The Character's Toolkit: Bibliotherapy (Mental Health with a Literary Twist)

In every episode, therapist (and reader!) Marisa Gelfand chats with novelists and therapists to explore the mental health struggles of fictional characters. Think, bibliotherapy: mental health with a literary twist. Characters in books and literature don’t have access to a therapist’s insights, but you do, and you walk away with the skills.

Who Am I Without You? Adolescence, Attachment, and THE FAVORITES 01/15/2026

Who Am I Without You? Adolescence, Attachment, and THE FAVORITES Marisa chats with The Favorites author Layne Fargo and therapist Kaleigh Cornelison for a deep dive into adolescence, attachment, ambition, and identity. Together they explore what happens when young love becomes all-consuming, how trauma and attachment shape relationships, why growing up can feel so destabilizing, what it truly means to become your own person, inside and outside of love, and ways parents can help navigate this path. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/39735755

The Power of Communication in Connection and BOTH THINGS ARE TRUE 01/01/2026

The Power of Communication in Connection and BOTH THINGS ARE TRUE Marisa chats with Both Things Are True author Kathleen Barber and therapist Jennifer Mullowney of Crossroads Counseling Services to explore how communication, self-concept, and emotional growth shape healthy relationships. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/39579915

Owning Your Story (Instead of Adapting to Everyone Else’s) and YOUNG FOOLS 12/18/2025

Owning Your Story (Instead of Adapting to Everyone Else’s) and YOUNG FOOLS Marisa chats with Young Fools author Liza Palmer and therapist Phil Lane, author of The Narrative Therapy Workbook for Self-Esteem, to explore the tension between external validation and an internal sense of self. From the stories we inherit to the identities we perform, they unpack how reshaping our personal narratives can move us from shape-shifting for approval to authoring lives rooted in alignment and self-trust. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/39450930

Reclaiming Identity and Balance in Motherhood and SOMEONE'S GOTTA GIVE 12/04/2025

Reclaiming Identity and Balance in Motherhood and SOMEONE'S GOTTA GIVE Marisa chats with Someone’s Gotta Give author Alisha Fernandez Miranda and therapist Stacey McCann of Present Moment Counseling Services to explore the tug-of-war between motherhood, identity, and balance. From invisible labor to the stories we tell ourselves, they unpack how families can share the load and find balance together. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/39265215

Untangling Generational Anger and HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS 11/20/2025

Untangling Generational Anger and HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS Marisa chats with HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS author Allison Larkin and Andrea Maher, Anger Management Specialist of , to talk about anger, the way it can be passed from one generation to the next, and its impact on both the individual and their kids. They focus on the real-life factors that lead to anger, how we can get curious instead of furious, the importance of practicing anger management skills, and setting boundaries when needed. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/39106240

Wine Culture, Addiction, and Recovery in Modern Parenting and BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA 11/06/2025

Wine Culture, Addiction, and Recovery in Modern Parenting and BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA Marisa chats with Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea author Jessica Guerrieri and therapist Janice Johnson Dowd, author of Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery, to talk about wine culture, addiction, and recovery, focusing on what it really looks like in the world of modern parenting. They focus on why so many parents turn to alcohol to cope, and how we can break the cycle, rebuild connection, and redefine self-care. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/38920820

Navigating Grief and PROMISE ME SUNSHINE 10/23/2025

Navigating Grief and PROMISE ME SUNSHINE Marisa chats with Promise Me Sunshine author Cara Bastone and Kelly Daugherty, author of The Grief Experience and host of The Grief Ladies podcast, about loss and healing. Together, they explore how to show up with consistency and compassion over the long term, the importance of grieving rather than avoiding, and the idea of creating “live again” lists. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/38749685

Leaving A Cult: Healing and Finding Freedom and OUR LAST RESORT 10/09/2025

Leaving A Cult: Healing and Finding Freedom and OUR LAST RESORT Marisa chats with author Clémence Michallon (Our Last Resort) and therapist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt about overcoming the challenges of rebuilding identity, healing, and embracing freedom after leaving a cult. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/38528590

When the Music Stops: Fame, Addiction, and Recovery and THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES & HARDER TO BREATHE 09/25/2025

When the Music Stops: Fame, Addiction, and Recovery and THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES & HARDER TO BREATHE Marisa chats with author Marissa Stapley (THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES) and therapist Ryan Dusick (founding member of Maroon 5, author of the book HARDER TO BREATHE, and podcast host of the Harder to Breathe podcast) about young life in front of a large audience, substance use disorders, and the many paths that lead to recovery. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/38350155

Staying Connected When We Disagree and LULA DEAN'S LITTLE LIBRARY OF BANNED BOOKS 09/11/2025

Staying Connected When We Disagree and LULA DEAN'S LITTLE LIBRARY OF BANNED BOOKS Marisa chats with Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books author Kirsten Miller and therapist Emily Scheer of New Connections Counseling Center to explore how we can stay connected when politics and beliefs might pull us apart. From navigating tough conversations to protecting meaningful relationships, they unpack what it takes to bridge divides without breaking bonds. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/38176285

Body Autonomy and HAZEL SAYS NO 08/28/2025

Body Autonomy and HAZEL SAYS NO Marisa chats with Hazel Says No author Jessica Berger Gross and therapist Kara Friedman of Kara Friedman Counseling to delve into the power and complexity of body autonomy. From early boundary-setting to unlearning people-pleasing, they unpack the power of saying no. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37994480

Finding Purpose and ALL THE SIGNS 08/14/2025

Finding Purpose and ALL THE SIGNS Marisa chats with All the Signs author Jessi Rosen and therapist Haley Moore of Therapy Uninterrupted to explore the winding path of finding and following your passion. From societal expectations to internal roadblocks, they unpack what it really takes to tune out the noise and trust your own signs. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37813510

Pushing People Away and THE UNDERCURRENT 07/31/2025

Pushing People Away and THE UNDERCURRENT Marisa chats with The Undercurrent author Sarah Sawyer and therapist Viviana McGovern of Full Vida Therapy to unpack why we sometimes push people away. From the roots of rigid boundaries to the fear of vulnerability, it’s a conversation full of insight, honesty, and a few laughs. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37614150

Bridging Family Estrangement and FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 07/17/2025

Bridging Family Estrangement and FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Marisa chats with FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY author Jennifer E. Smith and therapist Dr. Christine Schneider of Integrative Mind Institute and the podcast The Challenge of Therapy for a deep dive into adult sibling alienation. They explore what drives distance between siblings, why it hurts so much, whether it’s ever possible—or wise—to rebuild those bonds, and specific tools for rebuilding them when appropriate. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37435420

Processing Feelings and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAY'S 07/03/2025

Processing Feelings and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAY'S Marisa chats with What Happened to the McCrays author Tracey Lange and therapist Michael Rose of Wild Minds Consulting to talk about what we’re really supposed to do with all those overwhelming emotions. From rage to grief to everything in between, they explore how to process big feelings instead of bottling them up. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37262220

Coercive and Controlling Relationships and PICTURES OF YOU 06/19/2025

Coercive and Controlling Relationships and PICTURES OF YOU Marisa chats with Pictures of You author Emma Grey, her daughter and Ph.D. candidate Hannah Robertson, and therapist Beverly Engel—author of The Emotionally Abusive Relationship—to unpack the dynamics of coercive and controlling relationships. From subtle red flags to deep emotional manipulation, this conversation sheds light on what these relationships really look like, hot to support loved ones who are in them, and how to begin breaking free. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/37036930

Mental Filtering and TRUST ME ON THIS 06/12/2025

Mental Filtering and TRUST ME ON THIS Marisa chats with Trust Me on This author Lauren Parvizzi and therapist Maggie Malone of Rosebud Psychotherapy to unpack mental filtering—the habit of seeing things as either all good or all bad. They dive into how this black-and-white thinking shows up in our lives, why it’s so tempting, and what it really takes to find a more balanced perspective. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/36930425

Sports Performance Anxiety and BLUEBIRD DAY 06/05/2025

Sports Performance Anxiety and BLUEBIRD DAY Marisa chats with Bluebird Day author Megan Tady and sports therapist Peter Falcon of Skadi Sports Psychology to dig into the high-stakes world of sports psychology. From pre-game anxiety to the mental load elite athletes carry, they unpack the hidden side of high performance. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/36858350

Welcome to The Character's Toolkit 05/30/2025

Welcome to The Character's Toolkit Welcome! There's a new show, and it's perfect for you: The Character’s Toolkit. In every episode, therapist (and reader!) Marisa Gelfand chats with novelists and therapists to explore the mental health struggles of fictional characters. Characters don’t have access to a therapist’s insights, but you do, and you walk away with the skills. Want more? Follow on Instagram! /episode/index/show/32ec95db-0095-4f49-b576-9be4bc4ff7b7/id/36781495

The Character's Toolkit: Bibliotherapy (Mental Health with a Literary Twist)

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