Psychologists Off the Clock

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become a go-to book for understanding trauma, but not everyone agrees with its approach.  In this episode, journalist and author of Acceptance: A Memoir , Emi Nietfeld joins us to talk about The Body Keeps the Score and how it influenced the world of trauma therapy. Bringing both her personal experience and sharp insight to the table, she en...

Trauma and PTSD leave a lasting imprint on how we see ourselves and navigate the world, which is why Debbie sits down with returning guest Dr. Robyn Walser for this episode, a clinical psychologist and expert in evidence-based treatment for PTSD, to explore the path to trauma recovery.  Robyn unpacks the principles of exposure therapy, the importance of processing traumatic experiences, and i...

If you've been feeling like alcohol just doesn’t fit your life anymore, this conversation with Casey Davidson , a Life and Sobriety Coach, might really speak to you.   Casey opens up about her personal journey of becoming alcohol-free, talks you through the benefits and challenges of sobriety, and clears up some common myths along the way. You’ll come away with takeaways about the impact...

Why do so many kids seem unmotivated at school, and what can we do about it? In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, we’re taking a look at what’s really going on with student engagement, especially during those tricky adolescent years.  Our guests, Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson , co-authors of The Disengaged Teen , join Emily to break it all down. From the four types of learner...

What’s a skill that can instantly improve your relationships, communication, and even your influence? In this episode, Yael talks with Caroline Fleck , a licensed psychologist and author of Validation , to unpack exactly that. Caroline explains what validation really is, how it’s different from empathy or sympathy, and why it can be so powerful in both personal and professional relationships.  The...

In a world constantly demanding our attention and energy, have you ever felt trapped between the crucial need to care for yourself and the undeniable urge to care for those around you?  Well, for this conversation, Debbie gets into that very dilemma with Dr. Jordan Quaglia , as he challenges us to move beyond the 'either/or' of self-care and explore his revolutionary 'We Care' approach.  Jordan, w...

True strength and success lie in how well we can come together and support one another and how well we can stand side by side to move forward as a collective.  That powerful message comes straight from our guest, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon , who is the author of No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life , and it perfectly sets the tone for this deeply honest and inspiring...

It’s easy to forget how much doing something creative can lift your mood. Whether you're painting, building something, or just doodling for fun, creating is good for your brain and your mental health!  In this conversation, Debbie interviews bestselling author Kelly Corrigan , along with her daughter and coauthor, Claire Corrigan Lichty. They talk about their new children’s book, Marianne the Make...

Raising grounded, thoughtful kids in today’s chaotic world is no small task. In this episode, Emily talks with award-winning journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer about her new book, Hello, Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times . Melinda shares practical, research-based tools to help parents guide their children through media influence, bias, and...

What if the ability to negotiate with a hostage-taker was also a skill that could improve relationships in everyday life? Gary Noesner , who is a former FBI chief negotiator and author of ' Stalling for Time ,' which deep dives into his experiences and the lessons he's learned about human nature and effective communication over his 30-year career, joins Yael for this episode. You’ll hear how patie...

Today’s episode is one you’re really going to want to lean into because Michael is talking all about radical listening with Robert V. Biswas-Diener . If you’ve ever felt like traditional ‘active listening’ just doesn’t cut it, this conversation is going to open your ears and your mind in a whole new way. They chat about key ideas from Robert and his coauthor Christian Van Nieuwerburgh's book, Radi...

Leadership so often comes with the pressure to appear strong, composed, and endlessly capable, but that version of leadership is no longer serving us. In this episode, Debbie sits down with Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer , co-authors of Leading for Wellness , for a meaningful conversation about redefining leadership through the lens of wellness, authenticity, and vulnerability.  They share wh...

Constantly battling that harsh inner voice that tells you you're not enough, that you’ll never measure up? It can feel like this voice is always lurking, trying to undermine your confidence and making it so much harder to move forward. The good news is that you can change your internal narrative. For this episode, Jill welcomes Shawn Costello Woolley and Holly Yates , coauthors of The Inner Critic...

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...