Mental Health Episodes
This category addresses mental health topics relevant to adults and parents, featuring conversations that promote awareness, understanding, and techniques for managing mental well-being.
172
May 2, 2026
When “I’m Fine” Isn’t True: Fatherhood, Mental Health, and Showing Up
What does it really mean to be present as a dad? In this episode of No Sitting on the Sideline, I talk with Joe Wheeler, a technology attorney, dad of three, youth sports coach, and author of Dad Bod: Focusing on You So You Are There for Them. This conversation goes deeper than the phrase “dad bod.” It is about fatherhood. It is about mental health. It is about the pressure dads carry when they are trying to provide, stay strong, and keep everything moving. Joe shares what led him to write...
174
April 28, 2026
The Body Keeps the Score: Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Healing
Narcissism isn't always obvious. In this episode, Joe speaks with Deanna about the subtle, invisible forms of abuse that can cost you your sense of self—and how to take it back. Deanna explores the difference between healthy relationships and narcissistic ones, unpacks gaslighting with real examples, and explains why your nervous system stays trapped in fight-or-flight even after the relationship ends. She breaks down how emotional abuse compounds over time, affecting everything from your immun...
173
Feb. 23, 2026
The Hidden Causes of Infertility: Stress, Sleep, Diet, and Environmental Toxins
Fertility is something many couples struggle with quietly. Stress. Long work hours. Financial pressure. Environmental toxins. Birth rates are dropping worldwide, and more couples are facing “unexplained infertility.” In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marina, OB-GYN, to talk about what’s really happening — and what couples can actually control. We cover: Why global fertility rates are falling The real impact of stress on conception The conn...
Guest: Dr Marina Straszak-Suri
172
Jan. 18, 2026
Keeping Kids Safe Online Without Fear, Control, or Shame
Guests: Derek Jackson and Jeff Gottfurcht, Co-Founders of CyberDive Episode Summary Every parent knows the feeling. Your kid has a phone. You know the internet never sleeps. And you are pretty sure the rules you grew up with no longer apply. In this episode, Joe sits down with two dads who came at the problem from opposite worlds and built a real solution together. Derek Jackson, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer who tracked extremist activity online Jeff Gottf...
170
Nov. 15, 2025
Why You Feel Everything: Understanding Highly Sensitive People with Todd Smith
Some people feel the world in a deeper way. You might walk into a room and notice tension right away. You might catch a shift in someone’s voice before they even admit something is wrong. You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn’t let them go. If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it. I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn’t ...
169
Nov. 9, 2025
Uncomplicating Wellness: Why Willpower Is a Myth & What Your Body Is Really Telling You (with Jen Trepeck)
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? You're not alone. Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, and the wellness industry is designed to keep you confused. In this episode, health coach and author Jen Trepeck breaks down why the "eat less, move more" approach fails, what your body is actually trying to tell you, and how to cut through the noise to reclaim your health. You'll discover why willpower isn't the problem, what GLP-1 medications really do, and the six fundame...
Guest: Jen Trepeck
167
Sept. 20, 2025
How Dr. Kenneth Cooper Helped NASA Astronauts and World Cup Champions Stay Fit
At 94 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still proving that health isn’t about adding years—it’s about adding good years. Known worldwide as the “Father of Aerobics,” Dr. Cooper changed how we think about exercise, prevention, and longevity. In this episode, he shares how decades of research show that regular movement can add a full decade of quality life—and why no drug can match the power of an active lifestyle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper’...
Guest: Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH
165
July 26, 2025
Surviving Narcissistic Abuse: From Hidden Journals to Healing with Dana S. Diaz
In this raw and revealing conversation, Dana S. Diaz—author of Gasping for Air: The Stranglehold of Narcissistic Abuse—opens up about surviving a lifetime of narcissistic relationships, from a painful childhood to a dangerous marriage. Dana shares how a hidden journal became her lifeline and later, her book. We dive into what narcissistic abuse really looks like (it’s not just vanity), the toll it takes on health and self-esteem, and how healing is possible—even when it seems like the darkness ...
Guest: Dana S. Diaz
163
June 29, 2025
21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet with Jean Alfieri
Losing a beloved pet is one of the most emotional experiences a family can go through—especially when you’re trying to support your kids while grieving yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by Jean Alfieri, certified grief coach for pet loss and author of 21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet. Jean shares practical ideas, tender stories, and thoughtful advice on how families can process grief and honor the pets that meant so much. We explore: The emotional weight of pet los...
Guest: Jean Alfieri
162
June 22, 2025
The Healing Power of a Wish: Dr. Jen Pratt on Hope, Childhood Cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Impact
What if one wish could change the course of a child’s recovery? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pratt, a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor, and Make-A-Wish recipient turned advocate. At just 11 years old, Jen was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-changing moment that launched her into a world of hospitals, chemo, and uncertainty. But her journey also included something magical: a wish. Jen shares her deeply personal story of receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundat...
160
May 2, 2025
Everyday Toxins: Small Changes That Make a Big Impact with Tanya Harris
What if the products you use every day—like your plastic containers, laundry detergent, or air fresheners—were quietly affecting your family’s health? In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Harris, childhood cancer survivor and environmental...
159
April 27, 2025
Death Can Wait: One Man’s Fight to Take Control of His Cancer Journey
What would you do if the doctors told you there’s nothing more they can do? Would you accept it, or would you start asking more questions? In this episode of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, I sit down with William Hudson, cancer survivor...
158
April 25, 2025
The Quarter That Ended the Bullying
Episode Summary: What if you could flip the script on bullying? In this episode, Joe sits down with longtime therapist and author Patricia Stahl, who’s helped thousands navigate the lasting effects of childhood bullying. They dig into one surprising...
157
April 20, 2025
Fewer Days That Suck: Real Talk About Stress, Mindset, and Getting Out of Your Own Way
In Episode 157 of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, host Joe Foley sits down with author and mindset coach Deborah Mallow to talk about something we all face—but rarely slow down to deal with: burnout, negative thought patterns, and...
154
April 11, 2025
Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen
Episode154: Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen Are your fears holding you back more than you realize? In this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, I sit down with Jack Cohen — entrepreneur, author, and believer...
Guest: JACK M. COHEN
145
July 13, 2024
Conquering Stress: Dr. Gary Sprouse’s Proven Techniques for a Happier Life
In this episode of "No Sitting on the Sideline Dad," Joe talks with Dr. Gary Sprouse, a primary care doctor with over 38 years of experience and author of "Highway to Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress." Dr. Sprouse shares his unique insights on...
Guest: Gary Sprouse
144
May 18, 2024
Breaking Free from Codependency with Dr. Sarah Michaud
In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist with a profound understanding of addiction and codependency. Dr. Michaud shares her personal journey of overcoming addiction and how it led to her life's work in...
140
Dec. 30, 2023
Navigating the Landscape of Obesity and Nutritional Health with David Greenwalt
Join us as we dive into the challenges of holiday eating and sustainable weight management with Dave Greenwalt, founder of Lean Lifestyle University. In this episode, we unravel the psychology behind food choices, debunk common diet myths, and discuss...
139
Dec. 26, 2023
Green Shadows: Uncovering Marijuana's Lesser-Known Effects
Guest: Dr. Raymond Wiggins, oral and maxillofacial surgeon with extensive knowledge on the effects of marijuana on health and society. Episode Overview: Join us as we explore the often-overlooked aspects of marijuana use with Dr. Wiggins. From...
133
Aug. 27, 2023
Is Sleep the Missing Piece? Dr. Thomas Hemingway Weighs In
Join Joe in this insightful episode as he chats with Dr. Thomas Hemingway, unraveling the complexities of sleep. With a unique blend of personal experience and professional acumen, Hemingway shares invaluable insights into this essential aspect...
Guest: Thomas Hemingway
131
July 22, 2023
Inflammation, Heart Disease, and the Environment: A Deep Dive with Douglas Mulhall
In this episode of the "No Sitting on the Sideline Dad" podcast, we welcome Douglas Mulhall, a seasoned expert in the field of Environmental Health. With over 30 years of experience, Mulhall shares his unique insights into how our environment...
122
Dec. 12, 2021
How Stress Affects Hormones and the true Cause of Low T
In this episode of the podcast My Guest Dr. Debra Matthew America's happy hormone doctor. We talk about the cause of hormones being imbalanced, how important a role of Vitamin D plays in your body. Also, a big player in the imbalance in our body is...
114
Aug. 11, 2021
Its very important to just listen my conversation with hospices nurse
author of the book Death Love Death Ellen Stilwell
Guest: Ellen Long Stilwell
113
July 25, 2021
We all Have a little emotional monkey inside who sometimes acts like a big Ape
Its all about emotional intelligences with the EQ Gangster Noble Gibbens
Guest: Noble Gibbens