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When it comes to serious illness, we might assume that medical treatment is where it’s at. And of course, when it comes to medical illness, medical treatment is central. But research also shows that talk therapy can help improve health, extend life, and make it easier to tolerate many of the challenges of illness. On today’s episode of POTC, Yael and Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz, co-author with Marsha Linehan of Coping with Cancer, discuss the usefulness of one such talk therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT offers concrete, simple skills to deal with serious medical illness. From managing pain to communicating with providers and loved ones, Liz offers on-the-ground strategies that you can put into action today to help manage health, prolong life, and make meaning. Listen in for an expert-breakdown of evidence-backed skills and practical advice you can put into practice to help yourself or loved ones struggling with serious illness. Listen and Learn: Yael and Debbie discuss the usefulness of skills like emotion regulation for extreme, stressful, or scary health-related situations  The role of evidence-based psychological interventions in the world of medical treatment Why DBT is particularly useful for managing severe medical illnesses Expert definitions and explanations of DBT basics  The DBT practices Liz has used in her personal life Practical advice for dialing down emotions when they become too intense  How to use your Wise Mind to make values-rich choices How you can wisely and flexibly select from a menu of useful skills Expert-advice for those who struggle with self-critical narratives that interfere with interpersonal functioning Liz’s favorite DBT skills for practicing self-kindness and helping others  How to be effective in relationships with medical providers and loved ones Connecting with meaning while struggling with illness  DBT training resources for clinicians, patients, and loved ones  Resources: Read Liz’s book, Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills to Manage Your Emotions–and Balance Uncertainty with Hope Sign up for more information on Liz’s DBT training for clinicians, patients, and loved ones Attend Diana’s Values-Rich Living Retreat!  Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz: Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz, LCSW-R, trained in social work at Smith College prior to earning her psychoanalytic certification. After this, she studied Zen, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and the application of neuroscience to psychotherapy, integrating these perspectives into her clinical practice and the ways she teaches coping with adversity. She frequently presents on topics related to coping skills, psychoanalysis, and DBT. Liz currently works as a psychotherapist and teacher in Mamaroneck, New York. Make sure to grab a copy of the book she co-authored with Marsha Linehan, Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills to Manage Your Emotions–and Balance Uncertainty with Hope.  Related Episodes: Episode 108. Is Your Self-Control Out of Control? Radically Open DBT with Hope Arnold (part 1) Episode 109. How to Loosen Up and Be Less Overcontrolled: Radically Open DBT with Hope Arnold (part 2)    Episode 117. Bearing Unbearable Loss: A conversation About Grief with Joanne Cacciatore Episode 120. Use DBT Skills To Regulate Emotions And Be More Effective In Relationships With Matthew McKay Episode 157. The Art of Dying Well with Katy Butler

The World Health Organization includes burnout in its International Classification of Diseases and defines it as work-induced stress leading to exhaustion and cynicism. If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of burnout, you might try many things to get rid of them. For example, you might try engaging in large amounts of rest, meditation, or relaxation exercises. In contrast, you might try to rid yourself of burnout symptoms by engaging in even more work. Each of these strategies would likely provide you with some short-term relief, but eventually the symptoms of burnout would reemerge, leaving you just as exhausted and cynical as before (if not more!). In this episode of POTC, co-hosts Debbie and Jill discuss the causes of burnout and provide practical approaches to preventing and finding relief from its symptoms. You’ve fought the good fight. Now, put your feet up and listen in to learn more about finding peace and joy in your work today! Listen and Learn: An expert-approved definition of burnout Three hallmark signs and symptoms of burnout  The pandemic’s impacts on burnout Practical, pragmatic approaches to self-care Overlaps and distinctions between compassion fatigue and burnout Debbie and Jill’s personal experiences with burnout Actionable steps for professionals, caregivers, and parents who are experiencing burnout but still have bills to pay  Skills for preventing burnout Short- and long-term consequences of burnout-related behaviors How and why certain exercises fail to “fix” burnout in the long run Debbie defines institutional betrayal and talks about the impact of minority stress on burnout How you can push against, and work toward changing, the systemic issues that cause burnout Resources: Check out Debbie’s website and buy her book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy   Attend Debbie’s webinar on ACT for Burnout! Look here for more information on the work of David Whyte  Try some of these exercises to identify and move toward your values Find out more about Christina Maslach, the original investigator of burnout Attend Diana’s Values-Rich Living Retreat!  Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Debbie Sorensen and Jill Stoddard: Debbie Sorensen, co-founder and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock, is a clinical  psychologist with a Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University and a private therapy practice in Denver, Colorado. She specializes in providing individual Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for adults. In addition to private practice, she holds a part-time appointment as a Clinical Research Psychologist at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention. She currently lives in Colorado, her home state, and where she enjoys reading fiction, cooking, travel, and getting outdoors in the beautiful Colorado Rockies with her family and dog. Check out her and co-host Diana Hill’s book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  Jill Stoddard earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Boston University where she trained at the highly regarded Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders under the mentorship of Dr. David Barlow and Dr. Stefan Hofmann. She is founder and director of The Center for Stress & Anxiety Management, co-founder and vice president of the non-profit San Diego Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consortium, and member-at-large for The Association of Contextual and Behavioral Sciences (ACBS). Dr. Stoddard specializes in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders and has expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is an award winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, author of two books, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off The Clock podcast.  Related Episodes: Episode 199. Belonging from the Inside Out with Meg Mckelvie Episode 105. The Self-Care Prescription with Robyn Gobin Episode 65. Self-care, Kindness, and Living Well with Kelly Wilson Healthcare Professional Well-being part one and  part two Special Bonus Episode: Healing Racial Trauma with Carynne Williams and and Jennifer Shephard Payne  

