The holidays are over—and so is our patience. In this witty and refreshingly honest episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the post-holiday burnout, emotional exhaustion, and unrealistic expectations that leave so many of us drained and frustrated. From forced cheer and family tension to overspending and social overload, we break down what we’re officially done tolerating after the holidays. Blending humor with real therapeutic insight, this episode offers practical mental health tools, boundary-setting strategies, and mindset shifts to help you reset, recover, and protect your peace.

Family dynamics shape us long before we realize it. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down dysfunctional family systems and the common family roles many of us grow up playing—such as the caretaker, the peacemaker, the rebel, or the “responsible one.”

Using a mental health and wellness lens, we explore how these roles develop, why they persist into adulthood, and how they impact relationships, boundaries, self-esteem, anxiety, and emotional health. You’ll learn how to recognize your role within your family system, understand its purpose, and decide whether it still serves you today.

Whether you’re navigating toxic family relationships, working on personal growth, or simply trying to understand why family gatherings feel so exhausting, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical tools for change.

Perfect for anyone interested in:

• Mental health & emotional wellness
• Self-improvement and personal growth
• Family systems therapy concepts
• Healing from dysfunctional family dynamics
• Setting healthy boundaries

The holidays can be one of the most challenging times of the year for people in sobriety and recovery—and for the family and friends who want to support them without saying the wrong thing.

In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, licensed therapists Kate and Nina break down what actually helps when supporting someone in recovery during the holidays. We talk about navigating holiday parties, alcohol-centered traditions, family pressure, emotional triggers, and how to show support without judgment, guilt, or unintentional harm.

Whether you’re in recovery yourself or love someone who is, this episode offers practical mental health tools, compassionate communication tips, and realistic boundaries that make the season safer and more supportive for everyone involved.

In this episode, we cover:

• How sobriety and recovery can feel during the holiday season
• What to say (and what not to say) to someone in recovery
• Navigating alcohol-focused gatherings and family expectations
• Mental health strategies for staying grounded and emotionally regulated
• How to support recovery without enabling, minimizing, or pressuring
• Setting healthy boundaries during the holidays

This conversation is honest, supportive, and refreshingly judgment-free—because recovery doesn’t take a holiday, and neither does mental health.

New episodes of the Nearly Normal Podcast explore mental health, wellness, self-improvement, and real-life coping strategies with humor, honesty, and clinical insight