What if the very thing keeping you from deep, meaningful friendships is the fear of being your true, imperfect self? This week Michael sits down with Jess Johnston for a chat about authenticity, friendship, and overcoming the fear of rejection. They dive into themes for her book, Perfect Is Boring (and It Tastes Like Kale): Finding Belonging and Purpose Without Changing Who You Are , which offers a refreshing take on embracing who you are while finding your place in the world. Together, they exp...
Jan 22, 2025•54 min•Ep. 391
Raising strong, confident girls in today’s world isn’t always easy, and this episode is here to help. Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein chats with Dr. Emily Edlynn about her book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World , and dives into how we can support girls as they face things like cultural pressures, objectification, and the subtle sexism that still lingers. They share real, practical tips on helping girls think critically, find their voices, and navigate the m...
Jan 15, 2025•57 min•Ep. 390
Ever feel like your workplace is a mix of different worlds, with each generation bringing its own style, perspective, and expectations? For our second episode of the year, Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder , CEO of the American Psychological Foundation, joins us to talk about how Baby Boomers to Gen Z can navigate work together. From remote work shifts to work-life balance expectations, you’ll come away with new knowledge on supporting each other across generations and creating healthier, more productive...
Jan 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 389
Kick off the New Year with us in this special cohosted POTC episode! We've got a MAJOR announcement for 2025, and we're also chatting about the ups and downs of decision-making—all backed by psychology. We're also reflecting on our 2024 highlights, sharing what we're all hoping for in the new year, and talking about how community, flexibility, and staying true to your values play into making some of life’s tough choices. Plus, we’re giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming up on the podcast this...
Jan 01, 2025•52 min•Ep. 388
As we turn the page to a new year, we’re excited to release this episode as a special gift to help you start 2025 on the right foot. Let’s face it—after the chaos and unpredictability of the past few years, many of us are craving positive change and looking for guidance on how to make it stick. Self-help has surged in popularity, but not all resources are created equal. That’s why we’re bringing back a conversation with Katy Milkman , author of How to Change , to cut through the noise and share ...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 387
Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it’s a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun , a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what’s behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it. We’re talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that p...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 386
Life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, especially with the nonstop pace of the modern world. But what if you learned to embrace the messiness that comes with life and concentrated more on what really matters to you rather than attempting to control everything? Building on the themes from his previous bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals , Michael is joined by returning guest Oliver Burkeman to break down his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your ...
Dec 11, 2024•58 min•Ep. 385
What if we started seeing grief as a form of trauma—could it help us make sense of the confusing ways our mind and body react to loss? In this conversation, Debbie sits down with Meghan Riordan Jarvis , a psychotherapist who’s spent her life helping people navigate the heartbreak of loss. She’s here to talk about her new book, Can Anyone Tell Me? Essential Questions About Grief and Loss , and to share her personal and research-based wisdom on this tender subject. We look into the messy, complica...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 384
How can you begin to heal from complex PTSD? In this episode, Jill sits down with Stephanie Foo to explore her memoir, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma , a deeply personal account of her healing journey through complex PTSD (CPTSD). Stephanie shares what it’s like to carry the weight of complex trauma, offering insights into how you can begin to heal too. Through her story and experience, you’ll learn how CPTSD differs from PTSD and why understanding those differences ...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 383
In this very special roundtable episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, our cohosts Debbie Sorenson and Emily Edlynn gather a panel of experts—including Tracy Dennis-Tiwary , Ellen Galinsky , and Devorah Heitner —to discuss an issue many parents face today: the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health. Bringing their unique perspectives together, they look at the often-alarmist messages surrounding technology use in youth, offering a balanced and hopeful perspective roo...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 382
We have an insightful discussion with Ruth Whippman this week, who urges us to rethink masculinity and nurture boys in a way that honors their mental health and emotional depth. A mother of three and the insightful author of Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity , Ruth brings a personal and societal viewpoint to the intense pressures that often shape modern masculinity. She sheds light on the cultural forces that define "being a man" and shares her journey in challeng...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 381
What if the relentless push for productivity is actually standing in the way of a truly fulfilling life? Join cohost Michael Herold and guest Ross White , author of The Tree that Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive , as they redefine balance and purpose, challenging societal pressures to stay constantly “on.” Using the wisdom of nature and the anatomy of a tree, Ross explores how psychological flexibility—grounded in rest, resilience, and self-awareness—can empower us to find strength...
Nov 06, 2024•59 min•Ep. 380
Stuck in the never-ending grind but still feel like it’s not enough? Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D. , a clinical psychologist and author of Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Cultures are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out-- and How to Break Free breaks down how hustle culture and wellness fads can mess with our sense of self-worth and add to our stress. She talks about how perfectionism and the pressure to constantly achieve can leave us feeling anxious, and why it’s so important...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 379
How does happiness fuel productivity and success? Join Michael Herold in an empowering chat with Mary Anderson , the author of The Happy High Achiever , who gives her expertise on how high-achievers can turn the tables on stress and anxiety, unlocking powerful tools that can lead you to greater success and fulfillment in life. You'll discover how to identify cognitive distortions, including what Mary coined the 'Troublesome Trifecta,' learn techniques to challenge those pesky, unhelpful thoughts...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 378
Are kids learning enough about how the world really works? This week, Emily hosts Lindsey Cormack , a thoughtful political science professor and author of How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It's Up to You to Do It) , to talk about how we, as parents, can play a big role in raising engaged citizens. They delve into Lindsey's experiences and research, demonstrating how schools frequently fail to teach students the fundamentals of government. They also look into what it means to be a 'citizen' and how...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 377
This week on Psychologists Off the Clock, Jill takes on the dynamic blend of science and art in therapy with our amazing guest, Dr. Michael Alcee , a mental health educator and the author of Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist . Michael sheds light on the vital balance between left-brain logic and right-brain creativity that makes for effective psychotherapy, shares thoughts on the power of humor, metaphor, and emotional connection, and reveals how therapi...
Oct 09, 2024•57 min•Ep. 376
Are you in the midst of a midlife transition, grappling with big questions about purpose, change, and self-discovery? For this week’s episode, cohost Debbie Sorensen celebrates her 50th birthday with a discussion on the transformative period of midlife with her friend, Dr. Meg McKelvie . A period rich with psychological shifts, existential questions, and challenges in finding deeper meaning, they get into acceptance and commitment therapy, emotional, psychical and cognitive changes, ways to over...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 375
If you are craving deeper, more meaningful connections in life then you're in for a treat with our latest guest, Dr. Adam Dorsay . Adam, also affectionately known as EnthusiAdam, is a licensed psychologist and executive coach who walks us through the core ideas from his upcoming book Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love , set to release on October 1st (mark your calendars!). We touch on the essential connections we need in life—to ourselves,...
Sep 25, 2024•59 min•Ep. 374
Do you feel like you are constantly on an emotional rollercoaster with your children? Get stuck into this lively chat with Dr. Carla Naumburg , a licensed clinical social worker, and the mind behind ' How to Stop Losing Your It with Your Kids '. Carla introduces us to her new book, ' How to Stop Freaking Out ', which is written specifically for kids, and talks about how a mix of compassion and humor can make all the difference. Whether you're a parent looking for ways to stay calm or a kid tryin...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 373
What if there's more to happiness and fulfillment than what you've been taught? Speaking about her book The Art of the Interesting , Lorraine Besser questions accepted notions of what constitutes a fulfilling life. She doesn’t just explore happiness and meaning; she challenges their dominance, exposing how chasing these ideals can sometimes leave us feeling empty and disillusioned. Lorraine invites us to consider a different path: pursuing a psychologically rich life. This isn’t about endless jo...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 372
What if the key to healing our fractured society lies not in silencing our differences, but in harnessing them? In this conversation with Diana M. Smith , a renowned thought leader in conflict resolution and organizational change, we're not just talking about the pressing issue of political divisiveness—we're talking about the power to reshape our society by rethinking how we engage with one another and transform conflicts into constructive forces for societal progress. Drawing from her extensiv...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 371
Are you truly living the life you desire, or are hidden patterns holding you back? Challenging us to rethink our understanding of freedom and personal fulfillment, we bring you a fascinating conversation with Dr. Emma Seppälä , a renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and Yale lecturer who introduces her latest book, Sovereign , which delves into the profound concept of sovereignty—not just as a political term but as a personal journey toward breaking free from the self-imposed barriers that...
Aug 28, 2024•58 min•Ep. 370
Imagine seeing teenagers not as a bundle of challenges but as a wellspring of untapped potential. That's exactly what our guest Ellen Galinsky , President of Families and Work Institute, invites you to do in this episode, through her book ' The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens ' which challenges the negative cultural narratives about teenagers by presenting a new scientific framework that underscores teens' strengths and capabilities. Guiding us in unders...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 412
Discover the keys to mastering any skill with Scott Young . Bringing us his latest book, Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery , Scott retells his fascinating journey of self-studying MIT's computer science curriculum and breaks down the essential process of learning: seeing, doing, and receiving feedback. You'll find out how learning from others, effective practice, and receiving feedback can accelerate personal and professional growth. If you want to enhance your own learning journey, ...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 368
If you feel overwhelmed by chronic disorganization, struggle to maintain focus, or wonder if your adult challenges might be linked to ADHD, we’re sitting down with Michaela Thomas, a brilliant clinical psychologist and the mastermind behind The Thomas Connection , the author of " The Lasting Connection ," host of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, and a leading expert in ADHD support. Through Michael’s extensive and personal understanding of ADHD in adulthood, you’ll discover why seeking a diagnosi...
Aug 07, 2024•57 min•Ep. 367
If you’re unsure about life's big decisions and tired of making endless pros and cons lists, we’ve got a bonus co-host episode just for you! We’re helping you break down complex decisions into easy-to-follow exercises that you can do right along with us or on your own time. From understanding your comfort zone to making tough choices based on values rather than fear or external pressures, we've got it all covered. It's like having your very own therapist in your earbuds. So join us, grab a pen a...
Jul 31, 2024•49 min•Ep. 366
Money talk can be a real minefield in relationships, especially if you and your partner or spouse have totally different spending habits. If this sounds familiar then you’ve got to check out our latest episode with Dr. Scott Rick , a behavioral scientist and the author of Tightwads and Spendthrifts . We tackle questions like whether tightwads and spendthrifts can actually find harmony together and uncover insights from his original research on the psychology of money management in relationships....
Jul 24, 2024•54 min•Ep. 365
If you want the best guidance for your GI issues without exclusive access to a top-tier medical team, join us in this episode with Megan Riehl , co-author of Mind Your Gut: The Science-Based Whole-body Guide to Living Well . You’ll discover how this book brings science-based strategies, and exercises straight to your home, offering tools rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy to manage GI symptoms effectively. Learn about accessible resources and the profound impact of a multidisciplinary team o...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 364
If worry is your constant companion, take heart—you're in good company. Let's clear something up: worrying is as human as breathing. Everyone does it, and sometimes it even helps. But when worry transforms into a monster that steals your sleep, scrambles your thoughts, and holds your decisions hostage, that's when we’ve got a problem. If this sounds familiar, you’ll want to hear this conversation with Ben Eckstein where we unpack his book, Worrying Is Optional: Break the Cycle of Anxiety and Rum...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 363
Ever had to deal with someone who just seems impossible to reason with? You know, the kind of person who always blames others and seems to turn every minor disagreement into a conflict? If you've been there, you’ll want to check out this episode with Bill Eddy , Chief Innovation Officer of the High Conflict Institute and an expert in understanding high-conflict personalities and dealing with adult bullies. We talk about the characteristics of high-conflict individuals, the psychological impact o...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 362
