In this episode we answer questions from listeners around boundaries in conversation, how to navigate repair in relationships, and what a “highly sensitive person” is.

I am joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Jacob Ham to explore what really helps people work with - and be with - trauma. I ask him how he "conceptualizes" different kinds of traumatic experiences, and he then takes us away from the conceptual, toward the felt. 

Dr. Rick and I explore how to survive the holidays with the dishes (mostly) intact. We talk about the pull of dysfunctional family systems, our tendency to return to the way things were “back then,” and how to make the most of things this year.

Dr. Stephen Porges, the creator of the polyvagal theory, joins the podcast to walk us through how its lessons can be applied to recovering from traumatic experiences.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Chris Palmer, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, joins me to discuss the relationship between metabolic function and mental illness.

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.

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.

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, 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.