Podcasts about Helpline

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio sit 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 9999Or ask your 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. 

You've likely had a situation where you wish you had confidence, but instead felt full of self-criticism, self-judgement, imposter feelings, and anxiety. The good news is that skills like cognitive defusion (the practice of loosening the grip that self-critical thoughts have on you) can help tremendously to help you get some space from those overwhelming thoughts. We'll dig into these thoughts in this episode, explore why they rise up, and introduce some practical tips and strategies to help you work with them. These powerful mental health tips will help create some space between you and your thoughts, helping you to take actions that build your confidence.    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 (get your 7-day free trial!). 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).      Sources and Notes for our Element of Confidence: 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. Start your 7-day free trial now. Episodes in this series: Not Feeling Confident & Want to Know How to Increase Confidence In Yourself? Start By Seeing Confidence as Trust, Not a Feeling [ep. 273] Building Confidence with Mindful Acceptance (even when anxiety, self-doubt, & the harsh inner-critic show up) [ep. 274] You Are Not Your Thoughts: Cognitive Defusion for Confidence & to Change Your Relationship With Self-Critical Thoughts [ep. 275]    Related episodes: How to Calm the Mind & Not Feed the ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) [ep. 264]   Rumination: What It Is and How to Break Free From It [ep. 205]   Imposter Syndrome is a Myth [ep. 175] What Imposter Syndrome Really Is [ep. 276] Book: The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris, PhD Book: Confidence Culture by Shani Orgad, PhD & Rosalind Gill, PhD Bandura. Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change. Access here. Baumeister et al. Does High Self-Esteem Cause Better Performance, Interpersonal Success, Happiness, or Healthier Lifestyles? Access here. Donnelly et al. Do people know how others view them? Two approaches for identifying the accuracy of metaperceptions. Access here. Hayes et al. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change. Access here. More about Victor Frankl's work from VFIA.   Full transcript here   Common Questions & Mental Health Tips from this Episode: Q: How do I stop self-critical thoughts from taking over right before something important? A: This episode teaches cognitive defusion, a practice from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that loosens the grip self-critical thoughts have on you without fighting or suppressing them; two specific techniques that we added in this episode (the "thank you, brain" method and psychological distancing) give you practical tools to use in the moment.   Q: What's the difference between managing stress and actually changing my relationship with difficult thoughts? A: Stress management techniques are like inner tubes that are genuinely helpful for keeping your head above water. Cognitive defusion goes deeper, shifting you from reactive management to a more fundamental change in your relationship with the thought; this episode explains the distinction and why both have a place.   Key moments: [00:00] Welcome back to the Element of Confidence — introducing cognitive defusion as this episode's core skill [01:00] Sometimes thoughts aren't peaceful branches on a stream — they're the Bunker Hills Wave Pool, circa late '80s [02:30] The lifeguard metaphor as an upgrade to the peaceful river observer — seasoned, present, with a broader view [03:00] The kinds of thoughts that come in like waves: "I'm never gonna get this. I'll embarrass myself. I always screw up. Everyone will think I'm an imposter." [03:30] When thoughts overwhelm: stress response surges, the only thought becomes "how do I get out of this?" [03:45] Reminder: if thoughts are feeling truly overwhelming, reaching out for extra support — therapist, NAMI helpline, 988 — is always an option [04:30] When we stop fusing with or fighting thoughts, they start to get smaller over time [05:30] How fusion works physically: heart rate rises, palms sweat, decisions made from the fused belief [06:00] The thought is not reality — it's neural activity generated by past experience, fear, or ingrained patterns [06:30] Cognitive defusion: loosening the grip, creating space between you and the thought [07:30] Defusion vs. positive thinking or cognitive restructuring: this doesn't fight the thought, it changes the relationship with it [08:30] Aimee introduces self-as-content vs. self-as-context from ACT [09:30] Stress management as inner tubes: helpful for riding waves, but you're still in the pool managing the waves [10:00] Self-as-context: the lifeguard — noticing "I've seen that wave before," seeing the bigger picture, able to take wiser action [10:30] From the lifeguard perspective: "The waves are uncomfortable, but they'll die down" — and you can give yourself true support [11:30] Henry: stress management is great and important — AND it keeps us in reactive mode; defusion is a different level [13:30] Henry on perfectionism and defusion: if you believe you need to be perfect to be confident, you'll become hypervigilant about thoughts [14:30] The truth: you don't have to be perfect; when you accept doubt and mistakes as normal, imperfect thoughts become no big deal [15:00] Aimee: strategies for defusion — not to dispute the thought, but to notice it and loosen its grip [17:00] Strategy 1 — Psychological distancing: "I'm noticing that I'm having the thought that..." instead of just "I'm going to blow it"   [19:00] Adding levity: say the phrase in the silliest voice you can — trailer narrator, romance novel narrator, sports commentator [20:00] Henry introduces Strategy 2 — "Thank you, brain" [20:30] How it works: immediately positions you as observer; paradoxically accepts rather than fights; carries humor that defuses in the moment [22:30] Aimee: this is not about forcing a feeling or suppressing thoughts — it's about letting them matter less [23:00] Connection to last Element (Humility) and right-sizing: letting thoughts take up the space they need, no more, no less [23:30] Preview of next episode: values — what we care about, so we can choose where to put our energy and take action toward confidence [23:45] Closing wisdom from Eckhart Tolle: "The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive... It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly — you usually don't use it at all. It uses you."    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Facebook YouTube   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.

A recording of the very first in-person edition of the Anti-Self-Helpline, co-hosted with Prometheus Magazine's very own Harry Holmes. This edition of the helpline was recorded at the Festival of the Oppressed, held in June. Pre-order print copies of Prometheus Magazine issue 1 at this link: https://www.ebb-books.com/shop/p/prometheus-subscription SUPPORT: www.buymeacoffee.com/redmedicine Soundtrack by Mark Pilkington Twitter: @red_medicine__ www.redmedicine.substack.com/

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 new Trustees for the RNIB board and audio described sport on tv.]=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 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. 

One of the most essential coping skills for building real confidence is mindful acceptance. This is the practice of noticing that fear, self-doubt, and self-consciousness are present and... that's ok. Henry puts it simply: you're acknowledging there's a passenger on the bus. You're just not letting that passenger drive.  We'll also take some time to name and untangle the harsh inner critic. That's the voice that pretends to be accurate self-assessment but is usually something absorbed from a critical adult long ago and we've just pressed play on ever since. The three key questions Henry raised for distinguishing the harsh inner-critic from your true voice are: Does it attack? Does it use fear and shame? Is it absolute or extreme? If the answers is "Yes" to any of the above, then that's your inner-critic. Your authentic voice is gentler, clearer, and never tries to motivate through fear or shame. Simply acknowledging the difference can take the power away from the inner-critic.     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 (get your 7-day free trial!). 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).    Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:  Spotify | Apple | YouTube      Full transcript available here.   Sources and Notes for our Element of Confidence: 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. Start your 7-day free trial now. Related episodes about imposter phenomenon: Imposter Syndrome is a Myth [ep. 175] What Imposter Syndrome Really Is [ep. 276] Book: The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris, PhD Book: Confidence Culture by Shani Orgad, PhD & Rosalind Gill, PhD Bandura. Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change. Access here. Baumeister et al. Does High Self-Esteem Cause Better Performance, Interpersonal Success, Happiness, or Healthier Lifestyles? Access here. Donnelly et al. Do people know how others view them? Two approaches for identifying the accuracy of metaperceptions. Access here. Hayes et al. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change. Access here. More about Victor Frankl's work from VFIA.   Common Questions: Q: How do I stop my fear and self-doubt from getting in the way every time I try something new? A: This episode introduces mindful acceptance, the skill of noticing uncomfortable feelings like fear, doubt, and embarrassment without fighting or avoiding them, so they don't hijack your actions. With this skill, the focus doesn't have to be about making the feelings go away, it's more about learning to move forward while they're present.   Q: How do I know if the critical voice in my head is giving me useful information or just tearing me down? A: Here are some important point to help you distinguish your harsh inner critic from your true voice: The inner critic attacks, uses fear and shame as motivation, and deals in absolutes. Your true voice is gentler, more nuanced, and never tries to hurt you.    Key moments: [00:00] Welcome back to the Element of Confidence — recap of last episode's definition: confidence as trust and willingness to act [00:30] How we'll build confidence: Mostly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strategies and Dr. Russ Harris' framework [01:00] First step: mindful acceptance — noticing rather than judging, allowing rather than fighting [01:30] What we're accepting: the uncomfortable feelings that arise when we wish we felt confident — nervousness, embarrassment, fear [02:30] Henry: acceptance is not resignation and not agreement with the anxiety [03:00] What acceptance actually is: "I notice I'm feeling anxious. I'm