Psychologists Off the Clock

These days, it feels like we’re bombarded with information from every direction, and figuring out what’s true can be overwhelming.  Yael sits down with Alex Edmans , author of May Contain Lies , for a fascinating conversation about how misinformation shapes the way we see the world. They talk about why even fact-checking has its limits and how common biases, such as wanting to confirm what we...

Not knowing the answer can feel unsettling, but what if uncertainty was actually something to embrace? In this episode, Michael sits down with Elizabeth Weingarten to explore that idea. Elizabeth, whose work spans top publications and research programs, shares insights from her book How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty . Their conversation unpacks why we...

If you’re a parent navigating the ups and downs of your child’s food allergies, you know firsthand how anxiety can sneak in, whether it’s worrying about safety at school, birthday parties, or just trying to give your child some independence.  In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock , Tamara Hubbard joins Emily to talk about her new book, May Contain Anxiety: Managing the Overwhelm of P...

College life can be exciting, but it’s also full of unique challenges that can really take a toll on mental health.  In this episode, Debbie sits down with Colleen Ehrnstrom , Audrey Gilfillan , and Alison West to break down what’s really going on with students’ mental well-being.  They talk about the ups and downs of transitions, gaining independence, and handling academic pressure, all...

Can you truly change your personality in ways that make your life feel fuller and more in line with who you want to be? In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock , Jill sits down with Olga Khazan , author of Me But Better , to explore that question in a way that feels relatable and inspiring. Olga shares her journey of becoming more outgoing and less anxious, mixing scientific insights with h...

Anxiety often feels overwhelming, but at its core, it’s your mind and body working hard to protect you. In this episode, therapist and author of Anxiety Unpacked , Noelle McWard Aquino , unpacks the complex nature of modern anxiety, from the body’s nervous system responses to the thought patterns that fuel it. Noelle introduces her framework of three root causes: catastrophizing, control, and dist...

Why do some groups spark energy and creativity while others feel draining and tense?  Taking on this topic, we sit down with Colin Fisher , the author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups . We dig into what really sets groups apart from one-on-one partnerships, how social norms and psychological safety shape the way groups function, and why synergy can feel so unpredic...

Think about the times you’ve assumed someone’s behavior revealed exactly what they were thinking. Nicholas Epley , our guest for this episode, explains this as correspondence bias and, through his book Mindwise , teaches us about the concept of correspondence bias and explains how we often believe that a person's actions correspond directly to their mental state.  You’ll hear about his resear...

Sometimes saying “yes” too much can really take a toll on you. In this episode, Jill chats with Dr. Sunita Sah , a bestselling author and Cornell professor, about her book Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes .  They break down how constant compliance can affect your emotions, mind, and body, and share strategies for recognizing when it’s time to push back.  Sunita introduce...

Parenting often means walking a fine line between setting boundaries and showing warmth, all while managing your own feelings in the process. In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock , Emily chats with Dr. Alissa Jerud about her book Emotion-Savvy Parenting and how recognizing and working with both your emotions and your child’s can build stronger connections and a calmer home life. Dr. Jeru...

If you’re stuck in an unhealthy relationship and wondering whether it’s right for you or you’re recently facing the pain and confusion of a breakup, we invite you to tune into this episode with John Kim , also known as the Angry Therapist, to explore his viewpoint on relationship endings.  John lays out how breakups or ‘relationship expirations’ as he coins them, can serve as powerful catalys...

Could the stories you tell yourself be shaping how you see yourself? Sometimes those stories build us up, but other times, they are just quietly tearing us down. In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Phil Lane , a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Narrative Therapy Workbook for Self-Esteem , about how we can start to shift those inner stories in a healthier direction. Phil sh...

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become a go-to book for understanding trauma, but not everyone agrees with its approach.  In this episode, journalist and author of Acceptance: A Memoir , Emi Nietfeld joins us to talk about The Body Keeps the Score and how it influenced the world of trauma therapy. Bringing both her personal experience and sharp insight to the table, she en...

Trauma and PTSD leave a lasting imprint on how we see ourselves and navigate the world, which is why Debbie sits down with returning guest Dr. Robyn Walser for this episode, a clinical psychologist and expert in evidence-based treatment for PTSD, to explore the path to trauma recovery.  Robyn unpacks the principles of exposure therapy, the importance of processing traumatic experiences, and i...

If you've been feeling like alcohol just doesn’t fit your life anymore, this conversation with Casey Davidson , a Life and Sobriety Coach, might really speak to you.   Casey opens up about her personal journey of becoming alcohol-free, talks you through the benefits and challenges of sobriety, and clears up some common myths along the way. You’ll come away with takeaways about the impact...

Why do so many kids seem unmotivated at school, and what can we do about it? In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, we’re taking a look at what’s really going on with student engagement, especially during those tricky adolescent years.  Our guests, Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson , co-authors of The Disengaged Teen , join Emily to break it all down. From the four types of learner...

What’s a skill that can instantly improve your relationships, communication, and even your influence? In this episode, Yael talks with Caroline Fleck , a licensed psychologist and author of Validation , to unpack exactly that. Caroline explains what validation really is, how it’s different from empathy or sympathy, and why it can be so powerful in both personal and professional relationships.  The...

In a world constantly demanding our attention and energy, have you ever felt trapped between the crucial need to care for yourself and the undeniable urge to care for those around you?  Well, for this conversation, Debbie gets into that very dilemma with Dr. Jordan Quaglia , as he challenges us to move beyond the 'either/or' of self-care and explore his revolutionary 'We Care' approach.  Jordan, w...

True strength and success lie in how well we can come together and support one another and how well we can stand side by side to move forward as a collective.  That powerful message comes straight from our guest, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon , who is the author of No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life , and it perfectly sets the tone for this deeply honest and inspiring...

It’s easy to forget how much doing something creative can lift your mood. Whether you're painting, building something, or just doodling for fun, creating is good for your brain and your mental health!  In this conversation, Debbie interviews bestselling author Kelly Corrigan , along with her daughter and coauthor, Claire Corrigan Lichty. They talk about their new children’s book, Marianne the Make...

Raising grounded, thoughtful kids in today’s chaotic world is no small task. In this episode, Emily talks with award-winning journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer about her new book, Hello, Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times . Melinda shares practical, research-based tools to help parents guide their children through media influence, bias, and...

What if the ability to negotiate with a hostage-taker was also a skill that could improve relationships in everyday life? Gary Noesner , who is a former FBI chief negotiator and author of ' Stalling for Time ,' which deep dives into his experiences and the lessons he's learned about human nature and effective communication over his 30-year career, joins Yael for this episode. You’ll hear how patie...

Today’s episode is one you’re really going to want to lean into because Michael is talking all about radical listening with Robert V. Biswas-Diener . If you’ve ever felt like traditional ‘active listening’ just doesn’t cut it, this conversation is going to open your ears and your mind in a whole new way. They chat about key ideas from Robert and his coauthor Christian Van Nieuwerburgh's book, Radi...

Leadership so often comes with the pressure to appear strong, composed, and endlessly capable, but that version of leadership is no longer serving us. In this episode, Debbie sits down with Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer , co-authors of Leading for Wellness , for a meaningful conversation about redefining leadership through the lens of wellness, authenticity, and vulnerability.  They share wh...

Constantly battling that harsh inner voice that tells you you're not enough, that you’ll never measure up? It can feel like this voice is always lurking, trying to undermine your confidence and making it so much harder to move forward. The good news is that you can change your internal narrative. For this episode, Jill welcomes Shawn Costello Woolley and Holly Yates , coauthors of The Inner Critic...