Back to Mind If We Talk?02:29 Shawn & Andrew on Marriage, Family, and Commitment05:30 The Fear of an Unplanned Pregnancy09:00 Navigating Miscarriage and Grief Together14:45 How Parenthood Changed Their Communication18:26 Postpartum Depression and Feeling Misunderstood23:57 Why Therapy Became Essential to Their Marriage29:32 Expert Perspective: Pregnancy, Parenthood & Relationship Stress37:07 Understanding Postpartum Depression and Anxiety39:05 Recognizing Signs Your Partner May Need Help46:36 Protecting Connection and Scheduling Joy in Marriage52:54 Preparing Emotionally for Parenthood55:06 Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caregiving can quietly reshape a family, shifting roles, responsibilities, and relationships in ways that are often hard to name. It can bring people closer, but it can also surface distance, guilt, and questions about what it really means to show up for someone you love.In this episode of Mind If We Talk?, host and licensed mental health counselor Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with Chris Punsalan and his cousin Merz Esguerra. They reflect on their very different experiences caring for their grandmother: Chris was her full-time caregiver for eight years, while Merz describes taking more of a backseat during that time.Their conversation opens up a deeper look at family roles, emotional labor, and the complicated mix of love, obligation, and regret that can come with caring for an aging loved one.00:00 The Emotional Reality of Caregiving02:54 Meet Chris and Merz: A Family Caregiving Story05:40 What Daily Life as a Caregiver Looks Like10:35 Why Caregivers Often Don’t Ask for Help14:22 Regret, Guilt, and Family Dynamics16:56 The Emotional Cost of Caregiving20:52 Finding Purpose Through Caregiving24:38 Advice for Caregivers27:10 What Caregiving Teaches About Love29:11 Expert Perspective on Caregiver Burnout30:17 How to Ask for Help as a Caregiver34:11 Family Communication and Support42:56 Feeling Overwhelmed and Coping Strategies53:26 Closing Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a healthy romantic relationship is easier said than done. From mixed signals to playing games, ghosting to co-dependence, many of us feel lost at sea when it comes to dating and relationships. Especially for those of us who were raised with toxic relationship models, it can be difficult to identify and trust the signs of a healthy partnership. In this episode, host and licensed mental health counselor Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with writer and musicians Holly Solem and Carré Kwong Callaway to navigate the tricky world of romantic relationships. Throughout their 20s, both friends found themselves in toxic relationships, before they each realized what was motivating their choices. Together with Sreela, they discuss how to recognize toxic cycles, break old behaviors, and the importance of learning to love yourself. Next, Sreela is joined by licensed therapist David Yadush from BetterHelp. Together, they explore the difference between healthy vs. familiar behaviors, taking time to discover your own preferences, and learning to identify red—and green!—flags in relationships.If you've ever felt like you were the problem and just can’t seem to find your person, this episode is for you.If you or someone you love is struggling with drug use, addiction, or abuse, you can find resources at https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much do you know about the experiences that shaped your mom or grandma?In this episode, host and therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with Kim Murstein and Gail Rudnick, the granddaughter–grandmother duo behind the podcast Excuse My Grandma, for a conversation that bridges two generations of womanhood. Gail reflects on her early adulthood in the 1960s — the choices she made, the family norms she embraced, and the world as she experienced it — while Kim shares what it means to build a life in her twenties today. Instead of debating whose path is “right,” they lean into curiosity, discovering just how much context deepens understanding.Later, Sreela is joined by licensed mental health therapist Sonni Williams from BetterHelp to explore how we can learn from the generations before us, and how to have thoughtful, productive conversations that strengthen connection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.