What is it really like to love a Scorpio man?
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen take a playful detour into astrology and relationships as they explore some of the personality traits commonly associated with Scorpio men.
Mike happens to be a Scorpio himself, which gives Jen plenty of opportunities to put him on the spot as they talk about intensity, loyalty, jealousy, control, emotional depth, mystery, attraction, and the Scorpio reputation for being especially passionate in relationships.
They also talk about where astrology and psychology can overlap—not as a scientific personality test, but as a way people sometimes use symbols, archetypes, and personality frameworks to think about themselves and their relationships.
In This Episode
Why Scorpio men are often described as intense and mysterious
Loyalty, jealousy, and the desire for control
Why Scorpio men may come across as emotionally distant
The connection between emotional intimacy and sexual intensity
How self-awareness can help with challenging relationship patterns
Why astrology can sometimes be a fun starting point for conversations about personality and relationships
Today’s Affirmation
I can be passionate about who I am while still being open to growth. I choose relationships built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect.
Source Article
This episode was inspired by Guy Counseling’s article “25 Truths About a Scorpio Man In Love and Relationships,” which explores commonly associated Scorpio traits including passion, competitiveness, jealousy, loyalty, independence, emotional intensity, and relationship dynamics. The article also discusses psycho-spirituality and Carl Jung’s use of symbolic and mystical material as a pathway to self-reflection.
Read about the Scorpio Man in Love
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Worried about money? Financial anxiety can show up as constant money stress, fear about bills or debt, compulsively checking your bank account, or avoiding your finances altogether because they feel overwhelming. In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen talk about why money anxiety can feel so intense and how uncertainty, shame, catastrophic thinking, and fear about the future can keep financial worries going.
Financial anxiety isn’t always about how much money someone has. As explained in this guide to financial anxiety and money stress from Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic, people can experience intense anxiety around finances even when their actual financial circumstances are relatively stable. Money can become closely connected to safety, control, identity, and uncertainty, which helps explain why financial stress can feel so personal.
In This Episode
Mike and Jen discuss:
Why financial anxiety can affect people across very different income levels
The difference between constantly checking your finances and avoiding them altogether
Why uncertainty can make money worries feel much bigger
How financial stress can trigger catastrophic “what if” thinking
Why money can become tied to self-worth, identity, and shame
The difference between what is possible and what is actually probable
How taking one small financial step can make an overwhelming task feel more manageable
Why talking about money anxiety can sometimes reduce its emotional intensity
When financial anxiety may be interfering enough with daily life to consider professional support
Today’s Affirmation
“I can face my financial reality without letting fear control me.”
📗Recommended Reading
If money worries tend to take over your thoughts, Mike and Jen recommend The Financial Anxiety Solution, a practical workbook focused on reducing anxiety, avoidance, and overwhelm around money.
Check out The Financial Anxiety Solution on Amazon.
Source Article
This episode was informed by Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic’s article Financial Anxiety: Why Money Stress Feels So Overwhelming—and What Helps, which explores financial stress, compulsive checking, avoidance, uncertainty, catastrophic thinking, and practical ways to develop a healthier response to money-related anxiety.
Related Podcasts
If financial anxiety tends to send your mind into overdrive, you may also want to listen to Dating Anxiety since money and dating stress often go together.  
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Is masturbation good for you? Despite how common it is, masturbation is still surrounded by embarrassment, myths, and plenty of questions about whether it actually has health benefits.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen put the awkwardness aside and look at some of the potential health benefits of masturbation, including better sleep, stress relief, improved mood, sexual self-awareness, mindfulness, and greater awareness and control during sex.
They also dig into some surprisingly specific research, including what frequent ejaculation may have to do with prostate health, why orgasm can leave you feeling relaxed and sleepy, and how techniques like the stop-start method may help some men develop better control over ejaculation.
And yes, Mike decides to make the conversation just a little more personal than Jen was expecting.
In This Briefing
Why masturbation is so common despite still feeling taboo
Masturbation, stress relief, and mood
Why orgasm may help promote relaxation and sleep
Masturbation as a way to better understand your own body
Mindfulness and staying present during sexual activity
The stop-start method and ejaculatory control
What research says about ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer risk
Why masturbation can be a healthy part of sexual self-care
Today’s Affirmation
“My body is mine to understand, appreciate, and care for without shame.”
Book Resource
Mike and Jen recommend:
The Guide to Getting It On by Paul Joannides
A frank, approachable guide to sexual health, pleasure, communication, relationships, and understanding your own body.
