Selling the Couch - podcast cover

Selling the Couch

Melvin Varghese, PhDsellingthecouch.com
With 1.81 million+ downloads, Selling the Couch is an Apple Top Career podcast for current and future mental health private practitioners who think differently. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists in private practice about how they built their businesses as well as top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, and social media experts.* You'll learn how therapists get referrals, grow their practices, work through fears, find their enough, and stop "trading time for income." Melvin also shares the lessons as he grows his impact + income beyond the therapy room (podcasting, YouTube, writing, online courses, masterminds, investing, etc) and the tips and tools he uses to grow STC from a single-person business to the CEO of a 6-figure business.* Featured in Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Psych Central ****Get show notes and even more good stuff at sellingthecouch.com/stcpodcast*
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

326: Standing Out On Twitter-3 Lessons Learned From 0 to 200k Followers with Aadit Sheth

I still call myself a Twitter newbie because I haven’t been there for very long, but I’ve been honored to connect with amazing people holding full and varied skill sets. I’m chatting with one of them in today’s session, someone who has helped me learn what I was doing wrong on Twitter and how I can improve. If you need Twitter help, too, join us to learn more about standing out on Twitter! Our Featured Guest Aadit Sheth Aadit Sheth is a 21-year-old engineering student who started on Twitter only...

Oct 06, 202243 min

325: 7 Ways That Shifting To A 4 Day Work Week Made Me A Better Entrepreneur

Today’s topic is inspired by a Twitter thread I wrote about a life-changing event in our family when our daughter began preschool recently. Since she was born prematurely, going through the NICU experience four years ago coupled with the demands of entrepreneurship brought me to the realization that things had to change. The season of life that was one of the hardest things became the best thing to help me reevaluate and realign my life and goals. As much as I love my work, I wanted my life to b...

Sep 29, 202224 min

324: How To Grow A New Podcast with Jeremy Enns

“Will anyone listen to it? How can I grow my audience?” These are the questions that badger everyone who starts a podcast, and even though I am a veteran podcaster of several years, I know there is a lot of room to grow. The good news is that there are people who can help us learn by sharing their knowledge and experience. My guest today has answers to your biggest questions about growing and marketing your podcast. It’s easier than you think! Join us! Our Featured Guest Jeremy Enns Jeremy Enns ...

Sep 22, 202243 min

323: 3 Tips To Become An Awesome Storyteller Online

Today’s topic is a fascinating one for me. As therapists, we are wired for stories, but telling an effective story online is a struggle for many of us. Fortunately for us, my guest has wisdom and tips to share to help us become awesome storytellers. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Kieran Drew Kieran Drew lives in Leeds, England, and is my writing coach for Twitter. In an interesting career twist, he was a dentist who left behind his stressful, work-filled life to become a copywriter/st...

Sep 15, 202228 min

322: How To Avoid Information Overload In Your Online Course

Today’s session is a coaching call, and our main focus is on a struggle that many course creators face. When you are an expert in your course content, how do you find the balance in presenting information without overwhelming your students? I feel sure that every course creator has felt this struggle, so I hope you find today’s call to be helpful. Our Featured Guest for today’s coaching call: Heather England, Ph.D., LCP, LCPC, CST, CDWF Dr. Heather England is a coach, certified sex therapist, an...

Sep 08, 202239 min

321: Business As A Tool For Growth, Creativity, and Social Justice with Ariana Lloyd, LCSW

Hello! Welcome to a brand new season of STC that will take us through September and October before I take an extended sabbatical of several months. Today’s session is a fascinating conversation about considering the greater purpose of our businesses beyond merely generating income. How can our businesses be a vehicle for much, much more in the world? Let’s discuss this topic with today’s guest! Our Featured Guest Ariana Lloyd, LCSW Ariana Lloyd is a licensed clinical social worker in Portland, O...

Sep 01, 202240 min

ENCORE: Improving Your Private Practice Website with Daniel Fava

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to a different 2021, but I am grateful for what we’ve learned about ourselves, our businesses, and our resilience. Today’s topic is more relevant than ever, as we all want to learn more about improving our private practice website. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Daniel Fava Daniel Fava, from Private Practice Elevation, is my friend and an expert in website design. I trust his insight and advice, and I rely heavily on him for everything website-rel...

Aug 25, 202237 min

ENCORE: Moving From An Online Course To A Membership Model with Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-S

Today’s show takes on a very niched perspective, but the information and wisdom are useful in many aspects of our work as clinicians and business owners. We are specifically discussing how to move from an online course to a membership model. Maybe you’ve wondered about these components of your practice and how to make the transition. Join us for expert advice! Our Featured Guest Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-S Jennifer McGurk is a registered dietitian in NY whose specialty is helping clients ...

Aug 18, 202237 min

ENCORE: Building A Personal Brand On Social Media

If the topic of building your personal brand on social media brings feelings of anxiety and insecurity, then today’s show is for you. As clinicians, we know it makes sense to have a digital footprint in the online world, but it’s difficult to know just how to establish yourself with authenticity and transparency. There are so many nuances to the intimidating world of social media! Today’s conversation will give you valuable insight and practical tips to help people get to know, like, and trust y...

Aug 11, 202237 min

ENCORE: Writing a Children's Book

Have you ever considered writing a children’s book? I’ll admit that I’ve thought about it, and it might be a new endeavor in my future. Writing a children’s book takes creativity and planning, and much perseverance is required to navigate the publishing process. Join me as I talk to a longtime friend who has been through the process and published two children’s books. Our Featured Guest Amy Jivani Amy is a childhood friend of mine who has become a children’s book author. Her latest book, Meera’s...

Aug 04, 202230 min

320: 5 Lessons I Learned After 2 Cohort-Based Course Launches

Today’s solo episode is the last one before we take an extended summer break for August. We will return with new episodes in September and October before I plan a sabbatical of several months. Today’s focus is on cohort-based courses, which are becoming very popular in the world of online education. It’s a very powerful model that I truly love. Join me for a closer look as I share what I’ve learned so far! 5 lessons I’ve learned about CBCs: It truly gets easier the second time around, but the fi...

Jul 28, 202223 min

319: 9 Ways to Turn Your Podcast Into A Money-Making Machine

Before I started this podcast in 2015, I had rolled the idea around in my head over and over again. The problem was that I was full of fears and apprehension, and I just wasn’t sure that I could make it work like I wanted. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to help almost 300 of my colleagues build their online businesses through podcasting, and I’ve learned what to do and what not to do. I’m sharing helpful tips today to help you transform your podcast into a money-making machine. Join me to learn...

Jul 21, 202226 min

318: Why You Should Not Just Build a Social Media Following with Craig Morris

Today’s topic is relevant to many different types of businesses and entrepreneurs, and it’s something I have pondered along my own journey. We are taking a look at owning an audience compared to “renting” an audience through social media platforms. Social media can be overwhelming with many challenges, and the number of followers is not always a reflection of the success of a business. Join us to learn strategies to help you own your audience! Our Featured Guest Craig Morris Craig Morris works w...

Jul 14, 202237 min

317: A Niche Working With Incarcerated Men

Today’s session is atypical and very specific, but I think it’s a relevant and timely focus. The topic of supporting incarcerated men has been something I’ve thought about for a long time because the need is great, and I have a heart for those clinicians who do this difficult work. I want to learn and understand more about this field, so I hope you’ll join me for today’s conversation. Our Featured Guest Robert Fields, LPA Robert Fields is a Licensed Psychological Associate in Durham, NC. His 15-...

Jul 07, 202227 min

316: Creating A Breathwork App with Brian Von Ancken

Today’s session is all about building a breathwork app. It’s an interesting and nuanced process that most of us don’t understand. Breathwork can be a vital part of any therapy practice, and it is a tool that we should better understand. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Brian Von Ancken Brian Von Ancken is Head of Partnerships at Othership.us. Brian and I met on Twitter, which has been a great place for me to connect and engage with many amazing people. Brian’s app is one of the top prod...

Jun 30, 202232 min

315: How to Use Loom to Record Your Course Quickly and Efficiently

Even with seven years or so of course-building under my belt, I certainly do not claim to be an expert with all the answers. Always the student, I’m constantly learning and tweaking the process, and I’m always happy to share my tips and valuable lessons with you. There are so many tools, equipment, formats, etc.--- and it can all be very intimidating! In today’s solo session, I’m sharing tips about my favorite recording tool, Loom . Join me now! You’ll Learn: Why Loom is my favorite recording to...

Jun 23, 202226 min

314: Finding Our Enough as Entrepreneurs with Keri Nola

Today’s session is very relevant to the season of life that I’m currently navigating. How far do we keep going as entrepreneurs as we reach our goals? How far is enough that our lives and responsibilities are balanced by the work we do and not pushed aside by work? How big do we want our business and our revenue goals to be? Join us for a closer look at “enough” in today’s podcast! Our Featured Guest Keri Nola Keri Nola is a good friend and a repeat guest on the podcast, even though it’s been fa...

Jun 16, 202236 min

313: The 10 Biggest Mistakes I Made As An Online Course Creator

These past few years, I’ve been focused on building a life around my family and self-care rather than fitting those things around a career. I’ve learned that there is much wisdom in slowing down and not keeping up a crazy pace. One thing that has helped me accomplish these goals is creating an online course. Even though I’m super grateful and blown away by the success of the Healthcaster’s course, I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Join me as I share my insights and lessons learned. You’ll ...

Jun 09, 202230 min

312: SEO When Doing Telehealth Across The State

Today’s topic is a relevant one for many clinicians as telehealth services have become a widespread, vital, and normal part of the healthcare field. Specifically, we are focusing on how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) changes when you practice telehealth across your state or even in multiple states. I’m continually fascinated by SEO and how it works, and it’s something I’m still learning. If you are like me, join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Jessica Tappana, MSW, LCSW Jessica Tappana is...

Jun 02, 202231 min

311: 10 Lessons I've Learned as a Course Creator (part 2)

Today’s solo episode is the second in a two-part series about the lessons I’ve learned as a course creator. I launched The Healthcasters course back in 2015, and it recently passed the $300K revenue mark. Those results are far more than I could have ever imagined, and as I’ve reflected, I realize that I have learned a lot through this journey. I hope some of my lessons learned will be helpful for you! Join me for today’s session where I’ll cover #6-10 of my top ten lessons learned. Lessons learn...

May 26, 202221 min

310: Creating an Online Course for Parents

I’m the fortunate podcast host with two guests today, which is a first for me! They are long-time friends of mine from grad school who have taken a unique idea and brought it to fruition in starting their company and launching their first online course. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to hear all about it, so join us to hear their story! Our Featured Guests Jordana Mortimer, PhD Erin Avirett, PhD Jordana Mortimer and Erin Avirett are both child neuropsychologists with independent private...

May 19, 202236 min

309: 10 Lessons I've Learned as a Course Creator

Today’s solo episode is the first in a two-part series about the lessons I’ve learned as a course creator. I launched The Healthcasters course back in 2015, and it just passed the $300K revenue mark. Those results are far more than I could have ever imagined! Join me for today’s session where I’ll cover the first five of my ten lessons learned. Lessons learned as a course creator: Decide between a skyscraper or a strip mall model for your online business. This concept comes from Nathan Barry, th...

May 12, 202226 min

308: How Writing A Book Helped Grow My Practice

Today’s session is special because our guest is a friend and colleague from our internship days at Vanderbilt. He has accomplished many things in his career, one of which is co-authoring a book to grow his group practice. It is an innovative endeavor that definitely qualifies as “outside-the-box” thinking. Tom’s insight will be helpful if writing a book is in your future! Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest: Tom McDonagh, PsyD Tom McDonagh is in group practice in San Francisco, where his w...

May 05, 202228 min

ENCORE: Creating An Epic Welcome Video,Bryan Nixon, MA, LPC

Today’s topic is very specific, but it’s one that makes a big difference in your private practice and has a meaningful impact on your clients. We are talking about creating an epic welcome video for your practice website. If making a welcome video isn’t part of your website already, don’t miss today’s episode about showing up authentically in ways that connect you to your clients. Our Featured Guest Bryan Nixon, MA, LPC Bryan Nixon is a group practice owner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His welcome...

Apr 28, 202240 min

ENCORE: 3 Powerful Reasons Every Entrepreneur Needs A Daily Hike (Backed By Science)

What if I told you that there is something simple and free that most of us can do daily for an hour or less that yields amazing physical and mental benefits? Would you want to know what it is? Since the pandemic has forced us to take a closer look at our habits and make some changes, I want to share this life-changing activity that has become an almost daily habit for me. It’s hiking! Incorporating a midday hike several times each week helps me sleep better at night and stay centered for daily t...

Apr 21, 202221 min

ENCORE: Moving From An Online Course To A Membership Model with Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-S

Today’s show takes on a very niched perspective, but the information and wisdom are useful in many aspects of our work as clinicians and business owners. We are specifically discussing how to move from an online course to a membership model. Maybe you’ve wondered about these components of your practice and how to make the transition. Join us for expert advice! Our Featured Guest Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-S Jennifer McGurk is a registered dietitian in NY whose specialty is helping clients ...

Apr 14, 202241 min

ENCORE: Real Advice To Therapists Launching An Online Course

This is the last episode until September while I take some time off to focus on self-care before the summer ends. Today’s episode is a valuable one if you are thinking about launching an online course sometime soon or in the future. My encouragement to you is to do it! Get started! Join me for this solo episode in which we discuss the basics. You’ll Learn ● The most common reasons to launch an online course: to put your message out there to impact more people in different locations, to feel more...

Apr 07, 202238 min

307: How to Keep Your Podcast Going

At the beginning of this month, we reached our seven years of podcasting milestone here at Selling the Couch. That’s pretty crazy when statistics show that three out of every four new podcasts die after only seven episodes. Join us to learn what it takes to beat the odds and keep your podcast going. When I started the show back in 2015, podcasts were new. I am naturally introverted, so podcasting does not come easily to me. I remember being fearful on multiple levels and wondering how long I wou...

Mar 31, 202224 min

306: How to Show Up Imperfect In Your Marketing

If there is one thing I’ve learned as a small business owner, it’s that it takes courage to show up imperfect. We want so badly to be perfect and put together in front of our audience, but perfectionism makes us less authentic and connected. Join us to learn more about being OK with being imperfect. Samara Stone is a return guest to the podcast, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back! In addition to her work as a therapist, Samara is a branding expert who has a curated community, Be Full Grown, fo...

Mar 24, 202235 min

305: The Power Of Building In Public

Today’s session covers the power of building in public, which has been a new concept for me in the last few months. This is a way for business owners to build their products and services in public on social media while others come along for the journey. It’s not easy for those of us who don’t want to display our messiness, but it is a very powerful strategy. Think of building in public as a marketing technique that doesn’t feel like marketing. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest: Kevon Che...

Mar 17, 202239 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android