Ask Kati Anything

Epizode

• How to Spot Toxic Friendships & Make Adult Friends 11.06.2026 1h 1min

  Welcome back to another episode of Ask Kati Anything! In this episode, we are testing out our new single-topic format and diving deep into a topic you requested: adult friendships. Are your friendships truly fulfilling, or are you staying in them simply because they are familiar? As we get older, our social dynamics change drastically. Today, we are breaking down the psychological differences between connections that are healthy and those that are just comfortable... because comfortable doesn't always mean healthy. The Red Flags: How to spot an unhealthy friendship, including passive-aggressive digs disguised as "honesty," scorekeeping, loyalty tests, and a total lack of reciprocity. The Green Flags: What a healthy, mutually supportive friendship actually looks like, from conflict resolution and repair to being able to celebrate each other's wins. "Letting Out the Rope": A visualization tool to help you gracefully pull back from one-sided relationships without dramatic confrontation. Making Friends as an Adult: Actionable strategies to beat the loneliness epidemic using proximity, repetition, and the scientific "50-Hour Rule" to turn acquaintances into true friends. The Physical Toll of Ambivalence: Fascinating research from the University of Utah revealing how "ambivalent" friendships (people you have mixed positive and negative feelings about) cause higher cardiovascular stress and blood pressure spikes than consistently negative ones. 00:00 - Introduction: The Reality of Adult Friendships 02:24 - Is Your Friendship Healthy, or Just Comfortable? 05:33 - Spotting the Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship 14:55 - Sponsor Break: Rebound 16:47 - The Green Flags: What True Connection Looks Like 25:59 - When to Stay vs. When to Walk Away 38:15 - Setting Realistic Expectations with Friends 45:55 - Actionable Tips for Making New Friends (The 50-Hour Rule) 54:12 - Psychological Research: How Ambivalent Friends Harm Your Health Today's Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Rebound, offering virtual, evidence-based trauma treatment with specialized therapists. Rebound is in-network with most major insurance plans across all 50 states. You deserve a therapist who truly understands what you've been through. Go to hellorebound.com/askkatianything to check your insurance and get matched today! Join the Conversation: What resonated with you the most in this episode? Do you have any friendship "green flags" to add? Let me know your thoughts and leave your questions for next week's episode in the comments below! Have a wonderful week, do your homework, and report back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Rewriting Your Family Blueprint: Hypervigilance, Weaponized Worry, and Reclaiming Your Energy with Alison Canavan 05.06.2026 1h 36min

  On this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton is joined by globally recognized keynote speaker and wellness expert Alison Canavan. Alison is the creator of the Energy Bank Method, a framework built on the foundational belief that human energy—not time—is our absolute most valuable currency. In this raw and insightful conversation, Alison shares her transformative journey through the high-pressure international modeling industry as a teenager, navigating addiction, recovering from severe burnout, and addressing systemic mental health challenges. Together, Kati and Alison pull back the curtain on generational family gaslighting and look closely at why so many of us grow up treating constant anxiety and hypervigilance as a badge of love. They unpack the toxic trap of learned compliance, look at the overlapping clinical symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and explain why passive family systems leave adults entirely blind to the process of proper conflict repair. Tune in to discover how to stop playing an active role in your own ongoing suffering, how to shift from default nervous system reactivity into a state of presence, and how to rewrite your emotional blueprint using non-judgmental awareness. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything • Rebound - virtual treatment for PTSD. Please visit https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything • Reddit - Download the Reddit app today! More Alison Caravan! https://alisoncanavan.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why Over-Giving is Ruining Your Health & Relationships 28.05.2026 55min

  Do you constantly over-do, over-give, and over-perform to "earn your keep" in your relationships? On this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton transitions to an all-new, single-topic format to take a deep, evidence-based dive into the world of over-functioning. Through real community stories and personal reflections, Kati maps out the 6-stage cycle that leads from automatic over-giving straight into quiet resentment, eventual blowups, and toxic guilt. But this isn’t just an emotional burden. Kati shares fascinating, decades-spanning clinical research—including the concept of "unmitigated communion," a 7-year study following 1,340 couples, and a chilling 2022 medical study linking "self-silencing" directly to physical cardiovascular risks like carotid plaque. If your body is carrying what your mouth refuses to say, it is time to break the loop. Tune in to get a clear, 4-step actionable framework to practice "deliberate under-functioning," express specific needs, and tolerate the discomfort of choosing growth over chronic exhaustion. Chapters: 00:00 - A New Format for Ask Kati Anything 02:00 - What is Over-Functioning? Community Stories 04:00 - Fawning, People-Pleasing, and the Need to Feel Safe 07:40 - Earning Love: Kati’s Personal Story with Perfectionism 11:50 - The 6 Rungs of the Over-Functioning Cycle 22:02 - Episode sponsor message: BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough - go to https://bioptimizers.com/kati and use code KATI for 15% off your entire order Plus a Free bottle of Masszymes 23:34 - Unmitigated Communion: When the Self Disappears 30:23 - The Relationship Trap: 7-Year Study of 1,340 Couples 35:36 - The Cardiovascular Cost of Self-Silencing 38:27 - Step 1: Identify Your Current Rung 40:34 - Step 2: Deliberate Under-Functioning 45:30 - Step 3: Make a Single, Specific Ask 49:15 - Step 4: Tolerate the Discomfort (Data vs. Danger) 52:43 - Next Week's Preview: Understanding Health Insurance Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it, leave your questions for next week's topic in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe! Books Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Food Noise, GLP-1s, and Why You Keep Starting Over with Dr. Rachel Goldman 21.05.2026 1h 6min

  Most of us know what we should be doing. The harder question is why we can't actually do it. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Goldman joins Kati to talk about food noise, GLP-1s, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the small mindset shifts that change everything. Dr. Rachel is a clinical psychologist, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and author of the new book When Life Happens. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, stress, and the treatment of eating disorders and obesity, and she runs a private practice in New York City. Today we talk about why your brain defaults to worst-case scenario (it's survival wiring, not a personal flaw), the one-word shift that interrupts all-or-nothing thinking, and the cognitive distortions quietly running your day. Dr. Rachel walks us through what food noise actually is and why some people genuinely don't have it, how GLP-1 medications are changing the conversation around eating disorders and obesity treatment, and what most people misunderstand about both. We get into why the body sends signals that get louder until you finally listen, why "finding balance" is setting you up to fail, and the reframe that finally helped Dr. Rachel stop cancelling on herself. We also go personal: how a clinical psychologist talks to her own kids about mistakes, what's actually in her toolbox when life feels too heavy, and the moment that changed how she thinks about self-care. If you've been doing the work, reading the books, going to therapy, and still feel like you can't get traction, this conversation gives you a place to start that doesn't require overhauling your life. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough — Go to bioptimizers.com/kati and use code KATI for 15% off your entire order, plus a FREE bottle of MassZymes Reddit — Download the Reddit app today! Chapters (0:00) Why you keep starting over (1:30) Why she wrote this book (4:18) What a mindset shift looks like (6:00) All-or-nothing thinking (8:30) The one small thing rule (12:02) Worst-case scenario thinking (14:30) The thoughts running your day (16:13) When therapists share personal stuff (18:30) Did training prepare her for motherhood? (24:00) Working in obesity treatment (30:00) GLP-1s and food noise explained (37:20) Dance, eating disorders, the wake-up (42:30) Your body is sending signals (44:30) Managing a book launch and two kids (48:00) The Casey Neistat self-care moment (52:20) Why finding balance fails (55:00) Poker chips and resilience (58:30) What she hopes her kids learn (1:02:30) Dr. Rachel's three tools (1:04:30) Where to find Dr. Rachel Dr. Rachel's book When Life Happens is out now: whenlifehappensbook.comFind Dr. Rachel on Instagram: @drrachelnyc More from Kati YouTube: youtube.com/c/katimorton Instagram: @katimorton Kati's BooksWhy Do I Keep Doing This? geni.us/XoyLSQTraumatized geni.us/Bfak0jAre u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• When to leave a relationship, starting therapy with CPTSD, shame spirals, healthy love, inner child work 14.05.2026 50min

