The Shift Show

You're functioning. You're getting it all done. But somewhere along the way, life started to feel like a five out of ten. In this episode of The Shift Show , ShiftGrit founder and registered psychologist Andrea McTague is joined by Kai Ongaro, a psychology student and member of the ShiftGrit client experience team, to unpack living on autopilot, the "life meh's," and why h...

Decision paralysis isn't really about the decision. It's about the identity-level beliefs running underneath. In this episode of The Shift Show , ShiftGrit founder and registered psychologist Andrea McTague is joined by Kai Ongaro, a fourth-year psychology student at the University of Alberta and a member of the ShiftGrit client experience team, to unpack why choosing can feel so high-st...

Most people can't tell whether their therapy is working until they've spent months and a lot of money finding out. In this episode of The Shift Show , ShiftGrit founder and registered psychologist Andrea McTague sits down with Brendon Braithwaite , who came up through ShiftGrit's internship program and is now a staff mental health therapist. They get candid about what actually separ...

Entrepreneurial struggle isn’t really about strategy. It’s about the identity-level beliefs running underneath. In this episode of The Shift Show , Andrea McTague is joined by Claire Goddard, Registered Provisional Psychologist at ShiftGrit, to explore why so many capable, intelligent founders hit an invisible ceiling — even when their business is objectively succeeding. Entrepreneurs often assume...

Relationship struggles aren’t really about communication. They’re about the patterns running underneath. In this episode of The Shift Show , Andrea McTague is joined by Geneviève Malena, Registered Social Worker at ShiftGrit, to explore relationship dynamics — the emotional and nervous-system patterns that shape how partners connect, argue, withdraw, pursue, and repair. Many couples believe they’r...

Money stress isn’t really about money. It’s about the identity-level beliefs running underneath. In this episode of The Shift Show , Andrea sits down with Jenae White , Registered Provisional Psychologist at ShiftGrit’s Calgary studio, and Crystal Taylor , Financial Planner and Wealth Management Consultant. Together, they explore why smart, capable people still feel overwhelmed by money—overspendi...

Endless scrolling, compulsive clicking, and dopamine-driven distraction—sound familiar? In this episode, Andrea McTague and Alberto Medeiros unpack the reality of internet addiction and how modern tech subtly hijacks our minds. They explore how screen time disrupts sleep, relationships, emotional health, and productivity—often without us realizing it. Drawing from neuroscience and real-life therap...

Summary In this episode, Andrea McTague and Mateo Sestito explore the complexities of trauma, its impact on the brain, and how early experiences shape our responses to life. They discuss the difference between disturbances and trauma, the role of limiting beliefs, and the importance of social connections in coping with trauma. The conversation emphasizes the potential for trauma to be transformed...

Summary In this episode, Andrea McTague and Sharilyn Theriault explore the complexities of parenting, emphasizing the importance of parental well-being, emotional resilience, and intentionality in parenting practices. They discuss common challenges such as tantrums, the significance of co-regulation, and effective strategies for bedtime routines. The conversation also highlights the importance of...

Summary In this episode of The Shift Show, Andrea McTague and Amy Gale discuss the unique mental health challenges faced by veterans and first responders, including the impact of trauma, the importance of social connections, and the transition to civilian life. They explore strategies for resilience, the role of humour in healing, and the significance of finding purpose after service. The conversa...

Summary In this episode of The Shift Show, Andrea McTague and Baldwin Asala delve into the intricacies of performance psychology, focusing on high achievers such as athletes and entrepreneurs. They explore common concerns like performance blocks, burnout, and the challenges of transitioning out of high-performance roles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding limiting beliefs,...

Let us know in the comments what other topics you'd like our psychologists Andrea and Zac to cover in the next upcoming episodes!  In this episode of The Shift Show, we admit that it's been a while... but we're back and this topic is one that you'll want to sit in on. We'll be talking about External Stressors (things that stress us out that are NOT in our control) such as...

The sex experience can be very confusing ; on one hand, it is pleasurable and we desire it but on the other hand, it’s associated with shame and disgust. Tune in and hear what we have to say about sex!

More and more we see clients listing “stress” as a common reason our clients come in. It’s talked about in the news frequently, we hear friends complain of it, and we have all experienced some aspect of it from time to time.

A lot has changed from the days when yoga burst into the West. The beloved past-time of Lululemon-sporting women now invites more diverse populations, including first responders suffering from – or at risk for – PTSD.

Flowers & Blowjobs: Listen to the rerelease of this podcast for gems on navigating your needs, whether you’re trying to communicate better in your current relationship or are in the market for a new one. 

In this podcast, Andrea McTague and Zac Erickson dissect the human brain to explain why we often act against our own interests and how to get back in the driver’s seat.

Solutions for Seasonal Affective Disorder to Grinch Like Grumpiness, and Everything in Between!

Why do we let diet and exercise sabotage our well-being? Zac and Sarah point some fingers and round up some solutions.

Ah, Halloween - the time our society brings our love of scaring ourselves to light, in the funnest possible way. Overgrown pumpkins, tricked out yards, and all-you-can-eat candy. A chance to slap on a wig, paint your face, and glimpse the horrors that lurk inside your neighbour's’ foyer. Chime in to hear what we have to say! Disclaimer:  Please note that this podcast is a re-release and that...

Zac and Sarah Explain How the Great Outdoors Makes Us Happier -- and Why We Should Leave Our Phone at Home

In Andrea and Zac’s 360 on porn compulsion, they discuss what the real problem is (spoiler alert: it’s not the sexy bodies), how it’s compounded by modern-day society, and what to do if you or a loved one is struggling with it.

Defy Gravity, Embrace Yourself: Floating Entrepreneurs Matthew Smith and Jamie Phillips  Twelve inches of water, half a ton of salt, 34-degree water, that’s all. No sound. No light. No sensory input. Just you and your thoughts. Whether that sounds divine or demonic, this conversation with Modern Gravity founders Matthew Smith and Jamie Phillips, Shift Clinician Zac Erickson, and Shift Operations M...

The Holy Grail of emotions, happiness is everywhere -- and yet so hard to see. Everything from a pleasant sunny afternoon to a once-in-a-lifetime winning lottery ticket could sit under the umbrella of happiness. The problem is, wanting to be happy without knowing what that means, is a recipe for unhappiness.  In the first episode of this new series, Shift’s Zac Erickson, Andrea McTague and Sarah [...

It’s ADHD’s moment in the spotlight. Thanks to Tiktok, today there’s an unprecedented level of interest around ADHD. But so many of the symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can also be caused by lifestyle factors -- diet, sleep, exercise, social activity -- exacerbated by the pandemic. In other words, if you’re bouncing off the walls after a year and a half of being cooped up, it’s probabl...