Welcome to Process the Journey with me, your host, Dr. April Watts. I’m a licensed counselor and I love the Bachelor (and the Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise), so on this podcast I combine these passions by sharing a mental health perspective on all things Bachelor Nation. Expect both fun and helpful discussions, recaps, and interviews about all things Bachelor Nation--highlighting topics relevant to mental and emotional wellness!
In this episode, Alisa Stamps, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, joins me to discuss the connection between reality TV shows like the Bachelor and the Bachelorette and eating disorders/disordered eating. This conversation came about because of Jamie's (from The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart) recent article about her experience with an eating disorder and how that has taken over her life since filming the show. Alisa shares some tips for coping with disordered eating and options for help for healing an eating disorder. Alisa has tons of experience in this area so I was very interested in what she had to say!
Here are the resources we referenced:
Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings (https://nyupress.org/9781479886753/fearing-the-black-body/)
The Bizarre and Racist History of the BMI by Your Fat Friend (https://elemental.medium.com/the-bizarre-and-racist-history-of-the-bmi-7d8dc2aa33bb)
Overeaters Anonymous: https://oa.org/ (https://oa.org/)
Eating Disorders Anonymous: https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/online-meetings/
Get in touch with Alisa:
https://www.alisastamps.com/ (https://www.alisastamps.com/)
alisastamps@gmail.com
484.416.1160
Also, I briefly discuss an exciting new offering I am launching in September 2020: a 10 week series about Intuitive Eating principles that will line up with the new season of the Bachelorette! This will be a nice, fun intro to Intuitive Eating concepts. You will get a 5 minute video each week discussing a principle and ways to watch out for it during that week's episode of the Bachelorette. We will have contests, journal prompts, and guided meditations all relating to IE principles. Email me if you're interested! april@draprilwatts.com
One more thing: Join our Facebook community to discuss this episode and all things mental health + The Bachelor! http://facebook.com/groups/processthejourney (http://facebook.com/groups/processthejourney)
16 Jul 2020
#13: Healing from Anorexia with Yoga w/Brooke Davidson, RYT
Jamie Gabrielle from The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart recently shared that she has struggled with an eating disorder since she was 14 and since the show, the eating disorder has "taken over her life". On this note, I wanted to bring a guest on that could help provide insight in this world. Brooke Davidson, RYT joins me from Cody, Wyoming to share her experience with anorexia as a teen and young adult. She shares what helped her recover and how she is living her best life now through yoga, teaching, and creative outlets. You can connect with her on Instagram @brooke_being (//instagram.com/brooke_being) or visit her website at https://brookedavidsonyoga.wixsite.com/wyoyogi (https://brookedavidsonyoga.wixsite.com/wyoyogi)! If you are struggling with an eating disorder, know there is help; please reach out to a local provider and visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org (//www.nationaleatingdisorders.org) for resources.
Joan Baldwin joins me from Maine, USA to share her heartbreaking, touching, and inspiring story through miscarriage, a stillbirth with her daughter Maeve, and her joy with her now 2 year old daughter, Vera.
We talk about:
Arie (former Bachelor) and Lauren’s recent miscarriage
Joan’s journey through miscarriage, stillbirth, IVF, and more
How Joan grieves, heals, and remembers Maeve
Importance of honoring grief and knowing it looks different for everyone
Gratitude for her 2 year old daughter, Vera
Pregnancy after loss
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Photography (https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/)
You can follow Joan on Instagram @Joancalzone (instagram.com/Joancalzone )or her jewelry line @Maeve.with.love.designs (instagram.com/maeve.with.love.designs) -- or on YouTube -- Joan & John (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR2zpUNz5TWrj1ke2NzTNQA)
We also mention the way that Joan and I met, which is via the Facebook Group Bachelor Nation for Social Justice (facebook.com/groups/bachelornationforsocialjustice)!
Please remember to share the podcast with anyone who might find it helpful and follow me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) or get in touch with me on my website, draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com).
