We Should Talk

This week, Megan is resting at home with her adorable new baby boy, so Amber is joined by guest co-host Justin Gillespie, also known as ADHD Therapist J! Justin is a therapist, author, and owner of The Superior Center in Michigan. In this episode, Amber and Justin dive deep into the real-world realities of living and parenting with ADHD. They unpack everything from surviving early parenthood to navigating sensory overload, handling emotional dysregulation, and shifting how we think about neurodivergence. In this episode, we cover: Why the "baby schedule" debate might be totally wrong: Justin shares his unconventional take on routines for neurodivergent parents and why standard advice didn't work for his family. Diagnosing neurodivergence in infants? A bold hypothesis about where the field of ADHD and autism diagnostics could be heading over the next two decades. The "Bite Your Tongue" trick: A surprising physical regulation technique Justin uses during high-stress parenting moments (like car seat battles) to keep motor skills steady and cool down the nervous system. The PAM Method: Justin breaks down his step-by-step framework (Pause, Affirm, Move) designed to stop rumination, curb overthinking, and help adults with ADHD take action in real time. Masking vs. "Wearing the Costume": How adopting social scripts and stepping into specific roles can actually help neurodivergent entrepreneurs and professionals thrive. Whether you're an ADHD parent trying to find your groove, a clinician, or someone wanting practical tools to navigate overthinking, this episode is packed with humor, direct advice, and fresh perspectives! Connect with Justin: Justin Gillespie is a licensed clinical therapist, entrepreneur, and mental health professional with a passion for helping people better understand themselves and the world around them. His work and interests span mental health, personal growth, culture, entertainment, and meaningful conversations about everyday life. He brings a curious, relatable, and thoughtful perspective to the topics and stories he explores. Check out Justin's Website and Instagram   Connect with Us We Should Talk Podcast: Instagram Megan Walsh Instagram Website Amber Trejo Instagram Website

Why do so many of us grow up feeling like an outsider in our own lives, carrying a persistent sense of dread or self-doubt? On this episode of We Should Talk, Megan and Amber dive into complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) - a form of ongoing, relational trauma that is often overlooked and rarely taught in traditional therapy settings. From raw conversations about upcoming life transitions to navigating the unexpected emotional weight of big parenting milestones, they unpack how chronic childhood dynamics quietly shape our adult nervous systems. Then, they step into a lighthearted yet deeply resonant exercise designed to bring hidden shame out of the dark and back into the light. In this episode, we talk about: PTSD vs. CPTSD: The fundamental difference between a single traumatic event and the inescapable, recurring relational patterns that wire the brain for survival. The Invisible Impact of Emotional Neglect: How growing up with explosive, unpredictable, or emotionally unavailable parents leads children to believe that their basic human emotions are inherently wrong. Relational Healing & Attachment Wounds: Why true recovery from complex trauma requires navigating the very dynamic that created the pain in the first place—and why that feels so terrifying. Step-by-Step Titration: The danger of trying to rush your own healing staircase, and how to find the safest next step when your nervous system screams with urgency. The "Shame Game": Megan and Amber share surprisingly vivid, mildly embarrassing childhood memories to demonstrate how to strip long-held shame of its power. Generational Re-framing: How gaining clarity on your own trauma responses transforms the way you parent, show up in relationships, and offer yourself self-compassion. Connect With Us! Did this discussion on complex trauma and childhood memory bring up a fresh perspective on your own story? How do you handle those moments when your nervous system urges you to rush through your healing or hide away? We would love to hear your thoughts. Send us a message on Instagram or drop us an email! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weshouldtalk.pod/ Megan Walsh: Instagram | Website Amber Trejo: Instagram | Website

Why does a simple disagreement make your heart race, or cause you to shut down completely? On this episode of We Should Talk, Megan and Amber break down the hidden mechanics of conflict - tracing why we react the way we do back to our earliest childhood dynamics. From navigating hot weather to preparing for major family milestones like the very first day of preschool, they unpack how past patterns follow us into our present-day relationships. Then, they jump straight into the heart of the matter: why avoiding conflict often creates the very distance we are trying to prevent, and what it actually takes to step through the discomfort. In this episode, we talk about: High-Conflict Dynamics vs. The Silent Freeze: Growing up in households where conflict meant screaming and rage or complete silence, zero conversation, and running to your room. The Communication Spectrum: How passive, passive-aggressive, aggressive, and assertive communication show up in real time, and why passive-aggressiveness can be such a trigger. Survival Roles & Protective Armor: Why some people learn to harden and go on the attack to be heard, while others turn into ultimate peacekeepers to keep the environment safe. Making "Bids for Connection": The exact, direct scripts you can use to address distance or tension with a parent or partner without sparking a fight. Dropping the "You" Statements: Simple language shifts like leading with "I feel" that immediately lower defenses and keep conversations focused on connection rather than attack. The Power of Repair: Why a conflict-free relationship is actually a major red flag, and how working through friction ultimately deepens intimacy. Re-Framing Conflict with Kids & Partners: Recognizing when your spouse or children bring an issue to you as a massive sign of trust, safety, and a desire to get closer. Connect With Us! Did this conversation about conflict trigger any lightbulb moments about the roles you played growing up or how you handle disagreement with your partner today? How do you navigate those moments when your nervous system screams at you to run or fight back? We'd love to hear your story - send us a message on Instagram or drop us an email! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weshouldtalk.pod/ Megan Walsh: Instagram | Website Amber Trejo: Instagram | Website If this episode gave you a fresh perspective on breaking generational cycles and leaning into hard conversations, please leave us a 5-star review, hit subscribe, and share it with someone who might need a little extra encouragement today!

This week, Megan and Amber catch up on everything from surviving intense weekend routines to celebrating major milestones including the surreal feeling of seeing long-term creative projects finally coming together. Plus, Megan shares a raw moment of navigating toddler tantrums that led to introducing a specific parenting role to hold boundaries. Then, they dive deep into the heart of this week's conversation: navigating the complex, often exhausting dynamics of growing up with an emotionally immature parent. In this episode, we talk about: The Spectrum of Emotional Immaturity: Why emotional immaturity isn't a one-size-fits-all label, and how past generational norms shaped the way older generations navigate emotions. The High-Stakes World of Youth Sports: The wild reality of stepping into competitive sports, managing high-energy schedules, and balancing parental capacity. Breaking the Cycle: How unhealed trauma and emotional misattunement bleed into parenting styles—and what it actually takes to step out of the pattern. When Conflict Feels Unsafe: Why adult children of emotionally immature parents often fear disagreement, and how defensive reactions like victimhood or shut-downs disrupt true repair. Roles We Play: The subtle shift into parentification or becoming the "lost child," and how those roles impact adult relationships and boundaries. The Grief of Not Feeling Seen: Processing the painful realization that a parent may never fully validate or see you deeply due to their own internal filters. A Moving Dream Encounter: Amber opens up about a deeply personal visitation dream after a loss that brought an unexpected sense of closure and healing. Navigating the Grandparent Dynamic: The bittersweet experience of watching parents interact with your children in ways you never experienced growing up. Connect With Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weshouldtalk.pod/ Megan Walsh: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/connectwithmegan/ Website http://connect-with-megan.com/ Amber Trejo: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/integrativetraumatherapist/ Website https://www.theintegrativetraumatherapist.com/ If this episode helped you make sense of your relational world or gave you a new perspective on breaking generational cycles, please leave us a 5-star review, subscribe, and share it with a friend who might need a little extra validation today!

Ever catch yourself having a reaction to a situation that feels completely out of proportion, but you just can't seem to turn down the intensity? In this deeply validating episode, Megan and Amber break down the subtle, heavy world of emotional flashbacks - what they actually are, why they pop up when we least expect them, and how to navigate the waves when our past takes over our present. Between Megan's chaotic, high-intensity weekend at 36 weeks pregnant (involving an unexpected trip to Labor & Delivery and a very strict bedtime routine) and Amber's reflection on cycle-breaking parenting wins, the hosts explore what it really takes to build inner safety. Whether you're dealing with relationship triggers, parenting overwhelm, or carrying the lingering weight of family dynamics, this episode offers a gentle, practical roadmap back to yourself. Inside the Episode: The Anatomy of an Emotional Flashback: How present-day moments light up old core beliefs, and why "the more hysterical, the more historical" isn't just a phrase—it's a clue. Parenting, Partnership, & Triggers: Why the people closest to us bring out our deepest early wounds (and what's actually happening when we blow up over something small like the dishes or a toddler meltdown). The "SHORES" Method: Amber shares her step-by-step, body-focused framework designed to help you recognize, ground, and soothe your system during a flashback. Navigating the Scapegoat Role: A candid conversation on dysfunctional family systems, processing the grief of complex trauma, and how to stop repeating the cycle of self-abandonment. Behind the Scenes Update: Megan shares her maternity leave prep plan (and why the show won't miss a beat when baby arrives!). Have you ever caught yourself in an emotional flashback, or realized an old family dynamic was running the show in your relationships? How do you return to yourself when your nervous system feels overwhelmed? Slide into our DMs or email us your thoughts! Instagram: We Should Talk Podcast Megan Walsh: Instagram / Website Amber Trejo: Instagram / Website If this episode helped you make sense of your internal world or gave you practical tools to ground yourself, please leave us a 5-star review, subscribe, and share it with a friend who might need a gentle reminder that they are safe in the present!