Psychologists Off the Clock

You’ve tried reasoning with your kids, setting boundaries, and even taking away privileges, but the conflict just keeps bubbling up. When nothing seems to calm the chaos, where can you turn as a parent who’s simply worn out and craving peace in your home? For this conversation, Emily brings in guest Dr. Jonathan Caspi , an internationally recognized sibling expert and professor at Montclair State...

What if your next disagreement could actually bring you closer to someone instead of driving you apart? In this episode, we’re diving into Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In with co-authors Bob Bordone , a conflict resolution expert from Harvard, and Joe Salinas , a behavioral neurologist and founder of Isaac Health. Together with Yael, they have a down-to...

Breaking the cycle of addiction is both possible and challenging, but even just rethinking your relationship with it can be a powerful first step toward change. Offering an alternative to strict abstinence models is Kristin Dempsey , the author of The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction , who invites you to reconsider your approach to addiction, offering a tangible, compassionate, and science-ba...

Success isn’t just about how hard you work. It’s also about who’s advocating for you even when you’re not in the room. In this episode, Debbie talks with Rosalind Chow , an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, about her new book, The Doors You Can Open A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace .  They get into the real difference b...

Off-the-clockers, it's time to celebrate because Psychologists Off The Clock just hit 400 episodes! 🎉 For this special milestone episode, the cohosts wanted to pull back the curtain on the podcast: why we do it, how it’s changed our lives, behind-the-scenes blunders, keeping the podcast financially afloat, and the incredible friendships we’ve built along the way. You all sent in questions for the...

Balancing warmth with assertiveness can feel like an impossible juggling act—too soft, and you're overlooked; too strong, and you're “too much.” Alison Fragale's book, Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve , offers practical, research-backed strategies to help women excel at work and in life.  In this episode, you'll get to understand the science of power and status, self-promotio...

Money impacts us all, whether it brings joy, stress, or confusion. Chatting with Elizabeth Husserl , author of The Power of Enough and a financial advisor with a background in economics, spirituality, and psychology, we hear about finding joy in our relationship with money.  You'll learn about breaking free from the abundance-scarcity cycle and gain practical tools like the wealth mandala to help...

What is the recipe for developing deeper, more intimate relationships?  Breaking this all down in his new book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy , is couples therapist Dr. James Cordova , who talks to Yael about how true intimacy happens when vulnerability is met with warmth and acceptance and feeling safe being your real self with someone.  You’ll hear some eye-opening research, including his “relati...

Ever wondered what it takes to bring a TED talk to life? In this episode, Michael Herold has a conversation with Dr. Alina Nikolaou , a passionate TED event curator, who shares her insights about the exciting world of organizing TED and TEDx events.  They discuss the process of selecting speakers, the power of storytelling, and how to balance entertainment with information. Dr. Nikolaou offers val...

Being neurodivergent isn’t a flaw or a superpower—it’s just a different way of experiencing the world. To discuss the topic of neurodivergence, Debbie is joined by clinical psychologist Jennifer Kemp to talk about her new workbook, The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate , created specifically for autistic peo...

Some of the worst kinds of abuse happen right in front of us—often hidden behind love, care, and even medicine. In this episode, Jill sits down with returning guest Andrea Dunlop and her co-author and colleague Mike Weber to talk about their book, The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy . Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) is a disturbing form of medical child abuse, which we hav...

Ever had a conversation that just clicked—where you felt truly heard and understood? What if you could create that kind of connection more often? Best-selling author Charles Duhigg joins Debbie in a conversation about his latest book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection .  Discover the psychology of great conversations, the power of reciprocal vulnerability, and eas...

Tired of all the fighting over politics and morality? For this episode, we’re tackling moral outrage with Kurt Gray , a psychology professor and author of Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground . You’ll learn why we get so caught up in right vs. wrong, how to better understand what’s driving people’s fears and motivations, and how to connect—even when you...

What if the very thing keeping you from deep, meaningful friendships is the fear of being your true, imperfect self?  This week Michael sits down with Jess Johnston for a chat about authenticity, friendship, and overcoming the fear of rejection. They dive into themes for her book, Perfect Is Boring (and It Tastes Like Kale): Finding Belonging and Purpose Without Changing Who You Are , which offers...

Raising strong, confident girls in today’s world isn’t always easy, and this episode is here to help. Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein chats with Dr. Emily Edlynn about her book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World , and dives into how we can support girls as they face things like cultural pressures, objectification, and the subtle sexism that still lingers. They...

Ever feel like your workplace is a mix of different worlds, with each generation bringing its own style, perspective, and expectations? For our second episode of the year, Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder , CEO of the American Psychological Foundation, joins us to talk about how Baby Boomers to Gen Z can navigate work together. From remote work shifts to work-life balance expectations, you’ll come away wi...

Kick off the New Year with us in this special cohosted POTC episode! We've got a MAJOR announcement for 2025, and we're also chatting about the ups and downs of decision-making—all backed by psychology. We're also reflecting on our 2024 highlights, sharing what we're all hoping for in the new year, and talking about how community, flexibility, and staying true to your values play into making some...

As we turn the page to a new year, we’re excited to release this episode as a special gift to help you start 2025 on the right foot. Let’s face it—after the chaos and unpredictability of the past few years, many of us are craving positive change and looking for guidance on how to make it stick. Self-help has surged in popularity, but not all resources are created equal. That’s why we’re bringing b...

Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it’s a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun , a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what’s behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do abo...

Life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, especially with the nonstop pace of the modern world. But what if you learned to embrace the messiness that comes with life and concentrated more on what really matters to you rather than attempting to control everything? Building on the themes from his previous bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals , Michael is joined by returning gu...

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 s...

How can you begin to heal from complex PTSD?  In this episode, Jill sits down with Stephanie Foo to explore her memoir, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma , a deeply personal account of her healing journey through complex PTSD (CPTSD). Stephanie shares what it’s like to carry the weight of complex trauma, offering insights into how you can begin to heal too. Through her st...

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-a...

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....

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 psyc...