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You know that feeling when you try so hard to seem normal that you become a weirdo? Self-improvement works the exact same way. The more you chase happiness, the further it runs. The more validation you seek, the emptier you feel. This episode breaks down 7 painful paradoxes when we take on personal growth — psychological traps where trying harder makes things worse. We dig into King George VI's stutter, Carl Jung's shadow work, and why Steve Jobs getting fired was the best thing that happened to him. You'll learn why over-planning destroys resilience, why self-help books can quietly wreck your confidence, and why real change happens slower, yet more easily, than you think. Takeaways: Stop directly chasing happiness. Let it arrive as a byproduct of living with purpose. Build self-worth internally. External validation is a leaky bucket you can never fill. Accept your flaws before fixing them. Rejection breeds resistance, not change. CTA: Press play and learn why the hardest part of growth is knowing when to stop trying so hard. SPONSORS ☺️ MOD.com Prescription Modafinil for energy and focus. Free consultation, free shipping and 10% off Promo code PSYCHOLOGY at MOD.com
Ever notice that the trip home often seems shorter than the trip there—even when the distance and travel time are exactly the same? It happens so often that researchers have given it a name: the “return trip effect.” And the explanation reveals something fascinating about how your brain experiences time. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3179583 You're told to “take charge of your healthcare.” But how exactly are you supposed to do that when the doctor is the expert, appointments are short, and navigating the healthcare system can be frustrating and confusing? It turns out there is a lot you can do to get better care. Dr. Lucy McBride explains how to make better use of your doctor, ask the right questions, know when to push for answers, and become a more effective partner in your own healthcare. She is a primary care physician and author of Beyond the Prescription: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health (https://amzn.to/4hAEoc3). Weather is doing things to you that you probably never realize. Sunshine, rain, heat, cold, wind and even changes in atmospheric pressure can affect how you think, feel, sleep and behave. Why are some people far more sensitive to weather than others? Can certain weather actually make us more aggressive or anxious? And why can a particular kind of day trigger such powerful memories and emotions? Dr. Trevor Harley has spent years studying the surprisingly intimate relationship between weather and the human mind. He is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Dundee and author of Head in the Clouds: How the Weather Affects Our Minds and Mental Health (https://amzn.to/4xN5L7v). Could you tell whether water is hot or cold just by listening to someone pour it? You probably can—even if you've never realized it. Hot and cold water actually sound different, and there is a fascinating reason why. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/why-does-hot-water-sound-different-cold-water-when-poured PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS MONARCH: Write your own money story with Monarch! Use promo code SYSK at https://Monarch.com to get your 1st year of Monarch Core half off at just $50 AQUATRU: Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back! WAYFAIR: Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. QUINCE: Find your next Fall favorites at Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! DELL: Built for those who want better. The Dell XPS, built for you! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/realm INDEED: Get a $75 Sponsored Job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at https://Indeed.com/PODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Causality is this foundation that really allows us to anchor what we're trying to do when we're telling stories.”Storytelling doesn't require a dramatic narrative. For behavioral scientist and former Disney Imagineer Troy Campbell, even everyday information can become a story when we explain the “because” behind it, connecting what happened to why it matters. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Campbell joins Matt Abrahams to unpack the psychology behind storytelling and persuasion. From structuring ideas around goals, insights, and actions to creating “portals” that prepare audiences for what comes next, he shares practical ways to make communication more relevant, persuasive, and memorable.Takeaways:Stories are built on cause and change. Connecting information through the “because” behind it turns isolated facts into a narrative that helps audiences understand why something happened and why it matters.Start by preparing your audience for what comes next. Effective “portals” create anticipation, shift people into the right mindset, and provide just enough context to help them engage with your message.Activity:Create a portal. Choose an upcoming meeting or presentation and redesign the first minute to prepare your audience for what follows. Build an opening that creates anticipation, shifts their mindset, and previews where you're taking them before diving into the main content.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Troy CampbellEp.156 Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate O… Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (00:56) - The Power of “Because” (01:58) - Stories in Everyday Jobs (03:03) - Goal, Insight, Action (06:32) - Overcoming Change Resistance (11:34) - Creating Powerful Portals (17:54) - The Final Three Questions (23:35) - Conclusion
What Dogs Teach Us About Love (And How to "People" Better) with Dr. Chris Blazina [caption id="attachment_17241" align="alignleft" width="300"] Good Dogs & Difficult People: What Dogs Teach Us About Love[/caption] Why is it that we can purely love our dogs but often struggle to show that same grace to other humans? In this deeply insightful episode of Pure Dog Talk, host Laura Reeves sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Chris Blazina to discuss his latest book, Good Dogs and Difficult People: What Dogs Teach Us About Love. They explore the psychology behind our canine connections, why Sigmund Freud was a massive "dog person," and how the stress we carry travels straight "down the leash" to our canine companions. From scientific phenomena like the Left Gaze Bias to actionable advice on how to "people better," this episode is a guide to letting your guard down, repairing relationships, and allowing dogs to "love us into being." [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://puredogtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Why-Is-It-We-Dont-Love-People-the-Way-We-Love-Our-Dogs_.mp4"][/video]
In the early 70s everyone recognized that serial killer fans the Manson Girls were insane. But today thousands of Clancy Girls are supporting a mother who strangled her three children, and it's apparently just. . . normal. The Crappy Childhood Fairy, Anna Runkle, joins us to talk about her suit against the California Board of Psychology. Anna is a coach who helps child abuse survivors, and the state wants to shut her mouth and put her out of business. Karmelo Anthony's defense team tries for another bite at the apple, but whoops! Karmelo's past texts threatening violence along with his girlfriend's accusation of stalking are making it harder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
System Speak: Dissociative Identity Disorder ( Multiple Personality Disorder )
The English Teacher is back… sharing about grief.Our website is HERE: System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation.You can submit an email to the podcast HERE.You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE. Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE. Once you are set up, then the website and app work on any device just fine. We have peer check-in groups, an art group, recovery groups, social events, and classes. Additional zoom groups are optional, but only available by joining the groups. Join us!Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma is not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Substackhttps://substack.com/@theoccultrejects?r=7auau0&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageCash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsBibliographyCurses, Blessings, and Ritual HarmCannon, Walter B. “‘Voodoo' Death.” American Anthropologist 44, no. 2 (1942): 169–181.Faraone, Christopher A. Ancient Greek Love Magic. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999.Gager, John G., ed. Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.Graf, Fritz. Magic in the Ancient World. Translated by Franklin Philip. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997.Ogden, Daniel. Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.Stratton, Kimberly B., and Dayna S. Kalleres, eds. Daughters of Hecate: Women and Magic in the Ancient World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.Tambiah, Stanley Jeyaraja. “The Magical Power of Words.” Man 3, no. 2 (1968): 175–208.Placebo, Nocebo, and Medical CommunicationBarsky, Arthur J., Ralph Saintfort, Malcolm P. Rogers, and Jonathan F. Borus. “Nonspecific Medication Side Effects and the Nocebo Phenomenon.” JAMA 287, no. 5 (2002): 622–627.Benedetti, Fabrizio. Placebo Effects: Understanding the Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.Benedetti, Fabrizio, Marina Lanotte, Lorella Lopiano, and Luana Colloca. “When Words Are Painful: Unraveling the Mechanisms of the Nocebo Effect.” Neuroscience 147, no. 2 (2007): 260–271.Colloca, Luana, and Fabrizio Benedetti. “Nocebo Hyperalgesia: How Anxiety Is Turned into Pain.” Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology 20, no. 5 (2007): 435–439.Colloca, Luana, and Damien Finniss. “Nocebo Effects, Patient–Clinician Communication, and Therapeutic Outcomes.” JAMA 307, no. 6 (2012): 567–568.Colloca, Luana, and Franklin G. Miller. “The Nocebo Effect and Its Relevance for Clinical Practice.” Psychosomatic Medicine 73, no. 7 (2011): 598–603.Enck, Paul, Fabrizio Benedetti, and Manfred Schedlowski. “New Insights into the Placebo and Nocebo Responses.” Neuron 59, no. 2 (2008): 195–206.Häuser, Winfried, Ernil Hansen, and Paul Enck. “Nocebo Phenomena in Medicine: Their Relevance in Everyday Clinical Practice.” Deutsches Ärzteblatt International 109, no. 26 (2012): 459–465.Inner Speech and DevelopmentFernyhough, Charles. The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves. New York: Basic Books, 2016.Vygotsky, Lev S. Thought and Language. Revised and expanded ed. Edited and translated by Alex Kozulin. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1986.Winsler, Adam, Charles Fernyhough, and Ignacio Montero, eds. Private Speech, Executive Functioning, and the Development of Verbal Self-Regulation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.Rumination and Repetitive Negative ThinkingBrosschot, Jos F., Bart Verkuil, and Julian F. Thayer. “Conscious and Unconscious Perseverative Cognition: Is a Large Part of Prolonged Physiological Activity Due to Unconscious Stress?” Journal of Psychosomatic Research 69, no. 4 (2010): 407–416.Ehring, Thomas, and Edward R. Watkins. “Repetitive Negative Thinking as a Transdiagnostic Process.” International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 1, no. 3 (2008): 192–205.Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan. “Responses to Depression and Their Effects on the Duration of Depressive Episodes.” Journal of Abnormal Psychology 100, no. 4 (1991): 569–582.Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan, Blair E. Wisco, and Sonja Lyubomirsky. “Rethinking Rumination.” Perspectives on Psychological Science 3, no. 5 (2008): 400–424.Smith, Jeannette M., and Lauren B. Alloy. “A Roadmap to Rumination: A Review of the Definition, Assessment, and Conceptualization of This Multifaceted Construct.” Clinical Psychology Review 29, no. 2 (2009): 116–128.Treynor, Wendy, Richard Gonzalez, and Susan Nolen-Hoeksema. “Rumination Reconsidered: A Psychometric Analysis.” Cognitive Therapy and Research 27, no. 3 (2003): 247–259.Watkins, Edward R. “Constructive and Unconstructive Repetitive Thought.” Psychological Bulletin 134, no. 2 (2008): 163–206.Watkins, Edward R. Rumination-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression. New York: Guilford Press, 2016.Self-Talk and PerformanceHardy, James. “Speaking Clearly: A Critical Review of the Self-Talk Literature.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 7, no. 1 (2006): 81–97.Hatzigeorgiadis, Antonis, Nikos Zourbanos, Evangelos Galanis, and Yiannis Theodorakis. “Self-Talk and Sports Performance: A Meta-Analysis.” Perspectives on Psychological Science 6, no. 4 (2011): 348–356.Theodorakis, Yiannis, Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis, and Nikos Zourbanos. “Cognition: Self-Talk and Performance.” In The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Performance Psychology, edited by Shane M. Murphy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.Affect Labeling, Emotion, and LanguageBarrett, Lisa Feldman. “Solving the Emotion Paradox: Categorization and the Experience of Emotion.” Personality and Social Psychology Review 10, no. 1 (2006): 20–46.Lieberman, Matthew D., Naomi I. Eisenberger, Molly J. Crockett, Sabrina M. Tom, Jennifer H. Pfeifer, and Baldwin M. Way. “Putting Feelings into Words: Affect Labeling Disrupts Amygdala Activity in Response to Affective Stimuli.” Psychological Science 18, no. 5 (2007): 421–428.Lindquist, Kristen A., Lisa Feldman Barrett, Eliza Bliss-Moreau, and James A. Russell. “Language and the Perception of Emotion.” Emotion 6, no. 1 (2006): 125–138.Torre, Jared B., and Matthew D. Lieberman. “Putting Feelings into Words: Affect Labeling as Implicit Emotion Regulation.” Emotion Review 10, no. 2 (2018): 116–124.Self-Distancing and Reflective ProcessingAyduk, Özlem, and Ethan Kross. “From a Distance: Implications of Spontaneous Self-Distancing for Adaptive Self-Reflection.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 98, no. 5 (2010): 809–829.Kross, Ethan, and Özlem Ayduk. “Making Meaning out of Negative Experiences by Self-Distancing.” Current Directions in Psychological Science 20, no. 3 (2011): 187–191.Kross, Ethan, Özlem Ayduk, and Walter Mischel. “When Asking ‘Why' Does Not Hurt: Distinguishing Rumination from Reflective Processing of Negative Emotions.” Psychological Science 16, no. 9 (2005): 709–715.Kross, Ethan, Emma Bruehlman-Senecal, Jiyoung Park, Aleah Burson, Adrienne Dougherty, Holly Shablack, Ryan Bremner, Jason Moser, and Özlem Ayduk. “Self-Talk as a Regulatory Mechanism: How You Do It Matters.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 106, no. 2 (2014): 304–324.Moser, Jason S., Adrienne Dougherty, Whitney I. Mattson, Benjamin Katz, Tim P. Moran, Darwin Guevarra, Hannah Shablack, et al. “Third-Person Self-Talk Facilitates Emotion Regulation Without Engaging Cognitive Control: Converging Evidence from ERP and fMRI.” Scientific Reports 7 (2017): 4519.Affirmation and Counter-IncantationCascio, Christopher N., Matthew B. O'Donnell, Francis J. Tinney Jr., Matthew D. Lieberman, Shelley E. Taylor, Victor J. Strecher, and Emily B. Falk. “Self-Affirmation Activates Brain Systems Associated with Self-Related Processing and Reward and Is Reinforced by Future Orientation.” Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 11, no. 4 (2016): 621–629.Cohen, Geoffrey L., and David K. Sherman. “The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention.” Annual Review of Psychology 65 (2014): 333–371.Wood, Joanne V., W. Q. Elaine Perunovic, and John W. Lee. “Positive Self-Statements: Power for Some, Peril for Others.” Psychological Science 20, no. 7 (2009): 860–866.Implementation Intentions and ActionGollwitzer, Peter M. “Implementation Intentions: Strong Effects of Simple Plans.” American Psychologist 54, no. 7 (1999): 493–503.Gollwitzer, Peter M., and Veronika Brandstätter. “Implementation Intentions and Effective Goal Pursuit.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 73, no. 1 (1997): 186–199.Gollwitzer, Peter M., and Paschal Sheeran. “Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta-Analysis of Effects and Processes.” Advances in Experimental Social Psychology 38 (2006): 69–119.Schweiger Gallo, Inge, Andreas Keil, Kathleen C. McCulloch, Brigitte Rockstroh, and Peter M. Gollwitzer. “Strategic Automation of Emotion Regulation.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 96, no. 1 (2009): 11–31.Ritual, Identity, and Psychological FormationBell, Catherine. Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.Hobson, Nicholas M., Juliana Schroeder, Jane L. Risen, Dimitris Xygalatas, and Michael Inzlicht. “The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework.” Personality and Social Psychology Review 22, no. 3 (2018): 260–284.Rappaport, Roy A. Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.Xygalatas, Dimitris. Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living. New York: Little, Brown Spark, 2022.Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball.
