Episodes

Real change does not happen by forcing someone into it. In this episode of Saying What Matters, Oren Matteson and Rahsaan Nurullah talk about presence, emotional work, and what it means to create enough safety for someone to say something they have never said out loud. Oren reflects on his role as a therapist and why trying too hard to fix or solve can get in the way of being fully present. Rahsaan shares how his own healing work has shaped the way he supports others, especially when someone i...

Change often starts when something no longer feels right, even if you cannot explain why. In this episode of Saying What Matters, Oren Matteson and Rahsaan Nurullah continue their discussion about personal change, patience, and the patterns that shape how people respond to stress, relationships, and everyday life. Oren reflects on the ongoing lessons that keep showing up for him, especially around patience and the need to understand what is happening beneath the surface before forcing an outcom...

Sometimes the moment that breaks your pattern looks smaller than the problem underneath it. In this episode of Saying What Matters, Oren Matteson and Rahsaan Nurullah talk about change, values, stress, and the moments that forced them to look more closely at how they were living. Rahsaan reflects on a stressful work period in 2018, when two very different professional environments left him feeling fractured, overwhelmed, and out of alignment. Rahsaan shares how a small reaction over a pair of ...

Athletes spend countless hours developing their physical skills, but performance is also shaped by stress, confidence, relationships, motivation, and life away from the field. In this episode of the Millennium Podcast, Derek and Oren discuss how Millennium’s Athlete Wellness Program supports club, high school, college, and professional athletes. They explain why struggles with performance are not always solved by practicing more or trying harder. Sometimes the issue showing up in a game is con...

In this episode of the Millennium Podcast, Derek and Oren introduce Atlas, a new intensive mental health program developed by Millennium Counseling Center. They explain why Millennium is expanding its services to include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care. Atlas combines structured group programming with individualized support from experienced clinicians who understand that treatment does not look the same for every person. Derek and Oren also discuss the importanc...

Understanding why someone caused harm does not make the harm disappear. In the third episode of Saying What Matters, Rahsaan Nurullah reflects on reconnecting with his estranged father during a serious health crisis. After more than a decade without contact, Rahsaan chose to help him through the situation while repeatedly reminding himself to lead with compassion. During that time, Rahsaan learned more about the abuse, racism, and trauma his father had experienced. That understanding helped hi...

What happens when the approval you need from your father never comes? In the second episode of Saying What Matters, Rahsaan Nurullah opens up about growing up with a father who dominated conversations, criticized his choices, and rarely made space for him to speak. Over time, staying quiet became a way to protect himself and avoid making painful interactions last even longer. Rahsaan reflects on never hearing his father say he was proud of him, even as he succeeded in school, sports, and his c...

What happens when a father shows love but is not fully present? In the first episode of Saying What Matters, Oren Matteson and Rahsaan Nurullah talk openly about their relationships with their fathers. Oren reflects on growing up with a dad who worked hard and showed affection, but whose career often seemed to come before family. They discuss how that absence shaped Oren’s relationship with work, achievement, approval, and romantic relationships. Oren also shares what helped him speak honestly...

In this episode of the Millennium Podcast, Oren Matteson sits down with therapist Thomas Kalapurakal to explore the unique challenges men face when it comes to vulnerability, addiction, and recovery. Thomas shares his journey of working with student-athletes and how that foundation led him to focus more deeply on supporting men struggling with sexual compulsivity and addiction. Together, Oren and Thomas talk about what it means to create safe, nonjudgmental spaces for men to openly share their ...

In this episode of Athlete Wellness, Sarah Meister sits down with Alessandra “Sasa” DiPace, a newly joined therapist at Millennium Counseling Center. Together, they explore the importance of mental health breaks in sports—whether it’s a pause from training, a leave of absence, or simply taking a day to reset. Sasa shares her personal experience with burnout at the end of her athletic career, and the two dive into the challenges athletes face when considering stepping back. From fears of being p...

In this episode of the Athlete Wellness Podcast, co-hosts Lilly Wehman and Sarah Meister welcome back Ohio University soccer player and intern, Scout Murray. This time, Scout reflects on her freshman year and the often-overlooked challenges of transitioning from high school to collegiate athletics. From the shock of leaving home and adapting to a new team culture, to navigating intense competition and building resilience, Scout offers a candid look at what it’s really like to go from being a st...

In this episode of the Athlete Wellness Podcast, co-hosts Lilly Wehman and Sarah Meister sit down with Ohio University soccer player and current intern, Scout Murray, as she heads into her senior season. Scout opens up about the realities of playing at the Division I level, from navigating injuries and the fear of losing a starting spot to managing the mental toll of constant competition. The conversation explores the fine line between pushing through pain and protecting long-term health, the d...

Dr. Antonello Bonci is a world-renowned neurologist and neuroscientist helping reshape how we treat addiction, depression, anxiety, and more—without relying solely on medication. In this episode, Dr. Bonci joins co-hosts Derek Bylsma and Oren Matteson to break down the science and promise of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive brain technology now used across the globe. From clinical breakthroughs with cocaine addiction to treating treatment-resistant depression, Dr. Bonci s...

In this episode of Dating in Your 20s, Amelia and Lilly dive into a topic we often avoid but can’t escape: conflict. Most of us know our love language—but have you ever thought about your conflict language? Amelia and Lilly explore the five emerging “conflict languages” that shape how we argue, withdraw, or try to fix things in relationships. From avoiders and people pleasers to fix-it-fast responders and emotional escalators, they break down how each style shows up, why it forms, and how to be...

Join Amelia and Lilly on the Millennium Counseling Center podcast for a raw, relatable dive into dating in your 20s. This episode tackles the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, from singles events to dating apps. Amelia shares her cringeworthy experience at a Chicago singles event—complete with name tag shame and a backhanded compliment—while Lilly reflects on a nerve-wracking blind date set up by her dad. They explore why modern dating feels daunting, how rejection stings like physica...

Welcome to the Millennium Counseling Center podcast, where Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman continue the Dating in Your 20s series. In this candid episode, they dive into self-growth, asking the pivotal question: “Would you date yourself?” Through personal stories—like Lilly’s middle school “sag on Lil Day” and Amelia’s quest for external validation—they unpack how self-awareness and vulnerability shape relationships. They share five reflective questions to assess emotional openness, fears, rea...

Welcome to the Millennium Counseling Center podcast, where Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman explore dating in your 20s. Joined by counselor Hilary Rosenberg, they delve into attachment styles—anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant, and secure—and their influence on modern relationships. Hilary explains how these “blueprints” form in childhood, driving adult dating behaviors, and why social media’s quick insights can’t replace therapy’s depth. From the anxious-avoidant attraction to online dating’s...

Welcome to the Millennium Counseling Center podcast, where therapists Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman dive into the highs and lows of dating in your 20s. In this episode, they explore the “honeymoon phase” of early relationships—when excitement and infatuation (or “boyfriend sickness”) take over. They discuss balancing time with partners, friends, and family, the shift from “I” to “we” in therapy sessions, and the challenges of addressing friends who feel sidelined. With personal anecdotes, li...

In this inspiring episode of Game Changers Podcast, host Linda Martindale welcomes our very own Sarah Meister—a former Division I volleyball player and now a licensed professional counselor specializing in student-athlete mental health. Sarah shares her journey from being a multi-sport athlete in high school to leading her team at the University of Missouri to an undefeated 32-0 season and an SEC Championship title. She opens up about the mental resilience, team culture, and self-belief that dro...

Welcome to the Dating in Your 20s series, hosted by Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy from Millennium Counseling Center. This week, they’re joined by counselor Sarah Meister, who shares her journey from a tumultuous 20s in San Diego and Chicago to a grounded 30s. Together, they unpack how dating reveals insecurities, people-pleasing tendencies, and the masks we wear—especially as therapists who don’t always have it together. Sarah reflects on her shift from chasing validation to embracing authen...

Welcome to the Dating in Your 20s series, hosted by Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy from Millennium Counseling Center. This week, they’re joined by Oren Matteson, co-owner and clinical director at Millennium, who brings a seasoned male perspective to the dating conversation. Together, they dive into how societal templates, social media, and personal growth shape dating expectations in your 20s. From Oren’s reflections on past relationships to Lilly and Amelia’s current experiences, they explor...

Welcome to the Dating in Your 20s series, hosted by Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy from Millennium Counseling Center. In this episode, Lilly and Amelia shift from external relationship timelines to the internal milestones that define a romance. From saying “I love you” to meeting family or sharing vulnerabilities, they explore how these markers reflect personal values and connection, not societal checklists. Drawing from their own experiences and client insights, they emphasize communication,...

Welcome to the Athlete Wellness podcast, hosted by intern Amelia Abernathy. In this episode, Amelia sits down with Hannah Stutts, a current NFL cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans and former Mississippi State dance team captain. The two, who share a long history as sorority sisters, dive into Hannah’s journey from college dancer to pro cheerleader, exploring how she’s navigated identity, mental health, and growth beyond her athletic roles. Hannah opens up about the challenges of transitioning p...

Welcome back to the Dating in Your 20s series, hosted by Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy. In this episode, the duo explores the pressure of relationship timelines against the backdrop of Chicago’s shifting seasons. From societal expectations to personal goals, they dive into how culture, family, and media shape our views on love and milestones—whether it’s marriage, kids, or simply dating “on schedule.” Sharing stories from Alabama’s Bible Belt to Chicago’s urban sprawl, they offer reflections...