Right Here Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/right-here <p><b>Right Here</b> is a mental health podcast that explores the psychological patterns shaping our relationships, choices, and inner lives. Hosted by therapists <b>Christopher Mooney, LCSW</b>, and <b>Kenyon Phillips, LMSW</b>, each episode offers grounded, compassionate conversations rooted in clinical insight and real human experience. No jargon. No judgment. Just clear, thoughtful dialogue designed to help listeners better understand themselves and the people around them.</p> © 2026 Right Here ffe55a0e-4d50-54ed-810f-a3099c99a201 yes Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW en-us Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:18:10 -0400 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:19:21 -0400 https://lumen.buzzsprout.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/LMTdIHvZuh93fqDQjjPPIf6a83VBhwHD-8pUMX3YrbE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83Y2Uz/ODI4YWYwYTNlYjYz/MTgwYjU0ZmJjNGJi/YmRiZC5qcGVn.jpg Right Here https://lumen.buzzsprout.com episodic Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN <p><b>Right Here</b> is a mental health podcast that explores the psychological patterns shaping our relationships, choices, and inner lives. Hosted by therapists <b>Christopher Mooney, LCSW</b>, and <b>Kenyon Phillips, LMSW</b>, each episode offers grounded, compassionate conversations rooted in clinical insight and real human experience. No jargon. No judgment. Just clear, thoughtful dialogue designed to help listeners better understand themselves and the people around them.</p> <p><b>Right Here</b> is a mental health podcast that explores the psychological patterns shaping our relationships, choices, and inner lives. mental health, therapy, psychology, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, self-awareness, connection, psycho-education Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN kenyon@lumentherapycollective.com No No Self-Care Is Not a Prize 28 28 Self-Care Is Not a Prize full f180adee-69ea-4c0d-8268-0d2044c1c7b9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cbefbea4 Self-care has been sold to us as candles, spa days, vacations, and “treat yourself” posts. And while all of that can be lovely, it can also make self-care feel like something decorative, expensive, or earned only after we have done enough. But most people aren’t walking around saying they need more luxury. They’re saying they can't remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep, or exercised, or said no. Many of us feel guilty for resting, and we don’t know what we need until we're already overwhelmed. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW talk about self-care without the marketing. Not as a lifestyle brand, not as self-improvement homework, and not as another way to criticize yourself, but as basic maintenance for your body, mind, relationships, and boundaries. They explore why real self-care is especially hard for overfunctioners, parents, helpers, and anyone who learned that their worth comes from what they do rather than who they are. The conversation looks at why care often gets postponed until collapse, how “enough” becomes a moving target, and why small repeated actions usually matter more than big, dramatic overhauls. Christopher and Kenyon also offer a simple four-part frame for real-life self-care: body care, mind care, relationship care, and boundary care. That might mean getting more sleep, taking a ten-minute walk, sitting without your phone, reaching out to someone honestly, or practicing the sentence, “I can’t do that right now.” Because contrary to what social media might have you believe, self-care isn’t glamorous. Nor is it a prize for good behavior. This episode invites you to reimagine self-care as an everyday act. Because you're allowed to be a person—not just a producer, a parent, a helper, or the one who keeps the ship from sinking.

]]> Self-care has been sold to us as candles, spa days, vacations, and “treat yourself” posts. And while all of that can be lovely, it can also make self-care feel like something decorative, expensive, or earned only after we have done enough. But most people aren’t walking around saying they need more luxury. They’re saying they can't remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep, or exercised, or said no. Many of us feel guilty for resting, and we don’t know what we need until we're already overwhelmed. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW talk about self-care without the marketing. Not as a lifestyle brand, not as self-improvement homework, and not as another way to criticize yourself, but as basic maintenance for your body, mind, relationships, and boundaries. They explore why real self-care is especially hard for overfunctioners, parents, helpers, and anyone who learned that their worth comes from what they do rather than who they are. The conversation looks at why care often gets postponed until collapse, how “enough” becomes a moving target, and why small repeated actions usually matter more than big, dramatic overhauls. Christopher and Kenyon also offer a simple four-part frame for real-life self-care: body care, mind care, relationship care, and boundary care. That might mean getting more sleep, taking a ten-minute walk, sitting without your phone, reaching out to someone honestly, or practicing the sentence, “I can’t do that right now.” Because contrary to what social media might have you believe, self-care isn’t glamorous. Nor is it a prize for good behavior. This episode invites you to reimagine self-care as an everyday act. Because you're allowed to be a person—not just a producer, a parent, a helper, or the one who keeps the ship from sinking.

]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:11:17 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 3013 Self-care has been sold to us as candles, spa days, vacations, and “treat yourself” posts. And while all of that can be lovely, it can also make self-care feel like something decorative, expensive, or earned only after we have done enough. But most people aren’t walking around saying they need more luxury. They’re saying they can't remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep, or exercised, or said no. Many of us feel guilty for resting, and we don’t know what we need until we're already overwhelmed. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW talk about self-care without the marketing. Not as a lifestyle brand, not as self-improvement homework, and not as another way to criticize yourself, but as basic maintenance for your body, mind, relationships, and boundaries. They explore why real self-care is especially hard for overfunctioners, parents, helpers, and anyone who learned that their worth comes from what they do rather than who they are. The conversation looks at why care often gets postponed until collapse, how “enough” becomes a moving target, and why small repeated actions usually matter more than big, dramatic overhauls. Christopher and Kenyon also offer a simple four-part frame for real-life self-care: body care, mind care, relationship care, and boundary care. That might mean getting more sleep, taking a ten-minute walk, sitting without your phone, reaching out to someone honestly, or practicing the sentence, “I can’t do that right now.” Because contrary to what social media might have you believe, self-care isn’t glamorous. Nor is it a prize for good behavior. This episode invites you to reimagine self-care as an everyday act. Because you're allowed to be a person—not just a producer, a parent, a helper, or the one who keeps the ship from sinking.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, self-care, real self-care, burnout, boundaries, overfunctioning, helpers, parents, emotional health, nervous system, rest, guilt, self-worth, body care, mind care, relationship care, boundary care, sleep, movement, mindfulness, stress management, emotional regulation, people-pleasing, self-compassion, psychotherapy, wellness, personal growth No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW Trying to Fix People 27 27 Trying to Fix People full fa207d3b-1a2e-4f40-803e-b2d4d28804e3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/706bb0e3 You love someone. A partner, a parent, a grown child, a close friend. You see them struggling, repeating old patterns, avoiding help, making choices that hurt them or the people around them. So you try to help. You send the article. You recommend the podcast. You suggest therapy. You rehearse the perfect conversation in your head, the one that will finally make it click. And somewhere along the way, without meaning to, helping turns into managing. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the deeply human impulse to fix the people we love. Not because we are controlling or manipulative, but because we care, we're scared, and we may have learned a long time ago that being “the responsible one” kept things from falling apart. Christopher and Kenyon look at the difference between support and control, and how fixing can quietly shift us from being in relationship with someone to becoming the project manager of their life. They explore how this shows up in romantic relationships, with adult children and parents, and in parenting, where guidance can slide into trying to engineer your child’s inner world. The conversation also looks at how being fixed lands on the other person: as pressure, shame, defensiveness, resistance, secrecy, or the feeling that they are being treated more like a project than a person. The episode offers a path toward caring without controlling by getting clear on what is actually yours, speaking from impact instead of diagnosis, deciding what you'll do if nothing changes, shifting from managing to accompanying, grieving the version of someone you wish they could be, and noticing when fixing someone else has become a way to avoid your own fear, loneliness, or paralysis. You can care deeply and still not be in charge of another person’s life. You can tell the truth about how their choices affect you without becoming their therapist, parent, or parole officer. Sometimes, the most loving move is to just let someone be.

]]> You love someone. A partner, a parent, a grown child, a close friend. You see them struggling, repeating old patterns, avoiding help, making choices that hurt them or the people around them. So you try to help. You send the article. You recommend the podcast. You suggest therapy. You rehearse the perfect conversation in your head, the one that will finally make it click. And somewhere along the way, without meaning to, helping turns into managing. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the deeply human impulse to fix the people we love. Not because we are controlling or manipulative, but because we care, we're scared, and we may have learned a long time ago that being “the responsible one” kept things from falling apart. Christopher and Kenyon look at the difference between support and control, and how fixing can quietly shift us from being in relationship with someone to becoming the project manager of their life. They explore how this shows up in romantic relationships, with adult children and parents, and in parenting, where guidance can slide into trying to engineer your child’s inner world. The conversation also looks at how being fixed lands on the other person: as pressure, shame, defensiveness, resistance, secrecy, or the feeling that they are being treated more like a project than a person. The episode offers a path toward caring without controlling by getting clear on what is actually yours, speaking from impact instead of diagnosis, deciding what you'll do if nothing changes, shifting from managing to accompanying, grieving the version of someone you wish they could be, and noticing when fixing someone else has become a way to avoid your own fear, loneliness, or paralysis. You can care deeply and still not be in charge of another person’s life. You can tell the truth about how their choices affect you without becoming their therapist, parent, or parole officer. Sometimes, the most loving move is to just let someone be.

]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:55:34 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 2980 You love someone. A partner, a parent, a grown child, a close friend. You see them struggling, repeating old patterns, avoiding help, making choices that hurt them or the people around them. So you try to help. You send the article. You recommend the podcast. You suggest therapy. You rehearse the perfect conversation in your head, the one that will finally make it click. And somewhere along the way, without meaning to, helping turns into managing. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the deeply human impulse to fix the people we love. Not because we are controlling or manipulative, but because we care, we're scared, and we may have learned a long time ago that being “the responsible one” kept things from falling apart. Christopher and Kenyon look at the difference between support and control, and how fixing can quietly shift us from being in relationship with someone to becoming the project manager of their life. They explore how this shows up in romantic relationships, with adult children and parents, and in parenting, where guidance can slide into trying to engineer your child’s inner world. The conversation also looks at how being fixed lands on the other person: as pressure, shame, defensiveness, resistance, secrecy, or the feeling that they are being treated more like a project than a person. The episode offers a path toward caring without controlling by getting clear on what is actually yours, speaking from impact instead of diagnosis, deciding what you'll do if nothing changes, shifting from managing to accompanying, grieving the version of someone you wish they could be, and noticing when fixing someone else has become a way to avoid your own fear, loneliness, or paralysis. You can care deeply and still not be in charge of another person’s life. You can tell the truth about how their choices affect you without becoming their therapist, parent, or parole officer. Sometimes, the most loving move is to just let someone be.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, relationships, fixing people, control, support, boundaries, codependency, emotional regulation, family dynamics, romantic relationships, adult children, parents, parenting, people-pleasing, over-functioning, caretaking, anxiety, fear, resentment, autonomy, communication, self-awareness, emotional health, personal growth, psychotherapy, differentiation, recovery No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW The Appreciation Gap 26 26 The Appreciation Gap full 3ec518e2-affb-4256-8ca7-dac9fbf5a833 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8a87fd52 You decide to do something different. You start unloading the dishwasher without being asked. You cut back on drinking. You stop snapping at your kids at bedtime. You finally schedule that doctor’s appointment, declutter the closets, or make that change you’ve been avoiding. And somewhere inside, there’s a quiet hope that someone will notice. Maybe they’ll say thank you. Maybe they’ll say they’re proud of you. Maybe they’ll say, “I see how hard you’re working.” But what happens when they don’t? The change becomes the new baseline. The effort goes unnamed. And instead of feeling proud, you start to feel resentful. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore what they call the appreciation gap: the space between the recognition we secretly hope for and the silence we often receive in its place. The conversation looks at how resentment can form when genuine growth, care, or effort becomes tangled up with an unspoken expectation to be seen. Christopher and Kenyon examine why wanting appreciation is deeply human, why people often miss or minimize our changes, and how the brain turns that silence into stories like “They don’t care,” “They never notice,” or “Why do I bother?” They explore how the appreciation gap shows up in partnerships, parenting, work, recovery, and personal change, especially when growth begins to feel like a test other people are failing. The episode also offers a practical path forward: getting honest about the hidden expectation, separating appreciation from the value of the change, asking for acknowledgment directly instead of setting silent tests, noticing when praise has become a condition, appreciating yourself without making it cheesy, and recognizing when over-giving is really an attempt to earn being seen. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated. The work is learning how to value your own effort in the space between what you hoped someone would say and what actually happened.

]]> You decide to do something different. You start unloading the dishwasher without being asked. You cut back on drinking. You stop snapping at your kids at bedtime. You finally schedule that doctor’s appointment, declutter the closets, or make that change you’ve been avoiding. And somewhere inside, there’s a quiet hope that someone will notice. Maybe they’ll say thank you. Maybe they’ll say they’re proud of you. Maybe they’ll say, “I see how hard you’re working.” But what happens when they don’t? The change becomes the new baseline. The effort goes unnamed. And instead of feeling proud, you start to feel resentful. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore what they call the appreciation gap: the space between the recognition we secretly hope for and the silence we often receive in its place. The conversation looks at how resentment can form when genuine growth, care, or effort becomes tangled up with an unspoken expectation to be seen. Christopher and Kenyon examine why wanting appreciation is deeply human, why people often miss or minimize our changes, and how the brain turns that silence into stories like “They don’t care,” “They never notice,” or “Why do I bother?” They explore how the appreciation gap shows up in partnerships, parenting, work, recovery, and personal change, especially when growth begins to feel like a test other people are failing. The episode also offers a practical path forward: getting honest about the hidden expectation, separating appreciation from the value of the change, asking for acknowledgment directly instead of setting silent tests, noticing when praise has become a condition, appreciating yourself without making it cheesy, and recognizing when over-giving is really an attempt to earn being seen. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated. The work is learning how to value your own effort in the space between what you hoped someone would say and what actually happened.

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:24:44 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 2953 You decide to do something different. You start unloading the dishwasher without being asked. You cut back on drinking. You stop snapping at your kids at bedtime. You finally schedule that doctor’s appointment, declutter the closets, or make that change you’ve been avoiding. And somewhere inside, there’s a quiet hope that someone will notice. Maybe they’ll say thank you. Maybe they’ll say they’re proud of you. Maybe they’ll say, “I see how hard you’re working.” But what happens when they don’t? The change becomes the new baseline. The effort goes unnamed. And instead of feeling proud, you start to feel resentful. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore what they call the appreciation gap: the space between the recognition we secretly hope for and the silence we often receive in its place. The conversation looks at how resentment can form when genuine growth, care, or effort becomes tangled up with an unspoken expectation to be seen. Christopher and Kenyon examine why wanting appreciation is deeply human, why people often miss or minimize our changes, and how the brain turns that silence into stories like “They don’t care,” “They never notice,” or “Why do I bother?” They explore how the appreciation gap shows up in partnerships, parenting, work, recovery, and personal change, especially when growth begins to feel like a test other people are failing. The episode also offers a practical path forward: getting honest about the hidden expectation, separating appreciation from the value of the change, asking for acknowledgment directly instead of setting silent tests, noticing when praise has become a condition, appreciating yourself without making it cheesy, and recognizing when over-giving is really an attempt to earn being seen. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated. The work is learning how to value your own effort in the space between what you hoped someone would say and what actually happened.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, appreciation, resentment, relationships, emotional health, emotional regulation, self-awareness, personal growth, people-pleasing, boundaries, over-giving, recovery, parenting, partnership, workplace stress, validation, recognition, self-worth, communication, family dynamics, emotional labor, change, motivation, therapy podcast, psychotherapy, nervous system No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW The Inner Critic (Part Two) 25 25 The Inner Critic (Part Two) full 25387266-d83c-4bf3-9c55-d508ef333c23 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b73f0c90 In part two of "The Inner Critic," Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue exploring the voice inside us that says we’re too much, not enough, already behind, or bound to fail. This conversation looks at the real cost of living under that voice: hiding instead of connecting, avoiding new risks, choosing unavailable relationships, attacking progress in recovery, shutting down creative work before it begins, and losing the ability to rest, receive joy, or accept a compliment. Christopher and Kenyon examine how the inner critic often disguises itself as humility, realism, or self-improvement, when it may actually be shame, fear, and old protection strategies running the show. They also explore the connection between self-criticism, perfectionism, comparison, anxiety, depression, obsessive negative self-talk, and the painful isolation that can come from believing the worst things we say about ourselves. The episode offers practical ways to work with the inner critic rather than trying to erase it: noticing it, naming it, externalizing it, asking what it's trying to protect, looking for the younger part of you it may be defending, bringing in kinder and more accurate voices, and practicing the simple but surprisingly difficult act of receiving a compliment with “thank you.” The inner critic may not disappear completely, but it doesn't have to run your life. You're not the voice that attacks you. You're the one who can hear it, question it, laugh at it, and begin writing a different next chapter.

]]> In part two of "The Inner Critic," Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue exploring the voice inside us that says we’re too much, not enough, already behind, or bound to fail. This conversation looks at the real cost of living under that voice: hiding instead of connecting, avoiding new risks, choosing unavailable relationships, attacking progress in recovery, shutting down creative work before it begins, and losing the ability to rest, receive joy, or accept a compliment. Christopher and Kenyon examine how the inner critic often disguises itself as humility, realism, or self-improvement, when it may actually be shame, fear, and old protection strategies running the show. They also explore the connection between self-criticism, perfectionism, comparison, anxiety, depression, obsessive negative self-talk, and the painful isolation that can come from believing the worst things we say about ourselves. The episode offers practical ways to work with the inner critic rather than trying to erase it: noticing it, naming it, externalizing it, asking what it's trying to protect, looking for the younger part of you it may be defending, bringing in kinder and more accurate voices, and practicing the simple but surprisingly difficult act of receiving a compliment with “thank you.” The inner critic may not disappear completely, but it doesn't have to run your life. You're not the voice that attacks you. You're the one who can hear it, question it, laugh at it, and begin writing a different next chapter.

]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:02:01 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 1990 In part two of "The Inner Critic," Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue exploring the voice inside us that says we’re too much, not enough, already behind, or bound to fail. This conversation looks at the real cost of living under that voice: hiding instead of connecting, avoiding new risks, choosing unavailable relationships, attacking progress in recovery, shutting down creative work before it begins, and losing the ability to rest, receive joy, or accept a compliment. Christopher and Kenyon examine how the inner critic often disguises itself as humility, realism, or self-improvement, when it may actually be shame, fear, and old protection strategies running the show. They also explore the connection between self-criticism, perfectionism, comparison, anxiety, depression, obsessive negative self-talk, and the painful isolation that can come from believing the worst things we say about ourselves. The episode offers practical ways to work with the inner critic rather than trying to erase it: noticing it, naming it, externalizing it, asking what it's trying to protect, looking for the younger part of you it may be defending, bringing in kinder and more accurate voices, and practicing the simple but surprisingly difficult act of receiving a compliment with “thank you.” The inner critic may not disappear completely, but it doesn't have to run your life. You're not the voice that attacks you. You're the one who can hear it, question it, laugh at it, and begin writing a different next chapter.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, inner critic, self-criticism, negative self-talk, shame, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, comparison, self-worth, self-esteem, humility, compliments, recovery, relapse prevention, creativity, creative block, people-pleasing, relationships, isolation, emotional regulation, nervous system, psychotherapy, internal family systems, inner child work, self-compassion, personal growth No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW The Inner Critic (Part One) 24 24 The Inner Critic (Part One) full 65b887cb-9a6a-4ff8-825b-1e34e3d5dcde https://share.transistor.fm/s/39b6848f You haven’t even had your morning coffee yet, but the voice is already there—listing off your inadequacies. You didn’t do enough yesterday. You’re hopelessly behind. You’ve never been able to keep up. You open your phone and start to scroll, and the thought comes: everyone else is doing everything better than you. Most of us have some version of that voice, and because it sounds so familiar, we often mistake it for the truth. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the inner critic: what it is, where it comes from, why we believe it, and how to start relating to it differently. Through the lenses of shame, comparison, anger, limiting stories, anxiety, creativity, parenting, recovery, and self-worth, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between healthy self-reflection and self-attack. The conversation looks at how the critic often develops from a collage of old voices, expectations, cultural messages, and attempts at protection, then becomes so internalized that it starts to sound like you. The episode also offers a practical path toward working with the inner critic without pretending it will disappear overnight: noticing and naming it, externalizing the voice, asking what it is trying to protect, and inviting in a kinder and more accurate voice to assess your value. You are not the voice inside your head that rips everything you do to shreds. You are the one who can notice that voice, question it, and decide whether it deserves to be in charge.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> You haven’t even had your morning coffee yet, but the voice is already there—listing off your inadequacies. You didn’t do enough yesterday. You’re hopelessly behind. You’ve never been able to keep up. You open your phone and start to scroll, and the thought comes: everyone else is doing everything better than you. Most of us have some version of that voice, and because it sounds so familiar, we often mistake it for the truth. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the inner critic: what it is, where it comes from, why we believe it, and how to start relating to it differently. Through the lenses of shame, comparison, anger, limiting stories, anxiety, creativity, parenting, recovery, and self-worth, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between healthy self-reflection and self-attack. The conversation looks at how the critic often develops from a collage of old voices, expectations, cultural messages, and attempts at protection, then becomes so internalized that it starts to sound like you. The episode also offers a practical path toward working with the inner critic without pretending it will disappear overnight: noticing and naming it, externalizing the voice, asking what it is trying to protect, and inviting in a kinder and more accurate voice to assess your value. You are not the voice inside your head that rips everything you do to shreds. You are the one who can notice that voice, question it, and decide whether it deserves to be in charge.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:59:10 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 1812 You haven’t even had your morning coffee yet, but the voice is already there—listing off your inadequacies. You didn’t do enough yesterday. You’re hopelessly behind. You’ve never been able to keep up. You open your phone and start to scroll, and the thought comes: everyone else is doing everything better than you. Most of us have some version of that voice, and because it sounds so familiar, we often mistake it for the truth. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Right Here hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the inner critic: what it is, where it comes from, why we believe it, and how to start relating to it differently. Through the lenses of shame, comparison, anger, limiting stories, anxiety, creativity, parenting, recovery, and self-worth, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between healthy self-reflection and self-attack. The conversation looks at how the critic often develops from a collage of old voices, expectations, cultural messages, and attempts at protection, then becomes so internalized that it starts to sound like you. The episode also offers a practical path toward working with the inner critic without pretending it will disappear overnight: noticing and naming it, externalizing the voice, asking what it is trying to protect, and inviting in a kinder and more accurate voice to assess your value. You are not the voice inside your head that rips everything you do to shreds. You are the one who can notice that voice, question it, and decide whether it deserves to be in charge.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, inner critic, self-worth, shame, self-criticism, anxiety, depression, comparison, emotional health, emotional regulation, self-awareness, nervous system, parenting, recovery, creativity, perfectionism, people-pleasing, trauma-informed, relationships, self-compassion, psychotherapy, negative self-talk, confidence, healing, personal growth, mindfulness, limiting beliefs No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW Coaching Vs. Therapy with Elizabeth Miller, CLC, LSW, MA 23 23 Coaching Vs. Therapy with Elizabeth Miller, CLC, LSW, MA full cd8f2377-2f27-4078-92c4-8506237ff111 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e4d5fdce At some point, a lot of us find ourselves asking some version of the same question: Do I need therapy for this, or would coaching help? Is life coaching just therapy lite? What if I’ve already done therapy and now I’m wondering what comes next? In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by life coach Elizabeth Miller, CLC, LSW, MA to unpack the difference between therapy and life coaching in a clear, non-jargony way. Together, they differentiate therapy’s focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment—one that's often informed by past experiences and behaviors—from coaching as a collaborative, present-and-future-focused process centered on clarity, goals, strengths, accountability, and practical next steps. The conversation examines where therapy and coaching overlap, where they differ, and how they can work together to improve outcomes for people who are feeling stuck, directionless, unmotivated, in transition, or ready to turn internal growth into external action. Elizabeth shares how her background as a therapist led her toward coaching, what coaching can look like in practice, and how she thinks about fit, referrals, and the importance of not using coaching as a replacement for needed therapy. Whether you are looking for healing, structure, accountability, or simply a clearer sense of what kind of help makes the most sense, this episode offers a grounded way to ask: What is the right support for me right now?

To learn more about Elizabeth Miller, CLC, MSW, MA, connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> At some point, a lot of us find ourselves asking some version of the same question: Do I need therapy for this, or would coaching help? Is life coaching just therapy lite? What if I’ve already done therapy and now I’m wondering what comes next? In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by life coach Elizabeth Miller, CLC, LSW, MA to unpack the difference between therapy and life coaching in a clear, non-jargony way. Together, they differentiate therapy’s focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment—one that's often informed by past experiences and behaviors—from coaching as a collaborative, present-and-future-focused process centered on clarity, goals, strengths, accountability, and practical next steps. The conversation examines where therapy and coaching overlap, where they differ, and how they can work together to improve outcomes for people who are feeling stuck, directionless, unmotivated, in transition, or ready to turn internal growth into external action. Elizabeth shares how her background as a therapist led her toward coaching, what coaching can look like in practice, and how she thinks about fit, referrals, and the importance of not using coaching as a replacement for needed therapy. Whether you are looking for healing, structure, accountability, or simply a clearer sense of what kind of help makes the most sense, this episode offers a grounded way to ask: What is the right support for me right now?

To learn more about Elizabeth Miller, CLC, MSW, MA, connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Sun, 12 Jul 2026 13:48:24 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 1769 At some point, a lot of us find ourselves asking some version of the same question: Do I need therapy for this, or would coaching help? Is life coaching just therapy lite? What if I’ve already done therapy and now I’m wondering what comes next? In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by life coach Elizabeth Miller, CLC, LSW, MA to unpack the difference between therapy and life coaching in a clear, non-jargony way. Together, they differentiate therapy’s focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment—one that's often informed by past experiences and behaviors—from coaching as a collaborative, present-and-future-focused process centered on clarity, goals, strengths, accountability, and practical next steps. The conversation examines where therapy and coaching overlap, where they differ, and how they can work together to improve outcomes for people who are feeling stuck, directionless, unmotivated, in transition, or ready to turn internal growth into external action. Elizabeth shares how her background as a therapist led her toward coaching, what coaching can look like in practice, and how she thinks about fit, referrals, and the importance of not using coaching as a replacement for needed therapy. Whether you are looking for healing, structure, accountability, or simply a clearer sense of what kind of help makes the most sense, this episode offers a grounded way to ask: What is the right support for me right now?

To learn more about Elizabeth Miller, CLC, MSW, MA, connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. 


Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here at WPKN.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> mental health, therapy, life coaching, coaching, psychology, psychotherapy, personal growth, emotional health, self-awareness, goals, accountability, healing, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, career change, recovery, relationships, emotional regulation, support, mental health support, wellness, growth, motivation, values, clarity, licensed therapist, coaching vs therapy No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW The Comparison Trap 22 22 The Comparison Trap full 858ae9ec-2f4a-45fb-97c4-ce99b29494f5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/adf58ea5 You’re having a perfectly fine day. Then you open your phone. Someone from college just got promoted. A neighbor is posting vacation photos. Another parent mentions their kid just made the travel team. And suddenly, the life you felt okay about two minutes ago starts to feel smaller, slower, or somehow not enough. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore comparison as one of the most universal human habits—and one of the quietest ways we make ourselves miserable. Drawing from psychology, social comparison theory, digital culture, parenting, work, relationships, recovery, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between comparison as information and comparison as judgment. The conversation looks at why comparison can be useful when it helps us learn, but painful when it becomes a measuring stick for our worth. They explore the asymmetry of comparing our full, complicated inner lives to other people’s curated outer lives, how social media has industrialized comparison, and why other people’s good news can sometimes feel threatening instead of simply good. The episode also offers a practical path out of the comparison trap: noticing the feeling without immediately fighting it, asking what emotion is underneath, checking whether the comparison is fair, redirecting attention back to your own values, curating what you consume, and asking one grounding question: “If nobody could see this, would I still want it?” Comparison is not something we eliminate completely. But we can learn to catch it, question it, and stop letting someone else’s highlight reel become the final word on our real, unfiltered, in-progress lives.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> You’re having a perfectly fine day. Then you open your phone. Someone from college just got promoted. A neighbor is posting vacation photos. Another parent mentions their kid just made the travel team. And suddenly, the life you felt okay about two minutes ago starts to feel smaller, slower, or somehow not enough. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore comparison as one of the most universal human habits—and one of the quietest ways we make ourselves miserable. Drawing from psychology, social comparison theory, digital culture, parenting, work, relationships, recovery, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between comparison as information and comparison as judgment. The conversation looks at why comparison can be useful when it helps us learn, but painful when it becomes a measuring stick for our worth. They explore the asymmetry of comparing our full, complicated inner lives to other people’s curated outer lives, how social media has industrialized comparison, and why other people’s good news can sometimes feel threatening instead of simply good. The episode also offers a practical path out of the comparison trap: noticing the feeling without immediately fighting it, asking what emotion is underneath, checking whether the comparison is fair, redirecting attention back to your own values, curating what you consume, and asking one grounding question: “If nobody could see this, would I still want it?” Comparison is not something we eliminate completely. But we can learn to catch it, question it, and stop letting someone else’s highlight reel become the final word on our real, unfiltered, in-progress lives.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:27:52 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 1933 You’re having a perfectly fine day. Then you open your phone. Someone from college just got promoted. A neighbor is posting vacation photos. Another parent mentions their kid just made the travel team. And suddenly, the life you felt okay about two minutes ago starts to feel smaller, slower, or somehow not enough. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore comparison as one of the most universal human habits—and one of the quietest ways we make ourselves miserable. Drawing from psychology, social comparison theory, digital culture, parenting, work, relationships, recovery, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine the difference between comparison as information and comparison as judgment. The conversation looks at why comparison can be useful when it helps us learn, but painful when it becomes a measuring stick for our worth. They explore the asymmetry of comparing our full, complicated inner lives to other people’s curated outer lives, how social media has industrialized comparison, and why other people’s good news can sometimes feel threatening instead of simply good. The episode also offers a practical path out of the comparison trap: noticing the feeling without immediately fighting it, asking what emotion is underneath, checking whether the comparison is fair, redirecting attention back to your own values, curating what you consume, and asking one grounding question: “If nobody could see this, would I still want it?” Comparison is not something we eliminate completely. But we can learn to catch it, question it, and stop letting someone else’s highlight reel become the final word on our real, unfiltered, in-progress lives.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, comparison, social comparison, self-worth, social media, emotional health, relationships, parenting, perfectionism, people-pleasing, nervous system, self-awareness, personal growth, shame, jealousy, resentment, anxiety, digital culture, highlight reel, emotional regulation, psychotherapy, values, recovery, body image, career anxiety, self-compassion, mindfulness No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW Alone Doesn't Have to Be Lonely 21 21 Alone Doesn't Have to Be Lonely full 610559fc-e588-408a-a2d8-9f53fb1d7be9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/213c076b You can live in a full house and feel lonely. You can be in a relationship and feel lonely. You can have a group chat that never stops and still feel like no one really knows you. And you can be home alone on a Friday night with nothing but a book, a movie, or a playlist and feel completely at ease. So many of us confuse being alone with being lonely, treating loneliness as a headcount problem instead of a deeper signal about connection, presence, and being seen. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the difference between solitude and loneliness, and why loneliness can show up even when life looks full from the outside. Drawing from conversations around relationships, parenting, digital connection, role-based living, recovery, adolescence, self-judgment, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine how loneliness often points to the experience of feeling unseen, unknown, or unable to be fully yourself with the people around you. The conversation looks at parenting loneliness, partnership loneliness, teen loneliness, the in-between loneliness that can come with growth or recovery, and the quiet shame people often feel when they think they shouldn't be lonely. The episode also offers a practical path toward more real connection: naming loneliness without judgment, looking for depth rather than simply more contact, taking one small "honesty risk," creating consistent anchor points of connection, and learning how to be alone with yourself in a way that feels restorative instead of numbing. Loneliness isn't a judgment about who you are. It's a signal about what you need. And listening to that signal can become an act of wisdom.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> You can live in a full house and feel lonely. You can be in a relationship and feel lonely. You can have a group chat that never stops and still feel like no one really knows you. And you can be home alone on a Friday night with nothing but a book, a movie, or a playlist and feel completely at ease. So many of us confuse being alone with being lonely, treating loneliness as a headcount problem instead of a deeper signal about connection, presence, and being seen. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the difference between solitude and loneliness, and why loneliness can show up even when life looks full from the outside. Drawing from conversations around relationships, parenting, digital connection, role-based living, recovery, adolescence, self-judgment, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine how loneliness often points to the experience of feeling unseen, unknown, or unable to be fully yourself with the people around you. The conversation looks at parenting loneliness, partnership loneliness, teen loneliness, the in-between loneliness that can come with growth or recovery, and the quiet shame people often feel when they think they shouldn't be lonely. The episode also offers a practical path toward more real connection: naming loneliness without judgment, looking for depth rather than simply more contact, taking one small "honesty risk," creating consistent anchor points of connection, and learning how to be alone with yourself in a way that feels restorative instead of numbing. Loneliness isn't a judgment about who you are. It's a signal about what you need. And listening to that signal can become an act of wisdom.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:49:06 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 2481 You can live in a full house and feel lonely. You can be in a relationship and feel lonely. You can have a group chat that never stops and still feel like no one really knows you. And you can be home alone on a Friday night with nothing but a book, a movie, or a playlist and feel completely at ease. So many of us confuse being alone with being lonely, treating loneliness as a headcount problem instead of a deeper signal about connection, presence, and being seen. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the difference between solitude and loneliness, and why loneliness can show up even when life looks full from the outside. Drawing from conversations around relationships, parenting, digital connection, role-based living, recovery, adolescence, self-judgment, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine how loneliness often points to the experience of feeling unseen, unknown, or unable to be fully yourself with the people around you. The conversation looks at parenting loneliness, partnership loneliness, teen loneliness, the in-between loneliness that can come with growth or recovery, and the quiet shame people often feel when they think they shouldn't be lonely. The episode also offers a practical path toward more real connection: naming loneliness without judgment, looking for depth rather than simply more contact, taking one small "honesty risk," creating consistent anchor points of connection, and learning how to be alone with yourself in a way that feels restorative instead of numbing. Loneliness isn't a judgment about who you are. It's a signal about what you need. And listening to that signal can become an act of wisdom.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, loneliness, solitude, connection, relationships, emotional health, being seen, self-awareness, nervous system, parenting, partnership, teens, recovery, isolation, belonging, digital connection, people-pleasing, emotional regulation, vulnerability, communication, personal growth, psychotherapy, trauma-informed, self-compassion, social anxiety, friendship, family dynamics No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW The Practice of Saying No 20 20 The Practice of Saying No full cfa1e857-5c21-4422-985a-b0bd663051eb https://share.transistor.fm/s/3c270b94 Most of us did not grow up in homes, schools, workplaces, or relationships where “no” was considered an acceptable answer. Maybe you learned to explain, justify, soften, over-apologize, or offer a whole life story in place of simply drawing a boundary. Maybe saying no still feels selfish, rude, ungrateful, dramatic, or difficult. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore why saying no can feel so hard, especially for people who learned early on that keeping other people comfortable was safer than being honest about their own limits. Drawing from conversations around people-pleasing, boundaries, resentment, emotional regulation, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine what “no” actually protects: your time, energy, health, values, relationships, and ability to show up honestly. The conversation looks at the myth that no is always harsh, the fear that disappointing someone means losing connection, the belief that we owe everyone a detailed explanation, and the quiet self-betrayal that can happen when every request becomes a yes. The episode also offers a practical path toward cleaner, more sustainable no’s: buying yourself time, starting with low-stakes limits, using simple language, tolerating discomfort, and asking whether a yes now will become resentment later. Saying no does not have to make you cold, selfish, or unavailable. It can be a compassionate response that protects the parts of your life and relationships that matter most. You are allowed to have limits. You are allowed to disappoint people sometimes. You are allowed to be a person, not a resource.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Most of us did not grow up in homes, schools, workplaces, or relationships where “no” was considered an acceptable answer. Maybe you learned to explain, justify, soften, over-apologize, or offer a whole life story in place of simply drawing a boundary. Maybe saying no still feels selfish, rude, ungrateful, dramatic, or difficult. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore why saying no can feel so hard, especially for people who learned early on that keeping other people comfortable was safer than being honest about their own limits. Drawing from conversations around people-pleasing, boundaries, resentment, emotional regulation, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine what “no” actually protects: your time, energy, health, values, relationships, and ability to show up honestly. The conversation looks at the myth that no is always harsh, the fear that disappointing someone means losing connection, the belief that we owe everyone a detailed explanation, and the quiet self-betrayal that can happen when every request becomes a yes. The episode also offers a practical path toward cleaner, more sustainable no’s: buying yourself time, starting with low-stakes limits, using simple language, tolerating discomfort, and asking whether a yes now will become resentment later. Saying no does not have to make you cold, selfish, or unavailable. It can be a compassionate response that protects the parts of your life and relationships that matter most. You are allowed to have limits. You are allowed to disappoint people sometimes. You are allowed to be a person, not a resource.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:01:46 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN Lumen Therapy Collective, WPKN 2547 Most of us did not grow up in homes, schools, workplaces, or relationships where “no” was considered an acceptable answer. Maybe you learned to explain, justify, soften, over-apologize, or offer a whole life story in place of simply drawing a boundary. Maybe saying no still feels selfish, rude, ungrateful, dramatic, or difficult. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore why saying no can feel so hard, especially for people who learned early on that keeping other people comfortable was safer than being honest about their own limits. Drawing from conversations around people-pleasing, boundaries, resentment, emotional regulation, and the nervous system, Christopher and Kenyon examine what “no” actually protects: your time, energy, health, values, relationships, and ability to show up honestly. The conversation looks at the myth that no is always harsh, the fear that disappointing someone means losing connection, the belief that we owe everyone a detailed explanation, and the quiet self-betrayal that can happen when every request becomes a yes. The episode also offers a practical path toward cleaner, more sustainable no’s: buying yourself time, starting with low-stakes limits, using simple language, tolerating discomfort, and asking whether a yes now will become resentment later. Saying no does not have to make you cold, selfish, or unavailable. It can be a compassionate response that protects the parts of your life and relationships that matter most. You are allowed to have limits. You are allowed to disappoint people sometimes. You are allowed to be a person, not a resource.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> mental health, therapy, psychology, boundaries, saying no, people-pleasing, emotional regulation, relationships, self-care, burnout, resentment, nervous system, anxiety, guilt, shame, communication, conflict, personal growth, self-awareness, psychotherapy, healthy relationships, codependency, assertiveness, emotional health, stress, overcommitting, self-worth, trauma-informed, limits No Christopher Mooney, LCSW Kenyon Phillips, LMSW Anger Is Information 19 19 Anger Is Information full Buzzsprout-19322748 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f1aa7336 Most of us learned pretty early that anger was a problem. Maybe you were told to calm down, stop overreacting, watch your tone, or keep the peace. So you swallowed it, turned it into jokes, aimed it at yourself, or let it build until it came out sideways. And for a while, that may have worked. You got through family dinners, stayed in relationships, avoided conflict, and kept other people comfortable. But there is a cost to treating anger like a flaw instead of a signal. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore anger as information, not a character defect. Drawing from psychology, philosophy, body-based awareness, and Viktor Frankl’s idea of the space between stimulus and response, Christopher and Kenyon examine what anger is actually trying to tell us, why it often points to crossed boundaries, ignored needs, violated values, or unresolved fear and pain, and what happens when it goes underground. The conversation looks at resentment, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, chronic tension, cultural messages around gender and anger, and the difference between feeling angry and acting aggressively. The episode also offers a practical path toward working with anger more consciously: noticing it in the body, asking what it is pointing toward, separating the feeling from the reaction, choosing a proportionate response, and finding healthy ways to move that energy through. Anger doesn't have to mean exploding, disappearing, or becoming someone you don't want to be. It can be data. It can be direction. And it can be one of the clearest ways that the deeper self says, “Pay attention. Something important is happening.”


To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Most of us learned pretty early that anger was a problem. Maybe you were told to calm down, stop overreacting, watch your tone, or keep the peace. So you swallowed it, turned it into jokes, aimed it at yourself, or let it build until it came out sideways. And for a while, that may have worked. You got through family dinners, stayed in relationships, avoided conflict, and kept other people comfortable. But there is a cost to treating anger like a flaw instead of a signal. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore anger as information, not a character defect. Drawing from psychology, philosophy, body-based awareness, and Viktor Frankl’s idea of the space between stimulus and response, Christopher and Kenyon examine what anger is actually trying to tell us, why it often points to crossed boundaries, ignored needs, violated values, or unresolved fear and pain, and what happens when it goes underground. The conversation looks at resentment, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, chronic tension, cultural messages around gender and anger, and the difference between feeling angry and acting aggressively. The episode also offers a practical path toward working with anger more consciously: noticing it in the body, asking what it is pointing toward, separating the feeling from the reaction, choosing a proportionate response, and finding healthy ways to move that energy through. Anger doesn't have to mean exploding, disappearing, or becoming someone you don't want to be. It can be data. It can be direction. And it can be one of the clearest ways that the deeper self says, “Pay attention. Something important is happening.”


To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2126 Most of us learned pretty early that anger was a problem. Maybe you were told to calm down, stop overreacting, watch your tone, or keep the peace. So you swallowed it, turned it into jokes, aimed it at yourself, or let it build until it came out sideways. And for a while, that may have worked. You got through family dinners, stayed in relationships, avoided conflict, and kept other people comfortable. But there is a cost to treating anger like a flaw instead of a signal. In this episode of Lu... Most of us learned pretty early that anger was a problem. Maybe you were told to calm down, stop overreacting, watch your tone, or keep the peace. So you swallowed it, turned it into jokes, aimed it at yourself, or let it build until it came out sideways. mental health, therapy, psychology, anger, emotional regulation, relationships, boundaries, resentment, anxiety, depression, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed, body awareness, nervous system, communication, conflict, personal growth, No The Stories We Tell Ourselves 18 18 The Stories We Tell Ourselves full Buzzsprout-19175685 https://share.transistor.fm/s/961ec6fb At some point, you decided something about yourself. Maybe you decided you were the difficult one, the responsible one, the one who doesn’t need much, or the kind of person good things don’t happen to. You probably didn’t make that decision consciously. It settled in quietly over time, until the story started to feel like the truth. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the stories we tell ourselves and how those inner narratives shape our relationships, choices, sense of worth, and capacity for change. Drawing from narrative therapy, existential psychology, Viktor Frankl’s idea of the space between stimulus and response, and the body’s role in carrying old beliefs, Christopher and Kenyon examine how these stories form, why they often begin as protection, and how they can become limiting over time. The conversation looks at confirmation bias, shame, people-pleasing, perfectionism, substance use, and the quiet ways a person’s life can become organized around a story they never consciously chose. The episode also offers a compassionate path toward revision: noticing the story, tracing where it came from, looking for the exceptions it leaves out, allowing the body to practice something new, and experiencing relationships that help you tell a different story about yourself. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> At some point, you decided something about yourself. Maybe you decided you were the difficult one, the responsible one, the one who doesn’t need much, or the kind of person good things don’t happen to. You probably didn’t make that decision consciously. It settled in quietly over time, until the story started to feel like the truth. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the stories we tell ourselves and how those inner narratives shape our relationships, choices, sense of worth, and capacity for change. Drawing from narrative therapy, existential psychology, Viktor Frankl’s idea of the space between stimulus and response, and the body’s role in carrying old beliefs, Christopher and Kenyon examine how these stories form, why they often begin as protection, and how they can become limiting over time. The conversation looks at confirmation bias, shame, people-pleasing, perfectionism, substance use, and the quiet ways a person’s life can become organized around a story they never consciously chose. The episode also offers a compassionate path toward revision: noticing the story, tracing where it came from, looking for the exceptions it leaves out, allowing the body to practice something new, and experiencing relationships that help you tell a different story about yourself. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 3469 At some point, you decided something about yourself. Maybe you decided you were the difficult one, the responsible one, the one who doesn’t need much, or the kind of person good things don’t happen to. You probably didn’t make that decision consciously. It settled in quietly over time, until the story started to feel like the truth. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the stories we tell ourselves and how those inner narratives shape our ... At some point, you decided something about yourself. Maybe you decided you were the difficult one, the responsible one, the one who doesn’t need much, or the kind of person good things don’t happen to. You probably didn’t make that decision consciously. I mental health, therapy, narrative therapy, inner narrative, self worth, shame, perfectionism, people pleasing, confirmation bias, existential psychology, Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, Michael White, David Epston, emotional patterns, relationships, self awaren No The Weight Men Carry with Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S 17 17 The Weight Men Carry with Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S full Buzzsprout-19142145 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c4f725a There’s a version of masculinity that looks strong on the outside but feels like silent overload on the inside. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, a therapist specializing in men’s mental health, to explore the invisible weight that many men carry. Drawing from Jake’s work with outwardly functioning but internally overwhelmed men, the conversation introduces what Jake calls the “Man Plate”: an expanding set of expectations placed on men today that ranges from provider and protector to emotionally available partner, engaged father, and steady presence under pressure. Christopher, Kenyon, and Jake examine how boys raised to value toughness and silence often become men who are expected to be emotionally fluent without ever being taught the language. They also explore Jake’s Appalachian lens, examining how regional values such as resilience, responsibility, loyalty, and community can serve as powerful protective factors against isolation, stoicism, shame, and unprocessed trauma. This episode offers a compassionate look at fatherhood, anxiety, emotional suppression, and the quiet cost of saying “I’m fine,” while offering practical ways for men to name what they’re carrying, reconnect with other men, and begin sharing a burden that was never meant to be carried alone.

To learn more about Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, visit the Ross Wellness Group website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> There’s a version of masculinity that looks strong on the outside but feels like silent overload on the inside. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, a therapist specializing in men’s mental health, to explore the invisible weight that many men carry. Drawing from Jake’s work with outwardly functioning but internally overwhelmed men, the conversation introduces what Jake calls the “Man Plate”: an expanding set of expectations placed on men today that ranges from provider and protector to emotionally available partner, engaged father, and steady presence under pressure. Christopher, Kenyon, and Jake examine how boys raised to value toughness and silence often become men who are expected to be emotionally fluent without ever being taught the language. They also explore Jake’s Appalachian lens, examining how regional values such as resilience, responsibility, loyalty, and community can serve as powerful protective factors against isolation, stoicism, shame, and unprocessed trauma. This episode offers a compassionate look at fatherhood, anxiety, emotional suppression, and the quiet cost of saying “I’m fine,” while offering practical ways for men to name what they’re carrying, reconnect with other men, and begin sharing a burden that was never meant to be carried alone.

To learn more about Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, visit the Ross Wellness Group website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is a podcast partnership with WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 3090 There’s a version of masculinity that looks strong on the outside but feels like silent overload on the inside. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, a therapist specializing in men’s mental health, to explore the invisible weight that many men carry. Drawing from Jake’s work with outwardly functioning but internally overwhelmed men, the conversation introduces what Jake calls the “Man Plate”: an expanding set ... There’s a version of masculinity that looks strong on the outside but feels like silent overload on the inside. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW are joined by Jake Ross, MSW, LISW-S, a therapist specializi men’s mental health, masculinity, fatherhood, new dads, emotional suppression, resilience, Appalachian values, anxiety, shame, vulnerability, emotional health, therapy, parenting, connection, mental health, relationships, self-awareness, stress, identity No Codependency: When Caring Becomes Too Much 16 16 Codependency: When Caring Becomes Too Much full Buzzsprout-19098075 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d23aa143 There’s a version of love where the appearance of devotion masks self-abandonment, and the line between two people becomes blurred beyond all recognition. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore one of the most widely used and misunderstood concepts in modern mental health lingo: codependency. Drawing from its roots in addiction research and clinical experience, they examine how a term originally used to describe patterns in families affected by substance use has expanded into something far broader—and is often used to mislabel normal human connection as pathology. Christopher and Kenyon clarify the difference between healthy interdependence and true codependency, which they define as a pattern in which your sense of self, emotional stability, and worth become organized around managing, fixing, or controlling another person. The conversation explores how this shows up internally—from hypervigilance and guilt to losing touch with your own needs—and how these patterns often begin as adaptive responses to unstable environments. The episode also offers practical, compassionate guidance for shifting the pattern so you can reconnect with your own internal experience, practice detachment with love, and care for someone without losing yourself.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> There’s a version of love where the appearance of devotion masks self-abandonment, and the line between two people becomes blurred beyond all recognition. In this episode of Right Here, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore one of the most widely used and misunderstood concepts in modern mental health lingo: codependency. Drawing from its roots in addiction research and clinical experience, they examine how a term originally used to describe patterns in families affected by substance use has expanded into something far broader—and is often used to mislabel normal human connection as pathology. Christopher and Kenyon clarify the difference between healthy interdependence and true codependency, which they define as a pattern in which your sense of self, emotional stability, and worth become organized around managing, fixing, or controlling another person. The conversation explores how this shows up internally—from hypervigilance and guilt to losing touch with your own needs—and how these patterns often begin as adaptive responses to unstable environments. The episode also offers practical, compassionate guidance for shifting the pattern so you can reconnect with your own internal experience, practice detachment with love, and care for someone without losing yourself.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2944 There’s a version of love where the appearance of devotion masks self-abandonment, and the line between two people becomes blurred beyond all recognition. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore one of the most widely used and misunderstood concepts in modern mental health lingo: codependency. Drawing from its roots in addiction research and clinical experience, they examine how a term originally used to describe patterns in families affected... There’s a version of love where the appearance of devotion masks self-abandonment, and the line between two people becomes blurred beyond all recognition. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore one of th codependency, relationships, mental health, emotional health, self-worth, identity, boundaries, people-pleasing, attachment styles, interdependence, hypervigilance, trauma, childhood trauma, family dynamics, addiction, recovery, Al-Anon, emotional regulat No Gaslighting: What It Is and What It Isn’t 15 15 Gaslighting: What It Is and What It Isn’t full Buzzsprout-19052312 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6ca83d81 What if the problem isn’t just what’s happening in your relationships, but how those relationships are shaping your sense of reality? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW break down one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in modern mental health language: gaslighting. Drawing from clinical experience and real-world dynamics, they explore how gaslighting is not a single disagreement or difference in memory, but a sustained pattern of manipulation designed to erode your trust in your own perception, judgment, and reality. Christopher and Kenyon unpack why the term has exploded culturally—highlighting both the relief it has given survivors and the confusion created by its overuse—while offering a clear, grounded definition that separates true gaslighting from everyday conflict, defensiveness, lying, or miscommunication. The conversation delves into the lived experience of gaslighting—from chronic self-doubt and emotional fog to the subtle ways people begin shrinking, second-guessing, and outsourcing their reality to someone else. It also examines where gaslighting shows up most often, including romantic relationships, families, workplaces, and even within oneself through patterns of self-invalidation. Most importantly, this episode offers practical, compassionate guidance for recognizing patterns, re-anchoring your reality, testing relational safety, and making decisions that support your emotional well-being—all while empowering you to reclaim your internal authority. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What if the problem isn’t just what’s happening in your relationships, but how those relationships are shaping your sense of reality? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW break down one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in modern mental health language: gaslighting. Drawing from clinical experience and real-world dynamics, they explore how gaslighting is not a single disagreement or difference in memory, but a sustained pattern of manipulation designed to erode your trust in your own perception, judgment, and reality. Christopher and Kenyon unpack why the term has exploded culturally—highlighting both the relief it has given survivors and the confusion created by its overuse—while offering a clear, grounded definition that separates true gaslighting from everyday conflict, defensiveness, lying, or miscommunication. The conversation delves into the lived experience of gaslighting—from chronic self-doubt and emotional fog to the subtle ways people begin shrinking, second-guessing, and outsourcing their reality to someone else. It also examines where gaslighting shows up most often, including romantic relationships, families, workplaces, and even within oneself through patterns of self-invalidation. Most importantly, this episode offers practical, compassionate guidance for recognizing patterns, re-anchoring your reality, testing relational safety, and making decisions that support your emotional well-being—all while empowering you to reclaim your internal authority. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 3117 What if the problem isn’t just what’s happening in your relationships, but how those relationships are shaping your sense of reality? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW break down one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in modern mental health language: gaslighting. Drawing from clinical experience and real-world dynamics, they explore how gaslighting is not a single disagreement or difference in memory, but a sustained pattern of manip... What if the problem isn’t just what’s happening in your relationships, but how those relationships are shaping your sense of reality? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW break down one of the most overused an mental health, gaslighting, emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, relationships, self-trust, self-doubt, boundaries, emotional regulation, anxiety, trauma, self-awareness, therapy, communication, toxic relationships No The Trouble with Trauma 14 14 The Trouble with Trauma full Buzzsprout-19008659 https://share.transistor.fm/s/89edbac0 What happens when a word meant to describe something specific becomes the language we use for everything? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the cultural overuse of the word “trauma” and why that shift, while validating, can sometimes blur what people actually need. Drawing from clinical insight, they clarify that trauma is not just something painful, but something that overwhelms the nervous system’s ability to process in real time—often leaving the body reacting as if the event is still happening. Christopher and Kenyon break down key distinctions between single-incident, complex, and vicarious trauma, along with the spectrum of “Big T” and “little t” traumatic experiences—while also examining the risks of overidentifying with trauma as a fixed identity or applying it to ordinary human pain like grief or disappointment. The conversation highlights how unprocessed trauma shows up through reactivity, avoidance, and disconnection, and why real healing often requires body-based approaches, relational safety, and careful pacing—not just talking about the past. At its core, this episode is about precision, not gatekeeping—because when we can accurately name what happened to us, we have a better chance of finding the kind of support that actually helps. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What happens when a word meant to describe something specific becomes the language we use for everything? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the cultural overuse of the word “trauma” and why that shift, while validating, can sometimes blur what people actually need. Drawing from clinical insight, they clarify that trauma is not just something painful, but something that overwhelms the nervous system’s ability to process in real time—often leaving the body reacting as if the event is still happening. Christopher and Kenyon break down key distinctions between single-incident, complex, and vicarious trauma, along with the spectrum of “Big T” and “little t” traumatic experiences—while also examining the risks of overidentifying with trauma as a fixed identity or applying it to ordinary human pain like grief or disappointment. The conversation highlights how unprocessed trauma shows up through reactivity, avoidance, and disconnection, and why real healing often requires body-based approaches, relational safety, and careful pacing—not just talking about the past. At its core, this episode is about precision, not gatekeeping—because when we can accurately name what happened to us, we have a better chance of finding the kind of support that actually helps. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 3484 What happens when a word meant to describe something specific becomes the language we use for everything? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the cultural overuse of the word “trauma” and why that shift, while validating, can sometimes blur what people actually need. Drawing from clinical insight, they clarify that trauma is not just something painful, but something that overwhelms the nervous system’s ability to process in real time—ofte... What happens when a word meant to describe something specific becomes the language we use for everything? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the cultural overuse of the word “trauma” and why that shi mental health, trauma, trauma healing, nervous system, somatic therapy, EMDR, complex trauma, childhood trauma, emotional regulation, anxiety, self awareness, therapy, healing, relationships No Boundaries Are Not Walls 13 13 Boundaries Are Not Walls full Buzzsprout-18974924 https://share.transistor.fm/s/39b88b17 What if the thing you’ve been calling a boundary is actually pushing you further away from the connection you’re craving? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the cultural confusion around boundaries—challenging the popular idea that “having boundaries” means cutting people off, shutting down, or building emotional walls. Instead, they reframe boundaries as something far more dynamic: a form of communication that helps regulate what we give and receive in relationships. Drawing from clinical insight and lived experience, they explore the difference between reacting and responding, and how true boundaries are rooted in self-awareness, not control over others. The conversation breaks down different types of boundaries—physical, emotional, mental, and even temporal—while examining how trauma, anxiety, and "social media therapy" can distort our understanding of safety and threat. They also address the discomfort that comes with setting boundaries, including guilt, people-pleasing withdrawal, and the ongoing need to reinforce them with compassion rather than rigidity. At its core, this episode invites listeners to move away from black-and-white thinking and toward something more human: flexible, thoughtful boundaries that create space not just for protection, but for connection. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What if the thing you’ve been calling a boundary is actually pushing you further away from the connection you’re craving? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the cultural confusion around boundaries—challenging the popular idea that “having boundaries” means cutting people off, shutting down, or building emotional walls. Instead, they reframe boundaries as something far more dynamic: a form of communication that helps regulate what we give and receive in relationships. Drawing from clinical insight and lived experience, they explore the difference between reacting and responding, and how true boundaries are rooted in self-awareness, not control over others. The conversation breaks down different types of boundaries—physical, emotional, mental, and even temporal—while examining how trauma, anxiety, and "social media therapy" can distort our understanding of safety and threat. They also address the discomfort that comes with setting boundaries, including guilt, people-pleasing withdrawal, and the ongoing need to reinforce them with compassion rather than rigidity. At its core, this episode invites listeners to move away from black-and-white thinking and toward something more human: flexible, thoughtful boundaries that create space not just for protection, but for connection. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2689 What if the thing you’ve been calling a boundary is actually pushing you further away from the connection you’re craving? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the cultural confusion around boundaries—challenging the popular idea that “having boundaries” means cutting people off, shutting down, or building emotional walls. Instead, they reframe boundaries as something far more dynamic: a form of communication that helps regulate what we give... What if the thing you’ve been calling a boundary is actually pushing you further away from the connection you’re craving? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the cultural confusion around boundaries—ch mental health, therapy, self awareness, emotional regulation, trauma, boundaries, healthy boundaries, emotional boundaries, people pleasing, codependency, personal growth, self improvement, relationships, communication skills, psychology, healing No Shame Is Lame 12 12 Shame Is Lame full Buzzsprout-18943310 https://share.transistor.fm/s/67d7cf64 What if the most painful belief you carry isn’t about what you’ve done, but who you are? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the often misunderstood and deeply isolating experience of shame—separating it from guilt to reveal how differently it lives in the body and shapes our behavior. While guilt can motivate repair, shame tends to drive hiding, shrinking, and disconnection. Through clinical and personal examples, Christopher and Kenyon unpack how shame is learned through early experiences of emotional invalidation—and how it quietly shows up in adulthood through people-pleasing, perfectionism, humor as defense, and even rage or withdrawal. The conversation examines the hidden cost of carrying shame, including chronic loneliness, self-abandonment, and the fear that being truly known would lead to rejection. It also offers grounded, practical ways to begin loosening shame’s grip—from naming it in safe relationships to reconnecting with the body and embracing our shared humanity. At its core, this episode is an invitation to step out of secrecy and into connection, which is where shame begins to lose its power. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What if the most painful belief you carry isn’t about what you’ve done, but who you are? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the often misunderstood and deeply isolating experience of shame—separating it from guilt to reveal how differently it lives in the body and shapes our behavior. While guilt can motivate repair, shame tends to drive hiding, shrinking, and disconnection. Through clinical and personal examples, Christopher and Kenyon unpack how shame is learned through early experiences of emotional invalidation—and how it quietly shows up in adulthood through people-pleasing, perfectionism, humor as defense, and even rage or withdrawal. The conversation examines the hidden cost of carrying shame, including chronic loneliness, self-abandonment, and the fear that being truly known would lead to rejection. It also offers grounded, practical ways to begin loosening shame’s grip—from naming it in safe relationships to reconnecting with the body and embracing our shared humanity. At its core, this episode is an invitation to step out of secrecy and into connection, which is where shame begins to lose its power. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2503 What if the most painful belief you carry isn’t about what you’ve done, but who you are? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the often misunderstood and deeply isolating experience of shame—separating it from guilt to reveal how differently it lives in the body and shapes our behavior. While guilt can motivate repair, shame tends to drive hiding, shrinking, and disconnection. Through clinical and personal examples, Christopher and Kenyon ... What if the most painful belief you carry isn’t about what you’ve done, but who you are? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the often misunderstood and deeply isolating experience of shame—separating shame, guilt vs shame, mental health, trauma therapy, podcast, self worth, self esteem, people pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, emotional health, vulnerability, relationships, self awareness No People-Pleasing and the Cost of Losing Yourself 11 11 People-Pleasing and the Cost of Losing Yourself full Buzzsprout-18899008 https://share.transistor.fm/s/eaf83372 What if your kindness isn’t kindness at all, but a survival strategy? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the often-overlooked link between the trauma response of fawning and people-pleasing by reframing the habit of saying “yes” as a survival mechanism rather than a personality trait. Together, they explore how the fawn response develops as a way to stay safe—appeasing others to avoid danger, conflict, rejection, or loss—and how that pattern can quietly take over our relationships, jobs, and identity. From staying in relationships too long to overextending at work, Christopher and Kenyon connect the dots between fear, early conditioning, and the compulsive need for validation while breaking down the four distinct types of people-pleasers. They also examine the emotional and physical toll of chronic self-abandonment, including resentment, anxiety, and stress held in the body. At its core, this episode is an invitation to recognize the fears that drive most people-pleasing—and to begin the work of reclaiming your boundaries, your voice, and your sense of self. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What if your kindness isn’t kindness at all, but a survival strategy? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the often-overlooked link between the trauma response of fawning and people-pleasing by reframing the habit of saying “yes” as a survival mechanism rather than a personality trait. Together, they explore how the fawn response develops as a way to stay safe—appeasing others to avoid danger, conflict, rejection, or loss—and how that pattern can quietly take over our relationships, jobs, and identity. From staying in relationships too long to overextending at work, Christopher and Kenyon connect the dots between fear, early conditioning, and the compulsive need for validation while breaking down the four distinct types of people-pleasers. They also examine the emotional and physical toll of chronic self-abandonment, including resentment, anxiety, and stress held in the body. At its core, this episode is an invitation to recognize the fears that drive most people-pleasing—and to begin the work of reclaiming your boundaries, your voice, and your sense of self. 

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2742 What if your kindness isn’t kindness at all, but a survival strategy? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the often-overlooked link between the trauma response of fawning and people-pleasing by reframing the habit of saying “yes” as a survival mechanism rather than a personality trait. Together, they explore how the fawn response develops as a way to stay safe—appeasing others to avoid danger, conflict, rejection, or loss—and how that patt... What if your kindness isn’t kindness at all, but a survival strategy? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the often-overlooked link between the trauma response of fawning and people-pleasing by reframi mental health, therapy, trauma, fawn response, people pleasing, anxiety, boundaries, self worth, relationships, codependency, nervous system, authenticity, depression, stress, emotional health, psychotherapy, LCSW, LMSW, personal growth, healing No Move a Muscle, Change a Thought 10 10 Move a Muscle, Change a Thought full Buzzsprout-18870228 https://share.transistor.fm/s/da520d2f In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. What begins as a conversation about running quickly expands into a deeper look at how physical activity, sleep, hydration, and nutrition shape emotional well-being. Drawing from both clinical experience and insights from Harvard metabolic health advocate Dr. Chris Palmer, they challenge the idea that mental health exists only in the mind—introducing a more integrated view of brain and body. From winter stagnation and “freeze mode” to the cultural pressure to overwork and under-rest, Christopher and Kenyon unpack how disconnection from the body can quietly fuel anxiety, depression, and a loss of motivation. The conversation also explores how neglecting our basic needs can erode confidence, strain relationships, and limit our ability to feel present in our own lives. Rather than offering extreme solutions, Christopher and Kenyon return to something more fundamental: the small, consistent choices that help regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of balance. At its core, this episode is a reminder that we are not machines built for constant output. We are human beings who require movement, rest, and connection to function. Because sometimes the path out of a mental spiral isn’t more thinking. Sometimes it’s as simple, and as difficult, as getting up and moving.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. What begins as a conversation about running quickly expands into a deeper look at how physical activity, sleep, hydration, and nutrition shape emotional well-being. Drawing from both clinical experience and insights from Harvard metabolic health advocate Dr. Chris Palmer, they challenge the idea that mental health exists only in the mind—introducing a more integrated view of brain and body. From winter stagnation and “freeze mode” to the cultural pressure to overwork and under-rest, Christopher and Kenyon unpack how disconnection from the body can quietly fuel anxiety, depression, and a loss of motivation. The conversation also explores how neglecting our basic needs can erode confidence, strain relationships, and limit our ability to feel present in our own lives. Rather than offering extreme solutions, Christopher and Kenyon return to something more fundamental: the small, consistent choices that help regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of balance. At its core, this episode is a reminder that we are not machines built for constant output. We are human beings who require movement, rest, and connection to function. Because sometimes the path out of a mental spiral isn’t more thinking. Sometimes it’s as simple, and as difficult, as getting up and moving.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2040 In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. What begins as a conversation about running quickly expands into a deeper look at how physical activity, sleep, hydration, and nutrition shape emotional well-being. Drawing from both clinical experience and insights from Harvard metabolic health advocate Dr. Chris Palmer, they challenge the idea that mental health exists only in the mind—introd... In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. What begins as a conversation about running quickly expands into a deeper look at how physical activity, mental health, therapy, self care, exercise and mental health, trauma, nervous system regulation, anxiety, depression, wellness, mindfulness, movement, embodiment, metabolic psychiatry, Dr Chris Palmer, men’s mental health, relationships, resilience No Good Grief: Companioning Loss, Love, and the End of Life with Kat Hurley, LCSW (Part Two) 9 9 Good Grief: Companioning Loss, Love, and the End of Life with Kat Hurley, LCSW (Part Two) full Buzzsprout-18817929 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fb13dc49 In Part Two of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue their dialogue with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW—exploring what grief actually looks like in the mind, body, and daily life. Kat shares powerful ways of understanding loss, including the idea that grief doesn’t shrink over time and that the real work of grief is learning how to carry it. The conversation expands into grief literacy, and unpacking the emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms—like brain fog, irritability, exhaustion, and dissociation—that often make grieving people feel like they’re “going crazy." Along the way, they explore concepts like anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, and ambiguous loss—forms of grief that often go unrecognized or unsupported. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to rethink their relationship with loss and mortality by reminding us that confronting grief can deepen our compassion, clarify what matters most, and help us live more fully while we’re here.

To learn more about Kat Hurley, LCSW, visit the Alis Volat Propriis Place website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Four book titles that Kat recommends in this episode for people facing grief, loss, and bereavement:
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief by Joanne Cacciatore, PhD
It’s OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine, LPC
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In Part Two of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue their dialogue with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW—exploring what grief actually looks like in the mind, body, and daily life. Kat shares powerful ways of understanding loss, including the idea that grief doesn’t shrink over time and that the real work of grief is learning how to carry it. The conversation expands into grief literacy, and unpacking the emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms—like brain fog, irritability, exhaustion, and dissociation—that often make grieving people feel like they’re “going crazy." Along the way, they explore concepts like anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, and ambiguous loss—forms of grief that often go unrecognized or unsupported. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to rethink their relationship with loss and mortality by reminding us that confronting grief can deepen our compassion, clarify what matters most, and help us live more fully while we’re here.

To learn more about Kat Hurley, LCSW, visit the Alis Volat Propriis Place website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Four book titles that Kat recommends in this episode for people facing grief, loss, and bereavement:
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief by Joanne Cacciatore, PhD
It’s OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine, LPC
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2206 In Part Two of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue their dialogue with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW—exploring what grief actually looks like in the mind, body, and daily life. Kat shares powerful ways of understanding loss, including the idea that grief doesn’t shrink over time and that the real work of grief is learning how to carry it. The conversation expands into grief lit... In Part Two of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW continue their dialogue with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW—exploring what grief actually looks l grief, bereavement, loss, mental health, grief counseling, anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, death and dying, hospice care, palliative care, emotional resilience, coping with loss, psychology, therapy, life and death, meaning maki No Good Grief: Companioning Loss, Love, and the End of Life with Kat Hurley, LCSW (Part One) 8 8 Good Grief: Companioning Loss, Love, and the End of Life with Kat Hurley, LCSW (Part One) full Buzzsprout-18780899 https://share.transistor.fm/s/86b5435b In Part One of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW sit down with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW to explore what it really means to companion people through life’s most vulnerable moments. Kat shares her unexpected journey from professional dancer to “grief nerd,” and unpacks the often-misunderstood world of palliative care—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters long before the moment of death. The conversation moves into grief beyond death, including divorce, identity shifts, empty nesting, and the loss of the “assumptive world”—the moment when life no longer looks the way we thought it would. This episode is about courage, clarity, and the power of having honest conversations before, during, and after we experience a loss. It's also a reminder that we don't have to face our grief alone.

To learn more about Kat Hurley, LCSW, visit the Alis Volat Propriis Place website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In Part One of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW sit down with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW to explore what it really means to companion people through life’s most vulnerable moments. Kat shares her unexpected journey from professional dancer to “grief nerd,” and unpacks the often-misunderstood world of palliative care—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters long before the moment of death. The conversation moves into grief beyond death, including divorce, identity shifts, empty nesting, and the loss of the “assumptive world”—the moment when life no longer looks the way we thought it would. This episode is about courage, clarity, and the power of having honest conversations before, during, and after we experience a loss. It's also a reminder that we don't have to face our grief alone.

To learn more about Kat Hurley, LCSW, visit the Alis Volat Propriis Place website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2409 In Part One of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW sit down with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW to explore what it really means to companion people through life’s most vulnerable moments. Kat shares her unexpected journey from professional dancer to “grief nerd,” and unpacks the often-misunderstood world of palliative care—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters long before the mom... In Part One of this two-part conversation, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW sit down with grief, loss, and bereavement therapist and Fordham University professor Kat Hurley, LCSW to explore what it really means to companion people mental health, grief, bereavement, loss, palliative care, hospice, end of life, anticipatory grief, family systems, identity loss, empty nest, divorce grief, romantic breakup, assumptive world, mental health, social work, emotional resilience, death anxie No Boys Don’t Cry: Men, Vulnerability, and the Cost of Silence 7 7 Boys Don’t Cry: Men, Vulnerability, and the Cost of Silence full Buzzsprout-18733859 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8f1027b2 "I'm fine." It's a lie that so many men tell. Not only to others, but to themselves. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quiet conditioning that teaches boys to “shake it off,” “man up,” and never let anyone see them cry. From scraped knees and hockey rinks to boys’ dormitories and adult relationships, they unpack how early praise for toughness can harden into emotional isolation. When vulnerability is equated with weakness, many men are left with only two socially acceptable settings: silence or anger. Drawing from clinical experience and personal reflection, they examine how suppressed emotion can morph into depression, anxiety, explosive rage, or a painful sense of disconnection—and how the pressure to fix rather than feel keeps real intimacy at bay. At its core, this conversation challenges a cultural script that rewards stoicism while quietly eroding connection, and offers a radical reframe: expressing what hurts is not weakness, but strength. Because healing doesn't always begin with solving the problem. Sometimes it begins with simply being heard.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> "I'm fine." It's a lie that so many men tell. Not only to others, but to themselves. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quiet conditioning that teaches boys to “shake it off,” “man up,” and never let anyone see them cry. From scraped knees and hockey rinks to boys’ dormitories and adult relationships, they unpack how early praise for toughness can harden into emotional isolation. When vulnerability is equated with weakness, many men are left with only two socially acceptable settings: silence or anger. Drawing from clinical experience and personal reflection, they examine how suppressed emotion can morph into depression, anxiety, explosive rage, or a painful sense of disconnection—and how the pressure to fix rather than feel keeps real intimacy at bay. At its core, this conversation challenges a cultural script that rewards stoicism while quietly eroding connection, and offers a radical reframe: expressing what hurts is not weakness, but strength. Because healing doesn't always begin with solving the problem. Sometimes it begins with simply being heard.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2523 "I'm fine." It's a lie that so many men tell. Not only to others, but to themselves. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quiet conditioning that teaches boys to “shake it off,” “man up,” and never let anyone see them cry. From scraped knees and hockey rinks to boys’ dormitories and adult relationships, they unpack how early praise for toughness can harden into emotional isolation. When vulnerability is equated with weakness, many men ... "I'm fine." It's a lie that so many men tell. Not only to others, but to themselves. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quiet conditioning that teaches boys to “shake it off,” “man up,” and never Mental Health, Men’s Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence, Therapy, Relationships, Vulnerability, Anger, Depression, Anxiety, Personal Growth, Social Conditioning, Connection, Masculinity No Joy as Medicine: Making Therapy Creative, Collaborative, and Human with Andrew Tepper, LCSW 6 6 Joy as Medicine: Making Therapy Creative, Collaborative, and Human with Andrew Tepper, LCSW full Buzzsprout-18690623 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5197d890 In this uplifting episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW carve out some time with guest Andrew Tepper, LCSW, founder of BODA Therapy in New York, to talk about something that often gets overlooked in mental health work: joy. Andrew shares how his program blends short-term retreats in the Catskills, skill-based therapies like CBT and DBT, and real-world accountability to support clients beyond the traditional therapy hour. Together, the three clinicians discuss the power of experiential therapy, creative expression, and collaborative connection as pathways to healing. Drawing on Andrew’s 15 years of experience as a clinician in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, the conversation explores how music, theater, and shared creative experiences can lower defenses, build trust, and make therapy feel more human. Instead of focusing solely on pathology or pain, this episode asks a simple but radical question: What if recovery could also include fun? By celebrating the spark that happens when a clinician and a client create something together, Christopher, Kenyon, and Andrew demonstrate how skill-building, connection, and joy can coexist in the therapeutic process.

To learn more about Andrew Tepper, LCSW, visit the BODA Therapy website and connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In this uplifting episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW carve out some time with guest Andrew Tepper, LCSW, founder of BODA Therapy in New York, to talk about something that often gets overlooked in mental health work: joy. Andrew shares how his program blends short-term retreats in the Catskills, skill-based therapies like CBT and DBT, and real-world accountability to support clients beyond the traditional therapy hour. Together, the three clinicians discuss the power of experiential therapy, creative expression, and collaborative connection as pathways to healing. Drawing on Andrew’s 15 years of experience as a clinician in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, the conversation explores how music, theater, and shared creative experiences can lower defenses, build trust, and make therapy feel more human. Instead of focusing solely on pathology or pain, this episode asks a simple but radical question: What if recovery could also include fun? By celebrating the spark that happens when a clinician and a client create something together, Christopher, Kenyon, and Andrew demonstrate how skill-building, connection, and joy can coexist in the therapeutic process.

