Podcasts about Helpline

When retirement becomes caregiving, life can change in an instant.In this episode of Sherapy with Sheri & Randy, Sheri sits down with her cousin Debbie at her home, to discuss what it's really like caring for a spouse with dementia. Sheri shares her experience caring for a mother with Alzheimer's, while Debbie offers the unique perspective of caring for her husband.Together, they discuss the realities of caregiving, wandering, confusion, safety concerns, grief, retirement plans that never happened, and the emotional toll dementia takes on families.This is an honest conversation about love, loss, resilience, and finding strength when life doesn't go according to plan.If you're caring for a loved one with dementia—or know someone who is—you are not alone.If you or someone you love is facing Alzheimer's or dementia, help is available. Contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for free information, support, and local resources.Got something to share? Send us Fan Mail — your note might inspire the next episode… or even become a performance in Email: The Musical!

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) makes sure insurance companies and agents follow state law. When they don't, the Fraud and Enforcement Division steps in to protect consumers, stop illegal activity, and help Texans get the money owed to them.Here are answers to common questions about how the division holds the insurance industry accountable in a fair and transparent way. How are insurance companies or agents punished if they do something wrong? The penalties depend on the severity of the offense: - For minor offenses: TDI may issue a warning letter, a suspension, or probation. - For serious offenses: TDI can permanently take away a license, issue administrative fines, and force the rule-breaker to pay back the people they harmed. What can cause an agent or company to lose their license? TDI can take away a license for serious misconduct, like an agent stealing client money or taking payments without actually setting up the insurance policy. Before anyone loses a license, a formal hearing is held so both sides can present their case. What kinds of criminal cases are referred to TDI's Fraud Unit for prosecution? TDI's Fraud Unit investigates insurance crimes and hands them over to local district attorneys for prosecution. Common examples include: - Agents stealing insurance premiums (the money consumers pay for coverage). - Individuals selling insurance without a license. In Texas, selling insurance illegally is a third-degree felony. How can the public see enforcement actions against a company or agent? Consumers can search for disciplinary actions from the past five years on TDI's website. For help finding a specific company or legal order, call TDI's Help Line at 800-252-3439. What's the role of TDI fraud investigators?How TDI's Help Line helps with insurance questions and complaintsTDI embeds prosecutors in DA offices to investigate insurance fraudForensic accounting and insurance fraud investigationsFraud Files: William "Doc" GallagherTDI analysts work behind the scenes to stop insurance fraudInsurance fraud investigations recover millions for TexansReport insurance fraud online00:00 How does TDI's Enforcement Division hold insurance companies and agents accountable? 00:30 How does TDI enforce the insurance code and protect consumers? 00:56 How does TDI find cases for the Enforcement Division to investigate? 01:26 What kinds of possible code violations does TDI Enforcement Division investigate? 03:36 What is the process of a TDI Enforcement Division investigation? 05:37 How does restitution and revocation work in an insurance code enforcement investigation? 09:03 What happens when a code enforcement investigation uncovers criminal activity? 09:42 Can you look up companies or agents that have been investigated by the TDI Enforcement Division? 10:10 How does the TDI Enforcement Division help Texans? 11:05 If you need to file a complaint or have an insurance code question, call 800-252-3439 or visit tdi.texas.gov

Humility and mental health are more connected than you might think. And if you add self-compassion to the humility-ego mix, then you have a recipe that can support mood, offer stress relief, and give your mind and body a break from constantly trying to defend yourself. We'll dig into all this with the "Check Yourself" step of the humility framework, unpacking ego threat, defensive thinking patterns, and the very human stress response that kicks in when we feel criticized, wrong, or uncertain. Spoiler: the ego is not the villain here. It's more like an overzealous bodyguard, and humility is how you can teach it to stand down. This is Episode 3 of Joy Lab's Element of Humility series, following Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's framework: know yourself, check yourself, and go beyond yourself.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab Program. Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube     Sources and Notes for our Element of Humility: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Episodes in this Humility series: Humility Can Be Stressful... But Worth it for Mental Health [ep. 268] Know Yourself: The Humility Practice That Quiets Rumination and Builds Emotional Resilience [ep. 269] Book: Humble by Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD Tara Brach's website Find more about Neff's work on Self-compassion at Self-Compassion.org More on C.S. Lewis from the C.S. Lewis Foundation.  Hagá & Olson. 'If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect': Children's and adults' perceptions of intellectually arrogant, humble, and diffident people. Access here. Nielsen & Marrone. Humility: Our current understanding of the construct and its role in organizations. Access here. Porter et al. Predictors and consequences of intellectual humility. Access here. Van Tongeren et al. Humility. Access here.  Weidman et al. The psychological structure of humility. Access here. Wright et al. The psychological significance of humility. Access here. Wendell Berry's book Standing by Words   Key moments: [00:00] Welcome and episode framing — checking ourselves means we accept that we don't know it all, recognize our own cultural lenses, and can sit with uncertainty without losing ourselves. [02:00] Henry on accepting uncertainty as a form of letting go of control — and why the self-knowledge work from last episode makes this possible. True inner strength means being secure enough to admit when you're wrong and hold your ground when you need to. [04:00] Enter: the ego. Aimee makes the case that the ego isn't the root of all evil. A healthy ego helps us maintain a coherent, positive sense of self. The problem isn't the ego itself; it's when the ego runs the whole show, making every decision from a place of fear. [06:30] Ego threat explained — when criticism, mistakes, or uncertainty shake our sense of self, a stress response activates. This triggers cognitive distortions: black-and-white thinking, confirmation-seeking, and rigid beliefs. It's common, it's wired in, and it doesn't have to take us down. [08:30] Henry's bodyguard metaphor: the ego is a zealous protector that sometimes overreacts wildly — treating a questioned idea like a life-or-death threat. Humility doesn't fire the bodyguard. It just teaches it to relax. [11:00] Signs the bodyguard has overstepped. Aimee walks through the obvious ones (counterattacking, deflecting, blame-shifting) and the subtler ones (shutting down, overexplaining, people-pleasing, doubling down on beliefs to avoid uncertainty). If you're nodding, you're in good company. [13:00] Henry adds the physical signs of ego threat to watch for: chest tightness, heat rising, clenched jaw, shallow breathing. Your body knows you're in ego threat before your mind does. Also: the urgency to respond immediately, spinning narratives to justify reactions, needing the last word. [15:00] The good news — and the real mental health payoff. Admitting mistakes makes us more liked and respected. Humility builds psychological safety in relationships, keeps small harms from becoming earthquakes, reduces thought distortions, and separates self-worth from performance. It's a genuine resilience-booster. [17:00] Henry's three-step in-the-moment practice: pause (especially when it feels most urgent), take one slow breath (gives your brain a chance to come back online), and ask "What would I think about this if I weren't feeling defensive?" Shift from threat response to curiosity response — and still hold your ground if you need to, just from a grounded place. [19:00] Aimee adds supportive touch as an emotional regulation tool — hands stacked gently on the body, a breath, a moment of self-compassion. Getting out of the traffic circle doesn't require a response or a win. Sometimes you just drive on your way. [20:30] Closing wisdom from Tara Brach: "The ego is not your enemy, it is your partner. Make peace with it."   Full transcript here   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Mandy Wiener speaks to SADAG Operations Director, Cassey Chambers about SA’s only suicide crisis helpline running without government funding. The Midday Report with Mandy Wiener is 702 and CapeTalk’s flagship news show, your hour of essential news radio. The show is podcasted every weekday, allowing you to catch up with a 60-minute weekday wrap of the day's main news. It's packed with fast-paced interviews with the day’s newsmakers, as well as those who can make sense of the news and explain what's happening in your world. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch up and listen to. Thank you for listening to this podcast of The Midday Report Listen live on weekdays between 12:00 and 13:00 (SA Time) to The Midday Report broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from The Midday Report, go to https://buff.ly/BTGmL9H and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/LcbDdFI Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catch Up on the latest leading news stories around the country with Mandy Wiener on Midday Report from 12:00 to 13:00 The Midday Report with Mandy Wiener is 702 and CapeTalk’s flagship news show, your hour of essential news radio. The show is podcasted every weekday, allowing you to catch up with a 60-minute weekday wrap of the day's main news. It's packed with fast-paced interviews with the day’s newsmakers, as well as those who can make sense of the news and explain what's happening in your world. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch up and listen to. Thank you for listening to this podcast of The Midday Report Listen live on weekdays between 12:00 and 13:00 (SA Time) to The Midday Report broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from The Midday Report, go to https://buff.ly/BTGmL9H and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/LcbDdFI Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about RNIB's call for feedback on driverless taxis and the board are on the road to Edinburgh.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

Abby Kluchin & Patrick Blanchfield from the Ordinary Unhappiness podcast join for the next installment of the Anti-Self-Helpline. The Anti-Self-Helpline is where listeners write in with their experiences of political struggle so we can talk through the psychic and emotional content of those experiences.  SUPPORT: www.buymeacoffee.com/redmedicineSoundtrack by Mark PilkingtonTwitter: @red_medicine__www.redmedicine.substack.com/

Humility is a powerful (and mostly misunderstood) mental health skill that's grounded by self-knowledge and self-compassion. Humility is also a powerful antidote to rumination and harsh self-criticism and a tool to support mood and emotional resilience. We'll build up humility through this series by taking a positive psychology approach along with Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's framework to build humility (know yourself, check yourself, go beyond yourself.) This episode is all about Step 1 (know yourself) and it turns out it's both the most uncomfortable and the most freeing place to start. About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab Program. Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube   Sources and Notes for our Element of Humility: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Episodes in this Humility series: Humility Can Be Stressful... But Worth it for Mental Health [ep. 268] Book: Humble by Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD Find more about Neff's work on Self-compassion at Self-Compassion.org More on C.S. Lewis from the C.S. Lewis Foundation.  Hagá & Olson. 'If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect': Children's and adults' perceptions of intellectually arrogant, humble, and diffident people. Access here. Nielsen & Marrone. Humility: Our current understanding of the construct and its role in organizations. Access here. Porter et al. Predictors and consequences of intellectual humility. Access here. Van Tongeren et al. Humility. Access here.  Weidman et al. The psychological structure of humility. Access here. Wright et al. The psychological significance of humility. Access here. Wendell Berry's book Standing by Words   Key moments: [00:00] Why self-knowledge comes first in the humility framework — and why skipping it makes the rest of the work harder. [02:00] The humility paradox: who scores highest on self-reported humility? People with narcissistic traits. What this reveals about why self-knowledge matters. [04:30] Reflection vs. rumination: same self-focused action, completely different energy — and very different effects on anxiety and depression. [07:30] Clark Griswold on the roundabout: Aimee's perfect visual for rumination, plus Van Tongeren's concept of "right-sizing yourself." [09:30] Obstacle #1: The idealized self. When the gap between who you are and who you think you should be stops motivating and starts deflating. [12:00] Obstacle #2: The better-than-average effect. Most of us rank ourselves above average — and that's statistically impossible. How this positivity bias quietly inflates us. [14:30] Obstacle #3: The harsh inner critic disguised as self-awareness. Why beating yourself up isn't humility — it's ego turned inward. [17:00] Dr. Kristin Neff's insight: self-compassion is the foundation of honest self-awareness. You can look clearly when you're not afraid of what you'll find. [19:30] Rumination as an internal courtroom — and Aimee's personal story about chronic lateness, hard feedback from a friend, and what it took to actually receive it. [23:30] Henry's simple journaling practice: notice what you observed about yourself this week. No analysis, no judgment — just patterns, held gently. [25:30] Preview of next week's "Check Yourself" episode, and a closing note from Aristotle.   Full transcript here   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

In this episode, we're exploring this question: do souls carry their sexual orientation, gender, and identity with them after death? We're talking about what actually remains when we cross over, how the soul shows up on the Other Side, and whether the labels we carry in this life even apply there anymore. I'm also sharing my coming out story in detail for the first time. And there's a lot more Pride content coming. Stay tuned!If you're struggling with your mental health or thoughts of self-harm:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 on your phone or text 988Find a Helpline, for those outside of the United States of AmericaLearn more about Juan Francisco at juanfrancisco.co, or follow him at @thisjuanfrancisco on social media.

Eating disorders can cause a lot of worry for families and things can spiral quickly. Laura Casey is Director of Services at the beautiful Lois Bridges Treatment Centre in Dublin. Laura is an enhanced psychiatric nurse who brings over 11 years of dedicated experience in supporting individuals with mental illness, with a particular focus on the treatment of eating disorders. Her approach is rooted in holistic and person-centred care, ensuring that each individual's needs are met with compassion and clinical expertise.Today Laura talks to Stef about early signs and intervention, difficult conversations, pressure and how to access support and recovery.Below are some resources for parents.Established in 2010, Lois bridges is an award winning treatment centre providing a range of inpatient, day patient, outpatient and aftercare services for the treatment of all Eating Disorders including, but not limited to – anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.Lois Bridges also provide out-patient appointments with members of our specialised team- our Consultant Psychiatrists, Dietitians, Clinical Psychologists and various other registered therapists. You can make contact via phone 0876539747 or email info@loisbridges.ieBodywhys is the national voluntary organization providing support and information for people affected by eating disorders. Helpline: 01 210 7906Email Support: alex@bodywhys.ieFamily Support (PiLaR Programme):pilar@bodywhys.ieHSE Eating Disorder Teams (Public Health)Specialist teams under the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders (NCP-ED).Access: Referral must be made through your GPCall the HSE Mental Health Information Line at 1800 111 888 for details on your local teamCARED Ireland(Caring About Recovery from an Eating Disorder)A voluntary parent and carer support group providing peer-to-peer assistance and advocacy.email: CAREDireland@gmail.comInstagram: @caredirelandRecommended Books1. More than the Mirror: Alf Explores Body Image by Andrea Weldon (Author) for the child/adolescent2. Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders Book by Jennifer L. Gaudiani3. Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover by Tabitha Farrar4. Brave Girl Eating by Harriet Brown5. SupportedED: Online Self-Help Program for Carers of People with an Eating Disorder6. Anorexia Nervosa: A Survival Guide for Families, Friends and Sufferers by Janet Treasure7. Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders Piece by Piece: A Practical Guide for Parents by James Lock (Author), Aileen Whyte (Author), Brittany Matheson (Author), Nandini Datta (Author)Stef McSherry is a mum of 2 and a pre-school activity specialist, working with that age group for over 20 years.Stef is also the creator of the award - winning, multi - activity programme Kinderama. If you're looking for imaginative classes for your pre-schooler check out www.kinderama.com.And if you want to spark some imaginative play at home why not take a look at https://irishfairytails.com/Become a curious mermaid or a brave dragon with these beautiful book and tail sets! Thanks for listening to the podcast, I hope it helps in some way. Please tell a friend or share an episode or Follow/ Subscribe/Review so I can keep continue to produce free and essential parenting content.Want to ask a question or suggest a guest? Email themummind@gmail.comJoin us on Instagram:Stef: @kinderama @irishfairytailsThe Mum Mind: @themummindpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humility is not a weakness or a sign you're a pushover, instead it's a mental health tool that just might be exactly what our loneliness epidemic and anxiety culture are desperately craving. Humility is an accurate, grounded sense of who you are. And that grounded sense of self is a foundation for confidence, deeper connection, and holistic mental health. Here's what we'll explore this episode: There are four research-backed types of humility to focus on: Relational humility — how you hold yourself in relation to others; not above, not below Intellectual humility — holding beliefs with openness; curiosity over certainty Cultural humility — recognizing the limits of your own cultural lens and genuinely welcoming differences Existential humility — making peace with uncertainty, impermanence, and the big unanswerable questions of human life You might be doing great in one area and struggling in another (that's normal). These types aren't perfectly clean categories, but they offer areas for self-reflection and focus as you work to boost your humility and emotional wellbeing throughout the month.  With these areas in mind, we'll use researcher Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's framework to build humility through three core ingredients: Know Yourself — honest self-awareness of strengths and limits, without self-preoccupation Check Yourself — reducing defensiveness and the need to protect your ego Go Beyond Yourself — cultivating empathy and humility as a deep relational practice These three ingredients aren't just a nice framework for self improvement, they're a pathway to reducing loneliness, increasing connection, and building the kind of holistic healing and joy that Joy Lab is all about. If you're in the Joy Lab Program, your first Experiment will help you locate yourself within these four types and start the work.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab Program. Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch on YouTube     Sources and Notes for our Element of Humility: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  More on C.S. Lewis from the C.S. Lewis Foundation. Book: Humble by Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD Hagá & Olson. 'If I only had a little humility, I would be perfect': Children's and adults' perceptions of intellectually arrogant, humble, and diffident people. Access here. Nielsen & Marrone. Humility: Our current understanding of the construct and its role in organizations. Access here. Porter et al. Predictors and consequences of intellectual humility. Access here. Van Tongeren et al. Humility. Access here.  Weidman et al. The psychological structure of humility. Access here. Wright et al. The psychological significance of humility. Access here. Wendell Berry's book Standing by Words   Key moments: [00:00:00] Welcome + intro to Joy Lab's Element of Humility — solo episode with Dr. Aimee Prasek [00:00:30] Clearing up the bad takes: what humility is not — not weakness, not martyrdom, not dismissing your talents [00:01:00] The social science of humility: why we're drawn to humble people from mid-adolescence on, and why it primes us for connection [00:02:00] Humility as antidote to certainty culture and self-destructive perfectionism; the formal definition unpacked [00:02:45] C.S. Lewis on humility as self-forgetfulness — and the powerful paradox it reveals about hyper self-focus [00:03:30] The reframed Lewis quote: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself — it's thinking of yourself less often" [00:04:15] Introducing the four research-backed types of humility: relational, intellectual, cultural, and existential [00:05:00] Deep dive into intellectual, cultural, and existential humility — leaning into curiosity over certainty [00:06:00] Why humility is harder than other Elements — and why it's worth it anyway [00:07:00] The obstacles: certainty culture, fear of being wrong, pressure to perform vs. just be [00:08:00] Ego protection, the stress response, and why humility can feel like a physical threat to the nervous system [00:08:45] Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's three ingredients for building humility: Know Yourself → Check Yourself → Go Beyond Yourself [00:09:45] Humility as medicine for the loneliness epidemic, anxiety, and depression — why culture is craving this right now [00:10:30] What's coming next: knowing ourselves, plus your first Joy Lab Program Experiment [00:11:00] Closing poem: The Real Work by Wendell Berry   Full transcript here   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

For people with disabilities, the UK Government's Access To Work scheme is a vital support for getting into, and staying in, work.Unfortunately ATW has been buckling under the strain of increased applications, not enough staff, poor working practices and not enough funding.RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Roisin Jacklin, from RNIB, to hear about work being done to improve the vital employment lifeline.If your blind or partially sighted and  having problems with Access To Work, call 0303 123 9999 for RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

Jill Thompson, Director of Program with the Alzheimer's Association talks about aging well and ways you can keep your brain healthy as we age! The focus on minority communities and brain health proves to be an important conversation to have throughout Arkansas. Alz. Association 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.390010 Healthy Habits for Your Brain: https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10-healthy-habits-for-your-brainAARP Arkansas Brain Health & Wellness Day: Register Here-https://www.aarp.org/events/details.aarp-arkansas-brain-health-wellness-day.nwnq9m89hykor Call 877-926-8300

Spoiler: you were never meant to do this alone. In the final episode of Joy Lab's Resilience series, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons explore the most powerful — and most underrated — ingredient in lasting resilience: deep, meaningful connection. They unpack the neuroscience of belonging, the illusion of separation that quietly wrecks our wellbeing, and two surprisingly accessible practices: shared-joy and moral elevation. These practices can open us to greater connection right now, no personality overhaul required. The takeaway from this episode is that deep connection isn't a bonus feature of a resilient life. It's the foundation. And the good news? You're already wired for it.   Try It Free

Send us Fan MailOn today's episode, we're talking about matrescence. And if that's a word you've never heard before, you are not alone and you are in exactly the right place. Matrescence is the process of becoming a mother. It's a developmental passage, biological, emotional, social, spiritual. It can begin before birth. And according to our guest, Chelsea Robinson, it may even last a lifetime. Think of it like adolescence, but for motherhood. Messy, disorienting, and probably nothing like what you expected. Chelsea is a licensed clinical social worker, and she brings both the clinical grounding and genuine passion for this topic. We dive into why so many mothers feel blindsided by the identity shift that comes with parenthood. I know that this rings true for a couple of podcast hosts. We also talk about why simply having a name for this experience can be quietly life-changing, and how to know what's normal versus when we might need some extra support. Whether you're in the thick of early motherhood or years in wondering why it still feels like a lot, this one's for you. So without any further ado, please sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode all about matrescence. Mentioned on today's episode:What were some things you were afraid to say when you became a parent? Email us! dani@postpartum.netPSI's HelpLine: 800-944-4773Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 833-852-6262PSI's Peer Support GroupsMore on MatrescenceInterested in sharing your story?Fill out our podcast interest form here! Questions about the I AM ONE Podcast?Email Dani Giddens - dani@postpartum.net--------------------------------------------------------------------Connect by PSI - Download PSI's New App!Apple VersionAndroid Version Visit PSI's website: https://www.postpartum.netFind free resources & info on certification, training, and other incredible programs!Call or text 'HELP' to the PSI Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 Not feeling like yourself? Looking for some support? You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (U.S. only): 1-833-852-6262Free and confidential Hotline for parents, providers & support people in English and Spanish.Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S. & Canada): 988Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for pro...

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnect

We hit a wild Homie Helpline for Nate, whose "accidental" namesake friend maxed out his cards for a $1,000 spree, and Marcy, who came home from an armed robbery stint to find her homie in Watts had been renting out her BMW to the whole complex! Don't You Know I'm Local, so we're debating the terrifying 140 mph "bullet buses" that might be terrorizing the 5 freeway soon just to get people to San Francisco in three hours. Mayor Karen Bass stops by to talk about her deep Latino roots, her first protest at age 10, and why collaboration is the only way to actually get things done in the city. Between the "scammer gem" of credit card disputes and Vic's personal beef with $40 SF parking, we're keeping it a hundred on the streets! [Edited by @iamdyre

We're in our Element of Resilience and we're going somewhere most mental health conversations completely skip: the heart.  Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek unpack why mental health has been so brain-centric for so long, what the field of neurocardiology is revealing about the heart's role in how we feel, think, and connect, and why ancient healing traditions were frankly ahead of the curve on all of this. Then they walk through three practical, research-backed heart-centered practices to support your mental health: self-acceptance, loving-kindness, and compassion. Henry also shares a simple, portable exercise called The Three Kindnesses that you can do anywhere, anytime. Whether you've been with us throughout this series or this is your first episode, this one is a great entry point into what Joy Lab is really about.   Try It Free

The squad investigates the massive $4 million c*****e bust found inside Skims shipments and wonders if "Kilo Kim" is about to drop a "Coke White" collection. ❄️

If your mom or dad was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you may already feel the weight of caregiving starting to land on your shoulders.But here's the good news: being the primary caregiver does not mean doing it alone.In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, Amy walks you through how to build an Alzheimer's care team early, before caregiving by default becomes an unwanted reality. You'll learn who belongs on the team, what each person holds, and how to ask for help without feeling like you're begging people to care. What to Listen For01:20 — What caregiving in the Alzheimer's space actually means03:00 — How caregiving by default happens 04:45 — Why building a care team is also prevention06:30 — The three professional anchors10:00 — How the neurologist helps you understand the brain-specific picture and future options. 12:15 — Why asking for a social worker may be the one question that changes everything. 15:30 — The one-page care team note that keeps everyone from relying on your memory alone. 18:00 — How to ask family and friends for help so you don't feel like you're beggingBuilding an Alzheimer's care team early is one of the most loving and practical things you can do for your parent, your family, and yourself. Listen to this episode now, then subscribe to Happy & Healthy with Amy and download the free guide, Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Now What?Resources from the EpisodeAlzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.orgAlzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900 ALZConnected: https://www.alzconnected.orgCaregiver Action Network: https://www.caregiveraction.orgAging Life Care Association: https://www.aginglifecare.orgAmy's Free Guide: https://www.amylangcoaching.com/firststepsRecommended Complimentary EpisodesMy Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Am I Next? — This is the natural starting point for listeners who are scared that a parent's diagnosis means their own future is already written. It covers family history, modifiable risk factors, menopause, and the first five brain-health moves Amy recommends. After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis: A Family Checklist — A strong companion episode because it walks families through the first practical questions to ask after diagnosis, including how to move from panic into grounded action. Alzheimer's Prevention: What the Cochrane Review Means — Helpful for listeners trying to make sense of scary headlines, anti-amyloid drugs, and what “clinically meaningful” really means for Alzheimer's prevention. GLP-1s and Alzheimer's Prevention: Hope or Hype? — A good fit for midlife women hearing about GLP-1s, APOE4, and dementia risk and wanting a more grounded way to evaluate the hype. The Menopause–Alzheimer's Link: How to Protect Your Brain Health Now — Recommended for women in perimenopause or menopause who want to understand why this transition matters for cognitive health. RESOURCES:Book a FREE Discovery Call with AmyOrder Amy's book Thoughts Are Habits Too:  Master Your Triggers, Free Yourself From Diet Culture, and Rediscover Joyful Eating.Schedule your Breakthrough Roadmap session with AmyFollow Amy on Instagram @amylangcoaching Follow Amy on Facebook @amylangcoachingSubscribe to Amy's YouTube channel @happyandhealthywithamy

Rachel Morrogh, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Chief Executive, discusses 2025 being the busiest year in the centre's 47 year history.

This is your final invitation! The Joy Lab Program's free 30-day offer ends May 31st — and we want to make sure you know what you're actually being invited into before the door closes. It's not a slick two-and-a-half-hour morning routine. It's not cold plunges or weird concoctions. It's deep, real inner work that often looks a little messy, requires genuine courage and self-compassion, and is worth every bit of the effort. And one of its quieter, underrated gifts: you are not doing it alone. Inside the Joy Lab Program, you're part of a community working on the same experiments, sitting with the same questions, and doing the same hard, worthwhile work together. That matters more than any choreographed wellness performance.   Try It Free

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about RNIB's reaction to the King's speech in Parliament and a celebratory visit to the Lords.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB's CEO Simon Antrobus, A Smiling Simon, Wearing A Black Jacket and A White Shirt.

In this episode of the Joy Lab Podcast, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons dig into one of the most counterintuitive resilience skills we can build: turning toward negative emotions instead of running from them. This isn't about wallowing. It's about befriending the feelings that are already there so they can actually move through you, instead of getting lodged and piling up.  We're talking fear (the emotion at the core of so many others), the science of emotions vs. feelings, why your emotional immune system needs exposure to develop, and three grounded steps (embody, observe, yield) to help you navigate the next emotional flurry before it becomes a blizzard. This one pairs beautifully with our Grief Series (starting at Episode 248) and our last episode on the observer self. Whether you're new to this work or deep in it, there's something here for you.   Try It Free

Dr. Aimee Prasek drops in with a quick Mental Health Awareness Month reminder and Joy Lab's 30-day free offer. Joy Lab has just launched into the Element of Resilience, and there's no better time to join the Program and start doing this work together.   Try It Free

Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon began with the announcement that actor, and star of Disney+ UK's ‘Rivals,' Victoria Smurfit has been appointed as RNIB's new President as Dame Gail Ronson DBE steps down after 14 years as President of the RNIB.Also with many people voting this week in the UK elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments as well as the Council and Mayoral elections in England Simon talks about the work that the RNIB has been doing looking into how to make voting accessible so that visually impaired people are able to vote independently at the polling station.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font. 

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!May bago na naman tayong Dyosa! Sinariwa namin ang Windorski moment ni Miss Bea Millan. Shempre hindi nakalagpas sa kiki namen ang iba pang dyosa natin na sina Marina Summers, Bella Ismael atbp. And those gowns. Oh those gowns. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Kasama natin dito si Bes CJ ng CJSays at KoronaFilipina. Support the showThe Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.  Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram . Advertise with us - Email: balutkiki@gmail.com.  *Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If  you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide). It's okay to ask for help.

Calming the mind sounds simple, right? And yet most of us would rather do almost anything other than sitting quietly with our thoughts. In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons dig into the science of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), the surprising research on just how much we think, and the powerful practice of the observer self: the part of your mind that can step back, see what's happening, and choose differently. This episode makes the case that our relationship with our own minds might be the most important resilience work we do.   Try It Free

In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek shares some of the origin story behind the Joy Lab Program — from her own years-long climb out of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, to a pivotal (and infuriating) moment on a psychiatrist's couch that lit a fire for her. Joy Lab exists to normalize mental health experiences, to build on inner strengths, and to help people do more than just survive and to actually flourish.    Try It Free

Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon began by celebrating and thanking all of the Team RNIB runners who took part in the 2026 London Marathon raising over £200,00 for the RNIB and then to the incredible £15million milestone in flexible funding since 2018 raised by players of the Postcode Lottery, awarded by the Postcode Care Trust to the RNIB supporting many areas of the charity's work making a real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB's CEO Simon Antrobus, Smiling, Wearing A Black Jacket With A White Shirt.

What does it actually mean to be resilient? Spoiler: it's not about white-knuckling through hard times or being the type of person who just 'endures' everything. In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons kick off Joy Lab's month-long exploration of Resilience. They'll share a science-grounded, warmly human look at what resilience really is, where it comes from, what depletes it, and, most importantly how to keep filling it back up. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Important notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at Joylab.coach for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies.   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & introduce Resilience as this month's Element of Joy. [00:00:35] — Defining Resilience: Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick's definition: "a process to harness resources to sustain wellbeing" Resilience isn't a fixed state; it doesn't require the absence of illness, a certain mood, or a feeling of confidence. You can be resilient even when you feel completely unresilient. [00:01:40] — Henry's Take: Resilience as a Natural, Inborn Quality Henry frames resilience as something every human already carries — we wouldn't be here without it. He describes it as a capacity to face life's challenges with enough skill to deal with them "more or less successfully" (emphasis on more or less), get back up after being knocked down, and still hold onto some equanimity and connection to joy. [00:03:20] — Why Equanimity and Joy Are Part of Real Resilience: Aimee highlights that joy and equanimity aren't commonly included in definitions of resilience — and argues they should be. She makes the case that teaching people to simply endure hardship without attending to their relationship with it leads to only survival, not wellbeing. Personal story: her family's history of survival alongside deep, untended grief. [00:05:25] — The Research: Resilience Is Inborn and Universal- Aimee reviews longitudinal research on resilience: no single demographic, personality trait, or biological factor strongly predicts resilience. Chronic stress and difficult childhoods can "dent or delay" it, but they don't break it. The Joy Lab approach: tapping into the factors that boost resilience in meaningful, joyful ways. [00:07:10] — Henry's "Resilience Container" Model: Henry introduces a central metaphor for the episode- imagine a container in your brain/body holding a "magical elixir" that keeps you afloat. The size of that container differs between people — influenced by genetics and early environment. But the most important thing isn't container size — it's how well you keep refilling it. [00:08:10] — Factor #1: Genetics. Some resilience (and vulnerability) runs in families. Depression, for example, has a clear genetic component — but it's one piece of a much larger picture, not a sentence. [00:08:50] — Factor #2: Early Environment. How safe, nurtured, and emotionally respected we felt as children sets a tone for our emotional life. It's not something we can change retroactively, but its impact doesn't have to be permanent. Joy Lab's work is explicitly about shifting that emotional set point. [00:10:30] — Nobody Is Immune — But That's Not the End of the Story. Even the most naturally resilient person can be brought to their knees by a relentless string of losses or prolonged stress. The goal: reduce the drain and actively refill. It's a dynamic system. [00:11:50] — You Have to Test Resilience to Build It: The Biosphere 2 Story Aimee tells the story of Biosphere 2, the closed experimental ecosystem in Arizona — where trees given perfect growing conditions (no wind, no stress) grew fast and then simply collapsed. Scientists eventually discovered that wind stress causes trees to form stress wood (reaction wood): dense, concentrated cells that structurally reinforce the tree.  [00:13:55] — Eustress: The Good Stress That Builds You Up. Aimee introduces eustress (eu = Greek for "good") — the kind of stress that actually strengthens us. Like exercise for muscles, or cardiovascular training: the system doesn't improve without being challenged. Our nervous systems, emotional resilience, and capacity to handle difficulty follow the same pattern. You are biologically laying down stronger capacity every time you navigate a challenge and come through the other side. [00:16:10] — Stress Isn't the Enemy — Imbalance Is. Henry clarifies: stress itself isn't the problem. It becomes a problem when it's too intense, lasts too long, or when we don't respond to it well. Our bodies are built to handle stress — in appropriate doses. [00:16:50] — The Brain Chemistry of Resilience: Norepinephrine & Serotonin. Henry breaks down two key neurochemicals: norepinephrine (the brain's version of adrenaline — activates focus and alertness under stress) and serotonin (his candidate for the "magic elixir" in the resilience container — a coolant that counterbalances overactivation). When these get depleted or thrown out of balance by chronic stress, we feel it — sluggish, run-down, depressed. [00:18:20] — Our Collective Resilience Depletion Right Now. Henry names what many are feeling: after years of pandemic stress, ongoing political turmoil, and a relentless churn of bad news, people are depleted on a large scale. What began as activation has, over time, curdled into exhaustion. This is a collective resilience crisis — and it calls for collective attention. [00:19:40] — Aimee on Equanimity and Agency in Brain Chemistry. Aimee connects the brain chemistry back to the equanimity point: even at the biological level, we have influence. This is self-care with scientific grounding. She invites listeners into the Joy Lab Program (free through the month of May 2026) to put these ideas into practice. [00:21:30] — Closing Quote: Alan Watts on Your Inborn Nature .Aimee closes with a reflection from Alan Watts on seeing yourself as part of nature — as extraordinary and as fundamental as trees, clouds, fire, and galaxies. A reminder that your resilience isn't something you have to earn. It's already what you are.   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Chemistry of Calm (Dr. Emmons' book referenced in this series) Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick- Yale faculty page Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: interdisciplinary perspectives Annual Research Review: Positive adjustment to adversity -Trajectories of minimal-impact resilience and emergent resilience Effects of a 12-week endurance training program on the physiological response to psychosocial stress in men: a randomized controlled trial No man is an island: social resources, stress and mental health at mid-life How does the brain deal with cumulative stress? A review with focus on developmental stress, HPA axis function and hippocampal structure in humans Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind (this is the study of people shocking themselves out of boredom) Emotion Suppression and Mortality Risk Over a 12-Year Follow-up Cumulative Stress and Health The Times of Our Lives: Interaction Among Different Biological Periodicities      Full transcript here.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio speak to some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they're working on at the moment. Hywel Davies has been finding out more.If you'd like more information on campaigns or want to get involved , email campaigns@rnib.org.ukYou can visit rnib.org.uk/news or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Follow @RNIB_Campaigns on your socials or search for RNIB Campaigns

If you'reblind or partially sighted and voting in the 2026 UK elections, there are various pieces of assistive technology, and staff support, on offer to help you cast your vote independently and in secret.There are differences around the UK, so what can you expect?RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to RNIB to find out what you are entitled to.If you'd like more info on what's available to help you vote, accessibly, go to www.rnib.org.uk and search for voting.You can also call your local council offices or RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful installment of Diary of an Overcomer, we sit down with author Daniel Marin to discuss his journey through the shadows of mental illness and the light he found on the other side. Daniel opens up about his personal battles with bipolar disorder, a journey he describes as moving from "the throne of a living hell" to a life of freedom and purpose.Daniel's story is a raw, honest look at the "invisible chains" of depression and paranoia, and how faith and resilience helped him break them. Whether you are struggling with a diagnosis yourself or supporting a loved one, this episode offers a profound message: you are not alone, and you can overcome."Bipolar the Good Life: Breaking the Chains of Depression and Mental Illness" In his book, Daniel Marin details his experience wandering the streets of the city in search of hope and how he finally found the path to stability and peace. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the reality of mental health through a lens of victory.Order on Amazon: Bipolar the Good Life by Daniel MarinMental Health Resources & SupportIf you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder or mental health challenges, please reach out to these organizations for confidential support:DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance): Provides hope, help, and support for people living with mood disorders.Website: dbsalliance.orgPhone: (312) 642-0049988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24/7 for anyone in the U.S. experiencing mental health-related distress.Call or Text: 988Chat: 988lifeline.orgCrisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors.Text: "HOME" to 741741NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers education and support groups across the country.HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)Website: nami.orgConnect with Shepherd's Gate: Follow us for more stories of hope and transformation as we document the lives of those who have moved from bondage to breakthrough.

We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026.  "Joyless urgency." Two words that probably just hit a little too close to home. In this episode, Henry Emmons, MD and Aimee Prasek, PhD dig into the Element of Fun — and why so many of us have so little of it. Drawing on the writing of Marilynne Robinson, the surprising decline of kids biking, and sobering research on social media's role in what researchers call problematic engagement, Henry and Aimee make a compelling case that fun isn't frivolous. It's foundational. And reclaiming it might be one of the most radical — and effective — things you can do right now.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Full transcript here   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. More about Marilynne Robinson from The Poetry Foundation Farivar, S., Wang, F., & Turel, O. (2022). Followers' problematic engagement with influencers on social media: An attachment theory perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 133. Access here. Joy Lab Episodes referenced: Worrier? You're Not Alone. Here's Why We Worry... [ep. 213] Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216] Embrace Your True Self: Accepted, Connected, & In The Game [ep. 217] The Road Most Travelled: Awakening Through Suffering [ep. 218] Follow Your Bliss: Awakening to Joy [ep. 219]  The Still Small Voice: Awakening with Soulfulness [ep. 220] Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & The Quote That Started It All Henry and Aimee open with a striking passage from author Marilynne Robinson's essay collection The Givenness of Things: "The spirit of the times is one of joyless urgency." Aimee unpacks why those two words land so hard — and how Robinson's observation that this urgency serves "inscrutable ends that are utterly not our own" is the quiet crisis underneath hustle culture. [00:02:00] — The Question We're Too Busy to Answer We've all had that moment of clarity — what am I doing this for? — only to immediately rush past it into the next task. Aimee names the pattern: sometimes urgency is more comfortable than sitting with the possibility that all this striving might not actually be for us. [00:03:00] — Henry's Childhood Take on Boredom (Wisdom From the Old Wise Rat) Henry reflects on being a kid who dreaded boredom — and how that boredom turned out to be necessary. The inactivity between moments of play is what made the play so rich. Think of it like the pause between musical notes. [00:05:30] — Aimee's Dollar Ice Cream Cone Moment Aimee connects bike riding to early experiences of autonomy and confidence — biking to the corner store with a dollar felt like being a real adult. A sweet illustration of how unstructured play doubles as a training ground for real-world social skills, self-confidence, and approach behavior. [00:07:00] — Social Media and the Architecture of Joyless Urgency Here's where it gets science-y. Aimee connects the joyless urgency framework directly to how most social media platforms are designed — not to satisfy us, but to keep us in a loop of stimulation and momentary relief. The mechanics: activate anxiety, ease it briefly, activate again. Repeat. Sound familiar? [00:08:00] — Problematic Engagement: What the Research Says Aimee introduces the research concept of problematic engagement — used in studies on social media addiction and gambling — which describes the cycle of engaging with something that momentarily eases dis-ease but ultimately causes harm. Key finding: social anxiety is a primary driver, and these platforms are algorithmically built to exploit it. [00:09:30] — The Most Ironic Research Finding People who believe they have complete control over their social media use — who think they could stop at any time — actually show the most signs of problematic engagement. They're absorbing the most harm while feeling the least concerned about it. [00:10:00] — Dr. Samira Farivar Quote + What We're Up Against Aimee references research by Dr. Samira Farivar: "You can't action a problem you don't even know exists." The platform isn't incidental to the problem — it is the business model. We're not weak for falling into this loop. We're human, and the trap was engineered specifically for us. [00:11:30] — The Simple Truth About Adding More Fun Henry brings it home: adding more fun to life is theoretically simple. If we just slow down enough to let our awareness catch up, we'll almost naturally fill that space with something we enjoy. Kids don't need instructions for fun — and adults don't either, once we clear the noise. [00:13:00] — Listening to the Voice That Wants to Play Henry offers a quiet but urgent reminder: our inner wisdom needs to be heard. If we don't honor it, it either goes silent — or gets louder until we can't ignore it. The invitation is to pause, ask what am I doing?, and actually wait for an answer to surface. [00:14:00] — Play Is an Offensive Strategy Aimee closes the conversation with a reframe: fun and play aren't a retreat from the hard stuff in the world. They're a way of moving through it.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

May is just around the corner and it's Mental Health Awareness Month. At Joy Lab, we believe awareness alone isn't enough. It's time to actually care for your mental health. So we're offering the full Joy Lab Program free for 30 days (offer ends May 31st). No paywall. No catch. Just a genuine invitation to experiment with more joy. In this episode, Aimee walks through exactly why now is the right moment to try the Program and shares the exciting updates that make this the best version of Joy Lab yet.   Try It Free

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about his visit to Belfast and RNIB Connect Radio's ARIA nomination for their Read On show.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk you can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB's CEO Simon Antrobus, Smiling, Wearing A Black Jacket With A White Shirt.

We are celebrating the power of people helping other people and an incredible £15 million in flexible funding raised by players of the Postcode Lottery supporting the work that the RNIB does to help blind and partially sighted people live more independently and with greater confidence too.One area that has been supported by the flexible funding is the RNIB Helpline and the role of the Digital Skills Advisors.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined by Mohammed one of the RNIB Helpline Digital Skills Advisors and Maureen an RNIB Customer who reached out to the Helpline at the beginning of her sight loss journey explains more about the support and advice that the Helpline provides to blind and partially sighted people and the fantastic support Maureen received from Mohammed which has enabled her to carry on with her life too. Thanks to funding raised by players and awarded by Postcode Care Trust, RNIB has received an amazing £15 million in flexible funding since 2018.To find out more about the RNIB's Helpline and how the Digital Skills Advisors can help you do either call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.ukAnd for more about the Postcode Lottery do go to - https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)

We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026.  Busyness: society's favorite status symbol and one of resilience's sneakiest enemies. In this episode, Henry Emmons, MD and Aimee Prasek, PhD dig into time poverty — the feeling of having too much to do and never enough time to do it — and unpack why so many of us are stuck in this cycle without even realizing it. Spoiler: it's not just about your calendar. They explore the science of adrenal fatigue, the cultural glorification of overwork, a concept called effort justification, and the fears that keep us moving too fast to feel anything. Plus, a practical, almost embarrassingly simple mindfulness trick to help you wake up to your own life — and a cautionary tale about solitaire. About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin YouTube   Full transcript here     Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Episode referenced: Emotional Inertia: Feeling Dull & Disconnected [ep. 207] Annie Dillard's website. Jonathan Gershuny: "Work not leisure, is now the signifier of dominant social status." Closing poem excerpt: Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"   Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & Episode Introduction Henry and Aimee introduce today's topic: busyness as a resilience-depleting habit and a deeper dive into time poverty. [00:01:00] — What Is Time Poverty? Time poverty defined: the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. The nuance: it's less about how many activities are on your calendar and more about why you feel so strapped — and what you consider time well spent. [00:02:00] — Stress, Perception, and the Hijacked Sense of Time When we're in a chronic stress state, our nervous system makes it virtually impossible to feel like we have enough time. Aimee sets up a connection to adrenal fatigue and how our perception of time gets distorted under prolonged stress. [00:03:30] — Annie Dillard Quote + The Brick-By-Brick Life Henry brings in writer Annie Dillard: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." The key insight: the days we fill with unconscious busyness aren't separate from our life — they are our life. [00:05:30] — Adrenal Fatigue Explained Henry breaks down adrenal fatigue in plain language — not a lab result, but a state of physiological depletion from sustained high stress. When the system gets pushed too long, motivation crashes, fatigue sets in, and it can look a lot like depression. The takeaway: don't wait until you're running on empty. [00:09:00] — Waking Up to Your Own Life Aimee connects the Dillard quote to Joy Lab's core practice: seeing what is. The bricks you're laying right now are already your foundation — you can't outsource that awareness to some future version of yourself. [00:10:00] — Two Reasons We Resist Slowing Down Henry and Aimee identify the two forces keeping people stuck in chronic busyness: A cultural shift that glorifies work over leisure as a status symbol Fear of the emotions that surface when we stop moving [00:10:30] — The Cultural Glorification of Overwork Sociologist Jonathan Gershuny: "Work — not leisure — is now the signifier of dominant social status." Not productivity, not meaning, not mastery. Just logged hours. Aimee connects this to the founder-sleeping-at-the-office mythology and the phenomenon of effort justification — the false belief that harder or more work must be more meaningful work. [00:12:00] — The Bell Curve of Busyness Not all busyness is bad — in fact, too little challenge has its own negative health outcomes. Henry and Aimee describe the bell curve: there's a sweet spot of productive challenge that supports joy and wellbeing. Both ends of that curve — too little and too much — lead to worse outcomes. [00:13:30] — Fear #1: If I Stop, I'll Sink Henry draws on clinical experience with patients who've had to take time off work. The fear of going from frantic to flat is real — but the antidote is surprisingly modest: one or two structured, meaningful activities per day is often enough. [00:15:30] — Fear #2: Running From Emotions The deeper fear beneath chronic busyness — staying in motion to avoid feelings. Henry reflects honestly on using busyness as an avoidance strategy in his own life. It works... until it doesn't. The way out: learning to turn toward emotions rather than away from them. [00:17:30] — Aimee's Cross-Country Escape (And What Followed) Aimee shares that she moved across the country partly to run from her problems — only to discover that her feelings were faster than a plane ticket. A lighthearted but real reminder: avoidance is portable. [00:19:00] — What Is Time Well Spent? The missing link in the time poverty conversation: most of us haven't actually defined what time well spent means to us personally. Key questions to sit with: What do I want to learn or experience? Who energizes me? What leaves me feeling depleted? [00:20:00] — The Time Log Practice A practical tool: track how you spend your minutes for at least three days, noting both the activity and how you feel during it. Many people discover they have more agency over their time than they thought — and they're often spending that discretionary time on things they don't even enjoy. [00:21:00] — The Solitaire Saga Aimee's honest story about downloading a solitaire game for the warm, nostalgic reasons and spending five stressed-out weeks in a dopamine feedback loop before finally deleting it. The point: unconscious habits have real costs — and awareness is the first step to changing them. [00:25:00] — Henry's Mindfulness Shortcut: Expand or Contract? A deceptively simple real-time mindfulness practice: in any given moment, pause and notice whether your chest or belly feels expanded, contracted, or neutral. No judgment. Just notice. Then — over time — start making choices that move you toward more expansion. [00:27:00] — Closing Reflection + Desiderata Aimee closes with lines from Max Ehrmann's poem Desiderata — a meditation on self-compassion, presence, and trusting that the universe is unfolding as it should.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Hey Bessie, send us a text message!MATURE CONTENT WARNING.Pasensha na sa mga Gen-Z naming mga Bessies! Baka pati ibang ka-Millennials at ka-Gen-X namin ay hindi maka-gets sa project na 'to - pero hindi namin napigilan na kiligin sa pagbabalik ng aming Mother Grand na nagluwal sa aming kabadingan - si MADONNA! Puro tuloy balik-tanaw ang ginawa namin for this episode sabay kiki tungkol sa pag-attend ng high school reunion, coming to terms with ageing and embracing your queerness past your 40s, 50s - and like our Queen - 60s. Labas na, Sabrina! Support the showThe Balut Kiki Project is an international award-winning podcast being the only Philippine winner so far at the Asia Podcast Festival Awards held in Singapore.Follow/subscribe and, review and rate us on Spotify, ApplePodcasts, Podchaser.  Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram . Advertise with us - Email: balutkiki@gmail.com.  *Our podcast does not offer professional medical, sexual, or mental health advice. Our show aims to entertain and express truths about our personal experiences in dealing with issues we discuss. If  you are undergoing depression or having suicidal thoughts, please go to these links: NCMH (PH) or Find a Helpline (worldwide). It's okay to ask for help.

Ralph welcomes journalist and author Megan Greenwell to discuss her book "Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream." Then, Ralph speaks to James Zogby (co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute) about the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon.Megan Greenwell is a journalist who has written or edited for publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, WIRED, and ESPN. She is also the deputy director of the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, a workshop and college-access initiative for students from low-income backgrounds. She is the author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream.The real trick with private equity (and this was the thing that made me want to write a book on it) is that when they take out those billions of dollars worth of loans (if you're buying a bigger company), the private equity firm is not responsible for paying those loans back. Only the portfolio company in whose name the private equity firm has taken the money out is on the hook for that money. And so what you end up with is this split in incentive where what's good for the private equity firm is not necessarily what's good for its own portfolio company.Megan Greenwell[Congress hasn't repealed the carried interest loophole] because Congress is in the pocket of the private equity industry. 88% of members of the House and Senate take donations from private equity. Interestingly, Donald Trump has called twice for the carried interest loophole to be closed. And still, even he, as much of a stranglehold as he has on the Republican Party, he can't build support for it among Republicans. Because they're all taking private equity money, as are the vast majority of the Democrats. So this is not a partisan issue.Megan GreenwellOne of the reasons I was really interested to write this book as a series of narrative profiles of people trying to do something about [private equity] is: none of them are trying to do something about it through the federal government. And I think when we talk about “Only the federal government can save us,” we really risk turning people away from trying to do anything. And I think we've seen on the private equity issue there has been some really interesting movement on the state level in several places—real reforms that are much easier to accomplish on the state level than on the federal level.Megan GreenwellJames Zogby is co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, and he is featured frequently on national and international media as an expert on Middle East affairs. Since 1992, he has written a weekly column— “Washington Watch” —that is published in 12 countries. He is the author of several books, including Looking at Iran: The Rise and Fall of Iran in Arab Public Opinion, The Tumultuous Decade: Arab, Turkish, and Iranian Public Opinion - 2010-2019, Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why it Matters, and Palestinians: The Invisible Victims.Not only are thousands being killed [in Lebanon], but there's a process underway of demolishing villages, obviously expelling lots of people, creating internal refugees and sectarian tension as a result of it. And clearly (as Israel has stated, and I think we have to believe them), that they actually want to annex the territory up to the Litani River and maybe even further. They call it a buffer zone, but we've heard that buffer zone stuff before. It's merely a way of taking new land and providing opportunities for settlements.James ZogbyAs we saw ourselves in Vietnam, as we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel is now getting PTSD reports that are deeply disturbing to them. They're getting suicides. They're getting an exhausted military. They're not exhausted with the weapons that they're losing (because they're losing a lot and they're using a lot), they're getting emotionally and physically exhausted. Look, when the soldiers do what they've been doing—which is basically inhuman behavior, I mean, it's disgraceful behavior—it begins to eat away at the soul. You get these suicides. You get these emotional collapses. And what gets me upset is that—72,000 Palestinians dead, a few Israeli soldiers having PTSD and trauma and committing suicide becomes a news story? My feeling has to be with the Lebanese and Palestinians.James ZogbyWhen I hear on the DNC from other members who say to me, “When you talk about Israeli genocide, that's anti-Semitic, it makes me uncomfortable,” I said, “You know what makes me uncomfortable? That genocide is actually taking place. And it makes me equally uncomfortable that you won't admit it or even want us to talk about it.”James ZogbyNews 4/17/26* Our top story this week comes to us from New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani is delivering on yet another campaign promise thought impossible by mainstream pundits and beltway insiders: the creation of municipal grocery stores. Capping off his first 100 days in office, Mayor Mamdani delivered remarks in front of La Marqueta in East Harlem, the site of one of the original city-run grocery stores created under Fiorello LaGuardia. Mamdani laid out how the stores will operate, noting that while “A private operator will run the store,” they will “answer to the standards the city will set…[including] requirements that at our stores bread will be cheaper. Eggs will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation. And workers will be treated with dignity.” Mamdani plans to have the first of these stores open in 2027 and stores in all five boroughs open by the end of his term in 2029. This from NBC4 New York.* Meanwhile, in New York's 10th congressional district, former NYC Comptroller and Mamdani ally Brad Lander is aligning himself with AOC and calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. In a meeting with a group of local journalists, Lander said “We need to follow the Leahy Law and condition all of our foreign policy aid on human rights and international law compliance…At the moment, Israel is very far from complying with human rights and international law. So I would not vote for any more aid,” adding that he “hopes” Israel will “[get] there.” The Forward notes that this is an evolution from the position he took during his mayoral candidacy last year. At that time Lander opposed sending offensive weapons to Israel, but believed that the US should keep funding Israel's Iron Dome, per the New York Post. Through a representative, Lander's opponent in this race, incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman, told the Forward he “will always support defensive systems,” like Iron Dome.* The liberal Zionist organization J Street is also shifting its position. The Middle East Eye reports the group is calling for an end to “direct” US military support to Israel, according to a new policy paper. To be clear however, while this does mark a shift from J Street's previous position that the U.S. should provide defensive weapons systems – like resupply for Iron Dome, at no cost to Israelis – J Street now argues that Israel should simply purchase these weapons instead. In short, J Street is arguing that Israel is rich enough to provide for its own defense and that the American financial subsidies are “unnecessary and politically counterproductive, creating avoidable tensions in US domestic politics and in the bilateral relationship.” This is in line with statements by Netanyahu himself, who has made it clear that Israel wants to reduce its reliance on U.S. military aid “all the way down to zero.”* In other news, Reuters reports Apple is closing several of its brick-and-mortar stores, including the first ever unionized Apple store. Over 100 workers at the store, located in Towson Town Center mall in Maryland, voted to join the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) in 2022; Reuters notes that “a similar union drive in Atlanta [around that same time] was withdrawn, ‌with ⁠Apple workers alleging intimidation.”At the other stores being shuttered, employees were offered the option to continue their jobs at other nearby Apple stores. At the Towson store however, Apple is claiming that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation. The union says this is “false” and is reportedly exploring all legal options. IAM also expressed “serious concerns that ​this closure is a cynical attempt to ​bust ⁠the union.”* Elsewhere in Maryland, the state legislature has passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act. This bill, which Gov. Wes Moore has vowed to sign into law, is designed to prohibit surveillance pricing, the practice of retailers charging different shoppers different prices for the same item at the same time based on information the store knows about them as an individual. While crucial and innovative legislation, Consumer Reports – which “engaged on the bill…throughout the legislative process,” argues that it has been watered down to the point of inadequacy via lobbying by the Maryland Retail Alliance. Some of the added exceptions include failing to establish any baseline or standard price – given that “with no set standard price, everything can be marketed as a discount” — and exempting any pricing associated with loyalty or membership programs or subscriptions. The bill also does not contain strong enforcement provisions, such as a private right of action. So, while this bill is a start – and you have to start somewhere – we echo Consumer Reports' urging that “other state legislatures considering personalized pricing legislation to build in stronger consumer protections and avoid loopholes that weakened this bill.”* In more consumer news, the scourge of sports betting continues to metastasize. A new report from Siena Research Institute has produced staggering findings: “27% of Americans and [52%] of men ages 18-49…[say] they have an active account with an online sportsbook such as DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, or BetMGM.” And, while most respondents maintain that they bet because it is “exciting” and “fun”, “31% of bettors report having had someone express concern about their usage of online sportsbooks, [42%] of bettors...say they have felt that they bet more than they should…Fifteen percent of bettors…say they have called a problem gambling Helpline or sought other help with problem gambling, and 22% of respondents overall say they know someone that has or has had a problem with online sports betting.” Taken together, this represents a deeply troubling gambling wave cresting in this country. And, while legislators are beginning to take notice, the sports betting interests are beginning to fight back, with Bloomberg reporting that these companies – FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook – are beginning to dump money by the truckload into new Super PACs. Just this year, they have contributed $41 million to Win for America, according to new FEC filings, and show no sign of stopping there.* In our final domestic story, this week saw the implosion of leading California gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Eric Swalwell. Swalwell ultimately opted to resign his seat in Congress after it became clear that the Democratic and Republican House leadership was mulling a deal to expel him and flagrantly corrupt Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick along with two scandal-ridden GOP Reps., Tony Gonzales and Cory Mills. The fact that Swalwell's resignation was paired with that of Gonzales lends credence to the idea that some deal was worked out behind closed doors. Yet, deal or no, this leaves Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills in their seats despite general acknowledgment that they should be expelled, per the Hill. This constitutes congressional horsetrading at its most base.* Turning to international news, this week Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has for months governed the country with a plurality in the House of Commons, has successfully secured a majority for his ruling Liberal Party. This majority was secured via three byelection victories, but more significantly, by five recent “floor crossings” – elected MPs switching parties to join the Liberals. Having secured a majority, Carney is now confident in his ability to stave off a no-confidence vote and will likely remain in power at least until the 2029 general election. Unfortunately, the New Democratic Party (NDP) saw improvement in their share of the vote in only one “riding” despite their new leadership. This just proves the party has a long, difficult climb back to relevance in Canadian politics. This from the CBC.* Looking Southward, this week, Peru held the first round of their presidential election. The top two vote getters will advance to a runoff, but who those candidates would be remained unclear for an agonizingly protracted period of time. Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the former Japanese-Peruvian dictator and a perennial far-right candidate herself, came in first with 17% of the vote. And at first, it seemed like the second slot would be taken by ultraconservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga. However, following days of vote counting, Aliaga moved down to third place, with the second place finisher proving to be Roberto Sanchez, a figure of the Peruvian Left and ally of ousted former President Pedro Castillo. Sanchez however is also allegedly allied with the Andean supremacist movement led by Antauro Humala in Peru. The Peruvian political system has been rocked by instability, churning through “eight presidents in the past 10 years, including four who were impeached,” per France 24. Castillo, the last democratically elected president, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison in 2025; if elected, Sanchez would likely pardon the former president as other left-wing Latin American leaders including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have urged. How long Sanchez, or for that matter Fujimori, might last in office is another question.* Finally, we turn to the United Kingdom where the dream of a new Leftist party – Your Party – is foundering. After a promising start, Your Party ultimately descended into infighting between the Grassroots Left faction, led by Zarah Sultana, and another faction, the Many, led by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Your Party also chose to bar from participation any avowedly leftist organizations. These moves, alienating to the very constituencies most interested in backing the YP, paired with the meteoric rise of the Green Party under Zack Polanski and a threatened exodus by the Scottish YP segment, have rendered what could have been a substantial power in Parliament, pressing for concessions on issues if not achieving a majority itself, utterly toothless. An inside account of the internal battles is available at Counterfire.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about, a forthcoming visit to Belfast and his first meeting with the Visionary Group of sight loss charities.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB's CEO Simon Antrobus, Smiling, Wearing A Black Jacket With A White Shirt

We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026.  In this episode of Joy Lab, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek dismantle the idea that balance is a fixed destination you arrive at someday — once the laundry is done, the inbox is empty, and the kids are listening. Spoiler: that day is not coming. Instead, Henry and Aimee reframe equanimity as an active, embodied practice — more like balancing on one foot than standing rigidly still. Drawing on the metaphor of the Equinox, the rhythm of the ocean, and the very real signals your nervous system sends when you've overloaded your plate, they offer two practical, evidence-informed strategies: releasing perfectionism and cultivating outer stillness through the radical act of doing less. Whether you're recovering from burnout, drowning in self-help listicles, or just tired of waiting to feel balanced before you start living, this episode is your permission slip to recalibrate — right now, imperfectly, and with grace.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube     Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.   Full transcript here   Key moments: [00:01:00] Defining equanimity — calm, serenity, inner peace, and balance Why "balance" is the most relatable word, even if it's overused and under-understood. [00:01:45] The biggest myth about balance: it's a fixed end state Unpacking the belief: "I just need to get my life in balance and then I can…" — and why it keeps failing us. [00:02:45] Balance as a boat on the ocean Waves, storms, narwhals, manatees — navigating it all is the practice. Balance is not the island. [00:03:45] Physical balance as a mirror for life balance Henry reflects on aging, illness, and how something we once took for granted can become a major effort — and what that teaches us. [00:05:30] When life knocks your reserves out — anxiety, depression, significant stress What once seemed doable can feel insurmountable. Normalizing the experience of losing your footing. [00:06:00] The Equinox metaphor for balance Twice a year, day and night are perfectly balanced — and it lasts a moment. Nature doesn't fight the shift. It flows. [00:07:30] Savoring moments of calm and preparing for inevitable shifts The Equinox teaches us to appreciate balance when we find it — and not to be blindsided when it moves on. [00:08:45] Balancing on one foot — balance is in the balancing Aimee reframes physical balance as wobbling, reassessing, and rebalancing — not rigidity. An invitation to ease up on yourself. [00:09:30] Honest check-in: Joy Lab's own season of imbalance Six months of heavy workload, three months of feeling out of balance — and the confidence that recalibration is possible. [00:11:00] Strategy 1: Let go of perfectionism Aimee breaks down how our vision of "balance" is often a vision of impossible perfection — and how that perfectionism causes us to delay our own self-care indefinitely. [00:12:30] How perfectionism anchors the balance myth We stop doing the things that help us recalibrate until we reach a state that never arrives. The invitation to check in and offer yourself grace.   [00:13:45] Strategy 2: Cultivate outer stillness by doing less Henry's personal strategy — and why it runs counter to every "5 Things Highly Productive People Do" headline in your newsfeed. [00:15:30] What the pandemic unexpectedly taught about doing less When life was stripped back, Henry discovered his life could be rich without being packed full. [00:17:00] Why "do less" is the only wellness strategy with nothing to add to your list No gadgets. No hacks. No hooks for perfectionism. Just awareness and the willingness to say no. [00:17:30] Using your body as a navigation app for balance Tuning into the feeling of being rushed and pressured as a signal to change course — no wearable required. [00:19:00] Aimee's body check-in — stomach tension as a balance metric Instead of opening another listicle, go inward. Your nervous system is already telling you what you need. [00:20:00] We are balanced creatures when we allow ourselves to be Balance isn't about biohacking or concoctions. It's inner stillness and inner wisdom — skills we can all build. [00:21:00] Joy Lab Program and community support A reminder that the podcast is community-supported — and an invitation to go deeper in the Joy Lab Program. [00:21:45] Closing quote from Anna Quindlen     Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026.  Solitude and fun in the same sentence? Stick with us. In this episode, we'll explore how intentional alone time — free from devices, distractions, and the pressure to perform happiness — can actually be one of the most powerful tools for mental wellness and, yes, even joy. From the neuroscience of arousal states to Trappist monks in rural Iowa, this one is equal parts science and soul.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Full transcript here   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Podcast episodes referenced:   #73 Lonely in crowded places (this isn't a country music song) (this is the episode that originally played before this one) #28 Common Humanity vs Isolation Related podcast episodes: #72 Blame-It, Overanalyze-It, Should-It, & Separate (BOSS Dominoes) #71 Uncovering Your Playful Nature (guided meditation) #70 Update and Special [Super fun!] Replay #19 The Power of Play: Clocks vs Clouds and Taming Your Wild Things  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663 Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions Brain systems underlying the affective and social monitoring of actions: An integrative review How BIS/BAS and psycho-behavioral variables distinguish between social withdrawal subtypes during emerging adulthood Solitude as an Approach to Affective Self-Regulation What Time Alone Offers: Narratives of Solitude From Adolescence to Older Adulthood The Handbook of Solitude: Psychological Perspectives on Social Isolation, Social Withdrawal, and Being Alone, Second Edition Descartes' Meditations Maya Angelou's website    Key moments: [00:01:00] — Defining Solitude Aimee offers a working definition: solitude is the voluntary experience of being alone, without devices or stimuli pulling attention away from oneself. Key distinction: solitude feels full, while loneliness feels like lack. [00:02:30] — Solitude vs. Loneliness: A Useful Parallel Henry draws a parallel between solitude/loneliness and grief/depression — experiences that may look similar on the surface but lead to very different outcomes. Healthy solitude, like healthy grief, can free and open us up. [00:05:00] — Obstacles to Solitude: Social Pressure Aimee calls out the cultural pressure to be perpetually social. In US culture, extroversion is rewarded, "table for one" is framed as sad, and choosing alone time can feel like going against the grain of good mental health — even though meaningful solitude actually supports it. [00:06:30] — The Paradox of American Individualism Henry reflects on how a culture that prizes individualism can simultaneously use constant social activity as a defense against the loneliness that individualism breeds — a potential downward spiral. [00:07:00] — Solitude as the Outbreath: Rhythm and Nature Drawing from his resilience retreat work, Henry introduces the breath as a metaphor for healthy life rhythm: activity needs rest, stress needs recovery, depletion needs renewal. Solitude, he suggests, is the outbreath after the inbreath of companionship and extroversion. [00:09:00] — Descartes on Peaceful Solitude Aimee shares a passage from Descartes' Meditations on the freedom solitude offers — a chance to release rigid opinions and find spaciousness. [00:10:00] — The Neuroscience: Arousal States Explained Aimee breaks down the arousal state spectrum — from deep sleep (lowest) to stress and agitation (highest) — and explains why US culture's incentivizing of high arousal states keeps our nervous systems chronically buzzing. [00:11:00] — High Arousal Positive Affect & Toxic Positivity A nuanced look at the cultural pressure to display high-energy happiness — "high energy on top of high energy" — and why that contributes to nervous system overload and, in Aimee's view, is where toxic positivity lives. [00:12:00] — Low Arousal States and the Healing Power of Solitude Research on how solitude can bring us into lower arousal states — awake, at ease, peaceful — and why that matters for overall balance. Aimee notes that individual differences matter: some people may actually need more activation, not less. [00:14:00] — Henry's Story: Trappist Monks and Medical Training Henry shares how the chronic high-arousal state of his medical and psychiatric training led him to a Trappist monastery in rural Iowa — with no prior knowledge of Catholicism or contemplative practice. He found daily rhythms of work and contemplation, centering prayer (similar to mindfulness meditation), and came out renewed. [00:17:30] — You Don't Need a Monastery Solitude doesn't require a silent retreat or foraging your own food in a cave (though that's an option). It can be 15 minutes in the garden — including relocating a very fat caterpillar eating your parsley. [00:19:30] — What Solitude Can Look Like for You Henry shares his current practice: time in nature when possible, journaling, quiet reflection on what feeds him and what steals his joy. Not productivity — sometimes a crossword or simply zoning out. A.A. Milne gets a well-earned cameo. [00:21:30] — What You'll Find in the Quiet Henry's invitation to those new to solitude: it may feel daunting, but what you'll encounter beneath the surface is worth it. "It's all love." [00:22:30] — Closing Wisdom: Maya Angelou on Solitude Aimee closes with a passage from Maya Angelou on solitude as a desirable condition — a space to listen to yourself, describe yourself to yourself, and hear something deeper.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

We're doing something a little different this month — and a little more of nothing. This is our new "month of renewal" format (happening three times a year in April, August, and December). We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? Drawing on the wisdom of nature, Parker Palmer's framework for inner work, and a haiku that Henry clearly loves more than he's willing to admit, this episode invites you to stop cramming, sprinting, and self-improving your way through every month of the year. The truth is that growth requires rest. And this month, we'll create the conditions for what already wants to grow in you to actually grow.    About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & The New Renewal Calendar Henry and Aimee introduce Joy Lab's new format: three months per year (April, August, December) dedicated to renewal. Less doing, same impact. [00:01:00] — Parker Palmer, Nature's Metaphors & Seasons of the Soul Henry shares his training in Parker Palmer's model of inner work and why aligning with the rhythms of nature is one of the most underrated roots of resilience. [00:03:45] — The Activity-Rest Trap of Spring (And Summer) Henry highlights the often-missed counterpoint to spring's energy: the need for alternation between activity and rest.  [00:05:00] — What Renewal Actually Is (Hint: It's Not a Makeover) Renewal isn't about consuming more external content or self-improvement projects. It's about creating space for what wants to grow within you to actually take root. [00:06:00] — The Seed Metaphor: Everything You Need Is Already Inside You The seed already contains everything it needs to grow — it just needs time, water, warmth, and soil.  [00:06:30] — Why "Always-On" Culture Works Against Renewal Overloaded schedules, content consumption, overscheduled kids, overperformance — our culture makes it structurally difficult for new growth to emerge from within. [00:08:00] — Henry's Favorite Haiku: "Spring Comes and the Grass Grows By Itself" Henry's go-to quote gets its moment. The insight: effortless growth isn't passive — it's not getting in the way.  [00:09:00] — The Month's Intention: Allow, Don't Force Instead of effort, what if you just gave a little attention — a little watering, a little light — and let things emerge on their own terms? [00:09:30] — Three Options for Your Month of Renewal  [00:10:00] — Option 1: Go Deeper With Past Practices Return to a Joy Lab Element or Experiment that sparked something in you. Revisit it with fresh eyes. Notice what's different, what's ready to grow.  [00:11:00] — Option 2: Integrate What You Already Know Addition by subtraction. You don't need more — you need room. Take things off your plate: information, others' opinions, the news (which Henry diplomatically calls "awfully compelling right now"). [00:13:00] — Practical Tips for Creating Mental Space Silence phone notifications, set active screen time limits, reduce your kids' overscheduled activities, create "psychic space" to hear what's calling you internally — by choice, not by algorithm. [00:15:00] — Option 3: Rest. Just… Rest. Renewal through rest. Like soil thawing in spring, we need to soak in warmth and nourishment before another season of growth. Permission granted to do absolutely nothing. [00:15:30] — The Digital Detox Prescription Go offline as long as you can each day. Research is increasingly clear: even having your phone nearby impairs cognitive functioning. It doesn't have to be cold turkey — just a little less, a little more each day. [00:16:30] — Mary Oliver's Wisdom: "Are You Breathing Just a Little and Calling It a Life?" What would a full breath look like for you this month? [00:17:00] — What Rest Can Actually Look Like A nap. A bath. Watching birds. Coffee with a friend. A game with your kid. Cooking a new recipe. Journaling. Basketball. A walk.  [00:19:00] — What This Month Looks Like: The Schedule One curated episode from the Joy Lab Library releases every Wednesday this month. Members have access to all Experiments. New content returns May 1st. [00:19:30] — Your Three Paths (Or Create Your Own) Go deeper. Integrate. Rest. All of these are renewal. Trust your wisdom. [00:19:45] — Closing Wisdom from Wayne Muller "In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest."   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.    Full transcript available here   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

This is it — the finale of our 10-part series on grief, and we're closing with a Gate that might be the most quietly powerful one yet: Other. That's right, the catchall. The one that says: if your loss doesn't fit neatly into a framework, it still counts. If you're feeling it, it counts. Losses that fall into this category include: Identity shifts, infertility, retirement, faded friendships, the life you thought you'd have — and anything else. We also reflect on the full arc of the series, sharing four essential takeaways about grief, and perhaps most importantly, making the case that grief and joy aren't opposites. They're companions. And working with one deepens your capacity for both. If you've been putting off your grief because it seemed too small, too strange, or too hard to explain to anyone else — this episode is your permission slip. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready.   p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00:00] — This is the final episode of Joy Lab's 10-part Grief Series, beginning with episode 248. Overview of the framework: Francis Weller's Five Gates of Grief, with additional gates from other practitioners. [00:01:00] — Introducing the Ninth Gate: Other. Examples include: identity transitions, infertility, miscarriage, abortion, aging, retirement, relocating, faded friendships, missed opportunities, a diagnosis. The message of this Gate: your grief is valid, even if it doesn't fit a category. [00:02:00] — Why the "Other" Gate matters: it gives permission to grieve things we didn't think were grievable. Henry reflects on grief he carried about the life he imagined for his later years. Sometimes the losses that linger longest are the ones we felt we weren't allowed to name. [00:03:00] — The Ninth Gate as permission: no framework, however good, can contain all of grief. If it feels like a loss, it is a loss. This Gate honors grief's vastness and individuality. [00:04:00] — Connecting grief to our Element of Joy for this month: Equanimity. Real equanimity isn't about avoiding highs and lows — it includes grief.  [00:05:00] — Real equanimity is the ability to stay present with whatever's happening — joy, fear, sorrow, love — without being swept away. Grief can be a storm, but we can learn to work with it rather than be destroyed by it. [00:06:00] — How grief becomes workable: by practicing with smaller emotions when they're less overwhelming, we build capacity. Touching grief lightly, letting it move through — that's how the storm becomes survivable. The whole series has been about building exactly this capacity. [00:07:00] — Four Key Takeaways from the Grief Series: Takeaway 1: Grief is not a problem to solve or something to get over. It's a natural response to loss — and loss is part of living. Takeaway 2: Grief is communal. Billions of people are working with these gates. You are not alone. Takeaway 3: Grief is a skill we have to practice — consistent, regular grief-hygiene rituals help us work with frequent losses before they accumulate. The small "Other" griefs percolating in the background? Name them. Work with them. That's great training. Takeaway 4: Grief isn't just about death or obvious losses. Curiosity about how loss touches us is itself a powerful mental health skill. When we're willing to see and hold our losses, we can also see and hold the love around us — and within us. [00:09:00] — The gifts of grief, Part 1: Henry reflects on what this series — and his own prolonged experience of grief — has given him. Grief opens us to compassion. When you've been through real loss, you recognize it in others. You understand their struggle at a level you couldn't before. That's profound connection. [00:10:00] — The gifts of grief, Part 2: Grief brings wisdom. You learn what really matters. You stop wasting time on what doesn't. Henry shares something personal: "I am more tender now. More permeable. I feel things more deeply." And because of that, he's more open to joy — because you can't close yourself off to pain without also closing yourself off to beauty, love, and wonder. [00:11:00] — Grief and joy are not opposites — they're companions. The deeper your capacity for grief, the deeper your capacity for joy. Both require an open heart. Henry's closing encouragement: "Don't be afraid of grief. Let it be your teacher. Let it make you more of who you really are." [00:12:00] — Closing wisdom from Kahlil Gibran: "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."   Full transcipt here   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: The Grief Series: The Wholeness of Being Human [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief[part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [part 4, ep 251] Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [part 5, ep 252] Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [part 6, ep 253] How Facing the Harm You've Done Can Set You Free [part 7, ep 254] How the World's Pain Enters Your Body and What to Do Next [part 8, ep 255] Related Episodes: Savoring the Present and Overcoming FOBO (it's kinda like FOMO...) [ep 45] Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller The Four Things That Matter Most by Ira Byock, M.D.  Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here   Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Maier & Seligman. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Access here Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here    Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Grief doesn't wait for loss to arrive. Sometimes it shows up early — sitting beside you while someone you love is still right there. That's anticipatory grief, and if you've ever felt your mind drift to a future without someone while they're still in the room, you already know it. In this episode of Joy Lab, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek explore the Eighth Gate of Grief: the grief, stress, anxiety, and dread that can accompany an expected loss — whether that's a terminal diagnosis, a parent's cognitive decline, a marriage ending, or even broader fears about the world your kids will inherit. Anticipatory grief can be a mentally and emotionally exhausting experience, and it doesn't get nearly enough airtime in conversations about mental health. Importantly, this episode won't tell you how to stop anticipatory grief — because you shouldn't. Research suggests it can actually support healing. What it will give you: science-backed tools for staying present, a simple framework for saying what matters most before it's too late, and honest guidance on sustaining yourself through anticipatory grief. If anxiety, depression, or stress around future loss is weighing on you — or someone you love — this one's for you. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready.   p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00] — Introduction to the Eighth Gate: Anticipatory Grief [00:45] — What anticipatory grief is: the grief we feel in advance of an expected loss — terminal illness, dementia, a marriage ending, fears about the future of our planet or our children's world [01:00] — The extra "frosting" of this gate: dread, helplessness, and worry about what hasn't happened yet [01:15] — Anticipatory grief and cancer [02:30] — Anticipatory grief and Alzheimer's [04:00] — "We are apprentices to our grief, every time" — on never mastering grief, only practicing it [05:00] — FOBO: Fear Of Being Over — an earlier Joy Lab concept that connects to anticipatory grief and the pull away from the present moment [05:45] — Normalizing anticipatory grief: the goal is not to stop it, but to understand it [06:15] — The science: research on anticipatory grief shows it can actually be helpful — those who grieved some before a spouse died tended to have better outcomes afterward [07:30] — The void that often hits a month after a loss, when others return to their lives; how anticipatory grieving can build a support network that remains [08:00] — Anticipatory grief and early-onset Alzheimer's [13:45] — What anticipatory grief is really about: acceptance; facing truth instead of pushing it away [14:15] — Recognizing avoidance  [14:45] — Anticipatory grief as a gift: time to say what needs to be said, to be present differently, to love fully even while grieving [15:15] — Practicing loving fully amidst grief; being kind to yourself about grieving while the person is still present; holding both the grief of the future and the goodness of the present — they can happen at the same time [16:45] — The Four Things That Matter Most (Dr. Ira Byock, hospice physician): Please forgive me. I forgive you. Thank you. I love you. [17:15] — Why saying these things — even imperfectly — creates completion and reduces regret [19:15] — The gift anticipatory grief offers that sudden loss cannot: the chance to share grief with someone, say the four things, have the conversation together [20:00] — Tending to your own wellbeing during anticipatory grief; checking your energy and nourishment levels; you have to take breaks, let people help, do nourishing things for yourself — it's not selfish, it's sustainable [21:45] — Small ways to refuel: a walk, a phone call, sitting outside, noticing breath; don't wait until you're depleted — build it in now; Letting people support you; they often want to help but don't know how — be specific; "Can you bring dinner Tuesday? Can you sit with her while I go to the store?" [22:30] — Anticipatory grief is a marathon, not a sprint; pace yourself; stepping back to breathe and enjoy lightness is not denial — it's wisdom [23:30] — Closing quote from Rilke: "Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: The Grief Series: The Wholeness of Being Human [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief[part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [part 4, ep 251] Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [part 5, ep 252] Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [part 6, ep 253] How Facing the Harm You've Done Can Set You Free [part 7, ep 254] How the World's Pain Enters Your Body and What to Do Next [part 8, ep 255] Related Episodes: Savoring the Present and Overcoming FOBO (it's kinda like FOMO...) [ep 45] Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller The Four Things That Matter Most by Ira Byock, M.D.  Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here   Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Maier & Seligman. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Access here Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here  Full transcript here  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg examines the evolutionary roots of depression and reflects on his own painful experience with suicidal despair. He explores how depression can narrow our focus, and sometimes open the door to change. A note that this story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there are people who can help. If you're inside the U.S., call or text 988, or visit the 988 Helpline online. If you're outside the U.S., you can search for resources in your country on this site. Episode illustration by Runend Art for Unsplash Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Spencer Cline as guest to the show.   About Spencer Cline:   Spencer Cline became familiar with FTD at a very young age, as his father started exhibiting behavioral changes shortly after he was born. His dad was diagnosed with bvFTD when Spencer was seven years old, then was diagnosed with the C9orf72 genetic variant, which is linked to both FTD and ALS.   After watching his dad fight the disease until he passed in 2012, Spencer developed a passion for spreading awareness in hopes to find a cure – a passion that has only grown with time.   Spencer has organized multiple fundraising/awareness events with the Babson College men's basketball team, biked across the U.S. in support of FTD in 2024, helped get resolution passed in Georgia recognizing September 21st -27th as FTD Awareness week in the state and was Keynote Speaker at AFTD's 2025 Hope Rising Benefit. He also serves as an AFTD Ambassador.     About The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD):   The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) is the leading nonprofit devoted to helping families affected by frontotemporal degeneration today while driving research that supports accurate diagnosis, treatments, and ultimately a cure.   AFTD's mission is centered on improving quality of life for everyone impacted by FTD, and it advances that mission through five core pillars: research, awareness, support, education, and advocacy. In practice, that means funding and promoting research, expanding public and professional understanding of FTD, and pushing for the services and policies families need.   For individuals and families, AFTD provides direct support through resources and its HelpLine, which is staffed by social workers who can answer questions, offer guidance after a new diagnosis, and connect people to relevant services and community support.   AFTD is volunteer founded and community powered, and it has grown into a widely recognized expert organization in FTD and young onset dementia, partnering with researchers, clinicians, advocates, and families to accelerate progress and expand access to high quality care and support.