Continuing the Conversation: Creating Community at Your Pace A follow-up to Ep. 22 with Paola Ortiz, LMFT 🌟 What’s New in Zessions We love our guest conversations on Zessions—and we’re not stopping those. But in this new “Continuing the Conversation” series, your co-hosts Mandi Roarke, LMFT and Sapna Srivastava, PhD are stepping back in front of the mic together. Here, we get a little more personal. We revisit past episodes, bring in themes that are sticking with us, and share openly ab...

Episode Summary Ever felt like you and your partner are stuck in a loop—each waiting for the other to go first? That’s a bind, and it shows up in relationships far more often than you might think. In this episode of Zessions, hosts Mandi Roarke, LMFT, and Dr. Sapna Srivastava sit down with returning guest Kendall Campbell, LMFT, to unpack the concept of binds—specifically intimacy binds, initiation binds, and the classic double bind. We explore: Why binds create that “trapped” or “paralyzed” ...

🎙️ Zessions Podcast: "Untangling Mother-Daughter Dynamics" Guest: Erica Thomas, LCSW – Founder of Vita Nova Mother-Daughter Coaching Mother-daughter relationships can be deeply loving, fiercely complicated, and rich with opportunity for healing — across generations. In this episode, we sit down with therapist and expert Erica Thomas to explore the core dynamics that shape these bonds over time. Whether you’re a therapist, a mom, a daughter — or all of the above — this conversation is fu...

🎙️ Zessions Episode: Let’s Talk About Talking About Sex Sex is everywhere — except in the conversations we actually have. Why is that? In this episode of Zessions, we sit down with Zessio Partner and sex therapist Jess Worthington, LMFT, to explore why talking about sex is so hard — and how we can start doing it better. From early childhood messaging to religious shame, from performance anxiety to partnership pressure, we unpack it all. Together, we explore: Why most of us were never taught h...

Dating with Intention: Becoming the Partner You Seek Episode Summary: In this lively and insightful conversation, co-hosts (and Zessio Co-Founders) Mandi Roarke, LMFT, and Dr. Sapna Srivastava welcome special guest Dr. Sarah Kyle—licensed therapist, dating coach, and co-host of the podcast Dateable AF. Together, they dive into the complexities of dating with intention, building self-awareness, and becoming "relationship ready." Drawing from both clinical expertise and real-life experiences, t...

What happens when rhythm, resonance, and psychotherapy meet on the same frequency? In episode 28 of the Zessions Podcast, we sit down with Dave Braham, MS, LMFT-S, a trauma-informed psychotherapist whose work lives at the intersection of healing, performance, and creative expression. As the founder of Sound Mind Austin, Dave is redefining how we understand and integrate sound into therapeutic work. With advanced training in EMDR, clinical hypnosis, and somatic mindfulness, Dave shares how sou...

What does it really mean to prepare for marriage or a long-term relationship? In Zessions episode 27, we explore the different phases of commitment, emphasizing that preparation isn’t tied to a specific timeline—it’s about aligning goals, values, and expectations for the future. Whether a couple is a few months in or years together, these conversations help build a strong foundation. Key Discussion Points: Defining "preparing for marriage" – It’s not just about wedding planning but abou...

In Episode 26, join Mandi Roarke, LMFT, and Dr. Sapna Srivastava, with special guest and Zessio Partner Bri Craig, LMFT, as they dive into the challenges and strategies for thriving in long-distance relationships. Highlights: Defining Long-Distance Relationships: How these dynamics apply to romantic and platonic connections.Overcoming Challenges: Communication barriers, managing expectations, and handling separation anxiety.Staying Connected: Tips for using tech, creating shared rituals, and...

On Zessions episode 25, we are joined by Zessio Partner Stacy Nakell, LCSW, to discuss her area of specialty: Skin-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (SFRBs). If you or someone you know struggles with hair pulling, skin picking, eyelash pulling, or similar behaviors, we hope this conversation offers insight and support. We dive into: 🔹 What SFRBs look and feel like 🔹 Their connection to OCD and trauma 🔹 When SFRBs become harmful and when to seek help 🔹 Treatment approaches and whether SFRBs can be ...

