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Join Dr Kenneth Edwards as he welcomes Brenda Stephens, LPCC as the discussion focuses on the narcissistic qualities of “certain” politicians and the vibe of our politics right now. How do people recognize gaslighting behaviors? What are some of the coping mechanisms? What can listeners do to help themselves during this time.

Brenda Stephens, LPCC is a trauma informed counselor, speaker, educator, and owner of a group practice. Her clinical work focuses on complex trauma, relational trauma, and recovery from narcissistic abuse, and she is known for supporting survivors through counseling, psychoeducation, and support groups. Brenda integrates approaches including EMDR, somatic work, CBT, DBT, and is IFSI trained. She’s been in practice for about 16 years.

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Erick Nunez wrote a recent social post that highlights the ANTM documentary/mini-series. The Good Therapist Is In typically doesn’t hit on pop culture, but Erick's assessment drew applause from audiences across the country. He masterfully highlighted the harm that was caused then and now and how reality tv is a sad mirror of society. Do we fully blame the show's creators and hosts for their actions or do we blame ourselves as society for wanting to see this type of content on TV. The conversation centered on the trauma that we witnessed, the effect on the participants, the effects of this type of content on TV, and how we can move forward.

Check out the text of Erick's post here:

Moment of Reflection: Watching the ANTM Documentary

I finally watched the documentary on America’s Next Top Model.

And what really got me wasn’t the stories. - It was the shock.

The collective “I can’t believe this happened.”

The outrage like we just discovered reality TV exploits people.

And I’m sitting there like… WTF? Are we really surprised?

This show was created inside a system that profits off insecurity, competition, and spectacle. It was built in a culture that rewards thinness, silence, hierarchy, and “performing pain” for applause. Trauma was edited into storylines. Public humiliation was packaged as growth. Power dynamics were disguised as “tough love.”

So when former contestants talk about emotional harm, manipulation, body shaming, and psychological pressure…

I don’t see an anomaly. I see a mirror.

A mirror of capitalism.

A mirror of patriarchy.

A mirror of a society that says, “Be grateful for the opportunity — even if it costs you yourself.”

And yes — we have to talk about leadership.

Tyra Banks wasn’t just the host. She was the executive producer. The face. The power. And with power comes responsibility.

Do I think she knows what she did? I do.

Do I think harm happened? Absolutely.

And I’m not here to soften that.

But I am here to name something else:

Hurt people hurt people.

That doesn’t excuse the behavior. It explains the pattern.

We live in a world where trauma climbs the ladder and calls itself discipline. Where survival tactics get rebranded as mentorship. Where “I went through worse” becomes justification for passing it down.

As a therapist, what unsettles me most isn’t the cruelty.

It’s how normalized it was.

We glamorize resilience.

We normalize harshness.

We call it character building.

But growth that comes from humiliation isn’t empowerment — it’s adaptation.

Maybe the real question isn’t:

“How did this happen?”

Maybe it’s:

Why are we more comfortable being entertained by cruelty than confronting it?

We live in a cruel world. Not always loudly. Sometimes it’s polished. Sometimes it has bright lights and dramatic music. Sometimes it wears heels and calls itself an opportunity.

So no… I’m not surprised.

What surprises me is how long we pretended to be.

Also, fuck Tyra & the whole ANTM team.

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In the first episode of The Good Therapist Is In, Dr Kenneth Edwards interviews Dr Kristin Dempsey. Dr Dempsey is an expert in Motivation Interviewing and how its application can range from working with those with addictions as discussed in her previous book and working with clinicians in their practice. Listeners will have a chance to learn about Dr Dempsey's background, her perspectives and introspectives on clinical treatment, the current political environment and a call to action for the future. Dr Dempsey's book, The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction is now for sale wherever books are sold. Her second book, "Advancing Motivational Interviewing: An Experiential Skills Guide for Mental Health Providers" will be available in the spring.