logo
episode-header-image
Oct 30
44m 29s

ENCORE: The pursuit of endless bliss

Jake Ernst & Simon Paluck
About this episode

This Isn't Therapy... it's an *encore* episode about the pursuit of endless bliss. Many people arrive to therapy with a "fantasy goal" thinking they want to be calm, happy, and relaxed all the time. Through two #lovelylistener stories, Jake and Simon talk about how to find a realistic sense of joy, happiness, purpose, and pleasure and what we can (or should) expect from life. This episode is for those wondering why the pursuit of endless bliss doesn’t produce the feelings (and lasting results) they promise.

Read more: The Pursuit of Endless Bliss by Jake Ernst.

Don't forget, Mary: Submit a quandary, query, or question with our newest segment Asking For A Friend...

Contact: thisisnttherapypodcast@gmail.com

Creators & Guests


Hello, hi! Follow us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣
Jake Ernst: @mswjake
Simon Paluck: @directedbysimon
Episode mixed by Jordan Paluck
Up next
Nov 20
K-Pop Demon Hunters & Mushroom Mommies
<p>We're back!! This Isn't Therapy...this is a fun, flirty, fab convo about K-Pop Demon Hunters and Mushroom Mommies. Both have more therapy themes than you think…</p><p>Asking for a Friend:<br><a href="https://forms.gle/LofZNaNzGe22W7XG7">https://forms.gle/LofZNaNzGe22W7XG7</a>< ... Show More
50m 30s
Nov 6
ENCORE: Giving feedback to your therapist
This Isn't Therapy...this is an episode about some hard truths learned in therapy. Ever wonder how to give your therapist some feedback?! Or even how would my therapist react if I gave them some feedback?! Through a story posted by an anonymous reddit user, Jake and Simon examine ... Show More
43m 15s
Oct 23
ENCORE: Is therapy harming kids?
This Isn't Therapy...this is an *encore* critical look at the argument that children need less therapy, not more, and how this "mental heath culture" is stripping parents of autonomy, ultimately causing more harm than good. In this episode, Jake and Simon dive into a review (writ ... Show More
48m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
309. The psychology of parasocial relationships
Why do we form intense, one-sided bonds with people we've never met? From favourite podcasters and social media influencers to beloved fictional characters, parasocial relationships are a defining feature of modern life – but what do these seemingly non-reciprocal connections tru ... Show More
49m 31s
Jul 2024
S1, Ep 12 BITESIZE Friendship Therapy: Modern Partnerships - making the unknowns, known
Welcome back to Friendship Therapy, and our last episode of season one! This is the bitesize episode, where Emma discusses her therapeutic takeaways from her conversation with this week's guests, Victoria and Helen. Having met (and bonded over their shared love of musical theatre ... Show More
24m 3s
Jun 2024
S1, Ep 1 NEW Friendship Therapy: Yin and Yang - how complementary friendships can help us grow as individuals
Welcome to the first ever episode of Friendship Therapy, a brand new podcast where psychotherapist, author and podcaster Emma Reed Turrell looks at your friendship experiences through a therapy lens.   This week, Emma speaks to best friends for 25 years, Janine and Julia.   Descr ... Show More
38m 29s
Sep 2024
Codependency Series: Intro to Codepenecy & Self Quiz
In the first episode of The Codependency Series, Vanessa Bennett discusses the concept of codependency and explains that codependency is not limited to romantic relationships but extends to all types of relationships. She explores the connection between codependency and attachmen ... Show More
17m 24s
Sep 2024
Friendship breakups + what we wish for each other
This week we read an article from The Cut called ‘Why Are Friendship Breakups So Brutal’ and we want to talk about it. We share our perspectives on friendship breakups, why they hurt more than romantic breakups, and ghosting friends vs trying to work on the friendship. And then w ... Show More
41m 34s
Jan 2025
Influencers, Threesomes and Narcissism w/ Jenny Mollen
Jenny Mollen is the author of City of Likes, a fictional comedy about mommy influencer culture and the intensity of female friendships – especially when one of them is a narcissist. Are they obsessed with each other? Do they want to have sex with each other? And what do you do wh ... Show More
49m 38s
Nov 2024
107: Are They Avoidant, Narcissistic, or Just An A*shole? With Joe Nucci
<div>Sabrina welcomes <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joenuccitherapy/">Joe Nucci </a>to discuss dating and relationship dynamics, starting with the misconception that location is the root of dating struggles. Joe notes that while cities like New York and Colorado have distinc ... Show More
48m 33s
Jun 2025
147: Why Friendships Can Be Harder Than Romantic Relationships
<div>On this week's episode of The Sabrina Zohar, reflects on one of the most asked question about "Non-Romantic Friendship". She opens up about the complexities of platonic relationships, from the heartbreak of friendship breakups to navigating the anxiety of making new friends ... Show More
35m 20s
Dec 2024
112: Why Emotional Unavailability Feels Safe: Understanding the 'Not Enough' Wound With Vanessa Bennett
<div>Sabrina, alongside her guest <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessasbennett/">Vanessa Bennett</a>, dives deep into the complexities of the “not enough” wound and its impact on attachment styles, hyper-independence, and relationships. Vanessa, a Holistic Psychotherapist, ... Show More
58m 55s
Feb 2025
DR. JULIE: SIGNS THAT SOMEONE IS NOT A TRUE FRIEND
<p>Dr. Julie is a psychologist who started putting videos on TikTok to make information about mental health more accessible but she never dreamed her videos would become as big as they did… With an audience of over 7 million, and the biggest-selling book of 2022, she’s someone I’ ... Show More
1h 5m