A Conversation with the Reluctant Therapist

The Reluctant Therapist, Elizabeth Barrett, leads a conversation about the state of our collective mental health and the ways in which our helping professions are either aiding or getting in the way of our cultural well-being. With so many social services, treatments and programs available—why are we all still struggling in so many ways?

20 episodes

12d ago latest

weekly cadence

English language

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Episodes 20

Family Stories Build Legacy
4d ago · 58:29
Tune in for a conversation about the stories we tell about our families and how they can help support and inspire future generations. Our oral traditions are key to creating a legacy of connection and pride and there's never been a more important time to model and practice social skills and storytelling.Listen every week from 1-2 p.m. on KCBX
A Visit with Jackie Venson
12d ago · 1:03:28
Tune in for a conversation at our new time - Tuesday 1-2 p.m. - with Austin, Texas born and raised, Berklee College of Music graduate and guitar virtuoso, Jackie Venson. Jackie is a great performer and an honest interview with a lot to share straight from her heart. Her music has garnered praise from Guitar World, Forbes Magazine, Rolling Stone, and The Austin American-Statesman who described Venson as "Gary Clark Jr - level talent who speaks boldly through her guitar while entrancing with her gorgeous smoky voice."Listen Live Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. on KCBX
Backstage Banter with Sam Chase and Emily Nenni
19d ago · 1:02:45
Tune in at our new time - 1 p.m. for a conversation with two California born Singer/Songwriters backstage at Live Oak Music Festival. Emily Nenni found her way to Nashville and the honky-tonk sounds of the local bar scene that welcomed her in and encouraged her writing and performing style - which includes inviting everyone up to the dance floor to cut loose. Sam Chase of The Sam Chase and the Untraditional has blended his SF punk rock beginnings with rock 'n roll and some folk music to create a raucous live show led by great storytelling and moments of surprise!Listen Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. o
Kiss the Ground - Save the Planet
2mo ago · 58:52
Tune in for a conversation with Evan Harrison, CEO of Kiss the Ground, on a mission to promote regenerative agriculture and healthy soil as viable solutions for human health, water crises and climate change. Awakening people to the possibilities of regeneration and inspiring participation in the movement through storytelling, education and advocacy.Join the conversation Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
Music is Medicine with Brynn Albanese
2mo ago · 58:49
Tune in for a conversation with Brynn Albanese - Certified Music Practitioner and End of Life Doula, about her work providing support, comfort and companionship for the terminally ill and their families; and her far reaching 40 year career as a concert violinist playing with prestigious groups around the world and concertmaster in Monterey, along with a wide variety of venues and styles.Listen live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
Summer Music Celebration Begins!
2mo ago · 59:18
Tune in for a conversation and a few tunes, with Singer/Songwriter Dan Curcio of San Luis Obispo bands Moonshiner Collective and Still Time to kick - off the summer concert series of backstage conversations at Live Oak Music Festival. Dan writes beautiful positive and introspective lyrics about community, family, hope, love, nature - and Cosmic Connection - delivered in his soulful blend of folk, rock and blues.Listen and participate live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
What World awaits the 2026 Graduates?
2mo ago · 58:50
Tune in for a conversation about the state of the world and opportunities through the lens of our newest college graduates. Some say it’s the worst of times, but it may also be the best of times to chart a new course and redefine the American dream.Listen live and be part of the conversation Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX.
A Professor of Many Passions
2mo ago · 1:00:01
Tune is for a conversation with Dr Codie Place, Psychology professor, specializing in Criminology, along with degrees in Criminal Justice, Educational Psychology and Applied Management. Dr. Place also has a deep interest in relationships and intimacy and forming meaningful connections and extensive knowledge in the use of and effect of psychoactive drugs.These eclectic specialties make Dr. Place's classes a favorite at Cal Poly - we'll see where our conversation takes us.Listen and participate live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX.
Making Relationships Work with Dr. Gary Lewandowski
3mo ago · 1:01:18
Tune in for a conversation with relationship scientist Dr. Gary Lewandowski about love, dating, flirting and knowing when to settle. Dr Lewandowski is a psychology Professor at Monmouth University, the author of the wildly popular Substack, Psychology of Relationships and the Chief Love Scientist at LoveStrategies.com.Listen Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
The Art of Mindful Relaxation with Zentangle Founders Rick Roberts & Maria Thomas
3mo ago · 58:27
Tune in for a Conversation with Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas about their personal journey to developing the wildly popular, mind calming and gratitude building Zentangle method. There are no mistakes in this elegant art form, only opportunities to discover more.Live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
With Nick Larson from Proxima Parada
3mo ago · 58:48
Tune in for a conversation with Nick Larson from Central Coast favorites, Proxima Parada, about their continued growth and success as a band, as friends and as individuals. And about their upcoming collaboration with the San Luis Symphony and concert at the PAC at Cal Poly on May 21st. Live music in studio, too!Hear the conversation Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX
Celebrating the Arts with PCPA
3mo ago · 59:08
Tune in for a Conversation with Kitty Balay and Andrew Philpot, resident artists and instructors with PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theater ), about the history of PCPA's professional acting and techincal theater programs, years of producing live theater for the Central Coast and their current season featuring the Tony winning musical Come From Away.Call in and be part of the conversation Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
Should We Aspire to Live Forever
4mo ago · 59:01
A conversation about the modern marvels of medicine and the possibilities of extending life for decades, or indefinitely. Are there any moral or ethical concerns surrounding eternal life or is mankind meant to strive for immortality?Participate with your thoughts and calls live Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX
Earth Day Activism is Alive and Well
4mo ago · 59:36
Tune in for a conversation with Starhawk - activist, author, permaculture designer, educator and prominent voice in the modern earth-based spirituality and ecofeminism movements. Starhawk founded Earth Activist Training in 2001, teaching workshops around the world sharing the practice of permaculture design grounded in spirituality and activism. Starhawk is the author and co-author of 13 books, including The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religions of the Great Goddess and her most recent - The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups. Her archives are maintained at the Gra
Labels and the Hunt for Explanations
4mo ago · 59:38
The DSM has been the primary source for mental illness diagnosis since 1952. Since then the book has grown from a small 32 page pamphlet listing 100 descriptions to 992 pages and over 297 potential disorders. Tune in for a conversation about the increasing reach of the mental health professions and stalled efforts in providing relief to those who are suffering.Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX
Welcomed or not - in a New Land
4mo ago · 58:50
Tune in for a conversation with Kyle Berlin, documentary style playwright and co-founder of Rhyzome Theater Company about his latest project - Mawtini: Arab American Narratives of Home and Belonging presents Live Verbatim Theater. This local production explores the oral histories and experience of those in the Arab American community on the Central Coast.Listen and participate Tuesdays at 2 on KCBX
Birthday Celebration or Day of Mourning?
5mo ago · 59:05
Tune in for a conversation about the Conundrum of Birthdays. Some years feel more significant than others with the changing of opportunities, abilities, transitions to new realities or simply a moment to be grateful for getting another year to travel around the sun.Listen live and call in Tuesday from 2-3pm on KCBX
From the 2025 Live Oak Music Festival with the folk duo Murphy Wylde
5mo ago · 59:02
Tune in for a Conversation backstage at the 2025 Live Oak Music Festival with Liam Gallaher-Murphy and Ross Wylde of the folk duo Murphy Wylde, who were a crowd favorite at last year’s event. The pair talk about their relationship as creative and romantic partners, and how music gives them purpose and hope.Listen Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX
Best of: Thriving in spite of serious mental conditions
5mo ago · 59:16
This week its a best of presentation-History provides examples of artists, writers, and visionaries (such as Dr. Martin Luther King) who have pursued their full potential despite addiction, depression, eating disorders and other serious conditions. In this week's Conversation with the Reluctant Therapist, host Elizabeth Barrett is joined by psychiatrist Meg Chisolm. The two about Chisolm's work helping patients to manage their illnesses and flourish in their lives. After decades of clinical work and teaching at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine, Dr. Chisolm has written a guidebook
Treating Trauma Through the Mind/Body and Mindfulness Connection
5mo ago · 58:21
Tune in for a Conversation with Psychotherapist and trauma specialist, Leslie Bullock about how trauma shows up in life, the mind and the body and the variety of practices available to address the somatic experiences. With over 20 years of experience, Leslie brings together talk therapy, yoga, EMDR, mindfulness and other trauma informed practices to her work with those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and other challenging life transitions.Listen and participate with your calls live Tuesdays from 2-3pm on KCBX