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He ran presidential motorcades. He escorted foreign heads of state through the streets of Washington. And for a month and a day, Lieutenant Matthew Mahl of the D.C. Metropolitan Police — 47 years old, 23 years on the job — groomed a boy he believed was fifteen. He talked about soccer games and homework. He talked about Italy, about schools over there, about a life together after he retired. He sent photos of himself in uniform. He sent photos from the fold-out couch in his office at police headquarters. He knew the age of consent in Maryland was sixteen, and he admitted to the boy he had everything to lose. Then he took the day off and drove ninety minutes to a house in Harford County where he thought the fifteen-year-old was home alone. Chris and Detective Chris Sergeant, the investigator who worked the chats, walks through the sheriff's report line by line, and watches from inside the sting house as a SWAT team cuts the lieutenant off in the driveway. What follows is a confrontation with a man who knows exactly how this works — and says nothing but eight words, over and over. A badge, a security clearance, and a secret a foreign intelligence service would have paid dearly for. Sponsored by: AirDoctor: Breathe cleaner air every day with AirDoctor—get up to $300 off at https://AirDoctorPro.com using promo code HANSEN Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com AquaTru: Head to https://AquaTru.com & use code HANSEN for 20% off your purifier and a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You probably know that light, noise, temperature and stress can all interfere with your sleep. But what about the moon? Strange as it sounds, some research suggests people really do sleep differently around the time of a full moon — even when they aren't outside looking at it. So what could possibly explain that? Listen as I reveal what researchers have discovered. https://www.self.com/story/full-moon-sleep Most of us know instinctively that music can change how we feel. The right song can calm you down, lift your mood or bring back a memory in an instant. But scientists are discovering that music may do considerably more than that. There is now fascinating research into how music can affect the brain and body and even be used to help treat certain medical conditions. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin has been following this research for years, and he joins me to explain what we now know about the remarkable connection between music and our health. Dan is author of the book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine (https://amzn.to/46QoQcE). Technology does so many things for us that we no longer have to do for ourselves. GPS finds our way, search engines remember things for us, and our phones make sure we never have to sit quietly with nothing to do. Convenient? Absolutely. But what happens to the human abilities we stop using? Some surprisingly important skills are beginning to fade from our lives, and losing them may have consequences we haven't considered. Graham Lee joins me to explain which skills are disappearing, why they still matter and what we can do to get them back. He is author of the book Human Being: Reclaim 12 Vital Skills We're Losing to Technology (https://amzn.to/46MP53A). Your brain is not equally good at everything all day long. There are times when you may be better at concentrating, solving problems or doing mentally demanding work — and other times when trying to force it may be an uphill battle. So how do you know when your brain is at its best? Listen as I explain how understanding your brain's natural rhythms can help you decide what to do — and when to do it. David Rock is author of Your Brain at Work (https://amzn.to/4g3Fk5F). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever sent a text and expected a fun response but all you got was a word one answer and then you spent the rest of the day wondering what you did wrong? Or heard a comment in a group chat and felt it was aimed at you? Most of the time, the thing you're taking personally has almost nothing to do with you—but your brain will work hard to convince you otherwise. I've done this too, during the hardest stretch of my life, even though I'm a therapist who teaches people not to. In today's episode, I'll walk you through what's really happening when you take something personally, why it costs you more than you might think, and three things you can do the next time your brain insists you're the reason someone acted the way they did. Some of the things I talk about are: The story I built about myself to explain what happened when I was grieving. Why your brain reaches for the one explanation that puts you at the center, out of a hundred it could have picked. What the research says about the critical feedback people give. Why taking things personally goes beyond just feeling bad. The surprising study on reaching out to someone you've lost touch with, and what your brain gets wrong about it. How to separate hurt feelings from beliefs about yourself. Related Episodes 59 — 3 Ways to Take Back Your Power When Negative People Try to Drag You Down 278 — The 3 Mindset Shifts You Will Help You Grow Mentally Stronger This Year Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Subscribe to The Mental Strength Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets — Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every person who enters your life enters it for a reason. Some people come to reflect something back to you, some come to show you a new possibility, and some come to completely change the trajectory of your life. In this episode, I'm sharing my theory on relationships called The Mirror, Window & Door Theory, based on the idea that every soul who comes into your life has a purpose to fulfill.For a limited time, our listeners are getting a FREE full-sized mascara on their first purchase at Jones Road Beauty. Head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code CLAIMYOURPOWER at checkout.Use my code POWER and head to http://Cozyearth.com for an exclusive 20%, and if you see any post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!Hot girls drink clean water. Head to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using exclusive promo code POWER.Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code POWER to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
If you have a goal you really want to accomplish, when you start may matter more than you think. January 1st gets all the attention, but there are other dates and occasions that can give you a surprisingly powerful motivational boost. https://behavioralscientist.org/new-years-resolutions-failed-be-prepared-to-leverage-other-fresh-starts How often do you strike up a conversation with someone you don't know very well? Probably not as often as you could. It is usually easier to look at your phone, avoid eye contact and keep to yourself. Yet those little interactions you have with a cashier, a neighbor, a coworker or even a stranger in line can have a surprisingly big impact on your life. And chances are, you are seriously underestimating how much you and the other person will enjoy them. Nicholas Epley joins me to explain the fascinating research showing what happens when we become just a little more social and why the payoff can extend well beyond simply having a pleasant conversation. Nicholas is a professor of behavioral science and director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His new book is A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection (https://amzn.to/4g5vYHf). Spend enough time watching the news and it can seem as if the end of the world is always just around the corner. Nuclear war, artificial intelligence, asteroids, pandemics, climate change — there appears to be no shortage of things that could wipe us out. But which threats should genuinely worry us, which ones are wildly exaggerated. Ben Bradford has been investigating the things that supposedly threaten our existence and what he has discovered may change how you think about all those dire warnings. Ben is a journalist and host of the NPR podcast Are We Doomed? (https://doompod.com/), which examines the threats facing humanity — both real and imagined. Every time you fill your car with gas, you trust a surprisingly simple piece of technology to do something very important: stop the pump at exactly the right moment. So how does it know? Listen as I reveal the clever bit of engineering hiding inside every gas pump. https://www.southernliving.com/should-you-keep-pumping-gas-after-the-nozzle-clicks-off-12027088 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if some of the most disabling symptoms in EDS, HSD, POTS, MCAS, ME/CFS, and long COVID are being driven by something we still struggle to see on standard testing? In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by guest co-host Dr. Ina Stephens, Associate Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorder Center, along with Brain Inflammation Collaborative co-founder Christy Jagdfeld and neuroscientist Dr. Megan Fitzgerald. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving science of brain inflammation, including what it actually means, how it differs from conditions like encephalitis or brain edema, and why it may matter in complex multisystem illness. The conversation dives into microglial activation, mast cell involvement in the central nervous system, and the challenge of detecting subtle neuroinflammation in living patients. The guests also discuss emerging research tools, including ultra-high-field MRI, PET ligands, and blood-based extracellular vesicles, that may eventually give clinicians a clearer window into what is happening inside the brain. The group also takes a closer look at the Brain Inflammation Collaborative's Unhide platform, which is collecting real-world, patient-reported data across more than 30 overlapping chronic conditions, including EDS, POTS, MCAS, ME/CFS, and long COVID. Early findings raise important questions about quality of life, symptom burden, the limitations of the Beighton score, and why pediatric research may be especially important. The episode closes with practical implications, including why pacing matters when exercise can worsen symptoms rather than improve them, and what patients and clinicians should watch as this field moves forward. Takeaways “Brain inflammation” can involve subtle processes such as microglial activation and mast cell signaling that may not appear on routine MRI or CT scans. Emerging tools such as ultra-high-field MRI, PET imaging, and blood-based extracellular vesicles may eventually help researchers detect and track neuroinflammation in living patients. The Unhide platform has collected real-world data from thousands of participants with overlapping chronic conditions, offering a new way to study symptom burden and quality of life outside traditional clinical trials. The Beighton score may not reflect functional severity or symptom burden, highlighting the need for better ways to assess hypermobility over time. Pediatric research is urgently needed to understand how these conditions develop and whether earlier recognition could change long-term outcomes. Want more of the Brain Inflammation Collaborative? https://www.unhidenow.org/ https://www.braininflammation.org/ Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast X: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Chapters: 00:00 Beighton Score Debate00:28 Meet the Guests02:54 Why BIC Was Founded07:22 Defining Brain Inflammation09:44 Biomarkers and Imaging Advances18:12 Unhide Platform and Real World Data25:55 Comorbidities and Survey Cadence31:40 Survey Fatigue Solutions32:49 Tools Beyond Beighton34:16 Research Priorities Wish List35:41 Biomarkers EVs Immune Profiling38:37 Pediatric Focus Early Signs46:34 Building Pediatric Platform53:07 Hacks Resources And Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It seems like paying attention should be easy. Yet for many of us, it has become one of the hardest things to do. We start reading an article and suddenly we're checking email. We pick up our phone to do one thing and, twenty minutes later, we've forgotten why we picked it up in the first place. We often blame ourselves for lacking discipline, but what if that's only part of the story? Is our ability to focus actually being stolen—and if so, by whom? Journalist and bestselling author Johann Hari set out to answer those questions by traveling the world and interviewing many of the leading scientists and experts studying attention, distraction, and the brain. What he discovered challenges many of the assumptions we have about why it's become so difficult to concentrate and why simply trying harder isn't enough. In this fascinating conversation, Johann explains what's really happening to our attention, why deep focus matters so much for creativity, productivity, happiness, and relationships, and what all of us can do to reclaim it. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by distractions or wondered why staying focused seems harder than it used to, you'll find this discussion both eye-opening and surprisingly hopeful. Johann Hari is the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—And How to Think Deeply Again (https://amzn.to/3Mfsp12). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you! HEALTH MATTERS: If you enjoy learning new ways to live a healthier life, check out NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters. Listen now and follow NewYork-Presbyterian's Health Matters wherever you get podcasts. SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wendy Valentine — author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play and host of the Midlife Makeover Show — joins Heather for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about rebuilding a life from the ground up. At 45, Wendy hit a full-on midlife meltdown: divorce, job loss, over $150K in debt, an empty nest, chronic illness, and the deaths of her dog, cat, and brother — all within weeks of each other. Instead of staying stuck, she chased a long-held dream of RVing across the country and completely reconstructed her life within two years. In this episode, Wendy and Heather dig into what it really means to "lean into your destiny," why midlife often feels less like a crisis and more like a coma we need to wake up from, how to grieve fully instead of stuffing it down, the "lotus effect" and being in the mud without being of it, and how to become your own best friend by rewiring the stories running through your head. It's a conversation about permission — to feel, to grieve, to change, and to finally show up for yourself. Find Wendy: WendyValentine.com | Women Waking Up (Amazon) | The Midlife Makeover Show | Instagram @wendy_valentine_ Sponsor: AirDoctor: Head to www.AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code HEATHER to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. We're so confident you'll love AirDoctor that every purchase is backed by a 30 day money back guarantee. This is an exclusive podcast only offer, available now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discipline gets a lot easier when you stop treating misery as proof that you're doing it right. AJ and Johnny sit down with author and rejection expert Jia Jiang to challenge the traditional idea that success requires endless willpower, grinding, and suffering. Jia explains his approach to “easy discipline”—reducing friction, making difficult work more enjoyable, and building routines around the things that naturally give you energy. You'll learn how to break the procrastination loop, use “repetition with variation” to avoid burnout, build momentum that makes consistency easier, and rethink failure and rejection as opportunities for creativity. Jia also shares lessons from his 100 Days of Rejection experiment and why lasting success starts with finding what moves you instead of blindly following someone else's blueprint. Episode Resources: https://www.jiajiang.com https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Discipline-Unconventional-Achieve-Ambitious/dp/1668093588 Chapters 00:00 – Why discipline doesn't have to feel hard06:15 – Make difficult goals easier and more enjoyable13:05 – What procrastination is trying to tell you19:15 – Removing friction from habits that don't stick25:30 – Repetition with variation beats boring repetition32:25 – The routine that helped Jia learn English36:35 – How to build a momentum loop42:00 – Finding value when your work isn't fun45:40 – Turning rejection and failure into opportunity49:10 – Stop following the script and find what moves you A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm Keywords discipline, procrastination, easy discipline, habits, motivation, consistency, rejection, fear of rejection, fear of failure, personal growth, self discipline, behavior change, momentum, willpower, productivity, goal setting, creativity, routines, mindset, confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "It smells like rain"? It turns out that distinctive scent is very real—and it's not your imagination. Scientists know exactly where it comes from, why some people notice it more than others, and why it can signal that rain is on the way. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-causes-the-smell-after-rain-180974692/ Love Amazon or hate it, there's no denying it has changed the way we shop—and perhaps the way business itself is done. But how did Amazon become so dominant? What really happened behind the scenes as Jeff Bezos built one of the world's most powerful companies? The story is far more complicated—and far more surprising—than most people realize. Joining me to pull back the curtain is Dana Mattioli, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has been reporting on Amazon for years. She is author of The Everything War: Amazon's Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power (https://amzn.to/4qdwEin). We like to think social media simply documents our lives. But what if it's quietly changing the way we experience them in the first place? Are vacations, birthdays, dinners, and even everyday moments becoming less about living them and more about making them look good on Instagram? Kathryn Jezer-Morton says social media isn't just influencing what we post—it is reshaping our memories, our identities, and the stories we tell about ourselves. Kathryn is a journalist, New York magazine columnist, and author of The Story of Your Life: How Social Media Shapes the Way We Experience Everything (https://amzn.to/3Skz16s). There's something about hotel towels that just feels better. They're softer, fluffier, and more luxurious than the ones hanging in most bathrooms at home. Is it the towels themselves, or is there a simple trick hotels know that most of us don't? The answer may surprise you—and it could make every shower a little more enjoyable. https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/laundry/how-to-make-your-towels-soft-and-fluffy-again/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have a confession. Of the six principles I teach in Self-Assured Motherhood, soul-care is the one where I'm still not where I want to be. I've taken good care of my mind and my spirit over the years, but when work gets busy, the first things to go are exercise, sleep, and eating well, and I'm starting to feel the cost of that in my body as I get older. I say soul-care rather than self-care on purpose. Self-care has gotten a bad rap over the last few years, and I understand why. It has come to sound like bubble baths and expensive skin care, which can be an overwhelming (and not always helpful) thing to hand a woman who is truly worn out and struggling. A soul is body, mind, and spirit together, and caring for all three is a much bigger and more useful thing to talk about. This is day four of the Back-to-School Check-In for Moms, a six-part series walking through each principle of the Self-Assured Motherhood framework, one short episode at a time. Caring for your soul can be bubble baths, but it can also be eating regular meals, and scheduling your mammogram. It can be learning something interesting, and it can be making sure to schedule a much needed nap. Soul-care is how we make sure we have the energy and bandwidth we need to take care of those we love and thrive in our lives. In this episode you'll hear:
Most people think dogs see the world only in black and white—but that's simply not true. Dogs do see color, just not the same colors you do. Understanding how your dog actually experiences the world explains everything from why certain toys are easier to find to why some colors practically disappear. It's a fascinating glimpse into life through your dog's eyes. Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/200810/can-dogs-see-colors Disasters strike without warning, leaving people with only seconds to react. Yet those first few moments often determine who survives and who doesn't. Surprisingly, the biggest factor isn't always physical strength, experience, or even luck. It's how your brain responds under extreme stress. Amanda Ripley has spent years studying real-life disasters and the people who lived through them. She explains what happens inside your mind during an emergency, why so many people freeze or make dangerous decisions, and what you can do now to dramatically improve your chances when the unthinkable happens. Amanda is author of the book The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why (https://amzn.to/4fGJakN). Many people think spending lots of time alone is a sign that something is wrong—that you're lonely, antisocial, or missing out on life. But research tells a very different story. Solitude, when chosen rather than forced, can improve creativity, emotional resilience, relationships, and even your overall well-being. Psychologist Netta Weinstein explains why healthy solitude is one of the most misunderstood tools for living a happier, healthier life—and how to know whether you're getting too much, too little, or just the right amount. She is author of the book Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone (https://amzn.to/3X1XkWf). Your phone goes almost everywhere you do—into your hands, your pocket, your car, the kitchen, even the bathroom. Along the way, it quietly picks up far more than texts and emails. The surprising part isn't that your phone is covered with germs—it's how easily those germs can wind up on you. Listen as I explain why your phone deserves more attention than you probably give it and the simple habit that can keep it from becoming a health hazard. Source: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/quick-dose-is-your-cell-phone-making-you-sick PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you know you were made for more than an average life, this episode is for you. We're talking about why extraordinary lives require abnormal decisions and why your addiction to comfort, approval, and certainty could be costing you the life you actually want. You only get one life. Go f*cking live it.Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code CLAIMYOURPOWER at checkout. Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/claimyourpower Use my code POWER and head to http://Cozyearth.com for an exclusive 20%, and if you see any post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!Hot girls drink clean water. Head to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using exclusive promo code POWER.Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code POWER to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE.RESOURCES FOR YOU: ENERGY PROTECTION MEDITATION DOWNLOAD HERE
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lose their hearing gradually while insisting they hear just fine? It turns out this isn't simply denial or stubbornness. The way hearing fades can fool the brain into believing everything is normal—often delaying treatment until significant hearing has already been lost. Listen as I explain what's really happening and why recognizing the signs isn't nearly as easy as you might think. Source: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss Few things are more painful—or more confusing—than discovering a partner has been unfaithful. Why do people risk everything for an affair? Is it simply a lack of self-control, or is something much deeper happening beneath the surface? And if infidelity comes to light, is the relationship automatically doomed, or can couples actually recover? Glenn Hutchinson, a clinical psychologist and behavioral researcher, joins me to separate myth from science and reveal what decades of research tells us about why people cheat, what their behavior really means, and what happens next. He is author of the new book Unfaithful Minds: The Science and Psychology of Infidelity (https://amzn.to/3UedjS8). Why do smart, capable people forget appointments, lose their train of thought, make impulsive decisions, or struggle to stay focused—even when they know better? The answer lies in something called executive function, the remarkable system in your brain that quietly manages attention, planning, memory, emotional control, and decision-making. When it works well, life feels easier. When it doesn't, the consequences can show up everywhere. Adrian Owen, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario, explains how executive function shapes nearly everything you do—and, more importantly, what you can do to strengthen it. He is author of the new book Think Before You Think: Understanding and Mastering Executive Function (https://amzn.to/4fGvlFd). Why do so many projects seem to fly along at first... only to crawl painfully toward the finish line? Whether you're remodeling a house, writing a report, or tackling a long to-do list, there's a surprising psychological reason the last stretch often feels endless. Once you understand what's happening, you'll have a much better chance of finishing on time instead of wondering where all the extra time disappeared. Source: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/planning-fallacy PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Links: The Birth Hour: Real Birth Stories to Inform, Inspire, and Empower order now to get $297 in pre-order bonuses! Airdoctorpro.com code BIRTHHOUR for up to $300 off! Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course - use code 100OFF for $100 off. Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! You can now gift memberships to Patreon here!