Amazon: See Amazon for pricing
Research & Resources Mentioned
Planned Parenthood offers a helpful overview of whether masturbation is good for you, including discussion of stress relief, relaxation, sleep, and sexual self-awareness.
A large international survey reported that 92% of American men and 76% of American women said they masturbate.
Research published in Frontiers in Public Health explored the relationship between sexual activity, orgasm, and sleep.
Harvard Health has covered research examining the connection between ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer risk.
For men interested in gaining more control over ejaculation, the Urology Care Foundation explains the stop-start method for premature ejaculation.
You Might Also Like
If this episode got you thinking about sexual comfort and communication, listen to Is Your Boyfriend’s Manhood Too Big? for a candid conversation about anatomy, comfort, and communicating during sex.
You may also enjoy Does Your Boyfriend Only Want You for Sex?, where Mike and Jen explore sexual attraction, emotional connection, and how to tell whether a relationship has something deeper underneath the chemistry.
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Why do some women keep dating emotionally unavailable men—even when they know the relationship probably isn't going anywhere? Attraction, chemistry, attachment patterns, and the thrill of the chase can make emotionally unavailable men especially hard to walk away from.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Jen takes the lead as she and Mike explore why women can find themselves repeatedly attracted to men who are distant, inconsistent, afraid of commitment, or simply unable to offer the kind of relationship they want.
They talk about the difference between chemistry and anxiety, why emotional stability can sometimes feel strangely boring, and how early attachment experiences may influence who we find attractive later in life. Jen also gets personal about learning the hard way that an attractive man with muscles, money, and plenty of charm isn't necessarily a man who will treat you well.
Because sometimes the hardest part isn't recognizing that he's emotionally unavailable.
It's recognizing why you still want him.
In This Episode
Why emotionally unavailable men can be so attractive
The addictive quality of uncertainty and the chase
How attachment patterns can influence dating choices
Why “butterflies” aren't always the same thing as healthy chemistry
When emotional safety gets mistaken for boredom
How fantasy can keep you attached to someone's potential
Why choosing an unavailable partner can sometimes protect you from vulnerability
Learning to recognize calm, consistent, emotionally available love
Today's Affirmation
“I am worthy of love that is present, consistent, and chooses me back.”
Recommended Reading
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Loveby Amir Levine, M.D., and Rachel Heller, M.A.
This popular relationship book explores adult attachment styles and how they can influence attraction, intimacy, dating, and the partners we choose.
Check out Attached on Amazon
Source & Further Reading
This episode was inspired in part by the Couples Counseling Chicago article Emotionally Unavailable Men: Why Women Keep Falling for Them, which explores attraction to emotionally unavailable partners, recurring dating patterns, and related relationship dynamics.---
Related Pods
Ghosting: Why It Hurts So Much
Does Your Boyfriend Use You Just for Sex?
Is Your Boyfriend's Penis TOO Big?
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

You live together. You share routines. You stream shows, pay bills, handle chores, and get through everyday life together.
But somewhere along the way, did your relationship start feeling less romantic—and a lot more like two roommates sharing the same space?
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen talk about roommate syndrome—the gradual shift that can happen when romantic partners become more focused on managing everyday life than actually connecting with each other.
They explore some of the signs that a relationship may have slipped into roommate territory, including conversations that revolve around logistics, less physical affection, fading intimacy, separate routines, and that strange feeling of being lonely even when your partner is sitting right beside you. These are among the common patterns associated with roommate syndrome.
But feeling disconnected doesn't necessarily mean the relationship is over. Mike and Jen also talk about ways couples can begin reconnecting—from dating each other again and putting away the phones to asking better questions, restoring affection, and simply becoming curious about each other again. Small, consistent efforts toward connection can matter more than one grand romantic gesture.
In This Episode
Mike and Jen discuss how roommate syndrome develops, the warning signs to watch for, why intimacy involves much more than sex, how routine and everyday pressures can crowd out connection, and what couples can do to start finding their way back to one another.
Today’s Affirmation
I choose to be present in my relationships and make space for connection, curiosity, and love.
Recommended Reading
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Nan Silver
The book explores friendship, communication, emotional connection, and intentionally tending to a relationship.
View the book on Amazon
Source Article
This episode was inspired in part by “Roommate Syndrome in Relationships: When Partners Feel More Like Housemates” from Couples Counseling Chicago. The source notes that roommate syndrome isn't a formal diagnosis, but rather a recognizable pattern in which romantic partners can gradually begin functioning more like housemates or co-managers than intimate partners.
Read the source article at Couples Counseling Chicago
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Anxiety can show up in a lot of different ways—from constant worry and racing thoughts to panic attacks, OCD, stress, avoidance, and that nagging feeling that something just isn’t right.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen take a closer look at anxiety disorders and why working with a therapist who specializes in anxiety can make a difference. They also spotlight Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic and its work with clients in Chicago’s Andersonville community.
You’ll hear about several approaches commonly used in anxiety treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based strategies, and EMDR.
Mike and Jen also talk about what it can feel like to start therapy, the importance of finding a therapist who feels like a good fit, LGBTQ-affirming care, virtual therapy, and why you don’t have to wait until anxiety completely takes over your life before asking for help.
In This Episode
Why anxiety disorders are so common
Why some people wait to seek help
The value of specialized anxiety treatment
How CBT, ERP, ACT, EMDR, and mindfulness may be used in therapy
Virtual and in-person therapy options
Why LGBTQ-affirming mental health care matters
What to expect when reaching out for therapy
Calm Anxiety Clinic’s presence in Andersonville
Today’s Affirmation
I can ask for help before anxiety takes over my life. I can learn new skills to create a calmer existence.
Calm Anxiety Clinic in Andersonville
Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic provides specialized anxiety treatment for people in Chicago and throughout Illinois. For those who prefer in-person care, the clinic offers services in the Andersonville area along with virtual therapy options.
Learn more about anxiety therapy in Andersonville:Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic — Andersonville
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health — Anxiety DisordersLearn more about anxiety disorders, symptoms, treatment, and current prevalence information.
NIMH: Anxiety Disorders
Source Information
Information about Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic, its approach to anxiety treatment, services, and locations was developed from information provided by the clinic.
Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic FAQs
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Are you the person everyone counts on—the fixer, the organizer, the one who steps in because “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done”? Being responsible can be a strength, but chronic responsibility can leave you carrying responsibilities that were never really yours—and feeling exhausted by all of it.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore chronic responsibility and why some people have such a hard time letting other people take the wheel. They talk about the belief that everything depends on you, how over-responsibility can show up at work and in relationships, and why stepping back can feel surprisingly uncomfortable.
In This Episode
The “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done” mindset
How chronic responsibility can develop over time
The “Who Else Could Do This?” test
Why letting something small go wrong can actually be useful
Over-responsibility in romantic relationships
Creating a recurring “not my job” boundary
Asking what you fear will happen if you don’t step in
How CBT can help challenge automatic beliefs about responsibility
When chronic responsibility starts looking more like burnout
Today’s Affirmation
“I am allowed to let go of what isn’t mine to carry. I can trust others to step up, and I don’t have to hold everything together.”
📖 Book Recommendation
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
A practical guide to identifying boundaries, communicating your needs, and learning that taking care of yourself doesn’t require taking responsibility for everyone else. See Amazon for pricing
Source Article
Are You Chronically Responsible? 7 Ways to Stop Carrying EverythingCalm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Could sleeping naked actually help you sleep better? Research suggests that nighttime body temperature plays an important role in sleep quality, and ditching your pajamas may have some surprising benefits for comfort, intimacy, and overall well-being.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike makes a confession: he sleeps completely naked—and Jen has questions. From body temperature and sleep quality to intimacy, mood, and reproductive health, Mike and Jen explore some of the potential benefits of sleeping in the buff.
They also look at the science behind keeping cool while you sleep, why skin-to-skin contact may encourage bonding between partners, and why sleeping naked isn't necessarily for everyone.
And yes, after their recent conversation about morning wood, Jen has a few thoughts about Mike's preferred sleepwear—or lack thereof.
In This Episode
Why body temperature matters during sleep
Sleeping cooler and sleep quality
Skin-to-skin contact, oxytocin, and intimacy
Sleep quality and emotional well-being
Why nighttime temperature may matter for male reproductive health
How to experiment with sleeping naked if you're used to pajamas
Mike's own experience sleeping in the buff
Today's Affirmation
“I give myself permission to rest, let go, and be completely comfortable in my own skin.”
Recommended Reading
Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every DayBy Dr. Robert S. Rosenberg
A practical guide to understanding sleep problems and making changes that can help improve the quality of your sleep.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4httdSl
Sources & Related Reading
Journal of Physiological AnthropologyEffects of Thermal Environment on Sleep and Circadian Rhythmhttps://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
Harvard Medical School – Division of Sleep MedicineSleep and Moodhttps://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-87
FOREO – MYSAThe Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact in Mental Healthhttps://www.foreo.com/mysa/the-power-of-skin-to-skin-contact-in-mental-health
Related Reading
Guy CounselingWhy Do Men Get Morning Wood?https://guycounseling.com/men-morning-wood/
 
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Are you dating someone who is already married and wondering what to do next? Relationships with married partners can involve secrecy, guilt, hope, intense attachment, and difficult questions about whether the situation will ever truly change.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen talk honestly about what it can be like to become involved with someone who is married. They explore why these relationships can be so hard to leave, why promises and actions don’t always match, and how waiting for someone else to make a decision can gradually reshape your own life.
