Psychologists Off the Clock

If you are struggling to make positive changes in your life, our interview with Dr. Michelle Drapkin is full of inspiration on prioritizing and being compassionate with yourself, even when facing setbacks.  As we dig into research-proven strategies from Michelle’s new self-help book, The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change , you’ll learn how motivational interviewing works and helps...

In this age of technology, our children are more exposed than ever before. As parents, it falls upon us to educate and mentor them in responsibly navigating boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation.  For this episode, we bring you Devorah Heitner , who, in her most recent book titled Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in the Digital World , touches on many important strategies for guiding ou...

Addiction is a frightening disorder with complex root causes, affecting a staggering one in every five people over the age of 14. To explore the intricate nature of addiction, we invited Dr. Judith Grisel , a renowned psychology professor at Bucknell University and the author of Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction , to the conversation.  What makes this conversation so power...

It’s time to talk about menopause. Despite being such a pivotal stage in a woman's development, it does not always receive the acknowledgment it deserves. And with half of the population affected by menopause, it’s about time we started talking about it loud and proud! Helping us unpack the whirlwind of physical and emotional changes women experience as they go through this transition is Jancee Du...

If you enjoyed our most recent episode, Episode 314 , Munchausen by proxy with Andrea Dunlop and Marc Feldman on Munchausen by Proxy syndrome, you won’t want to miss Andrea’s podcast, Nobody Should Believe Me .  In this special bonus episode, we are bringing our listeners the very first episode of Nobody Should Believe Me . Andrea shares how she first became captivated by the story of Hope Ybarra–...

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS) is a psychological disorder that you may have heard whispers about in the media in which a person, usually a parent, fakes or induces a medical condition in another person to gain attention. In most cases, it is the mother of a child who pretends or even causes medical symptoms the child does not actually have. To shed light on this highly complex topic, we brou...

In the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, exposure therapy has long been recognized as the gold standard. But what if there was an even more powerful approach to confronting your fears or trauma? For this episode, we welcome two esteemed guests, Dr. Brian Thompson and Dr. Brian Pilecki to uncover the transformative impact of blending traditional exposure therapy with the principles of...

Have you ever considered that, while being super focused can be a positive quality, it may also have its drawbacks? Think about it: when you channel your attention so intensely on one thing, you could be neglecting a whole realm of valuable information and stimuli out there. Embark on a journey with us into the mysterious world of illusions! Piggy-backing off of the previous episode on the science...

Deception is everywhere. Fake psychics, dodgy investment deals, cults, and pesky scam calls can be hard to detect, even for the smartest or most vigilant individuals. This poses the question of what makes us vulnerable and what precautions we can take?  Joining us for this episode are two exceptional cognitive scientists, Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons . Through studies and findings from th...

Our expectations can shape how we navigate life in more ways than one. Expectations help us prepare, but not just through action; there are actual physiological changes that occur when we're anticipating certain things. David Robson, "an award-winning science writer who focuses on the extremes of the human brain, body, and behavior", joins us for this episode. Through practical takeaways founded o...

Get ready to tap into the power of your emotions, because they hold invaluable wisdom! From guilt to panic and everything in between, each emotion we feel has a story to tell. And who better to guide us through this emotional journey than Karla McLaren , an emotion and empathy expert? With more than a decade of research under her belt, Karla has mastered the intense power of language in identifyin...

Are you familiar with the term "gaslighting"? It’s been a popular topic for discussion in recent days, but how many of us actually understand its true meaning and, perhaps more importantly, how to identify it?  Join us for this thought-provoking interview with Psychoanalyst and co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Robin Stern , who gives us a fresh and detailed perspective...

The journey of parenting requires a unique approach for every family. Don’t get discouraged by claims that there is one right way to raise a child; this is simply not true. Dr. Cara Goodwin , an experienced child psychologist, author, and mother, was amazed at the volume of misinformation shared online by self-proclaimed 'experts'. To combat this, she created the “ Parenting Translator ”- a source...

Let’s end the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers and give them the freedom to make choices that benefit themselves, their children, and their communities. Join Debbie and Jessica Grose , a writer for The New York Times , as they jump deep into the systemic and cultural challenges of modern motherhood. Through highlights from her book, “ Screaming on the Inside ”, Jessica offers insights ba...

We’ve all been there: saying yes when we really wanted to say no. It happens all the time, from work requests and invitations, or favors for friends. Saying no can result in offense, awkwardness, and sometimes even trouble with relationships and reputations, so we often choose yes instead. However, in this episode, our guest encourages us to change our mindset. Saying no can actually empower us an...

Teenagers naturally experience a rollercoaster of emotions, making everyday pressures and transitional changes overwhelming for parents and adolescents alike. Our guest Lisa Damour , a clinical psychologist, and best-selling author of ‘The Emotional Lives of Teenagers’ emphasizes the integrality of validating teenagers' emotions while also providing a framework on how to understand and support the...

Life is an incredible journey full of paradoxical demands that can sometimes feel overwhelming. But what if we could embrace both sides of the equation and turn these tensions into opportunities for growth? This is exactly what our guest Marianne Lewis teaches us in the groundbreaking book Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems that she coauthored with her c...

In today's world, society is more polarized than ever before. With people taking positions on issues related to identity, diversity, and justice, engaging in these conversations can seem like a daunting task. Yet, this is precisely what we need to do if we want to build a more just and equitable society.  In this regard, our latest episode where Jill Stoddard interviews author David Glasgow is a m...

Join host Debbie Sorensen and former co-host and guest Diana Hill as they discuss the power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and introduce their new resource: The ACT Daily Card Deck . Through personal anecdotes and examples, they emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and taking committed action that aligns with personal values. They also touch on the concepts of self-...

Let's raise a glass to Debbie, Jill, and Yael as they reach a milestone of 300 episodes on the fabulous Psychologists Off The Clock podcast! Can you believe it? Six-plus years of incredible conversations, phenomenal guests, mind-blowing ideas, and moments have uplifted us all. As they share their reflections on this journey, we get a glimpse of how POTC has transformed their understanding and appl...

Welcome to this exciting bonus episode where POTC co-host Yael Schonbrun joins the incredible Child Psychologist, Cara Goodwin , for an empowering conversation exploring the artful science of working parenthood on Cara’s podcast, The Parenting Translator . Discover how to use parenting science to guide healthy choices and transform guilt into a powerful tool that aligns with your core values. You'...

Over the past few decades, the workplace has undergone tremendous changes. With the rise of technology and globalization, companies operate in a more complex and interconnected world. This has created new challenges for leaders, who must now navigate a wide range of cultural, technological, and economic factors to succeed. We are privileged to have Chris Shipley as our guest on this episode. As a...

Dysfunctional family relationships can be complicated and extremely challenging to navigate, but it's essential to remember that we have the power to change the narrative. Whether you’re dealing with overbearing or abusive parents, toxic siblings, or any other form of unhealthy behavior, it can be difficult to know how to break free from these patterns and create more positive connections. This is...

If you find yourself struggling to connect with the adolescents in your life, don't worry, you're not alone! The truth is, building relationships with teens and young adults can be challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, anything is possible. Get ready to be inspired by our guest, Emily Kline , a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist who has written a practical and research-backed gu...

When it comes to money and love, the two are inextricably linked. Whether it's choosing where to settle down, starting a family, or taking that new job opportunity, our financial situation and our relationships always come into play. Thankfully, with the expert guidance of our guest Abby Davisson who co-authored the brilliant resource, " Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest De...