https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/ Join me On the Couch with Carly, where psychology meets real life. Think of it as sitting down with a friend who happens to be a psychologist - but I'm not your pipe-smoking, tweed-wearing stereotype. This is a safe space to talk about the things that matter: relationships, parenting pressures, setting boundaries, and why we don't have to figure it all out alone. No judgment, just honest conversations about what it means to be human in this complicated, beautiful world. Self-Improvement en Mon, 04 Nov 2019 13:45:34 +0200 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:37:48 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Carly's Couch b0a4c97f-1743-5fe7-8b56-50d1169ff335 no Carly Abramovitz podcast Weekly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p1493/logo_4812_20250910_202838_1400.jpeg https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/ Join me On the Couch with Carly, where psychology meets real life. Carly's Couch episodic Carly's Couch info@onthecouchwithcarly.com true ZA https://iono.fm/e/1667024?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1667024?v=1 O Baby WTF helps you prepare yourself—your own story, background, thoughts, feelings, dreams, and expectations. It gives you a sense of what the experience might be like and how it might differ from what you're anticipating. The course centers on matrescence, the process of becoming a mother that impacts all areas of your life. I thought it would be me plus baby, a simple equation. But it's not. When you become a mother, you become a whole new version of yourself.
Lucy Jones describes matrescence as a metamorphosis. When a caterpillar goes into a cocoon, there's a process of annihilation. If you dissected the cocoon midway, you'd find neither caterpillar nor butterfly—just a goo-like structure. During matrescence, there's a time of not being something solid, of being between forms. The version of yourself you've been all your life is no longer, but you're also not yet fully into this new mother version. You won't automatically feel solid in that role. That's completely normal.
Matrescence has the same suffix as adolescence because it's marked by similar conditions—extreme hormonal fluctuations, body changes, internal and external shifts. Your brain chemistry adapts, hormonal levels fluctuate hugely. If you think back to adolescence and how awkward and conspicuous you felt, that's what matrescence can feel like too. Partners need to understand this. If your partner is currently a goo-like structure, your role is to be the cocoon—the strong, solid, protective layer that keeps her safe.
The course covers four spheres affected by having a baby: you and your identity, you and your partner (when two becomes three), you and your community (friends and family), and you and work. For couples, I talk about dads spending as much time "on the pitch" as possible. Because mom breastfeeds, she ends up doing 90% of the effort and learns faster. There's no maternal instinct—just a steep learning curve. Anyone on duty more will be better at the tasks. We want dads involved from the start so they feel equipped and competent.
The course also includes a five-part mental health toolkit—psychological tools you can use at any moment for those WTF moments. It's set up like a workshop where you take breaks, talk with your partner, answer questions, and reflect according to your own life. Once you have access on my website, you have it for life.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 O Baby WTF: Preparing for matrescence and the transformation of becoming a parent 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 23:06 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1661138 https://iono.fm/e/1661138
Executive function is the logistics part of your brain—task initiation, completion, planning, working memory. For neurodivergent people, these struggles aren't just annoying, they're exhausting. You're expending huge energy to hold information that neurotypical brains process easily. To meet diagnostic criteria, you're struggling to the point where life becomes extremely hard, not just inconvenient. Kids notice they're different from peers. Late-diagnosed adults always knew something was off but didn't know what.

The late-diagnosed women demographic is massive right now. Girls were missed because boys manifested ADHD physically while girls internalized it.
Hormonal shifts—motherhood especially—ramp up symptoms. New mothers are getting diagnosed because their sensory world shifts, the mental load explodes, and they can't white-knuckle it anymore. They've been told they're dramatic their whole lives, but actually they were coping until they weren't. One mom screams into the freezer during hot flashes. Another realizes heat is her sensory breaking point. The advice: track when explosions happen, take yourself away before it escalates, shore up your capacity, and talk to your peers. Say "I wanted to throttle my child today" and hear "me too."

Connect with Suna Hall:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nd.coach.suna/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suna.hall/
Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/in/neurodiversity-coach-suna
Coaching circles starting 2026

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:27:00 +0200 0 0 Scaffolding neurodivergent families: A systems approach to coaching with Suna Hall 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 53:04 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1653487 https://iono.fm/e/1653487 Dillion became a father at 22 and it changed everything. He quit his first good job because he realized if he stayed, he wouldn't be living his dreams and therefore wouldn't be a good example for his son. He didn't have a present father growing up, so he made a promise to himself to always be a good dad. What surprised him most was how his kids taught him not to take things for granted—time, joy, simple experiences. They make all five kids draw every day as a discipline practice, even though he can't draw himself. They run for 30 minutes daily, watch basketball highlights together, and learn Japanese. It's about pattern-making, doing hard things, building skills.

The tension between creativity for joy versus creativity for money is real. He shows his kids the invoice from an illustrator who made a billboard so they understand the monetary value of creative work. His partner is a painter, so they see her process too—the struggle to sell, to let go, to make a living from art. He's teaching them that creativity is work like any other, but it can be sustainable and joyful. As a provider, he wishes he could be a house dad making films at home, but he's privileged that his career allows him to be present while working. He's been away for three weeks, and the kids are fine, which is both reassuring and humbling.

What stands out most is how Dillion talks about emotional regulation, accountability, and vulnerability. He went to therapy and works with life coaches because he realized triggers don't have to mean reactions—you just find ways through them. He apologizes to his kids when he's wrong. He makes them call him four times a day, not because they need it, but because time is finite and he wants them to remember he was the annoying dad who was always there. He's teaching them that just because you're angry doesn't mean the world is ending. Just because you didn't get what you wanted doesn't mean you're poor. It's all about regulation and dealing with things as they come. This generation of fathers is earning respect by being genuine, authentic, and admitting mistakes. It's revolutionary compared to the authority figures who demanded respect without question.

Connect with Dillion:
Creative Nestlings Website: https://www.creativenestlings.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/creativenestlings
Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativenestlings
X.com: https://twitter.com/creativenestlin
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativenestlings

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Fatherhood, creativity, and community building: Parenting as a creative act with Dillion Phiri 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 35:04 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1648684 https://iono.fm/e/1648684
But the DSM has pitfalls. It's inherently biased—mostly based on Western, predominantly American research and samples. In South Africa, for example, hearing voices might indicate psychosis according to the DSM, but for some cultural groups it's a sign someone is a sangoma, a traditional healer. We have to use the framework for what's useful and leave the rest. So why diagnose at all? For many people, especially women who've been told they're too sensitive or too emotional their whole lives, hearing "you're depressed" or "you have anxiety" is deeply validating. It's not you being difficult—it's a real condition that deserves treatment.

I stay away from binaries like "is this real depression or just normal life stress?" If someone is struggling and their quality of life is reduced, they deserve help whether it's a temporary hormonal thing, lack of support, or a diagnosable disorder. The question is: does the diagnosis resonate with someone's lived experience? Adult ADHD diagnosis in women is a perfect example. Women weren't diagnosed as kids because they internalized symptoms, while boys bounced off walls physically. Now women are getting diagnosed in their 30s and 40s and feeling massive relief—finally someone understands what's happening inside their minds. That's when diagnosis is most useful: when it leads to self-compassion, not pathologizing, when it helps us scaffold support systems and treatment plans, not just slap on a label.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:19:00 +0200 0 0 Diagnosis: What it means, why it matters, and when it helps 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:02 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1644149 https://iono.fm/e/1644149
Julie describes the experiences as sensory expeditions. Participants go completely offline for four nights and five days—phones, watches, and monitoring devices go into a box. No concept of time, no notifications, no responsibilities. Just presence in a harsh, beautiful landscape that requires deep attention. She's noticed something fascinating: women say yes to these experiences more easily, but men keep coming back year after year. The formula is simple—it works, so they repeat it. Men are late adopters of mental health processes, but once they experience something that helps them connect with themselves and other men in a space held by a woman, they return.

The biggest pattern Julie sees is profound disconnection. From ourselves, our partners, our work. We've created elaborate systems of distraction to stay protected and perpetuate our isolation. People ask her constantly: how do I make friends as an adult? The loneliness is pervasive, and when men's loneliness goes unaddressed, it becomes dangerous—manifesting as control, power, violence. Men don't have mentors anymore, don't have spaces to be held and nurtured. Julie's work creates that space, where lying on a hot rock or tasting coffee mindfully or breathing in the natural world brings people back to what makes us human.

Connect with Julie Robinson:
Website: https://theinventure.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinventure/

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Loneliness, leadership, and the power of wilderness: Finding connection with Julie Robinson 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 43:52 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1634999 https://iono.fm/e/1634999
I think about it like driving a kid to their first day of grade one. You wouldn't tell them kindergarten was useless. But that's how we talk to ourselves with resolutions. The road to goals isn't linear. If we've decided the old version is bad, we create constant opportunities to shame ourselves. Find phrases that feel like a supportive parent rooting for you, making it clear you don't have to prove anything to be loved. You're already worthy right now.

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Oh Baby, WTF - https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/product/oh-baby-wtf/
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Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:11:00 +0200 0 0 Setting goals without shaming yourself this New Year 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:09 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1631019?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1631019?v=1
The statistics are wild. Women weren't required to be included in clinical trials until 1990. One in ten women has endometriosis, but doctors aren't taught to ask about painful periods during routine visits. Tarryn talks about patients coming in with completely unrelated complaints, and when she asks basic questions about their menstrual cycle or perimenopause symptoms, suddenly there's this whole other picture. Women reporting crippling pain every month but thinking it's normal. Women put on antidepressants in their forties without anyone checking if it might be perimenopause first. Hormone replacement therapy that could prevent bone density loss and cardiovascular problems isn't even available in the public sector.

What landed for me is how Tarryn had to actively unlearn her male-centric medical training. She's teaching herself to treat symptoms even when biomarkers look "normal," to believe women when they say something's wrong, to actually listen instead of just checking boxes. We talked about postpartum care being basically nonexistent after six weeks, about how chewable Viagra exists while ovarian cancer gets a fraction of the research funding, about the difference between doctors who listen and doctors who don't. Her message to women: know your symptoms, don't let yourself be gaslit, seek second opinions. Your body is yours and you know it better than anyone else.

Connect with Tarryn:
The Ovarian Club - https://linktr.ee/theovarianclub
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theovarianclub/

Follow Carly on:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Sat, 27 Dec 2025 08:48:00 +0200 0 0 Endometriosis, PCOS, and menopause: Why women's pain gets ignored with Dr. Tarryn Kawalsky 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 36:24 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1626585 https://iono.fm/e/1626585
We talk about how our generation is the first to attempt egalitarian parenting, and we're doing it clumsily while the world falls apart around us. Just one generation ago, fathers weren't even expected to be in the delivery room. Terrance explains that fatherhood needs to start before you have a child by examining how you were fathered, and then gatekeepers like hospital staff, schools, and family members need policies that always include fathers. But most importantly, fathers need to talk about their experiences. It took Terrance five years of doing AfroDaddy before a dad told him he felt less alone and more empowered. The first active fathers group he joined was literally last week.

What's missing from the conversation is the why of fatherhood. Not the practical how-to stuff, but why any man would want to do this. Terrance describes coming home to an 18-month-old running into his arms shouting "dadda" as the best thing he'll ever experience. Your relationship with your child is the only relationship you get to define completely. But fatherhood is fragile, like an embryo. One criticism can make a dad step back entirely. We discuss maternal gatekeeping, the "same team" mantra he uses with his wife, and why society needs to celebrate dads stepping up without adding more labor to moms' lists. The goal is simple: make dads flex their fatherhood loudly and proudly.

Connect with Terrance:
Website: www.afrodaddyonline.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrodaddyct/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfroDaddyCT/

Follow Carly on:
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 The fragile embryo of fatherhood: Building a new generation of dads with Terrance Mentor (AfroDaddy) 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 57:17 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1619741 https://iono.fm/e/1619741
Catriona explains that sexual health is just another pillar of our wellbeing, yet it's often excluded from healthcare conversations. Clinicians don't feel comfortable talking about sex because of their own shame, so clients don't think they can bring it up. She works with people experiencing difficulties like vaginismus and anorgasmia, and the number one intervention is giving people permission. Permission to not want something, permission to want something, permission to realize there's nothing wrong with them. The factors contributing to sexual difficulties are multifactorial: strict religious or cultural messages, trauma, negative sexual experiences, relationship dynamics, parenting stress, medications, neurodiversity, and education. South Africa has a risk and safety-focused sex education curriculum rather than pleasure and consent-focused, which leaves huge gaps.

We talk about how sex is the most vulnerable space we can step into with another person. Good sex isn't about how many orgasms you have or how often you do it. Research on magnificent sex shows people talk about being present, transcendence, and expert communication. Catriona introduces the four C's of sex: connection, creativity, curiosity, and compassion. We discuss how porn is acting, how Gen Z has more terms and fluidity but still struggles with shame, and how heterosexual women find sex far more satisfying in midlife when they stop caring what their bodies look like. The cultural and social scripts we inherit get in the way of our bodies' natural wisdom about pleasure and connection.

Follow Catriona on:
Website: https://catrionaboffard.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catrionaboffard/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexologywithcatriona/?hl=en
Podcast : https://catrionaboffard.com/490-2/

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Sexual health as a missing pillar of wellbeing with Catriona Boffard 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 1:02:02 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1617835 https://iono.fm/e/1617835
I have a challenge for you. Think back through your entire life and remember what you did for play. Construction and Lego, imaginative role play, physical games, sports, social activities, dancing, reading, hiking, music. Not everything works for everyone, but what are your things? What gets your heart racing and connects you to your wants and desires? Spend time fantasizing about what you miss most, then figure out what aspects you can still fit into your daily routine, weekly schedule, or monthly calendar.

If you're a parent thinking you have no time, I understand completely. It's not all or nothing. We owe it to our children and ourselves to carve out space for play, to access those parts of ourselves that aren't responsible or in service of others' needs. You come back better, stronger, more fulfilled, and able to give more to the people in your life. As a parent, it's actually our responsibility to offer this to ourselves.

Follow Carly on:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Why adults need play in their lives 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 9:19 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1614920?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1614920?v=1 Kirsty didn’t step into this work from theory, she lived it. After postpartum depression, anxiety, and the quiet rage and overwhelm so many mothers know but rarely name, she found herself isolated and questioning whether she was meant for motherhood at all. A WhatsApp support group opened her eyes to the power and pitfalls of mom communities, and ultimately pushed her to create something new: a psychologically safe space for mothers to be seen, heard, and resourced.

We explored what mothers really need, not advice, not perfection, but belonging, shared wisdom, and someone to witness them in their becoming. Kirsty speaks candidly about resentment, the default parent load, the courage it takes to ask for help, and how brave it is simply to show up as a mother in a world that still expects us to do it all, quietly and alone.

This conversation is a reminder that mothers don’t need to earn support, they deserve it. And when women gather, reflect, and hold each other with care, they don’t just survive motherhood, they rise inside of it.

Follow Kirsty on:
Website: http://www.Kirstymelmedlifecoach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kirstymelmedlifecoach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravemamact/?hl=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kirstymelmedlifecoach/?hl=en

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 The village we build: Motherhood support and identity with Kirsty Melmed 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 52:19 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1612732 https://iono.fm/e/1612732
Many religious and cultural systems claim to be about God but aren't actually loving in their nature. They're about control, telling people how to live, who to love, what's acceptable. They use fear as an organizing principle. We're just as capable of connecting to love as we are vulnerable to having fear dominate us. Love is about acceptance and allowing, not control. Therapy is often a space where people meet themselves in an environment that accepts and allows who they are without having to contort or conform. That's love. When we feel loved, we blossom.

I see love everywhere. In the Springboks, who I believe win not just because of strategy but because Rassie Erasmus leads with love, because the players love each other and South Africa. Not in a nationalistic way, but in a way where our hearts feel warm thinking about this country and each other, even with our differences. I see love in people who've been hurt but stay open, who become loving parents despite their own wounds, who believe another love story might be around the corner. We're naturally loving creatures. We have to be taught to fear. Turn away from anyone who teaches you to live in fear instead of leading with your heart.