In This Episode
Mike and Jen talk about:
How relationships with married partners can begin
Why secrecy becomes part of the structure of the relationship
Guilt, shame, and the difference between feelings and choices
The question many people eventually ask: “Will they ever leave?”
Why actions matter more than promises
The emotional and practical cost of waiting
Why inconsistent attention can make attachment feel even stronger
Patterns of being drawn to emotionally unavailable people
Protecting your friendships, goals, finances, and independence
What leaving can look like when you’re deeply attached
Making a conscious decision instead of letting the situation decide for you
Recommended Reading
Not “Just Friends” by Shirley P. Glass, PhD
This book explores how emotional and physical boundaries can gradually shift, how relationships outside a committed partnership develop, and what happens when secrecy and attachment begin changing the people involved.
Book link:https://amzn.to/4z2yCGx
AI'm Dating a Married Man!
Article on the Couples Counseling website in Chicago from Chicago couples therapists. See I'm Dating a Married Man WTF Do I Do?
Today’s Affirmation
“I deserve a relationship where I am fully chosen, fully seen, and free to build a life that isn’t hidden in the margins.”
Today’s Mission
Ask yourself one honest question about the relationship you’re in:
“If nothing changed for the next two years, would this still be the life I want?”
You don’t have to make a decision today. Just give yourself permission to answer honestly.
Related Pod: Why am I always anxious?
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Why do guys wake up with morning wood—and what exactly is happening while they sleep? In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen tackle one of those totally normal body questions that almost everyone knows about but hardly anyone talks about.
With plenty of laughs along the way, they explore what causes morning erections, what REM sleep and hormones have to do with them, why a full bladder may sometimes play a role, and why morning wood can actually offer useful clues about how the body is functioning.
In This Episode
Why erections can occur several times during sleep
What REM sleep has to do with morning wood
How morning hormones may contribute
Why touch and physical stimulation can trigger an erection during sleep
The surprising connection between a full bladder and morning erections
Why waking up without morning wood occasionally isn't necessarily a problem
When a persistent change might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider
Why there’s absolutely no reason to be embarrassed by normal body functions
Today's Affirmation
My body doesn’t need to embarrass me. I can understand it, take care of it, and trust that being human is perfectly normal.
Source Article
Waking Up to Morning Wood? Here Are 10 reasons whyGuy Counseling
Morning Wood Reasons on Guy Counseling
Related PodHaving a super sized penis isn't always a great thing
 
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Do you ever replay a conversation over and over again, analyzing what you said, how you said it, and what the other person might have thought? Those mental replays can quickly turn ordinary reflection into anxiety, self-doubt, and rumination.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore why our minds sometimes get stuck replaying conversations and why perfectionism, social anxiety, and uncertainty can make the cycle even harder to break.
They also talk about practical ways to quiet the mental replay, including challenging assumptions, practicing mindfulness, showing yourself more compassion, and bringing your attention back to the present.
In This Episode
Why we replay conversations in our heads
The difference between reflection and rumination
How anxiety and perfectionism can fuel overthinking
Why we often assume other people are judging us
How CBT can help challenge unhelpful thought patterns
Using mindfulness to return to the present
Why self-compassion matters when you're second-guessing yourself
Today's Affirmation
I don’t have to replay the past to feel safe. I can let the moment go, trust myself, and return to the present.
Recommended Reading
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross
If you find yourself getting caught in your own head, Chatter explores the inner voice that can keep worries, mistakes, and conversations circulating long after the moment has passed—and offers practical ways to change your relationship with that internal dialogue.
https://amzn.to/4fW27AP
Source Article
I Can’t Stop Replaying Conversations in My HeadCalm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic. If you are looking for anxiety therapy in Andersonville Chicago, Calm Anxiety Clinic has an office. 
 
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Do you always feel anxious? Do you have this overwhelming feeling that something bad is going to happen, even though you logically know you're OK? Well, you aren't alone.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore why anxiety can feel so intensely physical—and why your brain sometimes sounds the alarm even when there’s no immediate danger.
They break down anxiety as a kind of forecasting system, constantly scanning for possible threats and trying to predict what might happen next. The problem? When information is incomplete, an anxious brain can fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.
