Psychologists Off the Clock

What if we started seeing grief as a form of trauma—could it help us make sense of the confusing ways our mind and body react to loss?In this conversation, Debbie sits down with Meghan Riordan Jarvis, a psychotherapist who’s spent her life helping people navigate the heartbreak of loss. She’s here to talk about her new book, Can Anyone Tell Me? Essential Questions About Grief and Loss, and to share her personal and research-based wisdom on this tender subject.We look into the messy, complicated emotions that grief can bring—like anger, guilt, regret, and anxiety—and Megan offers simple, meaningful ways to cope. We also tackle the bigger picture: why we need more honest conversations about death and how we can show up better for each other in times of loss.We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful conversation that might just give you a little clarity, hope, and comfort wherever you, or even the loved ones you are supporting, are on your grief journey. Listen and Learn:  Why grief education is key to feeling less alone, less afraid, and truly understood How we can reconnect in the face of profound loss Loss, grief, and mourning: uncovering the nuanced definitions and how they shape our healing journeys How Meghan’s two very contrasting losses shaped her approach to grief and healing The varying emotions of grief and why anger and anxiety might be more common than expected The shifting waves of loss, unexpected triggers, and lasting connections The idea of signs from loved ones Could the signs we receive from loved ones beyond death be more than just coincidence? Resources:  Can Anyone Tell Me?: Essential Questions about Grief and Loss: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781649632593 Meghan’s Website: https://meghanriordanjarvis.com/ Connect with Meghan on:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-riordan-jarvis-ma-licsw-071051142Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefismysidehustle/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghan.riordan.jarvis/?hl=enBooks Meghan mentioned in the episode:  The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss by Mary-Frances O’Connor: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780062946249 How Emotions Are Made, by Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781328915436 Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781250212832 Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss by Claire Bidwell Smith: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780738234786 Grief Works: Stories of Life, Death, and Surviving (A Practical Guide to Grief and Loss) by Julia Samuel: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781501181542  About Meghan Riordan JarvisMeghan Riordan Jarvis, MA, LCSW, is a podcast host, TEDx speaker, and trauma-trained psychotherapist specializing in grief and loss. With 20 years of experience, she speaks on the importance of understanding grief and supporting grievers. Meghan hosts the popular blog and podcast Grief Is My Side Hustle and offers a free writing workshop, Grief Mates. She is founder of the Grief Mentor Method: Six Core Concepts to Creating a Personalized Grief Process and is the author of End of the Hour, a memoir on trauma, loss, and healing. Her new book is called Can Anyone Tell Me? Essential Questions about Grief and Loss. Related episodes:  117. Bearing Unbearable Loss: A conversation About Grief with Joanne Cacciatore 356. Navigating the Challenges of Caregiving with Allison Applebaum 354. A Family Guide to Dementia with Brent Forester 183. Permission to Feel: Emotional Intelligence with Marc Brackett 309. The Language of Emotions with Karla McLaren 216. Managing Anger and Irritability, Featuring Russell Kolts 320. Anger and Forgiveness with Robyn Walser 341. Self-Forgiveness with Grant Dewar 291. Finding Freedom From Regret with Robert Leahy  118. Moral Injury and Shame with Lauren Borges and Jacob Farnsworth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephanie Foo, a NYT bestselling author and former radio producer, shares her journey of healing from complex PTSD in this insightful conversation. She illustrates the differences between complex PTSD and traditional PTSD, emphasizing the lifelong effects of trauma. Stephanie discusses how creativity and writing can aid in processing trauma, while highlighting the importance of community and relationships in recovery. She also explores practical therapeutic methods like EMDR and yoga, showcasing how social support enhances healing.