Follow Carly on:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Choosing love over fear in therapy and life 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 10:05 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1610422 https://iono.fm/e/1610422
Zakeeya is known for her vibrant energy on screen, but in this episode, she brings her full, unfiltered self to the couch. We spoke about how she learned to honor her intuition, navigate visibility as a woman of color in entertainment, and embrace the in-between spaces of identity, belonging, and purpose.

We traced her journey from performer to seeker, from shaping characters on stage to shaping her own inner world. Zakeeya opened up about what it means to truly listen to the body, to hold both ambition and surrender, and to let life’s transitions refine rather than define you.

What struck me most was her honesty about the cost of being “seen.” Behind the glamour lies the work of self-compassion, boundaries, and learning how to stay rooted when everything around you demands performance.

Our conversation became a meditation on wholeness, how creativity, spirituality, and mental health intersect when we allow ourselves to be real, not just remarkable.

Follow Zakeeya on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZakeeyaP/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zakeeyapatel/?hl=en

Follow Carly on:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Wholeness behind the glamour: Truth and transformation with Zakeeya Patel 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 49:31 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1608931 https://iono.fm/e/1608931
Then there's the comparison trap. My clients tell me about difficult parenting moments they feel ashamed of, and I'm sitting there thinking I would've handled that so much worse. They're describing what they consider their worst moments, and I'm realizing they're more patient and mindful than I am on a regular day. Beyond that, there's the emotional depletion. On days when I've seen lots of clients, I come home to my kids with so much less to offer them. They need emotional regulation, presence, patience, and some days I've already given all of that away.

What bothers me most is how psychology has given us just enough information about early development to use it against ourselves. We know attachment matters, we know security matters, but instead of building support systems for parents, we've just raised the stakes and made everyone more perfectionistic. Every day feels like walking a tightrope where you're either building your child's security or destroying it, and that's way too much pressure to carry alone.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:58:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Why being a psychologist makes parenting harder 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 7:52 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1602646?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1602646?v=1
The numbers tell the story. One psychiatrist for every 3.3 million people in rural public areas, sometimes none at all. Eighty percent of our population depends on public healthcare, but only 5% of the health budget goes to mental health. Claire describes sessions in rooms without locks, folders going missing, months-long waiting lists, and cases far beyond what her scope technically covers. Not because she's overreaching, but because the need is that overwhelming.

I told Claire I felt the same during my community service. We both trained as caring professionals wanting to help, then found ourselves trying to offer something meaningful in chaotic, under-resourced environments while clients dealt with ongoing trauma. We landed somewhere unexpected, though. Maybe the work isn't about having every clinical tool to fix everything. Maybe it's about being present with someone for 30 minutes who finally gets to be heard without judgment. We explored what's actually in our power versus what we have to accept as unresolvable, and why that's not the same as giving up.

Follow Claire on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-van-dyk-507aa9101/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capetowncounsellor/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTownCounsellor/

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Between privilege and poverty: Mental health inequality with Claire van Dyk 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 1:03:47 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1600855 https://iono.fm/e/1600855
I dive into why two particular emotions dominate the postpartum period but rarely get discussed: grief and shame. The grief comes from losing who you were and the life you had, which is natural and right, but completely unexpected. The shame emerges when we think struggling means we're failing as people, rather than simply learning something with an incredibly steep curve.

Drawing on the reality that babies' cries literally hijack our nervous systems by design, I explore why having supportive people around makes such a difference, and how our modern isolated parenting differs dramatically from the community-based child-rearing humans evolved for. Sometimes understanding why something feels so hard can help us be gentler with ourselves through the process.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Grief, shame, and crying babies - The emotions we don't talk about 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 9:13 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1598316 https://iono.fm/e/1598316 Sindiso shares the reality of becoming a father during COVID while his partner experienced severe postpartum depression. For two years, he took on what many would consider the "traditional maternal role" - night feeds, constant care, being the primary attachment figure. This experience challenged everything he thought he knew about fatherhood and masculinity in an African context.
We explore how his brain literally changed through this intensive caregiving, softening his art from "edgy and rigid" to more considered and gentle. Sindiso reflects on the strange looks he gets changing his son's diaper in public, the politics of vulnerable masculinity, and how becoming a father shifted his artistic focus toward children's rights and global justice issues.
This conversation touches on mental health stigma, the isolation of immigration, finding support systems, and how art became his lifeline through the chaos of early fatherhood. An honest look at modern masculinity, attachment, and the transformative power of showing up fully as a parent.

Follow Sindiso on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sindiso/?hl=en
Website: https://studioriot.com/

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 When dad becomes the primary caregiver: Fatherhood through postpartum depression with Sindiso Nyoni 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 49:04 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1595790 https://iono.fm/e/1595790 I explore clothing as a form of creative expression - like collaging with objects, colors, textures, and forms. It's a sensory and sensual experience that connects us to our material existence in this world. Fashion becomes a way to communicate identity, show which groups we belong to, and sometimes shield vulnerable parts of ourselves that don't feel safe.
I also confess to completely conforming to the psychologist stereotype of wearing lots of knitwear and cardigans. There's something about the maternal texture of knits - that cozy, warm embrace quality - that I hope translates into my therapeutic work. Sometimes embracing the superficial alongside the deep makes us more fully human.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Fashion as creative expression 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 7:38 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1593361 https://iono.fm/e/1593361
We dive deep into Amy's philosophy that motherhood should "ruin your life" - not as tragedy, but as necessary destruction that creates space for rebirth. She challenges the martyr mother narrative, explaining how this pattern serves wounds rather than children, and why the descent into darkness is as crucial as the ascent that follows. Drawing from Ayurvedic wisdom and natural cycles, Amy explains why honoring the first 40 days postpartum affects the next 40 years of a mother's life.

Amy shares her own journey through addiction, depression, and alopecia alongside becoming a mother, and how this led her to create communities centered on seeing mothers, holding space, and accessing creative life force. We explore the paradox of motherhood, the ruthlessness required for authentic selfhood, and why a world of mothers claiming their full power would be a revolution the world isn't ready for.

Follow Amy on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somaticsofspirit/
Substack: https://somaticsofspirit.substack.com/
Website: https://www.somaticsofspirit.com/

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Breaking the martyr cycle: Why mothers need community and creative fire with Amy Rogerson 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 50:55 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1590810 https://iono.fm/e/1590810
First, the body bind: We're told that if we're "too sexy," we're asking for danger and assault, but if we don't have bodies that appeal to the male gaze, we're worthless. Second, the motherhood trap: Work too much and you're abandoning your children, but staying home makes you "privileged" and taking the easy way out. Either choice leaves us feeling not enough.

I call bullshit on all of it. These are traps designed to keep us measuring ourselves against external standards instead of trusting our own sense of what's good for us. My challenge: Can you find your enoughness within yourself and give yourself permission to choose a direction without apologizing for it?

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 MICRO EP: Damned if you do, damned if you don't: The double binds women face 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 7:01 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1588505?v=1 https://iono.fm/e/1588505?v=1
Joseph Dana returns for a profound conversation about his recent piece "When But Becomes Now: The Unraveling of American Jewish Denial." After receiving a three-word email from a family member - "It's genocide now" - Joseph explores what this shift means for Jewish identity and our relationship to Zionism.

We dive deep into the manufactured equation that has dominated Jewish life for 150 years: that questioning Israel equals betraying your people. Joseph traces how Zionist leaders like Jabotinsky literally described Jews as "ugly" and "disgusting," seeking to replace Jewish identity with European nationalism. We explore Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro's argument that Zionism is fundamentally antisemitic, designed to destroy traditional Jewish life centered on Torah and mitzvot.

This conversation examines the emotional blackmail that has silenced Jewish moral voices, the way Israel claims to represent all Jews while conducting genocide, and why supporting Palestinian liberation isn't despite our Jewish values - but as their fullest expression. We discuss the financial and geopolitical interests keeping this system in place and why distinguishing Judaism from Zionism isn't academic but urgently necessary for Jewish survival.

References:
When But Becomes Now: The Unraveling of American Jewish Denial: https://josephdana.substack.com/p/when-but-becomes-now-the-unraveling
The weight of history: How Holocaust trauma shapes Jewish responses to Israel: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3E1cyYzNFTn72PP39qfOoX?si=532c15c85b7e45a7

Follow Joseph Dana
Substack: https://substack.com/@ibnezra
Website: https://www.josephdana.org/about
Twitter: https://x.com/ibnezra?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibnezra/reels/

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Judaism vs. Zionism: Why supporting Palestine IS Jewish with Joseph Dana 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 1:01:43 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1583740 https://iono.fm/e/1583740
This isn't about expensive presents - it's about intention, effort, and showing that you've been paying attention. I walk through each love language with specific examples: the art of thoughtful gifting (beyond just buying something), creating quality time experiences, meaningful acts of service, physical touch that meets her actual needs, and words of affirmation that show you truly see her contributions.
The episode includes practical tips like putting important dates in your calendar with advance alerts, understanding that preparation time is part of the gift, and why the entire day matters, not just one gesture. Essential listening for anyone who wants to show appreciation in ways that truly land.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 The art of gifting: How men can do better on special occasions 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 53:13 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1578989 https://iono.fm/e/1578989
We dive into her traumatic pregnancy and birth experience - from bed rest at 20 weeks, to gestational diabetes, to her daughter's 5-week NICU stay where she wasn't allowed to latch for 3 weeks. Mayuri courageously shares the rage, powerlessness, and institutional trauma she faced, and how she ultimately had to fight the medical system to get her healthy baby discharged.

This conversation explores the political nature of motherhood, the moral burden society places on women's bodies, and why motherhood can be the first visceral experience of oppression for many. We discuss the mammalian reality of pregnancy, the impossible standards women face, and how the fire that burns within mothers - despite systemic failures - reveals our untouchable strength.

Follow Mayuri Govender-Jonck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/may_be.hungry/
Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/in/mayuri-govender-30462b1b

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Not self-abandoning: How motherhood awakened my inner fire with Mayuri Govender-Jonck 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 1:10:20 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1574399 https://iono.fm/e/1574399
Matrescence is like adolescence - a profound metamorphosis involving massive neurological and hormonal changes. Lucy brilliantly compares it to a caterpillar in its cocoon, in that gooey phase where you're neither who you were nor who you're becoming. We understand and support teenagers through their transformation, but leave mothers to navigate an equally dramatic change alone.
I explore why this concept should be part of every birth conversation, how we've misinterpreted attachment theory to pressure mothers even more, and why keeping another human alive is actually a massive psychological task. This gets political - it's about changing how society treats the most important work we do.