You’ll also hear why avoidance, reassurance-seeking, repeated checking, and even Googling symptoms can provide short-term relief while unintentionally keeping the anxiety cycle alive.
In This Episode
Mike and Jen discuss:
Why anxiety can trigger a very real fight-or-flight response
How uncertainty can make ordinary situations feel threatening
Why physical sensations can sometimes become anxiety triggers themselves
How avoidance and reassurance-seeking reinforce anxious predictions
How cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help challenge those predictions
Why the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety completely, but to respond to it differently
Today’s Affirmation
I can feel anxious without assuming I’m in danger.
Your Mission
The next time you notice anxiety kicking in, give yourself 90 seconds before reacting.
Before checking, Googling, seeking reassurance, or immediately trying to make the feeling disappear, notice what your body is doing. Take a few slow breaths and remind yourself:
Feeling anxious doesn’t automatically mean I’m in danger.
Recommended Reading
Rewire Your Anxious Brainby Catherine M. Pittman, PhD, and Elizabeth M. Karle, MLIS
The book explores how different systems in the brain contribute to anxiety and offers practical strategies for changing the way you respond when your internal alarm system activates.
https://amzn.to/4wpteuv
Learn More About Anxiety
For additional information and statistics about mental health in the United States:
National Institute of Mental Health — Mental Illness Statisticshttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
Source Article
This episode was developed in part from:
Why Anxiety Feels Dangerous Even When You’re SafeCalm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Can you be happy in a committed relationship and still feel attracted to someone else? Attraction outside a relationship is surprisingly common, but it can trigger guilt, confusion, and questions about what those feelings really mean.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore why noticing someone else doesn't necessarily mean your relationship is in trouble. They talk about the difference between attraction and action, sexual fantasies, emotional boundaries, secrecy, and how an outside attraction can sometimes tell you something worth understanding about yourself or your relationship.
In This Episode
Mike and Jen talk about:
Why attraction to other people can happen even in committed relationships
The important difference between attraction and action
Why a crush or sexual fantasy doesn't automatically equal cheating
The idea that attraction can be information rather than an instruction
What the person you're attracted to might represent
When an innocent attraction begins turning into secrecy
Emotional boundaries and recognizing when you're feeding an attraction
Reinvesting energy into the relationship you're already in
When creating distance from someone may be the healthiest choice
How individual or couples therapy can help when attraction becomes confusing or difficult to manage
Today's Affirmation
“I can notice attraction without questioning the love I have chosen.”
Today's Mission
Smile at a random person and send them positive energy.
Source & Further Reading
Today's conversation was inspired in part by this article from Couples Counseling Chicago:
I’m in a Relationship But Attracted to Someone Else: What Does It Mean?
 
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Looksmaxing is supposed to help you improve your appearance—but what happens when self-improvement turns into constant comparison, flaw-finding, and never feeling good enough?
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen talk about the growing looksmaxxing trend and why something that starts with grooming, fitness, skincare, or style can sometimes become an exhausting cycle of self-monitoring. They explore the difference between healthy self-care and becoming preoccupied with fixing every perceived imperfection.
The conversation also looks at social media, comparison, body image, confidence, and the pressure to keep optimizing yourself. At what point does wanting to look better stop making you feel better?
In This Briefing
Mike and Jen discuss looksmaxxing, body image, appearance anxiety, self-esteem, social comparison, grooming, fitness, confidence, and the difference between self-care and self-criticism.
Article That Inspired This Episode
This episode was inspired by the Guy Counseling article:
“I’m Caught Up in Looksmaxxing and I Can’t Get Out”
https://guycounseling.com/looksmaxxing-feel-worse/
Affirmation
Today's affirmation: "My worth is bigger than my appearance. I can care for myself without constantly searching for something to fix"
 Book Resource
If this conversation hit home, Mike and Jen recommend the book: The Body Image Workbook by Thomas F. Cash.
Find it on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4xtjPTB
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore the psychology of ghosting, why it hurts so deeply, and how you can begin healing after someone suddenly disappears from your life. They discuss why our brains crave closure, how ghosting can affect self-esteem and future relationships, and why another person's inability to communicate says far more about them than it does about your worth.
Whether you've been ghosted after a first date, a long-term relationship, or even a close friendship, this episode offers practical insights and a hopeful path forward.
Read the Original Article
The Psychological Effects of Ghostinghttps://www.couplescounselingchicago.net/ghosting-effects/
Today's Self Help Briefing Affirmation
"I do not need someone else's explanation to know my worth. I can create my own closure, protect my peace, and keep moving forward."
 
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.