Why do so many couples argue about dishes, laundry, or chores—but avoid talking about the deeper stuff? In this powerful and honest episode, hosts Joe Massi & Bob Bain sits down with licensed clinical social worker and Clinical Director of Awake Therapy, Jourdan Travers, to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface in modern relationships.

Together, they dive into the concept of weaponized incompetence, how it manifests in subtle and damaging ways, and why these surface-level frustrations are often stand-ins for emotional disconnection, fear, or unspoken trauma. The conversation opens up critical insights into emotional safety, communication breakdowns, and the patterns many of us unconsciously repeat based on our childhood experiences.

Jourdan also shares the mission behind Awake Therapy and how her second platform, TherapyTips.org, is helping make therapy education more accessible for everyone. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt unheard in a relationship, wondered why the same argument keeps coming back, or wants to become more self-aware and emotionally present in their partnerships.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How couples use surface arguments to avoid difficult emotional conversations

• The meaning and impact of weaponized incompetence in both men and women

• Why therapy isn’t about blame, but about growth and perspective

• How to introduce new emotional “choreography” into stuck relationship dynamics

• Why it’s not your partner’s job to make you happy—and what to do instead

• How emotional safety, not control, creates space for connection

• The importance of addressing “the elephant in the room”

About Our Guest:
Jourdan Travers, LCSW, is the Clinical Director of Awake Therapy and the founder of Therapy Tips. She specializes in helping individuals and couples work through emotional trauma, relationship patterns, and mental health struggles by fostering vulnerability, self-awareness, and empowerment.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why are we really fighting?” or “How can I show up better in my relationship?”—this episode is for you.

Episode Description:

This week, we welcome an extraordinary father-son duo, Chad and Tristan Repko, for a powerful conversation on filmmaking, family, and the evolution of their long-running short film series, Lil' Detectives.

We kick things off with their shared journey through scouting, including Tristan’s path to becoming an Eagle Scout, and how those formative years shaped their bond and values. Then we dive into their passion for wrestling and how it helped build emotional resilience and trust between them.

The heart of this episode is all about the making of Lil' Detectives — a film project that’s spanned over 10 years. Tristan opens up about his directorial debut, the shift in tone for the new installment, and what it’s like revisiting characters from childhood with adult eyes. Chad shares behind-the-scenes insights into creative collaboration, the challenges of indie production, and how filmmaking has become their shared language.

We also explore:

• The screenwriting process and three-act structure

• COVID’s impact on production timelines

• Finding the right tone, locations, and creative rhythm

• Lessons from short films and working with family

• Their plans for future projects and digital storytelling

In our Pop Shots segment, we shift gears to talk about consent, relationships, and podcast controversies — including the Shannon Sharpe incident and how conversations around sexual assault are shaped by power, fame, and money.

This episode blends personal stories with industry insight, offering inspiration and honest dialogue about the challenges (and rewards) of building something meaningful — together.

Hit play to hear:
👨‍👦 A first-ever father-son guest duo
🎬 A decade-long creative journey
🧠 Real talk on accountability, creativity & collaboration

🔑 Keywords: father-son podcast, filmmaking stories, Chad Repko, Tristan Repko, Lil' Detectives film, Eagle Scout, short film production, creative process, screenwriting, wrestling, family dynamics, COVID and creativity, directorial debut, indie film, filmmaking struggles, Shannon Sharpe controversy, consent and culture, legacy sequels, behind the scenes

🔖 Hashtags: #LilDetectives #FatherSonFilmmaking #FilmmakingPodcast #CreativeJourney #PopShotsSegment

Let’s Connect:https://www.youtube.com/@40Years40Beershttps://www.facebook.com/40years40beershttps://www.instagram.com/40years40beershttps://www.tiktok.com/@40years40beersSubscribe for weekly laughs and life lessons!]

🎙️ Short films may be brief, but they're anything but simple. In this episode, we break down why creating an effective short film can be more creatively demanding than directing a full-length feature.

📽️ From cramming the full 3-act structure into just a few minutes, to building emotional arcs with limited dialogue and screen time, short filmmakers face a unique set of pressures. If you're a screenwriter, director, indie creative, or just a storytelling geek — this episode is for you.

We cover:
✅ Why short films are creatively intense
✅ How to structure a story in under 10 minutes
✅ Tips on character development under time pressure
✅ Editing, pacing, and emotional resonance 🎞️
✅ Common mistakes short filmmakers make
✅ Examples of shorts that nail their narrative

🎬 Whether you're prepping for a film festival, creating your first indie short, or just studying story craft — this deep dive will help you understand how to do more with less and make every second count.

🔁 If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast, share it with your film-loving friends, and leave a review — it helps more creators like you find this content.

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📲 Follow on Social Media for BTS Content & Tips:
https://www.youtube.com/@40Years40Beershttps://www.facebook.com/40years40beershttps://www.instagram.com/40years40beershttps://www.tiktok.com/@40years40beers

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🗝️ KEYWORDS :
short film, filmmaking podcast, 3-act structure, storytelling in short films, directing short films, how to make a short film, indie film production, screenwriting, scriptwriting podcast, how to tell a story, short film script, film director podcast, film structure, movie making podcast, creative storytelling, short vs feature film, storytelling structure, filmmaking challenges

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📣 Hashtags:
#ShortFilm #FilmmakingPodcast #IndieFilm #StoryStructure #FilmDirector #CinematicStorytelling #CreativeProcess #ScreenwritingTips #PodcastForFilmmakers #FilmSchool