Podcasts about Nami

We define "Letting Go" as the skill of loosening your grip on the thoughts and behaviors that keep you anchored to the past, resisting the present, or anxious about the future. And the goal isn't just to be more present, but to be less burdened and exhausted by the endless effort to edit what happened, control what's happening, and predict what's coming next. When you stop pouring energy into all of that, you get that energy back. We also describe letting go surrendering to what is or allowing things to be as they actually are. Importantly, letting go is not avoidance, withdrawal, or slamming the door and suppressing emotion. Letting go is closer to what psychologists call psychological flexibility and non-attachment, which means you engage fully with your experiences and feelings without being controlled by the outcomes. You still feel; you just choose what to do with the feeling instead of being driven by it. The big takeaway is that, again, this is a skill. It doesn't matter how terrible you think you are at letting go, it simply takes practice. In our episodes and experiments for this Element of "letting go," we'll cover four areas where the grip tends to be tightest: unhelpful thoughts and rumination, the bigger stories we tell ourselves, the myth that we need closure to move on, and maybe the hardest of all... letting go of control. Tune in for each episode to help you build your skill of letting go and recapture some energy and freedom.    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.   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 here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Letting Go: Alloy & Abramson. (1979). Judgment of contingency in depressed and nondepressed students: Sadder but wiser? 10.1037//0096-3445.108.4.441 Botvinick & Cohen. (1998). Rubber hands "feel" touch that eyes see. doi.org/10.1038/35784 Clark & Radomsky (2014). Introduction: A global perspective on unwanted intrusive thoughts. 10.1016/j.jocrd.2014.02.001 Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes' error: Emotion, reason, and the human brain. G. P. Putnam's Sons. de Mello, A. (1990). Awareness. Doubleday. Epictetus. (2014). Discourses, fragments, handbook (R. Hard, Trans.). Oxford University Press. Feldman, et al. (2023). Interoceptive ability moderates the effect of physiological reactivity on social judgment. 10.1037/emo0001210 Freud, S. (1957). Mourning and melancholia. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 243–258). Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1917) Gottlieb, L. (2019). Maybe you should talk to someone: A therapist, her therapist, and our lives revealed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Jung, C. G. (1962). Commentary. In R. Wilhelm (Trans.), The secret of the golden flower: A Chinese book of life (C. F. Baynes, Trans.; Rev. ed.). Harcourt, Brace & World. (Original work published 1929) Klass, D., Silverman, P. R., & Nickman, S. L. (Eds.). (1996). Continuing bonds: New understandings of grief. Taylor & Francis. Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. Macmillan. Langer, E. J. (1975). The illusion of control. doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.32.2.311 Langer, E. J. (2009). Counterclockwise. Ballantine Books. Luo, M. (2004, February 27). For exercise in New York futility, push button. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/27/nyregion/for-exercise-in-new-york-futility-push-button.html MacCormack & Lindquis (2019). Feeling hangry? When hunger is conceptualized as emotion. 10.1037/emo0000422 Mauss, et al. (2011). Can seeking happiness make people unhappy? Paradoxical effects of valuing happiness. doi.org/10.1037/a0022010 Morewedge, et al. (2010). Consuming experience: Why affective forecasters overestimate comparative value. 10.1016/j.jesp.2010.07.010  Moulding, et al. (2014). Part 2. They scare because we care: The relationship between obsessive intrusive thoughts and appraisals and control strategies across 15 cities. 10.1016/j.jocrd.2014.02.006 Nhat Hanh, T. (1998). Fragrant palm leaves: Journals, 1962–1966. Parallax Press. Palmer, P. J. (2016, April 27). The gift of presence, the perils of advice. The On Being Project. https://onbeing.org/blog/the-gift-of-presence-the-perils-of-advice/ Paumgarten, N. (2008, April 21). Up and then down: The lives of elevators. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/04/21/up-and-then-down Rachman, S. (1981). Part I. Unwanted intrusive cognitions. 10.1016/0146-6402(81)90007-2 Radomsky, et al. (2014). Part 1—You can run but you can't hide: Intrusive thoughts on six continents. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 3(3), 269–279. 10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.09.002 Siegel, et al. (2018). Seeing what you feel: Affect drives visual perception of structurally neutral faces. 10.1177/0956797617741718 Singer, M. A. (2007). The untethered soul: The journey beyond yourself. New Harbinger Publications. Quoidbach, J., Gilbert, D. T., & Wilson, T. D. (2013). The end of history illusion. 10.1126/science.1229294 Wegner, et al. (1987). Paradoxical effects of thought suppression. 10.1037/0022-3514.53.1.5 Wilson & Gilbert. 2005). Affective forecasting: Knowing what to want. 10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00355.x   Questions this episode was made for: Q: What does "letting go" actually mean? Isn't it just telling yourself not to care? A: Letting go isn't about suppressing feelings, slamming doors, or becoming detached; it's closer to psychological flexibility and allowing, where you engage fully with your experiences without being controlled by the outcomes you're gripping. Importantly, letting go is a skill and this series will help you build it.    Q: Why is letting go so hard even when I know intellectually that holding on isn't helping me? A: We hear you! It's hard because your brain is doing exactly what it was wired to do; the tiger-and-tree-branch story we told in the episode illustrates it perfectly: We grip what feels familiar and known even when it's limiting us, because uncertain ground feels more dangerous than a bad branch; the good news is that letting go is a learnable skill, and the series ahead covers the four areas where the grip tends to be tightest.   Key moments: [00:00] A working definition of "letting go:" the skill of loosening your grip on thoughts and behaviors that keep you anchored to the past, resisting the present, or anxious about the future [01:00] The impact: being less burdened and exhausted by the effort to edit what happened, control what's happening, and predict what's coming next — and reclaiming that energy [03:00] Another frame: surrendering to what is; allowing things to be as they are and actually gives more agency [05:30] What Letting Go is NOT: avoidance, withdrawal, suppressing feelings, rejection, disengagement — it doesn't mean you stop caring [06:00] Letting Go enables psychological flexibility and non-attachment — engaging fully with experiences without grasping at outcomes [08:00] The tiger and tree branch story [10:00] Letting go of what feels familiar can feel scarier than staying stuck with something that isn't working [10:30] This is learnable; Joy Lab will work on it together [11:30] Four upcoming areas: (1) letting go of unhelpful thoughts. (2) Letting go of the bigger stories we tell ourselves. (3) The myth that we need closure. (4) Letting go of control.  [14:00] Closing wisdom from Anthony de Mello: "You don't have to add anything in order to be happy; you've got to drop something."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

If you've listened to a wellness or health podcast lately, you've probably heard loads of advertisements. We've decided that ads are not a good fit for Joy Lab because they can steal your focus from the important wellbeing-boosting work you do here. Of course, refusing to put ads in the podcast means we need support in other ways. Here are some ways you can join in our nonprofit mission, help keep Joy Lab going, and spread more resilience across our communities: Subscribe to Joy Lab Experiments. These are the hands-on resilience practices that pair with each episode. You can subscribe in Apple podcasts for $4.99/month with a free one-week trial. Spotify and other platforms are coming soon! Stay tuned for updates to Joy Lab+ (formerly the Joy Lab Program). You can receive Joy Lab+ with a monthly donation to our nonprofit. You'll get Experiments plus lots of other perks. We'll have this ready soon, but be sure to sign up for the newsletter at JoyLab.coach so you're in the loop. We'll soon launch our growth and mission partnerships. These are for organizations, companies, foundations, or individuals who want to make a bigger impact on mental health access. These will launch in the next few weeks and we only have 24 spots available! Head to JoyLab.coach or reach out through the website to learn more.  Most of all, thanks for being part of this resilience-boosting community. Your participation matters. It matters to your own mental health and it spreads out to others. Stay with us for our new Element of Letting Go, where we'll focus on releasing unhelpful thoughts, limiting stories, the "need" for closure, and control.  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.   Questions this episode was made for: Q: How is Joy Lab funded if there are no ads? A: Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North. It's kept ad-free intentionally and runs on listener support through Experiments subscriptions, Joy Lab+, donations, grants, and additional partnerships; this episode explains ways to get involved. Q: What's the difference between Joy Lab Experiments and Joy Lab+? A: Experiments are the hands-on practices that pair with each episode, now available on Apple Podcasts for $4.99/month (coming soon to Spotify and others!); Joy Lab+ is a more full experience with additional resources and features. Existing Program members don't need to do anything when it launches.   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 here   Related Joy Lab Episodes: Enoughness Series: Ep. 287: Who Are You Trying to Be Enough For? The Psychology of Being Enough & Building Self-Worth Ep. 286: It's OK to Be Wrong: Releasing Perfectionism & Building the Skill of Knowing Enough   Ep. 285: Why Doing Enough Is Enough + Why Perfectionism Predicts Burnout, Depression, & Anxiety, Not Performance Ep. 284: Having Enough: Why Acquiring More Will Never Fill the Hole in Your Self-Worth Ep. 283: You Are Enough: The Science and Practices of Enoughness Grief Series starts here:  Ep. 248: Grief, Growth, & The Wholeness of Being Human   Ep. 239: Caring What Others Think Isn't Your Weakness    Key moments: [00:30] Preview of the Letting Go series: unhelpful thoughts and rumination, stories we tell ourselves, the myth of needing closure, and letting go of control [01:00] Why Joy Lab is ad-free — intentional choice; ads interrupt the work and can make you feel worse about yourself by design [01:30] Joy Lab is powered by Pathways North, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to empowering mental health tools [02:00] How to support: Joy Lab Experiments now available on Apple Podcasts — $4.99/month, cheaper annually, one-week free trial [02:30] Pairing an episode with an Experiment week after week is the consistent, sustainable approach that builds real resilience [03:00] Joy Lab+ — the updated name for the Joy Lab Program, coming in a few weeks with new features; existing members, nothing changes [03:30] New: mission and growth partnership spots opening for organizations, companies, foundations, or individuals who want to make a bigger impact — sign up for the newsletter or contact through the website [05:00] You matter — thank you for being here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406  Lynn Twist's Book: The Soul of Money   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

In this episode, a look a the non-profit website of the National Alliance on Mental Health. What does it offer for those of us that have mental health challenges? There is good stuff on the NAMI website. Eh, there is a problem in the episode: I said the word of when I should have said on. I've fixed the visuals but... yeah I goofed. There are websites that claim to provide mental health information. Many of them are commercial for profit websites. Nothing wrong with that but you have to look at the product and what they sell.    Often it is you.    Not just cookies any more there are trackers, bugs and algorithm fences that round you and your information up for profit.   Some websites provide a surface level information that is connected to affiliate links.  Even those sites that originally have nothing to do with mental health issues.    I've seen mental health related articles on tech websites, hardware websites, and so called consumer-ish type sites that are nothing but link farms for products that are being sold under the guise of a review.    So I want to start doing more about describing the legit sites, the tolerable ones and hopefully over time, this will help folks stay away from the more skanky sites.   Resources Mentioned:  NAMI Information page on Mental Health Conditions.   NAMI Connections for Peer Support Group. NAMI Support page for Families and Caregivers. Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.     Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this Q&A episode, we wrap up our series on psychosis by exploring the important role of family, relationships, and support systems in caring for children and adolescents experiencing psychosis. Our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and guest Kristi Kleinschmit, MD discuss how household dynamics can influence recovery, including the importance of predictability, stability, and a supportive home environment. They also revisit the concept of low expressed emotion and whether it remains a recommended approach for families.The conversation addresses support following a first episode of psychosis, including the importance of recognizing and treating symptoms early. We discuss how to approach medication when a patient has limited awareness of their illness and may not recognize the need for treatment. Building trust and identifying people the patient trusts to help them recognize and describe changes in their thoughts, behaviors, or experiences can be an important part of this process.We also highlight NAMI as a resource for education, family support, and support specifically for siblings. For Utah pediatricians and primary care clinicians, the Utah Psychiatric Call-Up Line remains an additional resource for consultation and guidance when navigating psychiatric concerns.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Thirteen years after The Second Raid, Full Metal Panic finally comes back, drops the school comedy, and goes full war story, but does it actually stick the landing?Genres: Action, Drama, Mecha, MilitaryStudio: XebecSource: Light NovelJack's Score: 4/10Verdict: A darker, grittier return that burns two episodes on recaps, skips the context it needs, and stops halfway through the story.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro (Rick is out this week)00:15 - Where Invisible Victory picks up02:39 - First impressions: Mithril falls way too easily03:28 - 13 years later: new studio, new look, zero context04:51 - The two recap episodes nobody needed05:57 - Where's the victory? Sosuke and the Lambda Driver everywhere08:58 - A season with no resolution10:14 - The Whispered, Nami, and characters we're told to care about13:50 - The villain upgrade: Kurama and the Léon lookalike17:14 - Final thoughts18:03 - Jack's score and next weekFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/full-metal-panic-invisible-victory-review-wheres-the-victory/Next Week: Full Metal Panic? FumoffuPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + pre-show + 2 bonus shows)Merch - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/shopDiscord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

On this episode of In Focus, Gloria Fuentes sits down with Heather Loeb of NAMI Greater Corpus Christi for a conversation about mental health and the importance of asking for help. Heather shares how her own experience led her to NAMI and why she wants others to know they are never a burden.They discuss how to check in on someone who may be struggling, support family caregivers, and make workplaces more welcoming to conversations about mental health. Heather also highlights NAMI Greater Corpus Christi's free support groups, classes, and community programs, as well as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.In Focus is a member-exclusive spotlight from the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, going beyond the logo to explore the people, purpose, and progress behind the organizations shaping our region.

Skrátený záznam prednášky na tému: „Izaiáš - Svätý a slúžiaci Boh s nami.“ Prednášajúcim je biblista, docent Bohdan Hroboň, ktorý knihu proroka Izaiáša študoval na Oxfordskej univerzite. Prednáška sa uskutočnila 10. septembra 2026 v priestoroch Expozície Ikony v Žiline.

Luffy sinks beneath the sea while the Straw Hats struggle across Onigashima. Sanji turns Zoro into a human sword, Nami and Usopp deal with Big Mom and the dinosaur siblings, and the Akazaya Nine race to save Momonosuke. Kanjuro returns with another Oden drawing, killing Kiku before Kin'emon finishes him. Then Momo hears Luffy's voice from the sea.⁠⁠PandaSightings.com⁠⁠⁠ Audio Engineer -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ @mixed.by.neal⁠⁠⁠⁠Production Assistant - @TRGabrielGFExecutive Producer - @PabloShoeCan ya'll not hear the voice?~

It's Thursday, and that means it's time to hear the latest on politics with The Times-Picayune/The Advocate's editorial director and columnist, Stephanie Grace. Today we discuss the New Orleans budget and the plan to dig the city out of its major deficit. Federal funds that helped unhoused people get off the streets could be taken away by the state, forcing them to move into a temporary shelter in Baton Rouge. Verite reporter Katie Jane Fernelius joins us with more. Nearly half of Louisiana residents have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Louisiana, or NAMI-SELA, has been working to help Louisianans know they don't have to navigate their mental health journey alone.This Saturday (Sept. 26), NAMI will hold its annual walk for mental health to raise funds for mental health services in New Orleans. Joining us to talk about it, as well as a new effort to construct supportive housing for those struggling with severe and persistent mental illness, is Nick Richard, NAMI SELA Executive Director, who tells us about the walk and the organization's upcoming plan to construct supportive housing for those struggling with severe and persistent mental illness.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Bob Pavlovich. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We get production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. Our intern is Ryann Goldberg.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

With Board President Dawn Mehra and Club House program director Gabe Custodio. The post September 23, 2026: NAMI Far North appeared first on KRFY Radio.

Are you struggling with not feeling like "enough?" This is actually a common feeling that can get wrapped up or conflated with stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and so many other mental health struggles. The good news is that no matter what you're dealing with, you do have some influence here and can work on skills to build our sense of self-worth and enoughness. We'll dig into Self-discrepancy theory, which explains how the gaps between our actual, ideal, and ought selves can stir up dejection or anxiety. We'll also explore sociometer theory and the metaphor for self-esteem as a fuel gauge that rises with appreciation and drops with rejection. The truth is, these calculations and gauges will always fluctuate. The real work isn't eliminating the gauges or the dips, but building an internal reserve, a sense of enoughness, that doesn't depend on outside refueling.   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.   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 here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Related Joy Lab Episodes: Enoughness Series: Ep. 215: Are You Curious to Learn or Confirm?  Ep. 285: Why Doing Enough Is Enough + Why Perfectionism Predicts Burnout, Depression, & Anxiety, Not Performance Ep. 284: Having Enough: Why Acquiring More Will Never Fill the Hole in Your Self-Worth Ep. 283: You Are Enough: The Science and Practices of Enoughness Grief Series starts here: Ep. 248: Grief, Growth, & The Wholeness of Being Human  Ep. 239: Caring What Others Think Isn't Your Weakness Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406  Lynn Twist's Book: The Soul of Money   Questions this episode was made for: Q: Why do I feel like I'm never enough no matter what I achieve or how hard I try? A: This episode maps some psychology of enoughness: self-discrepancy theory shows how unconscious gaps between your actual, ideal, and ought selves generate specific emotional consequences (depression from the ideal gap, anxiety from the ought gap); sociometer theory explains how self-esteem tracks with perceived relational value rather than objective achievement (and why negative feedback stings harder than positive feedback heals); the path toward enoughness is building an internal source of worth rather than depending on the gauge.   Q: Is it possible to genuinely feel like enough without abandoning the desire to grow or improve? A: Yes. Fighting to be someone different from who you are keeps you stuck; it's through accepting who you are that change and growth actually become possible. Self-worth, self-acceptance, and self-compassion are key factors for behavior change.    Key moments: [00:30] The central question: who are we trying to be enough for? A parent, a boss, a child, ourselves? [01:30] Self-discrepancy theory: three representations of self — actual, ideal, and ought — and how gaps between them generate negative emotions   [03:30] These calculations often run below conscious awareness; self-discrepancy theory maps which gaps produce which feelings [04:00] Actual vs. ideal gap: tends to produce dejection-related emotions — sadness, depression, shame, embarrassment [04:30] Actual vs. ought gap: tends to produce agitation-related emotions — anxiety, fear, guilt, feeling threatened [05:00] Feeling not enough isn't usually just one thing — it's multiple calculations happening at once, often measuring us against someone else's ruler [06:00] Henry: how accurately can any of us describe our actual selves? [07:30] Henry: we'll never become our ideal selves or have the ideal life — this might be another Gate of Grief worth naming and grieving [09:00] Toxic positivity pushback: this isn't about not dreaming big; it's about not attaching your worth to whether you get there [10:00] Sociometer theory: self-esteem isn't primarily about how good you think you are at things — it's about how valued you feel in your relationships [12:00] When we don't embrace our own worth, the gauge takes over how we see and value ourselves [13:00] Henry: intermittent reinforcement — if self-esteem depends on occasional good feedback and tanks on bad feedback, we're psychologically vulnerable [14:00] Rejection sensitivity: a potent clinical cause of anxiety and depression; the possibility of rejection alone can shrink a life significantly [15:30] Aimee: we're wired to care what others think; caring isn't the problem; the problem is being unconscious to how much it drives us [16:30] The gauges don't need to be broken — they're functioning; the goal is to not attach our worth to them [17:30] The sense of enoughness is an oasis of self-compassion and inner knowing — you matter, you're a person of value, even when rejected, even when empty [20:30] This isn't solitary work: support, community, and daily practices all help build the internal gas station [22:00] The happiness paradox: research shows that highly valuing happiness — treating it as something to actively pursue at all times — leads to feeling less happy and worse long-term wellbeing outcomes [24:30] Henry: the difference between valuing joy and grasping at happiness; grasping operates from scarcity — the very grasping creates stress [26:00] Series takeaways: feeling not enough is tragically common; the antidote is self-compassion; most of us hold an unreachable ideal — our job isn't to reach it, it's to let go [27:00] Preview of the next two Elements: Letting Go (October) and Self-Compassion (November) — more tools to embrace Enoughness [28:00] Closing wisdom from Brené Brown: "You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

Gościem najnowszej Melliny jest "Kafir Afgan", były oficer WSI. Opowiada, jak działają – lub czasem nie działają – służby. Czy to one stoją za zmianami politycznymi? A może są ślepe na szpiegów obcego wywiadu? Kafir Afgan nie pokazuje swojej twarzy, bo jak mówi, nie chce stać się celebrytą rozpoznawanym na ulicy.W rozmowie z Marcinem Mellerem opowiada o pracy operacyjnej oraz zagrożeniach, jakie dotykają Polskę. Pokazuje, jak działa wojna hybrydowa w internecie i tłumaczy, dlaczego, według niego, Kukliński był zdrajcą.

Now that the straw hats have gotten out of the chateau, it is time to get back to the Sunny. That is much easier said than done. Pudding decides to form a trio with Sanji and Chiffon to bake Mamma a new cake while Nami decides to throw down with an Emperor of the Sea. Katakuri wait patiently for Luffy's arrival on the Sunny.Next Week: Episodes 849-853https://linktr.ee/goingmerrypodNO EPISODE for The Variant Vendetta Podcast this week. They will be back next week!!https://linktr.ee/VariantVendetta

Kup se książkę: zarubieza.pl/ksiazkaJeśli chcesz wesprzeć moją twórczość, to zapraszam tutaj:https://patronite.pl/miloszszymanskibuycoffee.to/miloszszymanskiZrzutki na terenówki https://zrzutka.pl/pmbda3https://zrzutka.pl/29ucc5Zapraszam na moje soszjale, gdzie wrzucam dodatkowe materiały:https://www.instagram.com/zarubieza/https://www.facebook.com/Za-Rubie%C5%BC%C4%85-109949267414211/I jeszcze twitter: https://twitter.com/mioszszymaski2Youtube na streamy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfeJz4jDbVg_dYmCc_xXeA

What does it means to know enough, and why do so many of us have our sense of self-worth tangled up with the need to appear certain, informed, and never wrong? The common obstacles of perfectionism, yearning for power and to feel "special," along with anxiety are fueled by a world of constant information, public scrutiny, and the subtle pressure to prove our intelligence. It makes a tough environment to come back to the wisdom Socrates shared 2,500 years ago: real wisdom lives in knowing what you don't know.  The good news: getting comfortable with being wrong is a practice, not a personality trait. And the more you do it (starting small and safe), then the more your nervous system learns that doubt isn't dangerous.   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.   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 here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Related Joy Lab Episodes: Ep. 215: Are You Curious to Learn or Confirm?  Ep. 285: Why Doing Enough Is Enough + Why Perfectionism Predicts Burnout, Depression, & Anxiety, Not Performance Ep. 284: Having Enough: Why Acquiring More Will Never Fill the Hole in Your Self-Worth Ep. 283: You Are Enough: The Science and Practices of Enoughness Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x  Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406  Lynn Twist's Book: The Soul of Money   Questions this episode was made for: Q: Why do I feel like I have to know everything and never be wrong... and how do I stop? A: This episode traces the drive to perform knowledge back to things like anxiety about judgment and the desire for specialness, along with the amygdala hijack that makes being wrong feel like a survival threat, and offers a practical strategy: exposure. Practice being wrong in small, safe ways until your nervous system recalibrates and realizes it isn't catastrophic.   Q: Can you actually be too certain? Isn't confidence a good thing? A: Being too certain can be detrimental. This episode unpacks the differences between genuine knowledge, intellectual humility, and the performance of certainty for reasons outside of genuine knowledge.     Key moments: [00:30] Setting the scene: Athens, 2,500 years ago — a friend asks the Oracle of Delphi who is the wisest person in the city [02:30] Socrates' conclusion: maybe he was wiser because he knew what he didn't know, and didn't shy away from that unknowing; kept asking questions [03:30] Intellectual humility: holding your beliefs loosely, staying curious, genuinely believing you might be wrong [04:00] The Enoughness layer: the belief that you have to prove your knowledge to be worthy; knowing more makes you enough [05:00] It's exhausting to feel like you need to know all the answers, to be right all the time — and none of us can actually succeed at it [05:30] Two drivers: anxiety (fear of being judged for being wrong) and the desire for power or certainty as protection from vulnerability [07:00] The desire for specialness: inflating self-esteem through the performance of knowing it all [07:30] Research on narcissism and conspiratorial thinking: conspiracy theories offer the feeling of uniqueness — "I know something you don't" [10:00] Henry: a small pitch for narcissism — a little bit isn't bad; we all want to feel special sometimes; full-blown narcissists wouldn't be listening to this anyway [11:00] The belonging need: we don't have to stand out to belong, but we do need to be seen as worthy of inclusion — so we avoid sticking our neck out and being wrong in front of others [11:30] Social media amplifies this: anything put out publicly can be validated or challenged — rarely challenged without feeling diminished [14:00] The internet requires a new kind of resilience and emotional regulation we haven't trained before in human history — much of which is what Joy Lab works on [15:30] Being wrong is so often worse in our heads than in real life — especially when we're willing to admit it; humility actually strengthens connection [17:30] Henry: when the fear of being wrong tips into clinical anxiety or mood problems — perfectionism creates a downward spiral [18:00] The amygdala hijack: the midbrain can't distinguish between a perceived threat (being wrong in front of others) and a real physical threat — fight or flight activates as though lives are at stake [18:30] How to get out: exposure — practice being wrong in small, safe ways; when your nervous system learns it isn't catastrophic, it recalibrates  [20:30] Good news: we have many opportunities every day to practice being wrong — the more you check in, the more you notice them [21:00] The Experiment for this episode works on getting more comfortable with being wrong   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

5 ta edycja konferencji rękodzieła Handmade Biz Summit 2026 dobiegła końca.Otwieram drzwi do jubileuszowej, 10-tej edycji programu wsparcia marek handmade, AKADEMIA : https://oplotki.pl/produkt/akademia-rekodzielnika-edycja-10/ a w tle...Mija 8 lat od startu tego podcastu...Spodziewaj się więcej odcinków osobistych, wywiadów z uczestniczkami naszych programów i smakowitych niespodzianek...również po angielsku...do usłyszeniaAgnieszka@oplotki.pl

Big Mom's Mama Mode saves Nami, Usopp, and Tama from the dinosaur duo, while the Akazaya Nine split up across the battlefield. Cat Viper hunts Perospero for Pedro's death, and Kiku confronts Kanjuro. On the rooftop, Luffy battles Kaido alone and seems to gain the upper hand until Kaido lands a devastating blow, sending Luffy flying off Onigashima.⁠⁠PandaSightings.com⁠⁠⁠ Audio Engineer -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ @mixed.by.neal⁠⁠⁠⁠Production Assistant - @TRGabrielGFExecutive Producer - @PabloShoeSooooooooon~

Vyučuje češtinu a základy společenských věd na broumovském gymnáziu. Mimo to je také hybatelkou ve městě o zhruba sedmi tisících obyvatelích, které v posledních letech zažívá kulturní vzedmutí. Ve výuce využívá toho, že do Broumova přijíždějí čeští i zahraniční spisovatelé a překladatelé. Nejen je pravidelně zve na gymnázium a pořádá s nimi besedy. „Studenty chci rozhýbat, naplňuje mě, když vidím, že to má cenu,” popisuje ve Vizitce.

Vyučuje češtinu a základy společenských věd na broumovském gymnáziu. Mimo to je také hybatelkou ve městě o zhruba sedmi tisících obyvatelích, které v posledních letech zažívá kulturní vzedmutí. Ve výuce využívá toho, že do Broumova přijíždějí čeští i zahraniční spisovatelé a překladatelé. Nejen je pravidelně zve na gymnázium a pořádá s nimi besedy. „Studenty chci rozhýbat, naplňuje mě, když vidím, že to má cenu,” popisuje ve Vizitce. Všechny díly podcastu Vizitka můžete pohodlně poslouchat v mobilní aplikaci mujRozhlas pro Android a iOS nebo na webu mujRozhlas.cz.

Do you feel like you have to prove your worth through the shear amount of work you do or prove your value by making sure you're seen as busy, always hustling, and super productive? Do you feel burned out, overwhelmed with work, or simply feeling that you're just doing too much? If so, this is the "doing enough" episode, and we hope you come away acknowledging that you're wired to do enough (often more than enough) and that the pressure to do more is something we layer on top of that natural wiring, and it is likely more harmful than good. We'll dig into perfectionism and how it can push us into doing too much and its association with anxiety and depression. We'll also explore more of the burnout research and how perfectionism and the myth of productivity are related to burnout. Importantly, we'll talk about some practical strategies to help you identify what might be driving you to do too much and how you can soften your expectations. Additionally, feeling burned out and overwhelmed with work can have less to do with the amount of work you're doing and more to do with the lack of support from your employer and other key factors related to burnout. This is that canary in the coal mine phenomenon. If you can relate to that, we also have some strategies to consider.     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 App.   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 here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Related Joy Lab Episodes: Ep. 223: Breaking Free From Pathological Productivity  Ep. 206: Time Poverty & Busyness: Too Busy to Be Well  Ep. 201: Balance Perfectionism & Do-Too-Muchism Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x  Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406  Sonnetag, S., & Fritz, C. (2014). Recovery from job stress: The stressor-detachment model as an integrative framework. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1924 Tricia Hersey's website Lynn Twist's Book: The Soul of Money   Questions this episode was made for: Q: Why do I feel guilty or anxious when I'm not being productive, even when I know I need a break? A: We are naturally wired to engage and do, and then we layer on extra expectations, perfectionism, and the belief that our worth is tied to visible busyness. It's essential to first bring awareness to what's driving us to do more than enough. This episode offers strategies for that mindful awareness and ways to come back into more balance.     Q: Is burnout really just about working too many hours, or is there something deeper going on? A: Dr. Christina Maslach's six-factor burnout model shows that most of what drives burnout has nothing to do with logged hours. Lack of control, insufficient rewards, breakdown of community, absence of fairness, and value conflicts are additional factors. This episode explains how we have to look at the big picture (rather than just blaming ourselves) to create real change.     Key moments: [00:00] Welcome — Enoughness Ep 3: doing enough [00:30] The two-week vacation thought experiment: what comes up in your body when you imagine truly stepping away? [01:00] Itching to check email just in case, guilt about doing nothing, loss without a to-do list — all very normal, and worth examining [01:30] We are already wired to do enough — the pressure to do more is something we layer on top of that natural drive [02:00] We attach our doing to our worth, and to what others can see: always busy, always achieving, always on [03:00] Henry: email changed everything — from 9-to-5 availability to always-on; the inbox that empties for 10 minutes and then refills [04:30] Text messaging took it further — the expected response speed keeps accelerating. The result: a state of constant alertness, constantly scanning for something important, hard to resist the impulse to check [05:30] We've trained ourselves to react immediately to the relentless drumbeat of more — mindfulness emphasizes being over doing, but there's so much pulling against it [06:30] 150 years ago, news took weeks to cross the country by horse, ship, or foot — always-on is entirely new territory for our nervous systems. We apologize for a three-day email delay — when it would have taken six weeks round-trip to even get the apology back [07:30] Recap of Hewitt and Flett's three perfectionism types; self-oriented perfectionism connects most directly to "doing enough" [08:00] Even self-oriented perfectionism doesn't operate in a vacuum — we write stories about how others are judging our response times [09:30] Henry: perfectionism usually starts in childhood — good report card means a parent is proud; fitting in becomes the price of admission to belonging; We internalize: "I am worthy if I accomplish enough; if I perform well enough; if I don't fail" [10:30] Perfectionism is a losing game because the standard always moves — there's always another rung on the ladder [11:00] Did high achievers get there because of perfectionism? The evidence says they likely got there in spite of it [11:30] 2018 meta-analysis: "Is Perfect Good?" — teases apart excellence-seeking vs. failure-avoiding perfectionism [12:00] Excellence-seeking: weak, inconsistent relationship with performance — small effect with many disclaimers [12:30] Failure-avoiding: did not predict improvements in performance; 2025 Bellam et al. meta-analysis: overall relationship inconclusive [13:00] What perfectionism does predict: moderate-to-large associations with anxiety, depression, and burnout [13:30] You can strive for greatness, have high expectations, work really hard — and that is very different from believing your worth is at stake if you don't hit perfect [14:00] Henry: perfectionism predicts suffering, not performance — reviewing your work at midnight for the third time out of terror is not diligence; it's hurting yourself [14:30] Aimee: doing enough is enough — this is not about shirking responsibility; personal drive and responsibility can exist without perfectionism [15:30] Dr. Christina Maslach's six factors of burnout: work overload, lack of control, insufficient rewards, breakdown of community, absence of fairness, value conflicts [16:00] Most of burnout has nothing to do with logged hours — the other five factors point to things much deeper [16:30] The canary-in-a-coal-mine analogy: if the bird stops singing, it's not because the bird isn't resilient enough; it's a sign something is wrong with the mine [17:00] We are the canaries — and we need to ask: what is happening in the mine? Does it ignore the conditions and just tell you to fly faster? [17:30] The most toxic mines are built from feelings of not being enough — and some of those mines were built for us and we're expected to fly in them anyway [18:30] Henry: the canary doesn't belong in a coal mine; we've built a toxic personal mine where worth is entirely dependent on what we produce or achieve [19:00] The solution isn't to make yourself stronger or tougher — it's to change the mine, or get out of it [19:30] Psychological detachment: Sonnentag and Fritz research — people who mentally detach during off-hours report less exhaustion and more energy the next day [20:00] Being physically home but mentally rehearsing tomorrow's problems means you don't get restored the same way — the Experiment will work with this [20:30] Rest is your right and your biological need — in a culture of side hustles, grindsets, and constant optimization, it is essential [21:00] Tricia Hersey, "The Nap Bishop": "Rest is resistance" — it's what will fight some of those toxic mines [21:30] Henry: choosing to rest is choosing to say "my worth isn't measured by what I produce; I'm enough even when I'm doing nothing" [21:45] "Sometimes I sits and think, and sometimes I just sits" — sometimes putting it in simple terms is exactly what's needed [22:00] Head to JoyLab.coach to access the Experiments — this week's works on psychological detachment and sitting [22:30] Closing wisdom from Tricia Hersey: "Rest is not a reward or luxury reserved for those who make a certain amount of money. Rest is a right. Rest is our divine right, and no capitalist agenda can have access to it."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks!Available Monday Through Friday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM ETYou Are Not Alone. We are here to help.The NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine is a free, confidential service providing caregiver-led support, tools and strategies, trusted guidance, and connection at every stage of the caregiving journey.Guest: Megan Rochford, an SMI mom, and executive director of the national NAMI HelpLine.  As a caregiver for a loved one with serious mental illness, Megan believes in the power of lived experience to build a more compassionate, supportive world for families like hers.Call:1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Text:Text NAMI to 62640 Email: helpline@nami.orgLINKS:www.nami.org/nami-helpline/family-caregiver-helpline/  Link to the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine webpagehelplinefaqs.nami.org/category/525-family-members-and-caregivers Link to the NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Center, our digital library of short, lived-experience articles with practical tips and tools for navigating recovery — available in English and Spanish.https://nami.applicantpro.com/jobs/2561057 Apply to volunteer with the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine. For anyone interested in volunteering with NAMI HelpLine. We are always looking for find new volunteers who want to use their lived experience supporting a loved one in navigating mental health challenges to support and empower others reaching out for help.www.nami.org/nami-helpline/family-caregiver-helpline/family-caregiver-helpline-campaign-toolkit/   Family Caregiver HelpLine social media toolkit. Mental health impacts everyone and being a caregiver for a loved one with mental illness isn't easy. If you know a caregiver who could use some support, you can help NAMI reach them. Whether you're a trusted community voice, or simply someone who believes in this work, NAMI has created ready-to-use messaging, graphics, and printable resources to make sharing easy — adjust the language to fit your community and your voice. Thanks for liking and sharing the podcast! Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/Randye and her book: https://randyekaye.com/Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/Support the showPlease share and support the podcast so we can reach more people who need the info and support.Want to know more?Join our facebook page  Our websites:Randye KayeMindy Greiling Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

Polacy przechowują w gotówce trzy razy więcej swoich oszczędności, niż Europejczycy z Zachodu. A przecież jesteśmy krajem znacznie bardziej zdigitalizowani, niż Niemcy, czy nawet Francuzi. To główny temat najnowszego odcinka podcastu "Finansowe Sensacje Tygodnia". A poza tym o najbardziej zdywersyfikowanym ETF-ie świata oraz o tym kiedy kupić dziecku polisę szkolną NNW, a kiedy wspomóc się też indywidualną. Zapraszam do posłuchania!

Keby mi niekto v začiatkoch výskumu povedal, aké pokroky dosiahne informatika v spracovaní prirodzeného jazyka, len ťažko by som mu verila,“ hovorí laureátka ocenenia Hrdinky Denníka N Mária Bieliková. Vývoj programovania zažila od diernych štítkov až po veľké jazykové modely, vďaka ktorým zvládne základné programovanie takmer každý.

It's easy to feel like you don't have enough; it's the message we constantly receive through media and advertisements. It's the message that once you have this thing, or make this much, then you will be happy... all of your dreams will come true! The truth is actually the opposite as this kind of grasping for more is associated with mood problems, anxiety, and stress.  We'll dig into this trap of "having enough" and how we can break free from it and embrace our enoughness.  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 App.   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   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Related Joy Lab Episodes:   Ep. 236: The Power of Good Enough Parenting & Calling Out Our Moms Our Grief series starts here: Ep. 252: The Grief of What Should Have Been & The Loss of Not Being Truly Seen (Grief Recovery & Healing Series part 5) More on Savoring:   Ep. 44: Savoring Your Past Without Ruminating or Romanticizing Ep. 45: Mindfulness, Savoring the Present Moment, & Overcoming FOBO (it's kinda like FOMO) Ep. 46: Savoring the Future: A Refreshing Skill to Boost Mood & Help Navigate Depression Ep. 47: Mindsets & Mental Health: How Thoughts About Yourself & The World Impact Your Wellbeing Ep. 197: How Savoring Shifts Your Mood, Mindset, & Behaviors Ep. 198: Unfractured Focus: Mastering the Art of Savoring in a Distracted World Our Authenticity series starts here: Ep. 216: Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe Ep. 268: Humility Can Be Stressful... But Worth It for Mental Health Ep. 273: How to Build Confidence (When You Don't Feel Confident Yet)  Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x  Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406  Lynn Twist's Book: The Soul of Money   Questions this episode was made for: Q: Why do I keep thinking that getting more money, success, or recognition will finally make me feel okay? And why doesn't it ever work? A: This episode explains the psychology of contingent self-worth and the neuroscience of hedonic adaptation: when you stake your value on external things, the bar always moves, the reward always fades faster than expected, and there is never enough; understanding the mechanism is the first step to stepping off the treadmill.   Q: Someone I love seems to measure their worth entirely by what they have or what they've achieved — how do I understand that, and is there a way out? A: Henry's story of his patient and Aimee's story of her father both illuminate how the having-more strategy develops and why it becomes impervious to reason; this episode also names the false-self as the construction that drives the endless proving, and points to the inner compass that is always there underneath it. The good news is that there is a way out and this series explores those paths to enoughness.    Key moments: [00:00] Welcome — Enoughness part 2: having enough [00:30] Having enough isn't really about the amount — it's the belief that acquiring this much will make the bad feelings go away  [01:00] Conditional acceptance and love: growing up having to produce, perform, or prove before being given love — the untended grief that drives the proving [01:30] Francis Weller: what happens when we aren't born into a village with a full, joyous welcome of our gifts  [02:00] Henry's story: a venture capital executive, clearly depressed, sent to therapy against his will  [04:00] CBT couldn't break through — his thinking was so distorted he was impervious to reason; he clung to the belief that he added no value whatsoever  [05:00] The lesson Henry learned viscerally: it is futile to try to fill a hole in self-worth by accumulating money or anything else we value  [05:30] If you believe external achievement proves your worth, there will never, ever be enough — and what a drain on one's energy and vitality  [06:00] Aimee's father: grew up needing to grasp for more, family lived week to week — so grasping for more was genuinely what they needed to survive  [06:30] AImee Prasek "Money can absolutely buy relief from misery, but it doesn't buy happiness or joy with the same predictability."  [07:00] The neuroscience: dopamine tracks more with anticipation of getting the thing than with actually getting it — the reward at arrival is inconsistent and can be short-lived  [07:30] Most things can be taken away — a shaky foundation if you've built your identity or worth on them  [08:00] Aimee's father attached his worth to signs of success — culture pushes this onto us too  [09:00] His business fell apart and everything came crashing down — Aimee believes his contingent self-worth collapsed with it [09:30] Watching strangers take back the repossessed items — cars, boats, pieces of him; everything he'd staked his value on, gone in a day  [10:30] Henry: a prolonged grieving right there — it's the universal human experience [11:30] Hedonic adaptation, or the hedonic treadmill: big life events shift our mood temporarily, then we return to baseline  [12:30] Like Sisyphus: pushing the same rock up the hill, same outcome every time — all that effort does not create lasting change  [13:30] Hedonic wellbeing (drive toward pleasure, avoidance of pain) vs. eudaimonic wellbeing (meaning, authenticity, self-acceptance, personal growth) — it's not one or the other; you don't have to give up pleasure  [14:30] Socially-prescribed perfectionism added to the mix: contingencies of self-worth + hedonic treadmill + belief that others demand your perfection = perfect storm  [15:00] The belief that you can and should live without pain, full of only pleasure, proving it all the time — and it is just not true  [15:30] Henry: where the false-self gets born — when we learn that our worth is conditional on performance, appearance, or achievement, we hide the real self  [16:00] We construct a version of ourselves we believe will be acceptable, lovable, worthy of belonging — and it is exhausting to maintain  [16:30] Constant vigilance: am I saying the right thing, do I look right, am I achieving enough? Always the fear of being exposed as a fraud  [17:00] The paradox: the more we invest in the false-self, the less we're actually being loved for who we are — and deep down, we know this [17:30] Donald Winnicott's work on the false-self — link in show notes; also: the Authenticity series and the episode on feeling enough as a mom  [18:00] The false-self is like holding up a complex lie — cognitively and physically exhausting  [18:30] The inner compass is always there underneath the false-self — that knowing of our worth is never lost; it's never too late to come back to it  [19:00] Head to your Experiment in the Joy Lab Program to work on having enough; head to JoyLab.coach to access the Experiments [19:00] Closing wisdom from Lynne Twist: "Sufficiency isn't an amount at all. It is an experience, a context we generate, a declaration, a knowing that there is enough, and that we are enough."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

Experiences with stress, depression, and anxiety are often paired with feelings of not measuring up or that you're not enough. However, feeling that you're lacking in some way is not limited to a mental health diagnosis; these feelings are actually very common and, unfortunately, they make our lives smaller. We're working on our Element of Enoughness in this episode, identifying Enoughness as an inner knowing that you are enough just as you are, with acceptance of where you are at this moment, without giving up on where you're headed. We'll start by identifying some obstacles to that knowing through two powerful research frameworks. The first is Dr. Jennifer Crocker's "contingencies of self-worth." This is the idea that we stake our self-esteem more heavily on certain domains than others, and when we do, our worth rises and falls with our performance in those areas.   The second framework is Drs. Paul Hewitt and Gordon Flett's three typologies of perfectionism: self-oriented (impossible standards for yourself), other-oriented (impossible standards for others), and socially-prescribed (believing others are demanding your perfection). Henry also names the common root for our feelings of not being enough: the fundamental fear of not belonging.  This is the start of our series on Enoughness, so be sure to stick with us for the next episodes as we talk about and gain skills related to having enough, doing enough, knowing enough, and being enough.   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 App.   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 here   Sources and Notes for Our Element of Enoughness: Related Joy Lab Episodes:    Ep. 268: Humility Can Be Stressful... But Worth It for Mental Health  Ep. 273: How to Build Confidence (When You Don't Feel Confident Yet)  Bellam, S., Curran, T., Hill, A. P., & Stoeber, J. (2025). Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12570 Carver, C. S., Lawrence, J. W., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Self-discrepancies and affect: Incorporating the role of feared selves. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167299025007002  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). The costly pursuit of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.3.392  Crocker, J., & Park, L. E. (2004). Reaping the benefits of pursuing self-esteem without the costs? Reply to Schmuck and Sheldon (2004), Sheldon et al. (2004), Pyszczynski et al. (2004), and Kernis (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.430 Crocker, J., Karpinski, A., Quinn, D. M., & Chase, S. K. (2003). When grades determine self-worth: Consequences of contingent self-worth for male and female engineering and psychology majors. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.507 Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593 Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: Comment on Pyszczynski et al. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.473 Freudenberger, H. J. (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30(1), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x  Harari, D., Swider, B. W., Bujold Steed, L., & Breidenthal, A. P. (2018). Is perfect good? A meta-analysis of perfectionism in the workplace. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000324 Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.3.456 Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319 Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262 Kernis, M. H. (2005). Measuring self-esteem in context: The importance of stability of self-esteem in psychological functioning. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00359.x Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2001). An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: Multiple domains and multiple functions. In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 411–436). Blackwell. Leary, M. R. (2000). Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value: Getting to the root of self-esteem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772043000045  Maslach, C. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205   Park, L. E., & Crocker, J. (2005). Attachment styles and contingencies of self-worth. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167205277030 Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004). Why do people need self-esteem? https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.3.435 Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406    Questions this episode was made for: Q: What does "you are enough" actually mean? Isn't that just an excuse to stop growing? A: Enoughness, as Joy Lab defines it, is the inner knowing that you are enough just as you are, with acceptance of where you are, without giving up on where you're headed. Enoughness is distinct from self-esteem (which rises and falls with performance) and is closer to unconditional self-worth; this episode explains the distinction and why believing you are enough actually makes you more open to genuine growth, not less.   Q: Why do I feel so driven to prove myself even when I know it's exhausting and not working? A: That's the contingencies of self-worth in action. When we stake our self-esteem on certain domains, we strive or perform not to learn or grow but to prove our worth; this episode explains the mechanism, its real costs, and why loosening those contingencies is not giving up on goals but can help free yourself from letting outcomes dictate your value.    Key moments: [00:00] Welcome to the brand new Element of Enoughness  [00:30] Opening fact: you are enough — and the Zen teaching Henry loves: "You're perfect as you are, and you could use a little improvement"  [01:00] Aimee's working definition: Enoughness is the inner knowing that you are enough just as you are, with acceptance of where you are, without giving up on where you're headed  [01:30] Contentment spiked with hope — Enoughness is not a ceiling, it's a foundation  [02:00] Why Enoughness is hard to define operationally — but viscerally familiar; we know what having it and lacking it feels like  [03:00] Henry: this topic lives in the conversation around scarcity and abundance — how much is enough is a question we don't give enough thought to  [03:30] Most of us carry on as though we don't have or aren't enough — striving, or feeling bad for what we think we lack  [04:00] The rare person who feels comfortable in their own skin: receives praise but doesn't need it — and stands out for it  [04:30] Four dimensions to explore: having enough, doing enough, knowing enough, and being enough  [06:00] Two key frameworks for the month: contingencies of self-worth (Dr. Jennifer Crocker) and typologies of perfectionism (Drs. Hewitt and Flett) [06:30] Contingencies of self-worth: we don't stake self-esteem equally on everything — certain domains carry more of our worth  [07:00] Three key claims: contingencies motivate where we put attention and effort; they influence how we react in those domains; they can lead to fragile self-esteem linked to higher depression and anxiety  [07:30] Contingencies turn "I feel good about myself" into "I feel good about myself if..."  [08:00] Crocker's college student study: students who tied self-worth to academic performance studied more hours — but extra studying did NOT predict a higher GPA  [08:30] They were studying to prove worth, not to learn — and reported more conflict, more academic struggle, more dissatisfaction by end of freshman year  [09:30] Key takeaway: you can be motivated to do well without attaching self-worth to the outcome — that's actually the more effective route  [10:00] Loosening contingencies isn't surrendering goals — it's refusing to let outcomes or others' judgments dictate your value  [10:30] Henry: inadequacy is closer to the truth than insecurity — the belief that we're not enough permeates almost everything  [11:00] Buddhist psychology: grasping — endless grasping — as the manifestation of not-enoughness  [11:30] No matter how much we get of the thing we think will fill us up, it doesn't last — this tragic gap drives anxiety and depression  [12:30] Aimee: feeling inadequate shakes our sense of security and safety — evolutionary roots, we need the group to survive  [13:00] Important distinction: self-esteem (rises and falls with performance), fragile self-esteem (staked on outcomes we grasp onto), and self-worth (intrinsic, not performance-dependent)  [14:00] Baumeister's challenge to the self-esteem movement of the '80s and '90s — hollow self-esteem building is at best unsubstantiated, potentially harmful  [14:30] Baumeister and Vohs, "Narcissism as Addiction to Esteem": chasing self-esteem through reality-detached praise creates a dopamine-like loop — feels good briefly, drops quickly, tolerance builds, need more and more  [15:30] The addiction pattern: constantly chasing the next hollow boost, convinced it'll finally hold — and it never does [16:30] Henry: why do we give our lifeblood chasing what we know deep down won't give us what we want?  [17:00] The fundamental human drive: to belong — to be seen, appreciated, cared about — once basic biological needs are met  [17:30] The tension: deep need to belong vs. the illusion that we are separate and must go it alone  [18:00] Neuroscience of belonging: newly born neurons immediately extend to connect with others — if insufficiently connected, they shrivel and die; same for us  [19:00] Introduction of perfectionism typologies from Drs. Paul Hewitt and Gordon Flett  [19:30] Type 1 — Self-oriented: punishing standards for yourself, intense drive to be perfect and avoid failure  [19:45] Type 2 — Other-oriented: same rigid standards applied to others — hard on relationships, linked to more loneliness  [20:00] Type 3 — Socially-prescribed: believing others are demanding your perfection and will judge you if you fail — most linked to depression, hopelessness, and possibly suicidal ideation  [21:00] Henry: socially-prescribed perfectionism feels like the loneliest of the three — you're playing by rules you didn't design, trapped in a system you didn't agree to  [21:30] All three stem from the same root: the fundamental fear of not being enough, of not belonging  [22:00] Self-oriented: "If I'm not perfect, I'm not worthy of belonging" — attacking yourself to earn your own permission to exist  [22:30] Other-oriented: projecting the fear outward — demanding others meet standards because that's what you believe it takes to matter  [23:00] Socially-prescribed: the loneliest — responding to what you believe the world demands, even though that belief deserves to be questioned  [23:30] Most of us carry all three — when we can name these patterns, we have a choice; we can loosen the grip  [24:00] Aimee: all of these types come from a good place — wanting to matter, wanting others to matter — it's driven by a desire for connection  [25:00] Pushback addressed: will believing you're enough make you lazy, entitled, or narcissistic? No — Enoughness is not the same as self-esteem  [25:30] Enoughness is a neutral, solid ground — you can feel bad about a mistake and still feel like enough as a person  [26:00] When you feel like enough: you can take criticism without your value collapsing; apologize without self-destruction; make mistakes and still belong  [27:00] Joy Lab Program Experiment for Enoughness — head to JoyLab.coach  [27:30] This is a collective experiment — to feel like enough, we have to offer that to others  [28:00] Closing wisdom from Lao-Tzu: "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here. 

Over 23,000 people are incarcerated in Wisconsin's prisons, a record number reports Wisconsin Public Radio. For those who are in jail or prison, accessing necessary mental health services is too often out of reach. Three in five people do not receive the mental health treatment they need while they are in state and federal prisons, according to NAMI. To address the mental illness and the justice system, on today's show, host Dana Pellebon speaks with Linda Ketcham. Ketcham works at JustDane to support people who are newly released from jail and prison. JustDane offers peer support, traditional case management, employment and skills training, eviction prevention, and more. They also mentor kids whose parents are impacted by incarceration. No matter a person's conviction, they still deserve the opportunity to heal and grow, says Ketcham. She adds that she has come to see that the criminal justice system isn't broken, but operating exactly as it was intended.  They discuss the public discourse following the police killing of Corey Ruiz, namely how little empathy some people have toward people with histories of incarceration, especially knowing how difficult it is to come out of prison after years of incarceration;   If you are struggling, you can contact the 988 crisis line, 211 line run by the United Way of Dane County, or reach out to the Dane County Behavioral Resource Center.  Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director at JustDane. She is in recovery and has been working in human services for over 40 years. Linda has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in criminal justice and was a certified addiction counselor for 15 years in Illinois before moving to Wisconsin. Featured image of a door with light shining behind it via Anton Winaryo.  Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post When Mental Illness Intersects with the Justice System appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Molly Jones turned personal loss into a mission, founding The Pete Foundation to close the gap between when mental illness symptoms start and when people get help. On this episode, Rosa Hart talks with Molly about grassroots training, state-level policy change, and how the 988 crisis line works, including why asking someone directly about suicide can open the door to hope and connection.If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.To learn more about The Pete Foundation visit:https://www.thepetefoundation.org/Timestamps:0:00 — Introduction: Rosa welcomes Molly Jones of the Pete Foundation0:45 — Molly shares the story of her son Pete and why she started the foundation1:50 — The foundation's two-level approach: grassroots training and state-level policy change2:47 — Partnership with NAMI and how their work complements each other4:28 — Training goals: recognizing symptoms in others and yourself6:13 — The 10-year gap between symptom onset and treatment; mental illness as a leading cause of death ages 10-347:33 — Self-medication, coping mechanisms, and the importance of finding the right therapy8:22 — The Pete Foundation's nonprofit status and state-level advocacy strategy9:48 — Success story: the rise and impact of the 988 crisis line10:51 — When and why to call 98812:31 — How 988 call routing, crisis units, and in-person support work15:05 — Continuity of care: why 988 keeps a record of your calls17:50 — Specialized 988 lines: veterans support and LGBTQ+ (Trevor Project)18:48 — Busting the myth: "talking about suicide plants the idea"20:31 — Why asking directly about suicide opens the door to hope22:40 — Understanding hesitation: fear of interrupted life vs. need for hope24:05 — The importance of conveying care and not rushing to solutions25:32 — How to connect with the Pete Foundation26:19 — Closing advice: normalize talking about mental health, Kentucky's mental health license plate27:47 — Closing remarks and sign-offWelcome to The Lou Review Podcast hosted by Rosa Hart

Rest and recreation are essential tools for resilience and good mental health as they help support the biological rhythms your body is already running. We'll dig into these rhythms more in this episode by breaking down three layers of the body's natural cycles: Ultradian rhythms (the short cycles within each day), circadian rhythms (24 hour cycle), and infradian rhythms (longer cycles like menstruation and seasonal changes). The practical thread through all three is the same: manage energy, not time. Notice your rhythm and do your best to honor what your body is telling you.   Note: This is an encore episode, originally aired during Joy Lab's Roots of Resilience Series (Element: Resilience). It's replaying here to close the month of Re-Creation because it goes straight to the biological foundation of why rest and recreation aren't optional extras — they are literally built into your body. As Aimee puts it in her intro: these rhythms are not something to fight. They're something to come home to.   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 App.   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 here   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Experiments: 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. Joy Lab episodes referenced: Joy Lab Podcast #13 (The Roots of Resilience) This episode is a broad overview of what we'll be talking about over the next 9 episodes. It's a really helpful summary!  Roots of Resilience Series starts with episode #53: Roots of Resilience Chemistry of Calm (Dr. Emmons' book referenced in this series) The 20 Minute Break (book) Linnaeus' Flower Clock How does the brain deal with cumulative stress? A review with focus on developmental stress, HPA axis function and hippocampal structure in humans Cumulative Stress and Health   Questions this episode was made for:   Q: Why do I crash mid-afternoon and feel like I can't focus no matter how hard I try? A: That's your ultradian rhythm doing exactly what it's designed to do. This episode explains the 60-to-90-minute focus window, why pushing through leads to a steeper crash, and what a 15-to-20-minute break actually does to restore your brain's capacity.   Q: Could my sleep or stress problems be connected to my hormones being out of rhythm? A: It's certainly possible. This episode walks through how cortisol fluctuates naturally across 24 hours, what happens when that pattern gets disrupted by chronic stress (including the classic 3 AM wake-up), and how protecting your sleep is the single most powerful thing you can do to help let your system rebalance itself.    Key moments: [00:00] Aimee's intro to the encore: this episode closes the month of Re-Creation by grounding rest in biology — rhythms aren't optional, they're built in [01:00] Welcome — the Element of Resilience, Roots of Resilience Series, third root: aligning with nature [01:30] Henry: bio-rhythms might be the most important and most easily ignored root of resilience [02:00] Natural world runs on cycles — plants and animals fall in line naturally; humans have the choice to ignore or fight them  [03:00] Inside the body: hormones, energy, focus, and mood are all directly shaped by these rhythms [03:30] Depression can be a problem with internal timing — getting out of sync with bio-rhythms; Chronobiology and body-clock research: a booming field; SAD as a familiar example of seasonal rhythm [04:30] Three rhythms to cover: ultradian (under 24 hours), circadian (24 hours), infradian (more than 24 hours) [05:00] Ultradian rhythms: most overlooked, most ignored in the typical workday; What we do instead: push through, reach for sugar or caffeine, experiment with nootropics — when the body is asking for a break [07:00] Henry: managing energy rather than time — noticing when you're fading and honoring it early before the crash [08:00] Dr. Anders Ericsson's violinist study: comparing professional soloists with good-but-not-great performers [10:00] The lesson: excellence came from tending to rhythms, not from fighting through them — more practice was possible because of better recovery [10:30] Transition to circadian rhythms — sleep is the big one here [11:30] Henry: sleep might be the best mood stabilizer available — the research is unambiguous; People with depression + sleep problems who improve their sleep double their chances of recovery [12:00] People without depression who develop sleep problems double their risk of becoming depressed [12:30] Cortisol fluctuates naturally over 24 hours — lowest during deep sleep, starts rising around 3–4 AM, peaks in morning, dips post-lunch, rises again mid-afternoon, declines through evening [13:30] The post-lunch cortisol dip: a natural signal for rest, a walk, or a nap [14:00] The HPA axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal): when this gets out of sync, depression can follow [14:30] Aimee: the 3–4 AM cortisol surge — when under stress, that's exactly when people wake up and can't get back to sleep [15:30] Mood problems can arise or worsen from fighting these natural cycles — enormous friction and energy wasted [16:00] Ways to tap into circadian rhythm: notice the animals and nature around you — dogs, chickens, birds, flowers [17:30] Light exposure: get bright light in the first 1–2 hours after waking; dim lights significantly in the evening [18:00] In winter: dawn simulator or bright light device in the morning; 15-minute session around 5 PM to help set sleep timing [20:00] Adrenal fatigue: when stress goes on long enough, adrenal glands become overtaxed — a state of profound depletion, controversial but real [20:30] Possible connection to long COVID — a pattern Henry has seen clinically [21:30] Infradian rhythms: cycles longer than 24 hours — less obvious but powerful when you become aware of them [22:00] Two key infradian rhythms for mental health: menstruation and seasonal affective disorder [22:30] Menstruation: predictable changes in mood, energy, and sleep — part of a sophisticated, elegant cycle [24:30] Seasonal depression: root cause is the change in circadian rhythm — shorter days disrupt bio-rhythms [25:00] Henry's short course on SAD: convince your body it's not the middle of winter — bright light early and late, fresh light foods, keep moving [26:00] Closing wisdom from Lao-Tzu: "Nature does not hurry. Yet everything is accomplished."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here.

This week, Henno and Bryan discuss looking inward, boundaries, depression, financial worries, struggling, and more!. Hope you enjoy it!   Helpful links: Suicide Prevention Lifeline dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ https://www.crisistextline.org/ Text HOME to 741741 for help https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Helpline/NAMI-National-HelpLine-WarmLine-Directory.pdf Call 211 for help or go to 211.org https://coda.org/ https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ translifeline.org Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860   Ways to contact the show: Website: Thecrazylifepodcast.weebly.com E-mail: thecrazylifepodcast@outlook.com Twitter/X: @thecrazylifepod Bryan's Twitter: @stewnami or @salty_language Bryan on Bluesky: @stewnami Henno's Twitter: @idahenno Henno on Bluesky: @idahenno Henno's Fb/Instagram Henno Heitur Bryan's Other Podcast: saltylanguage.com Bryan's Blog: https://stewnami.wordpress.com/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crazylifepodcast/ iHeart Radio: http://www.iheart.com/show/263-The-Crazy-Life/ Google Play: http://thecrazylife.libsyn.com/gpm Blubrry: https://www.blubrry.com/the_crazy_life/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2irC3XxOJMEuzKtWliHiBM Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-crazy-life/id1008617039 Stitcher: http://goo.gl/BDeUCZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrj15dasmUUfzZz3Oeu_9uA TuneIn:  https://tunein.com/podcasts/Mental/The-Crazy-Life-p1149126/   Intro Music is "Life Sux" by Henno

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash Mental health problems have worsened in the United States, worsening since the COVID pandemic. It's particularly a problem among young people, as they appear to be experiencing higher rates of anxiety and depression, among other problems. It's crucial for local communities to examine how to promote mental health and how to ensure that people with mental health problems are about to get the help they need. But local communities often lack the resources to ensure that they have robust mental health services. They depend upon funding from the federal government and they depend upon their state for both funding and policies that can support community efforts on mental health. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, education, and other support for people affected by mental illness. HealthCetera producer and host, Diana Mason, RN, talked with James Norton, the Government & Community Affairs Manager for NAMI New York State about what happened, or didn't happen, around mental health issues in the NYS legislative session that ended on June 6th. This interview first aired on HealthCetera in the Catskills on July 22, 2026, on WIOX Radio. The post Mental Health Policy in New York appeared first on HealthCetera.

We're constantly swamped by messages like rest or idleness leads to laziness or that if you rest, then you'll fall behind — it's been repeated by so many self-proclaimed gurus, business experts, and biohacking influencers that we've started to believe the false messaging. The truth is that you're wired to take purposeful action, to have a healthy store of motivation, and to rest so that you can do those things when needed.  So, how come so many of us feel stuck in the swing between pathological productivity and then guilt when resting? We'll dig into the concept of idleness aversion — the deeply human tendency to detest doing nothing — and explains its evolutionary roots. We are wired to assess whether action is needed and to feel motivated when it is. That's not a flaw. The flaw is when that drive gets hijacked by external messaging that equates busyness with moral virtue and rest with weakness. Henry brings the neuroscience of mind-wandering: when the mind is allowed to wander, there's a kind of syncing up and rest that can happen, almost like rebooting a computer or closing all the apps on your phone. Far from being a waste, it's the precondition for efficient activation when you actually need it.  We'll get into some practical strategies to help you embrace more rest. For example, get a hobby that cannot be turned into a side hustle. Find a third place where people aren't doing anything productive. Let yourself daydream with a timer.  And if you're looking for the episode that followed this one when it played originally, here it is: From FOMO to GOMO: Discovering Freedom and Joy in The Choices We Make [ep. 224]   Note: This is an encore episode, originally aired during Joy Lab's Element of Fun. It's replaying here during the month of Re-Creation because rest and play go hand in hand — and if part of you felt a flicker of guilt pressing play on a podcast instead of doing something "productive," this episode is exactly what you need to hear. Preferably in a hammock. Not because you deserve it, but because you need it.   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 App.   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   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Experiments: 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. Joy Lab episodes referenced: Are You Stuck in Joyless Urgency? [ep 222] Where's Your Third Place? [ep. 171] Sometimes I Just Sits... (the power of solitude) [ep. 74] Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Series on authenticity from our Joy Lab podcast: Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216] The Truth Behind Your Thoughts And How to Calm Your Mind (encore) [ep. 141] 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] Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind (this is the study of people shocking themselves out of boredom) Chandola, T., Ling, W., & Rouxel, P. (2025). Are anxious Mondays associated with HPA-axis dysregulation? A longitudinal study of older adults in England. Journal of Affective Disorders, 389. Access here.   Questions this episode was made for: Q: Why do I feel guilty when I'm not being productive, even when I know I need rest? A: This episode names and traces the moral weight most of us carry around rest. There is a culturally reinforced message that busyness is virtuous and idleness is weak. We'll dig into the evolutionary roots of idleness aversion and the neuroscience of why consciously letting your mind wander is genuinely restorative, not a waste.   Q: Is it possible to actually retrain a stressed-out nervous system that's gotten used to constant productivity? A: Yes, but it takes practice. It takes time to create new pathways and patterns. This episode explains how those neural pathways form and what gentle, practical steps (hobbies, third places, daydreaming, solitude) begin to build new ones.    Key moments: [00:00] Aimee's intro to the encore: idleness aversion, the moral weight on rest, and the invitation to listen in a hammock — not because you deserve it, but because you need it [02:00] Pathological productivity defined: on a spectrum from no productivity (feels bad for long, briefly good) to overwork (most of us have been there) to pathological productivity (causing harm, planting seeds of future illness) [03:30] Work addiction as a real condition — as hard to break as any other addiction once it sets in [05:00] Idleness aversion: the very common human tendency to detest being idle [06:00] The evolutionary reason: we're wired to assess whether action is needed and motivated when it is — not pathologically lazy creatures by nature [07:00] The paradox: we don't like idleness AND we want a reason to be busy — this sets us up for anxiety around rest and unconscious pathological productivity [09:30] Getting comfortable with rest is a skill — we work on it here at Joy Lab [10:00] The Anxious Mondays study. Finding: those who felt anxious on Mondays had elevated cortisol lasting at least two months. The twist: this continued even in retirees. [12:00] We're training ourselves to be stressed by productivity, and the neural pathway outlasts the job [13:00] The habit of being stressed by productivity — whatever the driver (money, pleasing others, excellence) — sets us up for long-term problems if we don't build in genuine downtime [15:00] The moral layer on rest: the deeply warped message that idleness leads to evil, laziness, or poverty. Guru-culture messaging: the gist is that rest is morally weak and busyness is morally strong — and it's false [16:00] The opposite of work is not evil — just as the opposite of play is not work but depression; we've gotten the opposites wrong [17:00] Our inner wisdom calls us to play, rest, AND work — a rhythm we're wired to follow rather than fight [19:00] The neuroscience of mind-wandering: Henry's image of the brain as a domed web of nodes and connections, always active [21:00] During mind-wandering: everything settles; hyperactive areas rest; underactive areas come online; whole system syncs up; Like rebooting a computer or closing all apps — fresh starting place, more efficient activation when you need it [24:00] Positive mind-wandering (playful, creative, inspiring) vs. rumination — similar states, very different outcomes [25:00] Practice ideas: guided visualizations, set a timer and let yourself daydream creatively [25:30] Get a hobby — something that cannot be turned into a side hustle, is not quantifiable, and just makes you smile [27:00] Identify a third place with a relationship to rest: meditation class, library, quiet coffee shop — somewhere people aren't checking things off lists [28:00] Oliver Burkeman, 4,000 Weeks: "In an age of instrumentalization, the hobbyist is a subversive" [29:00] Find something you think is a waste of time and try it — birding, train spotting, stamp collecting; whatever your version of that is [30:30] Oliver Burkeman closing: "Productivity is a trap... The day will never arrive when you finally have everything under control. But you know what? That's excellent news."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here.  

When Routine Changes Trigger AnxietyThis episode offers a gentle grounding exercise and practical support for moments when a schedule shift feels overwhelming. Christine Gold explains why back to school, returning to work, or rebuilding a routine after burnout can spike anxiety, and she walks through a simple reset you can use right away. We discuss the emotional load of transitions, how to support kids and teens without dismissing their worry, and how adults can plan for a return to routine without trying to do everything at full speed.Key topicsWhy routine changes can trigger anxiety, dread, racing thoughts, irritability, and sleep disruptionHow transitions create decision overload for children, teens, and adultsWhy anxiety often feels louder at night when distractions fadeA short grounding reset: feet on the floor, name 3 things you see, notice 2 things you feel, and lengthen your exhaleAsking the more useful question: what is the actual worry underneath all of this?Reframing the problem from “solve the whole season” to “what would make tomorrow morning five percent easier?”Practical micro-actions like laying out clothes, packing lunch, setting one alarm, or writing one question downWhy telling an anxious child “there is nothing to worry about” usually backfiresBetter support for kids and teens: ask what part of tomorrow feels hardest and listen before trying to fix itPlanning ahead with support options, safety signals, and a team approachFor adults, why day-one full capacity is unrealistic after burnoutMaking room on the calendar for the first essential task, the first conversation, and the first recovery blockShared responsibility: what can be delegated, delayed, reduced, or removedTimestamps00:00 - Why back to school and routine changes can trigger anxiety01:40 - The hidden mental load of transitions for kids, teens, and adults02:37 - A short grounding reset for overwhelm04:12 - Finding the real worry underneath the stress04:44 - Making tomorrow morning five percent easier05:47 - How to support anxious kids without dismissing them06:34 - Building a simple support plan before anxiety escalates07:40 - Returning to work without restarting at full capacity08:35 - What can be shared, delayed, reduced, or removed08:53 - One small action is enough for tonight09:13 - Crisis resources and where to get immediate help09:41 - Closing reflection on navigating transitionsNotable quotes“You do not have to force yourself to feel calm.”“Small is not silly. Small is how we create a little more room to move.”“A changed routine does not mean you are failing.”These resources are for education and starting points. They are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.United StatesIn a mental-health crisis, call or text 988 or visit NAMI's back-to-school mental-health resourcesCDC mental-health resources and guidance on finding supportADAA's parenting tips for easing back-to-school anxietyCanadaIf you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.Kids Help Phone: call 1-800-668-6868, text CONNECT to 686868, or visit Talk Suicide Canada: call 1-833-456-4566 or visit For non-urgent support, contact your family doctor, a qualified mental-health professional, your child's school counsellor, or a local community health service.InternationalBefrienders Worldwide provides a directory of emotional-support centres in many countriesUNICEF offers child and family mental-health information and resources across many countriesYou can also contact a local doctor, school counsellor, youth service, crisis line, or mental-health professional familiar with your region.For more grounded conversations about intuition, self-trust, burnout, healing, and life transitions, visit If you would like practical support for your own anxiety join the email list for new episodes, resources, and upcoming offerings

First aired August 16, 2026 For over a decade, Dave Mowry couldn't get out of bed, couldn't shower, and couldn't walk to his own mailbox without waiting until dark so a neighbor wouldn't catch the look in his eyes. In 1994, a psychotic break sent the successful businessman and family man into a depression so deep it cost him his house, his career, and 14 years he calls his "lost years." He slept in his clothes for months at a time. At parties, he'd stand against the wall and pray no one came over to talk to him. Then, at his wife's urging, he walked into a stand-up comedy class for people living with mental illness, and by the second session, something shifted: he started looking for the joke inside the pain. Dave is now a bestselling author, a blogger with over a million reads, a peer support specialist, and, in his own words, "a comic who shatters stigma one joke at a time." We get into what clinical depression actually feels like from the inside, why his wife is the true hero of his story, how a ten-week comedy class became group therapy in disguise, the gentle suicide joke that helped save a young man's life, and why people in the mental health field need to stop trying to "protect" the very people they're meant to be supporting. Watch this episode In this episode Why a 1994 psychotic break sent a successful businessman into 14 "lost years" of homelessness and depression What clinical depression actually feels like: the showers he couldn't take, the mailbox trips timed for after dark, and the panic attacks that came out of nowhere Why "just do something small," like sitting in a different chair, was enough to keep Dave from getting stuck in hopelessness What family members need to understand about mental illness, and how Dave's wife became "the hero of his story" How a NAMI stand-up comedy class turned Dave's pain into laugh-out-loud jokes, and eventually a sold-out show at Helium Comedy Club Dave's gentle suicide joke, why it works, and the night it helped save a young man's life Why people in the helping professions need to stop trying to "save" people with mental illness and start supporting them instead Timestamps (00:01) Welcome and guest intro: meet comic and mental health advocate Dave Mowry (01:16) The 1994 psychotic break, and the 14 "lost years" that followed (03:56) What clinical depression actually feels like: showers, blending into the wall, panic attacks (07:10) The exhausting weight of "just getting out of bed" (08:41) Don't get stuck: the small, deliberate choices that kept hope alive (10:15) What family members need to understand: it's not a moral failing (11:26) Dave's wife, the true hero of his story (14:34) Finding NAMI's stand-up comedy class, and the moment humor clicked (17:59) Selling out Helium Comedy Club, and becoming "a thing" (19:51) Blogging, "OMG, that's me," and shattering stigma one joke at a time (25:32) Teaching comedy: the setup, the punchline, and getting students to open up (26:10) Dave's gentle suicide joke, and the night it helped save a life (32:42) Boundaries, mania, and giving himself permission to say no (37:25) Where to find Dave, his books, and how to reach him About Dave Mowry Dave Mowry is a bestselling author, blogger, and stand-up comic who shatters stigma one joke at a time. After a 1994 psychotic break led to 14 "lost years" of severe depression, homelessness, and hospitalization, Dave found his way back through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and a stand-up comedy class for people living with mental illness. He went on to sell out Portland's Helium Comedy Club, teach comedy classes to people living with mental illness, and become a peer support specialist. He's the author of OMG, That's Me! and Healing with Humor, and his blog for bphope.com has been read over a million times. Learn more and get in touch at Dave's website, or reach him directly at davemowry2@gmail.com. Favorite quotes "It's not a moral failing. It's a medical condition." —Dave Mowry "Afterwards, I called my wife for help. She said, 'There are more pills under the sink.'" —Dave Mowry, on the gentle suicide joke that's helped save lives "We don't need to be saved. Support us and all that, but don't try to save us. We don't need it." —Dave Mowry Resources mentioned Dave's website: home to his books and a contact form OMG, That's Me!: Dave's bestselling book on what it's really like to live with a mental illness, available on Amazon and Kindle Healing with Humor: Dave's newest book, telling the story of six comedy-class students and their transformation NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): the organization that connected Dave to the comedy class that changed his life Helium Comedy Club (Portland): where Dave's class sold out a 185-seat show Subscribe & connect If this episode gave you something to sit with,

Get ready, you have fifteen minutes to write a song—this week we're talking about Yesterday! Alex and Edwin are joined by longtime friend of the pod Nami to dive into this 2019 rom-com about a world where the Beatles don't exist. We talk about our own experiences with the Beatles' catalog, the song choices for Jack's EP, Ed Sheehan, and a whole lot more. And naturally we highlight all of the sandwich platters, nicked crisps, and yellow submarines along the way. So pack up your guitar, look out for that bus, and tune in for this week's episode! Support our show and become a member of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scott's Tots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Patreon! For only $5/month, Tots get ad-free episodes plus exclusive access to our monthly Mailbag episodes where we casually pick through every single message/question/comment we receive. We also have bonus series available to our Patrons, like our White Lotus Special, Party Down, Ted Lasso, Survivor content, and unreleased episodes of this show. Oh, and Tots get access to exclusive channels on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're digging into a reframe that can change the way a lot of us think about depression, anxiety, stress, and mental health treatment. The reframe has to do with the very common belief that there's one logical fix waiting to be found and that once found, we'd feel better and all will be fixed. The truth is that the way through overthinking, stress, and even anxiety and depression looks a little different for every person. Another thing we'll work to reframe in this episode is the culturally reinforced illusion that feeling better has to be just as heavy as feeling bad. The main strategy we'll lean on to go beyond these common obstacles is right in line with our Elements of Fun and Recreation... it's play! Truly, play is powerful.  Note: This is an encore episode, originally aired during Joy Lab's Element of Fun. It's replaying here during the month of Re-Creation because it grounds the science of play in some of the best research available — and because if you haven't heard it, now is exactly the right time. 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 App.   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 here   Sources and Notes:  Joy Lab Experiments: 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. Joy Lab Episode #5 referenced: Let Go of Shoulds, Let In Fun More about Karl Popper (Also see: "Of Clouds and Clocks: An approach to the problem of rationality and freedom of man.") Maurice Sendak: https://www.sendakfoundation.org     FAQ Q: I know I should do something fun but I just can't make myself — what's actually going on? A: This episode names some main obstacles clearly: anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure that is a red flag for depression), the belief that there's one logical fix waiting, metacognition blocking you from being present during play, and the fear of losing or not doing it right — and offers specific practical strategies for each one.   Q: Does healing from depression really have to be so heavy and hard, or can fun actually be part of it? A: This episode makes the direct case that play is a legitimate healing tool, not a distraction from "real" work. There's good scientific evidence to support play as a valuable adjunctive tool to treat depression.     Key moments: [00:00] Aimee introduces the encore: this episode gets practical about what blocks fun and how to get past it [02:30] First obstacle: anhedonia — the inability to feel pleasure, one of the clearest red flags for depression [03:00] The inertia problem: when you know you'd feel better if you played but can't get yourself to start [04:00] Henry: no shame in needing something to get over the hump — medication or natural therapy as a bridge, not a failure [05:00] "Fake it till you make it" — not denial, just good practice; changing what you do can move your mood [06:30] Second obstacle: waiting for the one logical solution — the single cause bias that makes us believe there's one fix [07:30] Karl Popper's clocks and clouds: clocks are tight, ordered, reducible; clouds are irregular and unpredictable [08:00] Mental health is a cloud — but we keep trying to treat it like a clock (one diagnosis, one medication, one solution) [09:00] Henry: the human brain is extraordinarily complex — one thing influences another influences another; the clock model just doesn't hold [10:30] The way out of anxiety and depression is a little different for everyone — just like fun looks different for everyone; C.S. Lewis: "Have fun, even if it's not the same kind of fun everyone else is having." [12:00] The clouds complexity is actually empowering: opening to more than one solution puts the power back in our hands [13:00] Third obstacle: metacognition — thinking about thinking — a useful skill that blocks fun when overused [14:00] Henry: metacognition from a Buddhism and neuroscience conference — observing yourself as a thinker, one of the main benefits of mindfulness [16:00] Aimee: metacognition can block you from starting to play AND take you out of it once you're there [18:00] Ted Lasso and Danny Rojas getting the yips — a vivid example of how overthinking destroys play even for the most joyful players [21:00] Preparing for fun: anticipation is part of the enjoyment — let yourself get excited in advance [21:30] Simple preparation: take a break from the phone or computer for an hour or two before a fun event [24:00] Strategy: pick a playful activity you did as a kid and do it for two or three minutes today; Don't overthink it — the activity is already part of you; just uncover it [25:00] Carl Jung: "The small child is still around and possesses a creative life which I lack, but how can I make my way to it?" — engaging in childhood play was Jung's own answer [27:00] Grounding practices and movement: research supports releasing fear, tension, and feeling more connected through physical grounding [28:30] Playful movement: fuller breaths, better digestion, reduced muscle tension, reduced fatigue — worth every minute [29:30] Henry: you can be less tired by expending more energy — paradoxical but true, and even one minute of movement can shift how you feel [30:00] Letting go of the outcome — the hardest obstacle, especially for overachievers and the competitive [32:30] Aimee: when you're not afraid to lose, the world opens up — you can play more, trust more, even love more [33:00] The path to feeling better doesn't have to be as depressing as how you've been feeling — the remedy doesn't have to always be bitter [33:30] Aimee's clubhouse story: caring for her mom with Alzheimer's, a hard week of financial and planning details, too much parenting [35:30] This was different from Netflix or a formal meditation — it was a fun break, and it created an upward spiral [37:00] Maurice Sendak on play: "It is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It's the best means they have for taming wild things." [37:30] Adults need this catharsis too — let's take fun more seriously as a tool for healing and for taming our wild things   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    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. Find more mental health resources here.

Ellis Gordon Jr. (he/him) is treasurer of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and he is the former husband of Bebe Moore Campbell. Ellis shares the story of how he met Bebe Moore Campbell and why it was so important to name the month of July after Bebe. They talk about the inception of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, how NAMI is community-centric and community-centered and continuing the goal of erasing the stigma.   This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization. https://paintedbrain.org/ubu-black-mental-health/   The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

Topics Discussed Nami Island's origins, General Nami and the false tomb, Korea's domestic tourism boom, Winter Sonata and the early Korean Wave, K-drama tourism, artist Kang Woo-hyon's transformation of the island, the Republic of Naminara, tourism marketing, Gapyeong attractions, Instagram tourism, overtourism, and whether Nami Island is actually worth visiting. Useful Timestamps 00:00 Tourist Season summer replay introduction00:31 Why are we talking about Nami Island?02:01 Nami Island wasn't originally an island03:07 General Nami and the false tomb04:22 The Bukhangang “land of tourist traps”05:28 Winter Sonata changes everything06:43 How Winter Sonata helped launch the Korean Wave07:12 K-dramas as tourism marketing08:17 The artist who reinvented Nami Island~12:00 The Republic of Naminara and its tourism gimmicks~18:00 What Nami Island is actually like to visit~21:00 Other Gapyeong tourist attractions25:40 Who should actually visit Nami Island?26:37 The contradiction of “eco-tourism” and mass tourism27:10 Instagram, influencers, and manufactured destinations28:01 Closing and Dark Side of Seoul tours29:34 Final travel advice Mentioned During the Episode Nami Island / Republic of Naminara, Winter Sonata, Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo, Korean Tourism Organization, Bukhangang, Cheongpyeong Dam, General Nami, Gapyeong, Petite France, K-drama filming locations, the Korean Wave, Korean domestic tourism, Instagram tourism, Dark Side of Seoul tours, and ZenKimchi Experiences. Links Dark Side of Seoul:darksideofseoul.com ZenKimchi Experiences:zenkimchi.com YouTube:Dark Side of Seoul on YouTube Patreon:Dark Side of Seoul Patreon About The Dark Side of Seoul The Dark Side of Seoul explores the strange, hidden, and occasionally disturbing sides of Korean history, folklore, culture, crime, and travel. Hosted by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey, the show draws on decades of experience living, researching, writing, and guiding in Korea. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Is the opposite of depression happiness and the opposite of anxiety just calm? Some researchers have actually played with the idea that the opposite of depression and anxiety might just be... play. It's an interesting idea considering play and depression are inversely related, people who play more report a stronger internal locus of control (the sense that they have some agency over their lives), and when people engage in play, self-reported depression decreases.  We'll dig into this more as we look more at the neuroscience of play and how it hits the dopamine system directly and promotes BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or what Henry calls Miracle-Gro for the brain), which supports the growth and survival of new neurons. Expect to come away with some inspiration and motivation to return some play into your life. As play researcher Dr. Brian Sutton-Smith noted "For decades there has been this assumption that children played and adults didn't. That's rubbish."   Note: This is an encore episode, originally aired during Joy Lab's Element of Fun. It's replaying here during the month of Re-Creation because it grounds the science of play in some of the best research available — and because if you haven't heard it, now is exactly the right time.   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 App.   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).   FAQ Q: Is there actually science behind play being good for mental health, or is that just feel-good advice? A: The science is substantial! This episode explores highlights from neuroscience to epidemiological findings that support play as a real tool to improve mild to moderate mental health issues. Q: I'm depressed and have no motivation to do anything...can play actually help? A: Research shows that when people engage in play, self-reported depression decreases and a sense of agency increases. This episode explains the physiological mechanisms (dopamine, BDNF) and makes the case for why play is a legitimate mental health tool, not a luxury. With that said, it is essential to pair adjunctive strategies like play with care from your doctor or a mental health professional.      Key moments: [00:00] Aimee introduces the encore: why this episode was chosen for Re-Creation month — it grounds the science of play [01:30] Dr. Brian Sutton-Smith: "The opposite of play is not work — the opposite of play is depression." [02:00] Play and depression are inversely correlated; Play and internal locus of control: playing more is associated with stronger sense of agency over your life [03:00] Weak internal locus of control is associated with depression — and play builds the opposite; When people engage in play, self-reported depression decreases — whether depression came first or play loss came first [04:00] Play can be used as a treatment tool for depression — not a replacement for other care, but a real contributor [05:00] Physiological mechanisms: play hits the dopamine system — loss of pleasure (anhedonia) is one of the two key criteria Henry looks for in depression; Play boosts creativity channels in the brain, tones down the stress/autonomic nervous system, helps release pent-up negative emotions; Most importantly: play grows our sense of connection — because we almost always play with others [07:00] Giant kangaroo rats: even solitary mammals have social neighborhoods and share resources — they aren't truly solitary; Humans have bought into the lone-wolf, self-made, solitary-BS story — which is actually bad for survival [08:30] When we don't have playmates and don't play, emotional health suffers — overwork alone without play is a recipe for depression and anxiety [10:00] Neurogenesis: the brain makes new cells throughout life, even in the last weeks of terminal illness; New brain cells need to branch out and connect with other cells or they wither and die — a powerful analogy for humans [11:30] BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor — Henry's "Miracle-Gro for the brain" — facilitates this growth [12:00] Key factors that promote BDNF: diet (bright colors, omega-3s, not too many calories); moderate aerobic exercise [13:00] Enriched environment: in rats — a maze challenge, toys to play with, and playmates; not so different for humans [14:00] Social connection: even just another rat in the cage makes a difference [14:30] Age matters — but here's the twist: old rats who got to play with other old rats showed more BDNF and neurogenesis than young rats who exercised vigorously, ate perfectly, and did everything "right" [15:30] Social play overrides age — that is remarkable, and it counters all the "work harder, go faster" messaging [16:00] Growing research on work and wellbeing: many people in the US overwork without increased productivity or measurable benefit to anyone [16:30] People are happiest on federal holidays — including retirees who don't work; federal holidays create more chances to be with others, in public spaces, not working  [21:00] The Right to Be Lazy — Paul Lafargue's old essay on our dis-ease with rest; This is not a new problem — thousands of years old — and the goal this month is some unproductive, nourishing progress [22:30] Legitimate structural reasons why play is hard: overwork to survive is a public health crisis — and that needs policy solutions [23:00] But a big part of dismissing play is also belief: it's a luxury, it's immature, we need to go it alone [24:00] Closing wisdom from Dr. Brian Sutton-Smith: "For decades there has been this assumption that children played and adults didn't. That's rubbish."   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!    Full transcript here   Sources and Notes:  Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Series on authenticity from our Joy Lab podcast: 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] More on Dr. Brian Sutton Smith from the National Institute for Play. Merz, J. & Osberg, L. (2006). Keeping in touch: A benefit of public holidays. Access here. Rosso, L. & Wagner, R. (2021). Causal Effect of Public Holidays on Economic Growth. Access here.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Find more mental health resources here.

A big chunk of the self-help and wellness industry runs on some core messages: you are not good enough and you need to be fixed, improved, and optimized. We disagree and hope this element of recreation (and re-creation) helps you brush off some of those false messages and return to what is already good and resilient in you.  This is also one of the three months per year (April, August, and December), where we tap more into our rest and activity cycles by doing less and nourishing more. With that in mind, we'll play some encore episodes that will help you tap into play, rest, and nourish. We'll be back September 1 with new episodes!   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 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. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row. Eberle, S. (2014). The elements of play: Toward a philosophy and definition of play. Access here. Farley, A., Kennedy-Behr, A., & Brown, T. (2021). An investigation into the relationship between playfulness and well-being in Australian adults: An exploratory study. Access here. Halpin, M., et al. (2025). When Help Is Harm: Health, Lookism and Self-Improvement in the Manosphere. Access here. Lackey, N. Q., et al. (2021). Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: a systematic review.  Access here. Smith, B. S. (2001) The ambiguity of play. Harvard University Press. Authenticity series: 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] Align with Nature and Your & Your Rhythms (ultradian, circadian, & infradian) [ep. 139] More on inspiration and goal-setting: Inspiration: The Engine of Joy" ... gives some great basics for this element of inspiration) [ep. 10] Resolution #1: You Don't Need to Be Fixed [ep. 40] The Myths of Change [ep. 41] Five Principles for Inspired Change (or something that looks remarkably like it) [ep. 42] Harmonious vs. Obsessive Passions [ep. 43]  About turning your passions into work: When Your Life Passions Become Obsessions [ep. 208]   Common Questions: Q: Why does rest and play feel so hard to justify when there's always more to do? A: Because we've been sold the message that rest is laziness and optimization is a moral win. This episode names that cultural conditioning directly, explains the biological necessity of rest and activity cycles, and reframes play as a genuine act of wellness and even resistance.   Q: What does play actually look like for adults and why does it matter for mental health? A: This episode introduces phantasmagoria, flow, and self-forgetfulness as frameworks for understanding why play is not optional. Play helps dissolves self-monitoring, reduces stress, builds resilience and empathy, and reconnects us to intrinsic motivation. One practical strategy is to play for just two minutes per day, no devices, doing something that was fun when you were a kid.   Key moments: [00:00] Welcome to the Element of Recreation — and the shift to "re-creation," with the hyphen intentional [00:30] Joy Lab's ease-phase rhythm: August, December, April — doing less, nourishing more, honoring cycles of rest and activity [01:30] Henry: we treat bodies and minds like machines that should run at peak capacity all the time [02:00] Nature runs on rhythms — seasons, tides, circadian cycles, hormone cycles — and so do we [03:30] We were taught that resting is laziness, that not optimizing is wasting time — and it's exhausting and eventually counterproductive [04:00] When we honor natural rhythms and take real breaks, energy and creativity return [05:00] Re-creation as coming back to our foundation — no additional fixes needed; goodness is already here [05:30] The wellness industry's relentless optimization is built on a "tiny blueprint" — a marketable version of you designed to sell products. It only works if you believe you're a product, not a person [07:00] Henry: the trillion-dollar self-help industry thrives on one message — you are not good enough [07:30] The impossible standard: lose weight but have you optimized your BMI? Improve habits but have you perfected your sleep routine? [08:00] Rooted in shame and self-rejection — the core message being "you're not okay as you are"  [09:30] Roger Abrahams: we've turned building a self into a kind of religion — self-possession, self-fashioning, self-expression as sacred moral acts [11:00] Henry: authentic self-creation vs. creating a self for external approval — the difference that matters [12:00] For marginalized communities, the pull to conform is especially strong — stepping back from optimization as an act of resistance [13:30] Aimee introduces phantasmagoria — a concept from play researcher Dr. Brian Sutton-Smith [14:00] How kids play in wild, imaginative, sometimes dark ways — and why it's usually normal, not a red flag [17:30] Why kids do this: to deconstruct reality, work through feelings, explore what's unfair or scary in a complex world [18:00] Sutton-Smith and Derrida: if the world is a text, play is our response — we are both audience and co-author [18:30] Phantasmagoria as processing strategy: supports psychological resilience, empathy, curiosity, critical thinking [19:30] Dr. Fred Donaldson: "Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn." [20:00] Adults do the same — we've licensed phantasmagoria into tiny socially acceptable pockets: Halloween, Burning Man, horror movies, fandom [20:30] When play is so rare, those pockets can get extreme — we need to bring play back into daily life in healthy amounts [21:00] Carl Jung: "The small child is still around and possesses a creative life which I lack, but how can I make my way to it?" [22:00] Play ideas: gardening, LARPing, woodworking, art, acting, board games, writing, cooking, music, sports with less attachment to winning [22:30] Starting question: what's one way of playing from your childhood that if you tried for two minutes today would offer some recreation? [23:30] Henry on what happens when we become adults: we lose permission to play without purpose or imagine without constraints [24:00] The playful mind is resourceful — in play, we access parts of the brain that don't activate during striving or self-judgment — not a waste of time; accessing our deepest capacities  [26:00] Re-creation is mostly social — not solitary self-optimization but self-forgetfulness and connecting [26:30] Self-forgetfulness (Ep. 270): looking up from negative preoccupation with self, going beyond ourselves [ADD LINK] [27:00] Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's flow: loss of self-consciousness, forgetfulness of other realities — the adult version of play [27:30] Playfulness research on adults: higher purpose in life, positive relations, resilience, more positive emotions — even when adults are forced to play [28:30] The practice: two minutes per day, no devices, authoring your own experience [29:00] Then make it a little more social: invite a friend, shoot baskets in a public park, join a club [31:30] Henry: what happens when you're truly at play — you stop thinking about yourself; the inner critic quiets, anxiety settles, you're just present   [35:00] Check in after playing: how do you feel emotionally, cognitively, physically? Identify what nourishes you [35:30] This month: replay of key past episodes; Joy Lab Program members get weekly short visualization and meditation experiments [36:00] Closing wisdom from Carl Jung: "The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct..."    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.

Does mental health treatment work the same for everyone? The answer is more complicated than many people realize. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by Stephanie Robertson, J.D., Director of Mental Health Equity at NAMI, and Dr. Nicole Washington, psychiatrist and President-Elect of the Black Psychiatrists of America, for an honest conversation about mental health equity, cultural identity, and why representation matters in behavioral health. Rather than focusing on politics, this conversation centers on practical realities: how clinicians can better understand the people they serve, why patients deserve care that reflects their experiences, and how open conversations can reduce stigma while improving access to treatment.  Listeners Will Learn: How implicit bias can affect healthcare decisions even when providers have good intentions Why mental health equity means providing care that meets people's unique needs—not simply providing identical care for everyone Why difficult conversations about mental health, culture, and bias are necessary to improve outcomes Why representation helps people feel understood, respected, and more willing to seek treatment If you've ever wondered why diversity in mental health care matters—or how to achieve it—this episode explores why increasing diversity among mental health professionals isn't just about representation; it's about improving care, expanding access, and creating a mental health system that works better for everyone.  Cold Open Transcript: “Being misdiagnosed happens so often to people of color, to women. It's about understanding what people have experienced throughout their lives, not just because of being a person, but because of being a black person, because of being a woman, because of growing up in a large family, because of growing up in the South. You know, there are just things that are culturally and/or the nuances of how you grew up and what you were exposed to makes such a difference.” ~Stephanie Robertson, Director of Mental Health Equity at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Our guest, Stephanie Robertson, is the Director of Mental Health Equity at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she advances access to community-informed and culturally responsive mental health care. She partners with the NAMI Alliance and community-based organizations to address structural barriers to equitable care. Stephanie holds a BA from Duke University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. Her professional background spans corporate law, higher education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys jogging, crafting handmade jewelry, and spending time with her mini Goldendoodle, Indie. Our guest, Dr. Nicole Washington, is an ABMS board certified psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer of Elocin Psychiatric Services, a primarily virtual practice where she focuses on the mental health needs of women and the busy professional. Dr. Washington also serves as President-Elect of the Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc. Dr. Washington has spent most of her career caring and advocating for people who aren't typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities and high-performing professionals. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can't imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Thank you to Annabelle from the Variant Vendetta Podcast for joining us once again this week. It was a wild ride for sure. Luffy and Nami remain trapped in the library prison. Sanji tries to do something sweet for his bride to be, but instead gets a rude awakening. Brook is over hear setting up to have one of the greatest episode stretches for any character in Once Piece.Next Week: Episodes 819-823https://linktr.ee/goingmerrypodThe Variant Vendetta Podcast is looking to return for Season 4 on August 13th! Make sure youre ready!https://linktr.ee/VariantVendetta

This final episode of our Confidence series ties everything together: the inner work of accepting discomfort and self-doubt, defusing from self-critical thoughts, and clarifying values now becomes the foundation for outer action. You can build confidence through the daily practice of taking small committed actions, again and again, in alignment with your values, even when you don't feel ready.  We'll dig into strategies like psychological flexibility: the ability to be present with thoughts, feelings, and sensations without letting them stop you from doing what matters. With that flexibility, we can shift from self-focused attention (consumed by what others are thinking, picking apart your own performance in real time) to task-focused attention. Self-focused attention takes the prefrontal cortex partially offline and redirects computing power to threat-detection and self-monitoring. Shifting attention to the task brings it back online. You think more clearly. You respond more flexibly. You perform closer to the level you're actually capable of. The practice is simple to describe and genuinely hard to do: when you notice self-focused attention taking over, pause, ask "What does this moment call for?" and do the next best thing, imperfectly. You'll get pulled back into self-monitoring. That's okay. That's actually the practice. That's where the real strength is built.    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      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]  Confidence, Motivation, & Values: Focusing on Direction, Not Perfection [ep.276] Self-Focused vs. Task-Focused Attention & How Great Things Are Done by a Series of Small Things[ep. 277] 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: Q: How do I actually start building confidence when I don't feel confident at all? A: Start with small committed actions (not big goals) that are aligned with your values and take those small actions even when you feel doubtful or uncomfortable. These small actions are the most important starting point, they collect evidence your nervous system can learn from (I can do it!), and the feeling of confidence can follow those small actions.   Q: Why does my anxiety get worse when I'm in the middle of doing something I care about? A: That's self-focused attention. Your energy and focus gets redirected from the task to self-monitoring and threat-detection; this episode explains the neuroscience, introduces the shift to task-focused attention, and gives you a simple one-question reset to bring your prefrontal cortex back online.   Key moments: [00:00] Welcome to the final episode of the Confidence series — committed action, the last step [00:30] Recap of the series: Ep. 274 (being with discomfort), Ep. 275 (unhooking from thoughts), Ep. 276 (clarifying values) — now it's time to act [01:00] Quoting Dr. Russ Harris: "The actions of confidence come first; the feelings of confidence come later." [01:30] Henry: up until now, we've done the inner work — now it's time for the outer work [02:00] Committed action: moving toward what matters even when uncomfortable, doubtful, or uncertain [02:30] ACT's psychological flexibility: being present with thoughts, feelings, and sensations without letting them stop you [03:30] The amygdala learns through action: "Oh, I just handled that. This isn't as dangerous as I thought." Over time the alarm quiets — not because you forced it, but because you gave it evidence that you can do hard things [04:30] Aimee: psychological flexibility is at the heart of courage and confidence — it's not the absence of self-doubt, it's the ability to be with it [06:00] Experiencing anxiety during a task is not a reliable predictor of performance — that is liberating [07:00] The real performance problem: not the anxiety, but the anxiety about the anxiety — self-focused attention [07:30] Self-focused attention: running assessments about being judged, picking apart your performance in real time, obsessing over the shaky voice or red patches [08:00] Russ Harris's hands-over-eyes metaphor: your thoughts are your hands — self-focused attention is covering your eyes with them [09:30] Cognitive defusion creates the space — unhook from the thoughts, shift attention to the task [10:00] The task-focused question: "What does this moment call for? What can I do right now?" [11:00] Self-focused attention takes the prefrontal cortex partially offline; shifting to task-focused attention brings the prefrontal cortex back online — clearer thinking, more flexibility, better performance [12:30] You don't have to wait until self-critical thoughts stop — you can have them AND shift your attention to the task [14:00] You'll get pulled back into self-focus — that's okay; that's another repetition, another chance to reset [15:30] This is why Joy Lab's experiments lean on mindfulness — the practice of returning attention is the whole skill [16:00] Rather than big hairy audacious goals — work on what we've already built: defusing thoughts, clarifying values, task-focused attention [17:30] As confidence builds in one area, it spreads to others — "I can do hard things" becomes a foundation [19:00] Confidence is not a destination — it's an ongoing practice; some days self-doubt is louder, and the practice is showing up anyway [20:00] Dr. Anne Wilson Schaef: "Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves." [20:30] Small imperfect actions are part of the best of who we are — that resilient nature to take small steps that build [20:45] Joy Lab final Experiment for the Element of Confidence is available [21:00] Closing wisdom from Vincent van Gogh: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."    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.

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!What do you do when a sudden mental health crisis makes you question everything you know about a loving God? This week, Sarah Fox, mental health advocate and host of the Rough Edges podcast, joins Jaime for an eye-opening and deeply transparent conversation about the realities of navigating bipolar disorder as a believer. In this episode, Sarah shares the unique, often isolating, and complex challenges that Christians face when dealing with a mental health diagnosis. She opens up about the heartbreaking reality of experiencing a manic crisis, the fear of judgment from within the walls of the church, and the profound struggle of wrestling with anger and confusion toward God after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Sarah also unpacks incredible insights on resilience that prove God can handle our heaviest doubts and darkest moments. From finding unexpected intimacy with the Lord in the depths of depression to untangling spiritual sensationalism from clinical mania, this conversation highlights the unbreakable faithfulness of God. She also introduces powerful, practical ways for the church community to show up and intercede for those who are struggling—without over-spiritualizing the pain or offering simple platitudes. You'll walk away inspired by Sarah's courageous faith, reminded that God's strength shines brightest in our weakest moments, and equipped with practical ways to support loved ones facing mental health battles. Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode: If you or someone you know is in immediate need of help, please call or text 988 to reach the Crisis Lifeline. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org for support, education, and mental health resources. Listen to more of Sarah's story and find tools for mental wellness at roughedgespodcast.com. Follow Sarah on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTubeLinks: https://www.tiktok.com/@roughedgeswithsarahhttps://www.instagram.com/roughedgeswithsarahhttps://youtube.com/@roughedgeswithsarah Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Send us Fan MailActor & Musician Da'vinchi joins the show for a raw conversation about stepping into fame and stardom. Some of his most prominent roles include All American, BMF and now, Chicago Fire. We discuss how life as an actor has bled into his personal life and impacted millions of people around him. Da'vinchi shares how some of his roles have impacted his mental health and how he serves as an ambassador for mental health organization NAMI & college foundation NCRF. Tune in for more!Support the show

Sanji and the Vinsmokes finally arrive at Big Mom's chateau, but Luffy is not having as near of a relaxing time. Mamma's army has arrived and he and Nami are forced to make a stand. They are captured and taken to the library prison. Elsewhere, Pedro and Brook are starting to make moves in an attempt to get copies of the 3 Poneglyphs in the Emperor's possession. Next Week: Episodes 814-818https://linktr.ee/goingmerrypodThe Variant Vendetta's season break continues. Make sure youre still checking them out in preparation for Season 4!!!https://linktr.ee/VariantVendetta

When confidence is built on external approval, performance, and outcomes, it's fragile. It's also a fragile support for motivation that depends on getting the win, which then boosts your confidence and motivation temporarily, priming you to start the search for your next win to fuel your sense of confidence and refill your motivation tank. The problem comes when the wins sit far apart and your , confidence and motivation start to run on fumes. Or, if you try and fail, then your confidence and motivation can collapse. This episode offers a more durable foundation for your confidence and motivation to be built on: your values. When you ground your confidence in your values rather than your performance, the question shifts from "Did I nail it?" to "Did I show up in alignment with what matters to me?" We'll dig into some practical values-clarification exercises to help you identify your values and follow-up next episode with how to take action. Here's the list of values from Dr. Brene Brown that we referenced: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/ Note: This episode includes a brief reference to gun violence at 3:30. You can skip to 4:50 or 6:00 to avoid that section.  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). Common Questions & Mental Health Tips from this Episode: Q: What do my values have to do with building confidence? A: When confidence is anchored in values rather than performance and external approval, it becomes something you practice daily rather than something you achieve once and lose the next time you fail; this episode explains the shift and offers a twist on Viktor Frankl's three-category framework for identifying your own values. Q: How do I figure out what my values actually are and not what I think they should be? A: This episode offers a practical exercise using a twist on Viktor Frankl's categories (what you love to give, what you love to receive, what you stand up for). Henry also gives specific guidance on noticing when you're answering authentically vs. answering how you think you should.   Key moments: [00:00] Content note: brief reference to gun violence at 3:30 — skip to 4:50 or 6:00 to avoid [00:30] Welcome back to the Element of Confidence — introducing values clarification as the next step [01:00] How confidence gets built on external factors: performance, "shoulds," what others think of us. This creates fragile confidence that's dependent on outcomes, approval, hitting specific standards [02:00] The shift: grounding confidence in values rather than performance [03:00] Values are not something you achieve — they're something you live from, an ongoing practice [03:30] Henry's story: asked to speak to a community deeply shaken by a school shooting [note: gun violence reference here — skip to 4:50 to avoid] [04:50] Henry's internal shift: moving from "do I have the expertise?" to "how can I show up with compassion?" [05:30] The result: compassion-based confidence doesn't require perfection, it requires alignment [06:00] When you're grounded in values, the question isn't "did I nail it?" — it's "did I show up with care?" [07:00] Defining values: the compass, not the destination — many of Joy Lab's Elements of Joy are values  [07:30] Aimee shares the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) definition of values from Wilson and DuFrene — and why it's worth unpacking [08:00] Values are freely chosen — not what we've been told should matter, but what actually does [08:30] Values are verbally constructed and flexible — not rigid, not locked to immediate consequences [09:00] Values make effort more meaningful — the effort itself matters, not just the outcome [09:30] Intrinsic engagement: when we act in alignment with values, that alignment itself is reinforcing [10:30] Values-based motivation is more sustainable — you don't have to feel confident to act, or achieve a goal to know you're doing something that matters [11:30] Values-based motivation is more durable: outcomes are unpredictable; your values aren't [12:30] Values are not meant to become another "should" — they're for direction, not perfection [13:00] Henry coins it accidentally: "Values are for direction, not perfection" — Aimee immediately wants it on a T-shirt [14:00] The exercise: Viktor Frankl's three categories of values with a Joy Lab twist [14:30] Creative values: what do you love to give? Ways you contribute your talents to the world [15:00] Experiential values: what do you love to receive? What you love to witness or be part of [15:30] Attitudinal values: what do you stand up for? What you hold onto when things are hard [16:30] How to do it: three lists, pen and paper, free write — then look for themes that point to values  [17:30] Some things that give you knots in your stomach may not align with your values at all — useful information [18:00] Things that do align with your values: worth pushing through the discomfort for [18:30] Henry: your values are yours — not your parents', your culture's, or what you think you should have [19:00] Notice if you're answering authentically or answering how you think you should — pause and ask "what do I actually care about?" [19:30] Values are not static — how Henry values compassion at 60 is different from how he valued it at 30 [20:00] Don't let values become another source of self-judgment — they're a direction, not a performance standard [21:30] This is what confidence grounded in values actually looks like: commitment to the direction, self-compassion when you fall short [22:30] Preview of next episode: taking action — bring your values lists, we'll put them to work [23:30] Closing wisdom from Dr. Howard Thurman: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."   Full transcript, sources and links mentioned: https://www.joylab.coach/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2149229954    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.

Content Advisory: This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health, grief, and loss. Listener/viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available by calling or texting 988 (U.S. and Canada) or by contacting your local crisis resources.Burial Ground is back!In Episode 273, I sit down with members of the legendary NEPA hardcore pioneers to talk about the band's return, their brand-new EP, and the legacy they've built over more than three decades. We dive into the origins of Burial Ground, their influence on the hardcore scene, and how modern technology made it possible for the band—now spread across the country—to create new music together.One of the most moving moments of the conversation centers around "Forever Friends," a powerful new track featuring the late Jamie White's vocals, reconstructed from a 1996 live recording using modern AI technology. The band shares the emotional story behind finishing one final song with their friend and honoring his legacy.We also spend a significant part of the episode discussing Hardcore For Husvar, the annual benefit show created in memory of Neil Husvar. From celebrating the NEPA hardcore community to raising awareness for mental health through NAMI and funding scholarships in Neil's name, this conversation highlights the incredible bonds that music creates—and why those connections matter now more than ever. Hardcore For Husvar will take place July 25th 2026 at St. Mary's Center in Scranton.If you're a fan of hardcore music, NEPA's rich music history, or conversations about friendship, loss, resilience, and creating something meaningful, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Special thanks to our sponsors:-Keller's Garden Center and Landscaping Services-Ionic Development-The V-Spot Bar-Scotch Sauce – makers of Happy Boy Hot Sauce and Sauced Up Jerky. Get 15% off your order at scotchsaucehotsauce.com with promo code POPKO.

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.

The Call Before the Crisis: Ken Duckworth on Men, Mental Health, and the Families Who Notice First The Not Old Better Show, Healthy Living Interview Series A man can say "I'm fine" and still may be asking, in the only way he knows how, for someone to notice. That is where this episode begins.