Shows
The Happy Neurotics Podcast🎙#013 | The Trigger Is the Teacher: Learning from the Parts of You That ReactWhat actually happens when a small comment, tone of voice, or tiny frustration suddenly sets off a huge emotional response? Many people assume triggers just appear “out of nowhere,” but they're always rooted in something deeper — old wounds, past experiences, and the parts of us that learned to stay alert.In this episode of The Happy Neurotics Podcast, Dannie Reeve and Dr. Todd Berntson explore the emotional mechanics behind triggers: why they feel so intense, where they really come from, and how you can use them as tools for healing rather than sources of shame. They break down h...
2025-11-1922 min
The Happy Neurotics Podcast🎙#008 | The Missing Balance: How Masculine and Feminine Energy Shape Who We BecomeSummary:In this third instalment of our family dynamics series, Dr Todd Berntson and transformational coach Dannie Reeve explore how masculine and feminine energies influence child development — and how imbalances in our families of origin shape the adults we become.We discuss why both energies exist in all of us, the different roles they play in childhood (nurturance, safety, direction, agency), and how the absence or distortion of either energy can affect resilience, self-worth and relationships later in life. From personal reflections to clinical insights, this episode invites you to reflect on where your own masculine–feminine bala...
2025-10-1524 min
The Happy Neurotics Podcast#006 - Invisible No More: Healing Childhood Emotional Neglect Through ReparentingIn this episode of The Happy Neurotics, Dr. Todd Berntson and Dannie Reeve dive into the hidden wounds that come from growing up with emotionally disengaged caregivers. Many parents provide for their children physically but struggle to show up emotionally—often because they were never taught how to attune to their own feelings. The result? Invisible children who grow into adults wrestling with self-worth, identity, and connection.Together, Dannie and Dr. Todd explore how emotional neglect shapes attachment, value, and belonging, and why it often leads to polar opposite behaviors like people-pleasing or narcissism, overachievement or stagnation....
2025-10-0128 min
The Happy Neurotics Podcast#003: Boundaries Without Burnout: Why Saying No Is an Act of Self-RespectStruggling to set boundaries without guilt? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Happy Neurotics, therapist Dr. Todd Berntson and transformational coach Dannie Reeve unpack why 72% of adults find boundaries difficult—and what you can do about it. Learn the difference between internal vs. external boundaries, how childhood patterns affect your limits today, and why flexible boundaries are more sustainable than rigid ones. With humor, science, and deep empathy, this episode will help you start saying no without shame—and yes to yourself.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and intro quote from Brené Brown01:15...
2025-09-1027 min
The Happy Neurotics Podcast#002: The Cost of Being Nice: Why People-Pleasing Isn’t What You ThinkIs your “niceness” costing you your energy, authenticity, and self-worth? In this deep-dive episode of The Happy Neurotics, therapist Dr. Todd Berntson and Bioneuroemotion practitioner and coach Dannie Reeve explore the psychology behind people-pleasing and why it’s more than just a personality trait—it’s often a learned trauma response.They discuss how the “fawn” coping mechanism shows up in our lives, how people-pleasing can quietly erode our sense of self, and what it really takes to start saying no without guilt. You’ll learn practical tools like the power of the pause, body awareness cues, and key question...
2025-09-1029 min
The Happy Neurotics Podcast#001 - Toxic or Just Struggling? How to Tell the Difference in Your RelationshipsIn this episode of The Happy Neurotics, Dr. Todd Berntson and Dannie Reeve demystify the label "toxic relationship" and explore what actually makes a relationship functional, struggling, or truly toxic. They unpack the emotional skill sets that help couples grow together—and the patterns that keep people stuck in painful dynamics.The conversation highlights the importance of emotional accountability, the ability to repair after conflict, and the powerful (and often uncomfortable) mirror relationships hold up to us. Expect a mix of clinical insight, compassionate exploration, and empowering takeaways for anyone navigating relational difficulty.Timestamps...
2025-09-1029 min