Therapy, Tech and Takeout

Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.

Therapy, Tech and Takeout is a health podcast hosted by Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira, with 42 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira hosts Therapy, Tech and Takeout, a health show with 42 episodes published.

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  Episode #1

  S3E01| Can You Cheat With a Chatbot? AI Relationships, Prenups & Big Tech

  Sep 3, 202626 minS3

  Can you cheat on your partner with an AI chatbot? As AI relationships become more realistic and more emotionally engaging, couples are beginning to confront questions that would have sounded strange just a few years ago. Some are even addressing AI relationships and virtual infidelity in prenuptial agreements. In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout, Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira, LCSW explore what AI intimacy means for trust, boundaries, emotional connection, and marriage. They discuss whether a relationship with a chatbot can count as cheating, how AI use can affect a couple financially and emotionally, and why conversations about technology may need to become part of how couples define the expectations of their relationship. The conversation also looks at the broader issue of tech company responsibility, including the major Meta settlement involving youth social media use and the push for stronger safeguards around addictive and potentially harmful technology. Jackie and Toni discuss: • Whether emotional intimacy with AI should be considered infidelity • Why AI relationships are beginning to appear in prenups • The impact of AI use on time, money, trust, and connection • Why couples may need clearer boundaries around AI • How curiosity can sometimes be more productive than shame • Privacy concerns when sharing personal information with AI • Whether AI companies could eventually face legal responsibility for relationship harm • Meta, youth social media use, and the limits of relying on tech companies to regulate themselves As technology becomes more capable of creating emotional attachment, the question may not simply be whether AI is “real.” The more important question may be: what happens when the relationship with the technology feels real to the person using it? Preorder Toni’s book: Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brain https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Follow Therapy, Tech & Takeout for conversations about mental health, technology, relationships, and how emerging tech is changing the way we live and connect.

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  Episode #27

  S2E27| Can AI Help Trauma Survivors Find Their Voice?

  Aug 20, 202638 minS2

  Can AI Support Trauma Healing Without Replacing Human Connection? Can artificial intelligence help trauma survivors practice difficult conversations, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills without replacing therapists, coaches, or real human relationships? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , Toni Teixeira and Jackie Toale talk with Coach Rachel Grant and Padmaja Suren , founder of Canopy Care Academy, about the intersection of trauma healing, AI, privacy, and survivor-centered technology. Padmaja shares how her own experience as a sexual trauma survivor inspired her to explore AI as a practice partner rather than a therapist. The idea is to give survivors a safer place to rehearse difficult conversations, practice interpersonal skills, and build confidence before taking those skills into real-world relationships. Coach Rachel explains how this kind of tool can complement therapy and coaching by helping clients continue practicing between sessions while still keeping human connection, professional guidance, and community at the center of healing. The conversation also explores: Why trauma can make it difficult to speak up even when you know what you want to say How AI can help people rehearse challenging conversations Why AI should be a tool rather than a substitute for therapy What Rachel and Padmaja learned from their pilot program Why Canopy Care limits AI practice sessions Privacy and security concerns when people share sensitive information with AI The importance of survivor choice and agency The role of community in trauma recovery The potential for virtual reality in nervous-system regulation and skill building Padmaja’s TIGRESS framework: Trauma-Informed, Gender Responsive, Emotionally Safe and Secure Canopy Care Academy is accepting applications for a selected founding cohort of 25 coaches and clinicians . The program begins with a 90-minute intake to determine fit. Applications close September 15, 2026. Apply: https://www.canopycareacademy.com/apply Canopy Care is also inviting Founding Sponsors and Founding Ambassadors to support the project and amplify its mission. Newsletter & product updates: https://canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/contact Meet the team: http://www.canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/team Our Journey: https://canopycare.maithrimetaverse.com/our-journey Email: spadmaja@maithrimetaverse.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/padysuren Featured in Survivor Magazine / South Asian SOAR: https://www.southasiansoar.org/sanctuaries Preorder Toni Teixeira's book, Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone : https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores how technology is shaping mental health and what that means for how we live, connect, work, and care for ourselves. Canopy Care Academy Founding ProgramLearn More About Canopy Care AcademyConnect With Padmaja SurenToni's Book

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  Episode #26

  S2E26| When Tracking Your Sleep Keeps You Awake

  Aug 13, 202631 minS2

  Can tracking your sleep actually make it harder to sleep? In this episode of Therapy, Tech & Takeout , therapist Toni Teixeira, LCSW, and entrepreneur Jackie Toale explore orthosomnia , a term used to describe becoming overly focused on sleep data from smartwatches, fitness trackers, and sleep apps. Toni and Jackie both share how quickly sleep tracking became part of their own routines, from checking sleep scores first thing in the morning to thinking about when to charge a watch so they would not miss valuable data. That leads to a bigger question: Are we using sleep data to improve our health, or are we simply trying to improve the number? They discuss the limits of wearable sleep data, why sleep stages may not be as precise as they appear, and what happens when your device says you slept well but your body tells you otherwise. Toni also explains how anxiety can become intertwined with sleep, why simply telling someone to stop tracking may not be the best solution, and how changing your relationship with sleep can sometimes be more helpful than trying to control it. Plus, Toni shares a simple visualization technique she uses to fall asleep, Jackie talks about the sleep strategies that work for her, and they discuss why sleep hygiene, routines, flexibility, and self-compassion still matter. In this episode: What orthosomnia means When sleep tracking becomes sleep anxiety The difference between improving sleep and improving a sleep score Why wearable data needs context How trackers can subtly change our behavior Why anxiety can make insomnia worse Sleep hygiene and bedtime routines Toni’s simple mental trick for falling asleep How stress, caregiving, travel, and life changes disrupt sleep When it may be time to talk with a healthcare professional Read the article discussed in this episode: Sleep Foundation: Orthosomnia https://www.sleepfoundation.org/orthosomnia Preorder Toni’s book: Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone’s Brain https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ Therapy, Tech & Takeout explores how technology is shaping mental health and what it means for how we live, connect, work, and care for ourselves. Hosted by Toni Teixeira, LCSW, and Jackie Toale.

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  Episode #24

  S2E24| We've Been Blaming Screens... What If We Were Wrong?

  Jul 16, 202631 minS2

  Have we been blaming screens for rising anxiety when the real problem is something else entirely? A new study suggests that perfectionism—not screen time—may be one of the biggest drivers of anxiety in young people. In this episode, Toni and Jackie explore why perfectionism has increased over the past several decades, how economic pressures and social expectations fuel it, and why technology may be amplifying a problem that was already growing. They discuss the difference between healthy ambition and unhealthy perfectionism, why fear of failure can keep us from trying new things, and how parents can help children develop resilience instead of impossible standards. Along the way, they share personal stories about school, achievement, and learning to embrace the process rather than chasing perfection. Whether you're raising children, navigating your own perfectionist tendencies, or simply wondering why anxiety seems more common than ever, this conversation offers practical insights and a hopeful perspective. In this episode: Why researchers say perfectionism may be driving today's anxiety epidemic How social media reinforces impossible expectations The role economic pressure plays in mental health Healthy achievement vs. perfectionism Why resilience requires failure Helicopter parents, lawnmower parents, and helping kids thrive Finding joy in hobbies without turning them into side hustles Resources Mentioned: 📖 Pre-order Toni Teixeira's upcoming book: Easy Somatic Exercises for Everyone's Brain https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation. We'd also love it if you'd leave us a rating or review—it helps more people discover Therapy, Tech & Takeout .

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  Episode #23

  S2E23| Summer Tech News You Shouldn’t Miss : Gen Z’s Tech Backlash, Shark Tank Science & Apple’s Motion Sickness Fix

  Jul 9, 202632 minS2

  This week, we’re trying something a little different with a Summer Tech News Roundup —three fascinating stories that explore how technology is changing the way we think, connect, and navigate everyday life. First, we discuss a study of 7,002 Shark Tank pitches that found matching another person’s vocal style can make you more persuasive. Where’s the line between building rapport and manipulating people—especially as AI becomes more human-sounding? Next, we dive into Wired’s coverage of the Luddite Festival, where Gen Z is pushing back against Big Tech by creating spaces for real-world connection, creativity, and community. Is this the beginning of a larger movement toward digital balance? Finally, Jackie shares her firsthand experience using Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues , an accessibility feature designed to reduce motion sickness while riding in a car. Does it actually work? And what does it teach us about designing technology that works with human biology instead of against it? Join therapist Toni Teixeira, LCSW , and entrepreneur Jackie Toale, CPA , as they explore the psychology behind technology, the importance of human connection, and the innovations that are shaping our daily lives. • Want to Be More Persuasive? A Massive New Study of 7,002 Shark Tank Pitches Says This Surprising Factor Makes a Big Difference (Inc.) https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/want-to-be-more-persuasive-a-massive-new-study-of-7002-shark-tank-pitches-says-this-surprising-factor-makes-a-big-difference/91369676 • Inside the Luddite Festival Harnessing Gen Z’s Rage Against Big Tech (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/inside-the-luddite-festival-harnessing-gen-zs-rage-against-big-tech/ • Apple’s Weird Anti-Nausea Dots Cured My Car Sickness. I Am in Love. (The Verge) https://www.theverge.com/tech/942854/apple-vehicle-motion-cues-review-really-work Preorder Toni’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Somatic-Exercises-Everyone-Brain/dp/B0GGTF8YFJ/

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