Why Do People Do That?

More Than Play: How Toys Connect Us With Our Identity

In this episode, we sit down with toy expert Jonathan Alexandratos to explore the profound role that toys play in our lives, far beyond childhood. From self-expression to identity formation, toys are vessels that help us explore parts of ourselves not yet fully realized.
We unpack how the evolution of toy design and accessibility has deepened our connection to play and how these small objects carry big meaning. Whether nostalgic or forward-looking, our relationship with toys reveals more about us than we might expect.
Jonathan Alexandratos is a New York City-based writer, professor, and toy scholar. They were featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary "Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids" and teach at Queensborough Community College and Sarah Lawrence College.
Order Jonathan's book, "Articulating the Action Figure: Essays on the Toys and Their Messages" on Amazon - https://amzn.to/44zh5Zr
And Jonathan's latest book "Free with Every Kids' Meal: The Cultural Impact of Fast Food Toys" on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3EtK7zb

Salute to Social Workers: The People Who Hold Society Together

Social workers are the backbone of countless communities, showing up in hospitals, schools, courtrooms, shelters, and beyond—wherever there is need, there we are. In this special episode, we celebrate the vast and vital profession of social work by speaking with dedicated professionals from across the country. From child welfare to hospice care, from policy advocacy to crisis intervention, we explore the many ways social workers create change, provide support, and uplift lives.We’ll also take a journey through the history of social work, reflecting on its roots and evolution, and honoring the legacy of those who paved the way. As Margaret Mead so powerfully said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Bios of our amazing guests:
Michelle Baeza, LMSW, has been working in the field of mental health for 16 years. She received her bachelor's in sociology from the University of Tennessee in 2008 and took some time off school to gain some experience in the field. She returned for graduate school at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work in 2012 and graduated in 2015 with her MSSW. While in graduate school, she was the president of Phi Alpha, the College of Social Work National Honor Society. After graduating, she received her LMSW in August of 2015. For the first 7 years of her career, she worked in the mental health field. She then transitioned to working with individuals that have intellectual and developmental disabilities along with a mental health disorder; she has been working in that specialty for the past 9 years. In this time, she has been working to help with the development and expansion of programs specific to working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in multiple states. Along with the development, there has been work to help to educate the community about the gaps in care and awareness of the need for services. In the past 9 years, Michelle has worked alongside the state as well as the Medicaid providers for ongoing collaboration in the development of different levels of care and identifying ongoing needs in the communities.
Elizabeth Eckhardt, PhD. In addition to being Director of the Nassau County Bar Association's Lawyer Assistance Program, Dr. Elizabeth Eckhardt has had a private psychotherapy practice for 30 years. 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/elizabeth-eckhardt-east-northport-ny/363928
https://www.nassaubar.org/lawyer-assistance-program/
 
Pamela Lowell, MSW, LICSW, has treated complex emotional trauma for almost four decades. She has served as a clinical director, consultant, and trainer for minority-operated not-for-profit agencies. She is an avid birder, watercolor artist, and award-winning author. After a kayak trip to a local osprey estuary in 2022, she began painting large watercolors of those raptors, their nests, and platforms and donating them to local nature organizations. This experience culminated with her writing My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist’s Journey toward Hope, Community, and Healing our Planet,” complete with her original watercolor sketches. Her website is http://www.pamelalowell.com and Instagram is @palwrites.
 
Mike Crum is a former Marine with a bachelor's and master's in social work and near completion of his doctorate in social work. For the last 10 years, Mike has worked in suicide prevention at a community and macro level, educating about the needs of service members and veterans. Mike's work within the Army National Guard has led to training thousands of soldiers in resilience and suicide prevention and education. Mike currently works to address protective and risk factors for the Army National Guard and informs leadership how to curb trends on topics like suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, and neglect. Mike currently lives in Florida, where he enjoys the sunshine and beach! People can connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smichaelcrum/
Heidi Hill, LCSWHeidi is a clinical social worker specializing in trauma and transgender care. She prides herself on the use of evidence-based practice with a solution-focused lens. In her 20 years of practice, she has worked in many institutions, to include community-based care, EAP, and active-duty military care. 
Adriana Dewitt, LCSW is a licensed social worker in Ohio specializing in trauma. She follows the principles of listening, believing and validating all her clients and prides herself on providing a safe and inclusive space to help people process those difficult memories and to break free from the shadows of trauma.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adriana-dewitt-middletown-oh/1334916
Nadia Cheddie, LCSW
Nadia is currently employed at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center full-time as a Utilization ReviewCoordinator and part-time at DASH as a social work therapist. Her passion is to provideservices and healing to individuals that have endured traumatic/stressful experiences throughout their lives. Nadia provides aid to individuals in crisis, working with them to attain a healthier and stronger relationship with themselves as they work towards a goal of achieving inner peace and feelings of safety. Nadia has a clinical license in social work and obtained a master’s degree in social work from Stony Brook University and a bachelor’s in psychology from SUNY Old Westbury.
Joey WardellLicensed Clinical Social Worker for the Veterans Administration and Combat Veteran. Author of "Doodey the Combat Camel" and "Hooligans-A Mental Health Journey with the 22nd Engineer Clearance Company" (Releasing later in 2025)joey.wardell@gmail.comHooligans - YouTube
Lorna Bosak is a licensed clinical social worker who has over 25 years of experience. She began her social work career as a caseworker in the foster care system and then earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is passionate about supporting children, especially those in foster care, helping them understand how their history of trauma impacts their feelings and behaviors, and teaching therapeutic parenting skills to their caregivers. Lorna's practice, DaVinci Therapy Service, is located in St. James, New York, and treats children, adolescents, and adults of all ages.  Da Vinci Therapy Services
Bobby Hamilton is a licensed clinical social worker working in the mental health field for over a decade. He's found his niche working with the LGBTQ community as well as HIV+ folks in an outpatient mental health clinic in Queens. In his free time, Bobby enjoys traveling to national parks, camping, and hiking. He can be found on LinkedIn here: http://linkedin.com/in/robert-hamilton-lcsw-a0ab063a
Erika Ortega has a B.A. in psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and received her master’s in social work from Long Island University and is a licensed social worker. Erika is currently a social worker for the Suffolk County Juvenile Court. Erika works with a diverse population, including juvenile delinquents, persons in need of supervision (PINS), and youth who have been or are at risk of being sexually exploited. Erika assisted the presiding judge in developing and implementing New York’s first juvenile trafficking court. Erika works collaboratively with the team to determine the most appropriate services for youths and their families.
Rosa L. Casquino, LCSW, is a Latinx-bilingual trauma therapist, speaker, and educator specializing in childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and complex trauma. She integrates EMDR, Parts Work, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to help survivors heal and reclaim their lives. Rosa also creates educational content on trauma recovery and mental health.
Connect with her on Instagram & Threads: @the.healing.guide.therapist and Tiktok: thehealingguidetherapist
Giuliana Caen, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 14 years of experience, specializing in childhood trauma and adolescent mental health. She is the owner of a private therapy practice and also serves part-time as a clinician within a multi-specialty medical group. Giuliana is currently in the process of establishing a nonprofit organization focused on empowering runaway youth through outreach, therapeutic support, and skill-building. Learn more at Psychology Today or follow her work on all social media platforms @foundtoflour
Christiana McPherson, LCSW, LMSW, ThB is a believer in Jesus and has been blessed to be married to her husband, Allen, since 2014. As a clinical social worker, Christiana has been practicing psychotherapy since 2016. Christiana saw a great need for therapy services to be available and provided from a biblical perspective by licensed clinicians, and in 2021, Remnant Therapy LCSW P.C. was born. Birthed out of her own experience with the need for biblical psychotherapy, Christiana and her team of licensed clinicians provide faith-integrated therapy and guidance through virtual sessions for individuals and couples who are seeking this niche.  As a love-all, serve-all space, we offer strictly clinical therapy for those not interested in faith integration.
In addition to a master’s degree in social work, Christiana holds a bachelor’s degree in practical theology with a concentration in youth counseling from Southeastern University and a project management certification from Cornell University.  During her time at Southeastern, Christiana served as a youth minister and is passionate about at-risk youth and social justice.
Outside of her private practice, Christiana provides clinical education and consultations for clinicians and other health care professionals.   For more information, please visit https://www.remnanttherapy.com or contact at 631-604-8159 remnanttherapy@gmail.com 
 

The School Refusal Crisis – What Parents, Schools, and Therapists Need to Know

School refusal has become an epidemic, skyrocketing since COVID and the rise of social media’s influence on children. As licensed clinical social workers working with families facing this challenge, we sit down with special education attorney Susan Deedy, Esq., (https://www.susandeedylaw.com/), to unpack the many reasons kids are avoiding school—and, more importantly, what can be done about it.
In this episode, we provide a roadmap for parents, educators, and therapists, covering both therapeutic approaches and legal rights. What are your child’s rights when it comes to school refusal? What should schools be doing to support students? What steps should parents take to address the issue before legal action is necessary?
Join us as we discuss how collaboration—rather than conflict—between parents, schools, and mental health professionals can help struggling children return to the classroom successfully. Don’t miss this crucial conversation 

The Science Of Gratitude: Unlocking The Healing Power of Positive Thought

Wouldn't it be great if we could actually harness happiness just from changing the way we think? Well... we actually can. There is science-based research that explains how shifting our mindset into a place of gratitude manipulates the neurotransmitters in our brains, creates new neural pathways, reduces stress hormones and creates a cognitive restructuring of how our mind works. That's right! Simply ( we know this may not feel simple) by changing our inner headlines, we do have the power to live happier and more fulfilled lives. We know this is not as easy as it sounds. There can be hurdles in the way, and this can even feel invalidating if you are going through something hard. Please join us as we get into the details of just how this all works and how to practice gratitude even in times of darkness. Let's move into gratitude together and reduce the stress, anxiety, and depression that we may be facing in our lives.

Mom Guilt: Why Do We Do This To Ourselves and How Do We Stop?