In this episode I am joined by an almost licensed counselor and member of the Black community, Gabbi Davis. We discuss:
Current events in Bachelor Nation that pertain to racism
Hannah Brown's efforts to become more anti-racist
The news that Matt James is the new Bachelor
How racism impacts mental health
The importance of confronting racist remarks, especially in groups
Why white privilege is not inherently a bad thing
What is “red lining” and how it’s hurt Black and white people
A few examples of what it’s like to be Black in a mostly white state
Gabbi's thoughts on good vs. bad cops, as a daughter of a cop
How to be thoughtful about donations and why you shouldn’t worry about a tax write off!
Gabbi mentions Ericka Hart @ihartericka (instagram.com/ihartericka) on Instagram- they are an activist and great resource
Performative allyship vs. breaking the silence
You can get in touch with Gabbi via email at gabriellendavis@gmail.com, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gabrielle.davis.7), Twitter (https://twitter.com/GabNicDav), and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledavismph/).
Also please feel free to follow me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) and join our new Facebook community, Bachelor Nation for Social Justice (facebook.com/groups/bachelornationforsocialjustice)!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bachelornationforsocialjustice/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bachelornationforsocialjustice/)
3 Jun 2020
#10: Communication Tips for Everyone (Bachelor Contestants AND in Conversations re: Racism & Social Justice)-- w/Krysteena Stephens, LAMFT, LPC
In this episode, I am joined by a couples therapist, Krysteena Stephens, LAMFT, LPC. We discuss communication and give examples from Listen to Your Heart and from the most recent season of The Bachelor (with Peter Weber). Krysteena shares her thoughts on some of these contestants' relationships, then, she shares some "rules" of communication that she works on with basically every couple she works with:
1. One person talks at a time
2. Repeat what the other person says back to you, to ensure understanding
3. Do not punish the truth
4. Self sooth during conflict
5. Sometimes going to bed angry is okay
6. Aim for a positive feedback to negative feedback ratio of 4:1
The book Krysteena mentioned: NON VIOLENT COMMUNICATION by ROSENBERG. You can get in touch with Krysteena at Treecitywellnessid.com (treecitywellnessid.com) or on Instagram @krysteenamft (instagram.com/krysteenamft).
We also touch on the civil unrest that is going on in our country today and how these same communication rules could be applied to our current situation. I truly hope this can be helpful; I know I will be trying out some of these things personally.
You can get in touch with me at draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com) or on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts). Thank you, as always, for listening. Though we have fun on this podcast... this is important stuff.
29 May 2020
#9: Dealing with Rejection & Core Beliefs in the Bachelor Limo & Beyond -- with Lindsay Ralston, LCPC, NCC
Lindsay Ralston, LCPC, NCC joins me to discuss the heartbreaking (but relatable) statements contestants often make when exiting the show after rejection-- things like "what did I do wrong" or "I'm never good enough" (we also briefly discuss Hannah Brown's memorable exit statements when she was on Colton's season of the Bachelor!). Lindsay shares her thoughts about where these statements come from and ways she might help address these things if a client made similar statements. Lindsay is a long-time fan of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and we often discuss the show, so recording this episode felt familiar in the best way! If you'd like to follow Lindsay, find her on Instagram @andbelovedandbeloved (instagram.com/andbelovedandbeloved). And as always, you can find me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) or online at draprilwatts.com (www.draprilwatts.com) -- please remember to share the podcast with anyone who might enjoy it!
29 May 2020
#8: The Danger of Defining our Realities & Relationships with Reality TV (like The Bachelor)-- with Hannah Riley
In this episode, Hannah gives us an insight into her childhood and how much of an influence reality TV shows (like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and more) had on her ideas of relationships, sexuality, and values. She has come a long way and makes some great points that are very relatable. She also has a few ideas about how to enjoy shows like The Bachelor in a healthy way! As always, thanks for listening! Please share this with others and keep in touch with me on instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts). :)
21 May 2020
#7: Competitive Dating on the Bachelor and in Real Life-- with Kara McCutchen
On this guest episode, Kara McCutchen and I discuss the world of dating these days and how it sometimes feels like a competition, not unlike what we see in the Bachelor franchise. Kara shares her personal story of forming more intentional friendships, competition for men in the dating world, and how this all impacts her mental health. Kara used to watch the Bachelor and the Bachelorette but no longer does and you will find out why (though she's the first to admit she watches other shows that are similar!). She also offers some great tips for dealing with feelings of inadequacy when in the dating world. You can follow her on instagram (which I highly recommend to see her art and her dating stories) @idahoadventuresart (instagram.com/idahoadventuresart). And as always, please share this episode with anyone who might find it helpful, validating, or interesting-- and you can connect with me via email at processthejourney@gmail.com, on my website draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com), or via instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts).
19 May 2020
#6: What can we learn from the Bachelor during COVID 19?
A short segment about my email series, 10 Lessons we can Learn from the Bachelor During COVID-19! In this episode I share the first 5 "lessons". I hope you enjoy and always please follow me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) and check out my website to sign up for the email series at draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com).
17 May 2020
#5: Bullying in Bachelor Nation and in Our Own Lives
In this brief solo episode, I share my thoughts about bullying and cyberbullying both on the Bachelor franchise shows and off of them (fans often cyberbully contestants). I explain what bullying is, the negative side effects (there are many) of being a victim and someone who bullies, and give some suggestions for things we can try if we see bullying happening on or offline. As always, thank you for listening! Please subscribe and share this podcast with anyone who might find it interesting or helpful or fun... and follow me @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) on Instagram or draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com)!
12 May 2020
#4: Diet Culture in Bachelor Nation-- with Danielle Basye, RDN, LD
What is diet culture? Why does it matter? And how does it show up in our beloved Bachelor shows? What can we do about it? Danielle Basye, Registered Dietitian, is a wonderful guest to discuss these questions and more. To connect with Danielle, check out her website gentlynourished.net or follow her on Instagram @_gentlynourished_. The books Danielle recommended include: ANTI-DIET by Christy Harrison, INTUITIVE EATING by Evelyn Tribole, HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE by Lindo Bacon, BODY WARS by Margo Maine, THE BEAUTY MYTH by Naomi Wolf, and NOURISH by Heidi Schauster.
10 May 2020
#3: Self Compassion: For Ourselves, For Bachelor Contestants-- with Jillian Winters, LCPC
My FIRST guest on the Process the Journey podcast, Jillian Winters, LCPC. She will walk us through what self compassion is (and what it isn't) and how we can apply it to our "guilty" pleasure of the Bachelor and how "villains" like Victoria F. can use it too. If you enjoyed this episode please share with a friend and follow me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts) or visit my website at draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com). You can get in touch with Jillian at jillianwinters.com (jillianwinters.com)-- she is truly wonderful! For more info about self compassion (including research) visit s (https://self-compassion.org/)elf-compassion.org.
28 Apr 2020
#2: Jamie (Listen to Your Heart) has anxiety (as many do), so here are a bunch of tips for dealing with anxiety!
Last night in Listen to Your Heart, Jamie had a lot of anxiety about performing-- we all deal with anxiety sometimes!
What is anxiety?
LOTS of tips for managing anxiety
What to do for more support
Thanks for listening! Please share if you know of anyone who might enjoy this episode or the podcast.
Email me at processthejourney@gmail.com, find me on Instagram at @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts), or check out my website www.draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com)!
20 Apr 2020
#1: Introducing Process the Journey, a Mental Health Podcast about the Bachelor Franchise
In this introductory episode, I cover 1) who I am (Dr. April Watts, Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho), 2) my "journey" into watching the Bachelor and starting this podcast, 3) my goals/hopes for the show which can be summed up by saying I hope to talk about the Bachelor from a mental health/counseling perspective, and 4) my ideas for future episodes! Thanks for listening! Please let me know what you think: email me at processthejourney@gmail.com, find me on Instagram @draprilwatts (instagram.com/draprilwatts), or visit my website draprilwatts.com (draprilwatts.com) -- and please share this podcast with anyone you think might enjoy it or find it helpful!
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