Send us Fan MailIf you have been using AI to create content and it still is not converting into sales, you are not alone and you are not doing it wrong. You are just missing one crucial ingredient. Today I am sitting down with Molly Mahoney, known as The Prepared Performer, a digital marketing strategist who launched the world's first AI-focused content membership back in 2021, long before AI became everyone's favorite buzzword. She has built a seven-figure business entirely on organic content, she has had videos reach 39 million views, and she is one of the most brilliant people I know when it comes to blending AI strategy with genuine human connection.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE05:14 What buying beliefs are and why they are the missing ingredient in most AI content strategies09:38 How to use AI to uncover the hidden objections and fears standing between your ideal client and a buying decision14:22 The awareness ladder: unaware, problem aware, solution aware, most aware and how to create content for each stage19:45 Why most business owners are only creating content for people who are already ready to buy and what they are missing26:03 How Molly uses ManyChat automation to move people through the awareness stages and into sales conversations33:17 The exact AI prompt framework Molly uses to train AI on buyer psychology before creating any content39:52 Why your weird is your superpower and how authenticity is what separates AI content that converts from content that just sounds goodLINKS MENTIONED The Perfect Person Profile Creator thepreparedperformer.commollymahoney.comMolly on InstagramAI Content Club Molly's AI content membershipEnroll in Hot Reels nowManyChat The DM automation platform both Elizabeth and Molly use and recommendWORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRYApply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with ElizabethFree guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on InstagramFollow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.
The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn’t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it’s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower. Watch on Netflix: HERE • Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude• How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone • The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone• Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity • How we can embrace the power of solitude Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources: https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Catch up to your money. It’s often ready for retirement before you are. _________________________ What helps wellbeing endure as our lives change? Matt Bloom has spent much of his career studying human flourishing. In this conversation, he brings his insights into retirement and combines it with lessons from his own transition from professor to writer, volunteer and what he calls a “wise elder.” We discuss why wellbeing is built through small daily practices, how adopting a new identity can change your behavior, why many need to become more intentional about friendship after leaving work, and how volunteering and shared-interest communities can create both connection and meaning. Matt also explains how older adults can become “guardians and shepherds” of relationships and shares Map Your Days, a simple practice that takes five minutes a night and that, in 27 years of teaching MBAs and executives, he says has never failed to teach someone something they didn’t know about their own life. Matt Bloom joins us from Colorado. ________________________ Bio Matt Bloom is the author of Lasting Wellbeing: Science-Based Practices for Tranquility, Authenticity, Meaning, and Joy. He is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and emeritus professor of management at the University of Notre Dame. Bloom holds advanced degrees in psychology from Cornell University (PhD) and the University of Kansas (MA), and is an award-winning teacher who earned top honors for courses he taught to undergraduates, MBA students, and corporate executives. At Notre Dame, Matt taught classes on innovation and design thinking, organizational change and leadership. As a professor in the Mendoza College of Business, Matt studied well-being for nearly three decades where he led the WorkWell research project. Initially, he and his team of ten researchers focused on the well-being of people in the helping and healing professions: international aid workers, global health professionals, educators, clergy and ministry workers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, among others. He later broadened his focus to include both well-being at work and in life more generally. The team also launched a first-of-its-kind mobile application to capture daily experiences from several hundred research subjects. Prior to becoming a professor, Matt was a financial advisor at Shearson Lehman Hutton, a consultant at Arthur Young, a psychiatric orderly at The Kansas Institute, and a paramedic for the Douglas County (KS) Emergency Medical Service. Some of Matt’s favorite wise well-being practices: Extended backcountry hiking (5+ days). And, yes, there are no showers or bathrooms Baking hearth bread using natural leavens, mild sourdough starters Scuba diving on coral reefs and wrecks in the Caribbean Catch-and-release fly fishing on small mountain streams Poetry reading using a process he adapted from lectio divina Reading novels. Among his favorite authors are Marilynne Robinson, Richard Ford, Richard Rosso and Abraham Verghese _________________________ For More on Matt Bloom Lasting Wellbeing: Science-Based Practices for Tranquility, Authenticity, Meaning, and Joy Website Ritual app: Download for iOS or Android, or start at ritual.io. _________________________ More Retirement Podcast Conversations You’ll Love How to Flourish…in Retirement – Daniel Coyle Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You – Teresa Amabile The Good Life – Marc Schulz, PhD _________________________ Wise Quotes On the Value of Small Steps “Our wellbeing rises and falls mostly as a result of little things that we do day by day…We live our values mostly in the little things that we do.” On Relationships “Quality matters more than quantity.” On Elderhood “We can really be the guardians and shepherds of family relationships.” _______________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how the Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one — on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host Joe Casey is an executive coach who helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a 26-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of HR for Global Markets & Investment Banking. Joe has earned Master's degrees from the University of Southern California in Gerontology (at age 60), the University of Pennsylvania, and Middlesex University (UK), a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his coaching certification from Columbia University. In addition to his work with clients, Joe hosts The Retirement Wisdom Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally in popularity by Listen Notes, with over 2 million downloads. Business Insider recognized Joe as one of 23 innovative coaches who are making a difference. He's the author of Win the Retirement Game: How to Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy. _________________________
T is for Transcendence. The research shows that an understanding of a loving or benevolent source - something bigger than we are – gives us meaning and offers us greater purpose. Dr. Lisa Miller is one of the leading researchers on spirituality and mental health–and shares her insight into how transcendence impacts us as human beings. This re-aired episode is part of our Best of With & For series. With & For is a podcast of the Thrive Center, an applied research center that exists to catalyze a movement of human thriving, with and for others through spiritual health. Learn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter Dr. Pamela Ebstyne King hosts With & For, and is the Executive Director of the Thrive Center and the Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary. Follow her @drpamking. Help us grow by taking our survey. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media & Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenSenior Producer: Clare WileyExecutive Producer: Jakob LewisProduced by Great Feeling Studios Special thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and Fuller Seminary's School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. The podcast was made possible through the support from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.
Subscribe in a reader Check out my product recommendations for Narcissist Abuse Survivors! – https://www.amazon.com/shop/tracymalone *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Listen to my podcasts anytime by subscribing with your favorite provider! The post How to Rewire Your Brain After Narcissistic Abuse | Jackie Miller on Healing From Toxic Love appeared first on Narcissist Abuse Support.
Dr. Joy Beth Curtis discusses her journey into psychology and faith integration in mental health practice. Dr. Curtis is a licensed psychologist and serves on the faculty of Liberty University. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Psychology #Faith #MentalHealth
Dr. Ben Skutnik, PhD, CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D, is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Human Performance Lab Director at Butler University and Head of Nutrition Coaching at Power Athlete. Dr. Ben Skutnik joins the show to separate fact from fad in aerobic training, debunking zone 2 hype and explaining why VO2 max matters but isn't everything. Expect to learn why reading scientific literature is its own skill, how uncontrolled variables quietly derail hypertrophy and menstrual-cycle training research, why treating people as fragile backfires, why anecdote in human performance often outruns the research, how "closing the loop" with clients beats chasing mechanisms, what the Norwegian 4x4 method gets right (and what most zone 2 research gets wrong about training zones), and how to actually build VO2 max with the critical power model, and much more. Connect with Ben: Power Athlete Coach Bio LinkedIn Google Scholar Episodes you'll enjoy next: #400 — Build Aerobic Fitness Before Mitochondrial Peptides: AMPK, VO2 Max & Recovery — Dr. Dwayne Jackson: Listen here #374 — Zone 2 Cardio: What the Science Really Says (Pros, Cons & Better Options) with Kristi Storoschuk: Listen here Episode Timestamps: 1:46 — Why Ben was recommended for this conversation on cardiovascular and aerobic programming 7:31 — Reading scientific literature is a skill set of its own 14:05 — Hypertrophy training to failure and uncontrolled variables in research 16:27 — Debunking myths about training around the menstrual cycle 18:20 — Human resilience and the danger of treating people as fragile 22:09 — Why consistency beats trying to "hack" optimization 22:40 — Nutrition fear-mongering and overly restrictive diets 27:25 — Changing one variable at a time vs. the "kitchen sink" approach 29:55 — Why anecdotal evidence in human performance is often ahead of the research 34:48 — The ethics of placebo and "closing the loop" with clients 37:34 — The psychology of performance: the NFL kicker example 43:13 — The Norwegian 4x4 method and zone 2 training myths 46:40 — Why most zone 2 research relies on the wrong zone model 52:53 — HYROX, CrossFit, and Goodhart's Law in training 1:05:18 — Is VO2 max overrated? Performance vs. health tradeoffs 1:15:25 — Building VO2 max: interval protocols and the critical power model 1:26:02 — Life-changing results: taking deconditioned clients from VO2 max 18 to 35 1:30:09 — Where to find Ben Skutnik and his work at Butler University and Power Athlete Get the Daily Fitness Insider newsletter (free): https://www.miketnelson.com/newsletter
On this episode of CFO at Home, Vince talks with David Kennington, an author with 30+ years experience working as a tradesman, about trades as a viable path to making and building wealth, David explains how credit cards and lifestyle creep can quickly push tradespeople beyond their means, and notes that trades and technical training often include little financial education, making discipline and understanding the psychological side of spending crucial. They also discuss emotional attachments that drive bad financial choices, the role of spouses and clear communication in correcting ·financial misbehavior,· and how overtime or higher-paying jobs can help pay down debt only if intentionally paired with a plan. Learn more about David and his book, Tradies Earn While You Sleep, at tradiesearn.com 02:05 Trades and Money Burnout 02:38 Credit Cards and Discipline 04:26 Lessons From Mentors 10:17 Knowledge vs Psychology 11:53 Emotional Spending Stories 15:03 Couples and Money Talks 19:18 Overtime and Lifestyle Creep 21:51 Boosting Income and Investing 28:05 From Pay to Wealth Podcast 32:20 Websites, Book and Resources 34:54 Final Takeaways Key Links: Tradies Earn https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kennington-b6735340/ https://substack.com/@tradiemoney Contact the Host - vince@thecfoathome.com Want to be a guest on CFO at Home? Send Vince a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628643039567x840793309030672500
Though not quite as internet-breaking as Kim Kardashian's bare-cheeked, gravity defying Paper Magazine shoot back in 2014, nor inspiring quite the same conspiratorial energy as the great Slater-Mann affair of early 2026, the first episode of Harry Bryant's EAST produced a similarly divided response. Some hot and bothered, taking a long, appreciative look at the unusual shapes, admiring the more exaggerated features; others left jostled by the jarring exhibit, muttering that they'd seen enough. Not entirely dissimilar from Kimmy, actually. Before filming, Haz was our most requested EAST pilot, and in episode one he certainly came in hot. Direct and matter-of-fact, he offered his opinions on boards with the bluntness of a mechanic telling you what's wrong with your car. It was the kind of thing Mikey Feb was heavily criticised for in the opposite direction: being too polite with his feedback. Haz, well, he's certainly on the other end of the spectrum, and the comments section was quick to let him know. “It doesn't always have to be brutal, but the best boards I've ever had, and the best relationships I've had with shapers are when you provide them with honest feedback,” Haz says here. “If you just say the board goes good, then they've got nothing to go off.” Viewers also took issue with Harry's refusal to ride the fins the shapers had supplied specifically for their boards. One submission came with a 2+1 setup rather than a thruster. Harry, having been handed the diminutive rear fin, chose instead to trust his own theory, replacing the dwarf with a fully grown one. The decision was particularly spicy because the board had been submitted by Tom Morat, with whom Harry has some history, including a rather uncomfortable exchange at the Palm Springs wave pool last year. To his credit, Harry addresses the whole thing here. He says he had no idea the board was Morat's when he made the call, and insists his fin decision had nothing to do with their previous beef. He also concedes that he may have got it wrong, while making clear that he respects shapers who supply fins with their boards — a gesture, he says, that shows care and consideration for how the board is meant to be surfed. All of which, plus considerably more, makes for a rather different Harry Bryant from the one the comment section spent the past week flogging. Affable, thoughtful and refreshingly willing to interrogate his own behaviour, Haz gets his chance to make his case. Thanks to our partners at Red Bull, Vaer, Dome Dust, Colby +, TurtleBox, Visit Dominican Republic, and Devium, for making StabMic possible.
In this episode Andrea Samadi explores how movement and sleep work together in a "brain operating system" for human performance, focusing on restorative sleep (deep + REM), personal WHOOP data, and the trade-offs created by early-morning exercise. She shares four lessons and a simple experiment to help listeners protect REM and deep sleep while maintaining an active life, emphasizing weekly rhythms, small changes, and tracking patterns rather than chasing perfect numbers. SEASON 16 | BONUS EPISODE 4 RESTORATIVE SLEEP Where Adaptation Happens Why deep sleep restores the body, REM helps integrate experience, and healthy habits must work together. ON BONUS EPISODE 4, YOU'LL LEARN: ✔ What restorative sleep really measures ✔ How deep sleep and REM support different forms of recovery ✔ Why REM percentage and duration tell different stories ✔ What my six-month sleep data revealed ✔ The hidden tradeoff behind my 4:00 AM hiking routine ✔ What happened when I slept just 21 minutes longer ✔ Why healthy habits can sometimes compete ✔ How to protect sleep without giving up movement ✔ 4 Lessons and a simple experiment for discovering your own best rhythm Episode Introduction Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we bridge neuroscience, social and emotional learning, and human performance to create measurable improvements in well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity and results. I'm Andrea Samadi, and throughout Season 16 we have been building what I call the Brain's Operating System for Human Performance—a neuroscience-based framework for understanding how the systems of the brain and body work together to influence how we learn, adapt, connect, lead and ultimately perform. We are currently in Phase 3: Movement, Learning and Cognition. Movement is the foundation of this phase because it affects far more than our muscles. When we move, we activate processes throughout the brain and body. Movement supports neurogenesis—the development of new neurons—particularly in areas involved in learning and memory. It strengthens connections between neurons through synaptic plasticity. We covered neurogenesis on EP 141[i] if you want to revisit that episode, if you are as curious as I am about how to regrow our brain cells. Movement that we are learning in this phase, also influences brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine, which affect motivation, mood, attention and learning. Movement can also strengthen our resilience by helping us manage stress and become more emotionally flexible. It builds sleep pressure, (the longer we stay awake, the more adenosine accumulates that increases our need or “pressure” to rest) which can support deeper, more restorative sleep. And over time, these changes may contribute to greater creativity, insight, endurance and human potential. But movement only creates the stimulus. The benefits don't come from movement alone. They come from the way the brain and body respond to that movement—and that response is called adaptation. Movement changes the brain. Adaptation changes the body. Recovery is what connects the effort we make today with the strength, resilience and capacity we hope to build tomorrow. Without adequate recovery, we can receive the stimulus without fully receiving the benefit. That is why sleep belongs inside the Movement Loop. Sleep is not separate from movement, learning or performance. It is one of the primary places where the brain and body respond to what we have asked them to do. Throughout Season 16, I've been sharing some of my own health and performance data as a living case study—not because everyone should try to reproduce my numbers, but because our individual trends can help us understand how neuroscience shows up in everyday life. I thought that if I was curious about understanding my numbers—and using them to improve my health, well-being and productivity—then other people might benefit from what I've learned along the way. My data has helped me see that movement, recovery and performance cannot be understood in isolation. They work together as a system: Movement creates the stimulus. Recovery creates the conditions for adaptation. Restorative sleep is one of the places where that adaptation unfolds. And this brings us to one of the most important recovery metrics I've learned to follow: Restorative sleep. We often celebrate what happens while we're awake: Our productivity. Our focus. Our learning. Our movement. Our performance. But much of the adaptation supporting those abilities happens while we sleep. Deep sleep supports physical restoration. REM sleep supports emotional processing, memory integration and cognitive flexibility. Together, these stages help convert the demands of one day into greater capacity for the next. This episode began with one honest question about my own routine: THE QUESTION: What am I gaining by waking at 4:00 AM to hike—and what might I be giving up by not sleeping longer? This is not simply an episode about sleeping more. It is about creating a rhythm in which two essential health behaviors—sleep and exercise—support one another instead of competing for the same limited hours. You will see my data exactly as it is. Sleep is one of the weaker links in my current health routine, which makes it a useful place to learn. The goal is not to judge the data. The goal is to let the data ask a better question. Lesson 1: Restorative Sleep Contains Two Stories WHOOP (the wearable device that I use to measure sleep) defines restorative sleep as the combined time spent in deep sleep, also called slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep. Combining the two creates a useful overview, but separating them reveals two different parts of the story. Deep Sleep or Slow-Wave Sleep: Physical Restoration Deep sleep is concentrated more heavily in the earlier part of the night and supports processes associated with physical restoration. It is relevant after hiking, Zone 2 exercise, strength training and other demanding activity because sleep is part of how the body responds to the strain we create. During deep sleep: Tissue repair is supported. Growth hormone release increases. Immune function is supported. Energy is restored. The body adapts to physical strain. REM Sleep: Integration REM stands for rapid eye movement sleep and is known as the “mentally restorative” stage of sleep. This is where most dreams occur, and short-term memories are converted into long-term memories. During REM, the brain is highly active while most voluntary muscles remain temporarily inhibited. I'll never forget the part of our interview with Dr. Jaland Balal[ii], when he explained that this feature is what keeps us safe from moving around too much while we are sleeping, keeping our sleeping partners safe. REM has been associated with: Emotional processing Memory integration Aspects of learning Cognitive flexibility Creative associations Connecting new information with previous experiences Memory is supported across several sleep stages—not by REM alone. REM helps the brain process, connect and integrate. REM periods also tend to become longer as the night progresses. That means shortening the end of the sleep window may disproportionately reduce the opportunity for the longer, more REM-rich cycles that occur toward morning. Deep sleep helps restore the body. REM helps integrate the brain. We need both. That second sentence is personally meaningful because I have logged my dreams for years. A dream is not a diagnosis or a literal solution, and dreams can occur outside REM. But a dream log gives me a qualitative record of recurring emotions, images, relationships, problems and emerging ideas that my mind may still be processing. Since I enjoy learning, interviewing, writing, teaching and connecting ideas across neuroscience and social-emotional learning, REM matters for more than dream recall (which by itself is fascinating and something we will look deeper at in Phase 5 with Integration and Meaning). Lesson 2: My Data Revealed a Duration Gap When I looked at my WHOOP trends, the total restorative-sleep number was only the beginning. Metric My average Six-month restorative sleep 2 hr 43 min Lifetime REM 1 hr 37 min Last 90 days REM 1 hr 18 min Last 30 days REM 1 hr 20 min Recent REM percentage About 20% When I looked at six months of WHOOP data, my average restorative sleep was: 2 hours and 43 minutes per night. That number gave me the total time spent in deep sleep and REM—but it did not tell me how those two stages were distributed. When I separated them, another story emerged. My lifetime REM average was approximately: 1 hour and 37 minutes per night. But over my more recent periods, that changed: Last 90 days: approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes Last 30 days: approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes Recent REM percentage: approximately 20% of my total sleep Twenty percent is within a commonly reported adult range. But compared with my own lifetime average, my recent REM duration was approximately 17–19 minutes lower per night. That distinction matters. My REM percentage may appear healthy while my total REM duration is still lower than my personal historical average. So my real question became: Not “Is my REM normal?” but “What conditions help my brain produce more of its own normal REM?” This is the value of tracking. THE DATA LESSON: A population range provides context. Your baseline provides the story. Your trend gives you a question to test. Lesson 3: The 4:00 AM Tradeoff I love hiking early. It gives me cardiovascular conditioning, time outside, morning light, mental clarity and consistency. In Arizona, it also helps me finish before extreme heat heats around 8am. But if I go to bed at 8:30 PM and wake at 4:00 AM, I create a maximum sleep opportunity of seven and a half hours. That is time in bed—not necessarily time asleep. It does not include the time required to fall asleep or periods of wakefulness during the night. If I remain in bed until 6:00 AM, I create two additional hours of sleep opportunity. Those two hours would not equal two hours of REM. They would contain a mixture of sleep stages and perhaps brief wakefulness. But because REM episodes generally lengthen later in the night, the added opportunity may protect some of the more REM-rich portion of sleep. If you want to understand sleep cycles, I highly recommend taking Dr. Mathew Walker's Masterclass[iii] The Science of Better Sleep. What the Early 4am Wake Gives Me Early movement and consistency Cardiovascular conditioning Time outdoors and morning light The mental and emotional benefits of hiking What Might it Cost Me Up to two hours of total sleep opportunity (lost) Part of one or more later sleep cycles (lost) Greater opportunity for REM and dream recall (important to me) Time for memory and emotional processing across sleep (important to me) The accurate interpretation is not that I lose two hours of REM. It is that I may give up two hours of sleep opportunity containing some of the night's more REM-rich cycles. That led to my central realization: healthy behaviors (like my early wake to hike) can compete when their timing is not coordinated. MY AHA MOMENT: Am I creating better sleep through movement—or repeatedly borrowing from the final part of sleep to make that movement happen? My wearable cannot prove that early wake times caused the change. Consumer wearables estimate sleep stages; they do not measure them with clinical polysomnography. But the pattern gives me a reasonable hypothesis to test. That is what self-tracking should do: not make us anxious about a number, but help us ask a better question. A Real-Time Clue: What 21 More Minutes Revealed While preparing this episode, my data gave me a real-time example of the tradeoff. On Thursday, August 27, I woke at 4:21 AM instead of 4:00 AM. That night I recorded three hours and two minutes of restorative sleep—the highest total of the week. It included one hour and seven minutes of deep sleep and one hour and 55 minutes of REM. That REM duration was approximately 35 minutes above my recent 30-day average. My graph in the show notes showed a substantial REM period close to the end of the sleep window. Twenty-one additional minutes cannot explain a 35-minute difference, and one night cannot establish cause. Sleep varies from night to night. But the observation supports the hypothesis that a 4:00 AM alarm may sometimes interrupt a REM period already underway. I also remembered my dream and added it to my dream log. That gave me another kind of data: not just how long I slept, but what my mind may have been processing, integrating or connecting. One night is a clue—not proof. Watch the trend. The lesson is not that 4:21 AM is a magical wake time. The lesson is that the final portion of sleep may be more valuable than its length makes it appear. A small extension may sometimes allow the brain to finish a cycle that an earlier alarm (or your natural body's alarm) would interrupt. Lesson 4: Build a Rhythm, Not a Perfect Day The remedy I've concluded is not to stop hiking, (I would be miserable) and it is not to maximize sleep or exercise in isolation (I wouldn't feel productive sleeping in longer). The solution is to create a weekly rhythm in which movement provides the stimulus and sleep protects the opportunity for adaptation. For me, that rhythm can include two kinds of days: 1. Early-Hike Days (twice a week) When a 4:00 AM wake time is necessary, (and possible). I can treat bedtime as part of the training plan. If family responsibilities the night before make a very early bedtime unrealistic, I can recognize that constraint and adapt. But it is important that I get to bed by 8:30pm if I want to wake up 4am. 2. Sleep-Protected Mornings On selected non-hiking days, I can remain asleep until approximately 5:00 or 6:00 AM and move later. These mornings create more opportunity for later sleep cycles and give me a comparison condition for my experiment. What happens if I stay in bed longer? The goal is not a perfect day. The goal is a sustainable week. The Movement Loop is not: Move → Move More → Keep Pushing. It is: Movement → Recovery → Adaptation → Performance → Greater Capacity. For you, the listener, are you giving yourself enough time to recover? To Adapt? To Increase Performance? That leads to greater capacity? Or, did you notice, like me, that there was a trade off with your schedule? Tips to Implement: Run Your Own Restorative-Sleep Experiment You do not need my wake time, my REM number or a WHOOP device to learn from your own pattern. Use this five-step experiment for two to four weeks. Establish your baseline. Record your usual bedtime, wake time, estimated sleep duration, morning energy and—if available—deep and REM sleep for at least seven nights. The Whoop device rewards users who go to bed, and wake at the same time, calling it sleep consistency. Choose one change. Add 20–60 minutes of sleep opportunity on selected mornings, or move bedtime earlier before early-training days. Avoid changing every variable at once. Stanford Professor, Dr. Andrew Huberman[iv] suggests that if you can find a way to add heat to your sleeping environment in the final 2 hours of your sleep, it can increase your REM sleep. Sleeping just 21 more minutes for me made a notable difference. Protect movement differently. On sleep-protected mornings, move later, shorten the session or choose a lower-intensity option instead of skipping movement entirely. This was the game changer for me. I opted for a walk on sleep protected days. Track a small set of outcomes. Use total sleep, restorative sleep or dream recall if available, morning clarity, afternoon energy and exercise quality. Optional wearable metrics include recovery, HRV and resting heart rate. This is where you have to notice what you see from this ONE change. It might be obvious like mine—I noticed that extra time led to a dream that I could recall. Review the pattern—not the best night. Compare at least one or two weeks of early mornings with sleep-protected mornings. Look for a repeatable combination that supports both recovery and movement. The patterns will reveal whether the ONE thing you changed made a difference for you. If you do use a wearable, remember that sleep stages are estimates. Use the device to compare patterns under similar conditions, not to diagnose a sleep disorder or chase a perfect stage score. KEY QUESTION: Can I preserve the benefits of movement without repeatedly borrowing the time my brain and body need for recovery? A Bigger Experiment Is Still Underway I have also removed one significant sleep disruptor and am tracking what happens to my REM, sleep stress, HRV, resting heart rate and recovery. I do not want to draw conclusions too early. I want enough data to distinguish a temporary response from a genuine physiological shift, so I will return to that experiment in a future episode. For now, the question is narrower: how can I protect restorative sleep while continuing to live an active life? Review To review and conclude this week's BONUS EP 4, let's bring the four lessons—and the data—together. Lesson 1: Restorative Sleep Contains Two Stories Restorative sleep combines two important stages: Deep sleep and REM sleep. Deep sleep supports physical restoration and adaptation. REM supports emotional processing, memory integration, cognitive flexibility and creative association. We need both. Every morning, I look at my restorative-sleep total and hope it is closer to three hours than two. But this episode taught me not to stop at that combined number. The total gives me the overview. Deep sleep and REM tell me how that restoration was distributed. And REM is personally meaningful to me for another reason: I have recorded my dreams for years. Dream recall does not provide a literal interpretation of everything happening in my life. But it gives me a qualitative record of the emotions, experiences, problems and ideas my mind may still be processing. So Lesson 1 is: Restorative sleep is not one number. It contains the story of how the body restores—and how the brain integrates. Lesson 2: My Data Revealed a Duration Gap Over the past six months, my average restorative sleep has been two hours and 43 minutes. My recent REM has represented approximately 20% of my total sleep—a percentage that may appear reasonable. But when I looked at duration rather than percentage, I discovered that my recent REM was approximately 17–19 minutes below my lifetime average. REM percentage and REM duration answer different questions. Percentage tells me how my sleep was distributed. Duration tells me how much actual time my brain spent in that stage. That distinction matters because someone can have a reasonable REM percentage but still receive less total REM when the overall sleep window is shortened. So Lesson 2 is: A percentage can look healthy while duration still reveals a gap. This is why personal baselines are so valuable. Our trends help us identify the question we need to investigate. Lesson 3: The 4:00 AM Wake Time Creates a Tradeoff My data led me to examine my 4:00 AM wake time. Waking at 4:00 does not mean I am losing two hours of REM. It means I may be giving up two hours of total sleep opportunity—time that could contain approximately one to one-and-a-half later, more REM-rich sleep cycles. Then, while I was preparing this episode, I received an early clue. When I slept just 21 minutes longer—waking at 4:21 instead of 4:00—my restorative sleep reached three hours and two minutes. That included one hour and seven minutes of deep sleep and one hour and 55 minutes of REM—approximately 35 minutes more REM than my recent 30-day average. I also remembered my dream and added it to my dream log. Twenty-one additional minutes cannot explain the entire 35-minute difference, and one night does not prove causation. But the graph showed a substantial REM period close to the end of my sleep window. That gave me a clue worth investigating: My 4:00 AM wake time may sometimes interrupt a REM period that is already underway. So Lesson 3 is: The final portion of sleep may be more valuable than its length makes it appear. This does not mean that 4:21 is a magical wake time. It means that a small extension may sometimes allow the brain to finish a cycle that an earlier wake time would interrupt. Dr. Huberman, and Dr. Holmes offered tips to stay in bed longer, to capture REM rich sleep time. Lesson 4: Build a Rhythm, Not a Perfect Day My early-morning hikes provide cardiovascular conditioning, time outside, morning light, mental clarity and emotional regulation. They support my health. They also make me happy. The remedy is not to stop exercising and become miserable. The remedy is to protect sleep as well as I realistically can and arrange movement around a more complete sleep window. That might mean saving selected mornings for longer sleep. It might mean moving later on non-hiking days. It might mean moving bedtime earlier when possible. And it might mean shortening a workout when sleep has been limited. The goal is not to maximize sleep or exercise in isolation. It is to create a sustainable weekly rhythm in which both can happen. So Lesson 4 is: The best routine is not the one that produces a perfect number. It is the one that allows the whole system to work. Now let me ask you: Do you know how much restorative sleep you receive? Do you look beyond the total and examine both deep sleep and REM? Are you tracking percentages—or actual duration? Does your schedule give you enough sleep opportunity? And could one healthy behavior in your life be unintentionally competing with another? My restorative-sleep average gave me the overview. My REM duration revealed the tension. My 4:00 AM wake time created the hypothesis. My additional 21 minutes gave me an early clue. My next step is to test a better rhythm. That is what measurement is supposed to do. Not judge us. Not pressure us to produce a perfect number. Guide us toward a better decision. I hope this deeper look at restorative sleep encourages you to identify one small experiment of your own—not to chase a perfect number, but to discover the rhythm that helps you learn, adapt and perform at your best. We'll see you next time as we return to Dr. John Medina's work—not to repeat what we have already learned about attention, but to answer the next question in the Movement Loop: once movement activates the brain, how does attention determine what becomes learning? From there, we'll revisit Jason Wittrock's work through a new lens: how metabolic health, nutrition and energy availability help the brain and body sustain movement, recovery and performance. Resources and Episode Pathway Phase 1: Regulation & Safety The Foundation Core Question: Is the nervous system safe enough to learn? Everything begins with regulation. Before we can focus, learn, lead, or perform, the brain first asks one fundamental question: Am I safe? Throughout Phase 1, our guests showed us that regulation isn't simply about reducing stress—it's about creating the biological conditions that allow the brain to learn, adapt, and thrive. Together we explored: Baland Jalal – how sleep, curiosity, imagination, and creativity prepare the brain for learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/hypnagogic-genius-capture-your-best-ideas-at-the-edge-of-sleep/ Dr. Bruce Perry – why regulation, rhythm, and relationships form the foundation of every healthy nervous system. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/safety-first-why-a-regulated-brain-is-the-key-to-learning/ Dr. Sui Wong – how lifestyle medicine and autonomic balance build lifelong brain resilience. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/your-eyes-the-brain-s-early-warning-system/ Rohan Dixit – how heart rate variability gives us real-time feedback on our ability to regulate stress. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/breathe-to-reset-how-hrv-tech-reveals-hidden-stress/ Dr. Kristen Holmes – how recovery metrics reveal our physiological readiness to perform. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/ Dr. Antonio Zadra – how sleep and dreaming consolidate memories, regulate emotions, and generate insight. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/when-brains-dream-how-sleep-integrates-emotion-insight-and-creativity/ Together these conversations taught us that sleep and stress regulation aren't optional—they're the operating system that allows every higher brain function to work. Phase 2: Motivation & Neurochemistry The Direction Core Question: What moves us into action? Once the brain feels safe, it becomes ready to pursue goals. In Phase 2, we explored the internal chemistry that transforms intention into action. Our experts helped us understand that sustainable motivation isn't about willpower—it's about aligning our beliefs, thoughts, attention, energy, and movement. Together we discovered: Bob Proctor — our beliefs determine the direction of our lives. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/belief-first-the-neuroscience-of-motivation/ Dr. Carolyn Leaf — our thinking literally changes our brain chemistry. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/thoughts-as-biology-how-your-mind-shapes-neurochemistry/ Dr. John Medina — attention determines what the brain encodes and remembers. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/theory-of-mind-the-missing-link-between-attention-reward-and-motivation Dr. Anna Lembke- Dopamine, Motivation and Why the Brain Repeats Behavior https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dopamine-nation-the-pleasure%e2%80%93pain-balance-that-drives-motivation/ Dr. Friederike Fabritius — managing our energy allows high performance to become sustainable. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/fun-fear-focus-closing-the-motivation-loop/ Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — movement activates the brain, preparing it to learn. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/move-to-learn-how-movement-activates-the-brain-and-fuels-motivation/ By the end of Phase 2, we introduced what became The Motivation Loop, showing how beliefs influence thoughts, thoughts influence actions, actions create results, and results reinforce future beliefs. Phase 3: Movement, Learning & Human Performance The Transformation Core Question: How does movement change the brain—and how does recovery transform that change into performance? Now we're taking the next step. Phase 3 builds on everything we've learned so far. If Phase 1 created a regulated nervous system... If Phase 2 created motivation and direction... Phase 3 explains how the brain and body actually become stronger. Together we've explored this process through conversations with: Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — why movement activates the brain before learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-first-how-a-20%e2%80%91minute-walk-lights-up-the-brain/ Dr. John Ratey — how exercise builds a healthier, younger brain. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-matters-how-every-move-rewires-the-brain/ Dr. Kristen Holmes — why recovery determines adaptation and readiness. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-isnt-enough-how-recovery-drives-real-adaptation Dr. John Medina — how attention transforms movement into lasting learning. Jason Whitrock — how metabolism and cellular energy fuel long-term performance. WHERE WE ARE GOING NEXT Phase 4 — Connection, Emotion & Social Intelligence The Human System Core Question: How do we thrive with other people? The brain didn't evolve in isolation—it evolved through relationships. In Phase 4, we'll explore emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, trust, leadership, and psychological safety to understand how our relationships shape learning, well-being, and performance. Phase 5 — Integration & Human Performance The Complete System Core Question: How do all the systems work together? In our final phase, we'll bring everything together—regulation, motivation, movement, emotion, relationships, learning, and recovery—into one integrated framework. We'll discover how these systems work together to create measurable improvements in our well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity, and results. Selected Sleep References “What Is Restorative Sleep?” https://www.whoop.com/us/en/thelocker/what-is-restorative-sleep/ Patel AK, Reddy V, Shumway KR, Araujo JF. “Physiology, Sleep Stages.” StatPearls/NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526132/ Goldstein AN, Walker MP. “The Role of Sleep in Emotional Brain Function.” Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4286245/ Paller KA, Creery JD, Schechtman E. “Memory and Sleep: How Sleep Cognition Can Change the Waking Mind for the Better.” Annual Review of Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7983127/ REFERENCES: [i]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 141 https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-neurogenesis-what-hurts-or-helps-your-brain-cells/ [ii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 384 Review of our Interview with Dr. Baland Jalal https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/hypnagogic-genius-capture-your-best-ideas-at-the-edge-of-sleep/ [iii] www.masterclass.com Mathew Walker The Science of a Better Sleep [iv] https://www.instagram.com/p/DbO7dKLO-c8/?hl=en Dr. Andrew Huberman on ways to increase REM sleep.
How many "life hacks" are presented...by hacks? On July 11th, Seth Andrews gave this speech at the Anderson Center in Cincinnati.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.
