A Little Help For Our Friends

• Interview with Jordon Monroe: Healing Narcissism With Honesty And Heart

  Send us a text! (add your email to get a response)To open Season 6 with a bang, we start where most hot takes end: with a self-aware narcissist describing his collapse, the shame behind the mask, and the painstaking choices that made empathy real. Jordan Monroe, a former tech founder turned emotional healing coach, joins us to explore a grounded path out of grandiosity, defensiveness, and reality wars—without dismissing the deep harm survivors endure.We dig into what actually shifts behavior. Jordan explains why many narcissists don’t lack empathy so much as defend against it, and how guided “heart-opening” experiences help clients feel another person’s pain without spiraling. That visceral “ow” moment rewires daily habits: listening before defending, noticing a partner’s needs without being asked, and choosing small acts of care that build trust. If you love someone with narcissistic traits, the boundary playbook here is essential. Jordan’s partner models how to stop self-abandoning: pause conversations when defensiveness spikes, withdraw energy from harmful dynamics, and nourish yourself so re-engagement comes from strength. We share practical, incremental boundaries that keep you safe and force clarity, whether the relationship heals or you exit whole. For anyone navigating narcissistic abuse, healing narcissism, or rebuilding intimacy, this is a compassionate, no-nonsense guide anchored in accountability.Don't miss this episode, as this is our last episode with Jacqueline Trumbull! Stay tuned for the next episode that'll map out the road ahead for "A Little Help For Our Friends"Resources:Heal Narcissism: Jordan's program Jordan's Instagram @the.recovering.narcissistIf you're experiencing narcissistic abuse or affected by someone else's narcissism, join Dr. Kibby's KulaMind community to learn how to heal and set healthy boundaries. Support the showIf you're navigating someone's mental health or emotional issues, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. In KulaMind, we'll help you set healthy boundaries, advocate for yourself, and support your loved one. Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com

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• Season 5 Wrap Up: Beating Cancer, Becoming a Psychologist, and Leaping into the Next Chapter

  Send us a text! (add your email to get a response)What happens when the hamster wheels we've been running on suddenly stop spinning? In this raw and deeply personal Season 5 finale, we pull back the curtain on our own mental health journeys over the past year, revealing the profound transformations that occur when life forces you to confront your deepest wounds.Dr. Kibby shares her post-cancer emotional reckoning, describing how surviving treatment was just the beginning of her healing journey. The conversation turns to our viral self-hatred episode, exploring what happens when you finally see the wounds that have defined your life- and the grief that comes with that awareness.Meanwhile, Dr. Jacqueline reflects on her transformative year completing psychology internship in New York, finding healing and validation after years of feeling misaligned in the public eye.We dive into fertility struggles, entrepreneurial fears, and the startling gender divide we've witnessed on social media. Dr. Kibby talks about what it's been like to build KulaMind for loved ones of people with mental illness, and stumbling upon the epidemic of women desperate for help with their angry, alcoholic, and shut-down partners. Have topic suggestions for Season 6? Click on "send us a text" link at the top of this page to send us a message or email us at [email protected]. We'll be back in early October 2025 with fresh insights and conversations to support you in supporting your loved ones through mental health challenges.***If you need help dealing with your loved ones' mental health, emotional or addiction issues, join the KulaMind Community. We hold your hand through the hardest moments, teach you every proven tactic we know, and make sure you NEVER feel alone again.Support the showIf you're navigating someone's mental health or emotional issues, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. In KulaMind, we'll help you set healthy boundaries, advocate for yourself, and support your loved one. Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com

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• Manifestation: Path to Your Dreams or Just Wishful Thinking?

  Send us a text! (add your email to get a response)What happens when two skeptical psychologists take a deep dive into the world of manifestation? In this episode, we take a look at what "manifestation" is, what is actually based in science...and then we try manifesting for real. We start by acknowledging our initial skepticism about the idea that you can get everything you want just by thinking about it- a practice that became popular from the book "The Secret." But as we peel back the layers, we discover powerful psychological mechanisms that explain why some manifestation practices genuinely work.Through stories ranging from Jim Carrey's famous $10 million check to trust fund influencers selling "relaxed rich" lifestyles, we explore how self-fulfilling prophecies shape our reality. The science is clear: our internal narratives affect everything from body language to risk-taking behavior, creating tangible consequences in our external world. We talk about different manifestation techniques like visualization, journaling, and affirmations to see what's based in science and what's snake oil.We even conduct a live manifestation experiment, combining breathing techniques with visualization, resulting in surprising personal insights about blocks to success. We discovery why changing your self-talk might be the most powerful step toward changing your reality with no mystical vibrations required.And if you want to learn actual evidence-based skills for connecting deeper to yourself and others, check out KulaMind. As a bonus, growing the @kulamind community is what Kibby manifests in this episode so...you'll be showing the power of manifestation by joining :)Resources:The book that started it all: Byrne, R. (2011). The secret. simon and schuster.Example of a manifestation influencer Kibby talks about: https://www.instagram.com/jasminmankecoachingThe meditation series Jacqueline talks about: https://open.spotify.com/show/74VqceuJUvRLIYQ0ZVbAv8?si=13V-FQMlTM-PGdfD_mnLcQSupport the showIf you're navigating someone's mental health or emotional issues, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. In KulaMind, we'll help you set healthy boundaries, advocate for yourself, and support your loved one. Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com

