Podcasts about think act be

I'm super excited to let you know that we will be doing another LIVE podcast event this year, and you are invited!  This year's event is on Saturday, April 27, in Princeton, NJ, with special guest Seth Gillihan! Seth Gillihan is a clinical psychologist, author of several books and host of the Think Act Be podcast.  The topic of the LIVE event is: Finding Healing, Peace and Joy.  We are offering only 25 tickets. Secure your Early Bird ticket at a discounted rate, available until March 27th! TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-healing-peace-and-joy-tickets-834775033597 Immerse yourself into an unforgettable experience, spend quality time with your favorite podcast host and special guest, connect, ask questions and enjoy a lovely cocktail hour. Be part of the show. Enjoy an evening to yourself. Make memories, learn and nourish your soul! I hope I will get to meet you in April this year.  Join us for our LIVE Podcast event of 2024! 

In this episode, we reconnect with psychologist Dr. Seth Gillihan to explore the delicate balance between staying informed and protecting our mental health from the impact of negative news.  Dr. Gillihan, a former faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and Haverford College, has been practicing privately since 2012. He is a renowned author of multiple books on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and hosts the Think Act Be podcast. During the episode, Dr. Gillihan delves into our psychological inclination towards negative news, the effects of media consumption on mental well-being, and offers practical strategies for managing the psychological impacts of a continuous stream of negative news. Host: Brent Franson, Founder & CEO, Most Days Guest: Dr. Seth Gillihan Music: Patrick Lee Producer: Patrick Godino

My guest this week is Dr. Joel Minden, a regular on the Think Act Be podcast. This time we switched roles and Joel interviewed me, mostly about my approach to therapy that I describe in my latest book, Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (affiliate link). This conversation is the first in a series of several episodes with Joel, so stay tuned for more to come. Topics we touched on included: The traditional approach in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) The medical model of therapy My background in mindfulness The book Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior (affiliate link) Parallels between my religious practices as a kid and my early experiences with meditation Mindfulness practice as more than another “technique” for feeling better Allowing oneself to experience difficult emotions instead of trying to get rid of them The challenge in not fighting against our experience The manageability of the moment How cognitive work can support mindfulness practice Contentment that doesn't depend on one's circumstances Letting go of the struggle against the struggle Feeling bad about “not being mindful enough” My decision to self-disclose about my own struggles The necessity of honesty in any healthy relationship Humor in the context of mindfulness, and taking things less seriously Mindfulness in action, and the value of finding stillness Joel Minden, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. He is the author of Show Your Anxiety Who's Boss (affiliate link), founder of the Chico Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, diplomate of The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and lecturer in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Chico. Find Joel online at his website, follow him on Twitter, and read his blog on Psychology Today.

Today we welcome Seth Gillihan to the podcast. Seth is a licensed psychologist who specializes in mindful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Seth is also a therapy advisor with the self-therapy app Bloom, a medical reviewer for Everyday Health, and host of the Think Act Be podcast. Over the years, he's authored multiple books on mindfulness and CBT. His latest book is called Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace.In this episode, I talk to Seth Gillihan about mindful CBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to address mental health issues. Although proven to be helpful, Seth Gillihan believes that adding the component of mindfulness will not only improve our well-being, but can also help us find meaning, purpose, and peace. He shares with us the Think Act Be paradigm and ways we can be more in tune with ourselves. We also touch on the topics of alignment, spirituality, suffering, and openness to experience.Website: https://sethgillihan.com/Instagram: @sethjgillihan Topics02:30 Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy11:11 Finding spiritual peace17:17 Think Act Be paradigm21:56 Connect with yourself28:06 Saying yes to life34:59 Work in alignment40:53 Alignment practice44:50 Coming home to yourself

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful practice that has been proven to effectively reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But, while CBT can help bring us relief in the short term, it doesn't always create lasting change. That's why many mental health professionals are now combining CBT with another technique - mindfulness. By combining the two practices, we can start to create long-term improvements in our behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. Here to discuss research-based practices from his recently published book, Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, A Simple Path to Healing, Hope and Peace, is best-selling author and psychologist, Seth Gillihan. Seth offers a model of fresh and practical strategies that build upon traditional techniques of CBT to transcend our capacity to control negative thinking and take the right steps to live in the present and enjoy life. Tune in to learn how these powerful practices can unlock a new path to healing.  Listen and Learn: Seth's experience sharing so much of his personal mental health struggle in his book What mindfulness can do to help transcend the limitations of cognitive behavioral therapy Why mindfulness has lost its essence and how we can use mindfulness in a way that's beneficial An introduction to mindfulness for someone who might be resistant  Acceptance vs. passivity Seth's thoughts on psychiatric medication as a form of mental health treatment The relationship between cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy Resources: Learn more about Seth here: https://sethgillihan.com/ Check out Seth's podcast: https://sethgillihan.com/podcasts/ Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych, including Yael's new book, Work, Parent, Thrive! Check out Debbie, Yael, and Jill's websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more! About Seth Gillihan Seth Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in mindful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2012, and taught in the Psychology Department at Haverford College from 2012-2015. He has been in private practice since 2012. Seth completed a doctorate in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, Therapy Advisor with the self-therapy app Bloom, a medical reviewer for Everyday Health, and host of the Think Act Be podcast. Related Episodes: 80. Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics with Jeff Warren 257. The Gift of being ordinary with Ron Siegel 207. Burnout with Debbie and Jill 280. Choose Growth with Scott Barry Kaufman  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready to overcome negative thinking, discover deep healing, and find lasting peace? If you're nodding your head yes, then this episode is for you.  Dr. Seth Gillihan is a practicing psychologist, author, former professor, and podcast host of the Think Act Be podcast. He is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, with his latest being Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers a fresh, welcome approach for treating mental health issues that speaks to our times, blending mindfulness and spirituality with CBT. In today's episode, we talk about...  - How Dr. Gillihan's struggles inspired him to write Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  - What traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks like  - How Dr. Gillihan adds mindfulness to CBT  - What you can do if you struggle with fear-based or intrusive thoughts  - Why pushing thoughts away isn't the goal - What makes harm-related OCD thoughts unusual  - What the think act be model looks like - How thoughts drive our emotions  - The importance of exploring beneath the surface level thought  - Why you should find gratitude in the “suck” - Dr. Gillihan shares his thoughts on toxic positivity  - What you can do if you're struggling with catastrophic thinking ...and so much more! ✨ If you loved today's conversation, and you know someone who'd benefit from hearing it, please share it with them.  HANGOUT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/   TODAY'S SHOW NOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/dr-seth-gillihan/

To alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and depression, mental health professionals have access to a variety of scientifically-based methods. However, these reductionist approaches rarely produce the lasting peace we seek. My guest for today, Dr. Seth Gillihan, a practicing psychologist and one of the leading popularizers of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), believes that to become healthy and whole, we must do more than alleviate our symptoms. He believes that to achieve lasting health and happiness, we must incorporate spirituality into our healing.Seth is a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and podcaster. He is an expert in mindful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Seth was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2012 and taught in the Psychology Department at Haverford College from 2012-2015. He has been in private practice since 2012. He is also the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, Therapy Advisor with the self-therapy app Bloom, a medical reviewer for Everyday Health, and hosts the Think Act Be podcast.Seth begins the conversation by discussing how he has applied lessons from his book throughout his journey thus far. In this extended excerpt, Seth discusses the "Big Three," which he defines as sufficient sleep, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity. Seth also explains how to leverage ourselves and the process of working backward. In addition, he mentions the steps he took to re-center himself in the present moment after deciding to practice mindfulness and the central tenets of mindfulness, such as openness, alignment with reality, and decentering. We also talk about "negative thought auditing," "technology fasting," "priming our environment," the difference between "must have" and "nice to have" items, "outsourcing happiness," "purpose and work," and more. [00:18] Seth's Background – Sharing his journey, Seth discusses the material of his book and his realization that he, too, can benefit from it. [19:06]The “Big Three” – Seth elaborates on the idea of the "Big Three," which consists of getting enough rest, eating right, and exercising. [35:47] Mindfulness – Seth talks about how he brought himself to the present moment when he started focusing on mindfulness, and mindfulness concepts like being open, aligned with reality, and decentering.[38:30] Meditation – To help with mindfulness, Seth details what he considers to be the essentials of daily meditation practice for novices.[53:14] Key Concepts - Seth discusses concepts, including negative thought auditing, technology-fast, priming our environment, outsourcing happiness, and the idea of purpose and work. Also, he further explains how  listeners can incorporate these concepts into their life.Resources:Connect with Seth:Website: sethgillihan.com/Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-bePodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/think-act-be-podcast/id1419082632Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sethgillihanphd/Books by Seth Gillihan:Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace: goodreads.com/en/book/show/60606331-mindful-cognitive-behavioral-therapyMentioned in the Podcast:Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior: goodreads.com/book/show/336248.Shambhala

Do you know about a fresh approach for treating mental health issues by blending mindfulness and spirituality? Tune in Tuesday, January 17th at 3pm PST/ 6 EST for a discussion with Seth Gillihan, PhD, on his new #book Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace.#MomentsWithMarianne with host Marianne Pestana airs every Tuesday at 3PM PST / 6PM EST and every Friday at 10AM PST/ 1PM EST in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! Not in the area? Click here to listen! https://tunein.com/radio/KMET-1490-s33999/Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in mindful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and taught in the Psychology Department at Haverford College. He has been in private practice since 2012. Gillihan completed a doctorate in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT and host of the Think Act Be podcast. https://sethgillihan.comFor more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com#bookclub #readinglist #book #bookish #MariannePestana #author #authorinterview #nonfiction #kmet1490am #burnout #psychology #healing #healingjourney #sethgillihan #cbt #mindfulness #mindful #cognitivebehavioraltherapy

On this episode, I talk with licensed Psychologist Seth Gillihan who specializes in sinful Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). He was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and taught in the Psychology Department at Haverford College. He has been in private practice since 2012. Gillihan completed a doctorate in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT and host of the Think Act Be podcast.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

This week I'm joined by Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, a licensed psychologist specializing in mindfulness-centered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The focus of our conversation is on fostering patterns of thought that serve us well and encourage us to behave in ways that meet our goals. We will be discussing Seth's new book, Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace, and exploring how we can all have more peace in our minds.   Guest Bio Licensed psychologist Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, specializes in mindfulness-centered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other conditions. Dr. Gillihan has written and lectured nationally and internationally on CBT and how the brain is involved in regulating our moods. Dr. Gillihan is a Fellow of the Center for Neuroscience and Society at Penn. He hosts the weekly Think Act Be podcast, which features conversations on living more fully, and is author of the free guide, "10 Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety Every Day," available at sethgillihan.com. Dr. Gillihan completed his BA in French and biology at Indiana University, his MA in community counseling at The George Washington University, and his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. You can find Dr. Gillihan on the web at sethgillihan.com and on his PsychologyToday.com blog, Think Act Be. He lives in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, with his wife and three children.   For episode homepage, resources and links, visit: https://kristenmanieri.com/episode221   Learn more about coaching: Kristen@kristenmanieri.com   Mentioned in this Episode Guest's book: Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Healing/dp/0063075717   Guest's website: https://sethgillihan.com/     Host Bio Kristen Manieri is a coach who works with teams to increase both productivity and wellbeing. She also helps individuals navigate transition with clarity and confidence. Her areas of focus are: stress reduction, energy management, mindset, resilience, habit formation, rest rituals, and self-care. As the host of the weekly 60 Mindful Minutes podcast, an Apple top 100 social science podcast, Kristen has interviewed over 200 authors about what it means to live a more conscious, connected, intentional and joyful life. Learn more at kristenmanieri.com/work-with-me.    Learn more about coaching: Kristen@kristenmanieri.com  

This episode is dedicated to Dr. Aaron T. Beck, the father of cognitive behavioral therapy. His incredible work lives on.My guest today is Dr. Seth Gillihan, a licensed psychologist specializing in mindfulness-centered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Join us as we discuss this incredibly beneficial type of therapy and hear how he has applied CBT in his own life to cope with a challenging medical illness.Dr. Gillihan is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple and A Mindful Year, is Head of Therapy with the self-therapy app Bloom, and hosts the Think Act Be podcast. He was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2012, where he completed his doctorate, and has been in private practice since 2012.  **********************Seeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255SAMHSA's National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Thank you to Brendan Callahan for the original music featured on the podcast.Disclaimer:The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255

In this episode of Mindfulness Monday, Ora Nadrich has an intriguing conversation with Seth J. Gillihan, PhD! The two discuss overcoming anxiety, and stress using mindfulness and finding a connection to the sacredness within everyday life. Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and host of the weekly Think Act Be podcast. He is co-author with Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh of A Mindful Year: 365 Ways to Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life, and author of The CBT Deck for Anxiety, Rumination, & Worry, Retrain Your Brain, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple. Dr. Gillihan teaches online courses in mindfulness-centered cognitive behavioral therapy, and provides resources for managing stress, anxiety, and other conditions on the Think Act Be website. Learn more: http://sethgillihan.com/

Today it’s great to have Dr. Seth Gillihan on the podcast. Dr. Gillihan is a licensed psychologist who has written and lectured nationally and internationally on cognitive behavioral therapy and the role of the brain in psychiatric conditions. His books include The CBT Deck, A Mindful Year: 365 Ways to Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life (co-authored with Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple,and Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks. Dr. Gillihan also blogs for Psychology Today and hosts the weekly Think Act Be podcast, which features a wide range of conversations about living more fully. He has a clinical practice in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, providing treatment to adults with insomnia, OCD, anxiety, depression, and related conditions. Find Seth on the web at sethgillihan.com. See Seth’s CBT Deck here. See the Think Act Be online school where Seth offers courses in mindfulness-centered CBT for anxiety, stress, and worry here: https://think-act-be.teachable.com/. In this episode we discuss: How Seth got into therapy  The second wave of CBT The behavioral activation approach Mindful CBT  Seth’s “Think Act Be” approach The importance of core beliefs The cheap form of self-love “Cycling the Puck” The importance of returning to the true center of ourselves The curious paradox of acceptance What is our deepest self? What is consciousness? Why waking up isn’t a once and for all experience How we can be kinder to ourselves

In this episode of The Nootralize Podcast, David chats with Clinical Psychologist, author, and online course creator Seth Gillihan about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. They talk about the research behind CBT and have a live CBT session in which they discuss a real problem from David's life. Video version: https://youtu.be/hei5gY2M7XQ Shownotes: 1:20 - 5:54 Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy effective? * What does the research say? * How does it compare to other therapy-forms? * What is it effective for? ** Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ** Anxiety ** Depression ** Panic ** Stress 5:56 - 10:15 In-depth description of CBT * The cognitive component ** You are not your thoughts * The behavioral component ** Exposure - Face your fears * How is mindfulness incorporated into CBT? ** Bring awareness to your current patterns of thought and action 10:20 - 38:25 Live CBT-session with an IRL-problem from David’s life Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and host of the weekly Think Act Be podcast. He is author of The CBT Deck, Retrain Your Brain, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple, and co-author with Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh of A Mindful Year: 365 Ways to Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life. Dr. Gillihan provides resources for managing stress, anxiety, and other conditions on the Think Act Be website, including his free e-guide, "10 Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety Every Day." He offers a course in mindfulness-centered CBT for anxiety, stress, and worry through the Think Act Be Online School. * https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-act-be-aligning-thought-action-and-presence/id1419082632 - Think Act Be podcast * https://www.amazon.com/CBT-Deck-Practices-Improve-Thoughts/dp/1683732464/ - The CBT Deck, Retrain Your Brain, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple * https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Year-Connection-Sacred-Everyday/dp/1982501839 - A Mindful Year: 365 Ways to Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life * http://sethgillihan.com/ - Think Act Be website * http://bit.ly/CBT4Stress 10 - Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety Every Day * http://bit.ly/CBTanx - Think Act Be Online School Nootralize links: * https://beta.nootralize.com - Web App * https://nootralize.com - Website * https://soundcloud.com/@nootralize - SoundCloud * https://medium.com/@nootralize - Medium * https://twitter.com/nootralize - Twitter * https://linkedin.com/company/nootralize - LinkedIn

I’ve got something different for you this week—a guided meditation. I’ve been busy finishing the first class in the Think Act Be online school. Today's meditation is actually taken from the course. It's a brief guided 3-part meditation, which takes about three minutes. This kind of practice can be a really effective way to let go of anxious thoughts or worries and to calm the nervous system, just by coming into contact with your actual experience. Once you’ve gotten the feel for it, you can practice it whenever you like, without the recording. I hope you find it helpful to ground into your experience.

I’ve got something different for you this week—a guided meditation. As I mentioned in Episode 78 last time, I’ve been busy finishing the first class in the Think Act Be online school. Today's meditation is actually taken from the course. It's a brief guided 3-part meditation, which takes about three minutes. This kind of practice can be a really effective way to let go of anxious thoughts or worries and to calm the nervous system, just by coming into contact with your actual experience. Once you’ve gotten the feel for it, you can practice it whenever you like, without the recording. I hope you find it helpful to ground into your experience. The name of the paid course that this meditation comes from is Calm: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, Stress, and Worry, and enrollment is now open. Click on the link above to learn more and to watch a trailer for the course. I'd love to have you join us.

You know that thing your partner does that just annoys the hell out of you!? Chewing too loud, eating your leftovers, leaving the kitchen a mess, making the 'ahh' noise after taking a sip of water. You know what we're talking about. Well, you don't have to let those behaviors annoy you so much. Listen to today's show to learn how to deal with your partner's annoying habits. Learn the important difference between annoying behaviors and toxic relationship behaviors The importance of assuming good intentions from your partner Understanding the underlying reasons you are annoyed with your partner's behavior How to have a real conversation with your partner to make progress when it comes to annoying behaviors Learning to change yourself before trying to change you partner And much more! Dr. Seth Gillihan is a clinical psychologist, author, blogger and host of the Think Act Be podcast. His therapy practice focuses on mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy for a range of issues, with in-person and video conference appointments available. Seth is the author of The CBT Deck and A Mindful Year, co-written with Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh. Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/221 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Join our 5 Day Couples Appreciation Challenge here: idopodcast.com/appreciation Do you want to hear more on this topic? Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors Plan to Eat: Simplify your life using our recipe clipper, meal planning calendar and automated grocery shopping list maker. Visit plantoeat.com/ido you can start a free 60-day trial. Mint: Get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, and get the plan shipped to your door for FREE. Visit mintmobile.com/ido Spark My Relationship Course: For a limited time, get access to our bonus, Mastering Money Talk In Your Marriage! Visit SparkMyRelationship.com/Unlock for our special offer just for our I Do Podcast listeners! If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! – Chase & Sarah

 Countless people struggle to see themselves in a positive light, and women face specific challenges to their self-esteem. In this week's episode I talk with licensed professional counselor Megan MacCutcheon about her Self-Esteem Workbook for Women. Self-esteem has become a rather polarizing idea, in part because high self-esteem is often portrayed as "believing you are perfectly awesome," as this article in the Harvard Business Review says. But it all depends on how you define self-esteem, according to my guest. Megan's nuanced definition is nearly indistinguishable from supposedly better alternatives like "self-compassion," suggesting that the more controversial versions of self-esteem are straw-man caricatures. Megan and I explored the crucial distinction between positive self-esteem and narcissism, as well as the relation between self-esteem and self-compassion, self-confidence, and self-love. We also considered topics including: The lack of education about proper psychological self-care Specific challenges to women's self-esteem What it means to take responsibility for one's self-esteem The effects of practicing kindness toward oneself Why it's often so hard for us to recognize our own worth Where low self-esteem might come from Why healthy self-esteem must come from within Common effects of parenthood on self-esteem The importance of accepting our parental imperfections The possibility of loving ourselves, limitations and flaws included Choosing the right measuring stick for ourselves Whether the pursuit of gender equality is actually beneficial to women's self-esteem How to use self-talk to build healthier self-esteem Leading with action to build confidence The role of body posture in self-image I hope you enjoy our conversation and I look forward to your comments. Megan MacCutcheon is a registered licensed professional counselor with a practice in Vienna, VA. She received her BS in communication from Boston University and her Master of Education in community agency counseling from George Mason University.  Megan is a topic expert and blogger on GoodTherapy.org and has experience as a therapist and domestic violence systems advocate at The Women's Center in Vienna, VA, and as a child psychiatric specialist at the Children's National Medical Center. Her books are available for purchase through Amazon and other booksellers: Building Self-Esteem: A Guide to Achieving Self-Acceptance and a Healthier, Happier Life The Self Esteem Workbook for Women: 5 Steps to Gaining Confidence and Inner Strength (Please note that these are affiliate links, meaning a percentage of each purchase made through these links will be used to support the Think Act Be podcast, at no additional cost to you.) Find Megan online at her website and on GoodTherapy.org where you can read her blog posts on self-esteem and other topics.

At some point each of us will lose something we care about: a loved one, a relationship, our job, our health. My guest this week, author and illustrator Brian Lies, explores the arc of loss, grief, and renewal in his new book, The Rough Patch. In Brian's words, this book is "a meditation on grief and the anger which sometimes accompanies it ... and on hope." The Rough Patch tells the story of Evan and his dog, who enjoyed a blissful life together. And then suddenly Evan's world is shattered by the death of his dog, "and nothing is the same." The author explores the complex mental, physical, and emotional reactions that make up grief, and the hope that ultimately can find us. I read The Rough Patch recently and can attest that it does feel like a meditation. Reviewers are echoing my own reactions to this book, saying that it's "a must-read" for readers "of any age," even though it's billed as a children's book. Others call it "an exquisite depiction of grief and hope, and a helpful guide for children and adults who are going through their own rough patches." I felt very fortunate to have Brian on the podcast to talk about the process of creating this book, and the universal human experiences of love and loss that it depicts. During our conversation we discussed: The complex range of emotions that can be part of grieving How life can call us back after we've withdrawn The many choices, big and small, that went into creating The Rough Patch The interplay between text and illustration The many kinds of loss that kids experience The challenge of writing, or any kind of creative endeavor How artists arrive at an individual style The value in sticking with a worthwhile project even when it's very difficult Brian's portrayal of grief and hope resonated with so many accounts of loss that I've heard from the people I work with as a therapist, and with my personal experiences. It also seems to apply to the process of recovering from a major depression, as I described in this blog post from earlier this year: How Do You Know When Your Depression Is Improving? As Brian explains, The Rough Patch is not a "how-to" book on grieving. Each of us has an individual path following loss, and this is Evan's. Still, there are some universals that Brian captures, which makes this such a valuable book for so many people. © Karen Wilson Wong Brian Lies is the author and/or illustrator of more than two dozen children’s books, including his New York Times bestselling bat series, like Bats at the Beach and Bats at the Library. His most recent books are The Rough Patch (Grenwillow/HarperCollins) and Got to Get to Bear's! (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). When he’s not working on his next books, he’s often visiting elementary schools around the country, encouraging writing and creativity in young people. Brian and his wife have a grown daughter and live south of Boston, MA. (Please note: These are affiliate links to Brian's books, meaning a portion of sales from the link will be used to support the Think Act Be podcast, at no additional cost to you.) You can find Brian's books and learn more about him on his website and on his Amazon Author Page. Brian is also on Twitter and Instagram.

Last year I kept seeing posts on PsychologyToday.com about gaslighting. They were often among the most popular posts, and I kept wondering, What the heck is "gaslighting"? Finally I Googled it and found a succinct definition: "to manipulate (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity." The most popular post is the first hit in a Google search for "gaslighting," and it was written by my guest for this week, Dr. Stephanie Sarkis:  I was really happy to have the chance to dive into this topic with Stephanie, since she's clearly an authority on the subject. I read her new book entitled Gaslighting, and explored questions including: Where does the concept of gaslighting come from? What's the value in having a label for this pattern of behavior? Are gaslighters aware of what they're doing? How can we distinguish gaslighting from ordinary manipulation? How common are gaslighters? Why is it so hard to get away from a gaslighter? How can we avoid attracting gaslighters, such as on the dating scene? How can we recognize gaslighting before getting drawn into it? How can we manage the gaslighters in our families? If you're having a hard time picturing what gaslighting looks like, Stephanie provided an example in this Star Trek episode in which the bad guy tries to manipulate Patrick Stewart's character into denying what he sees. You can also check out the movie that gave the concept its name: 1944 movie "Gaslight." Image by Fred the Oyster In this episode I brought up a classic psychology study on conformity but blanked on the name of the researcher who did it during my conversation with Stephanie; it was done by psychologist Solomon Asch in the 1950s. Groups of participants were asked to judge the length of various lines. What each participant didn't realize was that they were the only real participant, and the rest of the people in the room were "confederates," meaning they were working with the experimenters. The study was designed to test how much people would go along with the other people in the room when they were giving answers that were clearly wrong. For example, for this example image all the confederates would say that line "B" was the same length as the single line on the left, when obviously line "A" is the correct match. Just kidding, line "C" is the correct answer. A surprising percentage of participants went along with the group, even though it meant denying what was right in front of them. I referenced the study because of the obvious distress it causes when others make us question our own reality. You can read the original study here: A Minority of One. I also referenced a recent podcast called "Dr. Death." I thought it was well done, but I would caution that it's a bit horrifying at times (as the title suggests...). Here's a link for more information about "Dr. Death" from Wondery. Dr. Stephanie Sarkis completed her PhD, MEd, and EdS in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. She is a bestselling author of seven books, including her latest, Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People—and Break Free. Dr. Sarkis is an American Mental Health Counselors Association Diplomate and one of only twenty Clinical Mental Health Specialists in Child and Adolescent Counseling in the US. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator, as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She maintains a private practice in Tampa, FL, where she specializes in gaslighting, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Gaslighting is available for purchase from Amazon. (Please note this is an affiliate link, meaning a percentage of sales that come through this link will be used to support the Think Act Be podcast, at no additional charge to you.) You can find Stephanie online at her website and on her blogs at Psychology...

Psychologist Angela Duckworth's research on grit is challenging the widely held assumption that talent is the most important determinant of success. Angela defines grit as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals," and has found that it's closely related to achievement in a wide range of fields. Angela summarized what her research has revealed in her book entitled Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Angela is forthcoming in her book—and in our discussion—about how her personal experiences have informed her understanding of grit. In this episode we discuss how hard work is only half of the grit equation, and that finding one's passion is just as important. We also explore how to go about finding your passion, which can be the most challenging part of building grit. Grit is now available in paperback and can be purchased on Amazon (please note this is an affiliate link, meaning a percentage of the sale will support the Think Act Be podcast, at no additional expense to you): Photo: University of Pennsylvania Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Lee Duckworth, PhD, is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and Founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit with a mission to advance the science and practice of character development. Angela has given a TED Talk and is a MacArthur Fellow (better known as the "Genius Grant"). She has advised the World Bank, the White House, NBA and NFL teams, and Fortune 500 CEOs. Her first book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, is a #1 New York Times best seller. Learn more about Angela and her work and access free resources at her Character Lab website.

In this episode I speak with psychologist Lucy Faulconbridge. Lucy has an extensive background in the biological and psychological bases of eating behaviors and obesity. I found our conversation to be a nice complement to my discussion with Aria in episode 1, as we talked about some similar issues from different angles. We talked about what it's like being a full-time therapist, and shared the view that the work is as challenging as it is fulfilling. The topic of self-care came up, which I have a feeling is going to be a recurrent theme in the Think Act Be podcast. Just a hunch. We shared our experiences of mindfulness, and how we don't have to practice meditation to be mindful. We also addressed the complex meanings that food has in our lives, from nutrition to religious ritual to many others. This complexity contributes to the difficulty so many individuals have with losing weight and keeping it off. I've tried various diets in the past to address some health concerns, and I asked Lucy for her take on the science of good nutrition. She underscored the likelihood that different people do better with different diets, and that any one-size-fits-all approach won't fit all. That's been my impression, as well—that despite our hope for "correct" dietary guidelines, in the end we have to listen to our own bodies and needs and see what sort of foods make us feel the best. Lucy grew up in England and attended the University of St. Andrews. She and I met in our doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania, where we were in the same cohort of clinical psych students. During her graduate training she studied the neuroscience of eating behaviors using rat models. Following her internship and postdoctoral fellowship she joined the faculty at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders in the Psychiatry Department at Penn's School of Medicine, where she served as Director of Research. She currently has a full-time private practice in Wayne, PA, and is a clinical faculty member in the Psychiatry Department at Penn. Find Lucy on the web at www.mainlinetherapist.com.