Psychologists Off the Clock

Tired of all the fighting over politics and morality? For this episode, we’re tackling moral outrage with Kurt Gray , a psychology professor and author of Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground . You’ll learn why we get so caught up in right vs. wrong, how to better understand what’s driving people’s fears and motivations, and how to connect—even when you...

What if the very thing keeping you from deep, meaningful friendships is the fear of being your true, imperfect self?  This week Michael sits down with Jess Johnston for a chat about authenticity, friendship, and overcoming the fear of rejection. They dive into themes for her book, Perfect Is Boring (and It Tastes Like Kale): Finding Belonging and Purpose Without Changing Who You Are , which offers...

Raising strong, confident girls in today’s world isn’t always easy, and this episode is here to help. Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein chats with Dr. Emily Edlynn about her book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World , and dives into how we can support girls as they face things like cultural pressures, objectification, and the subtle sexism that still lingers. They...

Ever feel like your workplace is a mix of different worlds, with each generation bringing its own style, perspective, and expectations? For our second episode of the year, Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder , CEO of the American Psychological Foundation, joins us to talk about how Baby Boomers to Gen Z can navigate work together. From remote work shifts to work-life balance expectations, you’ll come away wi...

Kick off the New Year with us in this special cohosted POTC episode! We've got a MAJOR announcement for 2025, and we're also chatting about the ups and downs of decision-making—all backed by psychology. We're also reflecting on our 2024 highlights, sharing what we're all hoping for in the new year, and talking about how community, flexibility, and staying true to your values play into making some...

As we turn the page to a new year, we’re excited to release this episode as a special gift to help you start 2025 on the right foot. Let’s face it—after the chaos and unpredictability of the past few years, many of us are craving positive change and looking for guidance on how to make it stick. Self-help has surged in popularity, but not all resources are created equal. That’s why we’re bringing b...

Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it’s a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun , a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what’s behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do abo...

Life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, especially with the nonstop pace of the modern world. But what if you learned to embrace the messiness that comes with life and concentrated more on what really matters to you rather than attempting to control everything? Building on the themes from his previous bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals , Michael is joined by returning gu...

What if we started seeing grief as a form of trauma—could it help us make sense of the confusing ways our mind and body react to loss? In this conversation, Debbie sits down with Meghan Riordan Jarvis , a psychotherapist who’s spent her life helping people navigate the heartbreak of loss. She’s here to talk about her new book, Can Anyone Tell Me? Essential Questions About Grief and Loss , and to s...

How can you begin to heal from complex PTSD?  In this episode, Jill sits down with Stephanie Foo to explore her memoir, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma , a deeply personal account of her healing journey through complex PTSD (CPTSD). Stephanie shares what it’s like to carry the weight of complex trauma, offering insights into how you can begin to heal too. Through her st...

In this very special roundtable episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, our cohosts Debbie Sorenson and Emily Edlynn gather a panel of experts—including Tracy Dennis-Tiwary , Ellen Galinsky , and Devorah Heitner —to discuss an issue many parents face today: the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health.  Bringing their unique perspectives together, they look at the often-a...

We have an insightful discussion with Ruth Whippman this week, who urges us to rethink masculinity and nurture boys in a way that honors their mental health and emotional depth. A mother of three and the insightful author of Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity , Ruth brings a personal and societal viewpoint to the intense pressures that often shape modern masculinity....

What if the relentless push for productivity is actually standing in the way of a truly fulfilling life?  Join cohost Michael Herold and guest Ross White , author of The Tree that Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive , as they redefine balance and purpose, challenging societal pressures to stay constantly “on.”  Using the wisdom of nature and the anatomy of a tree, Ross explores how psyc...

Stuck in the never-ending grind but still feel like it’s not enough?  Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy. D. , a clinical psychologist and author of Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Cultures are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out-- and How to Break Free breaks down how hustle culture and wellness fads can mess with our sense of self-worth and add to our stress.  She talks about how perfe...

How does happiness fuel productivity and success? Join Michael Herold in an empowering chat with Mary Anderson , the author of The Happy High Achiever , who gives her expertise on how high-achievers can turn the tables on stress and anxiety, unlocking powerful tools that can lead you to greater success and fulfillment in life.  You'll discover how to identify cognitive distortions, including what...

Are kids learning enough about how the world really works? This week, Emily hosts Lindsey Cormack , a thoughtful political science professor and author of How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It's Up to You to Do It) , to talk about how we, as parents, can play a big role in raising engaged citizens.  They delve into Lindsey's experiences and research, demonstrating how schools frequently fail to teach...

This week on Psychologists Off the Clock, Jill takes on the dynamic blend of science and art in therapy with our amazing guest, Dr. Michael Alcee , a mental health educator and the author of Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist . Michael sheds light on the vital balance between left-brain logic and right-brain creativity that makes for effective psychotherapy...

Are you in the midst of a midlife transition, grappling with big questions about purpose, change, and self-discovery? For this week’s episode, cohost Debbie Sorensen celebrates her 50th birthday with a discussion on the transformative period of midlife with her friend, Dr. Meg McKelvie .  A period rich with psychological shifts, existential questions, and challenges in finding deeper meaning, they...

If you are craving deeper, more meaningful connections in life then you're in for a treat with our latest guest, Dr. Adam Dorsay . Adam, also affectionately known as EnthusiAdam, is a licensed psychologist and executive coach who walks us through the core ideas from his upcoming book Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love , set to release on Oct...

Do you feel like you are constantly on an emotional rollercoaster with your children?  Get stuck into this lively chat with Dr. Carla Naumburg , a licensed clinical social worker, and the mind behind ' How to Stop Losing Your It with Your Kids '. Carla introduces us to her new book, ' How to Stop Freaking Out ', which is written specifically for kids, and talks about how a mix of compassion and hu...

What if there's more to happiness and fulfillment than what you've been taught? Speaking about her book The Art of the Interesting , Lorraine Besser questions accepted notions of what constitutes a fulfilling life. She doesn’t just explore happiness and meaning; she challenges their dominance, exposing how chasing these ideals can sometimes leave us feeling empty and disillusioned. Lorraine invite...

What if the key to healing our fractured society lies not in silencing our differences, but in harnessing them? In this conversation with Diana M. Smith , a renowned thought leader in conflict resolution and organizational change, we're not just talking about the pressing issue of political divisiveness—we're talking about the power to reshape our society by rethinking how we engage with one anoth...

Are you truly living the life you desire, or are hidden patterns holding you back?  Challenging us to rethink our understanding of freedom and personal fulfillment, we bring you a fascinating conversation with Dr. Emma Seppälä , a renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and Yale lecturer who introduces her latest book, Sovereign , which delves into the profound concept of sovereignty—not just a...

Imagine seeing teenagers not as a bundle of challenges but as a wellspring of untapped potential. That's exactly what our guest Ellen Galinsky , President of Families and Work Institute, invites you to do in this episode, through her book ' The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens ' which challenges the negative cultural narratives about teenagers by presenting...

Discover the keys to mastering any skill with Scott Young . Bringing us his latest book, Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery , Scott retells his fascinating journey of self-studying MIT's computer science curriculum and breaks down the essential process of learning: seeing, doing, and receiving feedback. You'll find out how learning from others, effective practice, and receiving feedback...