About this episode
John sits down in Costa Rica (yes, literally in a golf cart) with two therapists — Vanessa Bennett and Madeleine Downey — for a “therapists are humans too” episode built around questions you’d ask in therapy… that end up turning into real-time revelations about identity after 40, emotional safety, and what we stop tolerating once we’ve lived a little.
This conversation lands especially hard if you’re in that season of life where you’re asking: Why doesn’t the old version of me fit anymore? and What do I actually want now — in love, in friendship, in myself?
Inner Compass Academy (Next cohort starts Feb 15, 2026) Apply Here: https://www.vanessabennett.com/inner-compass-academy
If you apply, make sure to mention you were referred by The Angry Therapist Podcast - and if you’re approved, you’ll get $100 off.
🔗 Guest Links: Madeleine Downey
Instagram: @madeleinedowney
Substack (It’s Giving Alchemy): https://madeleinedowney.substack.com
Shadow Work Group – Inner Compass Collective: https://inner-compass-collective.circle.so/
Vanessa Bennett
Instagram @vanessasbennett
Apply to Inner Compass Academy: https://www.vanessabennett.com/inner-compass-academy
Author of “The Motherhood Myth” Buy the Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Motherhood-Myth-Reimagining-Expectations-Partnership/dp/1649633416
🎙️ Host Links:
Surf, Sex & Pancakes - Join John Kim for a surf retreat in Costa Rica.
More information: HERE
Sign up HERE
📘 Read John’s new book in progress Sh*t Your Therapist Would Never Tell You on John’s SubStack HERE
If you’re ready for deeper work, the Secure Self course is available HERE
Order John's new book, Break Up. On Purpose, HERE
Follow John on Instagram HERE
Find out more about John H
