The Verywell Mind Podcast

Hope keeps us going through tough times. But we’ve all had times when we’ve felt utterly hopeless. It’s so hard to push through when you don’t have any hope that things will get better. Maybe you have a health issue that causes you to feel utterly hopeless about the future. You might be convinced that no matter what you do or what medication you try, you’re never going to feel better. Or you might feel hopeless about your financial situation. Looking at your mounting debt may cause you to think that there’s no way you’re ever going to dig yourself out. Mental health issues can also cause hopelessness. One of the main symptoms of depression involves a lack of hope. And not having any hope can worsen your mental health. It’s a two-way street. Here's my favorite science-backed strategy for cultivating hope. It only takes a few minutes, but doing it can help you feel happier and more hopeful about the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brooke Shields has worked in Hollywood since 1978 as an actress and a model. She’s starred on magazine covers across the globe, appeared in movies like The Blue Lagoon, and starred in the TV show Suddenly Susan. She’s also a New York Times Best Selling author. In 2005, her book Down Came the Rain talked about the debilitating postpartum depression she experienced after the birth of her daughter, and this helped reduce the stigma associated with postpartum depression. In 2014, her book There Was a Little Girl chronicled her life growing up with a single mother who became her show business manager. One of Brooke’s latest ventures is Beginning is Now, a website that combats ageism. At age 56, she is showing women that life doesn’t end at 40. Instead, it’s just beginning! Some of the things she talks about today are the stereotypes about aging that she is trying to break, how to stop comparing yourself to others, and how to get more excited about life at any age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you don’t feel like working out any longer or you don’t feel like cleaning the house, it’s tough to push yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing. That’s because your brain will try to hijack your behavior. It might tell you that you’re too tired to keep going. Or it might distract you with catastrophic thoughts. But you don’t have to believe your brain when it tells you that you can’t stand to keep going. In fact, pushing yourself to do things you don’t want to do is a great way to show your brain that you’re more capable and competent than it gives you credit for. Here are seven strategies that can help you keep pushing forward when you feel like quitting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terry Crews is an NFL player turned actor and TV host. He has appeared on shows like Everybody Hates Chris and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s also hosted shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent. He’s the author of a new book called Tough. In it, he shares stories from his childhood, his experiences in the NFL, and how his idea of real toughness has evolved over the years. Some of the things he talks about in today's episode are how his definition of toughness has evolved over the years, how he healed from his addiction to pornography, and how he broke free from the shame that held him back in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you want to lose weight or you want to get out of debt, change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. And much of that process happens long before we even begin to create change. Here are the six stages of change, how to identify which stage you're in, and what you can do to move through each stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When your nervous system is activated and you feel complete panic, thinking calming thoughts might not cut it. Or, when you feel so angry you can’t think clearly, you won’t be able to have a productive problem-solving conversation. Sometimes, it’s helpful to calm your nervous system first. Changing your body’s physiology can calm both your brain and your body. That’s where TIPP comes in. It involves four strategies that can change your body's physiology. And when you've calmed your nervous system down, managing your emotions becomes much easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Barker is the creator of a blog called Barking Up the Wrong Tree which presents scientific answers about how to "be awesome at life." He’s also the author of two best-selling books. Barking Up the Wrong Tree addressed the science of success. His new book, Plays Well With Others, discusses the science behind relationships. Some of the things Eric talks about are why friends might be more important than family when it comes to our health and well-being, how to combat loneliness, and the science behind developing more meaningful friendships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever think you just don’t have any more to give? Are you emotionally exhausted? Do you feel cynical and hopeless? These are just a few signs that you might be experiencing burnout. High levels of chronic stress combined with a sense of feeling stuck can lead to burnout. You can’t always control all the factors that contribute to burnout. An unhealthy work environment may be to blame. But there are steps you can take to improve your individual situation. A few changes to your lifestyle might go a long way toward helping you feel better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lisa Bilyeu is co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a billion-dollar company. She’s also the president of Impact Theory, a weekly interview show that uncovers how achievers become successful. She’s now the author of a book called Radical Confidence. In it, she describes how changing her mindset helped her create the life of her dreams. Some of the things she talks about in today's episode are how gratitude was actually keeping her stuck in life, the difference between confidence and radical confidence, and the tools you need to create your best life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When someone is gaslighting you, you’ll likely second guess yourself. Gaslighters are good at convincing you that you’ve lost touch with reality. Whether they lie about your behavior, insist your feelings are irrational, or say your thoughts are distorted, their goal is to cause you to feel as though you’re losing your mind. While gaslighting is most often discussed in terms of romantic relationships, it can occur in other relationships too. Your boss, friends, extended family, or even your doctor may gaslight you. It’s tough to know what’s real and what isn’t when someone gaslights you. So on today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share four strategies that can help you stay mentally strong when someone is gaslighting you. I explain how to recognize gaslighting and what to do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Edith Eger was a Jew living in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe when she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, a death camp. Dr. Eger and her sister survived, but their parents did not. After the war, Dr. Eger got married and had a baby. She and her husband moved to the United States in 1949, and she got her degree in psychology. She began treating people with PTSD, which inspired her to continue working on healing herself. Now, she’s written two books, The Choice and The Gift, where she chronicles her journey and the lessons she learned along the way. Dr. Eger's daughter, Marianne Engle, also became a psychologist. She joins us for this conversation today. Some of the things Dr. Eger talks about are the things she had done to promote her own healing, how she fosters resilience in others, and how she has turned her suffering into strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel like your brain can’t possibly make one more decision? Do simple choices feel overwhelming sometimes? If so, you might be experiencing decision fatigue. It’s a real problem that can affect all of us. Our decision-making mental muscles only have so much energy. And when those reserves are depleted, decision-making can go downhill fast. For some people, decision fatigue causes them to make poor choices. For others, the weariness makes it nearly impossible to decide on anything at all. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to combat decision fatigue. A few simple changes to the way you operate your day can make a big difference to your brainpower. In today’s episode, I share the pitfalls of decision fatigue and the five things you can do to avoid it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chrissy Metz is an American actress and singer. She’s best known for her role as Kate Pearson on the TV series This Is Us. She’s been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and she’s won two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Chrissy’s 2018 book, This Is Me, became a #1 New York Times Best Seller. In it, she describes her life growing up, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her tips for living your best life. Some of the things Chrissy talks about today are how she's learned to recognize her unhealed childhood wounds, the steps she is taking to manage her mental health, and how she's learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every week, my inbox is flooded with questions from podcast listeners and readers who want to know about mental health, mental strength, and therapy. As much as I’d love to be able to respond to each message, it’s no longer feasible to do so. So that’s where these "Ask Me Anything" episodes come in. Every month or so, I pick a few questions and address them on the podcast. On today’s show, I answer questions about recognizing if you have depression, dealing with in-law relationships, and self-talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jenn Mann is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is best known for being the host of VH1’s hit shows Couples Therapy and Family Therapy. She’s the author of several best-selling books including The Relationship Fix: Dr. Jenn’s 6-Step Guide to Improving Communication, Connection & Intimacy. Some of the things she talks about today are common communication mistakes, how to reconnect with your partner, and how to improve your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imposter syndrome is that uncomfortable feeling you experience when you think you’re unqualified and incompetent. You might look around and assume everyone knows what they’re doing except you. And if you achieve something good, you’ll chalk your accomplishments up to “good luck.” Almost everyone experiences imposter syndrome at one point or another. For some people, it’s a small problem. For others though, it can be debilitating. If you have imposter syndrome, you might worry that someone is going to discover how inept you really are. You might cope by becoming an overachiever. Or you might stop trying to reach your potential so you don’t disappoint anyone. Imposter syndrome isn’t just something that happens at work. You might struggle with it in your personal life too if you feel like an ineffective parent or you think you aren’t a good partner. Fortunately, this