going to take action anyway." [03:30] The bus metaphor: fear and self-doubt are passengers — they don't need to drive [04:00] Why this matters: confidence doesn't come from feeling good first; it comes from acting despite not feeling good [04:30] Aimee's fellowship interview story: knowing all the behavior change theory, then getting a question about Boston housing [05:00] Pterodactyls, not butterflies — the full physical panic experience [05:30] Thirty minutes of talking to suppress the feelings, which only made them worse — the fellowship did not come through [06:30] Henry shares his own story: giving a large talk despite genuine anxiety, using mindful acceptance in real time [07:30] What shifted during the talk: nervousness moved to the background, attention shifted to connection with the audience [08:00] Genuine confidence appeared — not because anxiety was gone, but because he was succeeding despite it [08:30] Mindful acceptance doesn't mean not feeling uncomfortable — it means seeing clearly and choosing your actions anyway [09:30] The performance bell curve: a little anxiety is actually good for performance; fighting it isn't the goal [10:30] Experiential avoidance: using effort to suppress uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and sensations to feel safer short-term [11:00] The Good Place medium place metaphor: warm beer and marching band music — feeling safe but not really living [11:30] How avoidance is protective in the short term but reinforces the idea that you can't handle the situation [12:30] Irony of avoidance: it boosts the scary power of what we're avoiding; the world gets smaller, anxiety increases [13:00] The brain is blunt — it can't fully distinguish fear of survival from fear of public speaking or starting a new career [13:30] We have to train a willingness: not enthusiasm for discomfort, but openness to experiencing it as part of skill-building [14:00] Henry: avoidance accumulates — the thing avoided gets bigger and scarier, and you sacrifice what you actually wanted [15:00] Social anxiety is up in recent years — fear of rejection is one of the most common mental health challenges [16:00] The brain doesn't distinguish social threats from survival threats — the amygdala alarm sounds equally loud [16:30] You can train your nervous system: every small forward step builds a new neural pathway and builds confidence [17:30] Naming the inner critic: the harsh, self-critical voice that rides along during experiential avoidance [18:00] Aimee's dual monologue during the fellowship interview — speaking outward and critiquing herself inward simultaneously [19:30] The inner critic may sometimes have useful information — and that's worth extracting [20:00] When the information is useful (you don't have the skill yet) versus when it's just harsh and paralyzing [20:30] The inner critic is usually a voice absorbed from a critical adult long ago — pressed play on ever since [21:30] Mindful acceptance: notice the voices, accept they're here, create space and retain energy rather than getting wrapped up [22:00] Henry: the key to working with the inner critic is simply realizing it's not you [22:30] Your authentic voice is gentler, clearer, and never tries to motivate through fear or shame [23:00] How to identify the inner critic: Does it attack? Does it use fear and shame? Is it absolute or extreme? [24:00] Your true voice is nuanced: "This is hard. I'm learning. I'm not there yet." [24:30] Once you recognize the inner critic, something shifts: "Ah, there's that voice again" — like a neighbor's dog barking [25:00] Extract any grain of truth, let the inflated story go, and move forward [26:00] Mindful acceptance: notice the voice, accept it's there, but don't accept what it says — and move forward anyway [26:30] Questions for identifying inner critic vs. true voice — in the show notes and in the Joy Lab Program Experiment [27:00] Preview of next episode: working more with the thoughts that rise up — what to do after you notice them [27:30] Three closing pieces of wisdom: Jon Kabat-Zinn on being awake, Carl Jung on the terror of full self-acceptance, Carl Rogers on the paradox that makes change possible    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Facebook YouTube     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.

Today we welcome Erica Beyer from https://helplinehouse.org/ Thank you for your support! The B.I.Stander Podcast is a listener supported podcast so please consider subscribing and patronizing the follow businesses.   BE A FRIEND OF PODCASTVILLE AND TELL A FRIEND  Thank you to our very supportive sponsors! Blue Canary Auto Locations in Bainbridge Island & Bremerton Sound Reprographics Locations in Bainbridge Island & Poulsbo Tideland Magazine Pick up a copy on the Ferry Sheldon Orthodontics Free Consultation  KitsapSmokestack.org Be your own algorithm, find what to do in your neighborhood Racines - Best Mexican Food in Bainbridge Island https://cogwheelconstruction.com/ Built right! Music by my guy! LeRoy Bell Editing by: https://cnewman626.substack.com/p/van-life-102 Follow Cherie on Substack!

In this episode, we connect with Sheila Levy, Executive Director of one of our member centres, the Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line. We discuss Sheila's role in building the Help Line from the beginning and her tenure as leader of this evolving organization. From starting out with 14 volunteers to managing 60, Sheila's leadership has led them to expand their services to provide a 24/7 crisis line in collaboration with Distress Centre Ottawa Region. Her story is truly inspiring and with Nunavut Day happening on July 9, you'll hear about the natural beauty and celebrations happening in Nunavut. To learn more, visit their website at Home - Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline | 867.979.3333. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest Member centre. Many of our Member centres operate 24/7. Thank you for listening and we hope you'll join us again next time. If you would like to provide feedback on this episode, past episodes, or request future content, you can do so using the following link: https://forms.gle/o8yUPMss6wo8dP1X8.

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 creating RNIB's new Purpose and working with BT on an important change for everyone with a landline telephone.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

In 2019 Bláthnaid Raleigh's life was changed forever when she was raped and violently sexually assaulted by a man she had met on a night out in Galway.She joined us to tell her story, speaking about that night, the strangers who helped her get to the guards, and the long five-year journey through the justice system that followed. Bláthnaid also spoke about the impact it had on her life, finding the strength to keep going, and why she chose to waive her anonymity in the hope of helping others feel less alone.This episode contains discussions about rape, sexual assault, violence and trauma. If you have been impacted by any of the topics discussed in this week's episode, you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, no matter where you are in the country:National 24hr Helpline: 1800 77 8888Email: counselling@rcc.ieInstagram: @dublinrapecrisisTwitter/X: @DublinRCC

