Trial & Error & Error Podcast

45. Highs and Lows: Substance Use in the Modern Era

In Highs & Lows: Substance Use in the Modern Era 🎙️✨, we’re taking a clear-eyed, non-judgmental look at what “substance use” really means today. From the 1990s prescription opioid boom 💊 to the 2020s rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl ⚠️, we trace how the landscape has shifted and why the risks can look so different now. We also dig into the generational changes: why Gen Z is drinking less 🍷⬇️, why vaping is up 🚬⬆️, and how mental health awareness 🧠 and digital life 📱 are reshaping choices and behaviors. Along the way, we cover: * Definitions: use vs misuse vs substance use disorder (SUD) ✅ * What’s changing in legal, prescription, illicit, and emerging substances 🌍 * The real physical, psychological, and social risks 🧩 * Cultural shifts like “sober curious” 🥤, wellness alternatives 🌿, and new therapy research 🔬 If you or someone you know needs support, we’ve included resources below  Resources ❤️ If in immediate danger call your local emergency number: * EU 112; * Austria Ö3 Kummernummer 116 123, * Rat auf Draht (for young people) 147, * Suchthilfe Wien https://suchthilfe.wien [https://suchthilfe.wien/], * Gesundheit Österreich: Suchtberatung directory https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/sucht/suchtberatung [https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/leben/sucht/suchtberatung]; * International SAMHSA National Helpline (US) 1-800-662-HELP https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline], * FindTreatment.gov [http://findtreatment.gov/] https://findtreatment.gov [https://findtreatment.gov/], * UK FRANK https://www.talktofrank.com [https://www.talktofrank.com/] and NHS services https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support], * Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use.html [https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use.html], * Narcotics Anonymous https://www.na.org [https://www.na.org/], * Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org [https://www.aa.org/], * SMART Recovery https://www.smartrecovery.org [https://www.smartrecovery.org/]. 🔗 References * American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5 criteria for SUD) * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – overdose statistics * Monitoring the Future Study (University of Michigan) * National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) * World Health Organization (WHO) reports on substance use * Volkow, N. et al. (2021–2024). Trends in opioid and stimulant use * Twenge, J. (2017–2023). Generational behavioral research * Patrick, M. E., & Schulenberg, J. (2020). Adolescent substance trends * Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit publications

44. Toxic Habits

In this episode of Trial & Error & Error, Ale and LJ unpack the toxic habit cycle: the decision to change, the burst of momentum, the inevitable stumble, and the slow slide back to square one. You will hear why willpower is not the real solution, and how behavior change science points to a smarter path. Together, they share three practical tools to help you break autopilot patterns and rebuild habits that actually stick. In this episode: * 🔁 What the toxic habit cycle looks like, and why it keeps repeating * 🧠 Why “just try harder” rarely works, and what to do instead * 🎯 Tool 1: Clarify what you actually want, and make it concrete * 🧩 Tool 2: Find your specific breaking points, and plan for them * 🧘 Tool 3: Use mindfulness to catch habits before they take over * 💬 A chat section to reflect on your “THAT girl” fantasy, relapses, and real-life triggers 🎧 Takeaway: Try smarter, not harder, and treat habit change like a skill you can practice.

