Pressing harder on the remote, saving all of our clothes for some magical event, talking louder on a bad call. These habits feel silly, and they make sense. In this episode, we look at the psychology behind the small quirks that make us human. We explain how our need for control, our learned responses to frustration, and a little superstition shape what we do when things stop working. You'll finish the episode knowing you're not weird. You're nearly normal.

Two licensed therapists play Would You Rather — coping skills edition. We take some of the most talked-about self-care and coping strategies (the ones all over TikTok and Instagram) and decide, as clinicians, whether we'd actually use them ourselves. Some hold up. Some don't. Quick, honest, and a little chaotic — this is what coping skills sound like when real therapists stop being polite about them.

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Nobody warns you how lonely postpartum can be, or how much shame keeps mothers from saying that out loud. In the final episode of our three-part series on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, Nina and Kate close out their conversation on the Lindsay Clancy case by turning to motherhood itself: why moms downplay how hard this job is, how that silence feeds loneliness and postpartum depression, and what actually helps — honest conversation with other mothers and less stigma around asking for support. If you've ever felt alone in early motherhood, wondered whether what you're feeling is normal, or you're supporting a mom who's struggling, this one's for you.

Catch up on Parts 1 and 2 wherever you're listening, and follow Nearly Normal so you don't miss what's next.

If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum depression or psychosis, Postpartum Support International's helpline is 1-800-944-4773.

Part 2 of our postpartum series picks up where Part 1 left off. We go deeper on what postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are, how psychosis specifically presents, and why it's so often missed by the people closest to a new mother. Then we talk about the harder part: what real treatment and support look like, and what's still missing from the way this country cares for mothers after birth.

We're approaching this with the respect it deserves, because behind every headline is a family.

If you need help now: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, available 24/7 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — call or text 1-833-852-6262, free and confidential, 24/7 Postpartum Support International HelpLine — call or text 1-800-944-4773, daily 8am–11pm ET

Postpartum depression and psychosis are treatable. Getting help early changes outcomes.

Content note: this episode discusses child loss, suicidal ideation, and psychosis. If you're not in a place to hear that today, that's okay — skip this one.

Everyone is talking about the Lindsay Clancy case. Search interest is up, group chats are full of it, and most people can't quite explain why they can't stop reading about it. In this episode, Nina and Kate — two licensed therapists — look at why this case has gripped mothers, women, and men who aren't even parents.

Whether you're a mother, you love one, or you just want to understand what's dominating your feed right now, this episode gives you the clinical facts underneath the headlines.

If anything in this episode feels close to home: Postpartum Support International HelpLine, 1-800-944-4773. Maternal Mental Health Hotline, call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988. For a mental health emergency, go to your nearest ER or call 911.

Why does asking for help feel harder than doing everything alone? This episode breaks down the tug-of-war between independence and connection — and how letting people support you isn't a failure, it's a skill.

We're taught that independence means doing it all yourself. But real strength isn't going it alone — it's knowing when to lean on someone else.

In this episode, we dig into why asking for help feels so uncomfortable, even when we know we need it. We talk about where that resistance comes from, what it costs us when we refuse support, and how to rebuild trust in other people without losing your sense of self. If you've ever said "I'm fine" when you weren't, this one's for you.

Nervous system activation feels dramatic because it's designed to be. This episode breaks down what actually triggers your nervous system, how it responds when it's activated, and what to do about it in real time.

We cover:

What activates the nervous system — the everyday triggers most people miss, from low-grade stress to full fight-or-flight moments. How the nervous system actually reacts — the biology behind fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, and why your body reacts before your brain catches up. How to cope and de-escalate — practical, in-the-moment tools for regulating an activated nervous system, so you can respond instead of react.

If you've ever felt like your body overreacts to things that shouldn't be a big deal, this episode explains why — and gives you a way back to calm.

Nearly Normal Podcast covers mental health and wellness with real talk, not jargon. New episodes weekly.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean so you don't miss what's next.

Adulting feels harder than it used to, and it's not in your head. This episode breaks down decision fatigue — the mental exhaustion that comes from making hundreds of choices a day — and why it's driving so much of the anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout adults feel right now. We talk about the invisible mental load of modern life, why nobody prepared us for this many decisions, and practical ways to protect your mental health when everything feels like too much. If you've ever ended the day drained without knowing why, or feel like basic adulting shouldn't be this exhausting, this one's for you.