science-backed strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome can help you live your best life–and feel effective while you’re doing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brooke is a television personality, author, fitness trainer, actress, and entrepreneur. She’s appeared on my shows over the years, including hosting Wild On!, a travel show that appeared on the E! network. She won the seventh season of Dancing With the Stars and then became a co-host of the show. She’s the host of the Intimate Knowledge podcast. She’s appeared on the cover of many fitness, lifestyle, and fashion magazines. Despite her busy lifestyle, she makes self-care a top priority in her life. Some of the things she talks about today are how she teaches people to get comfortable being uncomfortable, how she establishes boundaries, and how she creates time for herself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you carried on a whole conversation with spinach in your teeth or you slipped and fell in front of a whole room full of people, embarrassing moments are inevitable. Although embarrassment feels uncomfortable, it won’t kill you. But the fear of embarrassment might actually be deadly. Fortunately, there’s help for people who fear being judged or who fear that they’ll experience embarrassment. It’s an issue we frequently address in the therapy office. Rather than avoid embarrassing moments, there’s something really powerful about learning to cope with embarrassing feelings. You might even get to a place where you can empower yourself by sharing your embarrassing stories with others. On today’s episode, I share real-life ways the fear of embarrassment sometimes kills people. And I talk about the steps you can take to conquer your fear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Ekman is often called “the human lie detector,” and he’s considered the world’s deception detection expert. He’s the inspiration behind the hit series Lie to Me, and he consulted on the movie Inside Out. He’s also trained organizations, such as police departments and the TSA, on how to tell when someone is lying. TIME Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He’s also been ranked fifteenth among the most influential psychologists of the 21st century. Some of the things he talks about today are why people lie, the biggest myths we believe about detecting lies, and how you can actually tell if someone is being deceptive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve all wrestled with tough decisions before. Should I move to a new city? Should I find a different job? Should I end this relationship? It’s not always those big decisions that are tough. Some smaller decisions are tough too. Should I call the teacher to tell her that my child is being bullied even though my child asked me not to? Should I call my friend and tell them they hurt my feelings? When you’re struggling to know what to do, you likely have some go-to habits you reach for. Maybe you call someone to talk through your options. Or maybe you do some online research to help you better understand the facts. But those habits might not necessarily help you reach the best decision. In fact, they might delay your decision-making or even lead you to make a worse choice. So on today’s show, I’m talking about a strategy that makes tough decisions simpler. And the best news is this strategy will also help you make better decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig Conover is an attorney who stars in Bravo TV’s reality show, Southern Charm. He’s also the author of Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong With My Sewing? Craig could easily make it look like he has everything figured out. He’s successful in so many different ways. But, he chooses to talk openly about his struggles with mental health and his past Adderall abuse. Some of the things he shares on the show are how he’s been bullied, how not everyone understands his passion for sewing, and how he’s managing his mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your brain tries to be helpful. It tells you about the dangers you should be looking out for so that you don’t get hurt. It also likes to remind you of past mistakes in an attempt to prevent you from repeating them. Of course, though, your brain doesn’t always get it right. It may repeatedly warn you that you shouldn’t apply for a job because you can’t handle the rejection. Or it may dredge up past memories that cause you to stay stuck in a dark place. There may be times when your brain overestimates you in an unhelpful manner as well. It might convince you that you don’t need to prepare for an interview because you are going to nail it. Or, it may give you a pep talk to talk you into taking a risk that ultimately ends up being a mistake. Fortunately, you don’t have to believe everything you think. And while you can’t control all the automatic thoughts that pop up into your mind, you can choose how you respond to those thoughts. On today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talk about how to respond to those unhelpful stories your brain tells you. I’ll give you some effective strategies for responding to irrational thoughts and explain why our brains often get things wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graeme Tomlinson is a nutrition coach and a personal trainer. His Instagram account has attracted over 1 million followers, making it one of the most popular nutrition/fitness social media accounts in the world. He’s made it his mission to educate people on the facts about healthy eating. He debunks many of the popular diet culture myths and helps people better understand the false information that is spread in food advertisements. His latest book, Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind, explains how to develop a healthier relationship with food. Some of the things he talks about on the show are the most popular diet myths most people believe, how to stop being hard on yourself for your food choices, and how to develop a healthier mindset about food. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes, people assume that experiencing an uncomfortable emotion (like sadness or anxiety, is a sign of weakness). This is not true. In fact, allowing yourself to fully experience an uncomfortable emotion is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s easier to push your feelings aside or pretend they don’t exist rather than work through them. There are lots of ways to work through tough feelings—some are healthier than others. In this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share how to stay mentally strong when you’re experiencing uncomfortable feelings. I explain how to recognize the difference between thoughts, feelings, and behavior (something people often get confused about in my therapy office) and how to manage painful feelings in a healthy way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Glazer hosts FOX Sports’ award-winning NFL pregame show, FOX NFL Sunday. He’s developed a reputation for breaking major stories in the NFL throughout the year, and he’s become the “go-to” reporter for gaining accurate information about football updates. Now, he’s written a book called Unbreakable, in which he talks openly about his battle with depression and anxiety. He shares the strategies he uses to manage his mental health. Some of the things he talks about today are why he named his depression "the gray" and how it helps him, how he fights "the gray," and the most effective strategies for managing his mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all have things that we don’t want to do yet feel obligated to do them. Working out, cleaning the house, and paying the bills are just a few of those things that most of us don’t love doing yet we know these things are important. It’s hard to force yourself to do something boring or to keep going on a task that you don’t feel like doing. When we give up on our goals (like quitting the gym), or we avoid doing something often enough (like cleaning the house), we can get down ourselves for not having the mental strength we need to persevere. But you don’t need to rely on willpower to do unpleasant tasks. Instead, there are strategies you can use to make an unpleasant feeling more pleasant. Then, accomplishing it doesn’t seem so dreadful. That’s where temptation bundling comes into play. It’s a science-backed strategy that has been found to help people get those unpleasant tasks done more often. And the best news is, you might even find yourself looking forward to those things you normally don’t like doing when you employ this strategy regularly. In today’s episode, I’ll explain what temptation bundling is, how it works, and how some people in my therapy office have used it to make their lives better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University. She invests much of her time studying brain plasticity–how the brain is able to grow and adapt over the lifespan. She is known for her extensive work studying areas of the brain that are critical to our ability to develop and retain long-term memories. But she’s also conducted a lot of research on anxiety and how we can use it as a way to empower ourselves. Some of the things she talks about today are the exact exercises that can reduce anxiety, how to turn anxiety into a superpower, and the things that are likely to make your anxiety worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Addressing your mental health might feel daunting when you don’t know what to do or when you’re experiencing a mental health issue. You might imagine you have to sign up for a yoga class or learn complicated meditation techniques. While those things might improve your mental health, they aren’t the only options. There are plenty of things you can do right now to feel better. In today’s episode, I share some simple but effective ways to improve your mental health. They’re free and most of them don’t require much time. But they can go a long way toward improving your psychological well-being when they’re practiced on a regular basis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mallory Ervin held the title of Miss Kentucky in 2009. In 2010, she was fourth runner-up for Miss America. She also competed on the reality show The Amazing Race three separate times. Despite all the success she had on the outside, she didn’t feel worthy on the inside. And she developed an addiction to pills to help numb her feelings. Now, she’s written a best-selling book called Living Fully in which she writes about how she finally learned to live a bigger, better life that didn’t depend on achievements to be happy. Some of the things Mallory talks about on the show today are what made her seek help, what she learned in therapy, and how she's now living a full life (rather than a busy one). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While most people understand what it takes to become physically strong, there’s a lot of confusion about how to grow mentally strong. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to develop mental strength. You might even do some of them already without realizing that they’re helping you grow mentally stronger. In this episode, I share the three components of mental strength. I also talk about some specific exercises that can help you develop more mental strength. And I clear up some common misconceptions about what it means to be mentally strong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

KJ Smith is an actress who stars in the BET comedy-drama series Sistas and Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan. She isn’t shy about talking about her mental health. She has become an advocate for therapy and self-care. Some of the things she talks about today are how she learned to be comfortable with her emotions, how she modifies her environment to stay mentally healthy, and how she establishes healthy boundaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Depression is complicated but some of the treatments can be simple. That doesn’t mean following through with these treatments is easy–battling depression is a tough job. But it does mean that a few lifestyle changes can sometimes make a big difference to someone who is living with depression. On today’s Friday Fix episode, I share how therapists often help people battle depression with behavioral therapy. Changing a few things in your calendar could reduce your depression. So today, I’m sharing what those things are and how they could help. And the best news is, it’s something you can try right away. You can put it into practice today and see if it works for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the really fun parts about having a podcast is that I get to answer your questions on the show in real-time. In my work as an author, it’s more of a one-sided conversation. I share my ideas in a book, and while I do receive plenty of messages from readers, I don’t really get to answer questions. But a podcast is different. I can answer questions in real-time. It’s almost like being able to have a two-way conversation with our listeners. So I thought it was a good time to do another Ask Me Anything episode. I love knowing what you want to learn more about. This week, some of the questions I answer involve negative thinking, relationship issues, and finding a therapist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne Tha God is one of the most influential voices in media. He’s the outspoken host of The Breakfast Club, a radio show that reaches over 4.5 million listeners each week. He also co-hosts a popular podcast, The Brilliant Idiots, where he and Andrew Shulz discuss the biggest issues of the day. He hosts a TV show as well, called Tha God’s Honest Truth, which appears on Comedy Central. It’s a late-night show that addresses a variety of social issues. He became an advocate for mental health treatment a few years ago when he began talking about his experiences with anxiety. Some of the things he talks about in this episode are his experiences with therapy, how he manages his mental health, and why he thinks everyone should talk to a therapist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you thought about journaling but didn’t know where to start? Do you think writing about your feelings would be a waste of time? If so, you’re not alone. I hear many therapy clients say they’ve considered journaling over the years, but for one reason or another, they just didn’t start it. Or if they did start journaling, they didn’t stick with it. Staring at a blank piece of paper might feel intimidating. Or you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volumes of journals sold in stores. But don’t give up on the idea of journaling. There’s tons of evidence that writing in a journal can be good for your emotional well-being. Not all journaling is created equal, however. There are a few things you can do to make it especially helpful in building mental strength. In today’s episode, I share what the research says about the benefits of journaling, how to use journaling to build mental strength, and the one thing you should avoid doing when you write in a journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daniel Pink is a New York Times Best Selling author whose books have sold millions of copies around the world. His fascinating titles about business and behavior include books such as When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. His newest book, The Power of Regret, discusses how to use regret to move ourselves forward in life. He surveyed more than 15,000 people from around the world and uncovered some interesting facts about regret. Some of the things he talks about in this episode are the four types of regret, the things people regret the most, and how to turn regret into a powerful tool that helps you move forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although online therapy has grown in popularity during the pandemic, a lot of people are still hesitant to try it. And it’s wise to question whether online treatment can be effective as face-to-face therapy. Afterall, the relationship between a client and a therapist is key to a positive treatment outcome. Can someone really establish a healthy alliance with a therapist over video chat or messaging? As a therapist who has only ever provided face-to-face treatment, I had a lot of questions myself. So I decided to test some of the major online therapy websites. I signed up for treatment as a client to see what it would be like to access services. I discovered that online therapy isn’t for everyone. But it did have some distinct advantages over face-to-face treatment in some areas. I also learned that not all online therapy websites are created equal. Some have better features, others are more affordable, and some specialize in specific treatments. I thought it would be helpful to share what I learned along the way. I talk about what I liked and didn’t like about online therapy. If you’re questioning online treatment for yourself or you’re wondering if you should suggest it for someone else, check out this episode. I’ll tell you the pros and cons of online therapy and how you can find the best online treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diane Macedo is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an anchor and correspondent for ABC News. She often appears on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and World News Now. She’s also the author of The Sleep Fix, a book that describes how she overcame insomnia. By reading countless studies and interviewing many experts, Diane discovered strategies that helped her get better quality sleep. Now, she’s sharing those strategies to help other people learn how to fix their sleep problems, too. Some of the things she talks about in this episode are the biggest misconceptions about sleep, the strategies that help her sleep better, and how to know if you're getting enough sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s true that happy people smile. But it may also be true that people feel happy because they smile. Faking a smile might boost your mood, reduce your stress, and help you bounce back from challenges fast. But you may have also heard about the dangers of forcing a smile when you aren’t feeling it. After all, aren’t you repressing your emotions? There’s a difference between faking a smile for someone else’s benefit and giving yourself a smile to boost your mood. This episode will explain what research says about this. I also explain how a fake smile impacts your brain, when to try it, and what benefits you can expect. And if you aren’t able to force a smile sometimes because you’re just not feeling it, that’s OK too. This episode shares another strategy that works well for those days when you can’t seem to muster a fake smile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

William Miller, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Mexico. He's also the co-founder of motivational interviewing, a strategy therapists use to help people deal with the ambivalence they feel about change. He’s the author of many books, including his most recent book, On Second Thought, which explores the subject of ambivalence. Some of the things he talks about are how to accept that you're not completely committed to change, how to handle mistakes and setbacks, and how to talk yourself into doing something when you're "on the fence." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you say, “That chicken was too spicy,” or “The presentation was awful,” you might have strong judgments about the things around you. And while you’re entitled to your opinion, there are ways to experience opinions without being too judgmental. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that your opinion isn’t a fact, however. Just because you thought a movie was great doesn’t mean everyone else in the family will like it. And your opinion isn’t any more or less true than anyone else’s. It’s simply a matter of taste. The way you experience and express your opinions can make a big difference to your mental health. It can also affect your social interactions. Fortunately, we can all learn to be less judgmental. Learning how to be less judgmental of the events and people around you will also help you be less harsh on yourself. While it does take practice to change the way you think, it’s something all of us can do. So on this Friday Fix episode, I share how a slight change in the way you word things can make a big difference in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kindra Hall is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and an award-winning storyteller. She’s also the chief storytelling officer at Success magazine. Her newest book, Choose Your Story, Change Your Life, is a self-help book that teaches readers how to shift their narrative in a healthy way. Some of the things Kindra talks about on the show are how to choose a different version of the stories you tell yourself, how changing your stories could change the entire path of your life, and how to proactively start telling yourself more helpful stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While some people say you should always give others the ‘benefit of the doubt,’ other people say doing so means you let people take advantage of you. After all, not everyone has good intentions. But assuming the best in others doesn’t have to come at your own expense. In fact, you can still assume other people are doing their best while also establishing clear boundaries with them. There’s a surprising upside of assuming the best in others; it actually lowers your stress level. But it takes some practice. You might find yourself jumping to conclusions that assume bad intentions automatically. You’ll have to put in some effort to start assuming the best in others. So on today’s Friday Fix, I explain why it’s healthy to assume the best in others, how to do it, and how to establish healthy boundaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erica is a self-described recovering alcoholic who chose to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor. When she stopped drinking, she learned that she needed to learn some new skills to aid her recovery. She’s written several books including, Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery. In it, she explains how people can rewire their brains, change their behavior, and create positive changes in their lives. Some of the things Erica talks about on the show are what most people don't understand about addiction, the skills that aid in recovery, and how to address behavioral addictions like gambling or pornography as well as substance abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s normal to want to be liked and accepted. But if taken too far, you could become a people-pleaser. People-pleasing can become a chronic habit that is tough to break. You might say yes to things you don’t want to do to prevent someone from getting angry. Or you might say what you think people want to hear so that you’ll fit in with those around you. If you’ve been a lifelong people-pleaser, it’s tough to stand up for yourself and express your true opinions. But it’s important to do so. Being able to be yourself is key to good mental health. It may also be key to helping you reach your goals. Fortunately, you can start with one small step at a time. In this episode of the Friday Fix, I share how you can start to break free from people-pleasing habits. I explain why people become people-pleasers, the downsides of trying to make people happy, and the steps you can take to start taking care of your own needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mariel Buquè is a Columbia University-trained psychologist and sound bath meditation healer. She specializes in helping people heal wounds that stem from intergenerational trauma. Some of the things she talks about on today's episode are how trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next, the five things that can happen when you experience intergenerational trauma, and the strategies that can stop the cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To say it’s been a strange year sounds like an understatement. There were lots of ups and downs in terms of public health, the economy, and the re-opening of many businesses. And while there was a lot of talk in the past about “things returning to normal,” this year made it clear that things likely won’t go back to the way they used to be. Instead, we’ll be establishing a new normal. Throughout all the highs and lows, we were thrilled to be able to bring you The Verywell Mind Podcast. We’re thankful to all of our guests who took time out of their lives to share their stories and offer their best mental strength-building strategies on the show. We’ve talked to experts, authors, celebrities, athletes, and musicians about the steps they take to stay mentally strong. I also appreciate the opportunity to share my favorite tips with you on each Friday Fix episode. As a therapist, I’m used to speaking with people one-on-one in my therapy office. Being able to create content for a worldwide audience is an amazing experience. And most of all, we’re grateful to all of you who tuned in, left us reviews, and sent us messages about our content. It’s been fun to look back at which episodes you gravitated toward the most over the past year. So here’s our year-in-review of the show as we take a look at our most popular episodes of 2021! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you struggle to reach your goals, you might be tempted to blame it on a lack of self-discipline or too many obstacles that stood in your way. But, there’s a chance the problem wasn’t a character flaw or even an environmental issue. Instead, the problem might have been the goal itself. If you don’t establish a clear, helpful goal in the beginning, you’ll set yourself up for failure. Whether you want to get in better shape, pay off your debt, become a happier person, or launch your own business, start with a good goal. The way you word that goal makes a huge difference. In today’s Friday Fix, I explain how to avoid the most common goal setting mistakes I see as a therapist. And I’ll help you craft a goal that increases your chances of success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Skyh Black spent much of his life dancing. In fact, he used to be a backup dancer for superstars like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna. But a few years ago, he decided he wanted to become an actor. He took a break from dancing and put all his energy into launching an acting career—which meant he became homeless for a bit. He took acting classes, and with a lot of hard work, started landing roles in movies and on television. Some of his recent TV shows include Sistas, All the Queen’s Men, and Lace. But he realized that when he's acting, he can finally safely express his emotions (behind a character). And it made him realize how hiding his feelings for most of his life has affected him. Some of the things he's talking about today are what he learned about feelings in acting classes, the strategies he's now using to manage his mental health, and the warning signs that he needs to take better care of himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I thought it would be fun to answer your questions on The Verywell Mind Podcast this week. I put out the call on social media to ask me anything you want. And you certainly answered! It’s been fun sifting through your questions and hearing your comments. To my surprise, the vast majority of your questions centered around one thing — relationship issues. And most of them weren’t contained to romantic relationships. Instead, you wanted to know how to set better boundaries, how to deal with people who don’t meet your expectations, and how to address communication difficulties. So these are some of the things we talk about on today’s show. They’re great questions because the people around you affect your mental strength. And while you can’t change other people, you can certainly influence them. You can also choose how you respond to them. If I didn’t answer your question today, stay tuned. I titled this episode "Part 1" because I suspect we’ll be doing more "Ask Me Anything" episodes in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices