The Angry Therapist Podcast

Can trauma become your superpower? In this powerful conversation, John Kim sits down with author and ghostwriter Sheree Medeiros to explore how the deepest wounds can lead to resilience, healing, and even purpose. Sheree shares her journey - growing up with an absent father, surviving sexual assault, battling illness, and ultimately discovering that her pain could be transformed into service, connection, and strength. In this episode, you’ll hear: How father wounds shape identity and relationships Sheree’s story of survival, forgiveness, and resilience The hidden connection between trauma and physical illness Why hyper-independence can be a false strength The power of vulnerability, community, and rewriting your story

Do you ever feel like an invisible script is controlling your life, dictating what you can and can't achieve? What if I told you that script was written by *you*, and you have the power to rewrite every single line? In this episode, licensed therapist - John Kim will reveal how to identify those hidden limiting beliefs and transform your narrative for good. John’s SubStack HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, John and Vanessa dive into one of their most personal conversations yet: Can you make a marriage bulletproof? What starts with a casual coffee shop chat about Costa Rica being a place where marriages “come to die” spirals into a raw, honest discussion about trust, romance, fear, and what truly keeps a relationship alive. They debate: Why moving to “paradise” can magnify relationship cracks. The difference between trusting the container of marriage vs. trusting the love itself. Realist vs. romantic mindsets in marriage and how they collide. Vulnerability, attachment styles, and what it means to truly choose someone. If you’ve ever wondered whether your relationship could survive the hardest tests or if bulletproof love even exists - this episode is for you. John’s SubStack HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas

Ever felt ganged up on in therapy? We explore how bias “leaks,” how to ask for fairness, and three tools you can also use when giving relationship advice to a friend - so you support without picking sides. Learn to hold space (not control outcomes) and keep growth honest - even when it’s messy. What you’ll learn: How “leaking bias” erodes trust - and how to name it constructively. The difference between helping and imposing (holding space vs. fixing). 3 neutrality tools you can use with friends. Why therapy is messy (and human), not math and how to keep growth on track. John’s SubStack HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, John Kim answers your most vulnerable questions about relationships - from surviving infidelity and messy breakups, to knowing when it’s time to try again (or walk away), to managing jealousy, triggers, and control. Raw, honest, and unfiltered — this is the conversation we all need about love, loss, and everything in between. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, John Kim sits down with Dr. Chris Rhodes, a nutritional biochemist and biohacking pioneer, to uncover the truth about fasting—and a revolutionary shortcut that could change everything. From the myths of intermittent fasting to the hidden benefits of extended fasts, Dr. Rhodes shares his research, self-experiments, and the breakthrough supplement MIMIO that mimics the body’s fasting state without the struggle. Whether you’re fasting-curious, already skipping meals, or simply want better energy, less bloating, and a path to longevity, this conversation is packed with science, storytelling, and real solutions. What You’ll Learn: Why most people are “fasting wrong” The real benefits that kick in after 24–36 hours without food How fasting impacts inflammation, bloating, and cellular health The science behind MIMIO: fasting without fasting Practical tips for making fasting sustainable in real life Learn more about MIMIO, HERE Follow Dr. Rhodes on TikTok, HERE Order John's new

In today’s deeply moving episode, John shares a story most therapists would never dare reveal - the client who still haunts him years later. This isn’t about clinical textbooks or success stories. It’s about the raw, unfiltered truth of what happens when therapy collides with real life, addiction, and the weight of responsibility no one prepares you for. What you’ll learn: Why peace matters more than ever in today’s noisy world The hidden trauma therapists experience alongside their clients What it feels like when a client disappears under your care Why not every therapist is “the one” who changes a client’s life How to protect your peace and boundaries, even in chaos Where do you find peace - and how do you protect it? Drop your answer in the comments. Read more chapters from John’s upcoming book HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more

From sex myths to second chances, safe choices to stuck seasons - John and Vanessa answer real listener questions from bed. You’ll hear why gendered scripts about sex don’t serve us, what really matters before getting back with an ex, how to choose the “risky” path without regret, and why feeling unmotivated can be a necessary pause - not a personal failure. What you’ll learn Can men say no to casual sex? (and why the answer matters) Exes & ego: new tracks vs. old dynamics Ditch “right vs. wrong” decisions; choose what’s honest now Motivation is overrated; integration time builds strength Links & mentions Vanessa’s book: The Motherhood Myth HERE Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes life forces you to hit reset. For me, it was losing my house. For you, it might be a breakup, a career shift, or just that nagging feeling that life is smaller than it should be. In this walk-and-talk episode from Costa Rica, I share how I’ve been redefining everything: happiness, relationships, play, even what “success” means. The truth is - growth doesn’t come from routines. It comes from curiosity, from being willing to reimagine your definitions. You’ll hear stories of: My second rebirth at 52 How living abroad reshaped my creativity and sense of play Why redefining doesn’t require moving countries—it can start with friendships, hobbies, or daily joy The hidden power of changing your environment My challenge for you: What’s one thing you can redefine this week? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, John Kim takes on your raw, unfiltered questions about love — from the heartbreak of seeing an ex with someone new, to the chaos of dating in your 40s, to navigating loneliness, trauma, and self-worth. It’s the real talk you’ve been craving: messy, honest, and maybe the perspective you need to keep moving forward. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if it’s not the big traumas that hold us back, but the tiny cracks in how we think each day? In this episode, John Kim and Vanessa unpack how we unconsciously block miracles - through catastrophizing, over-stimulation, and self-protection - and how small shifts in mindset can open the door to flow, joy, and unexpected magic. If this helped, hit subscribe for practical, no-fluff relationship tools. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Closure isn’t a door you wait to have slammed shut - it’s a bridge you build. In this episode, licensed therapist John Kim breaks the biggest “closure” myths and shows you how to move forward without an apology, a perfect explanation, or one last text. If you’ve felt stuck in relationship residue, this is your map. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “waiting for closure” keeps you stuck Acceptance over answers (and why that heals faster) How to generate closure without contact Turning an expired relationship into a stronger self Realism > idealism: healing as a process, not an event Community & service as fuel for resilience If this helped, follow the show on Spotify and share it with someone who needs it today. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co

