Season 1 Ep 9 - Distress Tolerance - What is it and how does it effect our lives?

02/26/24 • 32 min

The Probably Important Podcast - Inside Conversations, Out Loud

Welcome to 'Probably Important', where Josh T. and Mariel Nichole delve into the topic of distress tolerance and its impact on mental health. In this episode, they introduce distress tolerance as a crucial factor in mental well-being and share their focus on providing education, tips, and personal experiences to enhance understanding.
Defining Distress and Tolerance
Josh and Mariel start by defining distress as uncomfortable feelings stemming from thoughts or situations. They explain distress tolerance as the ability to endure distress without resorting to dysfunctional behaviors.
Parenting and Building Distress Tolerance
Mariel shares a personal anecdote about their daughter's struggles with learning chores, highlighting the importance of teaching children to tolerate discomfort. They discuss the delicate balance in parenting between nurturing and allowing space for distress.
The Concept of Windows of Tolerance
Josh elaborates on the concept of a "window of tolerance," likening it to a window that can shrink under stress. Distress tolerance widens this window, aiding in emotional regulation and wise decision-making. They discuss how meditation can cultivate presence in the face of discomfort.
Practical Activities for Building Distress Tolerance
Josh suggests a beginner activity—standing motionless in a doorway for two minutes—to practice observing thoughts and sensations without distraction or judgment.
Cultivating Compassion Through Distress Tolerance
They explore the connection between distress tolerance and empathy, noting that understanding others' unique experiences of discomfort can foster compassion.
The Evolution of Distress Tolerance
Josh outlines the stages of distress tolerance, from intolerance to tolerance to compassion. He emphasizes that true compassion involves not just enduring distress but actively entering distressing situations to offer support, leading to more effective responses.
Join us on this journey of exploring distress tolerance and its profound impact on mental health and relationships.

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Season 1 Ep. 8 - Sam Jaffe - 'Tools not Rules', Honouring Neurodivergent Experiences

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Welcome to the latest episode of P.I., where we dive into the world of neurodivergent affirming therapy with our guest, Sam Jaffe. In this episode, Sam, a speech therapist, introduces us to the key principles and tools of neurodivergent affirming therapy.
Sam starts by explaining fundamental terms such as "autistic people" and the "tools over rules" approach. He emphasizes the importance of honoring neurodivergent experiences and discusses common mental health issues faced by neurodivergent individuals.
Throughout the episode, Sam highlights the significance of understanding each person's unique perspective and tailoring therapy to individual needs and interests. He shares insights on creating safe spaces for self-expression and learning, including the use of cognitive behavioral therapy games to navigate thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Sam also addresses the challenges of navigating social contexts and expectations, offering practical advice on discussing behaviors like spitting and avoiding neurotypical misunderstandings while affirming neurodivergent identities.
Ultimately, Sam encourages empathy and open-minded discussion to build understanding between neurotypes. He reminds us that no one fits an ideal brain standard, and that differences should be respected and celebrated.
Tune in to this enlightening episode of P.I. with Mariel Nichole, Josh T, and Sam Jaffe to learn more about neurodivergent affirming therapy and how it can benefit individuals with diverse neurotypes.

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Season 1 Ep 10 - Jacob Brown - Healthy Choices Create Strong Voices

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Welcome to Probably Important, where Mariel introduces Jacob Brown and Josh, sharing how she met Jacob through tech support. Jacob offers insights from his personal journey, focusing on community, relationships, and mental well-being.
In this episode, Jacob emphasizes the importance of community, relationships, and prioritizing mental well-being through sobriety, therapy, and healthy choices. He shares his path to sobriety and ongoing self-reflection, highlighting the role of creative outlets in processing emotions.
Jacob discusses creating daily safety through awareness of choices, intentions, and small rituals, such as starting the day with water before using a phone. He also explores the liberation found in releasing past hurts through feeling, expressing, and sharing emotions, as well as through music and artistic pursuits.
The conversation delves into the ongoing journey of personal growth, which Jacob believes requires self-awareness, conscious decision-making, and acceptance of both mistakes and support systems. Jacob concludes by highlighting the importance of appreciating life's small moments of self-care, such as staying hydrated, moving the body, and practicing affirmations, as they cultivate presence, ease, and overall well-being.
Join us as we explore Jacob's inspiring journey and learn from his experiences and insights on community, sobriety, mental well-being, and the power of small daily actions.