What if being secure doesn't mean you never second-guess yourself? If you replay conversations, second-guess yourself, worry about how you came across, or compare yourself to other people, you may assume security is something other people naturally have—and you somehow missed. But real security isn't the absence of insecurity. It's knowing where to return when insecurity shows up. In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Alison shares her own lifelong struggle with insecurity, self-doubt, and the fear of not being enough—and why writing The Secure Soul changed the way she understands security altogether. You'll learn: *Why insecurity can linger even as you become stronger and healthier *The hidden reason self-doubt can feel so convincing *How old experiences can shape the stories you still tell about yourself *How to become a safe person for your own soul *A simple practice for recognizing God's presence in the places where you still feel afraid, ashamed, or unsure A secure soul isn't one that never feels insecure. It's one that has somewhere to return to when the insecurity comes. More Resources: With every purchase of Dr. Alison's newest book, The Secure Soul, you'll get exclusive access to her Soul Tending Video Library, including “Boundaries for the Deeply Feeling Woman” and her masterclass “Healing the Wounds That Still Shape You” and over $350 worth of bonuses. Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram
What if being “naturally flexible” is actually the thing putting you at risk for injury? Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes back Dr. Emily Scherb, known as The Circus Doc, for a fascinating conversation about what circus performers can teach all hypermobile people about flexibility, strength, joint control, and injury prevention. A physical therapist, researcher, and former circus performer, Dr. Scherb explains why being able to get into an extreme position is not the same as being able to control it—and why impressive range of motion can sometimes mask weakness, instability, or poor load tolerance. The conversation explores how hypermobile bodies function differently at end range, why building strength in the mid-range can be so important, and how to tell the difference between normal training soreness, overtraining, injury, and signs that may point toward an underlying connective tissue disorder. Dr. Scherb and Dr. Bluestein also dig into the psychology of pushing through pain, the way flexibility can become intertwined with identity, the spinal changes documented in contortionists, and why performers may hide injuries when they fear that speaking up could threaten their careers. And while circus provides an extreme example, the lessons apply far beyond the circus world—to dancers, athletes, yogis, gymnasts, and anyone with a body that moves farther than average. Takeaways: More range is not always better. Hypermobility describes how far a joint can move; what matters just as much is how well you can control that range. Getting into a position is not the same as owning it. Extreme flexibility without adequate strength and control can increase stress on joints and surrounding tissues. Hypermobile people often benefit from building strength and motor control in mid-range before progressively challenging end range. Persistent pain, recurrent injuries, instability, or symptoms that seem disproportionate to training may be clues that something more than routine soreness is going on. Contortion offers a striking example of how repeated end-range loading can produce measurable adaptations in the spine. Pain should not have to become severe before someone feels “allowed” to seek care. Creating a culture where performers can address problems early may help protect both health and longevity. The goal for a hypermobile body is not necessarily less flexibility. It is more strength, control, and capacity within the range you already have. Want more of Dr. Emily Scherb? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecircusdoc Website: https://www.thecircusdoc.com Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast X: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Head to http://www.cozyearth.com and use my code BENDY for an exclusive 20% off. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Chapters: 00:00 Painful Past With Stretching 00:40 Meet The Circus Doc 03:03 How Emily Found Circus Medicine 04:37 What Circus Really Is 06:25 Circus Injuries And End Range 08:55 Hypermobility Flexibility Resilience 33:00 Soreness Vs Overtraining Red Flags 37:52 Hypermobility Soreness Clues 40:13 Yellow Flags vs Red Flags 42:46 Circus Risk and Resilience 47:27 Ignoring Pain Signals 52:08 Building Safer Culture 59:46 Contortion Safety and Strength 01:05:46 Longevity Hacks and Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if being “naturally flexible” is actually the thing putting you at risk for injury? Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes back Dr. Emily Scherb, known as The Circus Doc, for a fascinating conversation about what circus performers can teach all hypermobile people about flexibility, strength, joint control, and injury prevention. A physical therapist, researcher, and former circus performer, Dr. Scherb explains why being able to get into an extreme position is not the same as being able to control it—and why impressive range of motion can sometimes mask weakness, instability, or poor load tolerance. The conversation explores how hypermobile bodies function differently at end range, why building strength in the mid-range can be so important, and how to tell the difference between normal training soreness, overtraining, injury, and signs that may point toward an underlying connective tissue disorder. Dr. Scherb and Dr. Bluestein also dig into the psychology of pushing through pain, the way flexibility can become intertwined with identity, the spinal changes documented in contortionists, and why performers may hide injuries when they fear that speaking up could threaten their careers. And while circus provides an extreme example, the lessons apply far beyond the circus world—to dancers, athletes, yogis, gymnasts, and anyone with a body that moves farther than average. Takeaways: More range is not always better. Hypermobility describes how far a joint can move; what matters just as much is how well you can control that range. Getting into a position is not the same as owning it. Extreme flexibility without adequate strength and control can increase stress on joints and surrounding tissues. Hypermobile people often benefit from building strength and motor control in mid-range before progressively challenging end range. Persistent pain, recurrent injuries, instability, or symptoms that seem disproportionate to training may be clues that something more than routine soreness is going on. Contortion offers a striking example of how repeated end-range loading can produce measurable adaptations in the spine. Pain should not have to become severe before someone feels “allowed” to seek care. Creating a culture where performers can address problems early may help protect both health and longevity. The goal for a hypermobile body is not necessarily less flexibility. It is more strength, control, and capacity within the range you already have. Want more of Dr. Emily Scherb? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecircusdoc Website: https://www.thecircusdoc.com Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast X: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Head to http://www.cozyearth.com and use my code BENDY for an exclusive 20% off. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Chapters: 00:00 Painful Past With Stretching 00:40 Meet The Circus Doc 03:03 How Emily Found Circus Medicine 04:37 What Circus Really Is 06:25 Circus Injuries And End Range 08:55 Hypermobility Flexibility Resilience 33:00 Soreness Vs Overtraining Red Flags 37:52 Hypermobility Soreness Clues 40:13 Yellow Flags vs Red Flags 42:46 Circus Risk and Resilience 47:27 Ignoring Pain Signals 52:08 Building Safer Culture 59:46 Contortion Safety and Strength 01:05:46 Longevity Hacks and Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most of us think of intelligence as something that happens entirely in the brain. But there's another kind of intelligence that lives in your body. It's what allows you to ride a bicycle years after your last ride, catch a ball without calculating its path, type on a keyboard without looking, or instinctively keep your balance on uneven ground. Scientists call this physical intelligence, and it's far more important to your everyday life than you may realize. According to my guest Scott Grafton, your body and brain are constantly working together in ways you're barely aware of. In fact, many of the skills you rely on every day don't come from conscious thought at all—they come from this remarkable partnership between mind and body. Modern life, however, may be working against us. As technology makes more of our daily tasks easier and more automated, we may be losing opportunities to develop and maintain the very abilities that help us navigate the physical world. That has consequences that go well beyond athletic performance. Scott Grafton is a professor of neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the book Physical Intelligence: The Science of How the Body and the Mind Guide Each Other Through Life (https://amzn.to/3aiI4dm). Listen as he explains how physical intelligence shapes the way we learn, move, solve problems, and interact with the world—and why challenging your body may be one of the best things you can do for your brain. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is sponsored by AirDoctor. AirDoctor - Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code FLIPPING50 and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! All AirDoctor air purifiers come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Other Episodes You Might Like: Previous Episode - You're Already Lifting — So Why Isn't It Working? Next Episode - The Perimenopause Rules Nobody Told You About Resistance Training More Like This: Who's Really Fighting for You? How to Sort the Noise in Women's Fitness What I Would Do to Boost Fat Burning Over 40, 50 or 60 (I'm 62) Resources: Not sure you're doing what is best for you right now? Get a 90-Minute Ultimate Consultation with Debra. Together, you formulate the actual plan that will work for you! Use Flipping 50 Strong Aging Index to measure what matters with an easy at-home self-assessment test you can do in minutes. If you still want to target both building muscle and losing fat in menopause stay with me! Know how to work with protein, calorie restriction, sleep, exercise, and hormone therapy. You'll hear why eating more protein could help you get more from your training, why perpetual dieting may not be the answer, and why sleep deserves a much bigger seat at the table. Be ready to stop fighting your body and start working with it, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on building muscle and losing fat in menopause. If this episode made you flip your workout routine — share it!
Guilt can feel like proof that you care—but when it becomes your default way of relating to work, family, and yourself, it quietly turns care into obligation. AJ sits down with psychiatrist Jennifer Reid to explore why high achievers, caregivers, parents, and people pleasers often carry more responsibility than they can actually control. They unpack the difference between healthy guilt and chronic guilt, why disappointment does not mean a relationship is broken, and how perfectionism, social comparison, external validation, and rigid ideas about parenting or masculinity can keep people trapped in shame and self-criticism. You'll learn Jennifer's “guilt equation,” how to recognize unrealistic expectations, why self-compassion is not the same as lowering your standards, and how to make decisions based on values instead of guilt. This conversation offers a practical way to stop taking responsibility for everyone else's emotions and start creating healthier boundaries, relationships, and definitions of success. Episode Resources: Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at unlockyourxfactor.com https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763503/guilt-free-by-jennifer-reid-md/ https://www.jenniferreidmd.com/ Chapters 00:00 – When guilt starts running your life01:45 – Why guilt is not the same as caring04:20 – Healthy guilt vs. chronic guilt06:15 – Family obligation and the debt of gratitude08:00 – Boundaries, disappointment, and relationships09:55 – Why self-criticism fails as motivation11:30 – Signs guilt is controlling your decisions15:45 – External validation and achievement17:30 – Social comparison and the messy middle20:35 – Parenting guilt and impossible expectations25:15 – Masculinity, vulnerability, and emotional pressure30:55 – Why “balance” can become another source of guilt35:15 – The guilt equation explained38:50 – Self-compassion without lowering your standards40:20 – Finding the hidden expectations beneath guilt44:10 – How labels become limiting identities50:00 – The cost of hiding difficult emotions55:00 – What to do when guilty thoughts appear A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm Keywords guilt, chronic guilt, self compassion, boundaries, people pleasing, perfectionism, emotional health, mental health, parenting guilt, caregiver guilt, self criticism, expectations, external validation, social comparison, masculinity, vulnerability, relationships, burnout, shame, emotional regulation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heat can make people do some strange things. It can change your mood, cloud your judgment, and even affect the way you treat other people. Scientists have discovered that hot weather has a surprisingly powerful influence on the human mind—and the effects show up in places you would never expect. Listen as I explain what's really going on and why it's important to know. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/06/heat-affects-mental-health More people today say they feel their lives lack meaning and purpose than at any point in recent decades. Why? Has modern life quietly stripped away something essential—or are we simply searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places? And if purpose really is the key to a happier life, where does it actually come from? There is no better person to explore these questions with than my guest Arthur Brooks. He is a professor at Harvard Business School, one of the world's leading experts on happiness and human flourishing, a nationally syndicated columnist, CBS News contributor, and co-author with Oprah Winfrey of the bestselling book Build the Life You Want. His latest book is The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness (https://amzn.to/4yUyVTp). If you've ever wondered what truly gives life meaning—and why so many people struggle to find it—you'll find this conversation fascinating. Every few months it seems we're told to stop eating one food and start eating another. Fat is bad—until it isn't. Carbs are the problem—unless they're not. With so much conflicting advice, it's no wonder so many people have no idea what a healthy diet actually looks like. According to Daniel Lieberman, much of what we've been taught about food is based on myths, misconceptions, and oversimplified thinking. Lieberman is Chair of the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and author of Fed Up: A Hungry Person's Guide to the Story and Science of Food and Diets (https://amzn.to/4btal2d). He explains what the science really says, why nutrition has become so confusing, and how understanding our evolutionary past can help us make smarter decisions about what we eat. Have you ever worried that everyone could tell you were nervous? Maybe before giving a presentation, going on a date, or walking into an interview? Most of us assume our anxiety is obvious—but is it? The answer may surprise you. Listen as I reveal what researchers discovered about how well other people can actually read your emotions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9731312/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever done something you swore you wouldn't do again? Maybe you had too many drinks, ate the whole thing when you meant to have a bite, or started texting that ex you swore you wouldn't talk to again. And then instead of feeling bad for a minute and moving on, you spiral into a cycle of shame, secrecy and self-destruction. My guest is Dr. Frank Spinelli, a physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He's also survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a shame expert who now works with hundreds of clients who working through shame. Some of the things we discuss are: The difference between guilt and shame The four archetypal shame responses (avoid, attack self, attack other, withdraw) Why shame lives in silence The connection between shame and the behaviors we can't stop (drinking too much, secret eating, doomscrolling, the habits we swear we'll quit) What "shame literacy" is — and why most of us were never taught it Why the internal script "what's wrong with me?" makes shame worse The unexpected forms of shame Why "I should be over this by now" is one of the most damaging things we say to ourselves The Therapist's Take: My top three strategies for breaking the shame spiral starting today Related Episodes 64 – Heal From Shame and Transform Your Self-Worth with Therapist Sheila Rubin 124 — Stop Self-Sabotage: 7 Reasons You Are Holding Yourself Back and How to Stop Once and For All Links & Resources The Shame Compass Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets - Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
→ AirDoctor |Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code DRG and get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE! All AirDoctor air purifiers come with a 30-day money back guarantee. → Timeline | Timeline's clinically proven formula is now available at a new, lower price. Mitopure now starts at $79, when you subscribe at https://timeline.com/DRG →Puori 7/12 | Go to https://puori.com/DRG and use the code DRG at checkout to get 32% off your first Puori Creatine+ subscription order. Episode Description: Your morning smoothie might be working against you. Your intermittent fasting routine might be dysregulating your hormones. And Botox, from a Chinese medicine perspective, is freezing the very nervous system pathways that keep your skin alive. Dr. Felice Chan is back on Heal Thy Self and this time the conversation happened outside, on a walk, in a rosemary bush. Dr. Felice is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner based in Los Angeles, and she connects dots between ancient medicine and modern biology in a way that stops you mid-sentence. This conversation covers breakfast, fasting, facial acupuncture, Botox, aging, and why everything in the body comes back to nervous system regulation and the rest and digest state. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why cold and blended foods create what Chinese medicine calls dampness in the body, how that slows metabolism and digestion, and what Dr. Felice's own smoothie habit led to after two to three months of daily use • Why most fasting research was done on men, what happens to a woman's cortisol and hormones when she skips breakfast, and the Chinese medicine case for a warm morning meal • The difference between what Botox does to the face neurologically versus what cosmetic acupuncture does, and why one freezes while the other reinvigorates Beauty from the inside out. This is what that actually looks like in practice. Find Dr. Felice Chan: Website: https://www.feliceacupuncture.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfelicechan/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00 - Why Smoothies Are One of the Worst Breakfast Choices (Chinese Medicine Explains Why) 2:20 - What Actually Happens in Your Body When You Drink a Smoothie and Drive to Work 4:00 - How Her Morning Smoothie Habit Sent Her to the ER and Changed Everything 5:30 - What to Eat for Breakfast Instead (Her Actual Morning Meal) 6:44 - Why Intermittent Fasting Is Doing More Harm Than Good for Most Women 8:00 - What Skipping Breakfast Does to Your Hormones, Metabolism and Energy Over Time 10:14 - The Symptoms She Sees in Every Woman Who Skips Breakfast 12:05 - Why Most People Think Their Nervous System Is Fine — And Why It Isn't 12:45 - The Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System You're Probably Overlooking 15:13 - The #1 Mental and Emotional Effect of Living in Chronic Fight or Flight 15:52 - When Gut Problems Have Nothing to Do With Food 16:55 - The Five Organs, the Five Emotions and Where They Live in Your Body 18:36 - Is a Dysregulated Nervous System One of the Top Drivers of Disease? 19:04 - Botox vs. Cosmetic Acupuncture: What's Actually Happening Beneath the Skin 21:54 - What Chinese Medicine Says Is Really Causing Your Fine Lines and Wrinkles 23:06 - Why Cosmetic Acupuncture Results Last Longer Than Botox (And What It Takes) 24:30 - Graceful Aging Is an Energy — And You Can Feel It on Someone 25:27 - The One Thing She Wants Every Listener to Walk Away With Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever wonder why you're always told to wait about 10 seconds before turning your phone, computer, router, or tablet back on after rebooting it? Is there really something magical about 10 seconds, or is it just one of those tech myths everyone repeats? The answer has to do with what happens inside your device after the power goes off—and why waiting just a little while can make all the difference. https://www.howtogeek.com/165110/do-i-really-have-to-unplug-my-cable-modem-for-at-least-10-seconds/ Americans throw away an astonishing amount of perfectly good food—about 40% of everything produced. That's money straight into the trash, and much of it is completely avoidable. The surprising part is that food waste often has less to do with leftovers and more to do with everyday habits, confusing expiration dates, oversized refrigerators, and the way we shop. Kathryn Kellogg explains simple, practical changes that can dramatically reduce waste, save you money, and make life a little easier. Kathryn is founder of Going Zero Waste and author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste (https://amzn.to/3yfHSMV) Kathryn's website GoingZeroWaste.com https://www.goingzerowaste.com Insects may be tiny, but they are among the most successful creatures ever to inhabit Earth. They pollinate crops, recycle dead plants and animals, feed countless other species, and have survived for hundreds of millions of years. Yet most of us know almost nothing about them. Why are there so many insects? What's the difference between a bug and an insect? Why do some live only a day while others survive for decades? And what would happen if they disappeared? Steve Nicholls answers these questions and reveals why the future of insects is closely tied to our own. Steve is an Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker and author of Alien Worlds: How Insects Conquered the Earth, and Why Their Fate Will Determine Our Future (https://amzn.to/4d1M1mP). An afternoon nap might seem like an indulgence, but research suggests it can be one of the easiest ways to improve alertness, memory, learning, and even problem-solving ability. The key isn't sleeping for hours—it's knowing how long to nap so you wake up refreshed instead of groggy. Listen as I explain why a short daytime snooze can actually make you smarter. https://www.prevention.com/health/sleep-energy/a69068628/are-naps-healthy/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Silence is where negotiators accidentally give away money. AJ and Johnny break down why the hardest part of a negotiation often isn't knowing what to ask for—it's resisting the urge to speak when the other person goes quiet. That uncomfortable pause can make you lower your number, over-explain your position, or negotiate against yourself before the other side has said anything at all. You'll learn how to anchor confidently, hold eye contact, count through seven seconds of silence, and respond without immediately defending or discounting your ask. Whether you're negotiating salary, contract terms, or a major purchase, this episode shows how staying calm and quiet can shift the pressure back across the table. Episode Resources: https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=sib-episode-frame-5 Chapters 00:00 – The two words that cost you leverage01:00 – Why silence makes people fold02:30 – The cheapest move in negotiation03:20 – How anchoring shapes the entire conversation04:20 – Say your number without apologizing06:10 – Know your number before you walk in07:10 – The seven-second silence method08:00 – What your body should communicate09:20 – What to say when they finally break10:35 – Salary negotiation example14:20 – How to challenge “standard terms”16:20 – What to do if seven seconds isn't enough18:30 – Trading instead of conceding19:00 – Your silence challenge for the week A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. negotiation skills, salary negotiation, communication skills, silence in negotiation, anchoring, confidence, executive presence, persuasion, contract negotiation, career growth, workplace communication, assertiveness, negotiation tactics, body language, influence, compensation, business communication, difficult conversations, professional development, leverage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you lost your cool lately over something small? Maybe you snapped at your partner about the dishes in the sink. Or maybe you didn't say a word—you just let a coworker's question irritate you all day—and afterward you thought, "What's wrong with me? This isn't who I am." If this sounds familiar, today's episode is for you. There are many reasons we can develop a short fuse. Fortunately, there are also many ways to lengthen it once you know how. Some of the things I talk about are: Why a short fuse is a gauge—and what it's actually trying to tell you. How to recognize when your fuse is getting short. What one night of bad sleep does to the alarm center of your brain The "file folder" of small things you never said out loud and what happens when it's full. Why open loops drain your patience—and the surprising fix. The voodoo-doll study on married couples that reveals a surprising reason you might snap at your partner. How suppressed anger often comes out. How to lengthen your fuse. Related Episodes 272 — How to Handle Big Emotions: 5 Science-Backed Skills to Stay in Control 145 — Calm Your Nervous System With Therapist Liz Kelly Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets - Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you want to succeed in business, you need to know how to communicate. Period. In this episode, we're breaking down the communication skills that can completely change the trajectory of your life. Because you can have the best idea, offer, or business in the world, but if you don't know how to communicate its value, people will scroll past it. Your ability to communicate is one of your greatest assets, and it's time you start treating it like one.Use my code POWER and head to http://Cozyearth.com for an exclusive 20%, and if you see any post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!Hot girls drink clean water. Head to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using exclusive promo code POWER.Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code POWER to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE.RESOURCES FOR YOU: ENERGY PROTECTION MEDITATION DOWNLOAD HERE
Humans are remarkably bad at predicting how long something will take. Whether it's a home project, a work assignment, or even a quick trip across town, we almost always underestimate the time involved. Psychologists have studied this tendency for decades—and understanding why it happens can help you make better plans, meet more deadlines, and avoid unnecessary frustration. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/planning-fallacy We tend to think of imagination as something artists, inventors, and children rely on. But imagination is actually one of the most powerful—and overlooked—abilities we all possess. It shapes the decisions you make, the problems you solve, the goals you pursue, and even the life you create. There is fascinating science behind how imagination works, and once you understand it, you can use it far more effectively. My guest is Dr. Cassandra Vieten, clinical psychologist, Director of Research at the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at the University of California, San Diego, and author of the book Imagine That: Unlocking the Science of Imagination to Transform the Way You Think, Feel, and Live (https://amzn.to/4bqbZl7) Here is the link to discover your imagination profile: https://imagination.ucsd.edu/profile/ Artificial intelligence can write essays, diagnose diseases, generate stunning images, and defeat the world's best chess players. Yet ask it to perform certain tasks that are effortless for a human child, and it can stumble badly. Why? What exactly makes AI so powerful in some areas—and surprisingly weak in others? Beneath the headlines are some fascinating realities about how AI actually works and where it still falls short. Here to explain it is Toby Walsh, one of the world's leading AI researchers. He is Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales, Chief Scientist at its AI Institute, and author of The Shortest History of AI: The Six Essential Ideas That Animate It (https://amzn.to/4hCjycc) When a highway lane is closed ahead, should you merge immediately or wait until the very end? Most drivers have strong opinions, but traffic engineers have spent years studying what actually keeps traffic moving. The answer is NOT what many people expect—and understanding it may change the way you drive through every construction zone. https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/FHWA-HRT-23-070.pdf= PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the way you pray has more to do with your attachment patterns than you realize? In this episode, Dr. Alison shares how her own prayer life changed as she became more securely attached—and the surprising shift that she didn't understand at first. We'll look at what attachment theory can teach us about the way we experience closeness, why deeply feeling or anxiously attached parts of us may equate intensity with love, and how healing can lead to a steadier, more integrated way of relating—with other people and with God. In this episode, you'll learn: Why intensity can feel like closeness—even when it isn't security What attachment research reveals about why some relationships feel so consuming The subtle shifts that happen as your attachment system begins to heal What securely attached people do differently in close relationships A simple practice for building greater trust from the inside out More Resources: With every purchase of Dr. Alison's newest book, The Secure Soul, you'll get exclusive access to her Soul Tending Video Library, including “Boundaries for the Deeply Feeling Woman” and her masterclass “Healing the Wounds That Still Shape You.” Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram
Tongue tie and POTS? EDS without obvious hypermobility? Perimenopause making symptoms worse? And tongue numbness after a nerve block? In this listener Q&A, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, and recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight, medical director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, tackle some of the complicated questions patients are asking—and where the evidence is still evolving. Can tongue tie contribute to dysautonomia? Can men have a connective tissue disorder even without obvious joint hypermobility? How should people with hEDS, POTS, and MCAS think about pregnancy? And could being born prematurely influence autonomic function later in life? Dr. Bluestein and Dr. Knight also explore emerging research examining trauma histories in people with EDS and HSD, including how repeated medical dismissal and gaslighting may contribute to trauma over time. The conversation turns to perimenopause and menopause, including why perimenopause can be particularly challenging and the sometimes-competing considerations of estrogen and progesterone therapy for people managing both menopausal symptoms and connective tissue laxity. Finally, they break down Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST): what it is, symptoms to recognize, potential risk factors, and how it is managed—prompted by a listener's experience with recurrent tongue numbness following nerve blocks. In this episode, you'll learn: What we know—and don't know—about tongue tie and dysautonomia Why connective tissue disorders may look different in men Important considerations when planning pregnancy with hEDS, POTS, and MCAS Whether prematurity may influence autonomic function later in life What emerging research suggests about trauma, EDS/HSD, and medical gaslighting Why perimenopause may be particularly difficult for some hypermobile patients How estrogen and progesterone may affect symptoms and connective tissue laxity How to recognize Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) Why unusual neurologic symptoms after local anesthetic exposure deserve attention Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcastX: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinicUVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. Chapters: 00:00 Medical Trauma Opens00:36 Show Intro and Fan Qs02:38 Adult Tongue Tie Talk12:09 hEDS in Men Question16:58 10 Percent Rule Toolkit21:36 Pregnancy Planning Advice28:02 Prematurity and Trauma Links33:46 Trauma Begets Trauma34:52 Stellate Blocks And Vagal Stimulation36:20 Postmenopausal Bleeding And MCAS38:36 Endometriosis And Perimenopause42:19 Hormones Versus Hypermobility45:49 Clinician Advocacy And Learning49:57 LAST And Tongue Numbness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tongue tie and POTS? EDS without obvious hypermobility? Perimenopause making symptoms worse? And tongue numbness after a nerve block? In this listener Q&A, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, and recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight, medical director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, tackle some of the complicated questions patients are asking—and where the evidence is still evolving. Can tongue tie contribute to dysautonomia? Can men have a connective tissue disorder even without obvious joint hypermobility? How should people with hEDS, POTS, and MCAS think about pregnancy? And could being born prematurely influence autonomic function later in life? Dr. Bluestein and Dr. Knight also explore emerging research examining trauma histories in people with EDS and HSD, including how repeated medical dismissal and gaslighting may contribute to trauma over time. The conversation turns to perimenopause and menopause, including why perimenopause can be particularly challenging and the sometimes-competing considerations of estrogen and progesterone therapy for people managing both menopausal symptoms and connective tissue laxity. Finally, they break down Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST): what it is, symptoms to recognize, potential risk factors, and how it is managed—prompted by a listener's experience with recurrent tongue numbness following nerve blocks. In this episode, you'll learn: What we know—and don't know—about tongue tie and dysautonomia Why connective tissue disorders may look different in men Important considerations when planning pregnancy with hEDS, POTS, and MCAS Whether prematurity may influence autonomic function later in life What emerging research suggests about trauma, EDS/HSD, and medical gaslighting Why perimenopause may be particularly difficult for some hypermobile patients How estrogen and progesterone may affect symptoms and connective tissue laxity How to recognize Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) Why unusual neurologic symptoms after local anesthetic exposure deserve attention Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcastX: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinicUVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. Chapters: 00:00 Medical Trauma Opens00:36 Show Intro and Fan Qs02:38 Adult Tongue Tie Talk12:09 hEDS in Men Question16:58 10 Percent Rule Toolkit21:36 Pregnancy Planning Advice28:02 Prematurity and Trauma Links33:46 Trauma Begets Trauma34:52 Stellate Blocks And Vagal Stimulation36:20 Postmenopausal Bleeding And MCAS38:36 Endometriosis And Perimenopause42:19 Hormones Versus Hypermobility45:49 Clinician Advocacy And Learning49:57 LAST And Tongue Numbness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parenting can feel expensive and overwhelming, so we're bringing back this conversation because it's practical advice on balancing your family's finances with what matters most. How do you manage money when you have a lot of kids who are busy? Join our online community: www.getthehelloutofdebt.com Thanks to AirDoctor for supporting today's episode. Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code ERIN to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely free! Leave us a voicemail message here: www.speakpipe.com/erinskyekelly Purchase Get The Hell Out Of Debt and Naked Money Meetings online or from your favorite bookstore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anyone who has ever owned a dog has probably wondered what goes on inside that furry little head. Does your dog feel guilty after chewing up your favorite shoes? Does it know when you've had a bad day? Does it love you the way you love it? We often assume we know what our dogs are thinking, but many of our assumptions are completely wrong. Understanding how dogs actually perceive the world can transform the relationship you have with your pet. According to dog behavior expert Camilla Gray-Nelson, dogs don't think the way humans do, and many common training mistakes happen because people expect dogs to understand things they simply don't. Once you begin to see the world from your dog's perspective, communication becomes easier, unwanted behaviors are easier to change, and training becomes far less frustrating—for both of you. Camilla shares fascinating insights into how dogs interpret our actions, what motivates their behavior, and how to build a happier, more cooperative relationship with your four-legged companion. She is author of Lipstick & the Leash: Dog Training a Woman's Way (http://amzn.to/2mkKr5Z). PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This conversation is a timely reminder that the adults in a child's life can shape their financial future simply by asking better questions and creating opportunities to learn. Shanna is a financially savvy auntie who wants to teach the kids in her life about money without overstepping with the parents. This episode covers how to be a positive financial role model and help the next generation develop strong money habits. Join our online community: www.getthehelloutofdebt.com Thanks to AirDoctor for supporting today's episode. Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code ERIN to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely free! Leave us a voicemail message here: www.speakpipe.com/erinskyekelly Purchase Get The Hell Out Of Debt and Naked Money Meetings online or from your favorite bookstore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You can be inches from the life you want—and still find a way to pull yourself backward. AJ and Johnny sit down with clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho to uncover why self-sabotage appears in careers, health goals, relationships, and everyday habits. They explore the hidden fears, beliefs, and cognitive distortions that make change feel threatening, including black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, comparison, low self-concept, and the excessive need for control. You'll learn how to recognize your triggers, question the stories your mind creates, separate thoughts from facts, and replace destructive patterns with practical “if-then” plans. Judy also explains why willpower alone isn't enough—and how aligning your goals with your values can create motivation that lasts when discipline fades. Chapters 00:00 – Why we sabotage the goals we want04:45 – The problem with New Year's resolutions08:00 – How fear activates self-defeating behavior12:30 – The four LIFE drivers of self-sabotage19:15 – Recognizing cognitive distortions24:40 – How to question and change destructive thoughts35:30 – Stop treating every thought like a fact41:00 – Rebuilding habits with the ABC framework44:20 – Turn obstacles into practical if-then plans51:10 – Why values create lasting motivation55:25 – Build your personal blueprint for change58:05 – How self-sabotage damages relationships01:03:10 – A daily exercise for catching negative thoughts A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm self sabotage, procrastination, cognitive distortions, behavior change, psychology, personal growth, willpower, motivation, habits, goal setting, mindfulness, self awareness, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, negative thinking, fear of change, limiting beliefs, emotional regulation, relationships, values Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When you're hungry, you know you're more interested in food. But hunger also changes the way you think—and the effects can spill over into decisions that have nothing to do with eating. Researchers have discovered some surprising consequences of making important choices on an empty stomach. https://www.dundee.ac.uk/press-release/dont-make-major-decisions-empty-stomach-research-suggests Finding cheap airfare has become almost a game. People swear by booking on Tuesdays, searching in incognito mode, or buying tickets at a certain time of day. But how much of that actually works? The truth is that airline pricing is driven by a surprisingly complex system—and once you understand what really causes fares to rise and fall, you can dramatically improve your odds of paying less. Here with an insider's look at how airfare pricing really works is Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), which tracks airfare deals for more than two million travelers worldwide. Listening to this conversation will save you money. People say they're "burned out" all the time. But are they really? According to the official definition, true burnout is far less common than most people think. In fact, many people who believe they're burned out are actually dealing with something very different—and treating the wrong problem only makes things worse. Psychotherapist and mental strength expert Amy Morin explains how to tell the difference, what burnout really looks like, and the practical steps that can help you regain your energy. Amy hosts the award-winning Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin podcast (https://amymorinlcsw.com/podcasts/), her TEDx Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFbv757kup4) has been viewed more than 25 million times, and she is author of The Mental Strength Playbook. (https://amzn.to/4yG8yR5). Waiting in line, sitting on hold, or watching the spinning wheel on your computer can feel maddening. But here's the interesting part: it's often not the wait itself that frustrates us. What really gets under our skin is something else entirely. Once you understand why waiting feels so unpleasant, you'll discover a few surprisingly simple ways to make almost any wait seem much shorter and more tolerable. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/15/i-waited-45-minutes-to-buy-a-single-croissant-in-fitzroy-why-do-humans-queue PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AIR DOCTOR: Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SYSK to get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000, and 5500 models. Plus, you'll receive a free 3year warranty, an $84 value, and AirDoctor's 30-day money back guarantee WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Elevate your everyday. Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever been afraid to ask for something because you were afraid you'd get rejected? Whether you want to invite someone on a date or ask for a raise, the fear of hearing "no" can keep you from trying. But according to my guest today, the sting of rejection probably isn't as painful as you think. But the cost of avoiding rejection might be worse. My guest is Jia Jiang, the founder of 100 Days of Rejection, where he set out to get rejected on purpose every single day for 100 days straight. He's the author of Rejection Proof, and his new book Easy Discipline is coming out soon. Some of the things we discuss are: What Jia learned from asking a stranger for $100, requesting a burger refill, and knocking on random doors to ask if he could play soccer in the yard The Krispy Kreme Olympic donuts story that went viral (and briefly moved the company's stock) The mental script that runs in your head before you ask for something — and why it's almost always wrong The single shift that turns you from someone who mirrors other people's energy into someone whose energy sets the tone Why "no" isn't the end of a conversation — it's the start The one line that lowers the temperature on any high-stakes ask (and gets you more yeses) The story of Mike, whose fear of rejection nearly cost him the ability to advocate for his wife when she was diagnosed with cancer Why "you either get a yes or an epic story" might be the most freeing thing you'll hear all week The Therapist's Take: My top three strategies for becoming more rejection-proof starting today Related Episodes 20 — Why Rejection Stings and What to Do About It with Harvard Professor/Author Dr. Ronald Siegel 152 — Conquer Any Fear with These Science-Backed Steps Links & Resources Rejection Proof Easy Discipline Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets - Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have never been much of a meditator. Sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, waiting for my brain to go quiet, has never once worked for me. I'm too in my head, too cerebral, too prone to just thinking harder instead of actually feeling calmer. So when I recorded this episode, I wasn't expecting to walk away from it more relaxed than I've felt in weeks. But that's exactly what happened.This week's guest is Layne Burkette, a licensed therapist who specializes in somatic and nervous system work.If you're heading into back-to-school season already feeling the overwhelm creep in, this conversation will give you real tools, not one more thing to add to your plate. In this episode, you'll hear:
We brought this conversation back because Erin's perspective on when debt may actually align with your values is one of the most thought-provoking discussions we've ever had. Are you wondering how people actually afford babies, especially if you have to go about it in a non-traditional way? Whether you're contemplating IVF, freezing eggs, or just freezing with anxiety over the price tag, this episode gets real about what happens when your biological clock and bank account aren't quite in sync. Join our online community: www.getthehelloutofdebt.com Thanks to AirDoctor for supporting today's episode. Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code ERIN to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely free! Leave us a voicemail message here: www.speakpipe.com/erinskyekelly Purchase Get The Hell Out Of Debt and Naked Money Meetings online or from your favorite bookstore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Someone takes a shot at you in front of the room, and suddenly your body reacts before your brain has decided what to say. AJ and Johnny break down what happens in that two-second window when your status, confidence, or credibility feels threatened. They explain why people instinctively shrink, fight back, or try to one-up the other person—and how each reaction hands control of the moment away. You'll learn a practical three-step framework for holding your ground without becoming defensive or aggressive: name what you noticed, ask what they actually need, and either offer value or set a clear boundary. It's a simple way to stay composed, protect your position, and stop replaying the conversation after it's over. Episode Resources: https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=sib-episode-frame-5 Chapters 00:00 – The two-second status threat01:05 – Who controls the meaning of the moment03:00 – Why your body reacts before your brain03:50 – The four ways people respond under pressure06:30 – Three common frame attacks08:20 – How jealousy shows up at work10:00 – The cooperative defense framework11:30 – Offer value or hold your boundary12:20 – Your challenge for the week13:10 – Building frame control under pressure A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm frame control, workplace communication, confidence, conflict management, executive presence, social intelligence, emotional regulation, communication skills, status, boundaries, difficult conversations, leadership, composure, workplace conflict, interpersonal skills, self awareness, influence, assertiveness, professional communication, high pressure situations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do you ever feel really anxious about a potential health issue? Maybe you Google your symptoms frequently. Or maybe you ask for constant reassurance or just keep checking on the same spot that hurts to see if it feels better. Health anxiety is a common problem but sometimes people are embarrassed to talk about. But, there are some strategies that can help you regain control over your time and mental energy so you stop worrying about your health. Some of the things I talk about are: The four ways health anxiety shows up "Cyberchondria," and the research showing how quickly an everyday symptom turns into something rare and terrifying in your search results. Why the relief you get from reassurance backfires Why you shouldn't suppress your anxiety and what you should do instead Related Episodes 208 — Coping With Anxiety: An Anxiety Toolkit for Fast Relief 253 — How Hypnosis Could Help You Break Bad Habits, Reduce Anxiety, and Relieve Your Pain with Dr. David Spiegel Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets - Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, I am teaching you how to get over anyone. Most of us often treat a breakup like the entire goal is to get over the OTHER person. All of our attention gets pushed outward. We analyze what they are doing, whether they miss us, why they acted the way they did, and whether there is still a chance they might return. But the truth is, you are not just attached to the person. You are attached to the version of yourself who existed with them. That is why the first step to getting over a breakup… is to get over yourself.Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code CLAIMYOURPOWER at checkout. Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/claimyourpower Use my code POWER and head to http://Cozyearth.com for an exclusive 20%, and if you see any post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!Hot girls drink clean water. Head to AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using exclusive promo code POWER.Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code POWER to get up to $300 off ANY of their select AirDoctor models, plus you will get a 3-year warranty, absolutely FREE.RESOURCES FOR YOU: ENERGY PROTECTION MEDITATION DOWNLOAD HERE
This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey. Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Snag your ticket for About Progress LIVE Preorder Sticky Habits book today! Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book. Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good. Get the free DSL Training. Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.” Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Could lumping every type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome under one umbrella actually be doing more harm than good? In this thought-provoking episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by Abbey Phillipson, who was born with COL5A1 classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, survived the first recorded non-traumatic pediatric spondyloptosis, and now serves as Head Strength Coach for Paralympic and Adaptive Sports at the University of Michigan and founder of the Collagen Advocacy Network. Inspired by Abbey's powerful presentation at the UVA Research Symposium, this conversation challenges long-held assumptions about how we define, discuss, and advocate for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Although hypermobile EDS has dramatically increased public awareness, Abbey argues that people living with rare and ultra-rare EDS types, representing just 1 to 3 percent of the community, are too often overlooked in research, funding, clinical care, and even public conversations. Together, Dr. Bluestein and Abbey explore whether the different EDS types should continue to share a single name, why distinguishing hypermobile EDS from the genetically defined types could ultimately benefit everyone, and how naming disorders by their underlying gene and predominant manifestation might improve diagnosis, research, and patient care. Abbey also shares deeply personal stories that illustrate what's at stake, including a friend who spent 35 years carrying the wrong diagnosis before genetic testing revealed kyphoscoliotic EDS. Their conversation highlights why genetic counseling matters, the limitations of direct-to-consumer testing, and how assumptions in medicine can unintentionally delay appropriate care. The episode closes on a message of hope and empowerment. After her neurosurgeon prescribed strength training, Abbey transformed from experiencing monthly full-joint dislocations to having none. Today, she helps athletes and people of all abilities discover that movement can be adapted, strength can be built, and disability does not define potential. She also shares why advocacy is most effective when it channels frustration into meaningful, solution-focused action, plus one of her favorite protein-packed hypermobility hacks. Takeaways: People with rare and ultra-rare EDS types make up only about 1 to 3 percent of the community and are frequently left out of decisions about research, funding, and care. Clearly distinguishing hypermobile EDS from the genetically defined types benefits everyone; naming a condition by its gene and predominant manifestation could improve medical clarity and care. The "invisible illness" framing can cause genuinely visible rare types to be overlooked, and comfort with a clinical diagnosis can lead to decades-long misdiagnoses that genetic testing would catch. Genetic testing and counseling are essential, especially before starting a family; direct-to-consumer testing carries real limitations and should be interpreted cautiously. Strength training can be transformative: after her neurosurgeon prescribed it, Abbey went from frequent full dislocations to none, and movement can be tailored to activities people love rather than being purely prescriptive. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Abbey Phillipson? Instagram: @abbeyphillipson @definedbycollagen Website: collagenadvocacynetwork.org Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcastX: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLindaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymdDr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.orgUVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinicUVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Winning once can be luck. Winning repeatedly demands that you become someone different after every loss. AJ and Johnny sit down with elite performance coach Tim Grover to unpack the mindset behind sustained success. Drawing on his work with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and other top performers, Tim explains why failure should change you, why focus matters more than time management, and why the smallest details often separate good from unstoppable. You'll learn how to manage your own mind, eliminate distractions, build trust through results, and stop searching for someone else's blueprint. This conversation is a direct look at the discipline, self-awareness, sacrifice, and relentless evolution required to keep winning long after the first success. Episode resources: https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos Chapters 00:00 – How Tim earned Michael Jordan's trust07:15 – The mindset behind repeated winning10:40 – Why failure must change you18:20 – How elite performers think differently22:50 – Reading people through small details28:10 – Controlling the battlefield in your mind31:10 – The truth about the Mamba mentality37:05 – Manage focus, not time40:20 – Why balance requires subtraction47:35 – The role of selfishness in success52:25 – Why there is no universal formula57:15 – Tim's strongest mental advantage A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm mental toughness, winning mindset, peak performance, focus, resilience, self discipline, failure, success habits, elite performance, leadership, motivation, confidence, personal growth, high performance, mindset, productivity, time management, self awareness, competitive mindset, professional development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you been bracing for a midlife crisis? Maybe you've believed that once you hit 40 or 50, you're supposed to hit a wall — get restless, buy the sports car, blow up your life, or slide into a slow decline. And even if you haven't hit that wall yet, part of you might be waiting for it. But my guest today has spent more than 30 years studying midlife, and she says most of what you've heard is wrong. In fact, treating midlife like a decline might turn it into one. Your sense of control, your self-esteem, and your life satisfaction can actually peak in midlife. My guest is Dr. Margie Lachman, a psychology professor at Brandeis University who directs the Lifespan Lab and is one of the leading researchers on adult development in the country. Some of the things we discuss are: The truth behind the famous "happiness dips at 47" claim — and why the researchers behind it are now walking it back Why the millennial midlife crisis might not actually be about midlife at all Why your personality isn't locked in the way you were taught — and how to change it in your 40s, 50s, and beyond The midlife review: three questions that can help you figure out what you actually want next The "shelve it" approach Why "sense of control" might be the single most important mindset in midlife (and how it lowers inflammation and dementia risk) Why childhood struggles sometimes resurface in midlife — and what to do about it The Therapist's Take: My top three strategies for making midlife your prime starting today Related Episodes 296 — 5 Ways to Build Emotional Strength When Life Keeps Knocking You Down 336 — The "Social Clock" That's Making You Feel Behind—and How to Stop Links & Resources Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Lola Blankets - Head to LolaBlankets.com and use code STRONGER to get 40% OFF your order. AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pick up a copy of The Mental Strength Playbook. Do you think you lack willpower? Whether you can't stop snacking or you keep checking your ex's Instagram, bad habits can be tough to break. But what if willpower isn't your problem? What if it's an environmental problem that you can actually fix? Some of the things I talk about are: Why willpower is a limited resource—and how you burn through it hundreds of times a day without realizing it. The 2025 Microsoft study on how many times the average worker gets interrupted in a single day. Why the people who break bad habits don't actually have more discipline than everyone else. The simple friction tricks that make temptation harder to reach—from the cookie shelf to your saved credit card. How I keep my own phone from hijacking my writing (and why it's not about discipline at all). My client who was sure she had ADHD—and the creative 15% solution that changed her whole workday. The three simple steps to build a temptation blocker for whatever is draining your energy. Why fixing your environment is about being more present in the moments that matter. Related Episodes 184 — Stop Relying on Willpower and Create Habits for Lasting Mental Strength 204 — 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do in Today's World Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Helix Sleep — Go to helixsleep.com/STRONGER to get 20% off sitewide AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most people think success comes from never giving up. But sometimes the smartest decision is knowing when to walk away from the wrong opportunity so you can invest your time, energy, and resources where they matter most. In this episode, Annie Duke explains why quitting isn't the opposite of grit—it's an essential part of making better decisions. AJ and Johnny sit down with decision-making expert and former professional poker player Annie Duke to unpack the psychology behind quitting, expected value, sunk cost fallacy, goal-setting, and the biases that keep us stuck. Through stories about Everest expeditions, entrepreneurship, investing, and professional sports, Annie reveals how successful people know when to persist, when to pivot, and how to avoid letting emotions override good judgment. If you've ever stayed in a job, relationship, or project longer than you should because of the time or effort you've already invested, this conversation will give you practical tools to recognize hidden biases, make clearer decisions under uncertainty, and confidently move toward better opportunities. Episode resources: https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos Chapters00:00 – Why quitting has a bad reputation02:00 – Grit vs. knowing when to quit09:30 – Expected value and smarter decisions16:15 – Why we quit too late25:45 – Goals, bias, and dangerous persistence34:50 – Opportunity cost and better choices41:10 – Sunk costs and escalation of commitment50:45 – Breaking free from status quo bias A Word From Our Sponsors Get $250 off select AirDoctor air purifiers by using promo code CHARM at AirDoctorPro.com. Shopify is where you go to start your business, and everything you need to sell is already there from day one. Start your free trial by going to SHOPIFY.COM/charm Connect with top talent ready to help your business grow by going to UPWORK.COM. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm Keywords decision making, critical thinking, quitting, grit, expected value, sunk cost fallacy, behavioral psychology, cognitive bias, decision science, personal growth, leadership, entrepreneurship, investing, opportunity cost, goal setting, risk management, productivity, mindset, psychology, self-improvement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you overwhelmed by all the self-improvement advice out there? Every book, every podcast, every social media post is telling you a different thing you should be doing and all those things might leave you feeling exactly the same as when you started. My guest today has spent the last decade interviewing more than 700 top performers to figure out what actually moves the needle. His book has hundreds of strategies, but I picked out the five that work best for anyone who wants to build confidence, reduce anxiety, or become a stronger version of themselves. My guest is Ryan Hawk, host of The Learning Leader Show and USA Today bestselling author. His new book is The Price of Becoming. Some of the things we discuss are: Why confidence comes from evidence and how it transfers to every other area of your life Why it's okay to copy other people when you're starting out (and the surprising fact about The Beatles that proves it). Curiosity as a skill disguised as a personality trait and why Ryan says it might be his number one love language. The line Ryan's dad said that reframes almost every anxious thought The Adam Sandler story about the professor who told him he'd never make it and the surprising way Sandler chose to remember him The difference between "clean fuel" and "dirty fuel" The three journaling prompts Ryan uses every night to compound growth over time The Therapist's Take: M quick take on how to apply each strategy starting today Related Episodes 248 — The 3 Words That Will Make You Mentally Stronger 330 — The Real Reason Your Coping Skills Aren't Helping (It's Not You) Links & Resources The Price of Becoming Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Sign Up for My Newsletter — https://amymorinlcsw.com/newsletter Sponsors Helix Sleep —Go to helixsleep.com/STRONGER to get 20% off sitewide AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Boll & Branch — Get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/stronger with code stronger. Square — Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/STRONGER. Dupe — Go to Dupe.com to finally feel confident about what to buy. Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices