How to be a Human Being in the World with Dr. Kathleen Young

Dr. Kara Pepper is a mom of two neurodivergent kids. She’s also married to someone with ADHD and likely on the spectrum. But like many people, she didn’t always have the language for what she was experiencing. All she knew was that things felt harder than they seemed like they “should” be. In this episode, we sit down with Kara to talk about what happens when the people we love don’t fit into the...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the emotional heavy lifting in your relationship…  If you’ve caught yourself thinking, Why do I have to spell everything out? This episode is for you. We’re exploring five common myths that quietly break down connection in relationships where one partner is neurodivergent, sometimes without either of you knowing it. You might not have the language yet, but...

Kim was married for nearly 18 years to someone she describes as kind, funny, and devoted. He showed up for their family in ways that looked like love: cooking asparagus and strawberries for her after their daughter was born, holding her hand through infertility, leaving umbrellas in his car to hand out to strangers. But behind the scenes, Kim was carrying something else: the burden of loneliness....

You love your partner. They're loyal, kind, steady. You’ve built a life together.  So why do you still feel so alone? That question is more common than you think. And it’s exactly where this episode begins. Kathleen sits down with her friend and former client, Heather Hammell, to talk about the moments that made her start wondering, Could my partner be neurodivergent? What followed wasn’t a d...

Most people don’t start out wondering if they’re autistic.  You probably didn’t either. But maybe you've started to notice some patterns. Maybe the idea of “masking” hits a little too close. Maybe you’ve always felt a bit out of sync, like everyone else got a manual you missed. In this episode, Dr. Kathleen Young sits down with her friend and colleague, Sade Curry, for a deeply honest convers...

Most people don’t walk into therapy saying, “I think I’m neurodivergent.”  What they usually say is, “I’m overwhelmed.”  “I feel like I’m doing everything in this relationship.”  “Something feels off, but I can’t explain it.” If you’ve been feeling confused, frustrated, or just... alone in your relationship, this episode might give you a new way of looking at things. In this first episode of her n...

In this episode, Kathleen sits down with Bree Hailemariam—a vibrant, determined, and inspiring woman who’s made her mark in the tech world and beyond. While Bree is a newer friend, her energy and insights have quickly made her one of Kathleen’s favorite people to talk to. Bree’s journey is one of those stories that makes you want to cheer out loud. From her roots in Atlanta, Georgia, to her bold m...

Kaaryn Nailor, a business strategist, life coach, and former dean at Columbia Business School, shares her fascinating journey from intellectual property law to entrepreneurship coaching. Her passion for solving puzzles and helping others led her to pivot from a legal career to empowering business owners and corporate executives. Kaaryn reveals the surprising connection between business challenges...

Ever felt envy creep into your relationships and wondered how to turn it into something positive? Kathleen shares a personal story about her friend Colleen, whose love for luxury travel sparked judgment and envy, and how those feelings can quietly strain even the closest connections. Drawing from a recent conference, she explores how gratitude can shift your perspective, not as a quick fix, but as...

What happens when the pursuit of excellence turns every moment into a task? Life coach Chris Hale joins me to explore the cycle of constant busyness that traps so many high-achieving women. We discuss the societal pressures fueling this relentless productivity and question who truly benefits from it. Could the key to a fulfilling life lie not in the endless chase of achievements but in embracing g...

Dr. Olga Gupta, a dedicated physician and researcher, shares a story that resonates deeply with anyone caring for a parent with dementia. Imagine the heartache of noticing your mother's memory falter—like forgetting to pay bills or struggling with a once-simple recipe—and the challenge of managing her care from miles away. Olga opens up about her emotional journey, and the arduous task of fin...

Have you ever wondered how societal 'shoulds' shape your life, especially as a woman in midlife? Join Kathleen as she unravels the complexities of self-acceptance and how breaking free from these societal expectations can lead to genuine happiness. Drawing from her personal story and the experiences of high-achieving women in midlife, we examine the challenging balance between maintainin...

Ever wondered how some people effortlessly keep a group of friends connected, even as time and distance try their best to pull you apart? With the backdrop of Duke University’s centennial celebration, Kathleen recounts a weekend filled with Ed Sheeran’s melodies and the thrill of a comeback victory on the football field. But more importantly, Kathleen shares the story of a friend whose unique knac...

What if your life's greatest transformation was just one bold decision away? Inspired by a summer spent reconnecting with friends who have made significant life changes, this episode challenges the notion that it's ever too late to pursue new dreams. We delve into the story of a friend who made a daring career shift from a secure field like medicine, illustrating how mental barriers and...

Turning 50 was both a milestone and a revelation for me, filled with bittersweet moments and personal insights. Imagine celebrating with friends, feeling the physical changes of perimenopause, and reflecting on how societal fears about aging turned out to be overblown. Join me as I share a poignant moment of realization about age when meeting a new healthcare provider and the privilege I’ve experi...

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a friend, only to realize she might just have a higher tolerance for flaws than you do? Fresh from a revelatory girls' trip celebrating a major milestone, Kathleen dives into the beautiful complexity of long-lasting friendships. She shares her journey through the ebbs and flows of relationships, the conflicts that arise, and the grace we need to ac...

Can a simple shift in perspective transform your entire life? In this insightful episode, Kathleen tackles the pervasive issue of black-and-white thinking, also known as all-or-nothing thinking or rigidity. Sharing a personal anecdote involving a powerful quote about irritation and change, she uncovers how this type of thinking can hinder our peace, relationships, and goals. Through the lens of se...

Ever wondered why your online dating efforts seem to hit a wall? Let's uncover the impact of mindset and beliefs on dating success. Drawing from personal experiences and client stories, I'll delve into common pitfalls, such as blaming dating apps or others for our struggles. Instead, I advocate for a shift in perspective—examining our own thoughts and perceptions. By investing the necess...

Ever felt like the world won't stop spinning unless you're constantly in motion? We've all been there, buried under tasks and to-do lists, struggling to find a moment to breathe. Today, Kathleen explores the relentless habit of being busy and how it steals our ability to rest. Through personal anecdotes and client stories, she reveals the challenges of slowing down and why giving ou...

In today’s episode, Dr. Kathleen Young, a psychiatrist and certified life coach, returns after a brief hiatus to discuss the importance of rest. Kathleen shares her personal experiences and insights on why rest is crucial for our well-being, creativity, and overall life satisfaction. Given that societal pressures to be constantly productive can lead to burnout, Kathleen explains how taking time to...

As I sat sifting through photos of my family’s recent California escapade, the disparity between vacation dreams and reality hit me like a Pacific wave. In this podcast episode, I discuss the laughter-laced trials of family travel and open up about the important lessons I learned when accepting loved ones for who they are. The journey through my shared experiences might just be the catalyst for re...

As I nursed the fracture in my foot, I found myself on a path that was as much about psychological resilience as it was about physical healing. Life threw me a curveball, and I was forced to face the discomfort head-on — a challenge I share with you to illustrate that the journey toward recovery extends beyond the body to the mind. This episode reflects on overcoming the initial resistance to medi...

Navigating the complexities of relationships, whether with neighbors or colleagues, often involves overcoming the awkwardness of small talk and the comfort of our private spaces. However, the willingness to engage is more crucial than any conversational skill in initiating new friendships. Through a blend of vulnerability and direct conversation on live Zoom calls for a friendship challenge I rece...

Ever find yourself at the edge of your comfort zone, heart racing, tempted to retreat to the familiar? That's where the magic happens, and in our latest episode, we're peeling back the layers of discomfort to reveal its pivotal role in personal development. Kathleen gets personal as she shares her own battle with the internal alarms blaring in her mind, leading up to a friend's mile...

Ever found yourself chuckling over a friend's pile of unopened Amazon packages? That's the kind of authentic moment being embraced in today's conversation about deepening friendships. Pull up a chair and join us as we delve into the art of transforming acquaintances into trusted confidants, drawing inspiration from the insights shared by Kat Vellos in her book, 'We Should Get T...