Resources:
Check Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood by Lucy Jones: https://www.amazon.com/Matrescence-Childbirth-Motherhood-Lucy-Jones/dp/0593317319

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 From caterpillar to butterfly: The metamorphosis of motherhood that no one talks about 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 47:24 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1569615 https://iono.fm/e/1569615
In this episode, I break down my theory of the three types of anger. First, anger is a protective coating over vulnerable emotions, like a bodyguard when we're actually feeling small and scared. Second, boundary violation anger when our clearly expressed needs aren't met (hello, maternal rage). And third, righteous anger - that visceral response to injustice that moves us toward what's right.
This isn't about encouraging aggression. It's about reclaiming anger as valid information that deserves our attention. Your anger has meaning - let's figure out what it's trying to say.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 The 3 types of anger every therapist wants you to understand 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 41:21 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1565218 https://iono.fm/e/1565218
We explore how becoming a father created an "incredible softening" that felt like walls breaking down inside him, leading to what his co-parent described as "fathering in the way you'd have liked to have been fathered." Kunyalala explores the distinction between humility and humiliation in parenting, the importance of empathy as the foundation of co-parenting relationships, and how art can transform narratives surrounding modern fatherhood.

This conversation explores maternal gatekeeping, the significance of "time on the pitch" for fathers, and why he practices true 50/50 co-parenting—a rarity he has encountered. Essential listening for anyone interested in expanded definitions of masculinity and the creative potential of modern fatherhood.

Follow Kunyalala Ndlovu:
Website: https://www.kunyalala.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fort_rixon_gram?igsh=Y21ybGFiaW85bzZ0
Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kunyalala-ndlovu-66b77126

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Visual storytelling: Using art to reshape narratives around modern parenting with Kunyalala Ndlovu 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 56:24 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1560631 https://iono.fm/e/1560631
I share practical steps for recognizing burnout symptoms as boundary violations, the revolutionary power of pausing before saying yes, and why taking care of your own needs actually benefits everyone. I also demonstrate how over-functioning prevents others from developing their own capabilities and authentic relationships.
This episode explains why boundaries aren't selfish - they're the foundation of safety in all relationships, including the therapeutic relationship. Essential listening for anyone who struggles with guilt around self-care or feels exhausted from constantly prioritizing others' comfort over their own wellbeing.

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 Boundaries as self-care: Why saying no protects everyone 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 21:52 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1555625?v=3 https://iono.fm/e/1555625?v=3
In this thought-provoking episode, I speak with journalist and writer Joseph Dana about the nuanced relationship between Jewish identity, trauma, and Israel-Palestine. Joseph shares his personal journey from American Reform Judaism to Israeli immigration and eventual residence in Ramallah, offering unique insights as someone who has lived on both sides of the conflict.

We explore how Holocaust trauma continues to shape modern Jewish identity, creating what Joseph describes as a "continuation of the Holocaust period" rather than a post-Holocaust era. This trauma response helps explain the powerful emotional connections many diaspora Jews feel toward Israel, even as the state pursues policies that may not serve Jewish safety worldwide. Joseph challenges the Zionist notion that Israel represents "the end of Jewish history," suggesting instead that we need to reconnect with the broader Jewish historical experience.
This conversation examines identity, intergenerational trauma, and the possibility of finding common humanity across divides that often seem unbridgeable.

Resources:
Support humanitarian aid in Palestine: https://giftofthegivers.org/where-we-work/palestine/

Recommended Reading:
A eulogy for Israeli activist Ezra Nawi: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/in-memory-ezra-nawi
South African Jews and Palestine: https://newlinesmag.com/argument/south-africas-stance-on-palestine-opens-questions-about-apartheid-and-history/
The Crisis of Zionism: https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/the-crisis-of-zionism-undeterred-by-unavoidable-realities-1.439490

Follow Joseph Dana
Website: https://www.josephdana.org/about
Twitter: https://x.com/ibnezra?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibnezra/reels/

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 14 May 2025 07:08:00 +0200 0 0 The weight of history: How Holocaust trauma shapes Jewish responses to Israel 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 58:08 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1555609?v=2 https://iono.fm/e/1555609?v=2
From my therapy practice, I witness mothers performing daily acts of heroism that go unseen: handling potty training disasters with grace, soothing babies while maintaining professional conversations. These "invisible" achievements deserve celebration. The problem isn't that we're worse at mothering than previous generations - it's that we lack the chorus of voices telling us we're doing well.
This episode honors all mothers - those who struggled with infertility, NICU moms, those questioning their abilities, and everyone showing up daily for their children. Join the #MomTribe movement by acknowledging and celebrating the mothers in your lives.

Join the Movement:
Share your appreciation for a mother in your life with #MomTribe #OnTheCouchWithCarlyMomTribe

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 14 May 2025 07:05:00 +0200 0 0 Mom tribe as hype women: Celebrating the unseen work of motherhood 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 38:00 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1555601?v=2 https://iono.fm/e/1555601?v=2
Justice opens up about the reality behind the fantasy of parenthood - from the humbling experience of watching his wife's pregnancy to the intense mental load of caring for a newborn. He offers candid insights about the privilege of being a man in parenting, the challenges of balancing work with being present, and how his relationship with his daughter has influenced his creative work. His powerful perspective: "Do what feels right for you. Nothing is wrong."

Follow Justice Mukheli:
Website: https://www.justicemukheli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justicemukheli/?hl=en
Enquiries: info@chilliartprojects.com / mukheli.justice@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/10155915628663643

Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw ]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200 0 0 The art of fatherhood: Justice Mukheli on redefining masculinity 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 49:24 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1553455 https://iono.fm/e/1553455
On the Couch returns with three powerful episodes exploring fatherhood with Justice Mukheli, my solo episode on the collective experience of motherhood, and complex conversations about identity with Joseph Dana. Healing happens in relationships, not isolation.

Until May 14th, please take good care of yourself. I can't wait to be back On the Couch with you again.

Follow Carly on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/ Apple Podcasts · Spotify]]> Self-Improvement Wed, 07 May 2025 13:30:00 +0200 0 0 Back On the Couch: Meaningful conversations return May 14th, 2025 0 0 Carly Abramovitz trailer 5:33 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1505261 https://iono.fm/e/1505261 Parenting workshops]]> Self-Improvement Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:48:00 +0200 0 0 Pressures on modern parents 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 18:43 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1454241 https://iono.fm/e/1454241 Self-Improvement Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:47:00 +0200 0 0 Birth preparation: Knowing what can go wrong can be empowering 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 28:29 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1444420 https://iono.fm/e/1444420 Self-Improvement Thu, 23 May 2024 10:44:00 +0200 0 0 Making the invisible visible: How mums do more 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 51:14 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1433101 https://iono.fm/e/1433101 Self-Improvement Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:46:00 +0200 0 0 Coaching on the Couch with Carly 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 20:45 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1419075 https://iono.fm/e/1419075 Self-Improvement Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:32:00 +0200 0 0 Why Sleep Training Helped Me with Karlien Terblanche 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 46:47 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1405017 https://iono.fm/e/1405017 Self-Improvement Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:20:00 +0200 0 0 My take on infant sleep 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 22:56 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1395610 https://iono.fm/e/1395610 Self-Improvement Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:36:00 +0200 0 0 How Anxiety Tells Us What We Need 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 24:23 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1386472 https://iono.fm/e/1386472 Self-Improvement Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:20:00 +0200 0 0 Some thoughts on choosing to become a parent 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 27:51 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1372061 https://iono.fm/e/1372061 Self-Improvement Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:47:00 +0200 0 0 An intro into sibling rivalry 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 20:05 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1361449 https://iono.fm/e/1361449 Self-Improvement Tue, 19 Sep 2023 10:36:00 +0200 0 0 Meg Faure on Infant Sleep 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 30:48 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1350801 https://iono.fm/e/1350801 Self-Improvement Fri, 18 Aug 2023 08:46:00 +0200 0 0 Lessons from the Second 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 32:58 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1335971 https://iono.fm/e/1335971 Self-Improvement Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:01:00 +0200 0 0 Moms groups and advice givers 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 14:53 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1330278 https://iono.fm/e/1330278 Self-Improvement Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:06:00 +0200 0 0 Exciting new offerings On the Couch with Carly 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 21:34 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1316341 https://iono.fm/e/1316341 Self-Improvement Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:08:00 +0200 0 0 Being seen and holding complexity 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 24:38 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1310793 https://iono.fm/e/1310793 Self-Improvement Tue, 16 May 2023 12:43:00 +0200 0 0 Tools for Surviving Postpartum 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 25:48 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1305709 https://iono.fm/e/1305709 In this episode I unpack this desire for predictability and how the process of coming to terms with this is the greatest early lesson of parenthood. ]]> Self-Improvement Tue, 02 May 2023 09:52:00 +0200 0 0 Seeking Order in the Newborn Chaos 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 25:47 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1300954 https://iono.fm/e/1300954
In this episode I unpack all the reasons I understand breastfeeding to be hard and how we should be thinking about this journey or learning experience instead. ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 17 Apr 2023 10:25:00 +0200 0 0 Why Breastfeeding is Hard 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 21:40 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1289992 https://iono.fm/e/1289992 Self-Improvement Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:22:00 +0200 0 0 Back from Beyond 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 36:48 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1277179 https://iono.fm/e/1277179 Self-Improvement Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:55:00 +0200 0 0 The final stages of pregnancy 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:28 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1273283 https://iono.fm/e/1273283
I discuss the enormous benefits of slowing down and resting and provide an update on my social media hiatus and how it has affected my mental health. ]]> Self-Improvement Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:37:00 +0200 0 0 New Year, New Me (A life update) 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 30:29 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1264364 https://iono.fm/e/1264364
Support is something we need to think about and include in our birth plan but most importantly in our postpartum plan.

In this episode I talk about why support matters so much and what you can do to get the help and support you need. ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:24:00 +0200 0 0 Oh baby WTF insights - How SUPPORT is everything 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 20:42 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1262185 https://iono.fm/e/1262185 Self-Improvement Mon, 12 Dec 2022 09:26:00 +0200 0 0 Do you even know what a Doula is? 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 26:33 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1259686 https://iono.fm/e/1259686
In this episode I speak about how social media has been a lifeline at times, especially since becoming a parent.

I acknowledge the benefits of finding community and connection online but am realising that I use these tools in ways that aren't so helpful as well.

Addictions are tools for "numbing" and this time around I want to find ways of being WITH my emotional distress: loneliness, isolation, boredom, anxiety rather than escaping these parts of myself.

I am curious to find out what I will be available to me when I am no longer spending hours on my phone. What will I discover? What will I learn? What can I access?

Let me know if you want to join me on this challenge!

I also need your help. I need you to keep sharing your love for this podcast. Please subscribe, rate and review this podcast or sign up to my newsletter on my website to stay up to date with these weekly podcasts. ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 05 Dec 2022 09:40:00 +0200 0 0 A challenge and a call to action 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:09 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1257036 https://iono.fm/e/1257036
In this episode I discuss the reasons I'm offering this once-off antenatal workshop at Atlantic Children's Practice in the V&A Waterfront on 10 December 2022.

Oh baby, WTF! is a workshop that all expecting first time parents should attend. Unlike traditional antenatal courses, it REALLY prepares you for what it's like to bring home a new baby.

The focus is on the experience of becoming a parent so that you are prepared for the many ways that having a baby impacts on every sphere of your life including your identity, your relationship with your partner and your community, as well as your work/career.

You will also be provided with a toolkit for how to navigate those WTF moments with your mental health intact. ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 28 Nov 2022 09:02:00 +0200 0 0 Oh baby, WTF! Antenatal Workshop 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 23:16 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1253820 https://iono.fm/e/1253820 Self-Improvement Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:33:00 +0200 0 0 Pregnancy and Mental Health with Dr Jess Stanbridge 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 41:38 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1251217 https://iono.fm/e/1251217 Self-Improvement Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:09:00 +0200 0 0 Starting to think about birth options 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 32:53 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1248579 https://iono.fm/e/1248579 Self-Improvement Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:32:00 +0200 0 0 How Pregnancy Teaches You About Boundaries 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:53 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1245982 https://iono.fm/e/1245982 Self-Improvement Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:21:00 +0200 0 0 When Pregnancy Loss is Part of the Journey 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 33:55 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1243151 https://iono.fm/e/1243151 Self-Improvement Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:53:00 +0200 0 0 Things you shouldn't ask a pregnant person 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 22:42 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1240086 https://iono.fm/e/1240086 Self-Improvement Mon, 17 Oct 2022 20:42:00 +0200 0 0 The Fuckery of the First Trimester 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 34:06 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1237220 https://iono.fm/e/1237220 Self-Improvement Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:36:00 +0200 0 0 Season 3! And a big announcement! 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 24:25 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1218002 https://iono.fm/e/1218002 Self-Improvement Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:58:00 +0200 0 0 Learning to love our bodies with Zakeeya Patel 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 57:07 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1207521 https://iono.fm/e/1207521 Self-Improvement Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:35:00 +0200 0 0 Circle of Security with Bev Molver 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 35:33 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1196646 https://iono.fm/e/1196646 Self-Improvement Thu, 23 Jun 2022 12:26:00 +0200 0 0 A black doula shares the truth about South African birth trauma 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 36:56 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1181630 https://iono.fm/e/1181630 Self-Improvement Wed, 11 May 2022 08:49:00 +0200 0 0 Sex/Life 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 21:50 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1151443 https://iono.fm/e/1151443 Self-Improvement Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:31:00 +0200 0 0 Rethinking Fatherhood with Zach Watson 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 1:01:46 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1134663 https://iono.fm/e/1134663 Self-Improvement Tue, 07 Dec 2021 12:07:00 +0200 0 0 How our attachment style predicts who we choose as romantic partners 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 32:52 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1121615 https://iono.fm/e/1121615 Self-Improvement Tue, 02 Nov 2021 11:29:00 +0200 0 0 What you need to know if you're thinking of becoming a psychologist 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 40:14 falses On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1097066 https://iono.fm/e/1097066 Self-Improvement Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:02:00 +0200 0 0 Julia Anastasopoulos aka Suzelle aka Tali babes 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 47:48 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1081647 https://iono.fm/e/1081647 Self-Improvement Wed, 04 Aug 2021 14:47:00 +0200 0 0 Antiracism Activism with Mayuri Govender 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 52:20 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1071858 https://iono.fm/e/1071858
2020 was a huge year for The Black Lives Matter movement. After covid, it was the biggest news story and cultural phenomenon. In this episode I unpack the concept of antiracism and speak to my own journey, ending with a call to action. ]]> Self-Improvement Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:04:00 +0200 0 0 Antiracism 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 32:50 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/1065202 https://iono.fm/e/1065202 Self-Improvement Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:23:00 +0200 0 0 Living through a pandemic 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 27:46 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/894744 https://iono.fm/e/894744 Self-Improvement Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:49:00 +0200 0 0 Taboo 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 27:08 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/872513 https://iono.fm/e/872513 Self-Improvement Mon, 08 Jun 2020 11:00:00 +0200 0 0 My biggest challenge 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 25:52 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/855156 https://iono.fm/e/855156 Self-Improvement Mon, 04 May 2020 21:03:00 +0200 0 0 Self Care 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 23:09 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/849271 https://iono.fm/e/849271 Self-Improvement Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:40:00 +0200 0 0 Gratitude 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 27:16 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/839896 https://iono.fm/e/839896 Self-Improvement Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:59:00 +0200 0 0 Oh Baby, WTF! 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 28:00 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/835533 https://iono.fm/e/835533 Self-Improvement Tue, 24 Mar 2020 08:19:00 +0200 0 0 Personal disclosure 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 38:57 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/831822 https://iono.fm/e/831822 Self-Improvement Tue, 17 Mar 2020 06:19:00 +0200 0 0 Coronavirus Anxiety 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 24:43 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/828146 https://iono.fm/e/828146 Self-Improvement Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:42:00 +0200 0 0 Feelings 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 29:01 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/813914 https://iono.fm/e/813914 Self-Improvement Mon, 10 Feb 2020 22:30:00 +0200 0 0 Confidentiality 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 23:31 On the Couch with Carly https://iono.fm/e/810528 https://iono.fm/e/810528 Self-Improvement Mon, 03 Feb 2020 19:41:00 +0200 0 0 Introduction + Why do people come for therapy? 0 0 Carly Abramovitz full 31:04 On the Couch with Carly