Shows
Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 13: Stillness Is Medicine: Healing the Ones Who Hold Us All (ft. Michael Diana)In this episode, Robyn is joined by Michael Diana, a PhD student in Counseling Psychology and the youngest member of Barb’s academic lineage. They come together in the wake of Barb’s recent injury to reflect on what it really means to let healers receive the care they so often give.Together, they explore themes of presence, spiritual bypassing, helper dynamics, and how to discern when we’re being helpful versus performative. The episode closes with a Loving-Kindness Meditation dedicated to Barb—and to every healer learning how to rest.In...
2025-07-1845 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep. 12: The One Where We Remember What Freedom Feels LikeRecorded from a perch above the white sand dunes of Lake Michigan, this episode is part love letter to Camp Miniwanca, part reckoning with the state of academia, and full-bodied remembrance of what true freedom feels like—beyond the metrics, meetings, and masked brilliance.Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barbara Kerr drop in from Professor Camp, where each summer, faculty from across the country gather to reconnect with the parts of themselves that don’t fit on a CV.In this episode, we talk about:The paradox of intellect in America—why professors are resent...
2025-06-1229 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 11: Breaking the Spell (Again): A Two Shrinks x Bewitched CrossoverBreaking the Spell (Again): A Two Shrinks x Bewitched Crossover Recorded at: Saguaro Lake Ranch, ArizonaIn this special crossover episode of Two Shrinks on the Farm, Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barbara Kerr trade the Kansas prairie for the Arizona desert as they meet at the historic Saguaro Lake Ranch—a place steeped in memory, healing, and academic roots. Together, they unpack the darker side of spiritual mentorship in the wake of Dr. McKay’s 24-day misadventures, into what can only be described as a psychologically and spiritually injurious retreat.
2025-04-031h 08
Sheology by Dr. Robyn McKay56: Bewitched - Breaking the Spell after Spiritual Mentoring Goes Wrong (Louisa's Story)Bewitched: Louisa Havers — The Oracle Was You All Along"In this powerful episode of Bewitched, Robyn is joined by trusted colleague and spiritual guide Louisa Havers, one of the first people she reached out to after returning from her own 24-day misadventure with the spiritual teacher we call "Betty."Louisa shares her deeply personal journey—from reverence to realization—and how her initial awe of a seemingly gifted mentor slowly unraveled into a web of spiritual manipulation, gaslighting, and trauma bonding. With wisdom, discernment, and grace, Louisa names the patterns and reclaims her power.Toge...
2025-04-031h 16Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 10: Two Shrinks and a Gynecologist Walk Into MenopauseHosts: Dr. Robyn McKay & Dr. Barbara KerrGuest: Kimberlee McKay, MD (OBGYN, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist)Menopause isn’t the end—it’s just another beginning (with some hot flashes, hormone fluctuations, and a whole lot of societal myths to unravel). In this episode, Barb and Robyn welcome a very special guest—Dr. Robyn’s younger sister, Dr. Kimberlee McKay, an OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine expert, who brings her signature blend of medical wisdom and sharp humor to the conversation.From the reality of perimenopause to the myths of menopau...
2025-02-041h 00Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF EP 9: From the French Resistance to Freedom Work: Courage for Challenging TimesWelcome to Two Shrinks on the Farm! Yes, we really are shrinks, and we really do live on a farm. With four free-roaming horses, two playful dogs, and a couple of curious cats, life here is anything but sterile. This episode takes us from our sunny beginnings (literally picking cherries and weeding the garden) to deep discussions about how to navigate the heaviness of the world as helpers, healers, and leaders.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The story behind the podcast’s title and how our lives have brought us full circ...
2025-01-2843 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 8: Busting Creativity Myths: Everyday Creativity and Freedom in CommunityEpisode Summary:In this episode of Two Shrinks on the Farm, Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barbara Kerr tackle common myths about creativity, diving into what it really means to live a creative life. They explore creativity as a personality trait, a process, and a product while debunking myths like “everyone can be highly creative” and “you’re too old to be creative.”Drawing from decades of research, the duo discuss the role of openness to experience in creativity, the tension between solitude and community, and how systemic barriers around gender and privilege have shaped creative r...
2025-01-141h 02Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 7: Selective Conscientiousness: Creativity Over PerfectionEpisode Highlights:What is Conscientiousness? Robyn and Barb break down the six facets of conscientiousness and discuss why highly creative people often score low in this personality factor.Selective Conscientiousness: How being selectively dutiful can help you excel in your passions while letting go of unnecessary perfection.New Year Reflections: Insights on making resolutions that align with your purpose and how to prioritize what deserves your 100% effort.Creativity vs. Conformity: Why conscientiousness, when taken too far, can smother innovation, and how to reclaim your creative freedom.Slob for a Week Protocol: Barb shares her therapeutic...
2025-01-061h 07Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Ep 6: Exploring the Agreeableness Factor: The Dilemma of Being Too Well-AdjustedShow Notes for Two Shrinks on the Farm Episode 6: Exploring the Agreeableness Factor: The Dilemma of Being Too Well-AdjustedIn this episode, Barb and Robyn dive deep into agreeableness—one of the five traits in the Five Factor Neo Personality Profile. They share personal anecdotes, dream interpretations, and sharp insights into the benefits and pitfalls of agreeableness, especially for smart, driven women and men navigating complex societal dynamics.Topics Discussed:Farm Glam vs. Reality: Robyn’s stylish silver ski vest and Barb’s flannel life set th...
2024-12-311h 04Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Episode 5: Living Wide Open: Navigating the Double-Edged Sword of OpennessShow Notes for "Living Wide Open: Navigating the Double-Edged Sword of Openness"Episode Summary:In this episode of Two Shrinks on a Farm, we delve into the concept of openness to experience, one of the key traits in the NEO Personality Profile. Join Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barbara Kerr as they explore the joys and challenges of being highly open—how it fuels creativity and connection but also invites vulnerability and the need for grounding.With stories from the farm, professional insights, and reflections on their own personalities, this co...
2024-12-2053 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Episode 4 (E is for Extraversion)Two Shrinks on the Farm: Exploring Extraversion and Life's AdventuresIn this episode of 'Two Shrinks on the Farm,' Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barb Kerr delve into the concepts of extraversion and introversion, drawing from personal experiences and theoretical frameworks like the Big Five personality traits. Amidst humorous banter and farm life anecdotes, they discuss the nuances of personality assessments, the implications of traits such as assertiveness, excitement-seeking, and gregariousness, along with the challenges faced by introverts and extroverts in various settings. The episode ends with reflections on societal expectations, the power...
2024-12-0201 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Season 1 Episode 3: Personality Profiles Unplugged: The Nuances of NeuroticismPersonality Profiles Unplugged: The Nuances of NeuroticismIn this episode of Two Shrinks on the Farm, Robyn and Barb delve into the Big Five personality factor of neuroticism. They discuss its facets—anxiety, angry hostility, depression, self-consciousness, impulsivity, and vulnerability. The episode explores how neuroticism, a trait evolved to protect and recognize danger, impacts our daily lives and can be managed through psychotherapy, mindfulness, and various therapeutic interventions. Along the way, the hosts share personal anecdotes and insights, aiming to provide a fresh perspective on understanding and navigating this complex personality factor.
2024-11-041h 14Two Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Season 1 episode 2 Smart Girls in the 21st Century 10 years later: The "Je Regret" EditionIn this episode of 'Two Shrinks on the Farm,' Robyn and Barb revisit their influential book 'Smart Girls in the 21st Century' ten years after its publication. They delve into the societal changes that have reshaped their perspectives, including the Me Too movement, the 2016 presidential election, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation covers the impact of racism, sizism, and evolving gender norms on the careers of notable women, debates over the 'lean in' philosophy, and the challenges faced by women in academia and corporate environments.
2024-10-2859 minTwo Shrinks on the Farm2SOTF Season 1, Episode 1Two Shrinks on the Farm: Merging Creativity and PsychologyIn 'Two Shrinks on the Farm,' hosts Dr. Robin McKay and Distinguished Professor Barb Kerr introduce a unique podcast concept that blends psychological insights with farm life experiences. The episodes explore various facets of personality and creativity, from understanding creative personalities to delving into the Big Five traits and the NEO Personality Assessment. The hosts use personal anecdotes to discuss traits such as extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness, emphasizing their roles in personal and professional growth. They also challenge societal misconceptions about creativity and...
2024-10-2157 min
I'm Awake! Now What?Dr. Robyn McKay - Human Potential Expert and Author discusses spiritual intelligence, supporting high achieving women, and healing our nervous system. Ep. 259This week I sit down with Author, Coach, and human potential expert Dr. Robyn McKay to discuss her work supporting high achieving women, cultivating spiritual intelligence, and the mental health effects of a spiritual awakening. Dr. Robyn shares a pivotal life moment that changed her path forever and how a divine calling turned into her life's work. Dr. Robyn also offers guidance for healing your nervous system, so your consciousness can have a clear run way in which to land and fly. To learn more about Dr. Robyn McKay, head over to her website and follow her on Instagram @dr.rob...
2023-09-171h 03