Whether you’ve gone through a bad breakup or you’re struggling with a financial situation, tough times make it tempting to feel sorry for yourself. But self-pity is self-destructive. It’s much different than sadness. Allowing yourself to feel sad can be part of the healing process. Feeling sorry for yourself, however, will keep you stuck in a place of pain. So on today’s Friday Fix, I share why it sometimes feels good when we feel sorry for ourselves. I also explain the top five reasons why you ...
Aug 13, 2021•10 min
Most of us feel pressure to keep going when things feel hard. In fact, we sometimes think that the harder something is to do, the longer we should stick with it. We’ve been told things like, “Quitters never win,” and “Never ever give up!” Certainly pushing yourself even when things get hard can build character. Grit, perseverance, and hardiness are all key components of mental strength. But does quitting a job you hate mean you weren’t strong enough to hack it? On today’s Friday Fix, I share how...
Aug 06, 2021•11 min
LeAnn Rimes is one of the most successful recording artists of all time, selling over 37 million records worldwide to date. She also hosts a podcast called Wholly Human which is dedicated “to helping others overcome the fragmentation that keeps us from feeling more complete and connected in today’s world.” On today's show, LeAnn talks about how she takes care of herself and what it means to be 'wholly human.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 04, 2021•34 min
Justin Baldoni is best known for his acting role on Jane the Virgin. He's also a filmmaker, author, and podcast host. His new book, Man Enough, talks about how we can redefine masculinity. In a world where "acting tough" is often confused with "being strong," Justin is paving the way to understanding what it really means to be a man. He’s open about his struggles and the ways in which he gains support. And he is clear that he continues to make mistakes but considers himself to be a work in progr...
Aug 02, 2021•41 min
Have you ever thought about how you deal with uncomfortable emotions? Do you start scrolling through your smartphone whenever you feel the slightest bit bored? Do you text an ex who isn’t good for you whenever you feel lonely? We usually don’t think much about these habits we’ve established in life. And we rarely reflect on how little habits affect us so much in the big picture. The way you respond to uncomfortable emotions establishes patterns in your life. You might not even recognize them eve...
Jul 30, 2021•9 min
Today's guest is Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist who learned the value of listening to people. His wisdom has led him to become a consultant to many major organizations as well as a hostage negotiator trainer. He is also the author of several best-selling books, including Just Listen, Get Out of Your Own Way, and Talking to Crazy. On today's episode, Dr. Goulston explains the benefits you'll gain when you become a better listener, how your listening skills benefit others, and how to start shar...
Jul 26, 2021•40 min
Whether you lost your cool when a telemarketer called you at an inconvenient time or you sent a scathing email you wish you could take back, it’s likely that all of us have had times when our anger caused us to act in an irrational manner. Anger is a normal, healthy emotion. But it needs to be managed. If it isn’t, it can lead to aggressive and destructive behaviors. Whether your anger is a big problem or it just leads to the occasional issue, there are likely things you can do to manage your an...
Jul 23, 2021•11 min
Jessica Lahey has spent more than 20 years as a teacher, including five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab center for adolescents. She is a New York Times Best-Selling author. She's also a self-described alcoholic who set out on a quest to learn how to prevent her kids from falling into a generational cycle of addiction. In this episode, she talks about her new book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. She shares how to empower kids to refuse subst...
Jul 19, 2021•46 min
Why would a med student party all night before a big test? And why would someone who has almost all their debt paid off go out and buy a car they can’t afford? Self-sabotage is a strange concept. We claim we want to reach a goal, and we complain about the obstacles that threaten our chances at success. Yet more often than not, the biggest hurdle to achievement is ourselves. We sabotage ourselves in some pretty clever ways. It’s a phenomenon I see quite often as a therapist. Yet some people don’t...
Jul 16, 2021•13 min
Dr. Ramsey is a psychiatrist. But rather than focus solely on prescribing antidepressants or antianxiety medications, he helps people change their diet. He's a firm believer in the fact that most people can help themselves feel better by changing what they eat. In this episode, he talks about his new book, Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety. Some of the things he talks about are the most important foods you should be eating right now, the nutrients most people aren't getting, and the strategies ...
Jul 12, 2021•49 min
Mindfulness is about learning how to live in the present moment. That’s hard to do in today’s world, though. So often, we miss out on things because our minds are wandering. We don’t pay attention to someone who is talking to us because we’re thinking about all those things on our to-do list. Or we miss what’s going on in our kids’ basketball games because we’re so worried about whether we offended someone in a conversation we had yesterday. The list of distractions is endless. When we become mi...
Jul 09, 2021•9 min
The conversations you have with yourself matter. If you beat yourself up, call yourself names, or tear yourself down, you'll struggle to feel good and perform well. That's why self-compassion is so important. But self-compassion isn't just about using nice words. Sometimes, it involves taking action. On this episode, Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, explains how to practice fierce self-compassion. Some of the things she talks about is why suppressing emotions doesn't work, th...
Jun 28, 2021•35 min
It’s tough to know how you’re doing unless you have someone to compare yourself with. Do you earn a lot of money? Are you tall? Are you a good basketball player? It all depends on who you’re comparing yourself to. But comparisons can be harmful to your psychological well-being. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help you stop comparing yourself to other people. In this Friday Fix episode, I share how to recognize when you’re comparing yourself to others, why it’s bad for your menta...
Jun 25, 2021•11 min
Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez opens up about how she found the courage to face depression. She discusses how she discovered she was depressed, the steps she took to get treatment, and the strategies she uses to stay mentally strong. Just five days prior to this interview, she injured her knee and learned that she would not be able to compete in the 2021 Olympics. But you'll see how her positive attitude shines through and helps her deal with the disappointment. Learn more about your ad ...
Jun 21, 2021•22 min
When you’re feeling nervous about something at work or you’re feeling down for no reason at all, well-timed kind words from someone else can help you feel better. But, there won’t always be someone available with helpful words at just the right moment. And in those moments, it’s tough to remind yourself of the kind things you could say to yourself. That’s why writing yourself a kind letter can be so powerful. Then, you’ll always have some reassuring words at your fingertips. So in today’s Friday...
Jun 18, 2021•10 min
John Burns is the CEO of TB12, the wellness company founded by Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. John shares what it takes to develop the mindset of a champion. Some of the things he talks about are realistic optimism, redefining your limits, and focusing on the things you can control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 14, 2021•41 min
Everyone experiences grief. Yet we rarely talk about our experiences. Grief is the process by which we heal. And staying strong through grief isn’t about not crying or not feeling sad. It’s about allowing yourself to work through uncomfortable emotions so you can heal. On today’s Friday Fix, I clear up some of the biggest misconceptions about grief. I also share how to stay mentally strong when you’re working through grief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 11, 2021•10 min
Jillian Michaels is a fitness expert and renowned life coach. Her fitness videos and apps have helped hundreds of millions of people get in shape around the globe. She is best known for her role as a coach on the TV show, The Biggest Loser, where she helped people lose weight week after week. She’s also a New York Times bestselling author and the host of a popular podcast called, “Keeping It Real.” Some of the things she shares on today's show include how to motivate yourself when you don't feel...
Jun 07, 2021•36 min
Whether you said something out of anger and hurt your partner’s feelings or you completely forgot about a deadline for work, your next move is critical. Saying, “I’m sorry,” doesn’t automatically make things better. Apologies often fall short—or even make things worse. But there is a way to make an apology effective. In fact, when an apology is delivered well, you might make things better than they were before you messed up. So on today’s Friday Fix, I share the exact things you should say to in...
Jun 04, 2021•9 min
If you ever have unhelpful thoughts that run through your head, this episode is for you. I talk to bestselling author Jon Acuff about how to replace the the broken soundtracks in your head. Some of the things he shares are how to tell when you're overthinking, how to replace unhelpful soundtracks with healthier ones, how to shift your mindset, and much much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 31, 2021•39 min
Problems always feel bigger at 2 AM. And that's why Daniel Howell wrote his new book, "You Will Get Through This Night." Daniel is a comedian and entertainer whose videos have attracted over 1 billion views on YouTube. He’s also an award-winning host of a BBC radio show. He’s written several New York Times bestselling books, including The Amazing Book is Not on Fire and Dan and Phil Go Outside. His newest book, however, isn’t funny, however. It takes a close look at the strategies that can help ...
May 24, 2021•38 min
The way you think affects how you feel and it affects how you behave. One slight change to the way you think might make a huge difference in your life. If you’re like most people, you might think in the first-person. You tell yourself, “I have to go to the store,” or “I am going to mess up.” But you may want to start using third person when you think—call yourself by your name or use your pronouns. It’s something that NBA all-star Lebron James has demonstrated. And researchers think he’s onto so...
May 21, 2021•9 min
Dr. Jud Brewer is a psychiatrist and a neuroscientist. He’s spent more than 20 years researching habit change and the “science of self-mastery.” His newest book, Unwinding Anxiety, became an instant New York Times bestseller. When you hear him talk, you'll understand why his book is so popular. He shares some really simple but effective strategies for managing anxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 17, 2021•35 min
Just because the pandemic restrictions are lifting doesn’t mean it’s OK to stop taking care of your mental health. In fact, caring for your mental health right now might be more important than ever. Now that the crisis is beginning to subside, the way you move forward matters. There are some common mental health mistakes people make whenever they emerge from a tough time. And while we all make mistakes sometimes, it’s important to recognize those mistakes so we can create positive changes. On to...
May 14, 2021•9 min
When Danielle Walker was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, physicians told her that her illness could be well-managed with medication. But Danielle’s symptoms didn’t go away. In fact, flare-ups caused her to lose a lot of weight, and she required frequent hospitalizations. Ultimately, she decided to change her diet — even though doctors said doing so wouldn't improve her symptoms. Her diet changes ultimately saved her. But she found herself struggling to stick to her diet changes because the fo...
May 10, 2021•41 min
A lot of things were out of your control over this past year. Fortunately, you can control the attitude you have as you emerge from these tough times. There are some ways to reflect on this year that can help you turn it into an opportunity for growth. In today’s Friday Fix, I share five questions you can use to reflect on your time during the pandemic. Answering these questions and writing down your answers can help you grow from the adversity you encountered this year. Learn more about your ad...
May 07, 2021•10 min
Dr. John Umhau is a physician and addiction medicine specialist. His telemedicine practice focuses on the treatment of alcohol use disorder through diet, medication, and The Sinclair Method. If you drink more than you'd like or know someone who does, stick around for this episode. Dr. Umhau's wisdom might give you hope that you can take steps to curb cravings for alcohol and reduce problem drinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 03, 2021•51 min
Whether you want to bring up a difficult subject with a loved one or you want to join a new class, fear can be a powerful obstacle. In fact, any uncomfortable emotion (like sadness, anxiety, or anger) can stand in between you and your goals if you let it. In today’s Friday Fix, I share one of my favorite strategies for finding courage when you need it the most so you can face your fears, make a change, or do something you’ve always wanted to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...
Apr 30, 2021•8 min
Paul Gilmartin is a comedian. He was the longtime host of the TBS show Dinner and a Movie. He's also appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, HBO, and VH1. He’s now the host of a popular podcast called The Mental Illness Happy Hour. He interviews celebrities, experts, and everyday people about their trauma, mental illness, addiction, and negative thinking. He had always made other people laugh, and he looked like he was enjoying life from the outside. But mental illnesses are often hidden. And just beca...
Apr 26, 2021•47 min
A lot of people have entered my therapy office over the years saying things like, “I just have to get rid of my stress.” But stress is part of life. And there will always be obstacles and hardships. Even having nothing to do can be quite stressful. Being mentally strong when you’re feeling stressed out doesn’t mean ignoring your stress or pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s about being aware of your stress levels so you can take action. Stress management is a skill that can be learned. And we all ...
Apr 23, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 67