Articles
Some of my favorite writing on psychology, personal growth, and how we can become the person we want to be.
Should You Become A Parent?
We focus on one of the most important decisions we’ll make in life: the choice to become a parent. We discuss the key difference in thinking of a child as a “means” or an “end”, and what good parenting looks like in practice.
How to Become Self-Confident
We explore how we can improve our self-confidence, allowing us to become more psychologically flexible, create healthy boundaries with other people, and develop an authentic sense of self-worth.
How to Change Your Perspective
Rick and I explore what perspectives are, what a healthy perspective looks like in practice, and how we can deliberately shift our perspectives over time.
Creating a Healthy Relationship (With Yourself) with Najwa Zebian
Poet, activist, and author Najwa Zebian joins me for a conversation focused on discovering what truly matters to us. We use Najwa’s personal story as a way to explore how we can break out of the roles others place us in, create healthy boundaries, and feel worthy from the inside-out.
Authenticity: What Does it Mean to “Be Yourself?”
Dr. Rick and I explore what authenticity is, where it comes from, and whether it’s actually a good thing to be more authentic. We then turn towards how we can include all of ourselves, act from our values, and become at peace with who we are.
Childhood Trauma, Self-Sabotage, and Therapy: September Mailbag
On this episode, we answer questions from listeners focused on getting the most we can out of therapy, processing old painful experiences, and self-sabotage.
Workaholism: Anxiety, Addiction, and Finding Balance in a Busy World
In this episode we explore what workaholism is , the psychological functions it serves, and how it relates to other addictive behaviors. You’ll learn both how to approach changing behaviors like workaholism in general and specific interventions that can help.
Emotional Agility with Dr. Susan David
Dr. Rick and I sit down with Dr. Susan David, the creator of the concept of Emotional Agility. Emotional agility is what allows us to navigate our complex emotions, make choices aligned with our values, and ultimately lead more authentic and fulfilling lives.
Impermanence Anxiety: How to Live While Letting Go
In this episode we explore impermanence anxiety: the fears we have related to change. We discuss “macro” and “micro” impermanence, terror management theory, the courage to care, and how we can become more resilient in the face of change.
Metabolism, Brain Energy, and Mental Health with Dr. Chris Palmer
Dr. Chris Palmer, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, joins me to discuss the relationship between metabolic function and mental illness.
Emotional Intelligence: Increasing Self-Awareness, Regulation, and Empathy
Dr. Rick and I explore emotional intelligence, including what’s “in” it, balancing emotional closeness and distance, and how we can become more self-aware, self-regulated, and empathic.
Neuroplasticity Tools to Change Your (and your kid’s) Brain with Dr. Caroline Leaf
Dr. Caroline Leaf joins Dr. Rick and I to explore how we can harness the power of neuroplasticity to clean up our mental mess…and teach our children to do the same.
So You Want to be a Therapist?
On today’s episode I speak to five therapists and therapists-in-training to learn the lessons they wish they’d known when they started.
Dan Harris: Mindfulness, Fear, and Love Without the Cringe
Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier, joins Dr. Rick and I for a wide-ranging, open, and personal conversation. We explore dealing with anxiety and fear, sustaining a mindfulness practice, and accepting our nature while leaning into a new version of ourselves.
Simplifying Self-Help: 7 Lessons for a Lifetime of Well-Being
In this episode of, Dr. Rick and I simplify the lessons we’ve learned from over 100 experts and 300 episodes. We touch on a range of topics including the importance of individual context, focusing on what we can change, and the importance of social connection.
How to Become Securely Attached
In this episode, we explore the basics of attachment theory and how people can change their attachment style, and give some practical advice for what an anxiously or avoidantly attached person could do to become more securely attached over time.
Time Management for Mortals with Oliver Burkeman
I am joined by bestselling author Oliver Burkeman for an exploration of what’s really at stake in what we call “time management”. You’ll learn why doing things faster only leaves you with more to do, and how we can live a more fulfilling and enjoyable life by embracing its finite nature.
Overcoming Procrastination: Unleashing Motivation and Creating a Pursuit Mindset
Join Dr. Rick and I as we explore how we can overcome avoidance and procrastination, unlock our motivation, and cultivate a "pursuit mindset." We discuss intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and how we can use our important values to shape our behavior.
Staying Curious, Embracing Change, and Relating to Media with Michael Krasny
Rick and I are joined by award-winning journalist Michael Krasny for an episode focused on how to stay curious, navigate times of transition, and relate to the modern media landscape in healthy ways.