More Exemplary
More Exemplary
Nick Bognar, MFT
More Exemplary is an ongoing quest: to determine the ways we can live our lives better and more completely. The path to contentment includes looking deep within as well as connecting with the world around you. I’m connecting with some of my favorite people from different walks of life in order to learn how they find happiness for themselves and enhance the world for others. I’m also drawing on my experience as a licensed therapist to help people figure out how to create nourishing and sustaining relationships. Step by step, discovery by discovery, join me to lead a life more exemplary.
S4E1: Burnout Patterns and What To Do With Them (with Monica Helvie)
It's hardly a secret that therapists (and other helpers) and the best, brightest, and kindest folks out there. But what about when the relentless performance and sacrifice wear us down? On this episode, Monica Helvie, LMFT, sits with me and explains the inner workings of overfunctioning caregivers that lead to exhaustion and burnout- and walks us through how she works with people to overcome these all-too-common afflictions. If you're noticing that your mental health career grind is becoming ...
Aug 1, 2024
29 min
S3E9: Stacy's Story, Part II (with Stacy Baker)
Part II of Stacy Baker's Story! Those of us who supervise (hopefully) understand that the relationship between supervisor and supervisee is as important as any clinical information we could provide. But what about when the supervisory relationship and workplace are tainted by racism and ineptitude? In this two-part episode, I interview Stacy Baker to learn about her experience working in a practice that failed her as an employee and as a clinician. People who are interested in creating a min...
Sep 13, 2023
48 min
S3E8: Stacy's Story, Part I (with Stacy Baker)
Those of us who supervise (hopefully) understand that the relationship between supervisor and supervisee is as important as any clinical information we could provide. But what about when the supervisory relationship and workplace are tainted by racism and ineptitude? In this two-part episode, I interview Stacy Baker to learn about her experience working in a practice that failed her as an employee and as a clinician. People who are interested in creating a mindful, ethical, anti-racist enviro...
Sep 8, 2023
1 hr 4 min
S3E7: Wandering and Delving with Highly Sensitive People (with Lori Cangilla)
"Highly Sensitive People", while not an official diagnosis, is a description of a group of people that have long gone ignored in our society. In the last 20 years or so, folks have started specializing in working with this group of people. Lori Cangilla was kind enough to join me and provide us with a primer on how people can do good, competent work with this group of people that might comprise as much as 50% of all therapy clients. If you have ever had someone refer to themself as an HSP and...
Aug 9, 2023
28 min
S3E6: Cartharsis! (with Phil Stark)
If you've done any amount of networking, then you've met a million therapists who say they like working with creative folks. But what does it take to do really good work with creatives? This week, I spoke with entertainment-industry-veteran-turned-therapist Phil Stark about his journey from creating to healing fellow creators. If you enjoy laughing and learning, you're going to love Phil. If you don't, then you're gonna hate him- but you should still read his book.
Aug 2, 2023
25 min
S3E5: Minefields for Those on Therapy's Front Lines (with Ben Esch)
One of the sad truths about the field of therapy is that there isn't enough positive guidance or mentorship for folks who are new to the field- and the result, often, is exploitation and/or misery. This week, Ben Esch, AMFT, sat down with me to discuss some of the pitfalls and red flags that prelicensed people might encounter in the world of therapy (as well as some of the good stuff). If you're getting started in the field and don't yet know what to look out for, I hope this will be an inval...
Jul 26, 2023
37 min
S3E4: Harry Gives 'Em the Razzle-Dazzle (with Harry Au)
Any credible therapist does their own work on their own trauma. However, few therapists have the level of self-love and vulnerability it takes to be able to look at their own role within and effects on the world around them. This week, I was lucky enough to talk to Harry Au, who candidly discusses his own healing journey. Of all the interviews I've given, this one really spoke to the heart of what More Exemplary is about- self-examination, values, love, and change.
Jul 19, 2023
36 min
S3E3: Discussing High-Demand Groups on a Low-Acuity Podcast (with Melissa Hannan)
As people become more aware of the abuses being visited by high-demand groups, the need is constantly rising for skilled clinicians who can treat trauma related to cult abuse. This week, I was treated to a highly interesting and informative talk on this topic by Melissa Hannan, who was definitely there of her own free will and not because she was an associate in my practice. You can ask her. If you're intrigued by the idea of recovering from this kind of abuse, you're going to love hear...
Jul 12, 2023
37 min
S3E2: The Blender of Tragedy (with Cynthia Greenburg-Dunlop)
Grief is one of those universal issues that virtually everyone faces- so why are clinicians so scared to work with it? This week's guest, Cynthia Greenburg-Dunlop, gives us the straight dope on her journey towards focusing on treating grief and the challenges and fulfillment she's experienced along the way. If you quail at the idea of working with grief clients, you're going to want to hear Cynthia's wise and insightful take on this issue.
Jul 5, 2023
28 min
S3E1: Finding Your True Kernel (with Djuna Osborne)
As clinicians, sometimes the road is not so clear- in a field with so many different options for theories, methods, and approaches, how does any of us become a fully-realized therapist while running a business and doing the clinical work? Djuna Osborne has done the hard work to learn about herself, and finally found an incredible modality that allows her to do the kind of work that suits her clients and makes Djuna feel fulfilled at the end of the day. If you feel like you haven't really hit ...
Jun 28, 2023
24 min
Load more