In this very special roundtable episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, our cohosts Debbie Sorenson and Emily Edlynn gather a panel of experts—including Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Ellen Galinsky, and Devorah Heitner—to discuss an issue many parents face today: the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health. Bringing their unique perspectives together, they look at the often-alarmist messages surrounding technology use in youth, offering a balanced and hopeful perspective rooted in evidence-based science and field and personal experience. Some of the key topics they talk about include addressing parental stress around technology, shifting from rigid monitoring to supportive mentoring, and how cultivating digital literacy and independence in our children. Please tune in for thoughtful, evidence-based strategies that prioritize your children’s well-being and growth and reassure you that healthy digital citizenship is within reach without having to resort to fear-based tactics. Listen and Learn: Meet the experts - Emily Edlynn, Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Ellen Galinsky, and Devorah Heitner What are the effects of alarmist tech narratives? How do extreme views impact youth mental health? Lessons from public health campaigns on tech use Parents and community roles in digital literacy: How can we work together? Navigating the pressures of intensive parenting around tech Understanding the complex link between tech and mental health What science really says about technology’s impact on kids Recognizing data cherry-picking in tech research Teen suicide and the importance of careful data interpretation Key findings from the National Academy on social media How do teens really feel about tech? Harnessing positive peer influence on tech habits The critical role of sleep in teen well-being School tech policies: What can parents do? Ways to involve kids in creating tech solutions How fear-based messaging affects kids Parental roles: Monitoring vs. mentoring Building executive function skills through balanced tech use Resources:  Tracy’s New York Times review of The Anxious Generation: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/26/books/review/jonathan-haidt-the-anxious-generation.htm Devorah’s Newsweek article: https://www.newsweek.com/everyone-wants-save-children-social-media-what-about-rest-us-opinion-1922435  Emily’s debate with Jonathan Haidt:  You can watch it in its entirety here or this clip on YouTube. And you can follow the story of her participation in the debate on her Substack newsletter here https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/david-meet-goliath and here https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/sextortionist-rings-and-other-fear  The Surgeon General’s advisory on Parental stress: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/parents/index.html  A commentary by Emily, Debbie, and Yael on the advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news  About our panelists:  Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology and neuroscience and Director of the Emotion Regulation Lab at Hunter College. Ellen Galinsky is President of Families and Work Institute and the elected President of the Work and Family Researchers Network. Devorah Heitner, PhD is the author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in the Digital World. Emily Edlynn, PhD is a psychologist and the author of Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children and the emotions journal for kids, In Your Feels. And of course you all know her as a cohost of Psychologists Off the Clock.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have an insightful discussion with Ruth Whippman this week, who urges us to rethink masculinity and nurture boys in a way that honors their mental health and emotional depth. A mother of three and the insightful author of Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, Ruth brings a personal and societal viewpoint to the intense pressures that often shape modern masculinity. She sheds light on the cultural forces that define "being a man" and shares her journey in challenging these norms. We also learn about Ruth’s experiences as a mother, how society's expectations affect boys from an early age, and the importance of fostering boys' emotional development and accepting their complete human complexity. We hope you join us for this compassionate and in-depth conversation and broaden your understanding of how we can change how we see and raise boys today. Listen and Learn:  The impossible expectations facing boys and men today—how do they find their way forward? How Ruth, a mother of three boys navigated feminism, fear, and future masculinity in a conflicted cultural moment  Are we burdening boys with blame from the past? The science behind why boys need more nurture early on but often receive less and how it creates an emotional gap with lasting effects How early affection shapes moral growth and how gender impacts this Are boys being deprived of friendship lessons that promote emotional depth and connection because of the way they are portrayed in the media? Precarious masculinity: how shifting ideals are creating a public health crisis for boys and men Hyperconnection and disconnection and how masculinity ties into mental health risks for boys The dark online world of 'incels,' where toxic masculinity and vulnerability collide in horrific ways The need to rethink how we approach boys' emotional growth beyond "masculinity" norms Resources:  Boymom, Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity Website: https://www.ruthwhippman.