Mark Groves avatar

Dexa/Mark Groves

Learn more
Published Mar 8, 2021

#138: Vanessa Bennett and Dené Logan - Cheaper Than Therapy

Hosts Vanessa Bennett and Dené Logan delve into the power of therapy and community in "Cheaper Than Therapy," discussing the need for cultural shifts in mental health, the impact of isolation, and personal evolution. They challenge traditional norms and recovery frameworks, advocating for a holistic understanding of growth and the importance of questioning systemic beliefs.
Episode Highlights
The Mark Groves Podcast logo

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Questions from this episode

Episode Highlights

  • Systemic Norms

    In examining systemic norms, and his guests, and , discuss the societal reluctance to question established beliefs. Mark highlights the paradox of being praised for questioning some medical advice while being criticized for questioning others, suggesting a fear of mortality drives this inconsistency 1. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of recognizing blind spots, which therapy can help uncover, and criticizes cancel culture for stifling growth and understanding 2. She hopes society will no longer ignore uncomfortable truths, as awareness is crucial for progress 3.

    We can't unsee this now. That is my prayer that we're sort of in a space now where we can't go back to, distracting away from what we've seen.

    ---

    Dené adds that cancel culture often leads to entrenchment of beliefs rather than change, as people feel victimized and disconnected 2.

       

    Recovery Norms

    The conversation shifts to challenging traditional recovery norms, where and his guests critique the rigid frameworks of addiction recovery like AA. Mark questions the identity imposed by such programs, arguing that labeling oneself as an addict can strip away personal power and hinder healing 4. Vanessa shares her experience with sobriety, expressing discomfort with the perpetual identification as an alcoholic, which she feels suppresses personal truth 5.

    I think a lot of this is we need to be able to question what else can be, you know, what is that so hard?

    ---

    Dené advocates for emotional maturity, which involves holding conflicting truths and questioning established beliefs, whether in politics or recovery 4.

       

    Mortality Exploration

    Exploring mortality, , Vanessa, and Dené discuss the transformative power of near-death experiences and grief. Mark suggests that contemplating mortality can lead to a deeper understanding of life's purpose, challenging long-standing spiritual beliefs 6. Vanessa reflects on the loss of a friend, which awakened her to the finite nature of life and the importance of questioning how we choose to live 6.

    How do I want to hold this time here that I think is really beautiful?

    ---

    Dené highlights the need for communal spaces to process collective pain, noting that without such outlets, unresolved emotions can manifest in harmful ways 7.

Related Episodes