In this episode of The Group Sessions, Robert Saint Michael explores the unique experience of being the middle child. From Alfred Adler’s early psychology of birth order to the lived reality of feeling overlooked or “stuck in the middle,” Robert unpacks how these family dynamics shape identity, self-worth, and relationships. With a trauma-informed lens, he shares practical tools for healing the “middle child wound,” reframing invisibility into resilience, and reclaiming the strengths that come with adaptability and empathy.

Credentials + Links:

Robert Saint Michael, NLP | Mental Health Coach

Visit robertsaintmichael.com — your hub for researched and evidence-based public health information, resources, and coaching services.

If this episode spoke to you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone in your life who might need the encouragement. And don’t forget to comment with your own middle child stories—I’d love to hear how your family position shaped who you are today.

Referenced in this episode:

• Adler, A. (1927/1992). Understanding Human Nature.

• Sulloway, F. J. (1996). Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creative Lives.

• Eckstein, D., & Kaufman, J. A. (2012). The Role of Birth Order in Personality: An Enduring Myth or an Empirical Reality? Journal of Individual Psychology.

• Trauma-informed resources on family dynamics and self-worth (American Psychological Association).

• robertsaintmichael.com — evidence-based mental health + public health resources.

In this episode of The Group Sessions, Robert Saint Michael explores how leaning into discomfort can literally rewire your brain for resilience. Research shows that the anterior midcingulate cortex—the part of the brain that activates when we face challenges—grows stronger when we push through effort. That growth isn’t just science; it’s survival.

Robert breaks down how safe, intentional challenges can improve mental health, reduce stress, and support trauma recovery. With practical coaching tips and real-life examples, you’ll learn how to turn everyday struggles into opportunities for growth.

✨ Comment below: What’s one small challenge you can take on today—physically, mentally, or emotionally?

Robert also shares how his mental health coaching can support you in building resilience and healing, and invites you to visit robertsaintmichael.com — a hub for researched and evidence-based public health information.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the encouragement.

Referenced in this episode:

• Bush, G., & Shin, L. M. (2006). The anterior cingulate cortex and emotional self-regulation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

• Shenhav, A., Botvinick, M. M., & Cohen, J. D. (2013). The expected value of control: An integrative theory of anterior cingulate cortex function. Neuron.

• Verguts, T., & Notebaert, W. (2009). Adaptation by binding: A learning account of cognitive control. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

• Winell, M. (2011). Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion.

• American Psychological Association (APA) resources on post-traumatic growth.

• robertsaintmichael.com — evidence-based mental health + public health resources.

In honor of Bisexual Visibility Week, Robert Saint Michael opens up about being a bisexual Black man and creating Bi+ Black Men as a public health intervention for those who often feel unseen. Through a powerful story shared by “Alice,” a woman healing from deep Southern religious indoctrination while in a same-sex partnership, Robert unpacks the legacy of religious trauma, the reality of spiritual abuse, and the history of Christianity’s harms alongside its potential for peace. With compassion and honesty, he offers practical tools for countering intrusive thoughts and reframing God as a force of love, not fear.

Hosted by Robert Saint Michael, NLP | Mental Health Coach

Visit robertsaintmichael.com — your hub for researched and evidence-based public health information, articles, and coaching services.

If this episode resonated with you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re seeking guidance on your own journey, reach out and explore working with me as your mental health coach.

Referenced in this episode:

• GLAAD – Bisexual Visibility Week resources

• Winell, M. (2011). Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

• Research on Religious Trauma Syndrome (Winell)

• Pew Research Center – Studies on religion, LGBTQ+, and mental health

• Bi+ Black Men (Community + Podcast)