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@ruthwhippman Social Media:  https://www.instagram.com/ruthwhippman/ https://twitter.com/ruthwhippman https://www.facebook.com/RuthWhippman/ About:  Ruth Whippman is an author, journalist and cultural critic and the mother of three boys. A former BBC documentary director, she has written for the New York Times, Time magazine, The Guardian, HuffPost, and other publications. She is the author of the book America the Anxious, which was a New York Post Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Paperback Row pick. Her latest book is Boymom, Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.Related Episodes: 374. Developing and Deepening Connections with Adam Dorsay 361. Dudes and Dads: Men’s Mental Health with Danny Singley 360. The Laws of Connection with David Robson 331. Seeing Others: The Importance of Being Recognized and Valued with Michele Lamont 325. Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued with Janina Scarlet 304. The Emotional Lives of Teenagers with Lisa Damour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the relentless push for productivity is actually standing in the way of a truly fulfilling life? Join cohost Michael Herold and guest Ross White, author of The Tree that Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive, as they redefine balance and purpose, challenging societal pressures to stay constantly “on.” Using the wisdom of nature and the anatomy of a tree, Ross explores how psychological flexibility—grounded in rest, resilience, and self-awareness—can empower us to find strength in slowing down. And discover how “relenting” can open doors to a balanced, purpose-filled life.Listen to the full conversation to uncover how embracing rest could be your greatest asset!Link to Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCtaljb-QMHXl6651OdUrK6Zwt5QeDckw6dCoDYszC-0XpyA/viewform?usp=send_form Listen and Learn:  Are mantras like 'no limits' actually harming us? Hear from Ross why relenting, not relentless, may be key Finding a balance between 'get,' 'threat,' and 'reset' mode—are you tuned to your true needs?   Is purpose found or formed?      Small steps that could lead you closer to your purpose The 'reset' formula to shift from burnout to balance by cultivating mental flexibility How you can thrive amid the ‘uncontrollables’ in life with the mindset shift high performers swear by What price would you pay for emotional well-being against mastery? How you can balance strong intention and light attachment in pursuit of a purposeful life What is the distinction between confidence and self-efficacy in high performance?  Resources:  The Tree that Bends: How a flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive The 'Strive2Thrive' webpage: https://www.strive2thrive.co.uk/ Instagram: @RossGWhite - https://www.instagram.com/rossgwhite/ X: @RossGWhite - https://x.com/RossGWhite LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-ross-g-white/ About Ross WhiteProfessor Ross White is an award-winning clinical psychologist who specializes in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults working in high-performance environments, including elite-level athletes in football, rugby, track and field, and tennis. He has collaborated with the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on projects to reduce distress experienced by refugees and other populations in the aftermath of humanitarian crises. He is currently Professor of Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast, and is a director of Strive2Thrive, a clinical psychology consultancy firm that provides interventions and training to help individuals and organizations thrive.Related Episodes 378 - The Happy High Achiever with Mary Anderson 363. Worrying Is Optional with Ben Eckstein 329. The Power of Curiosity with Scott Shigeoka 328. How to Navigate Change with Brad Stulberg 301. Seven Daily ACT Practices for Living Fully with Diana Hill and Debbie Sorensen 284. Things We Love with Aaron Ahuvia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stuck in the never-ending grind but still feel like it’s not enough? Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and author of Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Cultures are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out-- and How to Break Free breaks down how hustle culture and wellness fads can mess with our sense of self-worth and add to our stress. She talks about how perfectionism and the pressure to constantly achieve can leave us feeling anxious, and why it’s so important to tune into what you need, not what society tells you is right.Dr. Paula shares ideas like intuitive eating and flexible living, encouraging us to prioritize our own values over external expectations. She also touches on the importance of setting boundaries and using social media mindfully, so it doesn’t drain us. Her hope? To help people-pleasers and over-achievers find more balance, self-compassion, and ease in their lives.Listen and Learn:  How the pressures of perfectionism and toxic striving can manifest in every season of life from childhood to adulthood The harmful impact of hustle culture and how society glorifies relentless productivity and ties self-worth to achievement The fine line between healthy ambition and toxic striving and how burnout, perfectionism, and societal pressures intersect How wellness culture ties our worth to shifting health trends and body image, making people feel like they’re constantly chasing unrealistic ideals instead of real wellness Blending intuitive eating and ACT helps break free from toxic striving and find balance How rigid rules around food, time, and behavior quietly shape our lives Shifting from rigid rules to self-compassion can transform habits like sleep, exercise, and eating How shame can fuel rigid behaviors, toxic striving, and the liberating power of self-compassion  Embracing pleasure, rejecting guilt, and recognizing that enjoying life enhances our well-being and the value we bring to others  How reclaiming your intuition and setting media boundaries can transform your daily life Resources:  Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Cultures are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out-- and How to Break Free Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfuldrpaula/ About Paula Freedman-Diamond: Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the owner and clinical director of HumanKind Psychological Services in Chicago, IL and the author of Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Cultures are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out-- and How to Break Free, and The Addiction Recovery Workbook. Dr. Paula specializes in perfectionism, anxiety, and eating disorders. She enjoys helping high-achievers and people-please rs learn to stop chasing external approval and start living according to the wisdom of their own bodies and minds. Dr. Paula is on a mission to take down the toxic systems that make people feel like they're not good enough, no matter how hard they work. She is especially passionate about making healthcare more welcoming and respectful for all bodies. She provides education and supervision for clinical psychology doctoral students. She is a strong advocate for size inclusivity in health, fitness, and wellness spaces. Dr. Paula has been featured in the New York Times and is a featured expert for Reebok, Bark Technologies, and A Sweat Life. She is on the advisory boards for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity and Fat Torah. You can follow her on Instagram at @mindfuldrpaula. Related Episodes: 358. How to Keep House While Drowning with KC Davis 378. The Happy High Achiever with Mary Anderson 230. The Laziness Lie with Devon Price 324. Toxic Achievement Culture with Jennifer Wallace 295. Buyer Beware: Pseudoscience and the Wellness Industry, featuring Pooja Lakshmin 326. Weight Stigma and Body Image with Sarah Pegrum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does happiness fuel productivity and success?Join Michael Herold in an empowering chat with Mary Anderson, the author of The Happy High Achiever, who gives her expertise on how high-achievers can turn the tables on stress and anxiety, unlocking powerful tools that can lead you to greater success and fulfillment in life. You'll discover how to identify cognitive distortions, including what Mary coined the 'Troublesome Trifecta,' learn techniques to challenge those pesky, unhelpful thoughts and uncover personalized strategies for building your confidence, tackling perfectionism, embracing your authentic self, and forging meaningful connections with others.If you want to learn how to become a happy high achiever and unleash your full potential, listening to this episode and getting your copy of Mary’s book is a step in the right direction!Listen and Learn:  What inspired Mary to write a guide for high achievers struggling with anxiety Redefining achievement and optimizing mindset to reach your best self  The "Troublesome Trifecta" of thoughts that can sabotage your progress and fuel anxiety Why striving for excellence, not perfection, could unlock your potential without all the stress Embracing your mistakes to achieve true excellence and balance high achievement  Why celebrating victories fuels your success and happiness Resources:  The Happy High Achiever: 8 Essentials to Overcome Anxiety, Manage Stress, and Energize Yourself for Success--Without Losing Your Edge Website: https://maryandersonphd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Mary-Anderson/100063517721186/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_maryanderson/ Link to POTC Listener Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCtaljb-QMHXl6651OdUrK6Zwt5QeDckw6dCoDYszC-0XpyA/viewform About Mary AndersonDr. Mary Anderson is a licensed psychologist and sought-after speaker with over a decade of experience helping patients become happier, healthier, and sustainably high-achieving. Dr. Anderson earned her PhD in clinical psychology, with a specialty in health psychology, from the University of Florida and completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the VA Boston Healthcare System, with appointments at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine. She currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Related Episodes 122. Taking in the Good with Rick Hanson 346. Self-compassion Daily Journal with Diana Hill 360. The Laws of Connection with David Robson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are kids learning enough about how the world really works?This week, Emily hosts Lindsey Cormack, a thoughtful political science professor and author of How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It's Up to You to Do It), to talk about how we, as parents, can play a big role in raising engaged citizens. They delve into Lindsey's experiences and research, demonstrating how schools frequently fail to teach students the fundamentals of government. They also look into what it means to be a 'citizen' and how we can encourage our children to be interested in politics. You’ll hear tips on having age-appropriate political discussions, tackling misinformation, and helping kids feel empowered to participate. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder for all of us parents to step up and help guide our kids into becoming informed, active voters.Listen and Learn:  Lindsey's journey to writing a parenting book that empowers kids to understand politics Why young adults struggle with politics—and how family conversations can change the future Raising politically empowered kids with the autonomy to shape their communities How you, as a parent, can shape future citizens to strengthen democracy in an age of political disengagement Protecting your kids from misinformation by helping them understand politics better Developing non-cognitive skills through civic engagement and how this can empower your kids for life Can engaging in politics boost your kids' college prospects and help them become impactful leaders? How engaging in local politics can boost kids' mental health and empower them to create change Ways you can engage your kids in politics positively and navigate tough discussions about leaders How to model open-mindedness and flexible thinking for kids in political discussions! Should more states have the constitution test for kids? Nurturing political understanding in your kids, from ages 5 to 18 Why equipping kids to navigate politics is crucial for a better future, not just party loyalty Resources:  How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It's Up to You to Do It) https://www.lindseycormack.com/ https://twitter.com/DCInbox https://www.instagram.com/howtoraiseacitizen/ About Lindsey CormackLindsey Cormack is an associate professor of Political Science and Director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology. She has authored two books, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why it’s Up to You to Do It) and Congress and U.S. Veterans: From the GI Bill to the VA Crisis. She created and maintains the digital database of all official Congress-to-constituent e-newsletters at www.dcinbox.com. She earned her PhD in Government from New York University. She currently serves as the Secretary for Manhattan Community Board 8.Her research has been published in Political Behavior, Congress & the Presidency, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Science Research and Methods, American Politics Research, Politics & Policy, Politics Groups & Identities, Politics & Gender, The Journal of Gender Studies, Energy Economics, The Legislative Scholar as well as in popular outlets including the Bloomberg Businesswire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, FiveThirtyEight, ProPublica, Roll Call, The New York Post, NBC News, the LSE USCentre, and The Hill, The Conversation, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more.Related Episodes: 371. Uniting Toward a Better Future with Diana Smith 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with Emily Edlynn 324. Toxic Achievement Culture with Jennifer Wallace 256. Social Justice Parenting with Traci Baxley 214. How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Jerks with Melinda Wenner Moyer https://offtheclockpsych.com/273-a-more-just-future-with-dolly-chugh/  https://offtheclockpsych.com/values-fulfillment-theory/ https://offtheclockpsych.com/205-thrivers-with-michele-borba/ https://offtheclockpsych.com/howtobeanadult/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Psychologists Off the Clock, Jill takes on the dynamic blend of science and art in therapy with our amazing guest, Dr. Michael Alcee, a mental health educator and the author of Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist.Michael sheds light on the vital balance between left-brain logic and right-brain creativity that makes for effective psychotherapy, shares thoughts on the power of humor, metaphor, and emotional connection, and reveals how therapists can embrace their creative side while staying rooted in scientific principles. With fascinating examples from Miichael’s professional experience, he presents practical strategies to help therapists enhance their intuitive skills, boost their therapeutic presence, and build stronger connections with their clients.Please join us for an intriguing discovery of how blending science and art can elevate your therapeutic practice and transform the outcome of your client sessions!Listen and Learn:  How the art of therapy and music intertwine to create healing conversations that inspire growth The surprising encounter with Irving Yalom that revealed profound insights into the art of therapy and led Michael to write his book  How therapy becomes an art, blending science and creativity to help clients find their true selves Embracing intuition, creativity, and improvisation as a therapist to enhance your practice Understanding left and right brain dynamics and how it enhances therapy, fostering creativity and insight  How the concept "mindsight" and "wise mind" blend logic and emotion in therapy How therapists can embrace metaphor and intuition for deeper client connections and transformative outcomes  Resources: Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist https://michaelalcee.com/ https://michael-alcee.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-alcee-14417755/ https://www.instagram.com/mike_drop_/ https://www.facebook.com/livelifecreatively2/ Mentioned in this episode: The Courage to Create: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Create-Rollo-May/dp/0393311066 About Michael AlceeMichael Alcée, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in Tarrytown, NY, and is a Mental Health Educator at the Manhattan School of Music. In his first book, Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist (Norton, 2022), Michael demonstrated how all clinicians are artists, reading the changes like well-versed jazz musicians, finding the poetic turns in their client's stories like skilled writers, and reveling in the creative act that emerges in the humanistic encounter of psychotherapy. His forthcoming book is entitled The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script to Reclaim Your Life (Rowman & LIttlefield, 2024) and aims to add depth to the exploration and understanding of the OCD experience. Michael has been a TEDx speaker and organizer and is a regular contributor at Psychology Today along with contributions to NPR, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times, among others. You can also find him on The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman and on Shrink Rap Radio.Related Episodes 82. Therapist Self Doubt with Jim Lucas 106. Therapy from “The Heart of ACT” with Robyn Walser 158. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone with Lori Gottlieb 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard 269. Connection Through Vulnerability with Rikke Kjelgaard 366. Psychologists ON the Clock: Getting Experiential with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you in the midst of a midlife transition, grappling with big questions about purpose, change, and self-discovery?For this week’s episode, cohost Debbie Sorensen celebrates her 50th birthday with a discussion on the transformative period of midlife with her friend, Dr. Meg McKelvie. A period rich with psychological shifts, existential questions, and challenges in finding deeper meaning, they get into acceptance and commitment therapy, emotional, psychical and cognitive changes, ways to overcome people-pleasing habits, and much much more. With practical exercises and writing practices, this episode is a gift to anyone navigating midlife transitions and relationships, offering insight, reflection, and a path toward deeper understanding and fulfilling connections. We hope you enjoy this heartfelt and poignant conversation! Listen and Learn: Opportunities that midlife brings for deeper understanding and transformation Confronting body changes and the aging process  How your relationships can become deeper in midlife; letting go of surface-level bonds and embracing genuine honesty and shared experiences The myth of the midlife crisis and how, contrary to what stereotypes lead us to believe, it frequently involves a sharp internal existential shift rather than a dramatic upheaval Living with unanswered questions and learning to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty Ways you can cultivate a personal space that nurtures self-reflection and self-sufficiency The lessons that regret can teach us The value of sitting with challenging emotions such as anger and grief, and how these feelings can provide critical insights into your life  The difference between body neutrality and body positivity and how stepping back from the internal debate about your body can lead to a more peaceful relationship with yourself Resources: Meg’s website: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/ LInk to the “Soul-Searching Questions” handout on Meg’s website and Debbie’s website.  More writing resources from Meg and Debbie:  Meg’s writing workshops: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/workshopsgroups Debbie’s Instagram for journaling prompts: https://www.instagram.com/drdebbiesorensen/ Debbie’s Guided Journaling substack: https://guidedjournaling.substack.com/  345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock A Substack essay Debbie wrote on her 50th birthday A commentary on the Surgeon General’s recent advisory on parental stress, by co-hosts Debbie and Emily, and former co-host Yael Schonburn!  Books mentioned in the episode:  Finding Meaning In the Second Half of Life: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781592402076  The Heroine's Journey: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781611808308 Related episodes:  199. Belonging From the Inside Out with Meg McKelvie 345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock 315. Hot & Bothered: Menopause with Jancee Dunn  291. Finding Freedom From Regret with Robert Leahy  257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 242. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management with Oliver Burkeman 351. You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman 274. Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood with Satya Doyle Byock 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser  116. Building a Meaningful, Values-based Life with Jenna LeJeune 285. What Do You Want Out of Life? Values Fulfillment Theory with Valerie Tiberius  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.