Are you not feeling confident and curious how to increase confidence in yourself? If so, know that you are not alone, you are not suffering from imposter syndrome, and you are not in need of fixing. As we start our series on Confidence, we'll work to dismantle the most common — and most damaging — myth about confidence: that confidence is just a feeling and that you need to be confident before you act.  We'll focus on a confidence reframe: Confidence is a willingness to act and a trust in your own effort, not a feeling of certainty or how others perceive you. We'll lean on Dr. Russ Harris's foundational insight throughout our work: the actions of confidence come first; the feelings of confidence come later. The episode also does important myth-busting work around self-worth, self-esteem, and self-efficacy — three concepts we tend to mash together with confidence, often to our detriment. We'll make the case for unconditional self-acceptance over the self-esteem-building culture many of us grew up in, and approach confidence with a fresh and more empowering lens. This episode will set us up for some confidence-building work that is far more nourishing than the usual methods we've been taught. 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 (get your 7-day free trial!). 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).      Sources and Notes for our Element of Confidence: 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. Start your 7-day free trial now. Episodes about imposter phenomenon: Imposter Syndrome is a Myth [ep. 175] What Imposter Syndrome Really Is [ep. 276] Book: The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris, PhD Book: Confidence Culture by Shani Orgad, PhD & Rosalind Gill, PhD Bandura. Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change. Access here. Baumeister et al. Does High Self-Esteem Cause Better Performance, Interpersonal Success, Happiness, or Healthier Lifestyles? Access here. Donnelly et al. Do people know how others view them? Two approaches for identifying the accuracy of metaperceptions. Access here. Hayes et al. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change. Access here. More about Victor Frankl's work from VFIA.   Full transcipt here   Common Questions: Q: Why don't I feel confident even when I know I'm capable of something? A: Because confidence isn't just a feeling and it's not just about self-efficacy or your belief in your capabilities. This episode explains the neuroscience behind why waiting for the feeling often means waiting forever, and offers a more empowering definition to work with instead. Q: What's the difference between confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-worth? A: This episode untangles all four: self-worth is your sense of inherent value, self-esteem is a more fragile self-evaluation based on comparison and performance, and self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to do a specific task. Confidence (redefined here as trust and willingness to act) can draw on all three, but is its own concept and understanding the differences can be genuinely freeing.     Key moments: [00:00] Welcome to the new Element of Confidence — and the central premise: you don't need to feel confident to practice it [02:00] The cost of waiting for a feeling that wasn't coming — staying small, timid, paralyzed [03:30] The neuroscience: the amygdala looks for certainty before giving the green light to act [05:00] The common (and limiting) definition of confidence: a feeling, tied to certainty and how others perceive us [05:30] How imposter syndrome suffers from the same definitional hijacking [06:00] The reframe: confidence from Latin "com" (with) + "fidere" (trust) — to trust with [06:30] A behavioral definition: trust in your effort and a willingness to act — not a feeling [07:00] Dr. Russ Harris, The Confidence Gap: "The actions of confidence come first; the feelings of confidence come later." [08:00] The swimming example: you don't feel confident first — you flail, then build confidence through repeated action [10:30] Fear is not the enemy and not the opposite of confidence — you need your threat detection system [11:00] How a feelings-only model of confidence puts 100% of the blame on the individual [11:30] Systemic and community barriers to confidence: healthcare disparities, pay gaps, and their real impact [12:30] Why "just feel more confident" is where toxic positivity lives — and why it doesn't address real barriers [13:00] Holding personal and collective responsibility together — confidence as a practiced relationship with uncertainty [14:00] Henry: confidence as trust and willingness to act becomes relational — built with self, others, and systems [15:00] Real confidence: acting precisely when you feel fearful, doubtful, and uncertain [16:00] Untying confidence from self-worth, self-esteem, and self-efficacy [16:30] Self-worth: how positively or negatively you perceive your value — and Dr. Albert Ellis's argument that it isn't actually up for evaluation [17:00] Self-esteem: more granular, shaped by frequent self-comparisons and judgments — fragile when tied to external validation [18:00] Self-efficacy: belief in your ability to do well in a specific situation — changeable, actionable, and domain-specific [19:00] How comparison and self-judgment can erode self-worth when held too tightly [19:30] The case for unconditional self-acceptance over self-esteem — Ellis's argument revisited [21:30] Henry unpacks the distinctions: comparison-based self-esteem (fragile, quicksand) vs. self-efficacy (grounded, built through repeated success) vs. self-worth (solid foundation, not performance-dependent) [23:00] Real confidence as a combination: building self-efficacy through action, grounding in unconditional self-worth, practicing self-acceptance [23:30] How early conditional approval ("I love you when you get good grades") shapes where you start — but doesn't have to be where you stay [24:30] None of these are fixed traits — they are skills that can be developed through practice [25:30] Preview: building this Element with Dr. Russ Harris's frameworks and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a Joy Lab twist [25:45] Closing wisdom from Seneca: "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Facebook YouTube   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 of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Angela Dean talks with surviving sibling Karin McLean, author of Bright Days Do Come. Karin is Brian's big sister. Brian, the baby of the family, died at 9-years-old in a 1991 car accident that nearly took Karin's life too. Karin had helped raise him since she was twelve, and she wrote her book more than thirty years later.Together they talk about the secondary and non-death losses that follow a sudden accident, the long work of self-acceptance, and the practice of asking a sibling for signs.In this episode you will:Hear how a surviving sibling carries a loss across more than three decades.Learn what secondary and non-death loss can look like after a single accident.Gain insight into how self-acceptance becomes its own grief work.Explore the practice of asking a sibling for specific signs.Discover one family's ways of keeping a brother present.Connect with Karin McLean:WebsiteBook (all stores): Bright Days Do ComeSubstackInstagramFacebookContent warning: This episode discusses a fatal car accident, the death of a nine-year-old child, life-threatening injury, alcohol use to cope with grief, and a brief mention of miscarriage.Resources:Find a Helpline (locate a local crisis or warm line) (US & International): https://findahelpline.comUS Peer support: https://warmline.orgInternational: Peer support warmlinesSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR 

