It’s the first episode of 2026, and Melissa and Susan kick off the year with a special guest from their own team: Sarah. She shows up with fidgets, an emotional-support Furby, and a whole lot of honesty about what it’s like to do the thing you’ve been avoiding… even when your therapeutic philosophy is literally “avoid avoidance.”

Together, they unpack why motivation can tank in the winter, how to tell the difference between needing rest and needing a push, and why shame-based “hustle” strategies might work short-term but rarely stick. Sarah shares practical tools she uses with clients (and herself), including the “even if” mindset, body-doubling, and the INCUP framework (interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, pressure) to make hard things more doable.

The conversation also takes some delightful detours—quirky clothes, a Dr. Seuss office, pet crows, and plans for bees at Grove—while staying grounded in one central theme: learning how to move through discomfort with kindness, not punishment.

Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective