Your Unpaid Therapists

Valery gets riled up discussing the men & women who agree to do things to get ahead then turn around and claim they've been harassed or mistreated. This all came into her orbit after decided she no longer liked Blake Lively after seeing an interview where Blake seemed rude. Months later Valery found out there was a smear campaign against Blake shortly after Blake filed for harassment on set. While the truth is unknown and lawsuits are flying all over the place, the one thing Valery stays adamant about is being an actor that has a voice to set boundaries, especially when you're a producer on the project. Matt Marr guests sharing his own thoughts on feeling pressured at work to do uncomfortable things in order to not lose a job while Alikona also hops on board to play devil's advocate. While entertainment news isn't typically our jam, speak out in uncomfortable situations is. So we wanted to talk about it! What do you think? Leave us your thoughts below! XOXO Bestie! P.S. You know the drill!! But if you don't, be sure to follow us @yourunpaidtherapists & Matt Marr too @themattmarr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to IG people are suddenly throwing the term narcissist around like it ain't nuthin' but a G thang. However, there are so many layers to that word and whom it truly applies to. And sure, we've all dated our share of selfish folks, but it's helpful to know if you're dealing with a legit narcissist or perhaps if you are one. So our awesome returning friend, Matt Marr, joins Valery & Alikona in break-break-breakin' it down! This is supppper informative and we hope you get something from it. XOXO Bestie!!P.S. If you haven't already, find Matt on IG @themattmarr and your girls @yourunpaidtherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New-New! With 2025 promising a new beginning (if you're into that) and the excitement of a promising future, Alikona & Valery know how easy it is let those goals and resolutions slowly dwindle with out the RIGHT motivation. So in this episode the ladies are breaking down their best tips for sticking to the milestones that will keep you rocking towards your dreams! Let's get iiiiiiiii! You got this bestie, and be sure to share some of these aspirations in the comment section so Alikona & Valery can cheer you on!XOXO Bestie!! You know the drill, but if you don't... Find YUPT on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and on Patreon at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists =) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After dealing with multiple failures and allowing life to lead her in a new directions towards success, Kit Rich found herself amidst a depression during the pandemic. Rather than letting it break her, she decided to return to her passion, put pen to paper, and write a screenplay. This self expression led to directing a movie for the first time which went on to receive an array of accolades at film festivals. In today's episode, Kit discusses her emotional journey as well as some of the challenges of trusting the process when you've never done something before but just know it will work out! You can find Kit's film (and Valery in it as well), Isabel's Garden, on Amazon and Apple TV starting in January 2025. Enjoyed this EP & Kit? Find her on IG @onlykitrich or @isabelsgardenmovie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ho-Ho-Ho Bestie!!! This holiday season you may have been running a muck in those malls and ready for a nap, but before you close those weary eyes, take a beat and celebrate you! Val & Alikona know it might feel a little weird gifting yourself when you're supposed to be gifting others, but it's so important to fill thy cup!!! So whether it's a monetary gift or not, they want you to treat yo self!!! This episode Valery & Alikona cover some pretty stellar ways you can do just that! May these days, no matter what you celebrate, be merry and bright!!! XOXO Bestie!!P.S. Be sure to stay up to date on all the things on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and find fun extras on Patreon www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're told that T'is the season for joy & happiness, but sometimes happy can be hard to find during the holidays, whether it's because of a life circumstance or you're just not feeling the consumerism of this time of year. Regardless, you deserve to feel happy! So in this episode, Valery & Alikona talk about all they ways they like to combat loneliness or somber feelings in hopes it will inspire you to try a little sumthin', sumthin' new to change up your holiday vibe. And even if you are in the zone of happy, you'll still leave this pod with some fun practices that will having you buzzing with that good juju! XOXO Besties! Merry ho-ho's, happy candle lighting, and all the things! P.S. Be sure to find your besties on IG @yourunpaidtherapists & on Patreon for the extra perks www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you even been in a relationship where it just to that point? Gosh, we hope not, but that *ish happens! In this episode Valery brings up her guilty pleasure, a TV show called Ultimatum, which she can whole heartedly relate to. She gets vulnerable in sharing an ultimatum that didn’t go as she expected while Alikona shares her dislike for giving & receiving them. Love is such a complex emotions and we’re here to talk about it allllll! As always, find us on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and find those extra perks n’ goodies on patron www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So the saying goes, "never mix business with pleasure," but odds are everyone's ignored that at least ONCE in their lives and it was either awesome or shit went down in flames! This week Valery's boo thang, David Hicks, joins us as we discuss taking friendships or relationships to a totally different level by getting involved through either business, investments, or just plain ol' moving in with someone (friend or lover) and finding out they are a total nightmare. How do you deal? How do you succeed? We discuss it all and get down with some pretty awesome songs of the week! If ya know, ya know! XOXO BestieFor more goodness & perks, find us on Patreon at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Timberlake & NSYNC made saying goodbye seem so easy! But ending a relationship; be it with a love interest, a friend, or family member, can be very difficult. And sommmmmmetimes we do it in unhealthy ways that involve talking a LOT of shit about the other person whilst forgetting the blessing that came from knowing the person. So, today your besties discuss how they’ve been challenged with some rough goodbyes and how they’ve done their best to do it with grace. And not just giving themselves grace, but the other person and the situation. By the way, if you’ve found some awesome ways to cope with your own goodbyes, we’d love to hear them! Leave your story below! And while you’re at it, find your besties on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and on Patreon www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists XOXO! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Say my name, say my nammmme! While Destiny's Child may have been asking a man to proudly say her name, there is something to being able to say your name proudly and advocate for yourself when others want to be lazy and not take the time to learn it when it's not basic. "Huh?!, What are you talking about?," you might be thinking. When it comes to diversity in culture and ethnicity, having a name that isn't standard American or having a heritage that isn't part of the majority can leave you feeling invisible or shameful because of your differences. In the episode Alikona discusses her own struggles with not just her name, but biracial background and the ignorance she's experienced from others as well as the histories we don't learn about in school. Meanwhile, Valery and her proud Puerto Rican self shares a very different sentiment behind growing up as a minority. Both of your besties want to make sure we all take the time to respect and learn others' backgrounds before consciously or subconsciously dismissing it as no big deal. Big hugs ,Bestie! XOXO! Helpful links: Patreon www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapistsIG @yourunpaidtherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opinions? There are many. Feelings? A whole lot. And as "minority" women who are close friends with members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Valery & Alikona are dumbfounded and still processing the reason why so many people were willing to overlook the blatant hate/discrimination and ignorance towards us and our friends by the two men that were just elected into office. While we try to rationalize and understand how religion & economics may have been the motivator in America's voting decision, we're still scared to see what the future may hold as policies that stand for our rights may or may not crumble. Regardless, we're here to talk it out with you and share our perspective while being open towards yours. XOXO Besties! P.S. Find us on IG @yourunpaidtherapists & snag your perks on Patreon at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diddy, Weinstein, Jeffries... the list of people finally getting caught for their abuse is continuing to grow. But with people like Diddy who have been accused of grooming talent and preying on those hungry to make their dreams come true, Valery & Alikona contemplate how far would you go? What would you do? Alikona even shares a couple experiences in her own life where she's both been propositioned and seen the product of a celebrity who was being abused. And this isn't just happening in the entertainment industry. History has shown us that when the wrong people get into a position of power, they take advantage. But the more we talk about it, the more we take action, and support each other, change will come.If you've experience any trauma, abuse, or discomfort in your work, athletic, or even social environment, we encourage you to seek help. XOXO Bestie! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be psychic? Or have a weird hunch that you can't decipher whether it's your intuition, a psychic ability, or just a past trauma that's giving you that feeling? Alikona & Valery have!! Outside of being fascinated by the subject, your besties wanted to talk with someone who has been gifted with not just a psychic ability, but also took the time to study/train with the best of the best to hone in on her gift as not just a creative who happens to be psychic, but also a medium. Nikki Bryce tells us about her first surreal experience in hearing a message that freaked her out as well as trying to avoid using this gift because it was A LOT. However, once she embraced it, good things started to flow and a new chapter of her life's journey began. Even if you're not a believer, this episode will have you engaged and entertained!! XOXO Bestie!!!P.S. Do the dang thang! Find us on IG @yourunpaidtherapists & extra bonuses on Patreon at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I meannnn, IS love blind or do we need to see all the superficial aspects of a person to determine if they are for us? In this episode Valery delves into her obsession with the show Love Is Blind and how we as a society and all our apps & technology have lost the art of getting to know someone. So perhaps this show is doing a service for couples in forcing people to get outside themselves to really get to know someone. But Alikona wonders, “What about you?,” dear bestie? Could you get into a romantic relationship with someone that isn’t even close to your type physically and fall hard for them based on their personality, or is the need for physical attraction a must for you? What are your work arounds? Also, are men falling down on the job these days by sitting in their feminine energy of receiving vs providing? Many will argue they don’t want to offend an independent woman, but to Alikona this feels like an excuse to be lazy whilst still expecting women do for them. Let us know your thoughts on IG @yourunpaidtherapists or in the comments below. And if you haven’t already, join the Patreon community to receive extra perks! www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever hear one of your friends complain about how they always attract emotionally unavailable men/women, cheaters, losers, married men/women, etc.? Do you always seem to attract the same type of lovers or friends and can't seem to figure out WHY?! Often times we blame the pool of shitty men/women that are available in the dating world and forget to check ourselves and how we're showing up in the world. In this episode Valery & Alikona discuss why this might be happening as well as their own subconscious patterns that seem to keep showing up and how we can actively try to change them. This is a good one that we can all relate to whether single or not! Happy listening Besties! As always, find @yourunpaidtherapists on IG and check out all the extras like the private Zoom parties & opportunities to co-host an episode on the Patreon! www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists XOXO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yooooooooo! Did you know that in tantric practices it's believed that being in a heightened state of awareness, such as peaking just before and during orgasm that you are the most powerful, in regards to manifesting your dreams? Also, breath work can be the key to unlocking moments of bliss throughout your day! Now that we have your attention, we know you're going to love so much about this episode! Returning with us is yogi and breath work expert Paul Benedict whom you may remember from season one. He's a plethora of knowledge and dives into the topic of creating a tantric connection with both your partner and yourself, because all these practices are great whether you're single or involved. So get your euphoria on as we get to the nitty-gritty of getting present, which is one of the best gifts you can give yourself! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world where we've been bombarded with the terms "self-care" & "self-love" many of us don't realize that we've somehow confused the two. Most of us, especially women, THINK we are loving ourselves by getting that massage or pedicure, but the truth is those are not a means of loving ourselves the way we think. In this episode Alikona & Valery breakdown the two and workshop how we can start showing up for ourselves with love be it at work, in a relationship, or when we're flying solo! If you have any fun practices you'd like to share, your besties would love to hear about it in the comments below!! Until next time, XOXO!!!P.S. If you haven't already, find us on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and on Patreon www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists =D Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week we tackled coping with trauma. This week we are continuing onto the aftermath, healing, and rediscovery of thy self post life-changing events. Our WOW Women of Wrestling Superhero, Jennyfer Roberts A.K.A. Ice Cold, is back to continue her story and share how she transformed her struggles into opportunities that landed her across the country and on T.V. Jennyfer's light and vulnerability are truly inspiring and we hope that, no matter what you've been through you'll find comfort in knowing that good things can happen when you're open to take a chance on change. If you loved this two-parter be sure to follow Jen on IG @jen_ro and watch her Saturday nights on WOW Women of Wrestling on your local CW affiliate or on Amazon Prime. XOXO Besties! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To say this week's guest is a survivor would be an understatement. Taking a series of back to back physical and emotional hits, the Universe (and W.O.W.) have turned her into a "superhero" whose strength is undeniable. For anyone who's ever dealt with any type of trauma, you are not alone and Jennyfer Roberts A.K.A. "Ice Cold" from WOW Women of Wrestling is sharing her story in hopes you feel seen and know that it can and will get better. We also hope that you'll feel inspired to reach out to friends, loved ones, and professionals to help cope with any traumatic events you might be currently going through or have had to endure in your past.You can find Jennyfer on IG @jen_ro or watch her on WOW Women of Wrestling on your local CW affiliate or on Amazon Prime. If you haven't already, follow the podcast on IG @yourunpaidtherapists and look for all the bonus goodies at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode will drop your jaw! WOW Superhero, Keta Rush, sits with us to share her journey of being bullied - which landed her in the hospital followed by years of recovery - to becoming the founder of Team Bully Busters to help combat bulling. We cover both the physical and mental aspects of bulling and how to take matters into your own hands, especially if you are a parent and/or your child is the one doing the bullying. Keta is filled with gems of wisdom and we hope you leave this episode feeling empowered. Be sure to follow Keta @KetaRush_wow as well as watch her on WOW Women of Wrestling. XOXO Besties! P.S. If you're interested in Team Bully Busters, find more info here: http://teambullybuster.orgP.P.S. If you're new to Valery & Alikona, find us on social @yourunpaidtherapists & Patreon at www.tinyurl.com/YourUnpaidTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.