A 30-second, playful moment sparked this episode - and a reminder: love isn’t generic. We break down how to speak love so it lands without abandoning yourself, especially when partners differ. What you’ll learn (10 takeaways): Love isn’t generic - different emotional blueprints How to avoid the “I’m giving everything, it’s still not enough” trap Building emotional safety so defenses drop Reducing resentment & energy burnout Deepening intimacy beyond the physical Faster conflict repair by making the nervous system feel safe Future-proofing with regular “What makes you feel most loved?” check-ins Co-regulation: why the right love calms insecure attachment Turning micro-moments into daily bonding rituals Why guessing breaks trust (love is a skill) Try this today: Ask your partner, “What lands for you this week?” Then do one unexpected gesture in their way of receiving love (a short note, a quick chore, five phone-free minutes together, a gentle touch, a tiny gift). If this help

In this episode, licensed therapist John Kim takes you inside his personal journey of building a new life in Costa Rica - the highs, the lows, and the unexpected lessons about presence, clarity, and decision-making. From nausea-inducing dirt roads to perfect mornings surfing in Costa Rica, John unpacks how life-changing decisions aren’t made in one big moment… but in a collection of small ones. You’ll learn: Why clarity about life, love, and career comes from moments, not constant certainty How to notice and “bank” the moments that matter when deciding whether to move abroad, who to love, or what path to take The challenges of living in Costa Rica - from unpaved roads to missing city comforts and the surprising joys that outweigh them How being present is the only way to truly capture moments (and how most of us miss them) Why life’s “yes” often comes from an accumulation of tiny affirmations rather than a single sign Join the conversation! What moments have shaped your biggest life decisio

In today’s episode, John Kim answers raw, unfiltered listener questions on the theme of breakups and divorce — the things you’d never dare ask your therapist. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, licensed therapist John Kim gets personal about the mother wound - how it quietly shapes our self-worth, love life, and sense of safety. From a surprising MDMA journey insight to stories about his Korean-American upbringing, John unpacks what it’s like to grow up without emotional warmth from mom - and how this absence leaves lasting imprints on both men and women. You’ll learn: Why the mother wound isn’t just a “women’s issue” How emotional absence can be just as impactful as physical absence The different ways the mother wound shows up in men (approval seeking, caretaking confusion, fear of intimacy) and women (perfectionism, chronic self-doubt, boundary struggles) How it fuels unhealthy patterns like codependency, attachment insecurity, and emotional projection Practical steps for healing: naming the wound without blame, reparenting yourself, rewriting old relationship scripts, and doing inner child work Join the conversation! Have you noticed the mother wound in your ow

In this episode, licensed therapist John Kim unpacks the father wound - how it silently shapes our self-worth, relationships, and ideas of masculinity. Through raw personal stories and practical, street-level insights, he explores what it means to grow up with a “ghost father” and how both men and women can begin to heal. You’ll learn:  Why the father wound exists even if your dad was “there” How it shows up differently for men and women Why emotional absence can leave deeper scars than physical absence How it becomes a blueprint for love, power, and identity Practical ways to reparent yourself and break the cycle Join the conversation! Do you think you have a father wound? How has it shown up in your relationships or self-image? Share your story with us. Like this episode? Please LIKE & FOLLOW for more unfiltered conversations on relationships, self-worth, and the work of healing. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose ap

In this episode, licensed therapists John Kim and Vanessa Bennett dive deep into healing, heartbreak, attachment styles, and codependency - all from the comfort of their bed. With real-life stories, practical insights, and the lens of depth psychology, they unpack what it really means to "heal" and why the journey is anything but linear. You’ll learn: Why “healed” is a myth - and what healing actually looks like How depth psychology helps us make meaning from pain Why breakups hurt even when you’re the one who ends it The difference between codependency and true connection How to stop chasing love and start living your own life Join the conversation! Have you struggled with anxious attachment or feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions? What does healing mean to you? Drop a comment and share your take. Like this episode? Please LIKE & FOLLOW for more unfiltered conversations on relationships, soul work, and the human experience. Resources & Links: Learn more about Vanessa HERE V

In this episode, licensed therapist John Kim unpacks jealousy through raw personal stories and powerful insights. He dives into the emotional roots of jealousy, including insecurity, fear of abandonment, and core wounds — and offers real, practical tools to navigate it with compassion and clarity.  You’ll learn: How jealousy actually protects us (until it doesn’t) The difference between healthy and toxic jealousy Why core wounds trigger jealousy more than reality does How to build trust and “jealousy-safe” relationships Join the conversation! Share your thoughts or experiences with jealousy in the comments below. How do you handle jealousy in your relationships? If you found value in this episode, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear this. For more insights on relationships, self-growth, and mental health, don’t miss upcoming episodes. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jo

Today, John shares a personal take on creativity, productivity, and the pressures they carry. He explores how AI is reshaping the creative process, the quiet power of everyday moments, and why it's worth challenging traditional ideas of success. Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump into John’s new Single. On Purpose app ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow John on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about John⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices