Psychologists Off the Clock

What if grief isn’t something to “get over” but something that can lead us toward meaning, connection, and healing?  Jill interviews David Kessler , a leading expert on loss and healing. They discuss Kessler's background, his books, especially Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief , and his journey through personal grief, including the loss of his son.  David shares insights on the s...

So many women grow up hearing that we should be able to have it all, yet very few of us are ever shown what that actually looks like in real life. In this episode, Emily welcomes Corinne Lowe , an associate professor of Business Economics and Public Policy.  Corinne shares insights from her book, Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours , which e...

Creativity is not just for artists or makers, so how can we build creativity and move from having an idea to doing something with it?  Joining Jill for this conversation is Zorana Ivcevic Pringle , a senior research scientist and the author of The Creativity Choice . Zorana discusses her journey into the world of creativity, the broader definition of creative acts beyond the arts, and how our...

If you’ve been dragging some of last year around with you, or you’ve been feeling that strange mix of excitement and pressure that shows up every January, this episode is calling your name.  Closing out the year, the POTC cohosts are bringing you a conversation about how creativity can be a lifeline, a mindset shift, and a really enjoyable way to start 2026 feeling more like yourself. Walking...

We’ve all rolled our eyes at someone's behavior, only to realize, uncomfortably, that we’ve done the same.  Join Yael in this conversation discussing this very common human experience with Michael Hallsworth , the author of The Hypocrisy Trap . Michael breaks down the nature of hypocrisy, including its historical origin and why it is such a prevalent issue in our lives and in politics. ...

Are you wisely using your genius energy?  In this episode, Michael reconnects with Diana Hill, a therapist and author who has recently explored the concept of focusing your genius energy on what matters most through her book Wise Effort . Their discussion spans from insights from ancient Buddhist wisdom to the application of commitment therapy to the practice of finding one's unique 'genius e...

How can we reshape the understanding of consent and more effectively address the widespread problem of sexual violence?  Start by joining Jill for a conversation with award-winning activist Chanel Contos , who is bringing attention to the complexities of consent, sexual coercion, and rape culture through her book Consent Laid Bare .  Chanel’s pioneering work in making consent education m...

If you shudder when Daylight Saving Time ends and the colder months settle in, or if winter leaves you feeling stuck in a funk, we’re here to present a different way to look at this stretch of the year. In this episode, Kari Leibowitz , a health psychologist and author of ' How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days ,' joins Debbie to talk about her journey from...

What do you do when your trust is broken, or when people start questioning your trustworthiness? Chances are, you’re left feeling unsure, even overwhelmed. Most of us don’t really understand how trust works, so trying to fix it can feel impossible. In this episode, Peter Kim from USC's Marshall School of Business breaks it down for us. Drawing from his book How Trust Works , he shares over twenty...

Parenting in the digital age can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. For this episode, Emily brings in the insight of Ash Brandin for a thoughtful conversation about her book, Power On , and what healthy screen use can actually look like for families.  With over 15 years of hands-on experience teaching in the classroom, Ash shares a perspective that moves away from fear and guilt, e...

How do you show up in the world, whether it’s online, at work, or in your community? Whether you’ve thought about it or not, that’s all part of your personal brand.  In this episode of Psychologists Off The Clock, Michael is joined by Goldie Chan , a personal branding expert, to unpack her book, Personal Branding for Introverts , and what personal branding really is and how it’s different fro...

We’ve all had those moments when a simple shift in perspective suddenly makes everything feel possible, and that’s exactly what this episode explores. Debbie is joined in this episode, Stanford psychologist Gregory Walton for a conversation about his book Ordinary Magic and how small shifts in the way we think can lead to big changes in our lives and communities. From the way we handle tough momen...

Have you ever found yourself holding onto feelings of guilt or shame long after a difficult experience or mistake?  In this episode, Jill sits down with Dr. Carolyn Allard , a leading voice in trauma-focused psychology and research. Together, they unpack the complex nature of guilt and shame, especially when these emotions become non-adaptive in the face of trauma or hardship.  Carolyn,...

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...