Calling all the Mommas! (Don't worry dads.. we get around to you also) Mom guilt?! What are we doing ladies? We at the "Why Do People Do That" podcast insist that we all come together to bring about change. Starting today! Join us in our heartfelt and passionate conversation about the root causes of mom guilt. We go on a journey through time and explore a deeper understanding of the definition of guilt, the societal journey of gender roles, expectations moms put on themselves and others, as well as steps we can all start taking today to bring about change. We have spent enough time torturing ourselves for no reason and it is time to start putting the oxygen mask on for our own good. Not because everyone else needs us, but simply because we are entitled to breathe! A healthier life balance and permission to exist on your own priority list starts today. Join us!
 
#momguilt #mentalhealth #mommyguilt #parenting #parentsarepeople #momprenuer

Does Time Really Heal All Wounds? The Truth About Trauma, The Importance Of Trauma Informed Care and The Power Of EMDR

People often use the phrase, "time heals all wounds." In reality, time can certainly heal many wounds, but sometimes time alone is not enough. A more accurate truth is that in time, all wounds can heal. When trauma hits, we can sometimes process through and heal naturally. The mind is resilient and miraculous and new neural pathways are forming everyday paving the way for healthy movement forward. Sometimes, however, we are stuck. Trauma is stored in the body and triggers bring us back into the reliving of past events that have not moved through us into healing on its own. In this podcast, we will have an informed discussion about what trauma is, how it is stored within the body, how it shows up, and most importanty, how to support the movement forward we desire with appropraite professional guidance.  
Join three experienced trauma informed therapists in an eye opening conversation that will help you to understand trauma in a way that fosters better understandng and the opportunity toward healing. Pauline Walfisch, LCSW, owner of group psychotherapy practice, Helping Hands Psychotherapy (HHPtherapy.com) and certified EMDR therapist joins the conversation to share brilliant insights about trauma, trauma informed care, and the amazing world of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprossesing.) 
#trauma #traumainformedcare #EMDR #therapy #PTSD

Why Are People Breaking Up On Valentine's Day? Current Trends Seen By Divorce Attorneys

Join us in this discussion with divorce mediator, Gina Pellettieri, Esq. https://ginapellettieri.com/ as she helps us unravel what trends are showing up in the world of divorce. We come together to share stories and insights around issues underlying break ups in society today. (As well as the surprising realization that Valentine's Day seems to bring on a break up surge!) Is V Day now break up with your partner day? Join us on this journey as we explore how gender roles, communication breakdowns and generational trauma all play a role in whether people are likely to stay or leave unhealthy relationships. You may also learn a little bit about divorce mediation, how it benefits your family and how that differs from traditional divorce with two battling attorneys.
#divorcemediation #divorce #breakups #relationships #valentinesday #valentinesdaybreakup #generationaltrauma

Complicated Grief: Understanding Why We Get Stuck and How To Move Through The Loss

Sometimes we get stuck in the grieving process and develop maladaptive patterns that do not serve us. Join us in our stories where we share the symptoms, blocking beliefs and unhealthy patterns that can emerge from complicated grief. From war to suicide to ealry childhood loss, we uncover several examples of what causes complicated grief, how to identify it and what to do. "Why Do People Do That" host", Stacy Pellettieri, shares her story of losing her sister at the age of 3 and Tania DuFour, trauma nurse and former podcast guest, joins the conversation to explore the very complicated and painful realities of suicide from her rral life experience.
#suicide #complicatedgrief #blockingbeliefs #grief #bereavement #siblingloss #mentalhealth

Repeating negative patterns: Why do we keep doing what doesn't serve us?

In this episode, we tackle the challenging topic of repeating cyclic negative patterns. Our guest, Tania, a trauma nurse and mother, bravely shares her story of personal growth and the lingering effects of past traumas. Despite her successes, Tania finds herself stuck in a recurring cycle—choosing relationships that fail to meet her desires, reflecting a younger version of herself repeating old habits. Together, we uncover the roots of these patterns, explore why they're so hard to break, and discuss actionable steps to rewrite them. Why do we stay stuck in cycles that no longer serve us? What can we do to move forward? Tune in for a conversation full of insight, empathy, and tools for change. If you've ever wondered why people do the things they do—especially when it seems to defy logic—this is the podcast for you. Subscribe, listen, and join us on the journey of understanding.
 
#repeatingnegativepatterns #negativecycles #suicide #trauma #traumabonding #codependency

Why Are We So Affected By Others? Unraveling Our Triggers and Improving Relationships

Have you ever wondered why the actions, words, or even the mere presence of others—whether it's your partner, a coworker, or a stranger at the store—can spark such strong emotional reactions in you? In this episode, we explore the deeply human tendency to create stories, make assumptions, assign meanings, and project our inner fears or desires onto those around us. These automatic patterns often fuel misunderstandings, disrupt our relationships, and rob us of inner peace. But what if you could understand and challenge these behaviors? Join us for an insightful discussion about how cultivating self-awareness can transform your relationships and help you navigate daily interactions with less anxiety and frustration. Let’s dive deep into the human experience and uncover the tools to take control of our narratives, strengthen our connections, and reclaim our peace of mind. #innerpeace #improvingrelationships #toxicrelationships #couplestherapy #relationships #healthyrelationships #communicationskills