Isolating with my therapist mum
By Lexi Balfour
I’m trapped self isolating with my therapist mum, and thought it would be therapeutic for us both (& maybe others) to start a podcast! We give you a sneak peek into our raw, open and loving mother daughter dialogue that almost accidentally reveals the powers of therapy and what its unique language sounds like when applied to real relationships. During the time of COVID-19 we cover our conflicts, grief & loss, living in limbo, dating and love stories while revealing past personal experiences and triggered memories. We hope there’s also some laughs and light relief too!
Isolating with my therapist mumMar 12, 2021
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Episode 13: Listening to what’s emerging
Listening to what’s emerging...on so many levels! From Lexi curating salons in NYC - think French Salon’s in the 18th century, to asking what doorways or entry points are we being invited to step through to explore a deeper layer in our selves, even that ‘soul space’.
Mar 12, 202130:40
Episode 12: Death, dying and connection
We reunite to talk about our need for connection, and how we’re coping with this time of flux and transitions. And naturally, because it’s us, this leads us to diving into the topic of death and Anna’s brush with being a death doula!
Nov 11, 202036:01
Episode 11: The two pandemics we find ourselves in
Two pandemics
Jun 06, 202042:27
Episode 10: Navigating “reopening” and living in the in-between
As society “reopens” from isolation, we talk about the challenge of how to navigate different risk and comfort levels of socializing - how to listen to your own intuition, your body, balancing personal values, community responsibilities, boundaries and life experience. Mum shares the dangers of jumping to the 6th stage of grief - “finding meaning” too soon. We’re not there yet!
May 24, 202040:58
Episode 9: Deconstructing anxiety with courage
I share my experience with demonizing anxiety, and what I’m noticing in many people. My mum helps me unpack what anxiety really is, my fears, FOMO and how to move through them with courage.
May 09, 202039:20
Episode 8: Evolving faith and a God complex
Dad joins us for a look back at his and my mum’s very different faith journeys, and ways faith has made life easier & harder.
May 04, 202046:42
Episode 7: Motherhood & mini Gods
I ask my mum, what would you do differently today being a mother in the era of snowflake children, information & advice overload. I remind my mum of my awful teenage years & secret house parties, she reflects on how wasn’t sure she wanted kids and what she thinks parenting really is.
Apr 26, 202045:18
Episode 6: The evolving experience of being a woman across generations
What does it mean to be a woman from the 1950s to the 21st century in the era of “Me too”? In light of my experiences, my mum reflects on being a woman in the course of her life. From a mother that had dinner on the table ready for her man, to negotiating house chores in her marriage, and waking up to inequality and painful experiences because of her gender.
Apr 19, 202045:27
Episode 5: Understanding our dark side & puzzle addiction
We’ve lost the plot! Feeling foggy & sad, we chat through what is difficult to surrender & let go of, and owning and understanding our dark side. Otherwise known as “our shadow”, within us and undertaking the task of acceptance and honoring the shadow within us. “We cannot be balanced or whole, for what is hidden never goes away, but merely - and often painfully- turns up in unexpected places.” We recommend the book “Owning your own shadow” by Robert.A Johnson and talk about Lexi’s COVID-19 relief work in NYC local neighborhood with public housing in Chelsea - if you’d like to donate go to www.infirnity.com/donate Thank you!
Apr 11, 202035:41
Episode 4: Love & relationships in the time of COVID-19
Finally joined by my dad (Doug), to get my parents perspective on navigating their 36 year marriage! We talk deep on communication, resolving conflict, love languages and ways they’ve worked to live together in times of crisis & isolation.
Apr 03, 202041:19
Episode 3: Living in Limbo: How to live between the old and the new
We explore our 2nd week into self isolation together, & challenge the idea that “this is the new normal”. We share some vulnerable times from our past of living in inbetweens (past bad romances & retiring with no direction) and how we have coped/ want to cope in our current limbo!
Mar 27, 202036:55
Episode 2: Exploring grief & loss: Our past, present and impacts of COVID-19
Things get real! We go deep about hard things we’ve been feeling under self isolation so far (& towards each other), and how it connects to own our stories of grief & loss. We end by exploring with imagination a hope for our future world.
Mar 24, 202031:16
Episode 1: How we can keep sane and cope with what’s to come
Mum (the therapist) & I chat about keeping sane during self isolating together with all the ups and downs that will entail! We share what we’re expecting to be frustrated & excited by now we’re roomies!
Mar 24, 202036:48