Mostly Functional

Ep# 29 People Suck and Animals Are Great

From difficult clients to compassion fatigue to the heartbreak of caring deeply, we explore why humans can be exhausting, why animals often feel safer, and what it takes to stay open-hearted in a world that doesn't always make it easy. Honest, funny, and a little cheeky…because if you've ever preferred the company of animals over humans, you're definitely not alone.

Ep# 28 Don't Stop Unbelieving

In this episode we explore the beliefs we inherit, the stories we cling to, and what happens when we finally start questioning them. From body image and social media validation to burnout, grief, and even burning old bedroom furniture in a bonfire, the conversation winds through the beautifully messy process of "unbelieving." It's funny, thoughtful, vulnerable, and a little existential in the way we like to be. Because maybe freedom begins the moment we stop believing everything we were taught about who we're supposed to be.

Ep#27 The Way We Care

In this episode, we go beyond the surface of compassion and into the real experience of those who give it every day. We talk about the emotional toll of working with animals, the slow build of compassion fatigue, and why setting limits can feel so hard… even when it's necessary. Along the way, we uncover a powerful truth about the way we care for others. This is a conversation about boundaries, burnout, and the very human side of caring deeply… without losing yourself in the process.

Ep# 26 Don't Confuse Caring With Carrying

In this episode, we unpack the difference between caring deeply and carrying everything. We explore how easy it is to slip into over-responsibility, especially when the work matters so much. We talk about the pressure to do it all, the mental chatter that comes with it, and how to start separating what's actually yours from what's shared or not yours at all. This conversation is a reminder that you can care deeply without burning out, and that sometimes the most powerful shift is remembering… you get to do this.

Ep# 25 Derek in the Hot Seat

Today we celebrate 25 episodes of Mostly Functional with Julie putting Derek in the hot seat by asking him 25 questions. Some softballs, some that stump him. All in the name of being mostly functional!