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• Eating Disorders: What Friends and Family Need to Know

  Send us a text! (add your email to get a response)Do you have a family member, friend or roommate whose relationship to food is a little...concerning? Eating disorders hide in plain sight, often disguised as diet culture, fitness goals, or "healthy eating." But beneath these socially acceptable lifestyles lie deadly mental health conditions that claim more lives than almost any other psychiatric disorder.In this episode, we break down the clinical realities of various eating disorders while exploring the profound ways they impact both individuals and their loved ones. We examine anorexia's deadly grip and how it combines food restriction with a distorted body image so powerful that even severely underweight individuals see themselves as fat. The disorder's perfectionism and need for control create a psychological prison that's hard to escape.We discuss bulimia's binge-purge cycle, where out-of-control eating episodes are followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.  We also discuss binge eating disorder and the lesser-known ARFID, which involves food restriction based on sensory issues rather than weight concerns.As you probably already know, these disorders can be incredibly hard on the family dynamic. Eating disorders transform dinner tables into battlegrounds and marriages into war zones. We cover strategies for supporting loved ones without enabling disordered behaviors, emphasizing the importance of family therapy and creating an environment that de-emphasizes weight and appearance.Whether you're worried about someone you love or seeking to understand these complex conditions better, check out KulaMind to get support and community around loving someone with eating disorders. Resources:Hannah, L., Cross, M., Baily, H., Grimwade, K., Clarke, T., & Allan, S. M. (2022). A systematic review of the impact of carer interventions on outcomes for patients with eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27(6), 1953-1962Eating Disorder Hotlines and Crisis ResourcesSupport the showIf you're navigating someone's mental health or emotional issues, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. In KulaMind, we'll help you set healthy boundaries, advocate for yourself, and support your loved one. Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com

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• Enabling: When Helping Our Loved Ones Makes Things Worse

  Send us a text! (add your email to get a response) When does our help cross the line from supportive to harmful for our loved ones with mental health challenges? In this episode we dive deep into the complex dynamics of "unintentional reinforcement," a less judgmental term for "enabling" that acknowledges how our best intentions can sometimes backfire.Drawing from personal experiences with addiction, depression, and avoidance behaviors, we explore how our actions sometimes shield our loved ones from the very consequences that might motivate change. Whether it's financially supporting a partner who refuses to work, making excuses for someone's alcohol abuse, or accommodating anxiety-driven avoidance, these patterns can gradually trap both parties in cycles that feel impossible to break.What makes these situations particularly challenging is when we feel stuck between either "enabling" destructive behaviors or dealing with other consequences. When we point out the problem, they often retreat further into problematic behaviors. Through practical examples and psychological insights, we discuss strategies for shifting these dynamics without abandoning those we love.We highlight that boundaries aren't selfish- they're necessary. By intentionally encouraging healthy behaviors while allowing natural consequences for unhealthy ones, we can boost motivation for positive change. And by recognizing when our own needs for caretaking or control might be part of the problem, we gain the clarity to make difficult but loving choices.Ready to transform your relationship with someone struggling with mental health or addiction? Check out KulaMind, our community support platform where we're learning together how to break free from unhealthy patterns and set boundaries that stick.Resources:Foote, J., Wilkens, C., Kosanke, N., & Higgs, S. (2014). Beyond addiction: How science and kindness help people change. Simon and Schuster.Support the showIf you're navigating someone's mental health or emotional issues, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. In KulaMind, we'll help you set healthy boundaries, advocate for yourself, and support your loved one. Follow @kulamind on Instagram for podcast updates and science-backed insights on staying sane while loving someone emotionally explosive. For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com

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