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 networking and a nod to some accessibility work in Northern Ireland.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 Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

In August 2018, Raneem Uday and her mother Khaula Saleem were murdered in the West Midlands despite multiple 999 calls made that night. The system failed them — not through a single act of negligence, but through structural gaps in how those calls were handled and risk was assessed.What followed is a study in what grief becomes when it meets determination. Raneem's aunt, Nour Norris, campaigned for what is now Raneem's Law — a programme embedding domestic abuse specialists directly inside 999 control rooms, in real time. Not on a phone line. Not available for consultation. In the room.Phase one launched across five police forces. This week, the government announced phase two: 12 additional forces, bringing the total to 17 of 43, with a full rollout across England and Wales committed by 2029. Early data shows increased handler confidence, earlier identification of high-risk cases, and faster safeguarding deployment.This episode also covers the government's broader Violence Against Women and Girls strategy — over £1 billion over three years, targeting a halving of VAWG within a decade — and what it will take for that target to hold across political cycles, funding changes, and cultural shifts.Helpline signposting for show notes: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247 — free, confidential, 24/7 Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 Karma Nirvana (honour-based abuse/forced marriage): 0800 599 9247 Galop (LGBT+): galop.org.ukWelcome to The Marvyn Harrison Podcast — a story-driven conversation exploring identity, fatherhood, masculinity, relationships, culture, politics, sport, and modern life.In each episode, Marvyn Harrison sits down with leading thinkers, creatives, athletes, policymakers, and cultural voices to unpack the defining moments that shaped them. Through image prompts, structured storytelling, and revealing game segments, guests explore pivotal memories, career turning points, personal struggles, and the beliefs that guide their decisions today.Expect honest discussions on mental health, family dynamics, leadership, equity, ambition, resilience, and the realities of navigating success in Britain and beyond.This is a podcast about clarity, where lived experience meets sharp cultural insight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of the RNIB Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they're working on.This month's topics include a UK Parliamentary event and more discussions around driverless taxis.If you'd like more information on campaigns or want to get involved , email campaigns@rnib.org.ukYou can visit rnib.org.uk/newsor call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999Follow on your socials by searching for RNIB Campaigns#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

Humility is one of the most quietly powerful practices for positive psychology and mental health. It's also one of the most misunderstood. Here's the heart of it: humility is not a weakness. It's not about making yourself small or performing modesty for social approval. It's an accurate, grounded sense of self, what Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren calls "right-sizing." You own your strengths and weaknesses. And you hold your worth steady through all of it. We explored four types of humility this month: relational, intellectual, cultural, and existential. And we worked through three core ingredients to build humility up: Know Yourself. This is where self-compassion becomes essential. Self-knowledge without self-compassion tends to slide into rumination — that harsh, looping self-focus that keeps us stuck. Dr. Kristin Neff's research reminds us that genuine self-reflection requires feeling safe enough to look clearly, without bracing for an attack. When self-compassion is in place, honest self-awareness becomes possible. So does recognizing things like the better-than-average effect, which is our tendency to unconsciously and inaccurately position ourselves as a little more right, and others a little more wrong. Humility gently corrects that drift. Check Yourself. This is ego territory. When we feel threatened, the ego rises up. We deflect, deny, shut down, intellectualize. It's a very human, very normal response. But it doesn't have to run the show. One of the most practical tools from this series: when you feel defensive, pause. Breathe. Then ask yourself, "What would I think if I weren't feeling defensive?" That question can create some space for the ego to stand down and lets emotional regulation take over instead of reactivity. Go Beyond Yourself. This is where the magic of humility really shows itself as we build a genuine curiosity about other people and life's bigger questions. The self-forgetfulness that C.S. Lewis describes as essential to humility puts it all into action. When we're not so consumed by ourselves, the world opens up. And that's where connection, meaning, and joy actually show up in more noticeable, lasting ways. If you've worked through this series and feel less certain than when you started, that's not a problem. That's the practice of humility in action. Sitting with uncertainty, tolerating what's unresolved, resisting the cultural pressure toward easy answers and performed confidence is peak courage. It's often uncomfortable and it's always worth it. If this work has stirred something that feels bigger than you want to carry alone, please reach out to a therapist, a trusted friend, or a support community. Seeking support isn't weakness. It's an act of humility and one of the most courageous things you can do. And for Joy Lab Program members: your Episode Experiment includes a guided meditation and journal prompts to help you harvest and integrate the work you've done this month.  We close with Rilke (we know, we close with Rilke a lot!): "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves." Keep tending to your humility. It grows good things.   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 (get your 7-day free trial!). 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).       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. Start your 7-day free trial now. 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] Check Yourself: Ego Threat, Stress Relief, & Needing to Prove Yourself [270] 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   Common Questions: Q: How do I stop being so hard on myself without losing self-awareness? A: Self-compassion and self-knowledge are partners. As researcher Dr. Kristin Neff puts it, "You can look clearly at yourself when you're not afraid of what you'll find." Self-compassion creates the psychological safety for honest, accurate self-appraisal, replacing harsh rumination with compassionate self-reflection. Humility is the result: an accurate, grounded sense of self that's neither inflated nor deflated. Q: Why does being humble feel so uncomfortable and countercultural? A: Because in many ways, it is. We live in a world that often rewards certainty, self-promotion, and being right, even when those things don't actually nourish us. Building humility means opening up to uncertainty and the unknown, which takes real courage. The good news is that discomfort is also building something called uncertainty-tolerance, a form of emotional resilience that reaches across every area of your life in really nourishing ways.   Key moments: [00:00] Welcome & orientation — Aimee frames the three-part humility arc (Know Yourself → Check Yourself → Go Beyond Yourself) [01:30] Henry's realization: humility, like every Joy Lab Element, is ultimately about learning to love well and connect more deeply [03:00] Why humility is the antidote to loneliness — the difference between being surrounded by people and being genuinely seen; how isolation is really a form of alienation [05:00] What it feels like to be with a truly humble person — and why humility makes us safer, more trustworthy, and more magnetic in relationships and communities [06:30] The traffic circle of defensiveness — Aimee on why the risk of being burned by someone is still better than a lifetime of self-protective looping [07:30] Epistemic humility explained — the idea that your understanding of reality is always partial, always filtered, always a vantage point. And so is everyone else's. (Plus: a pronunciation debate.) [08:45] Why disagreement doesn't mean someone is wrong, and how truth is larger than any one person's grasp of it [10:30] William James on the deepest craving in human nature: to be appreciated and seen [11:00] Two practical strategies for going beyond yourself: (1) deep, active listening as a humility practice — not formulating your response, but truly receiving another person; (2) seeing the innocence of others [12:30] Thich Nhat Hanh: "Listen until they empty their hearts." Henry shares this as a guide for showing up and listening [13:30] Seeing the innocence in others — Henry's 30+ years of clinical wisdom distilled: most people are doing the best they can with what they have, right now. How holding that awareness softens judgment without eliminating boundaries [15:30] Aimee reflects: "That's the wisdom I'd want somebody to hold when they see me messing up." [16:00] Experiment preview for Joy Lab Program members + closing Rumi quote: "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop."    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Facebook YouTube   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.

Dr Clíona Saidléar, Executive Director, Rape Crisis Ireland joined us in studio to tell us more about the report.

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 reflecting on the increase in the availability of audio description for many of the 2026 Football World Cup games on television for blind and partially sighted fans.  Then to the reception on Wednesday 17 June at the House of Commons hosted by Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea that brought together people from across the sight loss sector and Eye Care Health service to launch a new training package sponsored by the RNIB, hosted on the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's' Inspire platform for Clinicians working within Eye health to raise awareness around the importance of emotional support at the point of diagnosis for people affected by sight loss. Plus a couple of other important events at the Houses of Parliament for the RNIB this week too.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 Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

Join host Pamela Cook on the Writes4Women Convo Couch with thia week's guest Katherine Collette. They chat about Catherine's adult novels The Helpline (2018) and The Competition (2022), plus two illustrated middle-grade books set around a small Victorian town, discuss debut publication misconceptions, second-book pressure, writing routines, using Scrivener, and spreadsheets, and a whole lot more. Catherine also reflects on what she learnt as the co-host of the popular podcast The First Time as well as her work as a writing coach. 1:43 Host Updates 03:06 Writing Projects 04:57 Courses And Community 06:48 Reading Recommendations 07:36 Meet Catherine Collette 08:47 Career Origins 09:46 Debut Reality Check 12:13 Second Book Pressure 15:06 Middle Grade Shift 15:47 Cartooning Challenge 20:13 Kids Books Marketing 23:23 Illustration Workflow 26:59 New Darker Novel 27:38 Cruise Ship Research 30:46 Writing Routine Progress 31:05 Writing Focus Limits 31:37 Daily Routine Pomodoros 32:06 Story Structure Tools 33:21 Scrivener Workflow Tips 34:15 Crime Plot Spreadsheets 35:54 Genre Hopping Pressures 37:51 Coaching Long Game 40:24 Mindset For Success 43:16 Craft Fixes Openings 48:55 Podcast Career Boost 54:36 Fast Four Wrap Up 59:55 Closing Thanks Outro SHOW NOTES: Writes4Women www.writes4women.com Facebook @writes4women Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast Katherine Collette Website: click here Instagram: click here Pamela Cook www.pamelacook.com.au Facebook: click here Twitter: click here Instagram: click here Fiction Feedback @ Writing NSW: click here This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=trueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humility is a powerful mental health tool we have. The science of happiness is clear: genuine connection and belonging are among the strongest predictors of emotional resilience and wellbeing. In this episode of Joy Lab we'll explore the final dimension of humility: going beyond yourself. Building on Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's framework from Humble, we'll explore how knowing yourself and checking your ego aren't the finish line. That's prep work so you can show up for others with open eyes and an open heart. Whether you've been lonely, stuck in defensive loops, or just tired of running into yourself everywhere you turn, this episode offers a warm, science-grounded roadmap toward deeper connection. This is Episode 4 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 (get your 7-day free trial!). 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).    Full transcript      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. Start your 7-day free trial now. 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] Check Yourself: Ego Threat, Stress Relief, & Needing to Prove Yourself [270] 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 & orientation — Aimee frames the three-part humility arc (Know Yourself → Check Yourself → Go Beyond Yourself) [01:30] Henry's realization: humility, like every Joy Lab Element, is ultimately about learning to love well and connect more deeply [03:00] Why humility is the antidote to loneliness — the difference between being surrounded by people and being genuinely seen; how isolation is really a form of alienation [05:00] What it feels like to be with a truly humble person — and why humility makes us safer, more trustworthy, and more magnetic in relationships and communities [06:30] The traffic circle of defensiveness — Aimee on why the risk of being burned by someone is still better than a lifetime of self-protective looping [07:30] Epistemic humility explained — the idea that your understanding of reality is always partial, always filtered, always a vantage point. And so is everyone else's. (Plus: a pronunciation debate.) [08:45] Why disagreement doesn't mean someone is wrong, and how truth is larger than any one person's grasp of it [10:30] William James on the deepest craving in human nature: to be appreciated and seen [11:00] Two practical strategies for going beyond yourself: (1) deep, active listening as a humility practice — not formulating your response, but truly receiving another person; (2) seeing the innocence of others [12:30] Thich Nhat Hanh: "Listen until they empty their hearts." Henry shares this as a guide for showing up and listening [13:30] Seeing the innocence in others — Henry's 30+ years of clinical wisdom distilled: most people are doing the best they can with what they have, right now. How holding that awareness softens judgment without eliminating boundaries [15:30] Aimee reflects: "That's the wisdom I'd want somebody to hold when they see me messing up." [16:00] Experiment preview for Joy Lab Program members + closing Rumi quote: "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop."    Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram Linkedin Facebook YouTube   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 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 the board of trustees visit to Edinburgh, tactile platform markers at Scottish train stations and why Kate Winslet spoke about an audio description problem in Northern Ireland.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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.