  What do you do when your relationship is hard but you can't tell if it's worth saving, or when your trauma history makes your instincts feel unreliable? This week on Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton, LMFT, answers seven listener questions about the moments when everything feels overwhelming and you can't tell what's the relationship, what's the depression, and what's the trauma talking. Topics in this episode include: when to stay in a relationship versus when to leave, BPD and people pleasing, complex PTSD and attachment wounds, fear of abandonment, codependency, starting therapy when you have bulimia, non-suicidal self-injury, and dissociation, grounding techniques for flashbacks, what healthy love actually looks like, why depression breakthrough symptoms make you feel empty after good experiences, shame spirals and how vulnerability snuffs shame out (Brené Brown's research), rumination, behavioral activation, recovering motivation after emotional burnout, finding yourself again after trauma, inner child work and writing letters to your younger self, and how to respond to unsolicited advice without building resentment. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:56 When to stay vs leave a relationship, attachment, BPD, complex PTSD 12:00 Starting therapy with bulimia, BPD, self-harm, and dissociation 19:00 What healthy love really looks like 25:11 Feeling empty after going out, depression breakthrough symptoms 28:39 Shame spirals, rumination, and Brené Brown on vulnerability 34:25 Lack of motivation after burnout, becoming yourself after trauma 40:56 Inner child work, writing letters to your younger self 45:21 Unsolicited advice and how to respond Submit your question: https://www.youtube.com/@Katimorton/community Follow Kati on Instagram: @katimorton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Escaping Narcissistic Circles: A 4-Step Filter for Your Life 07.05.2026 1h 17min

  In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton welcomes keynote speaker and bestselling author Ginny Priem to discuss the heavy toll of over-functioning and the path to reclaiming your identity. Ginny shares her powerful Unsubscribe Framework, a tool designed to help you filter out the noise and set firm boundaries in both your professional and personal life. From uncovering a partner's shocking double life to navigating the complexities of narcissistic family dynamics, Kati and Ginny explore how to heal from betrayal and the necessity of choosing peace over toxic loyalty.  Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything • ZocDoc - visit Zocdoc | Find a Doctor Near You | Book Doctors Online to find and instantly book a doctor you love today! https://www.zocdoc.com/KATI • Ka’Chava - Go to Ka’Chava: https://kachava.com/ and use code KATI for 15% off your first order • Reddit - Download the Reddit app today! Topics covered: The Unsubscribe Pillars: Learn how to use Block, Manage, Swap, and Mute to protect your time and energy. Healing from Betrayal: Ginny opens up about discovering her partner's systemic deception and how it became the catalyst for her life's work. Identifying Narcissistic Abuse: Understanding DARVO (Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender) and recognizing the signs of gaslighting. The Reality of No-Contact: A candid look at the difficult decision to go no-contact with a narcissistic parent. Living with Grief: Shifting the perspective from "moving through" grief to learning how to grow your life around it. Rebuilding Self-Trust: Why spending time with yourself (not just by yourself) is the key to fixing a "broken picker".   Ginny Priem: Book: Unsubscribe: Why Letting Go is the Secret to Getting Ahead Podcast: Unsubscribe with Ginny Priem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• "Is Therapy Supposed to Feel This Hard?" 30.04.2026 1h 7min

  In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton addresses why the healing process often feels more overwhelming after a breakthrough or a new diagnosis. We dive deep into the complexities of adult autism, the physical "freeze" response caused by trauma shame, and the frustration of feeling like your mental health journey has stalled. Kati also shares her perspective on the evolving role of GLP-1 medications in treating "food noise" and why reaching out for help when you’re "doing okay" is actually the best time for deep therapeutic work. Whether you’re navigating a difficult legal trigger like a parole hearing or searching for meaning in the face of depression, this episode provides grounded, empathetic tools to help you move forward. Shopping today's sponsor helps support Ask Kati Anything. ZocDoc - ⁠visit https://www.zocdoc.com/KATI⁠ to find and instantly book a doctor you love today! Key Topics Covered Autism & "Standard" Therapy: Why therapy can feel like a performance after an adult diagnosis and how to adapt your sessions. 
 The Silence of Shame: How to handle the dissociation and urge to "no-show" after disclosing childhood sexual abuse. 
 Coping Skill "Hard Stops": Recognizing when weed or restrictive eating shifts from a survival tool to a barrier in your recovery. 
 Social Cues & Connection: Practical advice for "reality testing" interactions and distinguishing between friendly and flirty behavior. 
 Maintenance vs. Crisis: Why you don't need to be "doing poorly" to benefit from therapy—and why maintenance work is more effective. 
 The Search for Meaning: Navigating depression when traditional treatments like CBT or DBT feel out of reach or ineffective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• You're Not a Bad Mom. You're Repeating What You Saw 24.04.2026 1h 16min

  She caught herself mid-sentence and realized it wasn't her voice. It was her mother's. This episode is about the patterns you inherited without knowing it, the ones running your parenting, your relationships, and the way you talk to yourself right now.Kati sits down with JoAnn Crohn, parenting educator and founder of No Guilt Mom, for a conversation that starts with mom guilt and lands somewhere much deeper. JoAnn shares how she white-knuckled through breastfeeding because she believed that's what a good mom does, and the single sentence from a therapist that broke the pattern. Kati talks about spending a month with her own mother and watching in real time as her self-talk mirrored thoughts her mom carried decades earlier. Together they trace how the martyrhood pattern gets passed down, why so many women lose themselves in motherhood without noticing, and what it actually takes to come back.They also cover why families that never fought produce adults who think conflict means the relationship is over, what happens when your kid leaves for college and you realize your identity went with them, the journaling practice that rewired JoAnn's thought spirals, why naming your inner critic actually helps you stop believing it, and how JoAnn found herself again through improv comedy at 44. This is the conversation for anyone who has ever heard themselves say something and thought: that wasn't me. That was my mom. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code KATI at https://cheershealth.com/ Visit http://Care.com and use code KATI for 20% off your initial subscription or a Senior Care Advisor plan Go to https://www.zocdoc.com/KATI to find and instantly book a doctor you love today Ask Kati Anything ep. 311 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT with guest: JoAnn Crone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Living with a Narcissistic Mother? Reclaim Your Identity 16.04.2026 52min

  Struggling with treatment-resistant depression or trying to recover from narcissistic parents and a lost sense of identity? In this episode, Katie Morton, LMFT, explores advanced mental health treatments and provides a roadmap for healing from complicated family dynamics. Whether you are dealing with "sticky memories," navigating a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, or looking for ways to manage the physical toll of trauma on your gut, this deep dive offers practical tools to help you reclaim your life. We also discuss the power of boundaries and the vital role sleep plays in regulating anxiety. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Magnesium promotes relaxation and more restful sleep - visit https://bioptimizers.com/kati for 15% off any order • Care.com: Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using code KATI Chapters 00:00:49 – Q1: Creating Perspective in Severe Depression A viewer struggling with autism and treatment-resistant depression asks how to find small moments to live for when every task feels like "climbing Mount Everest." 00:14:17 – Q2: Recovering Identity from Narcissistic Parents A child of divorce seeks advice on building a sense of self after growing up with a narcissistic mother and an emotionally unavailable father. 00:20:50 – Q2 Follow-up: Healing the "Parental Wound" Addressing a comment on parental isolation, Katie discusses inner child work and letting go of the idealized version of a parent. 00:26:12 – Q3: Understanding "Sticky Memories" A viewer asks if they are "mixing memories" regarding childhood abuse or if their brain is signaling something real that needs processing. 00:29:24 – Q4: What is Projective Identification? How to stop taking on other people’s intense emotions and use "inward boundaries" to protect your own mental space. 00:35:24 – Q5: Navigating a Schizoaffective Diagnosis Katie breaks down the DSM criteria for schizoaffective disorder, explaining the intersection of mood disorders and psychosis. 00:40:38 – Q6: The Connection Between Trauma and the Gut An exploration of the "gut-brain axis" and how chronic stress and high cortisol can lead to physical abdominal issues. 00:45:11 – Q7: Why Sleep is Essential for Anxiety Relief A discussion on how sleep "cleans" the brain and provides the emotional regulation needed to weather life's storms. SchizoKitzo (tiktoker mentioned in episode) https://www.tiktok.com/@schizokitzo?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Ask Kati Anything ep. 310 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Books Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. #podcast #psychology #katimorton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• How do I stop being so resentful? 09.04.2026 1h 3min

  If you feel like your therapist is speaking a foreign language when they talk about "stability" or "trust," this video is for you. We break down the specific requirements for starting trauma-focused work like EMDR and why your brain might be "pulling the ripcord" through dissociation. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Zocdoc: Find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes https://www.zocdoc.com/kati • Go to https://kachava.com and use code KATI for 15% off your first order MY BOOKS ⁠Why Do I Keep Doing This?⁠ ⁠Traumatized⁠ ⁠Are u ok?⁠ ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: ⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati⁠ PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• "I'm Lying to My Therapist, Am I Failing?" 02.04.2026 1h

  Have you ever felt ashamed in therapy because your behaviors aren't changing fast enough? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton answers 8 listener questions on eating disorders, therapy, intimacy, ego death, depression, and mental health recovery. Topics covered include eating disorder recovery, higher levels of care (IOP and PHP), what therapists notice about body language and appearance, caregiver burnout, intimacy struggles after trauma, ego death and psychedelics, DASS questionnaires, and returning depression after remission. This Week's Sponsors: Care.com — 20% off a subscription or Senior Care Advisor plan using code KATI at https://www.care.com/ Hero Bread — 10% off your order using code KATI at https://www.hero.co/ MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? Traumatized Are u ok? ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• I Looked Fine… But I Was Spiraling 26.03.2026 53min

  What happens when the life you built online suddenly crashes? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, I’m joined by "Creators 4 Mental Health" founder Shira Lazar to pull back the curtain on the dark side of the creator economy. Shira opens up about a personal story and feeling like a failure which triggered a decade-long journey of rebuilding her self-worth from the ground up. We discuss the "silent crisis" facing content creators today, including shocking new research that reveals why so many are spiraling behind the scenes. Whether you are struggling with a "public failure" of your own or trying to stop tying your value to external validation, this conversation offers a roadmap for turning your darkest moments into a catalyst for change. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: Care.com: Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using code KATI. Hers: To get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you, visit https://www.forhers.com/kati. Episode Timestamps: 00:04 – Meeting an "OG": The innocence of the early YouTube community. 07:03 – The "Rug Pull": Surviving a public career split and deep feelings of failure. 13:14 – Digital Rebels: Being the "misfits" in traditional news organizations. 22:31 – Mount Everest: How a life-changing trip led to a new mission in wellness. 29:53 – Advocacy: Why the creator industry needs a "Bill of Rights". 37:51 – The Data: Shocking stats on creator burnout and suicidal ideation. 41:32 – Self-Worth: Why you must stop tying your value to your analytics. 48:31 – Kati’s personal journey from rock bottom to a thriving practice. Learn more about the Creators 4 Mental Health https://www.creators4mentalhealth.com/ ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• When Your Body Remembers Trauma (Physical Symptoms Explained) 19.03.2026 1h 7min

  Is it freeze or dissociation? Autism or OCD? Can childhood trauma cause physical symptoms doctors can't explain? In this episode, I answer the questions that keep my community up at night—from understanding confusing trauma responses to the body-trauma connection, overlapping diagnoses, medication decisions, and whether psychedelic therapy actually works for CPTSD. If you've ever felt misunderstood by your own nervous system, gaslit by medical tests that come back "normal," or exhausted by flashbacks that won't quit—this episode offers validation and clarity. SPONSORS Hers - to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you visit https://www.forhers.com/kati Zocdoc - find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes https://www.zocdoc.com/kati TOPICS COVERED 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:06 - Freeze vs. Dissociation: What's the Difference? 00:09:44 - When Should You Taper Off Medication? 00:16:13 - Navigating Relationships with Insecure Attachment 00:21:47 - Is It Autism or OCD? Understanding Overlapping Symptoms 00:32:43 - Can Trauma Cause Physical Symptoms? 00:40:33 - How Does Talking About Trauma Help CPTSD? 00:45:16 - Psychedelic Therapy: Psilocybin vs. Ketamine 00:56:18 - Dealing with Flashback Exhaustion 01:02:08 - Managing Chronic Flashbacks Kati Morton, LMFT | Licensed therapist, author, and mental health educator MY BOOKS ⁠Why Do I Keep Doing This?⁠ ⁠Traumatized⁠ ⁠Are u ok?⁠ ONLINE THERAPY BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists online: https://betterhelp.com/kati Ask Kati Anything | Your mental health podcast Disclaimer: Educational content only, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The "Soft Skill" That’s Actually a Survival Tool 12.03.2026 1h 25min

  Why is "kindness" often dismissed as a soft skill when it’s actually a life-saving tool for resilience? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed therapist Kati Morton is joined by Andra Liemandt, the founder and CEO of The Kindness Campaign. Andra shares the powerful, heartbreaking story of how a tragic loss in her community became the catalyst for a national movement that reached over 250,000 students last year alone. We explore the science of emotional literacy, the transformative power of "Mirror Work," and practical strategies for parents to help their children feel seen, heard, and understood. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Hungryroot - Get 40% off your first box plus a free item in every box for life at ⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/kati with code KATI • Care.com - Get 20% off a subscription or a senior care advisor plan at https://www.care.com/ using code KATI TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: Advancing emotional literacy with Andra Liemandt. 02:59 – The tragedy that started The Kindness Campaign. 06:17 – Enoughie Buddy: Helping kids find their words. 14:44 – "See to the other side": Finding light in dark times. 18:11 – Morning Pages vs. Venting: Clearing the brain. 24:18 – How the Magic Mirror builds self-worth. 31:23 – The power of "Mirror Work" and receiving kindness. 38:14 – Secure attachment: The trapeze net of parenting. 45:00 – Kind Leadership: Preparing high schoolers for the real world. 57:11 – The Science of Kindness: From soft skill to survival. 01:02:42 – Superpowers: Identifying your communication style. 01:08:18 – Self-care toolkits: Gratitude, Grounding, and Green. 01:21:19 – "Playing it out": A CBT tool for big decisions If you’re enjoying these conversations, please take a moment to Follow the show. It’s the easiest way to make sure you never miss an episode. If this episode on kindness and self-worth resonated with you, leaving a review would mean the world to us. Your ratings help more people discover these tools and join our community. MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY? Enjoy 10% off your first month: While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Ask Kati Anything ep. 305 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why Do I Actively Try To Stay Sick? 05.03.2026 1h 3min

  Why do we cling to the behaviors that hurt us most? In this episode, Kati Morton, LMFT, dives into the physiological and emotional complexities of eating disorder recovery, trauma responses, and the "why" behind our most difficult survival mechanisms. We explore the "safety" found in cycles like bulimia or anorexia when living in neglectful environments, and Kati provides actionable tools for those navigating C-PTSD, DID, and intimacy after divorce. The "Freeze" Response: Understanding "bed-locking" and C-PTSD. Complicated Grief: Why you might feel numb when an abuser passes away. The Feelings Wheel: Practical tools for naming emotions when you feel disconnected. Dissociation & DID: Managing treatment while living in an unsafe home. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI oneskin.co/KATI Zocdoc: find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes zocdoc.com/kati Remi: protect your teeth from grinding with a custom-fit night guard. Go to shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off Hers: visit forhers.com/kati to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you 00:00 – Intro: Mind-body responses 00:43 – ED cycles in abusive homes & Mandated Reporting 07:02 – Grieving an abuser: Understanding emotional numbness 12:41 – Why we "enjoy" or miss our eating disorders 25:01 – Tools for naming emotions (The Feelings Wheel) 32:27 – Navigating DID treatment in unsafe environments 39:09 – Is "bed-locking" a normal C-PTSD response? 47:09 – Shame and intimacy after divorce 53:03 – When your therapist challenges your recovery YouTube: youtube.com/@Katimorton Books: Why Do I Keep Doing This?, Traumatized, and Are u ok? Online Therapy: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/kati Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Why Your Eating Disorder Keeps Shapeshifting & How to Break Free 26.02.2026 1h 8min

  Eating disorder shapeshifting explained, therapy dissociation tips, no contact with adult child response, self-acceptance after weight gain, feeling unseen or outcast, skin picking dermatillomania, broken UK NHS mental health system, social anxiety in sessions, neurodivergent experiences, body image struggles, anxiety after injury, DSM vs ICD-11 differences, parasocial relationships advice. Licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton answers your real questions in this Ask Kati Anything episode—get expert insights on coping, recovery, and feeling seen. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co/ and use code KATI at checkout • Hers - visit https://www.forhers.com/kati for personalized, affordable weight loss plans with licensed medical support • Zocdoc - find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes. Go to https://www.zocdoc.com/kati Audience questions: 0:47 - Q1: Mind goes blank when therapist asks 'what do you need?' (social anxiety, dissociation) 6:16 - Q2: Why eating disorders shapeshift from restricting to bingeing (neurodivergent impact) 15:17 - Add-on: Self-acceptance vs weight loss first mindset in ED recovery (body image fears) 21:03 - Q3: Anxiety, depression after injury and loss of independence (positive mindset tips) 29:05 - Q4: Key differences between DSM and ICD-11 for diagnosing mental illnesses 34:05 - Q5: Feeling like an outcast or invisible - how to build inclusion and connections 43:20 - Q6: Dermatillomania (skin picking) - causes, tips, and tricks to stop 47:35 - Q7: Navigating broken mental health systems and feeling unhelpable 54:21 - Q8: Best response when an adult child goes no contact (with compassion and respect) 1:01:04 - Q9: Navigating parasocial relationships with content creators and celebrities MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY? Enjoy 10% off your first month: While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Ask Kati Anything ep. 303 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• They Told Me to "Kill Myself" at 12 Years Old 19.02.2026 1h 23min

  Whether you are struggling with depression, addiction, or seeking motivation, Justin’s story is a roadmap for anyone feeling lost in the dark. "I was the youngest heavyweight in the country, and I was losing the only fight that mattered." In this powerful episode Kati speaks with Justin Wren for a raw conversation on mental health, resilience, and the recovery journey. Justin pulls back the curtain on a life of extreme highs and devastating lows, from the "merciless" bullying he faced as a child in Texas to the secret OxyContin addiction that haunted his professional MMA career. We dive deep into the "living nightmare" of substance abuse, where Justin managed a massive intake of pills while fighting on the world’s biggest stage. He shares the heartbreaking moment he hit rock bottom after missing his best friend's wedding and the moment in Tulum that gave him a second chance at life. Justin also discusses his work with Fight for the Forgotten, his nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water and land rights to the Mbuti Pygmy people in Uganda and Eastern Congo. He shares the beautiful, life-altering lessons he learned about community, grief, and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) that helped him find true healing. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer: • Function Health - visit www.functionhealth.com/KATI and use gift code KATI25 for a $25 credit toward your membership • Warby Parker - our listeners get 15% + Free Shipping when they buy 2 or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://www.warbyparker.com/KATI • Care.com - for a limited time, go to https://www.care.com and use code KATI for 20% off your initial subscription or a Senior Care Advisor Plan • Remi - protect your teeth with Remi by using code KATI to get 50% off your new night guard at https://shopremi.com/KATI In this episode: 00:00 – Meet guest Justin Wren 01:41 – The "merciless" bullying Justin faced in grade school 08:34 – Moving schools and finding mentorship through Olympic wrestling coaches 13:54 – Discovering the UFC 18:18 – Learning to "swim in the deep end" by wrestling 200 matches a year 18:49 – Finding purpose by speaking in over 100 correctional facilities 26:54 – The freak injury that led to a massive opioid addiction 33:07 – Rock bottom: "I can't believe you missed my wedding." 34:10 – The attempt to end it all in Tulum and the miracle survival 44:48 – Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) with Dr. Daniel Amen 49:32 – The cycle of "dry drunk" vs. real recovery 53:51 – Fight for the Forgotten: Deep work on land rights and sustainable water 01:04:13 – Explaining depression to a culture that has no word for "suicide." 01:17:08 – The Statue of Responsibility and giving a "hand up," not a "handout." JUSTIN WREN https://www.fightfortheforgotten.org/ Ask Kati Anything ep. 302 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Shame, Self-Doubt & Dissociative Identity Disorder 12.02.2026 58min

  In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton addresses eight deeply personal mental health questions from the community. From navigating chronic suicidal ideation to coping with hearing voices while trying to study, Kati provides clinical insight with compassion and practical guidance. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer: • Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/KATI • Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co/ and use code KATI at checkout. • Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.zocdoc.com/KATI to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. TOPICS COVERED 0:00 - Introduction 1:19 - Living with chronic suicidal ideation and finding hope when treatments haven't worked 7:04 - Distinguishing between personality and mental health symptoms (especially when medication changes) 18:30 - Grieving a version of yourself you never got to know 27:15 - Eating disorder relapse and navigating inadequate care systems 35:42 - What to say when therapy isn't the right fit 42:08 - How clinicians approach weight changes and honesty in eating disorder treatment 47:51 - Shame, self-doubt, and dissociative identity disorder (DID) 52:36 - Coping with hearing voices while studying in college RESOURCES MENTIONED • VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) • Ketamine treatment • ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy) • EMDR therapy • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) CRISIS RESOURCES • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 • International resources: http://findahelpline.com CONNECT Subscribe for weekly mental health Q&As and don't forget to leave a review to help others find this podcast. Ask Kati Anything ep. 301 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Not Giving Up: What to do when life changes 06.02.2026 1h 1min

  In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, Kati is joined by Jen Birn, editor of Austin Lifestyle magazine. Jen has built a life on her own terms, parlaying her high-octane success in the celebrity journalism scenes of New York and Los Angeles into a career that is currently transforming the landscape of Austin. Jen’s path was built on pure grit and "fake it 'til you make it" scrappiness. From waitressing in a music bar where she convinced the Gin Blossoms to give her an interview that launched her career, to navigating family crisis, Jen has faced the kind of relatable struggles that define a survivalist spirit. Along the way she shares stories from a career spent crossing paths with figures like Richard Branson, Johnny Depp & David Arquette, transitioning from the 24/7 hustle to finding balance, biohacking for longevity, and reclaiming your time. Jen Birn is an inspiration who proves that success isn't about having a perfect start—it's about the resilience to keep chasing the sunset until you find home. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: • Remi - Go to www.shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off your Custom Night Guards • Function Health - Get a $25 credit toward your membership at www.functionhealth.com/kati with gift code KATI25 MORE JEN Chasing Sunsets Down I-80 https://amzn.to/3LHpVgU https://citylifestyle.com/austin/issues MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Ask Kati Anything ep. 298 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• She didn’t think she’d make it: Now she’s happier than ever 06.02.2026 1h 20min

  What if your best days haven't even happened yet? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, I’m joined by the incredible Amy Edwards—CEO, author, and host of The Amy Edwards Show. At 53, Amy is the happiest she’s ever been, but getting here required walking through some of life’s darkest valleys. We dive deep into the messy, complicated, and ultimately beautiful process of transformation. Amy opens up about the stigma of being twice-divorced, the "blackout" period of losing her voice during a legal battle, and her unconventional journey through psychedelic healing and sobriety. Whether you are struggling with a "failed" relationship, feeling stuck in a cycle of rumination, or wondering if it's too late to start over, this conversation is a reminder that you don't need anything outside of yourself to access hope. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offer: Feel like your best self again, visit https://www.forhers.com/KATI to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you! Chapters 00:00 – Meet Amy Edwards 03:04 – Becoming the "Matriarchs" after losing parents 04:29 – Religious differences and choosing love over judgment 09:35 – The reality of divorce at 25 vs. later in life 13:57 – A perfect storm: Pregnancy, losing a mother, and a broken leg 17:46 – The "Rebound Marriage" and learning to stand up for yourself 21:14 – Why "Staying for the Kids" can be the real failure 26:42 – Modeling resilience: Showing children that women can do anything 30:12 – Mental health tools: The "Don't Drink the Drano Today" logic 36:32 – Psychedelics and Ego Death: Rewiring the brain 40:32 – Ketamine therapy and clearing the "ruminating sand" 43:10 – The road to sobriety and finding a growth-mindset partner 54:19 – The "Table" Metaphor: Breaking the cycle of transactional love 01:03:16 – Losing your voice: When the body forces you to slow down 01:07:37 – Radical Self-Love: doing mirror work 01:15:45 – Your best days haven't happened yet MORE AMY https://www.youtube.com/@TheAmyEdwardsShow The Trouble with Becoming a Witch: A Novel by Amy Edwards https://amzn.to/4ahkoFU https://www.instagram.com/realamyedwards/ MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Ask Kati Anything ep. 300 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices