Podcasts about Psychology Today

In this episode of the Health Coach Academy Podcast, we sit down with therapist, entrepreneur, and somatic practitioner Helen Malinowski to explore how she transformed her private practice from $150,000 to over $1 million in revenue in just five years. Helen shares the powerful story of how burnout forced her to rethink the traditional one-on-one service model and ultimately led her to build a thriving multi-clinician practice with nearly 30 clinicians and multiple locations. If you're a health coach, therapist, or wellness practitioner, this conversation will challenge the belief that helping professions must equal exhaustion. Helen explains how listening to your nervous system, setting boundaries, and building community can unlock both impact and financial success. You'll also learn why expanding beyond the solo practitioner model may be the key to building a sustainable and scalable health or coaching business. What You'll Learn in This Episode How Helen grew her practice from $150K to $1M in five years The burnout trap many therapists and health coaches fall into Why the traditional one-on-one client model isn't sustainable How nervous system regulation can guide better business decisions The mindset shift that allowed Helen to start saying no to clients How building a team and group practice created freedom and impact Why community and mentorship are essential for practitioners Marketing strategies that actually work for wellness professionals The power of local networking with doctors, chiropractors, and other providers How health coaches fit into the holistic healthcare ecosystem Helen Malinowski's Origin Story Helen grew up in a family of research scientists in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and originally believed science was her only career path. But after discovering psychology and later social work, she found her calling helping people through counseling and trauma therapy. As her private practice grew, so did the demands. Like many practitioners, Helen struggled with: Business skills Marketing and finances Boundaries with clients Overwork and emotional fatigue By 2019, she realized something was wrong. She was experiencing classic burnout symptoms: Exhaustion Irritability Dreading work Feeling overwhelmed Ironically, she was burning out doing the work she loved most. The Turning Point: Discovering Somatic Experiencing Helen enrolled in somatic experiencing training, initially believing it would help her clients. Instead, it changed her life. Through this training she began to understand: How the nervous system affects decision making Why burnout happens in helping professions How to listen to internal signals of stress and capacity This new awareness helped her build a practice that aligned with her energy, values, and nervous system regulation. Why One-on-One Coaching Can Lead to Burnout One of the biggest insights Helen shares is that many practitioners get stuck in the one-on-one client model. While rewarding, it has limits: Your time is capped Your emotional energy gets drained Growth becomes impossible without burnout Helen realized she couldn't continue saying yes to every client. Instead of turning people away, she restructured her entire business model. Today, her practice includes: Nearly 30 clinicians Multiple therapy locations A dedicated children's mental health center Occupational therapy services Coaching and practitioner training programs The Power of Listening to Your Nervous System A major theme of this episode is body awareness in business decision-making. Helen explains that many professionals rely purely on logic and numbers. But your body often knows the answer first. She recommends asking: Does this opportunity feel expansive or draining? Does my body say yes… or hesitate? Am I making this decision from alignment or obligation? Learning to pause and check in with your nervous system can transform both business strategy and personal wellbeing. Marketing Strategies That Work for Wellness Practitioners Helen also breaks down the different marketing strategies she uses for her businesses. For her therapy practice: Psychology Today listings Insurance panels Local physician referrals Networking with healthcare providers Relationships with chiropractors, acupuncturists, and pediatricians For her coaching and training programs: Instagram content Blogs and educational articles Email newsletters Free workshops and trainings Online community building The key takeaway? Visibility + value = trust. Consistently sharing helpful content builds long-term relationships with your audience. Why Health Coaches Are Critical in the Healthcare Ecosystem One of the most important discussions in this episode is the role of health coaches in trauma-informed care. Helen explains that many therapy clients struggle with physical health issues related to stress and trauma, including: Chronic illness Autoimmune conditions Cardiovascular disease Hormonal imbalances Nervous system dysregulation While therapists address emotional healing, health coaches help clients implement daily lifestyle changes that support recovery. This makes health coaches an essential partner in a holistic health ecosystem. Advice for Health Coaches and Wellness Entrepreneurs Helen's biggest advice for practitioners: Slow down before making big business decisions. Instead of rushing into growth, ask: Is this aligned with my energy and values? Does this support my long-term sustainability? Am I building something that truly supports my life? When your business aligns with your nervous system, growth becomes more natural and sustainable. Helen's story is proof that helping people and building a profitable business are not mutually exclusive. By trusting your body, building the right team, and surrounding yourself with supportive community, it's possible to create a practice that flourishes financially while protecting your wellbeing. If you're a health coach, therapist, or wellness professional, this episode will inspire you to rethink what's possible in your career.

Look at the news today, and you will see a world paralyzed by economic uncertainty, political chaos, and the constant fear of losing what we have. But what if you could reach a point where your happiness was so deeply anchored in simple, everyday beauty that you became completely untouchable by the madness around you? In this episode, we will explore the ancient wisdom of the Stoics and Eastern philosophers to discover how mastering the fear of loss is the ultimate key to absolute inner freedom. New Episode of the Happiness Podcast with Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D.

This spring, I'm going to try a small experiment: a live studio for writers actively building a novel, where I'll read your opening pages and we'll work on them together, live.____Atelier Skye: The Studio for Serious NovelistsHere's what this will look like:Twelve novelists. Six Saturdays. Live sessions. Direct developmental critique.No recordings. No passive consumption. A working studio.This studio is designed for writers who:* Are actively drafting a novel* Have 8–10 strong opening pages ready* Want developmental-level critique* Care about both craft and industry positioning* Take their work seriouslyThis is not an introductory writing class.It is a professional room.REGISTER here: https://buy.stripe.com/fZu5kCgtd5PY1nV1Fs8EM00Enrollment is first come, first served until the atelier reaches 12 writers.About the Studio Lead:I'm Evelyn Skye, a New York Times bestselling novelist and the author of eleven books, published by major houses including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Disney, and translated into sixteen languages worldwide. I have also written for Netflix in a literary-film collaboration starring Millie Bobby Brown, Angela Bassett, and Robin Wright.My work has been featured in PEOPLE, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS New York, The Morning Blend on NBC, The Mirror, Woman's World Magazine, South China Morning Post, Book Riot, PopSugar, Bustle, Psychology Today, Mochi Magazine, and more.I've been a featured speaker and guest of honor around the world—at the Festival du Livre de Paris, the Danish Fantasy Festival, San Diego Comic Con, Emerald City Comic Con, and more. I have a Bachelor's degree in Russian literature from Stanford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.Over the past decade, I've developed a deep understanding of what makes a manuscript not only compelling on the page, but viable in the marketplace.In this studio, I bring that experience directly to your opening pages.More details about the studio at:https://www.creativeinspiredalive.com/p/the-studio-for-serious-novelists-writing-workshop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredalive.com/subscribe

Nir Eyal provides research-proven strategies for tackling the biggest restraint in our lives: our beliefs.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Striking examples of the power of our beliefs2) How to make the most of placebos 3) Three tools for challenging your limiting beliefsSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1136 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT NIR — Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and human potential. He previously taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the international bestsellers Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products andIndistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, which have sold over 1 million copies in more than 30 languages. Indistractable received critical acclaim, winning the Outstanding Works of Literature Award and being named among the best business and personal development books of the year by Amazon, Audible, and The Globe and Mail. His third book, Beyond Belief, reveals how to identify and replace the hidden beliefs that define our limits. As an active angel investor, Nir has backed multi-billion-dollar companies that implement his methodologies, including Canva, Kahoot!, and others. In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, his writing has been featured in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review, and he is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.• Book: Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results• Website: NirAndFar.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “On the Phenomenon of Sudden Death in Animals and Man” by Curt P. Richter• Study: “Anabolic steroids: the physiological effects of placebos” by Ariel Gideon and William Saville• Study: “Cognitive influence on the evaluation of wine: The impact and assessment of price” by Charles Spence• Study: “Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging” by Becca R. Levy, Martin D. Slade, Suzanne R. Kunkel, and Stanislav V. Kasl• Book: All Marketers are Liars: The Underground Classic That Explains How Marketing Really Works--and Why Authenticity Is the Best Marketing of All by Seth Godin• Book: Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense by Rory Sutherland• Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/betterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guest this week is Nir Eyal, whose two books ('Hooked' and ‘Indistractable') have sold over 1 million copies in over 30 languages. This week he published his latest - Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Extraordinary Results. In our chat, Nir and I discuss: Why beliefs can help us perform at our top potential (or vice versa) The difference between facts, faith, and belief How beliefs can benefit us, even if they're not “true” The importance of cognitive flexibility And, the power of prayer, even for non-believers Nir also shares a powerful story about the thing he learned by buying his mother birthday flowers from the “wrong” florist. Nir's work has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today, and many more. He attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University. Please ⁠rate and review⁠ ⁠⁠Reasonably Happy⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠  (DO IT!) Read ⁠Paul's ⁠⁠Substack newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠HERE⁠  Learn more about Nir on his website. 

What is GroupThink? GroupThink is defined as, “a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people makes irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge to conform or the belief that dissent is impossible.” The concept of GroupThink originated from a Yale Psychologist, Irving Janis in a 1971 Psychology Today article. It's fair to say that we all have experienced peer pressure, but unlike the pressure to conform to a group of friends or family, GroupThink can take a more insidious turn that shapes public perception, opinions and even lifestyle choices. “We Too”, the Black community, have been ensnared by the poison of GroupThink via the “Gender War” that plagues our timelines. Make no mistake, The Gender War is an ‘Agenda War' on the mind. Whether it be the red pill loyalists or the ‘Sprinkle, Sprinkle' fanatics, each new trending ideology that graces the algorithm carries with it an undercurrent of blind faith and little to no critical evaluation.

This week's disagreement is on Oz The Mentalist and the Ethics of Deception. This episode is about magic and mentalism, but, more than that, it's about the nature of how we form beliefs, determine what is real, what is true, and the social consequences of mass deception. First off: who is Oz the Mentalist? He's the guy you've probably seen in your social media feed, appearing to read the minds of celebrities. He's performed live at the Golden Globes and appeared on Howard Stern, The View, and 60 Minutes. He's the guy who guesses the name of a celebrity's high school crush or their third-grade teacher. Oz doesn't claim to be psychic. His tagline is: “I don't read minds, I read people.” He says he has extraordinary powers of perception. On Joe Rogan's podcast, he compared himself to Jason Bourne—someone who can read micro-expressions, facial tics, and eye movements to uncover whatever is inside your head. That's what separates mentalism from traditional magic. In magic, everyone knows a trick is happening. With mentalism, performers distance themselves from magic entirely. Oz constantly says he doesn't do magic tricks. Instead, he says he uses real psychological tools to access people's thoughts. He's turned those alleged abilities into a self-help empire, with a viral TED Talk titled “How to Read Minds Without Magic” and a New York Times bestselling book, Read Your Mind. I became fascinated with Oz a few months ago. My son is obsessed with magic, so we started watching his videos together and trying to figure out how the tricks worked. And honestly, I was pretty confused. None of the explanations we came up with made much sense. Then I came across a video from an Australian law student named Stevie Baskin, who came out of nowhere and started posting a five-hour viral video debunking Oz and mentalism. So how does a mentalist guess the name of your third-grade teacher? What kind of intense training lets someone peer inside your head and know exactly what you're thinking? It turns out the answer is a lot more straightforward than you might think—and I'm sharing it because it's important context for this conversation. Mentalists use a range of techniques, but one of the most common is something called pre-show. Before the show even begins, the mentalist and the guest agree on the question that will be asked later during the performance. The guest writes down the answer in a notepad. The mentalist might say something like, “Tear it off and put it in your pocket so you can't change your answer when we're live.” But it's not a normal notepad. It's a special one that secretly records the writing on the sheet underneath. When the guest hands the pad back, the mentalist already knows the answer—before the show even starts. From there, the rest is just acting. There are other variations of this too, involving special cell phone apps or surreptitiously designed websites. It kind of bothered me when I learned that. With the TED Talk and the New York Times bestseller, it felt like Oz had moved beyond entertainment and into something closer to misinformation—and monetizing it. Stevie Baskin agreed to come on the show to discuss the ethics of all of this. And to represent the other side, I wanted someone who actually practices mentalism. So I'm very grateful to mentalist, The Amazing Dr. Scott, for joining us. When not performing mentalism, Dr. Scott AKA Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a renowned cognitive scientist and professor at Columbia University. The Guests Steve Baskin is a skeptic, rationalist, and YouTube sensation who is in the midst of earning a law degree. Stevie crafted a five-hour YouTube video critiquing metadeceptions and articulating way mentalists like Oz Pearlman present create moral hazards for everyone. Stevie's video, Metadception: The Truth About Oz Pearlmen has close to 200k views and has created a stir amongst both fans and critics of mentalism, and the greater mentalist community.  Dr. Scott Barry Kauffman is a psychologist, coach, best-selling author, professor, keynote speaker, and mentalist. Dr. Kaufman is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential, and is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world for his research on intelligence and creativity. Dr. Kaufman's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review, and he is the author and editor of 11 books, including his most recent book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

Mothers and fathers use their time differently, with women spending roughly twice as many hours on family labor as men. But what about the gendered differences in the ways women and men think? What's on Her Mind examines the cognitive labor that families depend on, and reveals why this essential aspect of family life is disproportionately handled by women—even in couples that aspire to practice equality. While most accounts of household labor center on how people use their time, Dr. Allison Daminger focuses on a less visible and less easily quantifiable aspect of family life. She introduces readers to the concept of cognitive labor—anticipating, researching, deciding, and following up—and shows how women in different-gender couples do most of this critical work. Dr. Daminger argues that cognitive labor has less to do with personality traits—for example, she's type A while he's laid-back—and more to do with learned skills that men and women deploy in distinct ways. Yet not all couples fall into the personality trap. Dr. Daminger looks at different-gender couples who achieve a more balanced cognitive allocation while also exploring how queer couples carve out unique relationships to the gender binary. Drawing on original, in-depth interviews with members of different- and same-gender couples, What's on Her Mind points to new ways of understanding the interplay between who we are as individuals and the cognitive work we do on behalf of our families. Our guest is: Dr. Allison Daminger, who is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She's the author of What's On Her Mind; her work has also been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Guardian, Psychology Today, and the Atlantic. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Playlist for listeners: You're Doing It Wrong Raising Them Sin Padres Ni Papeles Tomboy PhDing While Parenting Sharing lessons from his working-class parents Recipes, parenting, and grief We Take Our Cities With Us Secret Harvests The Translators Daughter Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Please join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this eye-opening conversation, Ross Rosenberg is joined by psychotherapist and author Chelsey Cole to explore why traditional codependency frameworks — including Codependency Anonymous — may actually be doing more harm than good. Together they unpack the crucial difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissists, how childhood experiences with narcissistic parents create the Relationship Template that drives adults straight into toxic partnerships, and why CoDA's Step One amounts to institutional gaslighting by framing the codependent as the one with a control problem. Ross also explains the origins of the term "codependency" and why Self-Love Deficit Disorder is a far more accurate and empowering lens for healing. Chelsey shares her own journey — from narcissistic relationships to founding her Rewired for Resilience program — and the three phases of recovery she outlines in her book If I'd Only Known. If you've ever wondered why you keep attracting the wrong people, no matter how hard you try, this conversation will give you the missing piece.Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, Certified Partner Trauma Therapist, and best-selling author of If Only I'd Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth. Specializing in narcissistic abuse and complex trauma, her work has been featured in USA Today, HuffPost, and Psychology Today. Through her speaking, writing, podcast, and healing programs, she supports thousands of survivors daily — as host of Restoring Resilience and creator of Rewired for Resilience: Reclaiming Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse.Support the showABOUT ROSS ROSENBERG Ross Rosenberg, M.Ed., LCPC, CADC, is a psychotherapist, educator, expert witness, and celebrated author. He is also a global thought leader and clinical expert in codependency, trauma, pathological narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and addictions.Ross's pioneering contributions to codependency have provided sweeping theoretical and practical updates and developed a treatment program that permanently resolves the issue. Ross has been featured on national TV and radio and is a regular radio and podcast guest. In addition, he has traveled the world, giving his one-of-a-kind keynote presentations and educational workshops. His global impact is best illustrated by his YouTube channel, with 30 million views and 297,000 subscribers, and the sale of 190,000 Human Magnet Syndrome books published in 12 languages. In 2013, Ross created The Self-Love Recovery Institute, a hub for his personal development, workshops, professional training, retreats, other programs, and services.Learn more at www.SelfLoveRecovery.com. Facebook.com/TheCodependencyCure) Instagram (@rossrosenberg_slri) Twitter (@RossRosenberg1) and now…TikTok! (@RossRosenberg1)

Mothers and fathers use their time differently, with women spending roughly twice as many hours on family labor as men. But what about the gendered differences in the ways women and men think? What's on Her Mind examines the cognitive labor that families depend on, and reveals why this essential aspect of family life is disproportionately handled by women—even in couples that aspire to practice equality. While most accounts of household labor center on how people use their time, Dr. Allison Daminger focuses on a less visible and less easily quantifiable aspect of family life. She introduces readers to the concept of cognitive labor—anticipating, researching, deciding, and following up—and shows how women in different-gender couples do most of this critical work. Dr. Daminger argues that cognitive labor has less to do with personality traits—for example, she's type A while he's laid-back—and more to do with learned skills that men and women deploy in distinct ways. Yet not all couples fall into the personality trap. Dr. Daminger looks at different-gender couples who achieve a more balanced cognitive allocation while also exploring how queer couples carve out unique relationships to the gender binary. Drawing on original, in-depth interviews with members of different- and same-gender couples, What's on Her Mind points to new ways of understanding the interplay between who we are as individuals and the cognitive work we do on behalf of our families. Our guest is: Dr. Allison Daminger, who is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She's the author of What's On Her Mind; her work has also been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Guardian, Psychology Today, and the Atlantic. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Playlist for listeners: You're Doing It Wrong Raising Them Sin Padres Ni Papeles Tomboy PhDing While Parenting Sharing lessons from his working-class parents Recipes, parenting, and grief We Take Our Cities With Us Secret Harvests The Translators Daughter Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Please join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Mothers and fathers use their time differently, with women spending roughly twice as many hours on family labor as men. But what about the gendered differences in the ways women and men think? What's on Her Mind examines the cognitive labor that families depend on, and reveals why this essential aspect of family life is disproportionately handled by women—even in couples that aspire to practice equality. While most accounts of household labor center on how people use their time, Dr. Allison Daminger focuses on a less visible and less easily quantifiable aspect of family life. She introduces readers to the concept of cognitive labor—anticipating, researching, deciding, and following up—and shows how women in different-gender couples do most of this critical work. Dr. Daminger argues that cognitive labor has less to do with personality traits—for example, she's type A while he's laid-back—and more to do with learned skills that men and women deploy in distinct ways. Yet not all couples fall into the personality trap. Dr. Daminger looks at different-gender couples who achieve a more balanced cognitive allocation while also exploring how queer couples carve out unique relationships to the gender binary. Drawing on original, in-depth interviews with members of different- and same-gender couples, What's on Her Mind points to new ways of understanding the interplay between who we are as individuals and the cognitive work we do on behalf of our families. Our guest is: Dr. Allison Daminger, who is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She's the author of What's On Her Mind; her work has also been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Guardian, Psychology Today, and the Atlantic. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Playlist for listeners: You're Doing It Wrong Raising Them Sin Padres Ni Papeles Tomboy PhDing While Parenting Sharing lessons from his working-class parents Recipes, parenting, and grief We Take Our Cities With Us Secret Harvests The Translators Daughter Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Please join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Mothers and fathers use their time differently, with women spending roughly twice as many hours on family labor as men. But what about the gendered differences in the ways women and men think? What's on Her Mind examines the cognitive labor that families depend on, and reveals why this essential aspect of family life is disproportionately handled by women—even in couples that aspire to practice equality. While most accounts of household labor center on how people use their time, Dr. Allison Daminger focuses on a less visible and less easily quantifiable aspect of family life. She introduces readers to the concept of cognitive labor—anticipating, researching, deciding, and following up—and shows how women in different-gender couples do most of this critical work. Dr. Daminger argues that cognitive labor has less to do with personality traits—for example, she's type A while he's laid-back—and more to do with learned skills that men and women deploy in distinct ways. Yet not all couples fall into the personality trap. Dr. Daminger looks at different-gender couples who achieve a more balanced cognitive allocation while also exploring how queer couples carve out unique relationships to the gender binary. Drawing on original, in-depth interviews with members of different- and same-gender couples, What's on Her Mind points to new ways of understanding the interplay between who we are as individuals and the cognitive work we do on behalf of our families. Our guest is: Dr. Allison Daminger, who is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She's the author of What's On Her Mind; her work has also been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Guardian, Psychology Today, and the Atlantic. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Playlist for listeners: You're Doing It Wrong Raising Them Sin Padres Ni Papeles Tomboy PhDing While Parenting Sharing lessons from his working-class parents Recipes, parenting, and grief We Take Our Cities With Us Secret Harvests The Translators Daughter Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Please join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

“You and I, we’re part of this last analog generation. We had the opportunity to grow up in a time and age where our brains had to evolve against friction.” –Cornelia C. Walther About Cornelia C. Walther Cornelia C. Walther is Senior Fellow at Wharton School, a Visiting Research Fellow at Harvard University, and the Director of POZE, a global alliance for systemic change. She is author of many books, with her latest book, Artificial Intelligence for Inspired Action (AI4IA), due out shortly. She was previously a humanitarian leader working for over 20 years at the United Nations driving social change globally. Webiste: pozebeingchange LinkedIn Profile: Cornelia C. Walther University Profile: knowledge.wharton What you will learn How the ‘hybrid tipping zone’ between humans and AI shapes society’s future The dangers and consequences of ‘agency decay’ as individuals delegate critical thinking and action to AI The four accelerating phenomena influencing humanity: agency decay, AI mainstreaming, AI supremacy, and planetary deterioration Actionable frameworks, including ‘double literacy’ and the ‘A frame’, to balance human and algorithmic intelligence What defines ‘pro social AI’ and strategies to design, measure, and advocate for AI systems that benefit people and the planet The need to move beyond traditional ethics toward values-driven AI development and organizational ‘return on values’ Leadership principles for creating humane technology and building unique, purpose-led organizations in the age of AI Global contrasts in AI development (US, Europe, China, and the Global South) and emerging examples of pro social AI initiatives Episode Resources Transcript Ross Dawson: Cornelia, it is fantastic to have you on the show Cornelia Walther: Thank you for having me Ross. Ross: So your work is very wonderfully humans plus AI, in being able to look at humans and humanity and how we can amplify the best as possible. That’s one really interesting starting point is your idea of the hybrid tipping zone. Could you share with us what that is? Cornelia: Yes, happy to. I would argue that we’re currently navigating a very dangerous transition where we have four disconnected yet mutually accelerating phenomena happening. At the micro level, we have agency decay, and I’m sure we’ll talk more about that later, but individuals are gradually delegating ever more of their thinking, feeling, and doing to AI. We’re losing not only control, but also the appetite and ability to take on all of these aspects, which are part of being ourselves. At the meso level, we have AI mainstreaming, where institutions—public, private, academic—are rushing to jump on the AI train, even though there are no medium or long-term evidences about how the consequences will play out. Then at the macro level, we have the race towards AI supremacy, which, if we’re honest, is not just something that the tech giants are engaged in, but also governments, because this is not just about money, it’s also about power and geopolitical rivalry. And finally, at the meta level, we have the deterioration of the planet, with seven out of nine boundaries now crossed, some with partially irreversible damages. Now, you have these four phenomena happening in parallel, simultaneously, and mutually accelerating each other. So the time to do something—and I would argue that the human level is the one where we have the most leeway, at least for now, to act—is now. You and I, we’re part of this last analog generation. We had the opportunity to grow up in a time and age where our brains had to evolve against friction. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have a cell phone when I was a child, so I still remember my grandmother’s phone number from when I was five years old. Today, I barely remember my own. Same thing with Google Maps—when was the last time you went to a city and explored with a paper map? Now, these are isolated functions in the brain, but with ChatGPT, there’s this general offloading opportunity, which is very convenient. But being human, I would argue, it’s a very dangerous luxury to have. Ross: I just want to dig down quite a lot in there, but I want to come back to this. So, just that phrase—the hybrid tipping zone. The hybrid is the humans plus AI, so humans and AI are essentially, whatever words we use, now working in tandem. The tipping zone suggests that it could tip in more than one way. So I suppose the issue then is, what are those futures? Which way could it tip, and what are the things we can do to push it in one way or another—obviously towards the more desirable outcome? Cornelia: Thank you. I think you’re pointing towards a very important aspect, which is that tipping points can be positive or negative, but the essential thing is that we can do something to influence which way it goes. Right now, we consider AI like this big phenomenon that is happening to us. It is not—it is happening with, amongst, and because of us. I think that is the big change that needs to happen in our minds, which is that AI is neutral at the end of the day. It’s a means to an end, not an end in itself. We have an opportunity to shift from the old saying—which I think still holds true—garbage in, garbage out, towards values in, values out. But for that, we need to start offline and think: what are the values that we stand for? What is the world that we want to live in and leave behind? As you know, I’m a big defender of pro social AI, which refers to AI systems that are deliberately tailored, trained, tested, and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet. Ross: So again, lots of angles to dig into, but I just want to come back to that agency decay. I created a framework around the cognitive impact of AI, going from, at the bottom, cognitive corruption and cognitive erosion, through to neutral aspects, to the potential for cognitive augmentation. There are some individuals, of course, who are getting their thinking corrupted or eroded, as you’ve suggested; others are using it well and in ways which are potentially enhancing their cognition. So, there is what individuals can do to be able to do that. There’s also what institutions, including education and employers, can do to provide the conditions where people are more likely to have a positive impact on cognition. But more broadly, the question is, again, how can we tip that more in the positive direction? Because absolutely, not just the potential, but the reality of cognitive erosion—or agency decay, as you describe it, which I think is a great phrase. So are there things we can do to move away from the widespread agency decay, which we are in danger of? Cornelia: Yeah, I think maybe we could marry our two frameworks, because the scale of agency decay that I have developed looks at experience, experimentation, integration, reliance, and addiction. I would say we have now passed the stage of experimentation, and most of us are very deeply into the field of integration. That means we’re just half a step away from reliance, where all of a sudden it becomes nearly unthinkable to write that email yourself, to do that calendar scheduling yourself, or to write that report from scratch. But that means we’re just one step away from full-blown addiction. At least now, we still have the possibility to compare the before and after, which comes back to us as an analog generation. Now is the time to invest in what I would call double literacy—a holistic understanding of our NI, our natural intelligence, but also our algorithmic, our AI. That requires a double literacy—not just AI literacy or digital literacy, but the complementarity of these two intelligences and their mutual influence, because none of them happens in a vacuum anymore. Ross: Absolutely, So what you described—experiment, integration, reliance, addiction—sounds like a slippery slope. So, what are the things we can do to mitigate or push back against that, to use AI without being over-reliant, and where that experiment leads to integration in a positive way? What can we do, either as individuals or as employers or institutions, to stop that negative slide and potentially push back to a more positive use and frame? Cornelia: A very useful tool that I have found resonates with many people is the A frame, which looks at awareness, appreciation, acceptance, and accountability. I have an alliteration affinity, as you can see. The awareness stage looks at the mindset itself and really disciplines us not to slip down that slope, but to be aware of the steps we’re taking. The appreciation is about what makes us, in our own NI, unique, and the appreciation of where, in combination with certain external tools, it can be better. We all have gaps, we all have weaknesses, and that’s what we have to accept. The human being, even though now it’s sometimes put in opposition to AI as the better one, is not perfect either. Like probably you and most of the listeners have read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and many others—there are libraries about human heuristics, human fallacies, our inability for actual rational thinking. But the fact that you have read a book does not mean that you are immune to that. We need to accept that this is part of our modus operandi, and in the same way as we are imperfect, AI, in many different ways, is also imperfect. And finally, the accountability. Because at the end of the day, no matter how powerful our tools are going to be, we as the human decision makers should consider ourselves accountable for the outcomes. Ross: Absolutely, that’s one of the points I make. We can’t obviously make machines accountable—ultimately, the accountability resides in humans. So we have to design systems, which I think provides a bit of a transition to pro social AI. So what is pro social AI, how do we build it, how do we deploy that, and how do we make that the center of AI development? Cornelia: Thank you for that. Pro social AI, in a way, is very simple. It’s the intent that matters, but it starts from scratch, so you have the regenerative intent embedded into the algorithmic architecture. It has four key elements that can be measured, tracked, and can also serve to sensitize those who use it and those who design it—tailored, framed, tested, targeted. The pro social AI index that I’ve been working on over the past months combines that with the quadruple bottom line: purpose, people, profit, planet. Now all of a sudden, rather than talking in an airy-fairy way about ethical AI—which is great and necessary, but I would argue is not enough—we need to systematically think about how we can harness AI as a catalyst of positive transformation that is with environmental dignity and seeks planetary health. How can we measure that? Ross: And so, what are we measuring? Are we measuring an AI system, or what is the assessment tool? What is it that is being assessed? Cornelia: It’s the how and the what for. For example, what data has been used? Is the data really representative? We know that the majority of AI tools are biased. And the other question is, is it only used for efficiency and effectiveness, but to what end? Ross: Yes, as we are seeing in current conversations around the use of models at Anthropic and OpenAI, there are tools, and there are questions around how they are used, not just what the tools are. Cornelia: Yes, so again, it comes back to the need for awareness and for hybrid intelligence, because at the end of the day, we can’t rely on companies whose purpose is to make money to give systems that serve people and planet first and foremost. Ross: This goes on to another one of your wonderful framings, which is AI for IA—AI for inspired action—around this idea of how do we amplify humans and humanity. Of course, this goes on to everything we’ve been discussing so far. But I think one of the things which is very useful there is AI, in a way, leading to humans taking action which is inspired around envisaging what is possible. So, how can we inspire positive action by people in the framing we’ve discussed? Cornelia: AI for IA is the title of the new book that’s coming out next month. But also, as with most of the things I’m saying, it’s not about the technology—it’s about the human being. We can’t expect the technology of tomorrow to be better than the humans of today. As I said before, garbage in, garbage out, or values in, values out—it’s so simple and it’s so uncomfortable, it’s so cumbersome, right? Because we like quick fixes. But unfortunately, AI or technology in general is not going to save us from ourselves, and as it is right now, we’re straightforward on a trend to repeat the mistakes made during the first, second, and third industrial revolutions, where technology and innovation were driven primarily by commercial intent. Now, I would argue that this time around, we can’t leave it at that, because this fourth industrial revolution has such a strong impact on the way we think, feel, and interact, that we need to start in our very own little courtyard to think: what kind of me do I want to see amplified? Ross: Yes, yes. I’ve always thought that if AI amplifies us, or technology generally amplifies us, we will discover who we are, because the more we are amplified, the more we see ourselves writ large. But we have choices around, as you say, what aspects of who we are as individuals and as a society we can amplify. That’s the critical choice. So the question is, how do we bring awareness to your word around what it is about us that we want to amplify, and how do we then selectively amplify that, rather than also amplify the negative aspects of humanity? Cornelia: The first thing, and that’s a simple one, is the A frame. I would argue that’s something everyone can integrate in their daily routine in a very simple way, to remind us of the four A’s: awareness, appreciation, acceptance, accountability. The other one, at the institutional level, is the integration of double literacy. Right now, there’s a lot of hype in schools and at the governmental level about AI literacy and digital literacy. I think that’s only half of the equation. This is now an opportunity to take a step back and finally address this gap that has characterized education systems for many decades, where thinking and thinking about thinking—metacognition—is not taught in schools. Systems thinking, understanding cognitive biases, understanding interplays—now is the time to learn about that. If the future will be populated by humans that interact with artificial counterparts configured to address and exploit every single one of our human Achilles heels, then we would be better advised to know those Achilles heels. So, I think these are two relatively simple ways moving forward that could take us to a better place. Ross: So this goes to one of your other books on human leadership for humane technology. So leadership of course, everyone is a leader in who they touch. We also have more formal leaders of organizations, nations, political parties, NGOs, and so on. But just taking this into a business context, there are many leaders now of organizations trying to transform their organizations because they understand that the world is different, and they need to be a different organization. They still need to make money to pay for their staff and what they are doing to develop the organization, but they have multiple purposes and multiple stakeholders. So, just thinking from an organizational leader perspective, what does human leadership for humane technology mean? What does that look like? What are the behaviors? What are the ways we can see that would show us? Cornelia: I think first, it’s a reframing away from this very narrow scope of return on investment, which has characterized the business scene for many decades, and looking at return on values. What is the bigger picture that we are actually part of and shaping here? What’s the why at the end of the day? I think that matters for leaders who are in their place to guide others, and guidance is not just telling people what they have to do, but also inspiring them to want to do it. Inspiration, at the end of the day, is something that comes from the inside out, because you see in the other person something that you would like in yourself. Power and money are not it—it’s vision. I think this is maybe the one thing that is right now missing. We all tend to see the opportunity, but then we go with what everybody else is doing, because we don’t really take the time to step back and think, well, there is the path of everyone, and there’s another one—how should I explore that one? Especially amidst AI, where just upscaling your company with additional tools is not really going to set you apart, it matters twice as much to not just think about how do I do more of the same with less investment and faster, but what makes me unique, and how can I now use the artificial treasure chests to amplify that? Ross: Yes, yes. I think purpose is now well recognized beyond the business agenda. One of the critical aspects is that it attracts the most talented people, but also, over the years, we’ve had more and more opportunities to be different as an organization. Back in the late ’90s and so on, organizations looked more and more the same. Now there are more and more opportunities to be different. The way in which AI and other technologies are brought into organizations gives an extraordinary array of possibilities to be unique, as you’ve described, and distinctive, which gives you a competitive position as well as being able to attract people who are aligned with your purpose. Cornelia: Yes, exactly. But for that, you need to know your purpose first. Ross: From everything we’ve just been talking about, or anything else, are there any examples of organizations or initiatives that you think are exemplars or support the way in which, or show how, we could be approaching this well? Cornelia: I think—this will now sound very biased—but I’m currently working with Sunway University, and I think they are the kind of academic institution that is showing a different path, seeking to leverage technology to be more sustainable, bringing in dimensions such as planetary health, like the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, and thinking about business in a re-envisioned way, with the Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness. I think there are examples at the institutional level, there are examples at the individual level, and sometimes the most inspiring individuals are not those that make the headlines. That’s maybe, sorry, just on that, for me the most important takeaway: no matter which place one is in the social food chain, the essential thing is, who are you and how can you inspire the person next to you to make it a better day, to make it a better future. Ross: Yes, in fact, that word “inspired,” as you mentioned before. So that’s Sunway University in Malaysia? Cornelia: I think they are definitely a very, very good illustration of that. Ross: Just pulling this back to the global frame, and this gets quite macro, but I think it is very important. It pulls together some of the things we’ve pointed to—the difference between the approach of the United States, China, Europe, in how they are, you know, essentially the leaders in AI and how they’re going about it, but where the global south more generally, I think there’s some interesting things. Arguably, there’s a far more positive attitude generally in the populations, a sense of the opportunity to transform themselves, but of course a very different orientation in how they want to use and apply AI and in creating value for individuals, nations, and society. So how would you frame those four—the US, China, Europe, and the global south—and how they are, or could be, approaching the development of AI? Cornelia: Thank you for that. I think right now there are three mainstream patterns: the US, which is—I’m overly simplifying and aware of that—the US path, which is business overall; the European model, which is regulation overall; and the Chinese model, which is state dominance. I would argue there’s a fourth path, and I think that’s where leaders in the global south can step in. You might know I’m working, on the one hand, in Malaysia and, on the other hand, in Morocco, on the development of a sort of national blueprint of what pro social AI can look like. I think now is the time—again, coming back to leadership—to think about how countries can walk a different path and be pioneers in a field that, yes, AI has been around for various decades, but the latest trend, the latest wave that is engulfing society since November 2022, is still relatively new. So why not have nations in the global south that are very different from the West chart their own path and make it pro social, pro people, pro planet, and pro potential—and that potential that they have themselves, which sets them apart and makes them unique. Ross: Absolutely. Again, you mentioned Malaysia, Morocco. Looking around the world, of course, India is prominent. There are some African nations which have done some very interesting things. Just trying to think, where are other examples of these kinds of domestically born pro social initiatives happening? Of course, the Middle East—it’s quite different, because they’re wealthy, though they’re not among the major leaders, but there’s a whole array of different examples. Where would you point to as things which show how we could be using pro social AI at a national or regional level? Cornelia: Unfortunately, right now, there is not one country where one could say they have taken it from A to Z, but I think there are very inspiring or positive examples. For example, Vietnam was the first country in ASEAN to endorse a law on AI ethics and regulation—I think that’s a very good one. Also, ASEAN has guidelines on ethics. All of these are points of departure. Switzerland did a very nice example of what public AI can look like. So there are a lot of very good examples. The question is not so much about what to do, I think, but how to do it, and why. At the end of the day, it’s really that simple. What’s the intent behind it? What do we want the post-2030 agenda to look like? We know that the SDG—Sustainable Development Goals—are not going to be fulfilled between now and 2030. So are we learning from these lessons, or are we following the track pattern of doing more of the same and maybe throwing in a couple of additional indicators, or can we really take a step back and look ourselves and the world in the face and think, what have we missed? Now, frame it however you want, but think about hybrid development goals and ways in which means and ends—society and business—come together into a more holistic equation that respects planetary health. Because at the end of the day, our survival still depends on the survival and flourishing of planet Earth, and some might cherish the idea of emigrating to Mars, but I still think that overall the majority of us would prefer to stay here. Ross: Yes, planet Earth is beautiful, and it’d be nice to keep it that way. How can people find more about your work? Could you just tell people about your new book and any resources where people can find out more? Cornelia: Thank you so much. They are very welcome to reach out via LinkedIn. Also, I’m writing regularly on Psychology Today, on Knowledge at Wharton, and various other platforms. The new book that you mentioned is coming out next month, and there will be another one, hopefully by the end of the year. Overall, feel free to reach out. I really feel that the more people get into this different trend of thinking, the better. But thank you so much for the opportunity. Ross: Thanks so much for all of your work, Cornelia. It’s very important. The post Cornelia C. Walther on AI for Inspired Action, return on values, prosocial AI, and the hybrid tipping zone (AC Ep35) appeared first on Humans + AI.

Weight feels like one of those topics everyone has an opinion on, yet it's deeply personal for each of us. So, for this episode, Emily and Jill take the opportunity to dig into what it's like to navigate body changes in a world full of strong opinions, from the rise of GLP-1 medications to the stigma that can come with medical or surgical interventions.Jill opens up about her own journey with weight, body image, and ultimately deciding to have gastric bypass surgery, including what's shifted for her since, physically, emotionally, and socially. They also talk about the judgment people can face, how conversations about health often get reduced to discipline or willpower, and also zoom out to explore the bigger cultural messages about bodies and how therapists can support clients in talking about weight in ways that move beyond shame or “fixing.” Listen and Learn: Why shame, Yo-yo dieting, and a surprising therapy session insight led Jill to discover a life-changing path that transformed her health, mindset, and relationship with exerciseWhy the idea that weight loss tools are “cheating” reveals deeper cultural biases about bodies, health, and who gets judged for the choices they makeHow constant pressure on women's bodies may actually distract from power, health, and autonomy in ways most people never questionFocusing on values instead of weight loss goals to help you stop postponing the life you want to liveHow changing your relationship with cravings and “food noise” through psychological flexibility can make long-term weight loss maintenance more possibleResources: Jill's Website: https://jillstoddard.comConnect with Jill on Social Media https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDJ6pR5PVGZSSzRFc556QAhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jillstoddardphd/ About Jill Stoddard Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, bariatric coach, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, an outpatient practice specializing in evidence-based therapies for anxiety and related issues. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner's Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog. Related Episodes:348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar326. Weight Stigma and Body Image with Sarah Pegrum264. Raising Intuitive Eaters with Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson231. Eating Skills and Emotional Eating with Josh Hillis151. Intuitive Eating with Evelyn Tribole93. Effective Weight Loss with Evan Forman77. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jill Stoddard36. Weight Loss Strategies From Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jason LillisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of how people think, reflect, and process their lives. But what role should it actually play in mental health?In this episode, Kristin Sunanta sits down with therapist and technology expert Jeremy G. Schneider to explore the evolving relationship between AI and therapy. Jeremy is a licensed marriage and family therapist, trauma-informed mental health coach, and former chief technology officer who now works at the intersection of emotional wellness and human-centered technology. Together, they explore how tools like ChatGPT can function as a kind of “thinking mirror” — reflecting our thoughts back to us and helping us notice patterns in the way we process emotions, relationships, and decisions. Rather than replacing therapists, AI may become a powerful companion tool for reflection, journaling, and practicing psychological skills like self-awareness and boundaries. Kristin and Jeremy discuss the opportunities, the risks, and why learning to use AI with intention and agency may become an important part of mental health in the years ahead.In this episode they explore:• how AI can support emotional reflection and interactive journaling• why some therapists are wary of AI — and why that may change• the concept of AI as a “thinking mirror” for understanding our own minds• how people can use AI safely while maintaining self-awareness and agency• how emerging tools may reshape therapy and personal growthJeremy also hosts free educational classes on Meetup where he teaches people how to thoughtfully and safely use AI tools like ChatGPT for reflection, emotional insight, and personal growth. He also writes about artificial intelligence, therapy, and mental health for Psychology Today.Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/buildonyourstrengths/events/313301636/Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/jeremy-g-schneider-lmsw-mftLearn more about Jeremy's work, workshops, and writing:https://buildonyourstrengths.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

How do you get the word out about your private practice in your local community organically, and in a way that shows you really care about your clients? Do you really need a Psychology Today profile? How can you build a space for creativity to flourish? These are some of the questions that my guest today, Taylor, has asked herself throughout her journey so far in Canadian private practice. Upon discovering that the only thing she loved about journalism was people's stories, she pivoted to therapy and has never looked back.  In our conversation today, we discuss opening a private practice, creative marketing strategies, and ways in which to keep working with intention. Come and join!  MEET TAYLOR Taylor Nelson is a Certified Play Therapist and Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work (MSW) who specializes in child and youth mental health. She is the owner of Family Tree Therapy in Belleville, Ontario, where her group practice focuses on expressive, play-based approaches for children, teens, and families. Taylor enjoys helping young people feel safe, seen, and supported as they build resilience and strengthen relationships. Learn more about Taylor on her personal website, private practice website, Psychology Today, and Facebook profiles.  In this episode:  How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Why Taylor opened her own private practice Marketing the private practice Taylor's advice to listeners  How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Taylor studied journalism, but quickly realized that it wasn't for her. She discovered that the only part of journalism she really enjoyed was learning about people's stories, which led her into the therapy world, where that plays a large part.  While Taylor loved working in a clinical setting initially, it began to take a toll. Therefore, she pivoted and started working solo to continue serving her community on more of her own terms.  Why Taylor opened her own private practice In 2023, Taylor opened up her private practice while she was still working in an agency to help make the transition a little easier financially.  She started her private practice by renting space to see her first clients one day a week, and she instantly knew that it was the best fit for her - to see clients as a practitioner.  Initially, Taylor kept her private practice as a solo practitioner. After a few years, she began hiring her first staff. Now, building a space where practitioners feel creative, filled up, and filled with possibility is one of Taylor's practice mottos, and the type of system she's designing for her clinicians and clients.  Marketing the private practice While Taylor has maintained her network from when she was a solo practitioner into becoming a group practice owner, there are a few networking techniques that she uses to make sure her clinicians have clients coming in often:  Dropping off print materials at various locations, such as pediatrician offices, schools, and local community centers  Following up regularly with networking points of contact  Making sure that they have their most up-to-date contact information  Being clear with expectations for referrals  As the practice grows, Taylor is intentional about staying in touch with the practice's heart-centered approach to their work, and to make the practice a place where the practitioners can also rest, nest, and be creative.  Taylor also invests a lot in building community networks, so most of the practice's marketing comes from this community connection, which brings along warm referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.  In a more fun marketing technique, Taylor's private practice has sponsored a local children's sports team, so the kids' jerseys will have the practice name! Taylor's advice to listeners  There's longevity in this work. So many people are starting from the beginning, or are further down the road, but all of this work is needed, necessary, and you are part of it!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Sonya JF Barnett: Becoming a Private Practice Sex Therapist as a Second Career | EP 192 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Taylor on her personal website, private practice website, Psychology Today, and Facebook profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Licensed counselor Patrick Eilers joins Rob Fredette to discuss anxiety, depression, addiction (including sexual addiction, gambling and substance use), and how modern devices amplify risk. He explains the “overflowing bucket” metaphor for stress and why small triggers can cause big reactions. The episode covers how addictions form, partner betrayal trauma, and the role of intimacy and device boundaries in recovery. Patrick describes assessment tools and treatment approaches used in therapy and specialty programs. Practical coping strategies are shared—grounding exercises, box breathing, cold packs, journaling, accountability groups, and digital blockers—plus guidance for finding a specialist and building healthier habits. Patrick also explains Bloomworks Concepts and Coaching, his work supporting therapist-owners and improving practice culture, and points listeners to resources like Psychology Today and 12-step groups for next steps.

Licensed counselor Patrick Eilers joins Rob Fredette to discuss anxiety, depression, addiction (including sexual addiction, gambling and substance use), and how modern devices amplify risk. He explains the “overflowing bucket” metaphor for stress and why small triggers can cause big reactions. The episode covers how addictions form, partner betrayal trauma, and the role of intimacy and device boundaries in recovery. Patrick describes assessment tools and treatment approaches used in therapy and specialty programs. Practical coping strategies are shared—grounding exercises, box breathing, cold packs, journaling, accountability groups, and digital blockers—plus guidance for finding a specialist and building healthier habits. Patrick also explains Bloomworks Concepts and Coaching, his work supporting therapist-owners and improving practice culture, and points listeners to resources like Psychology Today and 12-step groups for next steps.

Love alone isn't always enough to keep everyone under one roof feeling connected and secure. Despite the dream of harmony and the promise of new beginnings, many families find themselves struggling with uncertainty, misaligned expectations, and recurring conflicts that love simply can't resolve. Is it possible to create a sense of "home" where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported—without sacrificing your relationship or your own well-being? In this episode, listeners will discover why building a thriving blended family isn't just about love—it's about creating alignment through clear roles, structure, and intentional communication. The conversation explores the real-life challenges that stepfamilies and modern families face, including competing parenting philosophies, the presence of ex-partners, and loyalty struggles with children. Listeners will learn actionable strategies such as the Pause, Align, and Present method for unified parenting, tips for connecting before correcting, and ways to foster trust and emotional safety while honoring everyone's unique needs. Get ready to transform overwhelm into clarity, and confusion into a cooperative partnership—one step at a time. April is a licensed marriage and family therapist, stepfamily expert, and founder of Couples Thrive. She specializes in helping modern couples, especially those in blended families, create emotional safety, reduce conflict, and parent as a united team. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most research-backed approaches for couples, and her work has been featured in national outlets like Psychology Today and the Gottman Institute.   Episode Highlights 06:09 Unique challenges blended families face as they merge different histories and systems. 09:56 Building alignment through clear structure and defined expectations. 12:24 Navigating family differences with the 60-30-10 rule. 14:19 Smoothing family life with weekly check-ins and defined roles. 19:09 Setting realistic expectations and practicing patience in blended families. 23:22 Overcoming common challenges through preparation and planning. 25:22 Unifying parenting decisions with the Pause, Align, and Present method. 28:13 Modeling teamwork and authentic connection during disagreements. 31:34 Building mutual respect through the power of pausing. 35:58 Balancing parental authority while empowering children's voices. 39:36 Building trust as a stepparent by navigating loyalty binds. 43:19 Fostering respectful communication with clear boundaries and rules. 46:40 Helping blended families thrive with expert tools and support.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Start a shared journal or Notes app with your partner to track moments of alignment and areas of struggle throughout the week. Set aside time for a weekly alignment conversation where you review your journal and discuss patterns and sticky points together. Establish clear roles and expectations in your family system, considering each person's strengths and the needs of the children. Practice the "Pause, Align, and Present" method in moments of disagreement: pause the discussion, align privately, and then present a unified decision to the family. Use a 60-30-10 rule—aim for 60% compromise, navigate 30% gray areas, and allow 10% flexibility for the sake of peace. Involve children appropriately by hearing their voices and feelings, but maintain parental authority when making decisions. For stepparents, focus on connection before correction—build rapport and trust first before stepping into disciplinary roles. Regularly review your family values, using "we language" and modeling respectful communication, especially during challenging transitions or conflicts.   Mentioned Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 313: How To Become A Successful Blended Family — An Interview With Ron Deal ERP 256: The Mistakes People Make When Blending Families And What To Do Instead – An Interview With Tracy Poizner Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free guide)   Connect with April Eldemire Website: couples-thrive.com Facebook: facebook.com/AprilEldemire YouTube: youtube.com/@couplesthrive Instagram: instagram.com/couplesthrive LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-eldemire-lmft-8a8b3059 TikTok: tiktok.com/@couples_thrive  

Resilience, mindset, overcoming adversity, and personal growth take center stage in this powerful conversation with bestselling author and keynote speaker Stacey Chillemi.What if your greatest challenge could become your greatest purpose?On this inspiring episode of Women Road Warriors, Shelley Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro welcome Stacey Chillemi—20-time bestselling author, keynote speaker, and mindset coach whose work has empowered millions around the world.Stacey's journey began with a life-altering diagnosis. After developing epilepsy following childhood encephalitis, she faced obstacles that could have defined her limitations. Instead, she transformed adversity into advocacy—ultimately speaking before Congresson behalf of people with epilepsy, which helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. She then became a global voice for resilience by helping others unlock healing, confidence, and leadership.Today, Stacey reaches millions through her books, coaching programs, and the fast-growing Advisor Series for Mindset & Self-Improvement podcast and YouTube channel. Her message has been featured across major media, including NBC Dateline, News 4, The Morning Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Psychology Today, Business Insider, and collaborations with leaders like Arianna Huffington.In this powerful conversation, Stacey shares how anyone can shift their mindset, rise above challenges, reduce stress, and step into their true potential.If you've ever faced adversity, questioned your path, or needed a reminder of your inner strength, this episode will leave you inspired and empowered.Listen now to discover:• How to transform adversity into purpose • Mindset shifts that unlock resilience and leadership • Practical ways to reduce stress and reclaim your power • Why your story—no matter how difficult—can become your greatest strength

Most people wait for a mentor to find them or believe that supervisors automatically become mentors and that networking is only for extroverts, but these ideas can quietly damage your career growth. Career success isn't built on hard work alone; it's shaped by the people and relationships you build along the way.In this episode of The Hard Skills, leadership advisor and psychologist Dr. Mira Brancu challenges two common career myths: that supervisors automatically become mentors and that networking is only for extroverts. She explores how mentorship can happen informally through observation and shared experiences, and explains the concept of “work netting,” an authentic approach to networking focused on meaningful connections rather than forced small talk. This episode offers practical insights on building supportive professional relationships, finding mentors naturally, and creating a strong foundation for long-term career growth and leadership success.Want to build the "hard skills" of leadership? Subscribe for weekly science-backed career strategies.Links to mentoring and networking blog posts on Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/202001/advancing-your-career-through-informal-mentoring https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201908/how-to-improve-mentoring-relationshipshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/new-look-womens-leadership/201905/the-roi-women-who-invest-in-networkinghttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201904/solutions-to-5-common-networking-challenges-for-women Link to Career Design Workshop Registration: https://luma.com/auobmkbyIF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!Subscribe to my free newsletter at: mailchi.mp/2079c04f4d44/subscribeWork with me one-on-one: calendly.com/mira-brancu/30-minute-initial-consultationConnect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/MiraBrancuLearn more about my services: www.gotowerscope.comGet practical workplace politics tips from my books: gotowerscope.com/booksAdd this podcast to your feed: www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/

Are you ready for the spring surge in therapy inquiries? I've noticed year after year that spring, not new years, is when people actually start taking action on their mental health. The weather shifts and people have the energy and motivation to invest in therapy.So in today's episode, I'm walking you through the three things you need to do right now to make sure your therapy practice is positioned to capture that increase in demand and book more therapy clients. We're talking about collecting reviews, doing a website check to catch those sneaky tech glitches, and taking the opportunity to upgrade your schedule so you're not just filling spots but building the business you actually want to run. Plus, I'm sharing marketing ideas for therapists that work and how to think about your therapy practice growth strategically, not frantically.By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where to focus your energy before that spring momentum hits. Because honestly, the difference between a good year and a great year in your therapy practice often comes down to being prepared when opportunity knocks.Topics covered on marketing ideas for therapists:Why spring creates a natural surge in therapy inquiries and how this timing impacts your spring marketing effortsThe power of collecting fresh reviews and endorsements across Google My Business and Psychology Today to establish credibility for your therapy practiceConducting a complete website audit to ensure your contact forms, scheduling links, and professional information are all functioning properlyHow to strategically reassess your schedule and fill open spots with intention rather than desperation in your therapy practiceConnect with Felicia:Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coachResources from this episode:Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessGoogle Workspace (Professional Email) - Discount link Quote:"The beautiful thing about running your own therapy business is that you get to create something that you love, that you are really excited to build and to exist in." - Felicia

Hosts Mary and Barbie dissect a Psychology Today article on working with Amish families, calling out misinformation and harmful recommendations related to child abuse, reporting, and cultural assumptions. The episode highlights cultural misunderstandings—about affection, assertiveness, gender roles, and community authority—while urging better cultural competence, survivor-centered practices, and respect for Amish people as individuals.

Have you ever wondered why the pain of losing a hundred dollars feels so much more intense than the joy of finding a hundred dollars? In the 1970s, psychologists proved that our brains are literally hardwired by evolution to fear loss twice as much as we desire gain. In this episode, we are going to explore the science of 'Keeping Your Stuff,' and discover how this ancient survival mechanism might be the exact thing keeping you stuck in a life, a job, or a mindset you outgrew years ago. New Episode of the Happiness Podcast with Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D.

Why do we seek wealth—and does it actually make us happy? In this thought-provoking episode of The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset, we sit down with Johann Berlin, Co-founder & CEO of TruWorth and author of "Wealth and Why We Seek It," to explore the psychology behind our relationship with money, what true worth really means, and how human-centered leadership is transforming how we think about success, fulfillment, and value.Johann brings insights from his C-Suite experience in learning & development, behavior change platforms, and asset management, plus his thought leadership featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Washington Post, Psychology Today, and more. As a TEDx speaker and invited presenter at Stanford, Dartmouth, The World Bank, Amazon, and Microsoft, Johann reveals how understanding our deeper motivations around wealth can unlock authentic confidence and purpose.You can find more from Johann here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/johannbberlinBook presale: https://www.truworthshift.com/thebookTruWorth Programs: https://www.truworthshift.com

As therapy language floods social media, more people are associating friends, partners, and co-workers with mental health disorders, spotting “red flags” everywhere, and labeling regular human flaws as psychological abuse. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by psychologist and author Dr. Isabelle Morley to unpack how therapy speak, short-form content, and armchair psychology are reshaping modern human interaction — and not always for the better. For example, believing your ex is a narcissist might feel validating, but is it actually helping you heal, or quietly harming your ability to connect? Listeners will learn: why increased mental health awareness can both help and harm relationships how “therapy speak” can shut down communication instead of improving it what real red flags look like, and which behaviors require more context Together, they explore the difference between true abuse and imperfect behavior, why nuance gets lost online, how misused labels end conversations, and what happens when everyone becomes an “expert” after a 3-minute video. If you've ever wondered whether awareness has crossed into overdiagnosis, or felt unsure where healthy boundaries end and pathology begins, this conversation will challenge how you think about relationships, self-reflection, and mental health education itself. “Therapy terms don't need to leave the therapy room. They almost never need to be used in person in a conversation with someone. And people, I think, are using words to avoid more vulnerable connection . . .” ~Dr. Isabelle Morley, Author of They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship Our guest, Dr. Isabelle Morley, is a clinical psychologist and EFT-certified couples therapist (Emotionally Focused Therapy). She is a contributing author to Psychology Today in her blog Love Them or Leave Them, where she analyzes on-screen romantic relationships. She is also the co-host of Rom-Com Rescue, a podcast that teaches life and love lessons from romantic comedies. She is co-author of Navigating Intimacy: An Introductory Guide to Couples and Sex Therapy. Dr. Isabelle is frequently sought out by journalists for expert commentary on topics such as relationships, couples therapy, and reality television, and has been featured in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Business Insider, Vox, and Very Well Mind, among others. In philanthropic work, Dr. Isabelle is a founding board member of The Unscripted Cast Advocacy Network (UCAN) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports reality TV cast members in accessing mental health and legal support and advocates for industry change. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can't imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Couples Inc! On this episode, we talk about...talking past each other and the ensuing chaos it can cause. We interview Maddison Violet--she owns Vee Oh Lay Acres Winery along with her husband Laurent. She talks about the couplepreneur experience from her perspective. And we wrap up the episode with a look at famous (infamous?) product fails. Thanks for listening! Here's the Psychology Today article on talking past each other.

Considering Leaving: A survey of 18- to 60-year-old Americans found that about one in eight married men (roughly 12-13%) have thought about leaving their spouse in the past year.• Emotional Disengagement: Evidence suggests 77% of men have engaged in some form of emotional affair (which can be a symptom or cause of being checked out).• Generational Differences: Research shows that 29% of younger men (ages 18 to 34) view having a successful marriage as "one of the most important things" in their life, compared to 39% of women in the same age group. According to the Pew Research Center, the Institute of Family Studies, and Psychology Today. My name is Eric MacDougall. I've walked the tricky path from the "Roommate Stalemate" with my wife to rediscovering the spark through vibrant communication and deep intimacy. After over two decades with my wife and raising two fantastic kids, I've tackled the challenges of lost passion and emotional disconnection firsthand. As the founder and lead coach at EMCS Inc., I empower growth-minded individuals and couples to build thriving, connected relationships. My approach combines practical tools and personal growth strategies tailored to the desires and needs expressed by my clients. After overcoming my own disconnection cycle, I am now driven to help intentional family men win at marriage the same way they win at business and ensure that the best years of their relationships are ahead of them. As a Master Relationship Coach, I focus on empowering men like you to become healthy, masculine leaders in your marriage. Stop approaching conversations in a way that pushes your partner further away. Instead, choose the courage to step into your power and revive the spark in your Relationship by learning new skills to lead your marriage in communication and intimacy. If you are struggling with a lack of passion, feeling distant, or just missing the fun, flirtatious marriage you once had, know it doesn't need to continue this way. For more information: https://www.evolvedmarriage.com/ Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/09hEVZekYy9NT5HweJ6atw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonya joined a life drawing class as a participant over 15 years ago. Little did she know at the time that this decision would end up leading her to hosting her own art sessions, taking it in a sexually inclusive and explorative angle, and later become a sex therapist who completed her Master's in her 40s and now runs her own (mostly) virtual private practice. As you can see, she has a unique story to share! In this podcast episode, Sonya and I discuss her exciting journey from start to finish, and share some insights from her lessons learned.  MEET SONYA Sonya JF Barnett is a Registered Psychotherapist, certified sex educator, and lover of trees. She has a varied history in art direction, feminist erotica production, intimacy coordination, and fierce feminist organizing. She has written about, filmed, spoken on, studied, and is a fierce activist for sexual rights, education, and wellbeing. Learn more about Sonya on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  From art into therapy How Sonya became a therapist  Running a private practice What's next for Sonya From art into therapy  Before joining the profession, Sonya had another career working as an art director for design agencies.  After trying out a few life drawing classes, Sonya started hosting her own classes. Later, the classes turned into a larger-than-anticipated community, which had a big focus on sexuality.  Sonya's work with life drawing and the deeper exploration was called "Keyhole Sessions", and it was her hobby alongside her career as an art director. However, over the course of a few years, Keyhole Sessions encouraged Sonya to step into counselling and become a therapist.  How Sonya became a therapist  Sonya played around with the idea of creating something more official and tangible from her work with Keyhole Sessions, which led up to her decision to become a sex therapist.  She got involved in as much sexual therapy education as she could get into at the time, which, compounded over time, led her to become a fully fledged therapist. She completed her undergrad at the University of Toronto.  From there, Sonya completed an online program for her Master's in Counseling Psychology, which was in 2016.  Running a private practice Sonya sees most of her clients virtually, but also offers walk-and-talk sessions outdoors in natural settings. She enjoys using nature-based therapy and wants to help her clients by incorporating the benefits of being outdoors during therapy sessions.  In running her practice, Sonya also uses Jane App to run her systems and complete admin tasks. If you'd like to give it a try, use Jules' code FEARLESS2MO for a two-month discount! Sonya also enjoys experimenting with her schedule in her Canadian private practice. She enjoys finding ways to take care of her practice and clients while also taking care of herself. What's next for Sonya Sonya explains how she has been feeling the lack of community while working as a virtual therapist. While she prefers running a solo private practice, since she sees her clients virtually or for nature-based walk-and-talk therapy, she does miss the community that one has when working with more people. Therefore, one of her upcoming goals is to build a peer group.  Furthermore, Sonya is designing and building out a sex therapist retreat in September 2026! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Dr. Anusha Kassan: Purchasing a Group Private Practice in Canada | EP 191 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Sonya on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles Click here to check out Sonya's upcoming retreats! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

Send us a text to say hello!Zazie and Kristi talk about how to help dogs and cats get along, and why it all starts with thinking about the cat's feeling of safety.We talk about:the need to manage introductions between dogs and catswhat that means from the dog's perspective, and the cat's perspectivethe importance of letting them vote with their feetthe need for safe spaces, and how to make safe spaces for a catthe idea of training the dog to be safe around catshow to keep the peace at mealtimesplacement of the cat's resourceswhether dogs are ever scared of catshow some dogs cannot be trusted to live with a catThe books we recommend in this episode are:Dog Affirmations: An Illustrated Journey Through Your Dog's Thoughts by Andrea CáceresThe Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules: A Novel by Catharina Ingelman-SundbergPrevious episodes mentioned in the show:Caring for dogs versus caring for catsHow to help your reactive or fearful dogFor more on how to set your house up for your cat, check out Zazie's book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, which is available wherever books are sold. Learn more about Zazie's books here. Support the showAbout the co-hosts: Kristi Benson is an honours graduate of, and now on staff with, the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and has her PCBC-A from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She lives in beautiful northern British Columbia, where she helps dog guardians through online classes. She is also a northern anthropologist. Kristi Benson's website Facebook Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and has a column at Psychology Today. She lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat. Instagram BlueSky

Raising resilient kids requires more than just protection from discomfort. It requires teaching them how to move through it with confidence and strength. In this episode, Spartan founder Joe De Sena and clinical psychologist Dr. Lara Pence share the core principles from their book 10 Rules for Resilience for Families and challenge many modern parenting norms. We talk about boundaries, consistency, discipline, movement, nutrition, screen time, and why overparenting can unintentionally create anxiety and insecurity in children. This conversation may stretch you, spark reflection, and encourage meaningful shifts in how you show up as a parent. Take what resonates, leave what does not, and trust yourself as you raise capable, grounded humans. Topics Covered In This Episode: Teaching resilience in children Why boundaries create security Overparenting and anxious kids Building grit and mental toughness Raising capable, independent adults Show Notes: Find a Spartan Race near you  Follow @realjoedesena on Instagram Follow @drlarapence on Instagram Read 10 Rules for Resilience Mental Toughness for Families  Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD's  online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. Listen to today's episode on our website Joe De Sena is the founder and CEO of Spartan and the Death Race, the world's leading endurance sports and wellness brand with a community over 10 million strong. He is the New York Times bestselling author of three books, Spartan Up!, Spartan Fit, and The Spartan Way. De Sena also hosts the Spartan Up! Podcast, which features weekly interviews with some of the world's greatest minds in business, sports and leadership. His mission—transforming 100 million people through the Spartan lifestyle. More at: www.joedesena.com Dr. Lara Pence is a clinical psychologist and Chief Mind Doc at Spartan. With a career spanning more than 20 years, Dr. Pence is one of the most sought-after therapists in the community, having served on the Board of Directors for Embody Love Movement and The Elisa Project. In 2018, Dr. Pence founded LIGHFBOX, a company that helps individuals build self-mastery and mental resilience through daily exercises and challenges. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, the BBC, Glamour, Vogue, WebMD, Psychology Today, and The Huffington Post. More at: www.drlarapence.co INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you! @stephgreunke @drelanaroumell Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

What if the biggest career breakthrough comes before you feel ready? Most leaders believe career growth is a ladder. It's actually a series of "scary" leaps into the unknown. Most professionals wait for confidence before taking the next step but real career growth happens just outside your comfort zone.In this episode, Dr. Mira Brancu explores why career growth rarely follows a linear path and how the most transformative opportunities often appear before we feel fully prepared. She breaks down the psychology behind stretch opportunities, explaining how stepping just outside your comfort zone within the Zone of Proximal Development builds real capability and long-term career momentum. Learn how to evaluate new roles using a practical five-question framework, why feelings of being underqualified are often misleading, and how social conditioning influences confidence in career decisions. Dr. Brancu also introduces the importance of building an “Informal Board of Directors,” highlighting how mentors, feedback, and strategic support systems help professionals navigate uncertainty, develop resilience, and turn intimidating career leaps into defining moments of growth.Ready to stop playing it safe? Subscribe to The Hard Skills for more science-backed leadership strategies.Links to Career-Defining blog posts on Psychology Today:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/202001/advancing-your-career-through-informal-mentoringhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/new-look-womens-leadership/202002/how-create-career-defining-experienceshttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201901/why-go-for-opportunities-when-you-are-under-qualifiedhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201902/5-rules-to-live-by-when-looking-for-the-perfecthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201812/7-tips-to-say-yes-to-more-of-the-right-opportunitiesLink to Career Design Workshop Registration: https://luma.com/auobmkbyIF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!Subscribe to my free newsletter at: mailchi.mp/2079c04f4d44/subscribeWork with me one-on-one: calendly.com/mira-brancu/30-minute-initial-consultationConnect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/MiraBrancuLearn more about my services: www.gotowerscope.comGet practical workplace politics tips from my books: gotowerscope.com/booksAdd this podcast to your feed: www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/

Support, Don't SolveTeaser:Becoming a strategic leader is a journey – a long one. It's a journey full of stops and starts, and slow incremental improvement. But there are also some inflection points – places where leaders make a great leap forward. Those inflection points usually have more to do with changes in perception than the acquisition of knowledge or skills. Today's topic is an inflection point. To get to the place where you are growing your teachers, you have to first stop trying to fix things for them. Don't fix, grow. You can't do both. Today's wonderful guest is going to help us learn how to stop being a serial fixer. Before we dive into the interview, I's like you to think about summer…When students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. So, what's your summer math plan this year? Whether you have no summer math program, or are curious about what a research-based program looks like. Check out Summer Pops for free. Get your FREE workbook samples today at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. The link is in the show notes.Show IntroSponsor Spot 1:I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Guest Bio:Leah Marone is a psychotherapist, Yale Clinical Instructor, and corporate mental wellness consultant with over 20 years of experience. A former Division 1 athlete, she specializes in high-achievers struggling with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and performance anxiety. Leah has conducted over 20,000 therapy sessions and contributed to Psychology Today, Newsweek, and The Atlantic. She works with organizations on burnout prevention, boundary setting, and emotional intelligence. A sought-after speaker, Leah has presented her Support, Don't Solve framework to leaders nationwide. Her new book, Serial Fixer, exploring the hidden patterns of over-functioning and how to break free.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsAssistant principals are the ultimate serial fixers out of a desire to serve. Let's begin by untangling this emotional piece of being a fixer.One reason APs do too much fixing is they aren't sure how to validate the person's needs without fixing them. Can you talk about the hierarchy of steps that can lead us to being supporters instead of fixers?What are some baby steps serial fixers can take to become supporters?Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upControl disguised as compassion (making them feel better makes us feel better)Support don't solve and creating dependenciesUse validation as the break and inquiry as the acceleratorBegin by being self-awareSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!...

Who are you when you're no longer your title? For many high-performing professionals, that question can feel destabilizing — even frightening. Michael Kay is a CFP, a financial life planner, the author of the new book How To Craft Your Chapter X: A Guide For High-Performing Men to Discover Meaning (and Joy) In Retirement. He's been through it himself—the excitement of the new chapter, and then, six months in, the wall he didn't see coming. Today he shares what he's learned about reopening the aperture, grieving what you've left behind, and finding out who you were before you were your job. This is a conversation every high-achieving man—and the people who love them—needs to hear. _________________________ Bio Michael F. Kay is a coach, teacher, author and retired CFP(R). Through his books, workshops, speeches, and the Chapter X community, he's helped thousands of women, men, and families master their financial lives—and navigate the transition from full-time work to what comes next. He's written three books: How to Craft Your Chapter X, The Feel Rich Project, and The Business of Life. His insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Forbes, and Psychology Today. Today, he publishes weekly essays for the Chapter X newsletter, hosts the Chapter X podcast, and shares his thoughts on LinkedIn. He is the former president of Financial Life Focus, a fee-only multi-advisor financial life planning firm. ___________________________ For More on Michael Kay How To Craft Your Chapter X: A Guide For High-Performing Men to Discover Meaning (and Joy) In Retirement _________________________ Podcast Conversations You May Like The Inspired Retirement – Nathalie Martin How to Prepare Mentally for Life After Work – Joseph Maugeri Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives – Daisy Fancourt ____________________________ 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 1.6 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. ___________________________ Wise Quotes On Saying No in Retirement “If it's not joyful, I'm not going to do it.” On Perspective “As we get older and we start focusing towards career, that aperture narrows. And so when we get ready to step into this next chapter, whether it's our choice or not, we are at our narrowest. So we need to, mindfully and intentionally—I think that's the right word—look to reopen that aperture.” On Returning to Music – For Fun “I got the trumpet out and had it cleaned, and I found a teacher, and I started playing again, and I put up on my music stand, ‘fun'—the word fun—to remind me. Because if you miss a note, I was like, ‘You suck.' All these things that come back. And so I had to keep reminding myself: this is for fun. I am never going to be a touring professional musician. I'm never going to play with Blood, Sweat and Tears or Chicago. This is for fun. And it just takes the discipline to keep reminding yourself—have joy in the music, have joy in the doing. The joy is in the journey, not in the destination. Because the destination is the journey.”

Sex & Power: Chris Tompkins - The Truth About Shame: Chris Tompkins on Love, Liberation, and LGBTQ ResilienceChris Tompkins is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes in working with adult gay men. He is also the author of the APA award-winning book Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Parent's Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground. Chris has a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, with a specialization in LGBTQ Affirmative Psychology. In addition to being a therapist, Chris is a writer and public speaker. His work has been featured on TEDx, NBC, HuffPost, Psychology Today, The Advocate, and more.Today, Chris shares his experiences growing up with non-affirming religion and the shame that it caused him as he recognized his same-sex attraction. From first romantic experiences to coming out to family, Chris candidly discusses his journey, highlighting the normalcy of curiosity and the power of self-compassion. FIND CHRIS:https://linktr.ee/aroadtriptolove?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=85ae724f-a9c8-49bf-9b08-78de90aa052eFIND JANICE:Janice Selbie's best-selling book, Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook, is available here: https://amzn.to/4mnDxuoReligious Trauma Survivor Support Groups happen online Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with others for support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/servicesNeed help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media:https://linktr.ee/janiceselbieThe Sex & Power Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular mental health clinician. The views expressed by guests on the Sex & Power Podcast are not necessarily held by the host.Support the show

When a child engages in hair pulling, skin picking and other body focused repetitive behaviors, it can be very alarming for parents. Children feel compelled to engage in the BFRB but often feel quite embarrassed and ashamed. Drs Jennifer Gola, Marla Deibler and Renae Reinardy talk about their new book, Free To Be Me with a BFRB: The Ultimate Kid's Guide to Living Well with Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, Nail Biting, and other Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors.  This book provides a very comprehensive and compassionate approach to the treatment and management of BFRB's. Our discussion provides an excellent introduction to this topic and to a very useful resource for parents, children and therapists.   For more information https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-jennifer-gola https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-marla-w-deibler/ https://www.lakesidecenter.org/about.html and also see Dr Marla Deibler's blog on Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/from-surviving-to-thriving

Our guest this week is Dr. Jenn Pollitt! Jenn Pollitt, PhD is the Assistant Director of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and an Assistant Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. She holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener University. Dr. Pollitt currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, a national organization dedicated to advancing sexual freedom as a fundamental human right through policy, law and education. With over 15 years of experience as a sexuality educator, Dr. Pollitt has developed and taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses on topics including Men & Masculinities, Sexuality and Disability, Porn Literacy, Sexuality Education, and Pleasure. She has also created and facilitated trainings and curricula for professionals in nonprofit organizations, corporations, and labor unions—working with groups such as Lambda Legal, the American Medical Student Association, and Philadelphia's Men's Center for Growth and Change. Dr. Pollitt has developed the first comprehensive sexuality education course for law students, which launched this fall at Temple University's Beasley School of Law. Her work focuses on sexual and erotic agency, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive justice, and the intersections of sex, law, and policy. She also examines the influence of popular culture as one of the most powerful—and under-acknowledged—sources of informal sex education in the U.S. Dr. Pollitt's work and commentary have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Slate, Psychology Today, HuffPost, Business Insider, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The 19th News, NPR, WHYY, and Doctor Radio. Listeners, you can find information about Dr. Pollitt and her publications here! If you want to catch up on other shows, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback, so if you love Our Better Half, please give us a 5-star rating and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. It really helps support our show! As always, thanks for listening!

    How BRAVE are you? Are you missing the courage to find the career you want? Many job seekers or career-changers don't need more or better marketing materials (resumes, cover letters, etc.). Most of them need something they already have or is intrinsically available to them. Margie Warrell (@margiewarrell) and I talked about courage 12 years ago. I am republishing the show to inspire you and talk about her book, Brave: 50 Everyday Acts of Courage to Thrive in Work, Love and Life. What does courage mean to you today? I would love to hear what you think. Here's how you can let me know: Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822 Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com Margie Warrell is an international thought leader in human potential who is passionate about empowering people to take braver risks and lead more purpose-driven lives.  She has been featured in leading media outlets such as The Today Show, FOX News, CNBC, Psychology Today, and the Wall Street Journal. She is also a regular contributor on Australia's ABC News Breakfast and Sunrise. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: “Brave” speaks to our total lives, not just events. Small changes to our lives affect how we live profoundly Think differently, act differently, with who you are We should always challenge ourselves to expand who we are and put ourselves out there to add value—it takes courage Courage is a muscle. It grows with use—act the way we want to feel. People react positively — Our beliefs can limit us or fuel cynicism. Stories around us being the victim will only perpetuate the current status quo. “I'm a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more I have of it.” Stop looking in a direction you don't want to go. Obstacles, setbacks, and competition are constant. Find ways to break through. Be careful in the way you explain setbacks. You can chase away potential believers. We speak our fears into existence, and we build our roadblocks to success. Give ourselves permission to make mistakes or sub-optimal decisions and just make a decision. If it doesn't work, pivot as you go along. Don't let others “should” on you – be BRAVE! Use your good judgment Have you subscribed to this show on iTunes? If you haven't, please do so. iTunes is a great place to write an honest review to pique the interest of others lurking. Enjoy listening to the show. Let me know what you think. Editor’s note: This episode was first published in 2015.                    The post Be BRAVE! Stop People From Should(ing) on Your Career Now! first appeared on The Voice of Job Seekers.

The Heauxliloquy Podcast is a bi-weekly sex-positive podcast that discusses the variability of sexual expression. It provides a safe space for conversations related to sexuality. We dive deep into our individual perspectives and occasionally debate our differences. It is a space for understanding that we all have a different understanding of sexual expression and this is normal. The podcast places consent, empathy, and personal autonomy at the forefront of our conversations. Part of the mission of the show is to shift the perspective of sexuality to help others embrace themselves more intimately. Additionally, the show has a mission to fight against rape culture and uplift conversations about consent within our daily lives. The host of the show is Dr. Vernon T. Scott. His doctorate is in education - leadership and professional practice. His dissertation is related to systemic rape culture. He is currently working on a master's degree in marriage and family therapy with a systemic sex therapy specialization and earning a certification as a sex coach.   Follow and Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/heauxliloquy Twitter: @Heauxliloquy (https://www.twitter.com/heauxliloquy) Website: https://www.heauxliloquy.com Vernon's book: https://amzn.to/3vsZDm5 Vernon's IG: UrFavHeauxst (https://www.instagram.com/UrFavHeauxst/) Therapy w/ Vernon: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/vernon-t-scott-decatur-ga/1201103 Subscribe to the Viberator In My Pod - https://linktr.ee/heauxliloquy   Crisis and Psychological Resources Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network https://www.rainn.org 800-656-HOPE (4673) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://www.988lifeline.org 800-273-TALK (8255) Text or call 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org 800-799-7233 Text START to 88788 Find A Therapist American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines) Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/family-marital) Therapist Locator (https://www.therapistlocator.net/) Access additional resources on Open Counseling (https://blog.opencounseling.com/hotlines-us/) Open Counseling also has a list of International Hotlines (https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/)   Slaytor's Playhouse on the Web Slaytor's Playhouse: https://slaytorsplayhouse.com SP Linktree: https://linktr.ee/slaytorsplayhouse SP YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfS8UcvYHLtiDsfqQqTLJeg Coaching services available through Slaytor's Playhouse (https://bit.ly/3Deizss) Donate to Slaytor's Playhouse (https://bit.ly/3qDGUTF)   Referrals and Affiliates If you are interested in signing up for Episodic Sound and accessing their list of royalty free music, please use my affiliate link (https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/2mj5fk).   If you are interested in joining the podcasting world and creating your own podcast, check out PodBean (https://www.podbean.com/topheauxpod). Sign up today and get one month free.   Sponsorship Looking to sponsor the podcast? Email Slaytor's Playhouse at info@slaytorsplayhouse.com.   The Heuaxliloquy Podcast Media Kit (https://bit.ly/35U78Kg)   If you are an advertiser trying to reach a new market, check out PodBean Advertising (https://sponsorship.podbean.com/topheauxpod). Use the link to get up to $100 credits for running your first ad on PodBean.

Most of us live our lives on a stage, constantly performing for an invisible audience of parents, peers, or society, terrified of hearing silence instead of applause. But what if the curtain came down, the lights went out, and there was no one left to impress but yourself? In this episode, we will explore the radical freedom of taking off the mask and discovering the life you were actually meant to live, not the one you were told to perform. New Episode of the Happiness Podcast with Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D.

Most of us know about the “fight, flight, freeze” responses to trauma. But there is another concept that has been steadily gaining awareness over the last several years, in large part due to pop psychology on social media: Fawning.You might have heard it described as akin to extreme people-pleasing, over-accommodating, over-functioning, and fundamentally a problem in the person doing the fawning. But as my guest today illuminates for us, it's not a personal failing, or even always a conscious choice. It is human nature to prioritize safety and connection, and fawning is a means of keeping ourselves safe. But when fawning runs the show, self-leadership diminishes and quietly drifts toward conflict-avoiding, blurred boundaries, and self-abandonment.Waking up to your fawning response takes courage. You will meet resistance from some as you shift the dynamics of your relationships. But it also unlocks deeper intimacy, more honest connection, and the joy that comes from trusting yourself and letting others meet the real you.This conversation invites you to consider where and with whom you fawn, and how you might want to respond in the future. Fawning has a real purpose when safety is on the line, but the more we are aware of it, the more we can be intentional about how we show up in our relationships.Ingrid Clayton is a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's degree in transpersonal psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. In her private practice in Los Angeles she supports individuals in healing trauma, reclaiming agency, and reconnecting to their authentic selves.She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, and her work has been featured in Oprah Daily, The New York Times, Women's Health, Forbes, 10% Happier with Dan Harris, Girls Gotta Eat, and NPR's On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti. Ingrid's latest book, Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back, explores the often-overlooked fawn response to trauma.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why fawning shows up as an unconscious response to ongoing relational traumaHow understanding fawning helped Ingrid understand and heal from her own complex traumaHow our culture demands and reinforces fawning for women and marginalized peopleThe often very real bind of choosing safety over self and the feedback loop it createsAccessible practices to build a sense of internal safety and self-trustHow chronic fawning and self-abandonment contribute to burnoutLearn more about Ingrid Clayton, PhD:WebsiteInstagram: @ingridclaytonphdFacebook: @ingridclaytonphdYouTube: @ingridclaytonphdUnfawning on SubstackFawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves–and How to Find Our Way BackBelieving Me: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Complex TraumaLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:What Is the Fawning Trauma Response? | Psychology TodayPeter LevineThe Greatest Showman Cast - This Is MeThe Traitors

In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a cognitive scientist, humanistic psychologist, and author of “Rise Above”. Scott has spent his career redefining human potential and helping people overcome limiting beliefs. Despite being placed in special education as a child due to an auditory learning disability, he earned his PhD and is now one of the most cited psychologists in the world. In this conversation, they explore: — The difference between being a victim and having a victim mindset — Why vulnerable narcissism can block self-actualisation — How the stories we tell ourselves shape our potential — The value of shifting from “why” questions to “what” questions — Scott's approach to self-actualisation coaching and connecting to your core self And more. You can learn more about Scott's work at https://scottbarrykaufman.com. --- Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. His early educational experiences made him realize the deep reservoir of untapped potential of students, including bright and creative children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. Dr. Kaufman is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world for his research on intelligence and creativity. Dr. Kaufman is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. He hosts The Psychology Podcast which has received over 30 million downloads and is widely considered among the top psychology podcasts in the world. He is also a regular keynote speaker. If you'd like him to speak at one of your events, you can make a request here. Dr. Kaufman's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review, and he is the author and editor of 11 books. In his most recent book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential, his explores the limiting beliefs and widespread anxiety that puts us in boxes, lowers our expectations, and holds us back in our lives. In addition to teaching at Columbia, Dr. Kaufman has also been a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and NYU. Dr. Kaufman received a B.S. in psychology and human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon, an M. Phil in experimental psychology from the University of Cambridge under a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Yale University (see his dissertation Beyond General Intelligence: The Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence). He is founder of Self-Actualization Coaching, receiving his formal coaching training from Positive Acorn. He is also an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Wellbeing Science. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Kaufman's website: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/ — Dr. Kaufman's book: https://amzn.to/4rvXC4C

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comMost women have lived as the side dish – supporting everyone else while putting themselves last. When I shared that line with my wife, she didn't hesitate: “That's me.” In this episode of 97% Effective, I speak with Deborah Grayson Riegel — executive coach, leadership communications expert, and co‑creator of TheMeMenu, a new personal growth platform designed for women over 50 who are ready to reclaim agency, imagination, and momentum in their lives. Deb shares how she teamed up with celebrity chef Carla Hall to build something that blends coaching, creativity, and AI — all through the metaphor of cooking and their Six Flavor framework. We discuss what's different for women 50+, how AI can democratize coaching (and where humans still matter most), and what partners can actually do — practically — to support the women they love. I also share what surprised me most in this conversation — including what I learned after asking my own wife what actually helps (hint: “How can I help?” isn't always it). By the end of this episode, you'll see cooking as a powerful lens for work and life. While The ME Menu is designed for women over 50, the key message — navigating obligation and agency — applies to anyone ready to write their next chapter.SHOW NOTESTheMeMenu storyWhy so many women spend decades as the “side dish,” what it means to reclaim main-dish energy – and why that mattersHow Deb connected with Carla Hall, celebrity chef, and why the collaboration clicked so wellWhat TheMeMenu actually is: A way of thinking and being + 6-week self-paced coaching program + An AI-powered “Sous Chef” for spot-coachingWhat makes TheMeMenu unique: Built by women over 50 for women over 50, Carla Hall's “secret sauce”, and a mission to democratize access to coachingWhy Deb sees AI as a complement to human coaching, not a replacementInside the CollaborationDeb, Carla, and Kirsten: three women, three strengthsTheir creative process: cooking vs bakingWhy “nothing works if the raw ingredients aren't good”The importance of creating their “mise en place”Over 100 iterations – and why “there's no such thing as done”Building a product while the technology was still emerging Practical TakeawaysWhat partners, spouses, kids, and friends can most do to support the women in their livesTwo powerful questions to ask – and 1 micro-behavior that mattersWhy “How can I help?' can be taxing – and why it's often better to just make offersThinking in terms of a lifelong conversation, not a one-time check-inLightning Round laser insights: Deb on the hard truth about personal change, the key to collaboration, the power of her summer in Spain, and the focus of her new book, Aim High and Bounce Back: A Successful Woman's Guide to Rethinking and Rising Up from Failure BIO AND LINKSDeborah Grayson Riegel, MSW, PCC is a keynote speaker, leadership communications expert, executive coach, and author. She is the co-creator of TheMeMenu.com, a self-paced coaching platform designed to help women reclaim purpose and momentum in midlife and beyond. Deb is a regular contributor for Harvard Business Review, Inc., Psychology Today, Forbes, and Fast Company – and author of multiple books include Go to Help, Overcoming Overthinking, and her newest book, Aim High and Bounce Back (2026), which explores how women experience failure differently — and how to rise after setbacks. She is a certified executive coach (ICF PCC) and holds a BA from University of Michigan and MSW from Columbia University. Connect with DebTheMeMenu: https://www.thememenu.com/aboutDeb's website: https://deborahgraysonriegel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraysonriegel/Deb's new book, with Fiona Macaulay – Aim High and Bounce Back: A Successful Woman's Guide to Rethinking and Rising Up from Failure https://a.co/d/05NJJNcn People and Things referencedCarla Hall, celebrity chef: https://carlahall.comStanford Business School WIM groups: https://tinyurl.com/yc6zssc2Halle Barry at the DealBook Summit: https://tinyurl.com/ymmcuk54What exclaiming “poo-poo-poo” means (Jewish expression): https://tinyurl.com/yn6ny9t3Hybrid Intelligence: 2025 Columbia University Coaching Conference https://tinyurl.com/4ss3s2cr“Mise en place” (French culinary phrase for “putting in place”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_place More from 97% EffectiveMichael's Award-winning Book: Get Promoted: What You're Really Missing at Work That's Holding You Back: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Jennifer Fraser is the author of The Bullied Brain and The Gaslit Brain. It is her mission to educate people on how to recognize and name these behaviors and stay safe when they show up. Mentioned on the ShowDr. Jennifer Fraser's website: https://bulliedbrain.com/Read The Gaslit Brain: https://a.co/d/0fupTc7KGet Dr. Fraser's book The Bullied Brain: https://a.co/d/09JvZBgoJennifer Fraser, PhD is a regular contributor to Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/jennifer-fraser-phdLearn more about BrainHQ training: https://www.brainhq.com/Timestamps(00:00:00) - Jennifer Fraser, PhD joins People Business with O'Brien McMahon(00:02:24) - Workplace dynamics: Personal agendas vs. Organizational agendas(00:06:09) - Denial: why do we think “this could never happen”?(00:11:48) - What does gaslighting look like and what is manipulative communication?(00:17:46) - What is happening in our brains when we are being gaslit?(00:23:25) - What is healthy self-esteem and status and what is unhealthy ego?(00:25:55) - Is “true” psychopathy a spectrum?(00:29:40) - DARVO: Denial; attack; reverse; victim; offender(00:35:30) - When is appropriate to terminate and when should a second chance be offered?(00:37:46) - How can workplace gaslighting be recognized earlier?(00:48:08) - What happens in the brain after gaslighting and bullying?(00:53:20) - How we should think about high status people in positions of power?(01:00:38) - Final thoughts from Jennifer Fraser, PhD

Marly Brodsky is an international healthcare expert, licensed health educator, and CEO of Med Companion—a groundbreaking virtual patient advocacy service designed to bring humanity back into healthcare. After losing her grandmother to cancer due to gaps in the system, Marly left a high-level corporate healthcare role (where she led 15,000+ employees) to build a solution that helps patients navigate appointments, insurance, billing errors, and life-changing diagnoses. Recognized by Forbes and Psychology Today, Marly is on a mission to become the “human prescription” patients desperately need. On this episode we talk about: The broken gaps in the healthcare system—and why they cost patients time, money, and even lives Why Marly quit her corporate job overnight to start her company How patient advocacy can save thousands in medical billing mistakes The emotional toll of navigating cancer diagnoses and complex care Building awareness for a service people don't know they need—until it's too late Top 3 Takeaways Time is everything in healthcare. Delays, missed appointments, and insurance red tape can drastically impact outcomes—especially with serious diagnoses like cancer. Medical bills are often negotiable or incorrect. Having an advocate can save you thousands simply by catching coding errors or fighting improper charges. Entrepreneurship requires courage. Marly “burned the boats,” left a comfortable executive role, and built a mission-driven company despite uncertainty and fear. Notable Quotes “When you're sick and not feeling well, that's the most dangerous place to be navigating the system alone.” “Time is everything—especially for cancer patients.” “Healthcare shouldn't be stressful. Go enjoy your life and let us handle the in-betweens.” Connect with Marly Brodsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlybrodsky/ Instagram (Marlee): https://www.instagram.com/marly_brodsky/ Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/medcompanion.co/ Website: https://medcompanion.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever tried to hold onto water or a handful of sand? The tighter you squeeze your fist, the faster it slips through your fingers, yet when you open your hand, it rests there effortlessly. In this episode, we will explore the profound spiritual paradox that true abundance and love can only enter an open hand, and discover how to deeply enjoy the world without the suffocating grip of attachment. New Episode of the Happiness Podcast with Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D.

Dr. Reid is a clinical assistant professor at University of Pennsylvania and an associate professor at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.  She attended medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed her psychiatry residency at UCLA. This podcast will focus on her new book, Guilt Free:  Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations.  Dr. Reid also writes and podcasts on Substack at A Mind of Her Own focused on helping individuals nurture a deep and lasting self-trust.  She is also a regular contributor to Psychology Today with her blog "Think like a Shrink."  Her writing has also been featured on KevinMD and Doximity.  For more information, please see:  https://www.jenniferreidmd.com/ This podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform, or here:https://endoftheroad.libsyn.com/episode-334-dr-jennifer-reid-guilt-free-reclaiming-your-life-from-unreasonable-expectations Have a blessed weekend!

Send us an email @ info@parentcoachesunleashed.com SummaryIn this episode of Parent Coaches Unleashed, Carrie Wiesenfeld and Jessica Anger engage in a heartfelt conversation with Paige, a mother of a transgender daughter named Chloe. They explore the journey of recognizing Chloe's gender identity from a young age, the importance of support systems, medical guidance, and the challenges faced in social transition, sports participation, and dating. Paige shares her experiences, insights, and resources for parents navigating similar paths, emphasizing the need for open communication, understanding, and community support.TakeawaysIt's essential to recognize and support a child's gender identity early on.Language around gender identity is evolving, and parents should be open to learning.Building a network of allies is crucial for a transgender child's acceptance.Medical guidance should come from competent professionals familiar with transgender issues.Social transition should be approached methodically and with preparation.Coming out can be a significant event for transgender children and their families.Medical interventions like puberty blockers should be discussed with a knowledgeable team.Participation in sports can present unique challenges for transgender youth.Safety concerns for transgender individuals, especially in dating, are paramount.Community support, such as camps for transgender youth, can be life-changing.Resources1. www.genderspectrum.org   Many downloadable resources General, Family, Educational, Faith, Medical and Mental Health, Allyship, Book list. You can also get speakers and speak to professionals 2. www.thetrevorproject.orgNon profit LGBTQ plus youth   They have a suicide hotline and so many resources3. Local PFLAG  and LGBTQ Centers  in your city   Just google it   Many have support groups, activities, advocacy opportunities, groups for parents and grandparents as well4. Psychologytoday.com to find a therapist using the therapist finder. You can enter your location, issues, insurance, preferences and other criteria and it will give you names, specialties, and contact information5. For specialists in medical care, go to WPATH Provider Directory, and https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org6. https://harborcamps.orgBooks 1. My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis2. Raising my Rainbow by Lori Duron3. The Transgender Child (and Teen ) by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper4. Raising The Transgender Child by Michele Angello  

If you struggle with people-pleasing and losing yourself in relationships, this episode with Ingrid Clayton, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in relational trauma, about her book Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back, is a conversation that can help you understand and transform patterns holding you back. Exploring fawning, which is a lesser-known trauma response shaped by caretaking, appeasement, and self-abandonment, you'll learn how it often shows up as anxiety and hypervigilance. And, through personal and client stories, you'll gain insights on reclaiming authenticity, navigating backlash, and starting the process of “unfawning.”Listen and Learn:Why do some people cope with relational trauma by becoming overly accommodating or pleasing?How people-pleasing might actually be your nervous system choosing safety in ways that once protected you, but could now be quietly shaping your identity and relationships without you realizing it, and what it actually takes to reconnect with who you areHow chronic fawning can look like emotional strength on the outside while quietly disconnecting you from your own anxiety and bodyHow what looks like dishonesty can actually be a survival response that once kept you safe, and what it takes to notice when it starts keeping you stuckHow tuning into what you notice in your body can be the first uncomfortable but powerful step to breaking people-pleasing patterns and building more authentic relationshipsWhy red flags can feel like home after emotional abuse and how learning to trust your own resentment might be the first step toward building a truly safe relationshipResources:Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9798217045327 Ingrid's Website: https://www.ingridclayton.com/ Connect with Ingrid on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridclaytonphd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IngridClaytonPhD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridclaytonphd/ Substack: https://substack.com/@ingridclaytonphd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3PvWTgJMirURfgHWj3h28g About Ingrid ClaytonDr. Ingrid Clayton is a licensed clinical psychologist with a master's in transpersonal psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She's had a thriving private practice for more than sixteen years and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, where her blog “Emotional Sobriety” has had more than a million views. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Book: Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves--and How to Find Our Way Back: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9798217045327Related Episodes:305. The Power of Saying No with Vanessa Patrick186. Set Boundaries Find Peace with Nedra Tawwab 276. Assertive Communication Skills with Randy Paterson 308. Identifying and Surviving Gaslighting with Robin Stern 263. Relationships with Emotionally Immature People with Lindsay Gibson 383. What My Bones Know: C-PTSD with Stephanie Foo417. Busting Trauma Treatment Myths with Emi Nietfeld416. Trauma and PTSD Treatment with Robyn WalserSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode covers: • Mic-628 Could Reset Your Body Clock and Cut Jet Lag in Half A new circadian drug candidate, Mic-628, has demonstrated the ability to shift the body's internal clock and significantly reduce jet-lag recovery time in early human studies. In controlled simulations, participants experienced faster realignment of their sleep-wake cycles and improved daytime performance compared to standard approaches like melatonin and light timing alone. Dave explains how this compound targets a core clock pathway, why eastbound travel is biologically harder than westbound, and how pharmacologic chronotherapy could become a serious performance tool for frequent travelers and shift workers. He also connects circadian alignment to obesity, insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, and cognitive decline, outlining what this breakthrough could mean if safety data continues to hold. • Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/ • Late-Life Depression May Signal Parkinson's or Dementia New research from Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that new-onset depression in older adults is strongly associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia. Dave reframes this finding as a brain health signal rather than a purely psychiatric issue, explaining how inflammation, microglial activation, vascular health, and neurodegeneration intersect with mood changes. He breaks down why sudden depression in someone with no prior history may warrant deeper cognitive testing, sleep evaluation, and metabolic screening instead of simply prescribing an antidepressant and moving on. This story highlights the importance of treating mood shifts as early biological data in a longevity framework. • Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040623.htm • Speed-Training Brain Games Reduced Dementia Risk by 25 Percent The long-running NIH-funded ACTIVE trial found that a specific speed-of-processing training program reduced dementia incidence by roughly 25 percent over two decades. Unlike memory or reasoning exercises, this visual processing speed protocol produced measurable long-term protection. Dave explains why reaction time and processing speed may be core capacities tied to cognitive resilience, and how structured brain-training programs descended from this research can be treated like strength training for the mind. Instead of vague advice to “stay mentally active,” this data supports building deliberate, trackable cognitive training into a midlife longevity plan. • Sources: – NPR summary: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/09/nx-s1-5702423/modest-mental-exercise-can-reduce-risk-of-dementia-for-decades-study-finds – Psychology Today analysis: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/build-your-brain/202602/new-study-means-the-age-of-dementia-prevention-begins-now • Moderate Coffee Intake Linked to Slower Brain Aging A large analysis of roughly 130,000 participants found that moderate coffee consumption, about one to three cups daily, was associated with markers of slower brain aging and lower dementia risk. Dave explains why moderate, morning-weighted caffeine intake may align acute performance benefits with potential long-term brain protection. He breaks down the dose curve, why more is not necessarily better, and how to use coffee strategically without compromising sleep or circadian rhythm. Rather than framing caffeine as either a miracle or a villain, this study supports intelligent, personalized dosing as part of a broader brain-health stack. • Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00409-y • Kratom Crackdowns and the Future of Supplement Freedom Regulators are tightening restrictions on high-potency kratom derivatives such as 7-hydroxymitragynine, with new bans and stricter warning requirements emerging at the state level. The FDA continues to treat kratom and its concentrated derivatives as unapproved drugs with opioid-like effects, while local jurisdictions are targeting specific formulations linked to adverse events. Dave breaks down how this represents a broader shift in how edge-case compounds are regulated, why supply volatility and underground markets can increase risk, and what this means for biohackers who experiment with gray-area tools. He also explains how evolving enforcement strategies could shape future access to peptides, nootropics, and other advanced compounds. • Sources: – Kansas City coverage: https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/strong-high-weak-laws-7-oh-ban-kratom-regulation-moves-forward-in-kansas-city-missouri – Florida policy coverage: https://www.wgcu.org/health/2026-02-04/kratom-advocates-tout-its-properties-but-legislators-want-strict-warnings-about-the-herbal-supplement – Legal landscape analysis: https://www.lumalexlaw.com/2025/10/09/kratoms-legal-future-how-states-and-the-federal-government-are-responding/ – FDA background: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom All source links are provided for direct access to the original reporting and research. This episode is designed for biohackers, longevity seekers, and high-performance listeners who want mechanism-level clarity on circadian biology, neurodegeneration signals, cognitive training, caffeine strategy, and supplement regulation. Host Dave Asprey connects emerging science, behavioral data, and policy shifts into practical frameworks you can use to build a resilient, adaptable health stack. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Keywords: Mic-628 circadian drug, jet lag recovery science, chronotherapy biohacking, late life depression dementia risk, Parkinson's prodromal symptoms, ACTIVE trial dementia prevention, speed of processing training, brain aging coffee study, moderate caffeine longevity, kratom regulation 7-OH, supplement law biohacking, neurodegeneration early signals, cognitive performance training, circadian rhythm optimization, metabolic brain health, biohacking news Thank you to our sponsors! - Antarctica Trip | Join me in Antarctica from March 8–17, 2026. Visit https://www.insiderexpeditions.com/future and use code DAVE for $1,000 off.- TRU KAVA | Go to https://trukava.com/ and use code DAVE10 for 10% off.Resources: • Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:18 - Story #1: Circadian Drug for Jet Lag 2:00 - Story #2: Depression as Early Warning Sign 3:30 - Story #3: Brain Processing Speed Training 4:56 - Story #4: Coffee and Brain Health 6:24 - Story #5: Kratom Regulation 8:21 - Weekly Roundup 9:25 - Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.