In this episode of the Fit Father Project Podcast, Dr. Anthony sits down with Kiran Krishnan, microbiologist and Chief Product Formulator at Just Thrive, for one of the most eye-opening conversations on gut health we've ever recorded.Kiran breaks down why chronic issues — anxiety, weight gain, brain fog, low energy — are often ecological problems in your gut, not genetic ones. You have 22,000 genes, but you're carrying around 2.5 million microbial genes on top of that. As Kiran puts it, "you're not really an organism at all — you're a walking, talking rainforest."Dr. Anthony and Kiran dig into why the modern gut is in such rough shape (hint: it's not just food), why the word "probiotic" is nearly as useless as the word "food" without specifics, and why a single gene can be the difference between a probiotic strain that changes your brain chemistry and one that does absolutely nothing. They also cover spore-based probiotics, digestive bitters, and why both may matter more for your health than any supplement stack you're currently running.If you've been doing everything right — training hard, eating clean, sleeping well — but still feel off, this episode will show you why the answer might start in your gut.Rate & Review — If this episode opened your eyes to something powerful, please take a moment to rate and review the Fit Father Project Podcast. Your review helps more men discover practical, science-backed health conversations that can genuinely change their lives.Join the Fit Father Project Community — If you're ready to put these ideas into action with support, accountability, and a community of men committed to thriving after 40, come join us. We're here to help you build real, lasting health together.Key TakeawaysChronic health issues (anxiety, weight gain, brain fog) are often ecological gut problems, not genetic ones — and you have far more control over them than you thinkYou carry 2.5 million microbial genes compared to your own 22,000 — your gut microbiome does the heavy lifting your body can't do aloneOveruse of antibiotics (in medicine and factory farming) is one of the biggest drivers of long-term gut damageThe average American gets only 8-10 grams of fiber a day — about a quarter of what the gut microbiome actually needs to thriveChronic stress and a disrupted gut create a vicious cycle — leaky gut increases stress, and stress worsens leaky gutBitter compounds have nearly vanished from the modern diet, yet they may account for up to 50% of your digestive signalingNot all probiotics are created equal — a single gene can determine whether a strain reduces anxiety and inflammation or does nothing at allSpore-based probiotics (like Bacillus strains) act as a "gut police force," rebalancing harmful and beneficial bacteria while sealing the gut liningDigestive bitters work upstream — triggering your body's natural release of stomach acid, bile, and enzymes before food ever hits your stomachSmall, consistent choices in food, supplements, and lifestyle can meaningfully shift your gut ecosystem and your overall health outcomesFix Your Gut Foundation with Just ThriveMost probiotics don't survive your stomach acid — they're dead on arrival and doing nothing for you. Just Thrive's spore-based probiotic uses four clinically studied strains that arrive 100% alive, including one that produces antioxidants directly in your gut lining. Right now, when you start a 90-day Just Thrive probiotic subscription, you'll get a free 90-day supply of their Digestive Bitters — a $90 value. Visit justthrivehealth.com/fitfamily to claim your offer and start rebuilding your gut foundation today.Want To Change Your Life? Check Out FF30X!FF30X is a simple, sustainable, and specific weight loss program designed especially for busy men over 40. With short metabolic workouts, an easy-to-follow meal plan, and an accountability team there for you every step of the way, FF30X can help you lose weight, regain energy and vitality, and live life to the fullest. Click here to see everything you get when you join FF30X.After watching his own Dad lose his health and pass away at the young age of 42, Dr. Balduzzi founded The Fit Father Project and Fit Mother Project to help busy dads and moms get and stay healthy for their families.Dr. Anthony Balduzzi holds dual degrees in Psychology & Nutrition from the University of Pennsylvania, a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine, and is also a former national champion bodybuilder. He's most proud of the fact that he's helped over 70,000 families in over 125+ countries lose weight and get healthy for life.Please know that weight loss results and health changes/improvements vary individually; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice — simply very well-researched information on gut health, the microbiome, and healthy aging.
What if the person you cannot get over was never actually your person? We tend to give enormous weight to chemistry and connection, especially when we find someone we like who seems to like us back. That feeling can be powerful enough to make us overlook a harder truth: connection alone does not create a relationship. Without commitment and compatibility, chemistry can keep you emotionally invested in someone who is never actually choosing you. Matthew Hussey breaks down the four levels of a relationship, from attraction to compatibility, and explains why so many people get stuck at the stage that feels the most exciting. He also explores why unfinished relationships can become so difficult to let go of. The future you imagined can start to feel more real than the relationship itself, keeping you attached to potential instead of what is actually happening. Matthew Hussey is a relationship coach, bestselling author, speaker, and host of the Love Life podcast. His work focuses on dating, heartbreak, confidence, communication, and helping people build healthier relationships by paying attention to how someone actually shows up, rather than relying on chemistry or potential alone. What's Discussed: (00:00) Why connection and chemistry can feel incredibly important without actually creating a relationship. (01:27) The four levels of a relationship: admiration, mutual attraction, commitment, and compatibility. (03:46) Why someone choosing not to be with you cannot be "your person." (05:07) How heartbreak can come from grieving the future you imagined rather than losing an actual soulmate. (07:58) Why unfinished relationships and "what could have been" can occupy so much mental space. (09:20) How romantic fantasy can become a form of avoidance that keeps you from participating in your real life. (12:37) Why real relationships are built through commitment, difficulty, and repeatedly choosing one another. (13:47) How to intentionally move on by removing reminders, limiting updates, and stopping the person from remaining part of your everyday life. Thank You to Our Sponsors! Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout. Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription. Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off. Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com Find more from Jen Cohen: Website: jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements Find more from Matthew Hussey Website: matthewhussey.com Instagram: @thematthewhussey Books: Books by Matthew Hussey Facebook: Matthew Hussey YouTube: @thematthewhussey LinkedIn: Matthew Hussey
We often judge how "good" we are at relationships based on our dating and relationship history, but what if it's the least complete picture? In this episode, Julie explores why romantic relationships often become intertwined with our identity, causing breakups, rejection, or being single to feel like proof that we're "bad at relationships." She helps you look deeper at your connection portfolio and the other evidence of your capacity for healthy relationships. If dating has made you question your worth, this episode will help you separate your romantic outcomes from your ability to create deep, lasting connection. Enjoy!Take the Dating Archetypes quiz now: https://howtobedateable.com/Read our book: How To Be Dateable: The Essential Guide To Finding Your Person and Falling in Love: https://howtobedateable.com/Try the Dateable AI Dating Coach: Get personalized advice trained on our years of podcast episodes, courses and frameworks: https://studio.com/dateableFollow us @dateablepodcast, @juliekrafchick and @nonplatonic. Check out our website for more content. Also listen to our other podcasts The Psychology of Relationships and Exit Interview available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.WE WROTE A BOOK! HOW TO BE DATEABLE (Simon & Schuster) is available now: https://howtobedateable.com/ Have you ever had a time in your life where you genuinely didn't want a serious relationship but still wanted connection and chemistry? Download the Fling app in the app store or visit fling.me today. Want to remove distractions from your dates? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/DATEABLEOur Sponsors:* Losers Part One and Two by Harley LaRoux: Go get the book wherever books are sold in print or ebook or through https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Omaha Steaks: Try the Burger Perfection Flight at OmahaSteaks.com today. That's 20 premium steak burgers for just $79.99. Plus, get $35 off with promo code BEEF. * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/dateableAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Episode 165Pathological Demand Avoidance: The Lived Experience, with Kendahl DamashekBarry and Dave speak with Kendall Damashek, a parent coach and expert on the topic of PDA. Kendall shared her personal and professional insights into PDA, explaining it as a survival drive for autonomy and equality rather than a pathology. She discussed the physiological and nervous system responses that individuals with PDA experience, emphasizing that these are not conscious choices but reactions to perceived threats to autonomy. Kendall addressed common misconceptions, such as labeling PDA behaviors as oppositional or defiant, and highlighted the importance of understanding the internal experience of those with PDA, and she provided practical strategies for parents and caregivers, including giving more autonomy, fostering equality, providing nervous system safety, and lowering demands.Learn more on our website!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of Positive Philter, I'm joined by Dr. Keith Renshaw, Professor of Psychology and Senior Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at George Mason University. We discuss his educational journey, his passion for student success, and why research and academic rigor are valuable for all students, not just those pursuing graduate degrees. Dr. Renshaw shares how undergraduate research experiences help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that translate across industries and careers. This is a great conversation for students, educators, and anyone interested in the transformative power of higher education. Shout Out and Plugs Dr. Renshaw's GMU Profile: https://provost.gmu.edu/profiles/krenshaw Dr. Renshaw's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-renshaw-311170103/ Recording Credits Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX): A collaborative space for innovation and entrepreneurship. Visit The MIX. Community & Support Jeff's Anti-Hunger Fund Dedicated to Jeff Kirsch, this fund supports the careers of future anti-hunger advocates. Please consider donating to the Jeff Kirsch Fund for Anti-Hunger Advocacy: Donate Here Pats for Patriots Members of the #MasonNation can recognize colleagues or students for their kindness via Pats for Patriots. We have received over 3,000 nominations—keep them coming! Nominate Someone Here Steam Pilots Program Steam Pilots, Inc. (501(c)(3)) improves STEAM education through pro bono programs. They are currently raising funds for kits and equipment. Support the GoFundMe Podcast Resources Connect & Follow Newsletter: Sign up for the Positive Philter Weekly Patreon: Support the Podcast Feedback: Complete our Audience Survey Questions: Call 571-336-6560 or use this Google Form Reviews: Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Featured Products & Music Book: "Forty Years of Advice" by Philip Wilkerson: Purchase on Amazon The Five Minute Journal: Shop Intelligent Change Tappy Card: Get Your Electronic Business Card Intro Music: DJ BIGyoks (Instagram | Soundcloud) Outro Music: Ryan Rosemond (Soundcloud) Positive Philter is honored to be among the Top 20 Positive Thinking Podcasts by FeedSpot: View the List
What if the thing you're avoiding is exactly what you should pursue? Jack Cai broke three world records solving Rubik's Cubes blindfolded, for teh same reason America suppsoedly went to the moon. "Not because it is easy, but because it is hard" This episode explores the mindset shift that happens when you stop asking "How can I make this easier?" and start asking "What's so hard that almost no one else is doing it?" Jack shares his five-year journey from curiosity to world record, the habit systems that made elite performance possible, and the surprising question that emerged after he achieved his goal: now what? We discuss deliberate practice, the introvert's edge in mastery, and why the hardest problems often offer the best opportunities for people willing to embrace discomfort. Reframe difficulty as a competitive advantage, not a barrier Build systems that make extraordinary performance automatic over time After winning, redefine success on your own terms The remarkable life isn't found in avoiding hard things—it's found in seeking them deliberately. SPONSORS ☺️ MOD.com Prescription Modafinil for energy and focus. Free consultation, free shipping and 10% off Promo code PSYCHOLOGY at MOD.com UPGRADE to Premium:
Take Back Time: Time Management | Stress Management | Tug of War With Time
What separates exceptional leaders from everyone else?It's not talent.It's not intelligence.And it's not working harder.In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price and author of The Psychology of Leadership, to explore the mental habits that help leaders thrive under pressure.Together they unpack why the most successful leaders focus on mastery over ego, why resilience is built through setbacks—not avoiding them—and how a psychology-first approach creates stronger teams, better decisions, and long-term success.You'll also discover why leaders need more than measurable goals, how AI changes what leaders should prioritize, and why meaning—not metrics alone—is the key to engagement.In this episode:The difference between mastery goals and performance goalsWhy resilience starts with your mindset—not your circumstancesHow positive psychology differs from toxic positivityThe leadership psychology behind high-performing teamsWhy focusing on process leads to better resultsHow AI is changing effective leadershipThe hidden danger of goal-induced blindnessWhy meaning drives motivation more than metricsWhether you're leading a business, managing a team, or simply trying to become a better decision-maker, this conversation will help you build the mindset needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing world.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Time to Reset for more conversations on leadership, focus, productivity, communication, and navigating change with clarity.Connect with Sébastien Page
The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health
In this episode, Brittany details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), how it started, and how she makes sense of self-injury and her faith in God. She explains two starkly different responses she received from church leaders and shares insights about how youth pastors in particular can provide supportive responses to students who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Purchase Brittany's new book Stories Our Scars Tell: Hope, Healing, and Honesty about the Wounds We Carry here. Follow her on Instagram at @brittanytinsleywrites and read her blog at https://brittanytinsley.com/. Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram @DocWesters. To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter/X (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #1 by Feedspot in their list of "10 Best Self Harm Podcasts" and #5 in their "20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts." It has also been featured in Audible's "Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal."
If you're doing everything "right" for your sleep and still waking up exhausted, tossing and turning at night, or lying in bed with your brain running a mile a minute, the problem might not be your nighttime routine. It might be what your brain has learned to do when you get into bed. In this episode, I'm sitting down with licensed psychologist Jessica Meers to talk about the psychology of sleep, insomnia, and why some of the things we do to compensate for a bad night of sleep can actually keep the cycle going. Jessica specializes in treating insomnia without medication using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). She explains why sleep is both biological and psychological, how we can unintentionally train ourselves to associate our beds with stress and wakefulness, and why there is no perfect sleep routine that works for everyone. We also talk about overthinking at night, maintaining a consistent wake time, what to do when you can't fall back asleep, creating a sleep-supportive environment, and how hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect sleep. If you've been chasing the perfect bedtime routine but still aren't sleeping well, this conversation may help you look at sleep in a completely different way. In This Episode, We Cover: Why sleep affects so much more than how tired you feel the next day The relationship between poor sleep and mental health Why the "5 AM club" approach isn't right for everyone How individual sleep needs can change with age and life circumstances Why sleep is both a biological process and a learned behavior How lying awake, worrying, and tossing and turning can reinforce poor sleep patterns Why overthinkers often struggle when everything finally gets quiet at night Jessica's strategy for scheduling "worry time" before bed Why getting out of bed may be better than staying there trying to force yourself to sleep How to distinguish insomnia symptoms from potential signs of sleep apnea What Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is Why a consistent wake-up time can be one of the most important parts of improving sleep Why sleeping in to "catch up" after a bad night can disrupt your rhythm How to create a simple wind-down buffer before bed Why temperature and light matter for sleep Why the perfect sleep environment may not be enough when your nervous system is on high alert The relationship between perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and sleep Why addressing sleep may require support from more than one type of practitioner Sleep Is More Than Feeling Tired We tend to think about poor sleep in terms of how we feel the next morning. We're tired. We're foggy. We need more coffee. We don't have the energy we normally have. But Jessica explains that sleep reaches much further than our energy levels. As a psychologist, she pays particular attention to the relationship between sleep and mental health. Poor sleep and insomnia are closely connected with conditions like anxiety and depression, and sleep difficulties can sometimes appear before other mental health symptoms. Sleep also intersects with hormones and metabolic health, which is one of the reasons getting consistent, restorative sleep matters so much for our overall health. This isn't simply about getting enough hours so you can be productive tomorrow. Sleep is one of the foundational systems supporting your physical and emotional health. There Is No Perfect Sleep Schedule One of my favorite parts of this conversation was Jessica's take on the "5 AM club." We see these routines everywhere. Wake up at 5 AM. Work out. Take the cold plunge. Journal. Meditate. Get more done before everyone else wakes up. And while that routine may work beautifully for one person, it doesn't mean it's healthy for everyone. Jessica explains that healthy sleep needs are generally discussed within a range, but the exact amount an individual needs can vary depending on the person, their age, their circumstances, and what is happening in their life. Trying to force yourself into somebody else's sleep schedule can work against what your own body needs. Your goal isn't to become the person who wakes up earliest. Your goal is to find a sleep pattern that actually supports your health. You Can Train Yourself to Sleep Poorly This was such an important distinction. Our bodies know how to sleep. But psychologically, sleep can also become a learned behavior. That means we can unintentionally teach ourselves patterns that make sleeping harder. Think about what happens when you repeatedly lie in bed unable to sleep. You toss. You turn. You start thinking about tomorrow. You worry about how tired you're going to be. You look at the clock. You try harder to fall asleep. And eventually, your brain begins associating your bed with being awake, alert, worried, and frustrated. Instead of your bed becoming a cue for sleep, it becomes a cue for stress. Jessica explains that breaking this association is an important part of addressing insomnia. The goal is to help your brain relearn what your bed is supposed to represent. Sleep. Why Overthinkers Struggle at Night If your brain suddenly decides bedtime is the perfect opportunity to review every problem in your life, you're definitely not alone. During the day, we're distracted. We're working. We're answering messages. We're taking care of our families. We're running businesses. There is always something competing for our attention. Then everything gets quiet. Suddenly, your brain has room to bring up all the things you haven't processed yet. For someone who already tends toward worrying or rumination, bedtime can become the moment when those thoughts get louder. One strategy Jessica recommends is intentionally creating space for those thoughts earlier. Rather than waiting until your head hits the pillow, schedule time after dinner to think through what's worrying you. Write it down. Identify the next step you can take. Give the thought somewhere to go. You're not trying to solve your entire life before bedtime. You're showing your brain that the problem has been acknowledged and there is a plan for dealing with it. What to Do When You Can't Sleep This advice sounds completely backwards at first. If you can't sleep, get out of bed. Jessica explains that staying in bed worrying, stressing, tossing, and turning can reinforce the exact association you're trying to break. You're teaching your brain that bed is where you stay awake and struggle. Instead, get up. Go somewhere else. Do something relatively mindless that you enjoy until you begin feeling sleepy again. Jessica even explains that, in the context of this approach, she would rather someone get out of bed and watch television than stay in bed desperately trying to force sleep while becoming increasingly frustrated. The goal is not to reward yourself for being awake. It's to stop reinforcing the connection between your bed and wakefulness. Could It Be More Than Insomnia? Not every nighttime awakening is caused by insomnia. Jessica also discusses some signs that may warrant talking with a healthcare professional about obstructive sleep apnea. If you're frequently waking during the night and also experiencing symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air, morning headaches, or waking with a dry mouth, it may be worth discussing a sleep study with your healthcare provider. This is another reason why getting appropriate support matters. You don't want to spend months trying to "fix" your sleep routine if there is another underlying sleep issue that needs to be evaluated. What Is CBT-I? Jessica specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, commonly called CBT-I. Rather than relying solely on medication to manage insomnia, CBT-I looks at both the behaviors and thought patterns that may be contributing to sleep difficulties. Jessica describes it as a relatively short-term, structured form of therapy, often completed over approximately six to eight weekly sessions, although treatment needs vary by person. The process can involve changing behaviors around sleep, rebuilding the association between bed and sleeping, addressing worry and rumination, and helping people understand the psychological patterns that may be keeping insomnia going. For someone who feels like they've tried every sleep hygiene tip imaginable without getting lasting results, looking at the behavioral and psychological side of sleep may be the missing piece. Stop Trying to Catch Up on Sleep After a terrible night of sleep, sleeping in feels completely logical. You're exhausted. Your body missed sleep. Why wouldn't you stay in bed longer and catch up? Jessica explains that constantly changing your wake time can disrupt your rhythm and make the next night more difficult. One of the strongest anchors you can give your sleep schedule is consistency in the morning. Rather than obsessing over the exact time you fall asleep, Jessica encourages people to pay attention to when they get up. Set a regular wake time. Get up at approximately the same time each day. And resist constantly shifting your schedule based on how well you slept the night before. One bad night doesn't necessarily need to become several bad nights. Sometimes our attempts to compensate for poor sleep are what keep the pattern going. Give Your Brain Time to Wind Down You cannot expect your brain to go from full-speed work mode to sleep in thirty seconds. If you've been answering emails, working on your business, scrolling on your phone, solving problems, or thinking about tomorrow right up until bedtime, your brain may still be activated when you lie down. Jessica recommends creating at least a short buffer before sleep. Even thirty minutes can give your brain an opportunity to transition. The goal isn't to create an elaborate two-hour nighttime routine filled with ten different wellness practices. It's simply to give yourself a period where you are intentionally disengaging from the activities that keep your brain switched on. Your Sleep Environment Matters, But It Isn't Everything Temperature and light can absolutely support sleep. Jessica recommends keeping your bedroom cool and comfortable, with research often pointing toward temperatures around 67 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for many sleepers. Darkness can also help. Dimming the lights in the evening gives your body additional environmental cues that nighttime is approaching. But there is an important caveat. You can have the perfect temperature. The perfect blackout curtains. The perfect eye mask. The perfect wind-down routine. And still struggle to sleep if your nervous system is highly activated. If you're lying in bed hypervigilant and on edge, your body's arousal system may be competing with your ability to settle into sleep. Sleep hygiene can support the process. It cannot always solve the underlying problem by itself. Perimenopause, Menopause, and Sleep Jessica's path into sleep psychology actually began through women's health research focused on sleep and the menopausal transition. That made this part of our conversation especially interesting to me. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can significantly change a woman's experience of sleep. Jessica discusses estrogen's role in sleep and why changes during this stage of life can contribute to sleep disruption. But there can also be a second layer. Once sleep becomes difficult, we naturally start worrying about it. We compensate. We change our routines. We try harder. And some of those psychological and behavioral responses can begin perpetuating the sleep problem even when hormones were part of what triggered it initially. That is why Jessica advocates for a collaborative approach. For some women, that may mean working with a psychologist or sleep specialist alongside a gynecologist, menopause specialist, physician, or other appropriate healthcare practitioner. There isn't always one single solution. You Don't Have to Keep Fighting Your Sleep One of the biggest messages I took from this conversation is that struggling with sleep doesn't mean you simply need more discipline. You don't necessarily need another supplement. You don't necessarily need another complicated nighttime routine. And you definitely don't need to force yourself into somebody else's 5 AM schedule because social media told you that successful people wake up before sunrise. Sometimes the behaviors we use to compensate for poor sleep are actually helping the pattern continue. Understanding those patterns gives you something you can work with. If sleep has become a nightly battle, consider getting support from someone who specializes in sleep rather than continuing to experiment on your own. Your Action Step Pay attention to what happens around your sleep for the next several days. Not just what time you go to bed. Ask yourself: Do I stay in bed worrying when I can't sleep? Do I dramatically change my wake time after a bad night? Am I carrying work and stress directly into bedtime? Am I trying to follow someone else's "perfect" sleep schedule? Do I spend the day worrying about whether I'll sleep tonight? You don't need to change everything at once. Start by noticing the patterns. If those patterns have been going on for a long time or your sleep is significantly affecting your health and daily life, consider speaking with a qualified sleep professional about whether CBT-I or another form of evaluation may be appropriate. Final Thoughts Sleep is foundational. It affects how you think, how you feel, how you show up for your family, and how much energy you have to build the business and life you want. And better sleep isn't necessarily about creating the perfect nighttime routine. Sometimes it starts with understanding what your brain has learned about sleep and changing the behaviors that are keeping you stuck. You can optimize your room. You can buy the eye mask. You can turn down the temperature. But if your nervous system is on high alert and your brain has learned that getting into bed means worrying for three hours, there is another layer that needs attention. That's why I loved this conversation with Jessica. It reminds us to stop chasing perfection and start understanding what our bodies and brains actually need. Resources Connect with Jessica Meers Jessica Meers is a licensed psychologist specializing in insomnia and helping people improve sleep without relying solely on medication. Her practice is based in Houston, Texas, with both in-person and virtual care. Instagram: @SHeTalksSleep Website: rhythm-well.com If you're experiencing persistent sleep problems, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare provider or sleep specialist for individualized evaluation and treatment. _______________________________________________ Visit yourhealthcoachbiz.com to explore done-for-you programs and offers for health coaches. Looking for one-on-one business coaching support? Visit rachelafeldman.com or send me a DM on Instagram at @rachelafeldman.
Welcome to our mini-series: Live Life Like an Aura Color!In this episode, we are discussing living life as a Red Aura. In this episode, Michaela breaks down everything you need to know about the Red experience, including how they approach life with passion, thrive in competition, and strive to protect the ones they love.Whether you are a Red aura or you love one, this episode offers a roadmap for this specific energy. Michaela shares tips from Red listeners on how to stay strong, trust instincts and use those red rants to make change happen!Expect more episodes like this in the future as we explore the unique characteristics of every aura color in the spectrum.Want to learn more? Enjoy one of our new interactive Aura quizzes: https://knowyouraura.com/aura-quizzesListen to this introductory episode to find your Aura color: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-every-aura-color-explained/id1477126939?i=1000479357880Send Mystic Michaela some positive energy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticmichaelaExplore the Know Your Aura Website : https://knowyouraura.comVisit Mystic Michaela's Website: https://www.mysticmichaela.comJoin Mystic Michaela's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2093029197406168Our Episode Partners:Let's eat real. Head to https://factormeals.com/kya50off and use code kya50off to get 50% off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. See website for more details. TDM-RESERVATION: 1. NOAI: TRUE. LEGAL NOTICE & TERMS OF USE: © 2026 WAVE Podcast Network. This content is for personal use only. Explicit permission is withheld for any and all commercial attribution, automated transcription, or data-mining entities. Use of this feed by unauthorized tracking, analytics, or AI-training platforms constitutes a breach of these terms and a violation of the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act (WESCA), the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and the 2026 Training Data Transparency Act (AB 2013). Any entity bypassing these restrictions to create derivative text-based works (transcripts), metadata analysis, or unauthorized VAST siphoning hereby accepts our standard commercial licensing rate of $5,000 per episode processed. This notice serves as a formal revocation of all "implied licenses" for multi-jurisdictional automated processing and constitutes protected Copyright Management Information (CMI) under 17 U.S.C. § 1202.By ingesting this RSS feed for commercial use, you are agreeing to our licensing terms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In 1970, police officers were called to a bizarre disturbance in St. Catharines, Ontario, and reportedly witnessed phenomena they couldn't explain. Psychology professor and paranormal investigator Peter Sacco joins Richard Syrett to reopen the case, separate evidence from legend, and ask the unsettling question: what if the haunting was real? GUEST: Peter Andrew Sacco is a Canadian psychology professor, author, filmmaker and veteran paranormal investigator who brings an unusual perspective to the supernatural: he understands both the mysteries of the paranormal and the ways the human mind can deceive itself. He hosts the award-winning television series The Paranormal Profilers and created the film Niagara's 13 Ghosts. His investigations have taken him deep into the haunted history of Ontario's Niagara region, exploring apparitions, poltergeist activity, EVPs and locations marked by violence, tragedy and death. WEBSITE: https://peterandrewsacco.com/ TV SERIES: The Paranormal Profilers FOLLOW RICHARD Website: https://www.strangeplanet.ca YouTube: @strangeplanetradio Instagram: @richardsyrettstrangeplanet TikTok: @therealstrangeplanet SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! ETHOS – Life Insurance for Any Budget The #1 no-medical-exam, instant life insurance provider. Get Covered in 10 Minutes. Up to $3 Million in Coverage. Life Insurance Made Easy. Application Times May Vary. https://www.ethos.com HIMS Weight Loss By HIMS -HIMS now offers access to an affordable range of FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, including the Wegovy® pill and the Wegovy® pen. Ready to reach your goals? Visit hims.com/strangeplanet to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. MARS MEN Mars Men helps you reclaim your edge with natural testosterone support for energy, focus, and strength GWo to MenGoToMars.com right now, for a limited time, listeners of this program get 50% off for life, plus free shipping AND 3 free gifts. QUINCE Luxury, European linen that gets softer with every wash! Turn up the luxury when you turn in with Quince. Go to Quince dot com slash RSSP for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. CARGURUS CarGurus is the #1 rated car shopping app in Canada on the Apple App and Google Play store. They've got hundreds of thousands of cars from top-rated dealers, plus advanced search tools that let you zero in on exactly what you want. And you can set real-time alerts for price drops and new listings — so you never miss a great deal. Buy your next car today with CarGurus at cargurus dot ca. BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER!!! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm Three monthly subscriptions to choose from. Commercial Free Listening, Bonus Episodes and a Subscription to my monthly newsletter, InnerSanctum. Visit https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm Use the discount code "Planet" to receive $5 OFF any subscription. We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm/
Christopher Ryan, Ph.D is a big thinker buddy of mine who is a van lifer, wisdom dispenser, troublemaker, host of the podcast Tangentially Speaking, and co-author of Sex at Dawn and Civilized to Death. Even before co-authoring the New York Times best-seller, Chris was on a wild ride. After receiving a BA in English and American literature in 1984, he spent the next two decades traveling around the world, pausing in unexpected places to work at decidedly odd jobs (e.g., gutting salmon in Alaska, teaching English to prostitutes in Bangkok and self-defense to land-reform activists in Mexico, managing commercial real estate in New York's Diamond District, helping Spanish physicians publish their research). In his mid-30s, Chris decided to pursue doctoral studies in Psychology. Drawing upon his multi-cultural experience, Chris' research focused on distinguishing the human from the cultural, first by focusing on shamanism and ethnobotany—studying how various societies interact with altered states of consciousness and the sacred plants that provoke them—and later, by looking at similarly diverse cultural perspectives on sexuality.If you dig this podcast, will you please leave a short review on Apple Podcasts? It takes less than 60 seconds and makes a difference when I drop to my knees and beg hard-to-get guests on the show. I read them all. You can watch this podcast on my YouTube channel and join my newsletter on Substack. It's glorious. My first book, ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, is available to order today.This is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Or just drop a coin in a fountain and wish me one year of good luck. Get full access to Kyle Thiermann at thiermann.substack.com/subscribe
As Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price, Sébastien Page leads a global team managing hundreds of billions and has been recognized with multiple research awards for his practical approach to finance and leadership. His journey is inspiring, from arriving in North America as a young Canadian immigrant barely speaking English to becoming one of the youngest Senior Managing Directors at State Street, then rising through senior roles at PIMCO and now T. Rowe Price. Sébastien's new book, The Psychology of Leadership, bridges real-world executive experience with the science of performance psychology. He spent over four years collaborating with sports psychologists and translates actionable principles from resilience and high-performance research into leadership strategies. His SEE framework (Systematize, Encourage, Exit) and concepts like "goal-induced blindness" offer sports-anchored lessons for teams, coaches, and business leaders alike. Plus, he doesn't shy from the human side of leadership: drawing on both elite athletics and the power of introverts, he helps people find meaning, motivation, and long-term fulfillment. If you want to understand performing under pressure and how to lead people when it matters most, you will want to listen to this interview. Connect: www.psychologyofleadership.net The #1 Bestseller CAPTAIN: THE ATHLETE'S GUIDE TO BEING AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM LEADER is now available! CLICK HERE TO ORDER We are constantly asked "where have all the leaders gone?" Now more than ever, it is up to schools, clubs and coaches to develop our leaders, and this new book is a perfect guide to train and develop them. It is filled with stories of champion team captains on the professional and college level, Hall of Fame coaches, and more, and is a masterclass on leadership. Your athletes will learn from leaders such as Carles Puyol Abby Wambach, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier, Richie McCaw, Carla Overbeck and Simone Biles. It will help your athletes understand the qualities needed to lead, the responsibilities they must accept, and the most common challenges they will face. The chapters are short and sweet and have discussion questions so that your leaders can work through them together and set your team up for great success. The book also comes with a FREE downloadable 10-session curriculum so you can guide your team or the leaders in your school or club through the entire book. FOR ORDERS OF 10 OR MORE, WE OFFER A $5 PER BOOK DISCOUNT. EMAIL John@ChangingTheGameProject.com to place your order. BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John present to your school, club or coaching event, either in person or virtually? Looking for leadership training for your student athletes, a coach development workshop or parent education? We are still booking Fall 2026 events, please email us to set up an introductory call John@ChangingTheGameProject.com PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2026 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MORE! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you? We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John's author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry's author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books. Thanks everyone. This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports. Sprocket Sports is a software platform for youth sports clubs. Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites, communication tools and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs. So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our Premium Membership, with well over $1000 of courses and materials. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will be granted a Premium Changing the Game Project Membership, where you will have access to every course, interview and blog post we have created organized by topic from coaches to parents to athletes. Thank you for all your support these past eight years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions
True Crime Psychology and Personality: Narcissism, Psychopathy, and the Minds of Dangerous Criminals
Support Dr. Grande on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/drgrande Dr. Grande's book Harm Reduction: https://www.amazon.com/Harm-Reduction-Todd-Grande-PhD/dp/1950057313 Dr. Grande's book Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Notorious-Serial-Killers-Intersection/dp/1950057259 Check out Dr. Grande's merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/dr-grandes-store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why do we crave some foods the more often we eat them? Are we addicted?Dr. Dana Small's research suggests that food craving reaches far beyond taste or willpower, and that “addiction” isn't a helpful descriptor. Every time we eat, unconscious signals from the body teach the brain which foods deliver useful nutrients, and train us to want more of those. In other words, we don't eat crave foods because they taste good; foods taste good because our body craves them.Understanding that means we can rethink overeating. It's not a matter of addiction or self-control; it's our body behaving the way nature intended it to, but in the setting of foods not found in the wild, like those high in both fat and carbohydrates. But we may also be able to train our brain away from these cravings.Free course: Improve your metabolic healthGet our free email course on how glucose, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and measurement can help you build habits that support better energy and long-term health: https://levels.link/wnlWhat We CoverTaste vs. flavor, pleasure, motivation, and food rewardHow gut nutrient signals teach the brain which foods to seekWhy fat + carbs produce an unusually strong reward responseWhat eight weeks of high-fat, high-sugar snacks did to the brainHow GLP-1s may cut food wanting while preserving pleasure
Why do older women show the highest rates of food addiction, while older men are more likely to meet criteria for alcohol and tobacco use disorder — and why does that gap flip when it comes to weight? In Episode 292, we sit down with Lucy Loch, a doctoral candidate in Psychology at the University of Michigan, to unpack her research on food addiction in older adults and what it reveals about decades of diet culture, marketing, and an under-screened generation. Lucy studies the life course development of addictive-like eating — how early-life experiences and exposure to ultra-processed foods shape appetite, self-regulation, and long-term health outcomes. She's supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, works under Dr. Ashley Gearhardt at the University of Michigan, and her research has appeared in Addiction, Current Obesity Reports, and Physiology & Behavior. In this conversation, we dig into her recent study from the National Poll on Healthy Aging: why older women meet criteria for food addiction at higher rates than older men, why overweight men in the study were 19x more likely to meet criteria (compared to 11x for women), what a small but striking finding on underweight older adults might mean, and why isolation and food addiction may feed each other in a bidirectional loop. We also talk about why food addiction is so often invisible in geriatric medicine, what it would take to get it screened for the way depression and falls already are, and what decades of "low-fat," heavily marketed diet products may have set up for the women who trusted them. This one is for anyone who works with older adults, anyone who's ever been told "just eat healthier," and anyone who's still unlearning the idea that this comes down to willpower. About our guest: Lucy Loch is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the life course development of addictive-like eating, examining how early life experiences and exposure to ultra-processed foods influence appetite, self-regulation, and risk for later-life health outcomes. She is supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and works to uncover why certain foods and life experiences may make some individuals more susceptible to overeating. Her work has appeared in journals including Addiction, Current Obesity Reports, and Physiology & Behavior. Connect With Us Subscribe to Food Junkies Podcast for new episodes Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.
Dating can bring out the psychologist in us. One delayed reply, one vague comment, and we try to decode someone’s attachment style, childhood wounds, and capacity for commitment. But while psychological language can help us make sense of relationships, it can also become a way to avoid the much harder truth - sometimes we simply don’t know yet. In this episode we look at why overanalysing feels so reassuring, especially when we have been hurt before, and how the search for hidden meaning can distract us from direct communication, being present, and the person actually in front of us. Watch on Netflix: HERE We explore:• The difference between noticing patterns and control rumination• Why dating uncertainty makes labels feel so appealing• Why overanalysing often comes from fear rather than insight• Why this can stop us from being vulnerable ourselves• Why behaviour matters more than the story behind it• How to slow the spiral and regain clarity, communication, and self-trust Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com Our favourite sources:https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_overthinking_your_relationship https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X16300306?via%3Dihub https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.75.2.545 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01742-003 The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill Powers and co-host Brian Leni sit down for their monthly Junior Mining Insights chat to discuss how to discern ‘margin of safety' in early-stage junior miners. Other topics include identifying retail investor mass psychology, junior mining stock IPO dynamics, jurisdictional risks with First Nations even after permit issuance and much more. Refine your investment process as you listen to two full-time junior resource investors reflect on their past month of junior mining musings. 00:00 Intro 00:24 Margin of Safety Debate 02:28 Management and Valuation 05:57 Macro Timing Vs Value 08:39 IPOs And Retail Risk 13:55 Nasdaq Uplisting Upside 19:20 Seabridge KSM Shock 20:44 First Nations Risk Lens 28:41 Negotiation or Real Opposition 32:37 Permitting and Opposition 34:00 Metallurgy Due Diligence 37:21 Regulation Versus Enforcement 39:29 Marketing over Geology?! 44:06 Views and Mass Psychology 52:19 Timeless Content and Emotions 56:00 Networking and Mentors Brian's website: https://www.juniorstockreview.com/ Brian's YT: https://www.youtube.com/@FIELD_NOTES Bill's Twitter: https://x.com/MiningStockEdu Sign up for our free newsletter and receive interview transcripts, stock profiles and investment ideas: http://eepurl.com/cHxJ39 Bill and Brian are not licensed financial advisors. Mining Stock Education offers informational content based on available data but it does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. It may not be appropriate for all situations or objectives. Readers and listeners should seek professional advice, make independent investigations and assessments before investing. MSE does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of its content and should not be solely relied upon for investment decisions. MSE and its owner may hold financial interests in the companies discussed and can trade such securities without notice. MSE is biased towards its advertising sponsors which make this platform possible. MSE is not liable for representations, warranties, or omissions in its content. By accessing MSE content, users agree that MSE and its affiliates bear no liability related to the information provided or the investment decisions you make. Full disclaimer: https://www.miningstockeducation.com/disclaimer/
This week's questions come on whether a person can really choose their attitutde, whether we should trust our gut, and how to front load marriage skills in counseling. Listen to the show on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@podtherapyguysJoin our patreon!Listen ad-free, get the show a day early and enjoy the pre-show hang out on the same app you're using RIGHT NOW at www.Patreon.com/Therapy where you can also access our vast library of deep dives, interviews, skill shares, reviews and rants as well as our live discord chat!If you are an Apple user please rate us! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pod-therapy/id1330907570 If you are a Spotify user, please rate us! https://open.spotify.com/show/5cQrvuOT3yXZRGoVWP92h6 Submit a question to the show! www.PodTherapy.net Help us reach #1 on Goodpods! https://goodpods.com/podcasts/pod-therapy-84774 Interested in Nick's mental health approach to fitness? Check out www.MentalFitPersonalTraining.comCheck out Dr. Jim's book "Dadvice: 50 Fatherly Life Lessons" at www.DadviceBook.comGrab some swag at our store, www.PodTherapyBaitShop.comPlay Jim's Neurotic Bingo at home while you listen to the show, or don't, I'm not your supervisor.Submit questions to:www.PodTherapy.netPodTherapyGuys@gmail.comFollow us on Social Media:Facebook (www.Facebook.com/Podtherapy)Instagram @PodTherapyGuysTwitter @PodTherapyGuysYoutube.com/@podtherapyguysResources:Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255.Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255.Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline - (1-800-662-HELP (4357)OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline - 1 (800) 273-TALKU.S. Mental Health Resources Hotline - 211
What are the things we can do today to help minimize our chances of developing dementia as we age?Dr. Tommy Wood is a physician and neuroscientist, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, and author of The Stimulated Mind.The book takes on a belief many of us still hold, that the adult brain becomes fixed at an early age and then declines from there. Tommy traces that idea back to 1906 and to the words of a Nobel laureate. Then he unpacks what the latest research and data say, and it's not what you might think.This is a conversation about a tough subject, mental decline and dementia. Many of us have been touched by this in our own families, and what Tommy has to say gives all of us hope that we have more agency than we think when it comes to this part of our health.Tommy and Mike get into the 14 modifiable risk factors named by the Lancet Commission, why midlife is when risk starts to diverge, and the three buckets Tommy sorts everything into: stimulus, supply, and support. Mike talks about his grandfather, who had vascular dementia and covered for it so well that the family did not see it for years.Tommy tells us that “At 70 years old now, you are less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than any other time in history.” The trajectory is not fixed, but there's a lot more work to be done.Enjoy the conversation.____________________________________________Links & ResourcesDr. Tommy Wood's Website: drtommywood.comDr. Tommy Wood's Book: The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any AgeBetterBrain, where Tommy is Chief Science Officer: betterbrain.comSubscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletterDownload Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and XSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Do you write 3 paragraphs when "no" would be enough?Do you feel guilty for hours after setting one small boundary?You don't have a communication problem. You have a trauma response called over-explaining. And in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly where it comes from and how to stop.Over-explaining is what happens when you were raised to believe that your "no" wasn't enough. That you had to JUSTIFY your feelings to be taken seriously. That if you just explained BETTER, he would finally understand you.He understood you. He just didn't care. And your 10-paragraph explanation won't make him care.Wholeness looks better than desperation and whole women don't explain. They state.If this episode makes you feel seen, share it with the friend who also sends voice note essays.She needs this.