In Zessions episode 24, we are joined by our Partner Bianca Segura, M.A., LMFT, to talk about life after a breakup. Throughout this Zession, we hope you feel a greater sense of community through something that can typically feel isolating. With Bianca, we talk about all things breaking up - from knowing when a breakup is the right step to mourning losses in a breakup to finding yourself throughout the whole process and coming out stronger on the other side. Support the show Connect with us on...

In Episode 23 of Zessions, Co-Founders Mandi and Sapna delve into the topic of life transitions, exploring how to navigate various changes effectively. This episode offers insights into different types of life transitions, practical strategies for managing change, and personal anecdotes from Sapna and Mandi about their own significant transitional experiences. Our aim is to help you feel more at ease with the concept of life’s evolving stages, equip you with tools to adapt alongside your tran...

In this Zessions episode, we are joined by Zessio's Partner, Paola Ortiz, LMFT, to explore the concept of community and its impact on our lives. Paola delves into what it means to build a supportive network, how connections with others can aid in healing and the various ways we can engage with those around us. She also offers practical ideas for fostering a strong sense of community. If you're looking to prioritize creating a network where you feel safe, loved, and supported, this podcast is ...

In this Zessions podcast episode, our Co-Founders Mandi and Sapna discuss how they help their clients in session to have vulnerable and productive conversations in their important relationships. Throughout this Zession, we hope you’ll gain insight into what it means to be vulnerable and how to understand your own emotions to navigate the relationship with yourself and others. Through this podcast, we aim to increase understanding of the potential challenges of being vulnerable along with how ...

In Zessions Episode 20, we dive into the intricacies of addiction with friend and colleague, Kendall Campbell, LMFT. In this episode, Kendall defines what addiction is, different types of addiction, the spectrum it can fall on, and how to pinpoint if you may be struggling with an addiction. This episode may also be extremely helpful for friends and family of someone who may be experiencing addiction, as Kendall talks about how to help and guide those you love, as well as a detailed outline of...

In Zessions Episode 19, Zessio’s Co-Founders Mandi and Sapna dive into the topic of anxiety. In this episode, we invite you to explore anxiety and how it may be playing a role in your everyday life. Sapna and Mandi talk more about the definition of anxiety, the difference between stress and anxiety, why anxiety may be present in your life, and the purpose that it serves. We hope that through this Zession, you will begin to build a healthier relationship with anxiety and use it to your benefit...

In Zessions Episode 18, we are joined by Dr. Gabriela Hurtado Alvarado, Licensed Psychologist and Co-Founder of Prickly Pear Therapy and Training, to discuss trauma-informed care and suicidality. Through this Zession, you can learn about trauma, trauma-informed care, and suicidal ideations. You can also gain an understanding of how to navigate those conversations as a therapist, family member, or friend of a loved one who may be experiencing trauma and suicidal ideations. We hope that this Ze...

In Zessions Episode 17, we are joined by our Partner Kendall Campbell, LMFT to discuss grief during the holidays. In this Zession, we discuss the different types of grief one may face, supporting yourself and others through times of grief, and how therapy can be an aid in your journey through the grieving process. Through this conversation, we hope to help you find ways to support this process and encourage you to surround yourself with people who will lessen the burden of grief that you may ...

In Zessions Episode 16, we are joined by fellow therapist and Zessio Partner Zoe Thomas, LPC to unpack all things adulting! In this Zession, we discuss the ups and downs of becoming an adult, forming your own identity, being comfortable in your own skin, and more. Regardless of how far along you are in your adulting journey, if you are struggling with adulting expectations and how to cope, this Zession may help you understand how to better support yourself and others while moving through thes...

In Zessions Episode 15, we talk with our Partner Kendall Campbell, LMFT about how to navigate family and the holidays. Holidays with family can bring up mixed feelings and experiences and we hope this conversation is helpful as you prepare for the holidays. We discuss how you can consider your expectations, intentions and boundaries that you may need to set individually (or within your relationship) to help you have the "Happy Holidays" you deserve. To Connect With Kendall: www.kendallcampb...

In Zessions Episode 14, we are sitting down with fellow therapist and Zessio Partner, Christine Henry, to talk about pet loss and the process of grieving your pet. Throughout this Zession, we talk about the complexities of understanding your pet’s needs, your own needs, and how to properly deal with the grief of losing your pet. Christine explains why it’s okay to let yourself feel the emotion of grief and how losing a pet can mean so much more than just the pet itself. To hear more fro...