"I was going to do a Thanksgiving episode about going home for the holidays and like the drinking night before Thanksgiving. The biggest drinking out of the world. And then I asked you guys to write in questions and concerns that you have for going home for Thanksgiving and holidays in general this year. And the submissions are intense as they should be family shit is fucking intense but there's like this delicate dance that I'm doing with call her daddy where it's like of course I always want to have fun." — Alex Cooper
"If this is going to create serious problems between you and your brother I would personally say it's not worth it from what you're writing in you're not like I am madly in love with this man. You're just like casually been hooking up and you're like should we make this serious like this is going to really hurt your brother it's also going to hurt his friendship it's going to hurt your relationship like if this wasn't your brother's friend. Would it be as enticing like would you like this guy as much because I can speak from experience all of my brother's friends to me I thought were like so hot and I wanted to hook up with them and then I did make out with one and after that I was like that was it." — Alex Cooper
"If you do not have health insurance do not feel bad until America has universal health care some of us are going to have this issue right. Okay number one better health offers services not covered by insurance for 60 to 90 dollars per session okay so anyone that can afford that 60 to 90 dollars per session better health offers services okay. Next I would say for people that don't have health insurance open path psychotherapy collective okay what the fuck is that it is a nation wide network. Of mental health professionals who charge between 30 dollars and $80 per session bingo they only include sliding scale therapists in the searchable database so if you guys go to open path psychotherapy collective online you are going to be looking for therapists the only therapist that are on that site. Are sliding scale aka they will accommodate your income and based what you're going to pay them based off of your income clinics often offer free services by having supervised students serve as the provider so if there's a clinic in your area show up and ask what services can you provide me for mental health assistance." — Alex Cooper
The episode begins with the host, Alex Cooper, recounting a night out and introducing the theme of mental health accessibility. A listener's detailed message highlights the significant financial barriers many face in accessing therapy, despite its proven benefits. Cooper acknowledges her privilege in being able to afford therapy and commits to providing concrete resources for listeners, emphasizing that therapy should be more accessible. She outlines options for those with health insurance, including checking benefits and inquiring about sliding scale fees. For those without insurance, she suggests resources like Better Health, Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, and local clinics, and strongly recommends the Crisis Text Line by texting "NAMI" to 741741 for immediate assistance and information.
Cooper then shifts to a listener's dilemma about dating their brother's best friend. The advice centers on prioritizing family relationships, suggesting that while the attraction may be real, the potential strain on the sibling bond might not be worth it, especially if the relationship is casual. The host advises introspection on the true depth of feelings and the potential consequences for familial relationships, stressing the importance of consideration for the brother's feelings.
The episode concludes with advice on sexual health and relationship dynamics. Cooper advocates for open communication regarding STD testing in exclusive relationships, suggesting a joint testing approach. She also addresses a listener's concern about a partner's reluctance to perform oral sex due to past negative experiences, framing it as a communication and trust issue rather than a trauma that requires complex resolution. The host strongly encourages listeners to seek the mental health resources provided, emphasizing self-care and personal well-being.