Nyssa uses the principles of Real Dialogue to interview her wife and co-host, Kelly, about how she found her way into psychology, chemical dependency work, acupuncture, and Zen Buddhism.

Kelly traces the breadcrumbs from Codependent No More on the back of the toilet and bedtime stories from the psych ward to Virginia Satir, Thich Nhat Hanh, her Zen teacher Lawson, and a whole-person practice that serves “the worried well.”

The conversation lands on embodying the work, experiencing life as art in service of others, and inviting listeners to follow their own signs and symbols toward growth.

Main Topics Covered:

• How a paperback left on the back of a toilet (Codependent No More) quietly redirected a 17-year-old toward a life in mental health
• The moment a music-obsessed teenager ditched a University of Miami scholarship and a possible philharmonic future to study the humanities instead
• Bedtime stories from a closed psych ward in 1970s Fort Lauderdale and how they sparked a lifelong fascination with consciousness
• Discovering Virginia Satir, family systems, and the radical idea that “the identified patient” is never the only one who needs to change
• From Maslow and Jung to 12-step work: early influences that shaped Kelly’s view of human and divine potential
• How an Intro to Religion class, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, and Autobiography of a Yogi reframed spirituality—and even the Jesus story
• The “coming out” moment as a Buddhist on retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, and what it feels like when a teaching truly “rings the bell” inside you
• Finding a Zen teacher who felt like a lost child finding their mother—and why that relationship still brings Kelly to tears
• Why Kelly believes therapists are today’s secular shamans, working at the crossroads of body, mind, and spirit
• What happens when you treat the whole person: how mind–body work helps the “worried well” change jobs, relationships, and lives

Links:

Book: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Book: Codependent, No More by Melody Beattie

Book: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

Book: The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin

Mozart Clarinet Concerto

Episode 3: https://www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep3

Episode 1: https://www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep1

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Episode Summary

In this episode, Nyssa and Kelly talk about what it means to be together as a companion to their previous conversation on being different.

They share memories of how they met, how Thai massage shaped the early days of their connection, and how each of them first encountered the idea of conscious relationship.

The conversation moves through their personal histories, key teachings from John Welwood, and the role of Real Dialogue in navigating conflict, intimacy, and growth.

Main Topics Covered

• How a Thai massage class, grief, and a post-pandemic hug-fest led to a surprising love story
• What “conscious relationship” actually means (and why both hosts made it their #1 non‑negotiable)
• The three dimensions of conscious relationship from John Welwood: evolutionary, personal, and sacred
• Why your most intimate relationships might be your deepest spiritual path
• How unresolved childhood wounds show up in partnership—and what to do when they do
• Conscious vs. unconscious relationship: projection, blame, and “cleaning up your side of the street”
• A middle‑of‑the‑night Advil incident as a perfect example of taking ownership instead of blaming your partner
• The role of dialogue as the core of communication in conscious relationships
• How to honor “being different” while staying deeply together

Links:

• Episode 2: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep2
• Ordinary Magic by John Welwood
• Love Between Equals by Polly Young-Eisendrath
• Bodhi Sangha Thai Massage School (Ariela Grodner)
• Matlock on CBS / Paramount+

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Episode Summary

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly dive into what it means to be different and why our brains are wired to treat difference as a threat. They share personal stories from childhood, band days, identity, and relationships to highlight how difference can create conflict or become a catalyst for transformation. The conversation moves from instinct to intentionality, showing how Real Dialogue helps turn conflict into a play space for learning and connection.

Main Topics Covered

• Ever felt like the “odd one out”? Discover how embracing your differences could be your superpower.
• Honest and humorous personal stories about growing up feeling “different”—and why that’s totally normal.
• Find out why noticing differences is deeply human—and how it can shape our relationships for better or worse.
• What do pickles, band kids, and list-making reveal about partnership and individuality? Tune in for some relatable surprises!
• Hear how real dialog and intentional communication turn conflict from a “minefield” into a playground for growth.
• Learn how dialog therapy helped two people navigate their unique quirks and build a strong relationship.
• Get inspired to see everyday conflicts—in family, work, or love—not as threats, but as opportunities for discovery and self-improvement.

Links:

Episode 1 of Being Different Together: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep1

Ani DiFranco’s song “IQ”: Ani DiFranco - My IQYouTube · HybridFalconOct 21, 2013

Cafe Hey (in Tampa): www.cafehey.com

Center For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady