What If Nothing’s Wrong With You?

What If Nothing's Wrong With You?
Mental Health In Chaos (Ep. 32)
(Episode recorded September 2025)
Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays discuss the core question “What if nothing is wrong with you?” in the context of todays societal chaos and fascism, especially in Washington, DC, where ICE activity and arrests are creating fear, restriction, and powerlessness. They note many clients “relapsing” into coping behaviors like food restriction, increased drinking, bingeing, and shopping, framing these as attempts to regain control or soothe, and warn that shame and self-ranking reinforce the very dynamics of white supremacy and fascism. They argue there are often no good options, encourage choosing with agency rather than conforming or rebelling, and emphasize “permission” over perfection, empathy without suffering Olympics, and supportive relationships.
00:00 Welcome and Big Question
00:58 Thunderbolts Movie Takeaways
04:34 Pop Culture and Fascism Jokes
05:26 Unicorn Girl Scam Podcast
10:28 Societal Chaos and Relapse
12:33 Life in DC Right Now
18:00 Control Soothing and Shame
21:11 Suffering Olympics and Empathy
22:39 Resisting In Groups
23:33 Empathy Without Centering
24:40 No Win Dilemma
27:09 Permission Over Perfection
28:50 Activism Without Burnout
30:03 Middle Path Agency
33:45 No Good Options
36:38 Drop The Virtue Tests
39:38 Shame Helps Fascists
41:24 Closing And Reviews

Exploring Relationship Dynamics and the Allure of Heated Rivalry | What If Nothing's Wrong With You Podcast In this episode of 'What If Nothing's Wrong With You?' hosts Paula D Atkinson and Lisa K Kays, along with their friend Nnaemeka, dive into the societal conditioning around romantic relationships, discussing the concept of relationship propaganda. They focus on the importance of positive role models such as the show 'Heated Rivalry' and its departure from traditional relationship dynamics dominated by power struggles. The hosts also touch on the universal appeal of male tenderness, the concept of 'corrective emotional experiences' through art, and their views on the fluidity of sexuality. Join them for an enlightening and humorous conversation that questions societal norms and offers new perspectives on human relationships.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:35 Relationship Propaganda and Heated Rivalry
02:19 Chitchat and Quitting Things
06:02 The Power of Music and Art
07:12 Rosalia's Album and Movie Recommendations
12:12 Relationship Propaganda and Heated Rivalry Revisited
28:05 The X-Files and Patriarchal Comedy
28:42 Obsession and Starvation Analogy
30:04 Male Tenderness and Cultural Deprivation
32:25 Therapeutic Insights and Corrective Experiences
38:50 Challenging Straightness and Sexual Categories
42:04 Heated Rivalry and Cultural Impact
44:17 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Exploring Loneliness: Understanding Its Roots and Finding Connection In this episode of 'What, if Nothing is Wrong with You,' hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K Kays, delve into the topic of loneliness. They address the male loneliness epidemic, discuss individual experiences with loneliness, and explore the societal and personal factors that contribute to this issue. The conversation touches on the importance of community, the pitfalls of modern parenting, and the impact of late-stage capitalism and white supremacy on social connection. They also recommend some books, share personal anecdotes, and offer insights into combating loneliness by building relationships with others and with oneself. 
00:00 Welcome and Introductions 
00:20 Discussing Loneliness 
01:01 Book Recommendations 
08:02 Therapy Horror Stories 
15:11 Loneliness Epidemic 
29:15 The Impact of Screens on Children's Social Lives 
29:55 Parental Fears and Overprotection 
31:55 The Loneliness Epidemic Among Adults 
32:22 The Pressure on Parents to Orchestrate Social Interactions 
36:42 The Myth of the Perfect Friend Group 
37:38 Contradictions in Social Expectations for Married Women 
41:53 The Importance of Building Social Skills in Children 
42:20 The Role of Community in Non-White Cultures 
51:10 The Need for Vulnerability in Friendships 
53:47 The Value of Imperfect Relationships 
57:47 Final Thoughts on Loneliness and Social Connections

In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?', hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K. Kays dive into the importance of apologies in our lives and therapy. Paula shares vivid details about her recent trip to Iceland, highlighting its outstanding natural beauty, culture, and how it's managed by women. The hosts also discuss why therapists and people in general should apologize more and provide insights into the implications of a good apology. They also talk about the cultural resistance to apologies, especially in a patriarchal and narcissistic society.
00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic 
00:44 Iceland Adventures and Observations 
02:18 Cultural and Social Insights from Iceland 
07:50 Book and Media Recommendations 
17:53 Therapy Horror Stories 
23:51 The Importance of Apologizing 
28:50 The Importance of Apologizing in Therapy 
29:36 Therapists and Narcissistic Culture 
31:17 Rupture and Repair in Relationships 
32:15 A Story of Apology in Couples Therapy 
33:29 The Culture of Being Right 
35:10 The Power of Apologizing and Vulnerability 
37:40 The Role of Apologies in Addressing Harm 
38:51 The Impact of Apologies on Relationships 
40:29 The Challenges of Apologizing in a Patriarchal Society 
49:49 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 
57:15 Final Thoughts on Apologies and Boundaries

Fascism and Mental Health: In this episode of 'What if Nothing's Wrong with You?' hosts Paula D. Atkinson and Lisa K Kays explore the relationship between fascism and mental illness. They delve deep into how fascism is a form of collective delusion, the inherent issues within imperialistic ideologies, and how therapy often supports these systems. The dialogue extends to encompass how individual mental health struggles are valid responses to the societal structure we live in. They also highlight the dangers of infinite loyalty to illusions and the importance of recognizing the interconnection of all humans. They also speak about taking action via apps like Five Calls and Ice Block to stay engaged in creating positive change. 

00:00 Introduction and Focus 
00:48 Middle Age Purchases and Power Washer Stories 
02:51 Adopting Dogs and Their Impact 
06:07 Indigo Girls Concert Experience 
09:32 Jeff Bezos' Wedding and Wealth 
13:01 Unreal: Behind the Scenes of Reality TV 
20:07 Therapy Horror Stories and Boundaries 
25:22 Introduction to Fascism Discussion 
25:33 Introduction to the Topic 
26:12 Defining Mental Illness and Fascism 
27:15 Fascism as a Mental Disorder 
29:11 The Delusion of Loyalty to Illusions 
32:21 The Role of Anxiety and Discomfort 
37:41 The Influence of Media and Pop Culture 
41:32 Therapists and Ethical Dilemmas 
47:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections