Dose of Wonder

Have you ever seen someone in trouble and felt a strange, heavy hesitation to step in? You aren’t a “bad person”—you’re likely caught in a psychological short-circuit known as the Bystander Effect . In this episode, I’m building on my recent studies in Social Psychology to unpack why crowds actually make us less likely to help. From the tragic story of Kitty Genovese to a personal encounter with a...

A while ago I attended (if you can call it that) an online wellbeing summit where a speaker shared a mantra that has been rattling around in my head ever since: the art of acting despite the fear. We often wait for the “right” time to make a move—waiting for the anxiety to fade or the nervousness to settle into something that feels like confidence. But what if that’s a trap? In this episode, I’m s...

Have you ever scrolled past a quote like “just breathe” and felt both seen and slightly annoyed at the same time? In this episode, I’m digging into my own internal debate about the motivational slogans and mental health memes that fill our feeds. I’ll be honest: I love a pithy saying as much as anyone, and I often find them deeply validating. But I can’t help but wonder—are these slogans genuinely...

In an era of hyper-individualism, it is easy to feel like an island—especially when we are grieving or struggling. But what if our independence is actually an illusion? This episode explores a profound conversation inspired by the Dalai Lama on the fundamental concept of oneness . We move beyond the “woo-woo” stereotypes to examine the hard biological truth: humans are hardwired for interconnected...

We’ve all been told that it’s better to “get it out” than to bottle it up. But what if our favourite way of venting—the classic social media rant—is actually doing more harm than good? In this episode, we challenge the outdated myth of catharsis. We explore the surprising science behind chronic complaining and why “venting” often functions more like pouring gasoline on a fire than letting off stea...

We all know the famous Dune quote: “Fear is the mind-killer.” But what if there is a more subtle, more deceptive predator lurking in our subconscious? In today’s episode, we take a deep dive into a powerful reinterpretation of Frank Herbert’s classic philosophy. We’re moving past the obvious adrenaline of fear to confront the real obstacle to human potential: Self-Doubt. While fear screams, doubt...

Have you ever felt a genuine pang of grief when a TV series ended, or found comfort in a favorite book during a lonely week? You aren’t “losing it”—you’re experiencing the Social Surrogacy Hypothesis . In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of parasocial relationships and explore why our brains often struggle to tell the difference between a real-life friend and a fictional character. W...

In this episode, I dive into the tricky world of emotional dysregulation—what happens when our reactions to situations and feelings get the better of us. Using examples like Will Smith and the online trend of “flouncing,” I explore how impulsive outbursts can harm both our relationships and our mental well-being, and why a high “need for drama” often stems from attention-seeking or a sense of vict...

In this episode, I share how a peaceful coastal getaway helped me reconnect with myself and the natural world. Through simple routines like meditation, yoga, and mindful walks, I discovered how spending time outdoors can ease anxiety, reduce stress, and bring a sense of timeless simplicity. Whether it’s a vast ocean or a small local park, I reflect on how nature acts as a natural medicine for the...

In this episode, I explore how ancient Stoic philosophy actually works in real, modern life, largely through the teachings and resources of Ryan Holiday. We unpack common misconceptions about Stoicism, dig into ideas like Memento Mori and Amor Fati, and look at how these principles can ease anxiety, improve focus, and help navigate everyday conflict. This is a personal reflection on how Stoic prac...

In this episode, I share simple, doable ways to support your emotional and mental well-being without turning self-care into another full-time job. We talk about how small shifts like time outside, gratitude, creativity, nourishing food, and gentle movement can quietly improve your mood and mental clarity, especially when life feels heavy. I also explore how tiny organizing habits can restore a sen...

In this episode, I break down a deceptively simple idea called the Rule of Thirds and how it completely reframed the way I think about chasing long-term goals. The truth is, one-third of the journey feels great, one-third feels fine, and one-third feels genuinely discouraging, and that rough stretch is not a failure, it is the price of admission. We also talk about how this applies to creativity a...

In this episode, I unpack occupational burnout through the World Health Organization’s definition and then get honest about my own breaking point, juggling a full-time job alongside digital side hustles, social media, and the constant pressure to stay visible. I share how that pace quietly drained my passion and left me feeling perpetually overwhelmed, until I finally drew hard boundaries by leavi...

In this episode, I share how a simple social media comment about a senior pet stopped me in my tracks and cracked open a deeper truth: being alive is a fragile, temporary privilege. I talk about why “every day is a gift” sounds like a cliché until life hurts, and how even the messy, painful, ordinary days still count because they mean we are here, breathing, participating, living, with a nod to St...

In this episode, I dive into how mental visualization is far more than daydreaming and how it can actually reshape neural pathways, influence the body, and improve real-world performance. I talk about how imagining experiences engages the senses, triggers genuine physiological responses, and can help us build strength, skill, confidence, and calm before anything happens externally. It’s a grounded...

In this episode, I explore how we’re biologically wired to trust other people, and how that very human instinct is what allows society to function while also leaving us vulnerable to manipulation and scams. I talk about why we ignore red flags, avoid confrontation, and sometimes stay silent out of embarrassment when we’ve been taken advantage of. It’s a reflection on how to stay open-hearted witho...

After a period of illness necessitated a forced break, I reflect on the personal advantages of reducing life's pace. This transition toward rest and recovery provided an opportunity to engage deeply with various literary works across multiple genres. I talk about my diverse reading list that spans Stoic philosophy, scientific explorations of the cosmos, and compelling murder mysteries. By sharing...

This week’s podcast explores the concept of genuine self-expression in an era dominated by digital communication and social performance. I argue that modern technology often replaces physical speech, yet true human connection requires individuals to share their honest thoughts rather than curated versions of themselves. Many people adopt social masks to appease family or peers, often neglecting th...

In this weeks podcast consider if I’m are a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) after intensely reacting to a seemingly minor criticism from a coworker. I also talk about common HSP traits compiled from various external sources, which include struggling severely with criticism and conflict, being easily overwhelmed by sensory input, needing extra time to recharge, and experiencing heightened empathy. Lo...

This week’s episode dives into the theme of self-worth and the futility of comparison . I draw on cosmic statistics—the staggering 1 in 400 trillion odds of being born—to remind us that existence itself is the ultimate miracle. Through reflections on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ryan Holiday, Sasha Sagan, and my fave poem Desiderata , I reframe success as gratitude, not measurement. Loved this episode? Yo...

In this week’s podcast I talk about my experience as an introvert, emphasizing a preference for solitude and minimal socialization, how the pandemic impacted me and my worry about studies linking lack of friends to a shorter life. Loved this episode? You can find extra goodies, gentle tools, and printable doses of wonder over in my Ko-fi shop. You can also buy me a coffee to help support me. Every...

This week’s podcast I talk about my uncle who died back in June 2021 of a heart attack. I reflect on the fragility and finality of life and death, detailing my emotional reaction after receiving the news from my dad. I share memories of her uncle Don and notes that his death means I’ve now lost the last of her mother’s immediate blood relatives, which is a significant emotional realization. I then...

In today’s podcast I give a comprehensive overview of the future landscape of mental health, heavily influenced by the aftermath of the Covid-pandemic. Key themes explored include the accelerated integration of technology in care, such as mobile apps and virtual reality platforms, which offer convenience and accessibility despite concerns about regulation and effectiveness. The text also discusses...

This week’s podcast I discuss the “3 Gates of Speech,” traditionally attributed to the poet Rumi, which suggests one should ask if their words are true, necessary, and kind before speaking. I question the strict applicability of these three gates in modern communication, particularly in the context of misinformation and social media. Ultimately, I argue that sometimes speaking words that may not p...

This week’s podcast is an appreciation for the forced slowdown that occurred during the beginning of the pandemic. I talk about how I was grateful for the opportunity to pare back my busy life and reconnect with what truly mattered, despite the negative aspects of the global health crisis. However, I note that the world has since returned to a hectic, fast-paced state, causing me to feel overwhelm...