An interesting trope exists among super-heroines. Their powers often involve invisibility. From the Invisible Woman (Susan Storm) of the Fantastic Four to Invisigirl (Violet Parr) of the Incredibles, the examples are nearly endless. In the real world, women are often expected to do the majority of “invisible” domestic and emotional work. This important work is rarely discussed or disseminated across partners and can leave women feeling burnt-out, frustrated, and exhausted (read: not super). Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play, is an expert in family mediation, strategy, and organizational management and is dedicated to creating a modern system for couples seeking balance, efficiency, and peace in their home. In this episode of POTC, Eve joins Jill once again for a follow-up discussion on finding freedom and peace in playing fairly with your partner. Grab a comfy seat, and listen as Eve answers all of your burning questions from her previous visit! Listen and Learn: Jill and Diana discuss the importance of “check-ins” and what real Fair Play looks like in their personal lives Real examples of when and how Fair Play works  Practical advice for the conception, planning, and execution (CPE) process when values differ Why vulnerability might be the key to compromise The political movement of Fair Play (read: how to get society on board with believing our time is valuable) The meaningful caregiving experiences Fair Play creates for men  How to incorporate teenagers into Fair Play Expert-approved tips for helping other couples as a third-party How to Play Fair even when schedules are constantly shifting What to do when everyone is feeling burnt out Maintaining boundaries after you’ve established Fair Play The therapists’ guide to teaching clients Fair Play Resources: Eve’s book, Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) The accompanying card deck for Eve’s book, The Fair Play Deck: A Couple’s Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What’s Important   Check out care-force.org to learn more about the coalition for paid leave! Attend Diana’s Values-Rich Living Retreat!  Attend Debbie’s webinar on ACT for Burnout! Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Eve Rodsky, JD: Eve Rodsky is working to change society one marriage at a time by coming up with a new 21st century solution to an age-old problem: women shouldering the brunt of childrearing and domestic life responsibilities regardless of whether they work outside the home. In her New York Times bestselling book Fair Play, she uses her Harvard Law School training and years of organizational management experience to create a life-management system to help couples both rebalance all of the work it takes to run a home and reimagine their relationship, time and purpose. Eve Rodsky received her B.A. in economics and anthropology from the University of Michigan, and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. After working in foundation management at J.P. Morgan, she founded the Philanthropy Advisory Group to advise high-net worth families and charitable foundations on best practices for harmonious operations, governance and disposition of funds. In her work with hundreds of families over a decade, she realized that her expertise in family mediation, strategy, and organizational management could be applied to a problem closer to home – a system for couples seeking balance, efficiency, and peace in their home. Rodsky was born and raised by a single mom in New York City and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three children. Find Eve on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or visit her website to learn more! Related Episodes: Episode 176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky  Episode 194. How to Be (and raise) an Adult with Julie Lythcott-Haims Episode 168. Everyday Conversations: How Conversational Style Impacts Relationships with Deborah Tannen Episode 107. Playing Big With Tara Mohr     

Children and their parents have struggled mightily with mental health during the pandemic. Now, post-pandemic, we are beginning to rebuild and re-envision our lives with bravery and resilience. Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s character, resilience, and reduce peer cruelty. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Yael and Michele discuss Thriving and the character strengths it takes to be one. Join us to learn practical strategies proven to help children build those character strengths and thrive in their lives. Listen and Learn: Yael and Jill’s personal experiences with thriving and how they approach this topic with their kiddos Michele’s expert-based definition of what it means to be a Thriver The character strengths of Thrivers How to thrive in real life (warts and weaknesses in tow!) Practical advice to foster bravery and resilience in children On-the-ground, proven strategies parents can apply to help ALL kids develop the characteristics of thriving (read: even those with hormonal imbalances or de-stabilizing life experiences) Michele and Yael’s thoughts on creating environments where your children might most easily thrive Following your kids’ passions and allowing them to develop hobbies and how to set up useful boundaries in the meantime (we see you, Fortnite and Minecraft parents!) The usefulness of cutting one thing out of your activity list for the week Everything you need to know about the important differences between self-confidence and self-esteem Michele’s expert tips on praising your kids in ways that support the development of self-confidence rather than inflating their ego Practical strategies for what to do in real-life, tricky situations where you must balance fostering perseverance or “bubble-wrapping” How to best support thriving and the development of resilience in children who have experienced varying forms of trauma Michele’s (surprising!) favorite movie and book recommendations for inspiring your kids Resources: Michele’s book, Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine  Alison Gopnik’s book, The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us about the Relationship Between Parents and Children and its accompanying workbook Michele’s book recommendation, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Attend Debbie’s webinar on ACT for Burnout! Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Dr. Michele Borba: Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, and parenting child expert recognized for her solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s character, resilience, and reduce peer cruelty. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has spoken in 19 countries and five continents, and served as a consultant to hundreds of schools and corporations. She offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career working with over one million parents and educators worldwide. Dr. Borba is an NBC contributor who has appeared over 150 times on the TODAY show and countless others. Michele is recognized globally for her work in bullying and youth violence prevention and is currently a media spokesperson for several major corporations. She is the award-winning author of 24 books translated into 19 languages including her latest book (spring 2021) Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine and its accompanying workbook. Michele is a former classroom and special education teacher with a wide range of teaching experience, including work in a private practice with children with learning and emotional disabilities. She received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of San Francisco, an M.A. in Learning Disabilities and B.A. from the University of Santa Clara, and Life Teaching Credential from San Jose State University. She lives in Palm Springs, California with her husband and has three grown sons. Related Episodes: Episode 79. Thriving In Adolescence with Louise Hayes Episode 87. Cribsheet with Emily Oster Episode 159. Challenging Times During Adolescence with Louise Hayes Episode 161. The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey Episode 193. Heal Unhealthy Striving with Diana and Yael     Episode 194. How to Be (and raise) an Adult with Julie Lythcott-Haims

In 2020, the global market for anti-aging products was estimated at US$52.5 Billion and is projected to reach US$83.2 Billion by 2027. Some of this market is certainly due to ageism, pseudoscience, and harmful marketing practices. However, ideas around aging (and the way it’s portrayed in media and marketing) seem to be changing for the better, and some anti-aging techniques are showing great promise. Dr. Andrew Steele, author of Ageless, has dedicated his professional career to identifying factors that age us. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, he and Diana discuss the science behind why we grow old and the evidence-based approaches individuals of all ages can use to target those aging factors. Join us in this episode to learn basic strategies you can implement to inhibit the aging process and enhance your quality of life today! Listen and Learn: Diana and Debbie’s thoughts on the pseudoscience and fear that typically fosters ageism and the evidence-based approaches to healthy aging Andrew’s expert description of the humanitarian science of aging (and why it’s so important we study this right now!) Ten key factors that contribute to aging and evidence-based ways to target them What evolutionary neglect is and why we have evolved to grow old Andrew’s expert explanation of senescent cells and practical advice for targeting them  Basic strategies you can implement today to inhibit the aging process and enhance your quality of life New and incoming interventions designed to increase telomere length The psychological impacts of living longer  The values underlying Andrew’s mission of building respectful, supportive communities for the elderly Easy anti-aging practices young people can implement into their daily routine Resources: Andrew’s book, Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old  Elizabeth Blackburn and Elissa Epel’s book, The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer  Attend Debbie’s webinar on ACT for Burnout! Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  Dr. Andrew Steele About Andrew Steele: After obtaining a PhD in physics from the University of Oxford, Dr. Andrew Steele decided that ageing was the most important scientific challenge of our time, and switched fields to computational biology. He worked at the Francis Crick Institute, using machine learning to decode our DNA and predict heart attacks using patients’ medical records. He is now a full-time science writer and presenter based in London. He has appeared on Discovery and the BBC. Follow him on instagram @andrewjsteele, twitter @statto, and facebook @DrAndrewSteele.  Read his Psychology Today interview, and check out his Today Show appearance Related Episodes: Episode 125. Why We Age and the Science of Longevity with David Sinclair Episode 13. Healthy Aging and the Brain  Episode 194. How to Be (and raise) an Adult with Julie Lythcott-Haims Episode 174. How to Work and Parent Mindfully with Lori Mihalich-Levin 

For many years now, college students have been experiencing a mental health crisis. The events of the past year have only worsened this crisis, and according to experts, it’s not getting better. Transitioning from adolescence into adulthood while simultaneously transitioning from high-school to university living is never going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be meaningful and worthwhile. Dr. Nic Hooper, an expert in clinical psychology, wrote The Unbreakable Student as a guide to help students navigate these transitions in meaningful, value-informed ways. On this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Nic and Debbie discuss the unique challenges university students face and how values can help students overcome those challenges. Join us for practical advice on embracing your university adventure today! Listen and Learn: Debbie and Diana’s thoughts about the unique challenges of the college student phase of life The sweet story behind Nic’s book, The Unbreakable Student Nic’s evidence-informed list of the unique challenges that arise during the transition from adolescence to adulthood Six areas of wellbeing and how they impact university students Practical, evidence-based, advice for overcoming common university hurdles like procrastination, test anxiety, and more! Self-care strategies for the high-achieving student and how to talk about self-care to the beloved high-achievers in your life Practical, expert-approved, advice on how to fully embrace your university adventure The one piece of insightful advice Nic would give to his younger self  Resources: Buy Nic’s books, The Unbreakable Student: 6 Rules for Staying Sane at University, The Acceptance and Commitment Diary (published annually), and The Research Journey of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Check out Nic’s website nichooper.co.uk, and follow him on twitter @nichooper7! Attend Debbie’s webinar on ACT for Burnout! Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych. Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Nic Hooper: Dr. Nic Hooper is an expert in clinical psychology and a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England in Bristol. He has authored many scientific articles, book chapters and books, including The Acceptance and Commitment Diary (published annually) and The Research Journey of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Nic is also a co-director of Connect, which is an organization that offers a psychological wellbeing curriculum for primary school children. In 2017, inspired by his students, Nic began to write a book of life advice to his son, Max, which was to be given to him on his eighteenth birthday. Over time, that book slowly transformed into The Unbreakable Student. Visit his website, nichooper.co.uk, and follow him on twitter @nichooper7 for updates, resources, and more!  Related Episodes: Episode 189. Imposter Syndrome with Jill and Debbie Episode 193. Heal Unhealthy Striving with Diana and Yael Episode 182. Do More With Less: How to Stretch in Work and Life with Scott Sonenshein Episode 172. Performing Under Pressure with Sian Beilock Episode 65. Self-care, Kindness, and Living Well with Kelly Wilson 

Humans have always struggled with addictive substances. However, as evidenced by the opioid overdose epidemic and due in part to harmful policies like those from The War on Drugs that disproportionately affect individuals from minority communities, problems of addiction have worsened in recent years. Jessica Lahey, author of The Addiction Inoculation and The Gift of Failure, is an expert in education and has spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Jessica and Jill discuss risks and protective factors for addiction. Here (and in her book!) Jessica breaks down the most recent research on addiction in digestible, accessible ways. Join us to learn how you can reduce risk, increase protective factors, and better support your child in their experiences with drugs and alcohol today!  Listen and Learn: Jill and Yael’s thoughts on (and personal experiences with) the interplay between stress, growth, and parenting  The touching, personal story that influenced Jess’ desire to write her newest book How Jess’ writing experience has impacted Jill and helped her develop as a writer An accessible explanation of the research on kids and addiction  Jess and Jill’s personal encounters with addiction risk factors  How to pragmatically reframe risk and why it’s important to do so Risk factors that point to potential addiction and how to identify and deal with them Protective factors against potential addiction  Practical advice for reducing risk and increasing protective factors for your kids How trauma can impact addiction and practical advice for fostering post-traumatic growth If certain populations of kids are more at risk because of their parents’ careers The importance of having a dependable network of support and having conversations about addiction early and often Jess’ expert examples of how to talk about addiction with kids of different ages Jess’ research-backed thoughts on parents allowing their teenagers to drink The significant impacts of privilege on addiction Important data you can refer to when making your own parenting decisions about alcohol  How to respond when your kids start asking about your experiences with drugs and alcohol Resources: Buy Jessica’s books, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence and The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed  Listen to Jessica’s  #AmWriting podcast CDC resources and information on drug and alcohol dependence and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) Take the ACE quiz  Read Jessica’s article in the New York Times on self-efficacy and addiction  Attend Diana’s Compassion and ACT workshops on Acceptance, Allowing, and Making Space on June 27th and Values-Rich Living on August 29th   Check out Julie Lythcott-Haims’ books, How to Raise an Adult & Your Turn Check out Nadine Burke Harris’ book, The Deepest Well Check out Judith Grisel’s book, Never Enough  Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych  Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  About Jess Lahey: Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, New York Times, and The Atlantic, is a book critic for Air Mail, and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ award-winning The Stinky and Dirty Show. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast with bestselling authors K.J. Dell’Antonia and Sarina Bowen from her house in Vermont, where she lives with her husband, two sons and a lot of dogs. Related Episodes: Episode 161. The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey  Episode 101. The Complete Family Guide to Addiction with Thomas Harrison and Hillary Connery Episode 167. Get Curious and Change Unhealthy Habits with Judson Brewer Episode 27. Alcohol and the Brain with Lara Ray Episode 155. Mindfulness and Recovery with Rebecca Williams

Kristin Neff is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, teaching us that compassion involves kindness, mindfulness and common humanity. In her new book,  Fierce Self-Compassion,  Kristin explores the balance between tender self-compassion and action oriented self-compassion.   “Sometimes compassion means standing up, saying, ‘no, you are treating me unfairly’ and setting boundaries.” Kristin Neff In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Diana and Kristin discuss the duality of self-compassion, women and anger, and the inner power needed to stand up and protect what you care about. Listen in and harness your kindness, claim your power, and thrive today! Listen and Learn: A breakdown for beginners – Diana defines “Yin”, “Yang”, “Kali”, and “Durga” and discuss their metaphors for self-compassion Kristin Neff’s expert description of the yin and yang of self-compassion The role the feminist movement has played in racism and oppression and what this has to do with fierce self-compassion Nuances of feminine energy and how those nuances are embodied in different goddesses  How to access and embrace your feminine energy (read: how to balance your yin and yang and why it’s important to do so!) Kristin’s personal experience finding wholeness and developing self-compassion amidst divorce, single parenthood, and tumultuous work experiences When and why emotions traditionally dissociated from femininity (e.g., anger) are useful The functionality of fierce self-compassion and practical advice for embracing it in your own life Kristin and her friend, Angela Duckworth’s (check out our episode with her where we discuss Grit) thoughts on the bind women find themselves in when it comes to likeability and competence Kristin’s expert, research-based definition of self-compassion Why self-compassion is so difficult to achieve  How Kristin’s personal experiences have informed her perspective on women, relationships, compassion, and wholeness Practical advice on how to use your values to inform your balancing behavior What it means to be a compassionate mess and why it should be your goal Resources: Kristin’s book, Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive Learn more about goddesses who embrace feminine energy: Kali, Durga, Sekhmet, and Diana  The Origins and Nature of Compassion Focused Therapy by Paul Gilbert Diana and Debbie’s book, ACT Daily Journal  Diana will be hosting a workshop on Compassion and ACT: Acceptance, Allowing, & Making Space where you will learn to use journaling, meditation & embodied yoga practice to explore Acceptance through compassion Dr. Kristin Neff About Kristin Neff: Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion almost twenty years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she is author of the book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, which is taught by thousands of teachers worldwide. They co-authored the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. Her newest work focuses on how to balance self-acceptance with the courage to make needed change. In June 2021, she will publish Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. For more information on Kristin Neff please visit her website, self-compassion.org. Related Episodes: Episode 145. Caring, Compassion, and Cooperation with Paul Gilbert Episode 147. Extending Compassion with Janina Scarlet and Sara Schairer   Episode 198. Break the Good Girl Myth with Majo Molfino   Episode 193. Heal Unhealthy Striving with Diana and Yael 

As co-hosts, this podcast has provided many opportunities to interview incredibly high-achieving people. Our line-up has included authors, designers, artists, academics, scientists, doctors, lawyers, CEO’s, and more! We’ve had these individuals on the show to discuss topics such as humans’ yearning to belong, steps we can take to begin mending racial trauma, and femininity in the modern world, and throughout these interviews, a common question arises: What does it take to become the kind of high-achieving individual we frequently interview? In this special 200th episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, and Yael discuss grit and how it’s associated with high achievement. By combining passion and perseverance in the pursuit of a singular goal, many have found success. Join us in this episode to learn more about what it takes to succeed and how you can grow grit in your own life today! Listen and Learn: The joy we feel in reaching our 200th episode and the passion and perseverance (read: Grit) it took to get here Diana’s personal experience using her values to guide her grit (and when and how you can do the same!) The values that continue to guide our podcast’s growth A peek inside Angela and Stephen’s podcast, No Stupid Questions Angela’s expert definition of grit and how it is associated with achievement How grit and parenthood can build upon and strengthen one another The importance of values in your relationship with perseverance  Some differences between how interpersonal skills, likeability, and grit each lend themselves to success Practical advice for knowing “when to grit” and “when to quit” Yael’s expert break-down of how grit works with principles of ACT Angela’s simple, evidence-based recommendations for growing grit Resources: Angela’s book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela’s TED talk (one of the most-viewed TED talks of all time!) Angela and Stephen Dubner’s podcast, No Stupid Questions Katy Milkman’s book, How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Robert Cialdini’s book, Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion Adam Grant’s book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know Daniel Kahneman’s book, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment  Elizabeth Nyamayaro’s book, I Am a Girl from Africa     Esther Wojcicki’s book, How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results  About Dr. Angela Duckworth: Angela Duckworth, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help children thrive. She is also the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, faculty co-director of the Penn-Wharton Behavior Change for Good Initiative, and faculty co-director of Wharton People Analytics. Angela completed her undergraduate degree in Advanced Studies Neurobiology at Harvard, graduating magna cum laude. With the support of a Marshall Scholarship, she completed an MSc with Distinction in Neuroscience from Oxford University. She completed her PhD in Psychology as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. A 2013 MacArthur Fellow, Angela has advised the World Bank, NBA and NFL teams, and Fortune 500 CEOs. Prior to her career in research, Angela founded a summer school for underserved children that was profiled as a Harvard Kennedy School case study and, in 2018, celebrated its 25th anniversary. She has also been a McKinsey management consultant and a math and science teacher at public schools in New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Angela’s TED talk is among the most-viewed of all time. Her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is a #1 New York Times best seller. Angela is also co-host, with Stephen Dubner, of the podcast No Stupid Questions. Related Episodes: Episode 34. Strengths, Goal Setting, and Grit with Alexis Karris Bachik Episode 48: Practical Wisdom with Barry Schwartz Episode 130. Working Less with Alex Pang     Episode 172. Performing Under Pressure with Sian Beilock Episode 182. Do More With Less: How to Stretch in Work and Life with Scott Sonenshein

Humans are social animals by nature. Throughout our existence, it has proved important to belong to groups in order to survive and thrive in our environments. The yearning to belong is so strong that, when it’s mismanaged, it can control our behavior in unhelpful ways that are inconsistent with our relationship values. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Debbie talks with her friend and colleague Meg McKelvie, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of ImpACT Psychology Colorado, about belonging. Together they unpack what it means to belong from the inside-out and provide practical advice on fostering a sense of belonging. Grab a friend, and listen in today to learn about embracing the ordinary, clarifying your values, expressive writing, and much, much more! Listen and Learn: About Debbie and Diana’s experiences with “belonging” What you may have in common with sea anemones when it comes to belonging and vulnerability Meg’s expert definition of belonging and why belonging is so crucial to us as humans The relationship between belonging, birthright, and social justice What typically gets in the way of people feeling a sense of belonging How belonging is different from being liked (spoiler alert: belonging is not a popularity contest!) Why you might consider dropping the desire to be special and embracing the ordinary A way to clarify the motives behind your actions (and clarify your values in the process!) The hidden gifts of being ordinary What it means to belong from the inside-out and the outside-in, and practical advice for how to foster these types of belonging How Meg found a greater sense of belonging from the inside out in her life The important differences between self-acceptance and belonging Meg’s thoughts on jealousy and competition and how they impact experiences of belonging How expressive writing it can be helpful in processing emotions How loneliness and belonging are interrelated  Meg’s evidence-based suggestions for building meaningful connections with others Resources: Check out the resources Meg offers on her website! Meg and Debbie will be presenting a workshop on Belonging from the Inside Out together at the ACBS Virtual World Conference on June 27th. Steve Hayes’ book, A Liberated Mind  John O’Donohue’s book, Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong More information on George Floyd and places you can donate funds to support #BlackLivesMatter MEND – a collaboration of trauma experts dedicated to healing communities of color. Meg’s favorite quote by Rumi  James Pennebaker’s book, Expressive Writing: Words that Heal  Mary Oliver’s poem, When I am Among the Trees  Grab a copy of Debbie and Diana’s new book, ACT Daily Journal!   About Meg McKelvie: Meg McKelvie, PhD, co-founded ImpACT Psychology Colorado, a psychotherapy collective that serves Boulder/Denver. Their mission is to provide high quality, whole hearted psychotherapy and training in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and other evidence-based psychotherapies. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she studied cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) and couples therapy and engaged in research. Prior to her work in private practice, she was a clinical psychologist in the Family Program at the Denver Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center where she specialized in developing, delivering, and evaluating compassionate, research-based treatments for distressed couples and couples where one partner is struggling with PTSD. In addition, she served as a nationally recognized consultant and trainer in trauma focused cognitive processing therapy (a cognitive behavioral therapy for trauma) for the Veteran’s Affairs Health Care System and local supervisor for doctoral level trainees. She has specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and couples therapy and research for over fifteen years and reproductive mental health for thirteen years. She has presented her work at international conferences. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys hiking, yoga, skiing, reading, gardening (with a bit of a brown thumb) and spending time with her family.  Related Episodes:  Episode 193. Heal Unhealthy Striving with Diana and Yael Episode 32. Social Connection: Exploring Loneliness and Building Intimacy with Debbie and Diana Episode 115. Creating Meaningful Gatherings with Debbie and Diana Episode 195. ACT Daily with Diana Hill and Debbie Sorensen Episode 191. Conversations that Connect with AJ Harbinger Episode 197. Influence and Adventure with Jon Levy Aspen grove image by Janet Meyer from Pixabay 

On the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we share a powerful poem by Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne, and Carynne Williams tells the story of her mission to help clinicians of color access trauma trainings.

For generations, girls have been taught a certain set of rules. These rules are rooted in harmful, patriarchal ideas about what it means to be feminine. Followers of these rules may be referred to as “Good Girls,” and though following these rules makes us more palatable for society, it makes us quieter, less powerful members of society as well. In fact, inflexibly following these rules can prevent women from engaging with the full extent of their feminine power. Join Jill and Majo Molfino, women’s leadership expert and author of Breaking the Good Girl Myth, as they talk about five “Good Girl” myths, why we continue engaging in them, and how to break them today! Listen and Learn: What Jill and Debbie were like as little girls before society’s rules and myths impacted their behaviorWhy and how Jill and Debbie have re-embraced some of the behaviors they engaged in as little girlsWhat Majo was like as a little girl and why she asks each of her podcast guests what they were like as little girlsThe “Good Girl” Myths, how they’re rooted in the patriarchy, and how they impact girls and womenWhich “Good Girl” Myth might be impacting your behavior right nowMajo’s expert explanation of the spectrum of “Good Girl” MythsHow to recognize and break behavioral cycles rooted in myths about being a “Good Girl”Why the edge of vulnerability is the sweet spot for growthPractical advice for breaking preconceived, gender-related rules that are no longer serving you (read: stepping into your feminine power)The complex web of relations between imposter syndrome, capitalism, and the patriarchyHow Majo uses design principles to influence change in people’s livesSome big rules Jill and Majo have broken that have changed their lives for the betterThe positive aspects and strengths related to the “Good Girl” Myths and how to use them for your benefit Resources: Check out Majo’s podcast, Heroine where she interviews top female leaders, creatives, and visionariesTake Jill’s imposter quiz to find out exactly what kind of imposter YOU areBuy Majo’s book, Break the Good Girl Myth: How to Dismantle Outdated Rules, Unleash Your Power, and Design a More Purposeful Life Buy Jill’s book, Be Mighty Participate in Majo's meditations here. About Majo Molfino: Majo Molfino is an Argentine American author, designer, and women's leadership expert. She's the host of the Heroine Podcast, featuring top female leaders, creatives, and visionaries. Her leadership program, Ignite, guides women to design and share a creative dream with the world. With a master’s in Design from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in cultural studies from McGill University, she supports women in designing their creative purpose without quitting their day jobs. She lives in California with her husband. Buy her book, Breaking the Good Girl Myth, take her free feminine power quiz, and take advantage of her free meditations through her website, majomolfino.com.    Related Episodes: Episode 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill StoddardEpisode 163. The Likeability Trap with Alicia Menendez Episode 185. Good Guys: Allies in the Workplace with Brad Johnson and David SmithEpisode 176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky

Debbie talks with behavioral scientist Jon Levy about his new book You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence.

Today’s world is more digitally-based than ever before, and in this digital world, brands are constantly marketing their products to you. This constant, often covert marketing can negatively impact vulnerable consumers. In fact, this has become such a problem that in recent years the Federal Trade Commission has cracked down on influencers and celebrities disclosing their relationship with brands. Now more than ever it is important that we as both consumers and marketers be conscientious and knowledgeable of our marketing practices. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Matt Johnson and Prince Ghuman, founders of Pop Neuro and authors of Blindsight, talk with Diana about the neuroscience of marketing. Take a break from scrolling, and join us in this episode to learn more about the neuroscience of marketing and how it impacts you, today! Listen and Learn: Diana and Jill’s take on neuromarketing and how psychology influences our lives through mediaThe history behind Matt and Prince’s collaboration Why Matt and Prince chose to combine their knowledge of neuroscience and marketing and how they did itWhat a mental model is (and how marketing capitalizes on them!)Practical advice for making your marketing more memorable A sneak peak inside Matt and Prince’s bookHow Matt and Prince used principles from neuroscience in the creation of their book and why those principles keep you interested in reading itLife hacks on why some products more or less addictiveWhy Matt and Prince are passionate about educating consumers on marketing practices and how they put that passion into practice in their bookHow and why branding is impactfulWhat in marketing makes us like some things more than other thingsThe positive (and negative) ways we communicate through marketingWhat neural coupling is and how it affects you The future of marketing, where it’s going, and where it is right nowExpert-approved skills and strategies that Matt and Prince use as both consumers and marketers for their ‘digital well-being’ Resources: A 4-1-1 on what the Coke vs Pepsi Challenge was all about  Take The Big Five Personality Test Check out Prince’s Ted Talk Make sure to grab a copy of Prince and Matt’s’ book, Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our BrainsInterested in becoming certified in neuromarketing? Sign up for their bootcamp!Read their blog to stay updated on all the recent news with neuromarketing   Follow Pop Neuro on Twitter (@Pop_Neuro) and on Instagram (@Pop.Neuro) About Pop Nuero, Matt, and Prince: Pop Neuro reveals the deeper, neuroscientific, and psychological blueprint behind consumer behavior and neuromarketing. Based on 25+ years of combined experience, it’s the brainchild of consumer neuroscientist Matt Johnson, PhD, and neuromarketer Prince Ghuman. Matt Johnson, PhD is a professor at Hult International Business School, where his research focuses on the application of neuroscience and psychology to marketing. He received his BA from UC San Diego, and his PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Princeton University. A contributor to major news outlets including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and VICE and writer for Psychology Today, he regularly provides expert opinion and thought leadership on a range of topics related to the human side of business. He advises both start-ups and large brands in his native Bay Area, and has served as an expert-in-residence to Nike’s Innovation Team in Portland, Oregon. Along with co-author Prince Ghuman, Johnson founded PopNeuro.com for anyone interested in approachable consumer psychology. Follow Matt on Twitter (@MattJohnsonIsMe) or LinkedIn!    Prince Ghuman’s journey into marketing started during his studies at the University of California at San Diego. His first startup, Potenza, was the first of its kind, a brand of caffeinated water. He went on to be the founding head of marketing at BAP, one of the first digital automotive platforms and current l...

Our mission at Psychologists Off the Clock is to bring evidence-based psychological treatments and practices to the public. One of our favorite treatments is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT, pronounced as one word). In this episode, ACT experts, authors, and POTC co-hosts Diana and Debbie discuss how you can use ACT to get unstuck and thrive! Diana and Debbie's new book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, breaks ACT processes and strategies down into simple, fun, and actionable steps. Yael chats with Debbie and Diana about how you can start implementing ACT strategies into your life starting today. Join the conversation to learn ACT as a beginner or to beef up your existing ACT toolbox! Listen and Learn: POTC’s resident Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) experts’ definition and break down of this therapeutic approach All about Diana and Debbie’s book and how it can help you thrive in your own life. here and nowDebbie and Diana’s personal experiences with ACT, writing, and the development of their bookPractical advice on fostering psychological flexibility and building value-based habits into your dayWhy this book is different than any other book you’ll find on ACTHow Diana and Debbie packed empirical, evidence-based information into digestible, bite-sized stories and exercises for the ultimate ACT-informed self-help book  Practical advice for folks who feel they might lack the discipline to engage in self-help workWhy self-compassion is so important to building psychological flexibility Some examples of the six core ACT processes in actionWhy it’s so challenging to be present and expert-approved tips and tricks to engage in present-moment awarenessThe personal elements Debbie and Diana (including insider information on the egg-related stories that got cut)About some of the biggest challenges you might face when putting ACT processes into practicesA goodie for you! Diana and Debbie each read a vignette to give you a taste of what’s inside their book! Resources: Make sure to grab a copy of Debbie and Diana’s book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and join the Facebook group to get active in learning and discussing: https://www.facebook.com/ACTDailyJournal And if you’d like to win a free copy of their book, make sure to enter our book giveaway! To enter, write us a review on Apple Podcasts and send us an email (with "Book Giveaway" in the subject line) letting us know you did so at offtheclockpsych@gmail.com. For more information about ongoing and upcoming giveaways, follow us on Instagram at @offtheclockpsych. About Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Debbie Sorensen: Dr. Diana Hill specializes in evidence-based and compassion-focused approaches to living well. She helps her clients build a values-rich life and unpacks the science of ACT through the cutting-edge podcast Psychologists Off the Clock, online teachings, and her book ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, co-authored with Dr. Debbie Sorensen. Dr. Debbie Sorensen is a psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University. In addition to private practice, Debbie works part-time as a clinical research psychologist at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and is a nationally-recognized VA trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Make sure to grab a copy of her book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, co-authored with Dr. Diana Hill. Related Episodes: Episode 41. Kissing The Frog: How To Establish a Morning Routine with Diana and DebbieEpisode 75. Mindful Self-Compassion with Christophe GermerEpisode 77.

A psychology podcast about how to be an adult ("adulting") and how parents can help raise an independent adult.

Throughout the past year, many of us have redefined what it means to “work hard” or “strive” in our own lives. The pandemic and the accompanying social distancing mandates have challenged us to work and live much differently than ever before. For many, this has meant striving more than ever to simultaneously be the perfect employee, parent, partner, or etc. Though striving can often be healthy, many times we engage in unhealthy striving that can leave us feeling exhausted and chronically burnt out. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Yael and Diana, co-author with Debbie of ACT Daily Journal, discuss healthy and unhealthy striving. They explain the neuroscience behind this behavior and provide some practical advice for noticing and changing unhealthy striving in your life. Reconnect with your values and take the first step toward healthy striving by listening to this episode right now! Listen and Learn: Why exploring healthy vs unhealthy components of striving is important to Yael and Diana How Diana and Yael started exploring the topic of strivingThe signs and symptoms of unhealthy vs. healthy striving The neuroscience behind strivingSome examples of what healthy striving might look like in your lifeDiana’s expert definition of effortless action and what it means to embody a balance of effort and surrenderPractical advice for moving from competition to collaborationWhat the striving cycle looks like as a process in many different domains of lifeHow values clarification can help break your striving cycle and orient you towards healthier strivingA few red flags that might indicate unhealthy striving patterns (and some resources for when you notice them)Engage in an experiential exercise with Diana and Yael, and start breaking your pattern of unhealthy striving today!  Resources: Check out Diana's blog posts for her wisdom on ACT, mindfulness, and much, much more Make sure to pick up Debbie and Diana’s book, ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment TherapyJoin Diana for her free Tuesday Teachings for a live, online talk, movement, and meditation practice led by the master herself About Diana and Yael: Dr. Diana Hill Dr. Diana Hill specializes in evidence-based and compassion-focused approaches to living well. She helps her clients build a values-rich life and unpacks the science of ACT through the cutting-edge podcast Psychologists Off the Clock, online teachings, and her book ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, co-authored with Dr. Debbie Sorensen and coming in May 1, 2021! Dr. Yael Schonbrun Dr. Yael Schonbrun is a practicing clinical psychologist and a professor at Brown University. In her clinical practice and in her research, she brings effective treatments to those who are struggling with the transition to parenthood, with relationship problems, depression, anxiety, general unhappiness, substance use, and life stress. Related Episodes: Episode 31. DBT for Binge Eating with Debra Safer Episode 192. Happier With Tal Ben-Shahar Part #1 and Part #2 of our episodes on Neurodharma with Rick Hanson Episode 156. The Psychology of Radical Healing Collective with Helen Neville, Hector Adames, Bryana French, and Grace Chen Episode 123. Tantrum Survival Guide with Rebecca Schrag Hershberg 

Happiness is tricky. Poets, philosophers, and musicians have written about this emotion throughout history, yet most of us would struggle to define it if asked. In fact, psychologists and other mental health professionals often abandon the topic for pathology. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Yael and Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness expert and author of the best-selling book, Happier, discuss happiness and what it means to be happy in today’s world. Pause a moment and take inventory of your emotions. What shows up? What’s missing? Join us in this episode, and take a step toward embracing and making room for all of your emotions today! Listen and Learn: About how Debbie first came to know Tal Yael and Debbie’s happiness hacks and the practices they use to build happiness in their busy livesHappiness expert Tal’s definition of happinessThe differences between well-being and pleasureWhy it might be important to make room for all types of experiences (even the negative ones!)How Tal’s life experiences have informed his work in the field of happinessPractical advice for teaching your kids how to embrace and make room for uncomfortable emotionsTal’s wisdom for choosing your responses in uncomfortable situationsOn-the-ground practices you can use to build happiness into your busy lifeTal’s evidence-based thoughts on perfectionists, optimists, and performance-based happinessAbout the most influential books Tal has read in the past year Resources: It's Okay That Your’e Not Ok (Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand) by Megan Devine The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does by Sonja LyubomirskyTal’s personal book recommendations: Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Dr. Nathaniel Branden, and The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle  About Tal Ben-Shahar: Tal Ben-Shahar is an author and lecturer.  He taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history, Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. Today, Tal consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. The topics he lectures on include leadership, happiness, education, innovation, ethics, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages, and have appeared on best-sellers lists around the world. Tal is a serial entrepreneur, and is the co-founder and chief learning officer of Happiness Studies Academy, Potentialife, Maytiv, and Happier.TV. An avid sportsman, Tal won the U.S. Intercollegiate and Israeli National squash championships.  Today, for exercise, he swims, dances, and practices Yoga.  He obtained his PhD in Organizational Behavior and BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard Book Giveaway! POTC is doing another book giveaway, this on e accompanying Yael’s interview with happiness guru, Tal Ben-Shahar. You can enter the drawing for a free copy of his inspirational book, Choose the Life You Want: The Mindful Way to Happiness, by: Going to Instagram and locate, like, and SAVE the giveaway postIf you don't yet follow us, please do!For an EXTRA entry, share the post to your Instagram story and tag @offtheclockpsych Related Episodes Episode 2. Hygge – Happiness and the Danish Art of Cozy ConnectionEpisode 48. Practical Wisdom with Barry SchwartzEpisode 97. The New Happiness with Matthew McKayEpisode 85. Emotion Efficacy with Aprilia WestEpisode 120. Use DBT Skills To Regulate Emotions And Be More Effective In Relationships With Matthew McKayEpisode 143. Happier Parenting with KJ Dell’AntoniaEpisode 183. Permission to Feel: Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett

Meaningful social connection does not always come naturally. And during the pandemic, it has been extra challenging to learn how to connect while at a distance. AJ Harbinger offers strategies to relate in deeper ways, on and off the screen. Many of us have felt isolated during the pandemic, and yet, it’s anxiety-provoking to re-open again! In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Diana and AJ Harbinger, co-founder of The Art of Charm, Inc, provide expert insights on connecting with people through vulnerable, authentic conversation. Together they discuss the importance of sitting with silence, how to let your values guide your behavior in relationships, and much, much more. Take some pressure off yourself, step into a more meaningful connection, and listen to this episode today! Listen and Learn: Diana and Debbie apply AJ’s wisdom to reopening and reconnecting with people after the pandemic Practical advice for building more comfortable, relaxed connections with others How to captivate people using conversational skillsRules, recommendations, and practical tips for being a more captivating presenter on non-traditional presentation platforms (looking at you, Zoom!)AJ’s ultimate tips and tricks for getting your audience to remember your materialHow to engage in meaningful connection with people onlineWhat it means to ‘filter people’ in or out How to use emotion as a way to connectAJ’s personal background with connecting to people and the history behind how his values guided him to this point in his careerPractical advice from the current AJ to the past AJ (and for all of us struggling with major decisions)About John Gottman’s work and how it has influenced AJThe four horsemen of relationships and how they might be impacting your relationships with others and with yourselfThree types of captivating questions that can help you explore another person more meaningfullyWhy it’s so important to sit with awkward silencesSome emotional avoidance strategies that can be problematic in building meaningful connectionHow AJ implements these strategies with his teamOn a scale from 0-10 how awesome is Michael HeroldAJ’s answers to all of your questions including ones about tone and conflict in relationships, mirroring as a communication tool, and much more! Resources: Check out AJ’s podcast, The Art of Charm on iTunes or Google PodastsMore information on John Gottman and The Gottman Institute Make sure to take a listen to The Art of Charm’s episode with our very own, Jill Stoddard, and their episode with Michael Herold on making deeper connections as well Pre-order your copy of ACT Daily Journal today!Sign up for Diana and Debbie’s webinar with Praxis Continuing EducationJoin Diana’s April events to help you bring ACT into your daily life About AJ Harbinger: AJ Harbinger AJ Harbinger is a relationship expert, podcaster, public speaker, Fortune 100 executive consultant, and co-Founder of The Art of Charm, Inc. Over the last 13 years, AJ has trained thousands of people on how to unlock and channel their inner charisma to effortlessly connect with others, and harness the power and opportunities that come with building high-value relationships. Related Episodes: Episode 173. Confidence, Self-Doubt, and Overcoming Limitations with Michael HeroldEpisode 32. Social Connection: Exploring Loneliness and Building Intimacy with Debbie and Diana Episode 168. Everyday Conversations: How Conversational Style Impacts Relationships with Deborah Tannen Episode 180. Choosing to Live Your Values with Benji Schoendorff  

Mental health clinicians want to alleviate human suffering and do what we can to help prevent suicide. And yet, like many stigmatized topics, suicide is often avoided in conversations - including clinical conversations. Basic behavioral science tells us that we humans tend to avoid painful stimuli, and thanks to the double-edged sword of verbal behavior, painful stimuli (like conversations about suicide and suffering) can be both physical and psychological. Suicide stigmatization, as well as uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, can keep even the most experienced clinicians and providers from effectively helping their clients who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Debbie and Sean Barnes, clinical research psychologist and principal investigator of the ACT for Life study, discuss suicidal behavior, ways suicide is challenging for clinicians, and how to effectively engage with clients who have thoughts and feelings related to suicide. As clinicians, we often have limited behavioral repertoires around suicidality in our clients. We often tend to focus on helping clients ‘not die.’ However, there is more to life than ‘not dying,’ and suicide prevention is only the first, albeit vital, step in recovery. Join us in this episode to learn how to help your client build a life worth living! Workshop for Therapists: Join Sean, Debbie, and their colleagues for ACT for Life: Experiential training on a Contextual Behavioral Approach to Suicidal Ideation and Behavior at the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science’s virtual pre-conference workshop, June 12-13, 2021. Listen and Learn: Why it’s important to talk more openly about suicideThe plethora of resources available for suicide prevention, postvention, and safety planningSome of the challenges for therapists in managing suicide risk and working effectively with suicide (and some insight as to why it can be so challenging)Sean and Debbie’s expert, experienced-backed opinions about talking to clients about suicidal behaviors, risk, and safety planning.An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) conceptualization of suicide and why this approach to conceptualizing suicide is unique compared to more traditional approachesThe function of suicidal behavior and why it’s important to explore function as a clinicianAbout Sean’s intervention, ACT for Life, and how he is targeting suicidal behavior from a contextual behavioral approachWhat creative hopelessness is, how to use it, and why it can often feel scary for cliniciansHow to implement mindfulness and acceptance into your clinical work with suicidal clientsWhat it means to expand someone’s behavioral repertoire in the presence of suicidal thoughts and feelings About Sean Barnes: Sean M. Barnes, Ph.D. is a clinical research psychologist at the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Veteran Suicide Prevention and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. Sean is a consultant for the Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program and an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression provider and training consultant. He is also the principal investigator of the ACT for Life study, testing a brief ACT protocol for maximizing recovery after suicidal crises. Other aspects of Sean's research focus on the use of contextual behavioral interventions for moral injury, and the study of suicide risk assessment, but all his projects share a common goal of alleviating suffering and helping others build vital meaningful lives. Sean's MIRECC Webpage: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/staff/barnes.asp  Sean's ResearchGate Page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sean-Barnes-2 Twitter: @Sean_M_Barnes National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255  Prevention Resources for People at Risk of Suicide & T...