How To Relate

Understanding Men: Pressure, Purpose, and Potential with Justin Carotti

June is Men's Mental Health month and Justin Carotti is back. We're talking about men's mental health, pressure with reaching potential, and finding purpose. 
 
00:43 Discussing the Lost Boys Report
01:32 Impact of Societal Changes on Men
05:01 Men's Mental Health and Behavioral Responses
08:44 Challenges in Addressing Men's Issues
12:05 Family Dynamics and Potential
22:14 Building Resilience and Handling Distress
29:15 Motivation vs. Discipline
31:48 Overcoming Resistance to Change
32:36 Discovering Personal Values
33:06 Practical Exercises for Value Identification
37:56 Career Counseling Insights
40:50 Navigating Life's Choices
51:24 Making Therapy Accessible for Men
56:39 Resources
 
Resources
 
Justin:
https://www.valiancecounseling.com/
One Percent Better: https://one-percent-better.kit.com/landing-page
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincarotti/
Brittani:
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 
 
 

Career Therapy: Navigating Career Transitions, AI, and Myth of the Dream Job with Marty McGovern

Navigating career transition? Thinking about leaving your job? Want to find your purpose? Marty McGovern from Career Therapy talks about how to navigate your work life with practicality and ease. We'll discuss AI, myth of the dream job, and importance of building relationships. 
 
00:32 Career Transition: From Corporate to Therapy
02:08 The Evolution of Workplace Mental Health Services
04:29 AI in Therapy: Opportunities and Concerns
06:53 The Impact of Remote Work on Mental Health
14:59 The Myth of the Dream Job
35:14 Burnout in Marketing and Advertising
35:58 The Misconception of Career Coaching
37:57 The Difference Between Coaching and Therapy
38:08 The Value of Credentials in Coaching
39:13 Navigating the Coaching Industry
44:36 Exploring Career Paths and Self-Help
53:55 The Importance of Networking
01:00:35 Overcoming Networking Fears
01:03:45 Proactive Career Management
Marty's Resourceshttps://careertherapy.com/
 
Brittani-
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/ 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 

Dating After Divorce with Gwendolyn Watson, LMFT

Welcome back to the How to Relate Podcast!  Brittani is here with Gwendolyn Watson! Gwendolyn Watson is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT #147312) based in California, where she supports individuals and couples navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, and the impact of past experiences. Certified in EMDR and trained in Gottman Method (Level 2), she blends clinical insight with a strategic mindset shaped by her decade-long past career at Google in Strategic Partnerships. Outside the therapy room, she writes The Hopeful Partner, a free newsletter exploring how we get in our own way in our relationships—and how to find our way back to deeper connection. Connect with her on Substack, LinkedIn, or her website.
 
 
Resources:
Links:
The Hopeful Partner: https://thehopefulpartner.substack.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolyn-watson-lmft-3520821a/
Website: www.gwendolynwatson.com
 
Brittani's Resources:
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/ 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 

Exploring Desire: Understanding Desire and Keeping It Alive with Jen Wynn, LMFT

Desire is the sense of aliveness in relationships. Brittani is here with couples therapist and sex expert Jen Wynn, LMFT to talk about how we can handle desire discrepancies, responsive vs spontaneous desire, and ways we can explore the meaning of erotic energy in ourselves and relationships. 
 
01:53 Understanding Desire: Beyond the Light Switch
05:59 Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire
13:47 The Role of Time and Connection in Desire
18:44 Circular Model of Sexuality
26:36 Accelerators and Brakes: The Dual Control Model
29:11 Understanding Desire and Arousal
30:56 The Impact of Shame on Wanting
32:32 Sex Education and Societal Norms
35:38 Breaks and Accelerators in Sexual Desire
37:03 Addressing Unwanted Sexual Pain
38:25 Therapist's Role in Discussing Sexuality
41:29 Exploring Sexual Identity and Pleasure
49:43 Navigating Desire Differences in Relationships
51:07 Resources for Exploring Sexuality
52:25 Validating Desire Changes Over Time
56:05 Increasing Desire in Long-Term Relationships
59:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

Trauma, Chronic Illness, EMDR, and Resiliency with Erica Smith

Erica Smith, LCSW is a trauma therapist and practice owner at Whole Mentality. Erica discusses her experience being diagnosed with Lupus, funny trauma stories, and what it means to live with chronic illness. Enjoy this light conversation discussing trauma. 
 
00:34 The Power of Cold Emails
01:27 Trauma and Chronic Illness
01:36 Personal Stories of Trauma
05:32 Living with Chronic Illness
08:53 Understanding Spoon Theory
13:55 The Intersection of Trauma and Chronic Illness
22:41 Defining Trauma
33:54 Exploring Childhood Reactions in Adult Relationships
34:27 Understanding Trauma and Unmet Needs
35:18 Personal Reflections on Trauma Responses
39:05 The Impact of EMDR Therapy
41:53 Navigating Relationships and Trauma
47:01 The Role of EMDR in Healing
01:01:52 Supporting Loved Ones Through EMDR
01:04:51 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More
 
Erica Smith
Website https://www.wholementality.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wholementality/ 
@itsericakendra
 
Brittani
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/ 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 

Things I Heard While Dating with Emily O'Brien

Emily O'Brien is a freelance writer and author of the book Things I Heard While Dating. This fun conversation includes our own dating stories, excerpts from the book, and lessons from the real world of dating. Have fun with this episode! Highly recommend listening with a friend and share your own dating stories. 
00:35 How Emily Created 'Things I Heard While Dating'
02:34 Hilarious and Awkward Dating Stories
04:18 The Blueprint of Relationships
11:31 The Cool Girl Phenomenon
19:30 Speed Dating Adventures
26:33 Unbelievable Name Critique
27:06 Supporting Evidence for Name Dislike
28:32 Personal Stories and Reactions
30:15 Memorable and Awkward Compliments
31:45 Cyclist Stereotypes and Dating
33:07 Unexpected and Shocking Comments
39:45 Navigating Dating Expectations
44:30 Reflections on Dating Stories
46:58 Share Your Dating Stories!
 
Emily O'Brien
https://emilytellsstories.com/
Buy the book https://www.amazon.com/Things-Heard-While-Dating-compilation/dp/B0DJMW6Y7C
 
Brittani's Resources
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/ 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 

Workplace Wellness: Beyond the Corporate Ladder with Merrill Wood

Welcome back to How to Relate: The podcast that aims to answer how we can do relationships better. This episode is with Merrill Wood, a licensed therapist, consultant, and co-founder of Monday Wellness. We'll explore themes such as: The narratives around work stressThe arrival fallacyHow societal and institutional pressures shape our professional lives
Merrill emphasizes that addressing these issues requires creating supportive workplace cultures, leveraging resources, and balancing values to sustain both professional and personal fulfillment. 
 
 
Merrill's Resources:
https://www.mondaywellness.com/
https://www.ivyandoakcounseling.com/merrill 
 
Brittani-
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/ 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 

Understanding Each Other: A Deep Dive into Relationship Dynamics with Christian Charette

Want to know what happens behind the scenes of couples therapy? Welcome to the couples therapist's couch with Christian Charette. Christian deep dives into how couples can find emotional connection through creativity, curiosity, and intention.
 
00:45 Journey into Couples Therapy
03:07 The Practicality of Couples Therapy
04:42 Challenges in Therapy and Real-Life Application
06:05 Family Systems and Therapy
08:13 The Importance of Connection in Relationships
21:33 Intentional Connection and Creativity
30:31 Curiosity and Differentiation in Relationships
34:50 Understanding Emotional Connection in Relationships
37:40 The Importance of Curiosity and Non-Judgment
38:48 Challenges Facing Modern Men
41:17 Redefining Masculinity and Vulnerability
47:39 The Role of Intimacy in Relationships
01:04:23 Intentional Living and Relationship Strategies
01:07:23 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Workshops
 
Christian's Couple Forward Workshops
https://coupleforward.com/couples-workshops-2/
Work with Christian
https://coupleforward.com/
 
Brittani-
https://www.brittaniprocknow.com/
Get your free Intimacy Workbook ⁠https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219⁠
For deep dives into relational topics that give you insight and action for how you can relate better, sign up for the How to Relate Newsletter ⁠https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc⁠ 

What's Happening with Young Men? Lessons in Male Vulnerability and Mentorship with Justin Carotti

What's happening with young men?
Brittani is with Justin Carotti! Justin is an experienced coach, mentor, clinician, and clinical supervisor.  primarily works with young adults in a variety of clinical settings, ranging from residential care to in-home treatments. He considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to form meaningful and supportive relationships with those he serves. In addition to his work at Valiance, Justin is also an adjunct faculty member of Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut. He studied at the University of North Carolina–Wilmington for his bachelor’s in Social Work and at the University of Connecticut
 
Episode Resources:
Find Justin
https://www.valiancecounseling.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincarotti/
 
How to Relate:IG @brittani_procknow
www.brittaniprocknow.com 
Get your free Intimacy Workbook https://relate-co.kit.com/b956780219
How to Relate Newsletter https://relate-co.kit.com/e9f87bb2dc 
 

Your Guide to Relationship Dynamics: Communication and Connection

Communication problems are not the real problem: they're a symptom of the problem. Get to know what's underneath, how to communicate better, and how your attachment styles are coming into play.
00:29 Understanding Communication Issues in Couples
02:09 Exploring Boundaries in Relationships
03:30 Emotional Regulation and Accountability
04:34 Roles in Couple Dynamics
05:53 The Complexities of Communication
07:48 Attachment Theory and Human Needs
14:16 The Infinity Loop: A Tool for Relational Work
21:53 Individuation and Differentiation in Relationships
28:43 Effective Communication Strategies
35:31 Conclusion and Listener Engagement