Merritt Benz recalls her time in Brooklyn, NY working to keep juveniles out of prison. She would take the train into the most poverty-stricken parts of the city, walk through neighborhoods decimated by crime, and into buildings full of families trying to do whatever they could to stay together. In all that, she was able to find humanity, speak truth, and project love.

Today, Benz is focused on equipping individuals, couples, kids & teens with tools to manage shame and all manner of self-doubt. She has studied with Dr. Brené Brown, the creator of The Daring Way™, a highly experiential methodology focused on developing daily practices that transform the way her clients live, love, parent, and lead.

Benz is outspoken, but in a way that isn’t brash. Though, she might love foul language more than Eric. She’s also developed quite a practice of writing nasty, often vulgar, letters to her feelings.

Find Merritt on the web at http://bedfordtherapygroup.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thebedfordtherapygroup, and on Instagram at https://www.facebook.com/thebedfordtherapygroup.

Lastly, check out the podcast, On Being, mentioned in the conversation: https://onbeing.org/programs/brene-brown-the-courage-to-be-vulnerable-jan2015/, and the piece by Mark Manson, also discussed, at https://markmanson.net/fuck-your-feelings.

Theme music by Snacky. Hear more at http://www.snackymusic.com.