Howie Chan is an influence strategist, branding expert, and marketing consultant who specializes in the psychology behind human decision-making. After losing a $10 million pitch early in his career, Howie became obsessed with understanding the invisible forces that shape behavior, communication, leadership, storytelling, and negotiation. Today, he helps MedTech companies and professionals build stronger brands and attract better opportunities by applying behavioral science and influence psychology. On this episode we talk about: The $10 million pitch Howie lost and how it sparked his obsession with influence psychology How getting laid off after 20 years in the corporate world pushed Howie into entrepreneurship Why experts should use LinkedIn to build a professional brand and attract opportunities The difference between a personal brand and a professional brand—and why solving problems matters more than follower counts How podcasts, strategic associations, and social proof can build trust and accelerate your influence Top 3 Takeaways Turn failure into a learning opportunity. Instead of dwelling on a loss, ask, “What do I not know?” and figure out what you can learn to prevent the same mistake from happening again. Make your professional brand clear, not clever. Your LinkedIn profile should immediately communicate who you help and what problems you solve. Focus on the quality of opportunities you attract rather than vanity metrics like follower counts. Build influence through a flywheel of visibility, trust, and association. People first need to notice you, then remember you, trust you, and ultimately choose or recommend you. Podcasting can accelerate that process by allowing you to consistently demonstrate expertise and associate your brand with respected experts. Notable Quotes “There are a lot of hidden things that we don't know about. We think we know, but we don't, that's influencing decision making every single day.” “Make it clear. Not clever.” “Every transaction moves at the speed of trust.” Connect with Howie Chan: LinkedIn: Howie Chan Website: https://www.howiechan.com/ Other: Expert Influence Quiz — Take Howie's free quiz to identify gaps in your influence flywheel. Podcast: Influence Anyone A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
True Crime Psychology and Personality: Narcissism, Psychopathy, and the Minds of Dangerous Criminals
Support Dr. Grande on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/drgrande Dr. Grande's book Harm Reduction: https://www.amazon.com/Harm-Reduction-Todd-Grande-PhD/dp/1950057313 Dr. Grande's book Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Notorious-Serial-Killers-Intersection/dp/1950057259 Check out Dr. Grande's merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/dr-grandes-store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If I told you that in order to build the body you've always wanted, you'd probably have to spend months looking further away from your goal before you looked closer to it... would you still do it?Everyone says they want bigger glutes, more muscle, and a stronger physique. But very few people are actually prepared for the mental side of getting there. So today we're going to talk about the psychology behind a growth phase and why it feels so challenging!••••••••••••••••••••••••••••1:1 COACHING WITH KNOW YOUR POWER
In the final episode of the series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT bring together the core ideas explored throughout The Psychology of Money. They revisit the framework that ties the entire series together: Your thoughts shape you Your habits build you Your choices define you The conversation expands beyond investing and budgeting into fulfillment, relationships, identity, and purpose. Erik reflects on how his work as a financial planner has evolved from simply giving technical advice to helping people create meaningful behavioral change. Together, they explain why financial success is ultimately less about spreadsheets and more about psychology, self-awareness, discipline, and consistency over time. This episode serves as both a recap and a challenge: if listeners want financial freedom, they must begin paying attention not just to what they do with money — but why they do it. Episode Highlights: Erik explains that the future of financial planning is about helping clients make meaningful behavior changes, not just giving technical advice. (03:22) Dr. Matt discusses how mental health and financial health are closely connected, noting it's still overlooked in therapist training. (06:19) Erik shares that clients often hire him for technical help but find greater value in having a thought partner for financial decisions. (08:26) How a client's stated priorities, like family time, can directly conflict with their actual spending and time habits. (10:37) Dr. Matt explains how emotions act as data points revealing what matters, rather than instructions for what to do. (13:18) Dr. Matt shares an example of a 20-year-old investing $100 a month, showing the long-term power of compounding. (16:11) Erik mentions that financial success is shaped by psychology and habits as much as by numbers. (19:34) Key Quotes: “Spend less than you make, save as much as you can, and don't do anything foolish with your money. Super simple.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “It's really our behavior and our habits that will determine our financial future so much more than our motivation, our intentions, or things that are beyond our control, like the market ups and downs.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “ Good financial habits compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
What happens when the tools meant to help us heal start getting in the way of how we connect? We're exploring the rise of therapy culture and how “therapy speak” is changing the way we approach dating, conflict, and relationships. We discuss why having the right words doesn't always mean we're doing the deeper work, how psychological labels can sometimes become a way to avoid accountability, and why not every uncomfortable moment is a sign of a toxic dynamic. We also unpack how to balance self-awareness with openness, curiosity, and the ability to navigate the imperfect moments that make relationships real. Enjoy!-Have you ever had a time in your life where you genuinely didn't want a serious relationship but still wanted connection and chemistry? Download the Fling Dating app in the app store or visit fling.me todayTake our Dating Archetypes quiz: https://howtobedateable.com/Read our book, How To Be Dateable: The Essential Guide To Finding Your Person and Falling in Love: https://howtobedateable.com/Try the Dateable AI Dating Coach: Get personalized advice trained on our years of podcast episodes, courses, and frameworks: https://studio.com/dateableFollow us @dateablepodcast, @juliekrafchick, and @nonplatonic. Check out our website for more content. Also listen to our other podcasts, The Psychology of Relationships and Exit Interview, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.WE WROTE A BOOK! HOW TO BE DATEABLE (Simon & Schuster) is available now: https://howtobedateable.com/ Have you ever had a time in your life where you genuinely didn't want a serious relationship but still wanted connection and chemistry? Download the Fling app in the app store or visit fling.me today. Want to remove distractions from your dates? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/DATEABLEOur Sponsors:* Losers Part One and Two by Harley LaRoux: Go get the book wherever books are sold in print or ebook or through https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Omaha Steaks: Try the Burger Perfection Flight at OmahaSteaks.com today. That's 20 premium steak burgers for just $79.99. Plus, get $35 off with promo code BEEF. * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/dateableAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
We've all done it: put off that email, project… or even something we genuinely want to do. But why do we procrastinate? Researcher Itamar Schatz says it's not that we're just lazy, distracted or bad at managing our time, but that often procrastinators care more rather than less about what they're doing and fear the possibility of failure. We'll look at new research that explores the hidden psychology behind why we delay — and tools to finally get moving. Guest: Itamar Shatz, affiliated lecturer, Cambridge University; author, Solving Procrastination The Science of Why We Put Things Off and How to (Finally!) Stop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
True Crime Psychology and Personality: Narcissism, Psychopathy, and the Minds of Dangerous Criminals
Support Dr. Grande on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/drgrande Dr. Grande's book Harm Reduction: https://www.amazon.com/Harm-Reduction-Todd-Grande-PhD/dp/1950057313 Dr. Grande's book Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Notorious-Serial-Killers-Intersection/dp/1950057259 Check out Dr. Grande's merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/dr-grandes-store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
System Speak: Dissociative Identity Disorder ( Multiple Personality Disorder )
My fall trainings are listed HERE, and you can sign up for our monthly consult group HERE.The link to sign up for the Level 3 Professional Training Program (PTP) course with ISSTD is HERE. This course begins on September 9th.https://cfas.isst-d.org/content/advanced-topics-complex-trauma-and-dissociative-disorders-sunshaw-2026The Level 2 PTP course with ISSTD will start in January, and that link will be announced later this fall.The 2027 Annual Conference for ISSTD will be in Boston, and we are doing a pre-conference and a presentation during the conference.Dates: March 4-7, 2027. The 2027 Preliminary Conference Program will be available in October 2026 when registration opens. Registration with early bird pricing is October 31-December 15, 2026. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode, multi-business owner and mom of three Dani Lynnes joins the show to discuss her journey growing a seven-figure childcare center in North Dakota, alongside managing an Airbnb, a farm, a tote rental company, and a family sports schedule. Dani opens up about the pivotal moment that forced her to shift from a hands-on director to a systems-oriented COO, leading to the creation of "the dashboard"—a Trello-based organization system that helps busy moms and entrepreneurs streamline their lives, reduce decision fatigue, and reclaim their freedom. She also shares her raw perspective on navigating the comparison traps of social media, leaning into faith after the sudden loss of her father, and learning to prioritize health, sleep, and alignment over superficial markers of success. About Dani Lynnes Dani Lynnes is a business owner, systems strategist, and creator of The Dashboard—a simple operating system that helps established entrepreneurs organize their priorities, reduce overwhelm, and make confident decisions. As the owner of multiple businesses, including a successful childcare center, real estate ventures, and other entrepreneurial endeavors, Dani understands what it takes to balance growth, leadership, and family without sacrificing what matters most. Known for her practical, no-fluff approach, Dani teaches business owners how to create systems that bring clarity, increase productivity, and free up mental space so they can focus on the work that truly moves the needle. Her mission is simple: help entrepreneurs stop managing chaos and start leading with intention. Connect with Dani on LinkedIn Follow Dani on Instagram Check out Dani's freebie 30 Minute Weekly Reset If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a comment on iTunes CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA! Instagram LinkedIn Christinalecuyer.com Book a Free Clarity Call Book Christina For Your Next Workshop
Introducing Audible True Crime, a dedicated podcast feed where we bring you the best podcasts in true crime, with episodes dropping every single week. Find your next bingeable series about unsolved murders, cold cases, scams and mysteries. This is the cream of the crop of Audible podcasts, featuring award-winning series and soon-to-be favorites. Stop pestering your friends or searching “best true crime podcast” on Google. Up first, Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment: A search for spiritual guidance leads a group of strangers to seek direction from a self-help guru. And not just any guru. James Arthur Ray is an Oprah endorsed motivational speaker and entrepreneur whose unorthodox methods that blend self-improvement and economic advice have won him praise and a growing following. He's fast becoming a self-help superstar. But Ray's increasingly extreme methods push his followers to their limits. What are they seeking? What does he offer? And what happens when it all goes too far, and people die? Listen to Audible True Crime wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes on Audible True Crime early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible App or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Listen now: link.pscrb.fm/6438e/fdaudibletruecrimeron-93b44 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get 60 days free at https://www.shipstation.com with code jumpers Jump in with Carlos Juico, Gavin Ruta, Mack Mah and Samir on episode 301 of Jumpers Jump. This episode we discuss: Guy privilege in the club, Japan clubbing story, Attraction theories, Sleep paralysis, Lucid dreams, Chinese sleeping superstitions, Hayden Panettiere theory, Coke drink is demonic, Manifestation stories, Beauty magic, Alter ego theory, Astral projection, Prophetic dream that saved a life, Obsession gingerbread man similarities, Being parasocial in this generation, Value of your word, Naming your friends kid, Cancel culture, Parents taking risks, Looking at yourself in the mirror for an hour, Eyes attraction theory, Cloning, Manager method at the club, Exposure theory, and much more! Follow the podcast: @JumpersPodcast Follow Carlos: @CarlosJuico Follow Gavin: @GavinRutaa Check out the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/JumpersJumpYT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices