Rick and I explore how to develop a reliable system for making choices that align with your values and goals. The episode includes two live demonstrations of working through a big decision.

Cal Newport joins the podcast to explore slow productivity, deep work, and how we can achieve more by doing less.

Dr. Rick and I answer listener questions focused on navigating relationship challenges - how to rediscover yourself after breakup, distinguish between healthy and unhealthy desires, maintain friendships after romantic feelings emerge, overcome self-consciousness, and communicating effectively during stress responses.

Dr. Hanson and I explore what the inner child really is, how it manifests in our lives, and practical ways to work with this important part of ourselves.

Psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher joins me for an in-depth exploration of anxiety. We talk about the anxiety cycle, moving away from thinking in terms of a “cure,” the key target of the “willful tolerance of uncertainty”, and developing greater self-awareness. 

Dr. Chris Germer, co-creator of the Mindful Self-Compassion program, joins me to explore how we can work with the deeply ingrained shame that gets in the way.

 In this episode, Dr. Rick and I explore the all-too-common challenge of social anxiety. We break down what it really means to be socially anxious, where those feelings come from, why they stick around, and how to feel more confident and connected.

Dr. Rick and I unpack the "Dark Triad" of personality traits - narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sociopathy - and explore how these traits can manifest in everyday relationships.

I sit down with marriage and family therapist Julie Menanno to explore one of the most crucial aspects of healthy relationships: secure attachment.

Dr. Rick and I dive into the mailbag, and answer questions from listeners focused on working with anxiety in ourselves and in our relationships.

I dive into cognitive bypassing - a common strategy many of us use to avoid feeling difficult emotions - with trauma therapist Simone Saunders.

I explore what it means to be a good father with my dad. Whether you’re navigating the path of parenthood, reflecting on your relationship with your own parents, or just looking to gain some insight into the father-son dynamic, this episode has something for everyone. 

We tackle the anxiety and uncertainty so many are feeling about the state of today’s world. We discuss why everything feels so overwhelming right now, and how we can stay grounded and maintain a sense of connection with others.

We explore how to harness perfectionism’s strengths without getting captured by its vulnerabilities with therapist and author Katherine Morgan Schafler. We talk about perfectionism’s bad branding, and how our relationship with perfectionism can lead to it being either a superpower or a stumbling block.

Dr. Rick and I explore one of the most interesting concepts in psychology: Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow. Facing those parts can be difficult, but becoming aware of the shadow, accepting it, and integrating it allows us to embrace all of who we are. 

We tackle the tricky topic of dealing with other people’s psychological defenses. Topics include effective communication skills, moving from criticism toward values, managing frustration, and helping other people become more self-aware.

Dr. Rick and I explore what we can do if we feel like we’re “too self-aware”. We identify some of the issues that can arise with self-awareness, highlight how conflict between different parts can stop us from becoming who we want to be, and discuss how developing ego strength can help us become more authentic and free in our behavior.

Dr. Rick and I talk about what causes depression, introduce the biopsychosocial model, and identify an overall framework for most depressive episodes. Rick and I then explain the vicious cycle of depressed mood before focusing on what a person can do practically to break the cycle.

Dr. Rick and I explore why this happens, and what we can do about it. Rick shares a simple framework we can approach change through before I dig into the six key factors that prevent us from changing. We then discuss working with fears, becoming courageous, and leaning into a more authentic version of who we are.

Dr. Rick and I open the mailbag and answer questions focused on strengthening our relationships, how we’ve handled repair in our parent/child relationship, and what we can do to manage anxieties about the future.