Life's Dirty Little Secrets Podcast | Breaking Silence Around the Secrets We All Carry

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington talk with Dr. Emily Edlin, a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families. They explore the question of whether parents truly make a significant difference in their children's lives. The conversation delves into parenting pressures, the influence of genetics versus parental...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington engage in an insightful conversation with Dr. Aprilia West, a renowned psychologist, executive coach, and author, about the concept of 'choicefulness.' West, with over 20 years of experience working with various individuals and organizations, delves into how our power lies in our mome...

Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry host the wrap-up episode, celebrating the end of season two. They reflect on various discussions from the season, including self-discovery, personal growth, relationships, equity, social justice, and mental health. The wrap-up includes highlights from various episodes, featuring topics such as challenging societal norms, the importance of self-regulation in neurod...

In this episode of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, special guest Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist and host of the "Wise Effort" podcast, joins hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington to delve into the concept of "Wise Effort." As the discussion unfolds, Dr. Hill offers actionable advice, introducing three steps to embrace wise effort: get curious, open up, and choose w...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest, Dr. Robyn Walser. Robyn, a renowned clinical psychologist and expert in acceptance and commitment therapy, shares her profound insights on the complex topic of narcissism and its impact on relationships and communities. From the deep-seated insecurities that drive narcissistic behavior to the emotional toll it can take on those entangled in such rel...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Dr. Jonathan Caspi, an internationally recognized sibling expert and family therapist. Dr. Caspi dives deep into the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships, shedding light on the complexities of sibling conflict, comparisons, and the ever-present vying for parental attention. As we engage with Dr. Caspi in a thought-provoking conversation that t...

In this thought-provoking episode, we are joined by the insightful guest, Jennifer Kemp, a clinical psychologist who specializes in neurodivergence with a focus on autism and ADHD. Jennifer delves deep into the world of neurodivergent adults, especially undiagnosed women, and highlights the transformative power of accepting and embracing one's neurodivergent identity. From discussing the crit...

In today’s revealing episode, we welcome Dr. Amy Beddows, a leading expert with a Ph. D. focused on victim-blaming within the context of sexual violence. Providing a compelling exploration of this societal phenomenon, Dr. Beddows dissects the multifaceted layers of victim guilt and its profound implications on survivors. Venturing deep into the grim reality where predators often escape accountabil...

In this episode of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, we delve into the multifaceted concept of "Sisu" with our esteemed guest, Dr. Elisabet Lahti, the founder of Sisu Lab and an educator devoutly studying this Finnish philosophy. Dr. Lahti unravels the threads of extraordinary determination encapsulated in Sisu, a reserve of power each of us harbors for life's most challenging momen...

In this episode, we welcome the insightful Katie Palmer, a renowned educational consultant and parenting coach, who dives deep into the controversial and emotional topic of parental favoritism. Katie invites listeners to explore the reluctant admittance of having a 'favorite child' and the potential psychological impact this taboo subject can have on family dynamics. This episode peels b...

In this enlightening Life's Dirty Little Secrets episode hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry delve deep with the Buddhist philosopher, Stephen Batchelor on navigating ethical dilemmas in a world bound by societal norms. In this episode, Stephen challenges listeners to find courage and clarity in uncertainty, and to embrace radical self-acceptance as a means to thoughtful, compassionate li...

Join hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry, alongside esteemed guest Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona (affectionately known as Dr. Z), as they delve deep into the intricate maze of perfectionism. Together, they unravel the complexities that drive our relentless pursuit of flawlessness and the hidden costs it entails. Dr. Z opens the discussion by dissecting the motivations behind perfectionistic tendenci...

In this episode of "Life's Dirty Little Secrets," hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry invite Kristen Campbell, a clinical psychosexual therapist, to delve deep into the secrets of our sexual selves. From exploring the emotional neglect in previous generations to the importance of personal responsibility for pleasure, this episode promises to challenge deeply ingrained societal m...

In this episode, we delve into the controversial notion of "normal." Renowned psychologist, Dr. Steven C. Hayes, challenges the traditional understanding of normalcy, and exposes its historical ties to eugenics and the distortion by scientists for over a century. Dr. Hayes advocates for a shift from standardized, one-size-fits-all treatment plans, instead, highlighting the importance of...

For season 2 of "Life's Dirty Little Secrets" podcast, hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington express the importance of embracing our fallibility in a society that often rewards pretending to be perfect. They give a sneak peek of the exciting conversations lined up for the upcoming season, featuring guests and topics such as Steve Hayes (myth of normalcy), Kristen Campbell (our sex...

In the season 1 finale of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry explore the profound complexities of embracing change and fostering personal growth. Through candid and introspective discussions, they delve into the challenges of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the transformative power of second-order change. Drawing from their experiences and insights gained...

In this episode of "Life's Dirty Little Secrets," join hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry as they dive into the world of adolescence, exploring its challenges, growth opportunities, and the curious minds that define it. Joined by special guest Louise Hayes, a clinical psychologist and author, they discuss why adults struggle with adolescents, the importance of embracing mistake...

In this episode of "Life's Dirty Little Secrets," hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry delve into the complexities and challenges of promoting autonomy in children. They are joined by special guest Emily Edlund, a clinical psychologist, academic, and author, who shares her experiences and insights on the topic. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining a trusting rela...

In this episode of "Life's Dirty Little Secrets," hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry dive deep into the topic of burnout with special guest, Dr. Debbie Sorensen. Burnout is a widespread issue in today's society, especially in chronically stressful roles such as the workplace, parenting, and caregiving. Dr. Sorensen sheds light on the importance of reconnecting with our val...

In this episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets,, we dive into the topic of motivation and how it can influence our ability to meet deadlines and make positive changes in our lives. Our guest, Michelle Drapkin, shares her personal struggles with motivation and explores various strategies she has tried to improve her time management skills. We also discuss the importance of autonomy and acceptance i...

In this episode, join us as our guest, Jonathan Shippey, unpacks the secret of Happily Ever After. We explore the limerence phase and how couples can sustain it for up to two years without progressing. Unveiling the importance of building trust, we discuss how conflict can deepen knowledge and strengthen relationships. We also challenge the notion of "happily ever after" and explore the...

In this episode we dive into the fascinating topic of imposter syndrome and psychological flexibility with guest expert, Dr. Jill Stoddard. Join us as we explore the discomfort of imposter syndrome and how being open and willing can lead to positive changes in our lives. Jill shares her unique therapy methods, involving mindful willingness experiences and exploring emotions, to help clients overco...

Many working parents feel that they aren’t doing a good enough job in any of the roles they fill. Instead of trying to get rid of parental guilt, in this real play, Dr. Diana Hill works with me to get more psychologically flexible with it. Diana will demonstrate each of the core processes of ACT and then debrief the role play and explore which interventions had the biggest impact. Highlights: A de...

In this episode we are joined by special guest, Ana Waddington. Ana, a healthcare professional with first-hand experience in the violence reduction field, shares her insights on the challenges faced by those in the healthcare system and the toll it takes on their well-being.  From the lack of debriefing opportunities to the housing crisis impacting patient care, Ana sheds light on the daily strugg...

In this episode we are joined by special guest, Ana Waddington. Ana, a healthcare professional with first-hand experience in the violence reduction field, shares her insights on the challenges faced by those in the healthcare system and the toll it takes on their well-being.  From the lack of debriefing opportunities to the housing crisis impacting patient care, Ana sheds light on the daily strugg...