To learn more about Andrew Tepper, LCSW, visit the BODA Therapy website and connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2245 In this uplifting episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW carve out some time with guest Andrew Tepper, LCSW, founder of BODA Therapy in New York, to talk about something that often gets overlooked in mental health work: joy. Andrew shares how his program blends short-term retreats in the Catskills, skill-based therapies like CBT and DBT, and real-world accountability to support clients beyond the traditional therapy hour. Together, the three clinicians disc... In this uplifting episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW carve out some time with guest Andrew Tepper, LCSW, founder of BODA Therapy in New York, to talk about something that often gets overlooked in mental health work: Andrew Tepper, BODA Therapy, mental health, therapy, psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, experiential therapy, creativity, joy, connection, emotional wellness, mental health podcast, therapists, recovery, self-care, retreats, accountability, human connection, collab No Good Enough: Letting Go of Perfectionism 5 5 Good Enough: Letting Go of Perfectionism full Buzzsprout-18648336 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f44af5ab What if perfectionism isn’t your greatest strength, but your most exhausting defense? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW approach perfectionism not as a badge of honor, but as a trauma-informed coping strategy rooted in fear, shame, and the need for control. They explore how the drive to be flawless often comes from a deeper belief that we are only lovable or worthy when we perform at our best, and how all-or-nothing thinking and emotional “masking” keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, burnout, and self-criticism. Ultimately, the conversation moves toward a gentler truth: Life is mostly gray area, not black or white—and real connection begins when we allow ourselves to be imperfect. If we can take off our masks, something more honest—and more sustainable—can take its place. From relationships to parenting to the quiet voice in our own heads, this episode invites listeners to trade the pressure of perfection for the relief of “good enough"—and to practice the radical act of accepting life on life’s terms.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> What if perfectionism isn’t your greatest strength, but your most exhausting defense? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW approach perfectionism not as a badge of honor, but as a trauma-informed coping strategy rooted in fear, shame, and the need for control. They explore how the drive to be flawless often comes from a deeper belief that we are only lovable or worthy when we perform at our best, and how all-or-nothing thinking and emotional “masking” keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, burnout, and self-criticism. Ultimately, the conversation moves toward a gentler truth: Life is mostly gray area, not black or white—and real connection begins when we allow ourselves to be imperfect. If we can take off our masks, something more honest—and more sustainable—can take its place. From relationships to parenting to the quiet voice in our own heads, this episode invites listeners to trade the pressure of perfection for the relief of “good enough"—and to practice the radical act of accepting life on life’s terms.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2423 What if perfectionism isn’t your greatest strength, but your most exhausting defense? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW approach perfectionism not as a badge of honor, but as a trauma-informed coping strategy rooted in fear, shame, and the need for control. They explore how the drive to be flawless often comes from a deeper belief that we are only lovable or worthy when we perform at our best, and how all-or-nothing thinking and emotional “mask... What if perfectionism isn’t your greatest strength, but your most exhausting defense? In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW approach perfectionism not as a badge of honor, but as a trauma-informed coping strate Mental Health, Self-Improvement, Therapy, Psychology, Personal Growth, Perfectionism, Anxiety, Burnout, Shame, Self-Worth, Trauma, Coping Mechanisms, All-or-Nothing Thinking, Cognitive Distortions, Emotional Health, Relationships, Communication, Authentic No Why Are We So Tired? 4 4 Why Are We So Tired? full Buzzsprout-18609658 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ccbe0e10 In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quieter epidemic beneath so much modern distress: exhaustion. Not just physical tiredness, but the kind of mental and emotional fatigue that comes from living in a constant state of alert. The conversation explores how being tethered to our phones—a nonstop source of information, notifications, breaking news, and social comparisons—keeps our nervous systems activated long after any real threat has passed. From doomscrolling and political overwhelm to the subtle pressure to stay informed, responsive, and “engaged,” Christopher and Kenyon examine how helplessness and overexposure quietly wear us down. The conversation also touches on how poor sleep, alcohol use, hustle culture, and the constant pressure to perform can compound this exhaustion—leaving the body working overtime even when we're supposedly resting. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to rethink what’s actually draining us, to understand exhaustion as a nervous system issue rather than a personal failure, and to consider what real rest, regulation, and care might look like in a world that rarely stops demanding our attention.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quieter epidemic beneath so much modern distress: exhaustion. Not just physical tiredness, but the kind of mental and emotional fatigue that comes from living in a constant state of alert. The conversation explores how being tethered to our phones—a nonstop source of information, notifications, breaking news, and social comparisons—keeps our nervous systems activated long after any real threat has passed. From doomscrolling and political overwhelm to the subtle pressure to stay informed, responsive, and “engaged,” Christopher and Kenyon examine how helplessness and overexposure quietly wear us down. The conversation also touches on how poor sleep, alcohol use, hustle culture, and the constant pressure to perform can compound this exhaustion—leaving the body working overtime even when we're supposedly resting. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to rethink what’s actually draining us, to understand exhaustion as a nervous system issue rather than a personal failure, and to consider what real rest, regulation, and care might look like in a world that rarely stops demanding our attention.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2637 In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quieter epidemic beneath so much modern distress: exhaustion. Not just physical tiredness, but the kind of mental and emotional fatigue that comes from living in a constant state of alert. The conversation explores how being tethered to our phones—a nonstop source of information, notifications, breaking news, and social comparisons—keeps our nervous systems activated long after any real threat has p... In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the quieter epidemic beneath so much modern distress: exhaustion. Not just physical tiredness, but the kind of mental and emotional fatigue that comes from living i mental health, therapy, psychology, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, self-awareness, connection, psycho-education No The Negativity Buffet: Why Your Brain Always Goes Back for Seconds 3 3 The Negativity Buffet: Why Your Brain Always Goes Back for Seconds full Buzzsprout-18567283 https://share.transistor.fm/s/203ce180 In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the runaway train of negative thinking—how a single mistake can spiral into shame, catastrophizing, and the feeling that you’re about to get fired from life. Drawing from everyday moments, clinical work, and a surprisingly accurate all-you-can-eat buffet metaphor, Christopher and Kenyon explore common unhelpful thinking styles like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, fortune telling, and permissive thinking. In the process, they discuss why the brain is wired to scan for danger, how these patterns once helped us survive, and what happens when they get taken too far. The episode also proposes practical ways to challenge negative thinking, such as approaching obligations from a place of gratitude, possibility, and privilege. With humor, honesty, and zero jargon, this conversation invites you to notice your own negativity buffet—and gently question whether you really need to load your plate the way you always have.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the runaway train of negative thinking—how a single mistake can spiral into shame, catastrophizing, and the feeling that you’re about to get fired from life. Drawing from everyday moments, clinical work, and a surprisingly accurate all-you-can-eat buffet metaphor, Christopher and Kenyon explore common unhelpful thinking styles like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, fortune telling, and permissive thinking. In the process, they discuss why the brain is wired to scan for danger, how these patterns once helped us survive, and what happens when they get taken too far. The episode also proposes practical ways to challenge negative thinking, such as approaching obligations from a place of gratitude, possibility, and privilege. With humor, honesty, and zero jargon, this conversation invites you to notice your own negativity buffet—and gently question whether you really need to load your plate the way you always have.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2548 In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the runaway train of negative thinking—how a single mistake can spiral into shame, catastrophizing, and the feeling that you’re about to get fired from life. Drawing from everyday moments, clinical work, and a surprisingly accurate all-you-can-eat buffet metaphor, Christopher and Kenyon explore common unhelpful thinking styles like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, fortune telling, and permissive... In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW unpack the runaway train of negative thinking—how a single mistake can spiral into shame, catastrophizing, and the feeling that you’re about to get fired from life. Drawing therapy, mental health, no jargon therapy, real talk psychology, therapists talking, emotional insight, psychology explained, self-awareness, thought patterns, healing conversations, negative self-talk, anxiety, overthinking No Connected, But Alone: Why Being Seen Is Harder Than Ever 2 2 Connected, But Alone: Why Being Seen Is Harder Than Ever full Buzzsprout-18522121 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b0a6c7d8 We’ve never had more ways to connect—and yet so many of us feel profoundly alone. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the modern loneliness epidemic and how social media, curated identities, and fear of being fully seen have quietly reshaped the ways we relate to one another. From the awkward reality of needing to “text before calling” to the illusion of intimacy created by followers and likes, they unpack why connection can feel thinner than ever since the pandemic. Through a simple yet revealing relationship exercise, reflections on people-pleasing and fawning, and a hard look at the technology that has permanently altered how we relate to one another, the episode examines what gets lost when we hide our messy, human insides. Ultimately, this conversation begs a larger question: What would it take to let our outsides finally match who we really are—and to let ourselves be known, not just noticed?

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> We’ve never had more ways to connect—and yet so many of us feel profoundly alone. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the modern loneliness epidemic and how social media, curated identities, and fear of being fully seen have quietly reshaped the ways we relate to one another. From the awkward reality of needing to “text before calling” to the illusion of intimacy created by followers and likes, they unpack why connection can feel thinner than ever since the pandemic. Through a simple yet revealing relationship exercise, reflections on people-pleasing and fawning, and a hard look at the technology that has permanently altered how we relate to one another, the episode examines what gets lost when we hide our messy, human insides. Ultimately, this conversation begs a larger question: What would it take to let our outsides finally match who we really are—and to let ourselves be known, not just noticed?

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2593 We’ve never had more ways to connect—and yet so many of us feel profoundly alone. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the modern loneliness epidemic and how social media, curated identities, and fear of being fully seen have quietly reshaped the ways we relate to one another. From the awkward reality of needing to “text before calling” to the illusion of intimacy created by followers and likes, they unpack why connection can feel thinner ... We’ve never had more ways to connect—and yet so many of us feel profoundly alone. In this episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the modern loneliness epidemic and how social media, curated identities, and fear loneliness epidemic, modern connection, social media, mental health, authenticity, emotional intimacy, being seen, people-pleasing, fawning response, post-pandemic mental health, relationships, human connection, therapy, mental health No Seeing, Being Seen, and the Survival Responses That Shape Us 1 1 Seeing, Being Seen, and the Survival Responses That Shape Us full Buzzsprout-18464771 https://share.transistor.fm/s/533212fc In the inaugural episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the meaning behind the name Lumen and how it reflects the heart of therapy: seeing, being seen, and creating a shared sense of understanding. Drawing from clinical work, creativity, music, dance, improv, and lived experience, they describe therapy as a collaborative, living process rather than a one-sided exchange. The conversation also touches on what happens when we don’t feel seen, how disconnection activates deep survival responses in the nervous system, and how the often-misunderstood stress responses of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn can show up in our relationships, families, work, and culture. Grounded, accessible, and reflective, this episode sets the tone for Lumen: no jargon, no judgment—just thoughtful conversation to help listeners better understand themselves and one another.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> In the inaugural episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the meaning behind the name Lumen and how it reflects the heart of therapy: seeing, being seen, and creating a shared sense of understanding. Drawing from clinical work, creativity, music, dance, improv, and lived experience, they describe therapy as a collaborative, living process rather than a one-sided exchange. The conversation also touches on what happens when we don’t feel seen, how disconnection activates deep survival responses in the nervous system, and how the often-misunderstood stress responses of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn can show up in our relationships, families, work, and culture. Grounded, accessible, and reflective, this episode sets the tone for Lumen: no jargon, no judgment—just thoughtful conversation to help listeners better understand themselves and one another.

To book a free consultation with Christopher, Kenyon, or the other providers at Lumen Therapy Collective, visit lumentherapycollective.com. 

Follow Right Here on Instagram: @lumen_therapy_collective

Subscribe, share, and review Right Here on your favorite podcast platform!

Right Here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a trusted mental health professional.

]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 22:00:00 -0500 Lumen Therapy Collective Lumen Therapy Collective 2423 In the inaugural episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the meaning behind the name Lumen and how it reflects the heart of therapy: seeing, being seen, and creating a shared sense of understanding. Drawing from clinical work, creativity, music, dance, improv, and lived experience, they describe therapy as a collaborative, living process rather than a one-sided exchange. The conversation also touches on what happens when we don’t feel seen, how disco... In the inaugural episode of Lumen, hosts Christopher Mooney, LCSW and Kenyon Phillips, LMSW explore the meaning behind the name Lumen and how it reflects the heart of therapy: seeing, being seen, and creating a shared sense of understanding. Drawing from mental health, therapy, psychology, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, self-awareness, being seen, attachment patterns, nervous system, trauma responses, fight, flight, freeze, fawn, emotional regulation, stress responses, survival instinct No