Bene: A Podcast of Mindful Mental Health Moments

Rediscovering Recipes & Building Community : The Mental Health Benefits of Summer Social Gatherings With Nina Westbrook

  In this episode Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist dives into how crucial the role of community in our fast-paced modern lives is. Are we losing valuable traditions and recipes in our rush? Discover how summer social gatherings like cookouts, BBQs, and field days foster a sense of belonging, reduce stress, and combat loneliness and depression. Learn the mental health benefits of these activities and how they create lasting memories and strengthen community bonds. Join us as we explore the importance of stepping outside our immediate households to build a supportive and active community. 

Should Parents Stay Together For Their Children?

Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist tackles the complex and personal decision of whether partners should stay together for the sake of their children. While the intention may be to provide a stable home, staying in an unhappy partnership can sometimes have detrimental effects on a child's health and happiness. An insightful discussion on prioritizing emotional health and well-being over staying in an unhappy situation, and how these decisions can ultimately benefit your child's long-term happiness and understanding of healthy relationships with others.

Why Prioritizing Self Care Can Make You a Better Parent

Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist expands into the crucial topic of self-care for parents and its direct impact on strengthening relationships with their children. Recognizing the importance of being in a healthy headspace to be fully present for your kids, Nina offers practical advice on how parents can prioritize self-care despite their busy lives in a way the positively impacts the relationship parents have with their child.

Tips on Growing The Parent-Child Bond During Summer Break with Nina Westbrook

Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist shares invaluable tips on how to make the most of the summer break to strengthen the relationship between you and your child. With less structured schedules and a more relaxed pace, summer offers a perfect opportunity to connect and create lasting memories. Implementing practices such as “ Talk and Listen” , Summer bucket lists and embracing down time, Nina encourages you to make this summer a time for growth and connection between you and your child.

Signs Your Relationship Needs to Be Reevaluated With Nina Westbook

In this humanistic episode Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist dissects  the complex dynamics of relationships, offering guidance on recognizing when it might be time to move on. Whether it’s a romantic relationship or a friendship, there are universal signs that can indicate it's time to re-evaluate your connection. Nina discusses the challenges of deciding whether to stay or leave a relationship, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships that serve you and addressing those that do not. While not every relationship needs to be perfectly balanced, reciprocity is key to fulfillment.

Relationship Roles: Outdated or Essential? With Nina Westbrook

Join Nina Westbrook, a relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist as she discusses the nuanced topic of establishing roles in relationships. Is defining roles an old-fashioned practice, or is it crucial for a harmonious partnership? Nina explores the importance of setting roles and responsibilities, emphasizing that while some may find this uncomfortable, it can significantly enhance relationship dynamics. Learn why clearly defined roles, adaptable over time, are key to reducing conflict and promoting a fair division of labor, and how embracing change can lead to new opportunities and growth within the relationship.

The Age Old Question: Is Love a Choice or a Feeling?

In this insightful Episode Nina Westbrook, relationship expert and licensed family and marriage therapist explores the timeless question: Is love a choice or a feeling? Dive into the complexities of romantic relationships and discover how love is both an emotion and a deliberate choice. Nina discusses the natural evolution of love from an initial spark of attraction to a sustained commitment that requires ongoing effort and intentional actions. Offering valuable tips to strengthen your connection, understanding why self-care is essential for a thriving partnership and how nurturing your well-being enhances your ability to love.

How Our Past Traumas Impact Our Current Relationships with Nina Westbrook

Nina Westbrook, relationship expert, and licensed family and marriage therapist shares her insights on the roots and impacts of unhealed trauma on adult relationships. Nina explores how these unresolved issues can lead us to choose partners who are not the best for us, driven by familiar dysfunctional patterns, low self-worth, and boundary issues. 

Unveiling Loves Illusions : Navigating Potential & Reality With Nina Westbrook

Join Nina Westbrook, relationship expert, and licensed family and marriage therapist in an eye-opening exploration of why we often fall in love with someone's potential rather than the reality before us. Delve into the phenomenon of our penchant for living in a romanticized bubble, and discover how this pattern affects relationships across all ages. Learn how true love differs from fleeting infatuation  and why respecting someone for who they are at the outset is crucial for building lasting connections. 

How to Set Boundaries with Your Freinds

Discover the “secret sauce” of everlasting friendship with Nina Westbrook, relationship expert, and licensed family and marriage therapist in this thought-provoking question: Does being a good friend mean always being accessible? Learn why speaking up for yourself is crucial for maintaining healthy friendships, and why boundaries are essential for mutual respect and emotional well-being. Gain practical tips for setting boundaries assertively and prioritizing your happiness without guilt. These tips will bring you one step closer on your health and wellness journey to living Bene.