It’s a jungle out there for functional neurotics looking for love. Dating demands you bring your best self to the table, but what truths do we disguise in our effort to make ourselves more appealing and palatable to others?

Coming up, we explore:

• What it means to be passionate and intense when men want laid back and easy going
• Going with your gut when a dynamic doesn’t feel right
• Why it feels risky to put your big-feelings on display too soon
• And why it’s alright to be an acquired taste

——

Show notes:

We love hearing from you! We’re active on Instagram @ashking & @daronlarson (find us, DM us!)

Be part of the conversation via our Instagram Channel here:

https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaBFH6hH-ALvmgB/?igsh=cHQwcDIwOWRidTZv

You can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter?X and TikTok

Or reach us via email: ash@ashking.com.au & daron@daronlarson.com

Subscribe to Daron’s Substack: https://daronlarson.substack.com/

Check out Ash’s shop (with mental health and mindfulness goodies. Heavy Mental merch and any upcoming courses or workshops): https://www.heavymental.com.au/shop

Music by @nikitakarmen

Do you routinely cut yourself off from feeling? Do you bristle at the act of having to perform a “work-friendly” version of yourself? There are many ways we compartmentalise ourselves and our emotions.

Coming up, we explore:

• The themes of Severance, and what they mean for authenticity and emotional truth
• Taking a break from the “performance of identity”
• Emotional pain avoidance and why its not a workable strategy
• And the healing power of feeling in concert with others

——

Show notes:

We love hearing from you! We’re active on Instagram @ashking & @daronlarson (find us, DM us!)

Be part of the conversation via our Instagram Channel here:

https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaBFH6hH-ALvmgB/?igsh=cHQwcDIwOWRidTZv

You can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter?X and TikTok

Or reach us via email: ash@ashking.com.au & daron@daronlarson.com

Subscribe to Daron’s Substack: https://daronlarson.substack.com/

Check out Ash’s shop (with mental health and mindfulness goodies. Heavy Mental merch and any upcoming courses or workshops): https://www.heavymental.com.au/shop

Music by @nikitakarmen

—

Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions (book by Todd Rose)

https://www.amazon.com.au/Collective-Illusions-Conformity-Complicity-Decisions/dp/0306925680

Severance (TV series directed by Ben Stiller)

The Substance (film directed by Coralie Fargeat)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Substance

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (film directed by Michel Gondry)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Sunshine_of_the_Spotless_Mind

“Emotions are like children - You don't want them driving the car, but you shouldn't stuff them in the trunk either."

Are you an expert at the sulk and serving up the silent treatment? It can be hard enough managing our own big feelings but what about when we need to let our loved ones in on our emotional chaos in a way that won’t leave them running for the hills?

In this ep, we chat about:

• Pre-gaming emotional tiffs before they blow out
• Growing out of the allure of the soulmate and having grown-up conversations
• Sharing observations, feelings and stating what we need in our relationships
• And what happens when we say what we want, but we still don’t get it

——

Show notes:

We love hearing from you! We’re active on Instagram @ashking & @daronlarson (find us, DM us!)

Be part of the conversation via our Instagram Channel here:

https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaBFH6hH-ALvmgB/?igsh=cHQwcDIwOWRidTZv

You can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter?X and TikTok

Or reach us via email: ash@ashking.com.au & daron@daronlarson.com

Subscribe to Daron’s Substack: https://daronlarson.substack.com/

Check out Ash’s shop (with mental health and mindfulness goodies. Heavy Mental merch and any upcoming courses or workshops): https://www.heavymental.com.au/shop

Music by @nikitakarmen

—

Essays In Love - Alain de Botton (Book)

Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication - Oren J. Sofer (Book)

Gottman’s Four Horsemen: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling

https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/