43. Should I open my relationship?

In this episode of Trial & Error & Error, LJ and Ale unpack the truth behind open relationships and consensual non-monogamy. From definitions and common relationship styles to what the research says about satisfaction, jealousy, stigma, and mental health, they lay out the potential benefits and real risks so listeners can decide what fits their values. In this episode, we cover: * 💬 What an open relationship is (and what it is not) * 🧩 Different types of consensual non-monogamy: swinging, polyamory, open relationships, and relationship anarchy * 📊 What research says about relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction * 🧠 Why jealousy still shows up, and how some couples manage it * ⚠️ Common risks: unequal desire, boundary violations, and communication breakdowns * 🧭 When opening a relationship might help, and when it can backfire * 🛠️ A science-based approach to opening a relationship with clear boundaries and check-ins ✨ Listener takeaway: Open relationships are not a shortcut to fixing problems. They tend to amplify whatever is already present, so success depends on honesty, trust, and ongoing communication. 📚 REFERENCES (ACADEMIC & MEDIA) * Rubel, A. N., & Bogaert, A. F. (2016). Consensual nonmonogamy: Psychological well-being and relationship quality. Journal of Sex Research. * Conley, T. D., et al. (2013). A critical examination of popular assumptions about the benefits and outcomes of monogamous relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Review. * Moors, A. C., et al. (2017). Stigma toward consensual non-monogamy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. * Sheff, E. (2014). The Polyamorists Next Door. * Haupert, M. L., et al. (2017). Prevalence of experiences with consensual nonmonogamous relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior. * Podcast: Multiamory Podcast (relationship science & CNM communication) * Podcast: Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin? * YouTube: Talks by relationship therapist Esther Perel on modern intimacy

42. Wedding Updates - LJ's getting MARRIED 💍

Wedding planning looks dreamy on Pinterest, but in real life it is a mix of excitement, big decisions, and a few “wait… how much?!” moments 😅💍 In this episode, LJ shares her real-time wedding update: what the engagement was like, how couples can set expectations together, and the budgeting reality check that hits fast 💸. From choosing a venue 🏛️ and navigating guest list feelings 📋, to finding the right vendors 🎶📸🍰 and adding personal touches like the dress 👗, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan a wedding while keeping the relationship at the center ❤️✨ 🌟 Key Takeaways * Get aligned early as a couple so planning feels like teamwork, not tension 🤝❤️ * Budget first, dream second because wedding costs add up quickly 💰🧾 * The venue drives everything including the date, guest count, and overall vibe 🏛️🗓️ * Guest lists are emotional so boundaries and kindness matter 📋🫶 * Pick vendors based on priorities since they shape the experience of the day 🎶📸 * Expect stress, but protect the joy by building in fun moments along the way ✨🍰 * Perfection is optional but love and intention are not 💞

41. The Philosophy of Burnout

Ever feel like you’re one slightly-too-optimistic to-do list away from spontaneously combusting? Same. In this episode, Ale and LJ take on the philosophy of burnout: why “we work less than ever” can still somehow feel like “I have 37 jobs and they all hate me.” We unpack how modern achievement culture turns us into our own boss, our own employee, and our own extremely judgmental HR department. Expect big thoughts, small jokes, and at least one spiritual attack on hustle culture. 😌🔥 ✅ Key Takeaways * Burnout is not just tiredness. It is chronic exhaustion plus cynicism and that creeping “I’m failing at life” feeling. 🫠 * Achievement culture hands you the whip. Nobody has to pressure you when your inner critic is working overtime. 🧠⚡ * Individualism can make everything transactional. Friends become “networking,” dating becomes a job interview, and vulnerability becomes a risk assessment. 🧍‍♀️📉 * Rest becomes suspicious. If your hobby does not monetize itself by Tuesday, capitalism is disappointed in you. 😭🧘 * The irony: the “freer” you are to become anything, the less free you feel while chasing an impossible perfect version of yourself. 🪞🏃 🔗 Resources Mentioned in the episode * Unsolicited Advice (YouTube) — inspiration for the episode’s philosophical framing * Byung-Chul Han — The Burnout Society (key idea: the “achievement society” and self-exploitation) Extra resources for listeners * Christina Maslach & Michael P. Leiter — research on burnout (incl. the Maslach Burnout Inventory) * World Health Organization (WHO) — “Burn-out” (ICD-11) definition and overview * Cal Newport — Slow Productivity (and related talks on sustainable work) * Emily & Amelia Nagoski — Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle * Johan Hari — Lost Connections (on disconnection, meaning, and well-being)