Minds and Mics
45 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -Psychologist Nick Wignall interviews experts in the fields of psychology, mental health, and human potential to better understand how the mind works and how we can make it work for us to improve our lives in practical, meaningful ways.
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Episodes
6 Expert Tips for Overcoming Social Anxiety with Emma McAdam
June 07, 2024 15:12 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBPsychologist Nick Wignall and therapist Emma McAdam share their favorite tips for overcoming social anxiety. đ JOIN NICK'S FREE NEWSLETTER The Friendly Mind: https://www.thefriendlymind.com/newsletter-yt/ âď¸ LINKS & RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE â Painfully Shy by Barbara and Gregory Markway https://www.amazon.com/Painfully-Shy-Overcome-Anxiety-Reclaim/dp/0312316232 â The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy Paterson https://www.amazon.com/Assertiveness-Workbook-Express-Yourself-Relation...
The End of Trauma with Dr. George Bonanno
March 18, 2024 12:24 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I chat with trauma and resilience researcher Dr. George Bonanno. Show Notes: How to think clearly about trauma and PTSD Common misconceptions about trauma The resilience paradox The problem with the PTSD diagnosis Trauma concept creep How to develop resilience (The flexibility sequence) The end of trauma? Lisa Feldman Barret Mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of exercise on mood and emotional health Learn more about Dr. Bonanno and h...
Better Sleep for High-Achievers with Dr. Daniel Erichsen
March 12, 2024 15:42 - 1 hour - 65 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I chat with Dr. Daniel Erichsen about better sleep for high-achievers.
Navigating Big Feelings Well with Liz Fosslien
May 07, 2022 18:14 - 52 minutes - 59.7 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I chat with Liz Fosslien about her new book, Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay. We cover topics like perfectionism vs healthy striving, the difference between envy and jealousy, burnout and the Amazon Zen Booth, revenge bedtime procrastination, and the role of personal responsibility in mental health. Show Notes The dark side of âcopingâ with difficult feelings No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work J...
Psychological Flexibility with Steve Hayes
May 07, 2022 15:54 - 58 minutes - 67 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I chat with Dr. Steve Hayes, the founder of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). We talk about everything from the importance of psychological flexibility and emotional tolerance to the future of psychotherapy and what to look for in a great therapist. Show Notes Psychological flexibility Psychological rigidity Social anxiety and panic attacks Where does self-judgment and negative self-talk come from? The psychological function of religion an...
Reclaiming Your Ambition with Michael Bungay Stanier
February 25, 2022 16:51 - 57 minutes - 65.4 MBIn the latest episode of Minds & Mics, I chatted with Michael Bungay Stanier about his new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters and a range of topics, including the obligation we all have to be "doubly ambitious," why SMART goals aren't usually very smart, the case for working in 6-week cycles, and the genius of cartoonist Gary Larson. Show Notes What makes a book useful? The Coaching Habit Being âdoubly ambitiousâ How to think about overwhelm: realistic, cons...
Using Technology to Build Emotional Intelligence with Kai Koch
December 11, 2021 14:02 - 41 minutes - 47.3 MBKai Koch is the co-founder of ahead, which is a software company and app for building emotional intelligence. We talk about the opportunities and challenges for technology in emotional health, self-awareness, emotional intelligence in organizations, and what the future of technology-assisted emotional health might look like. Show Notes The unique benefits of mobile technology for emotional health Making self-awareness social Making personal growth social Emotional granularity ...
Better Sleep for New Moms with Dr. Jade Wu
November 21, 2021 12:51 - 55 minutes - 63.9 MBSleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu returns to the show to talk specifically about sleep issues for new moms, including whatâs normal and what should be addressed professionally, how sleep and postpartum depression interact, intrusive thoughts and anxiety, and some practical tips for new moms to get their sleep back on track. Show Notes How sleep changes in pregnancy and postpartum Sleep deprivation vs circadian disruptions Types of sleep disturbances that predict postpartum depressi...
Rethinking Sleep Health with Dr. Jade Wu
November 05, 2021 11:39 - 47 minutes - 54.8 MBJade and I chat about uncommon sleep misconceptions, how to deal with nightmares, intergenerational sleep trauma, the problem with sleep hygiene, and the message about sleep Jade wants carved on her gravestone. Show Notes Uncommon sleep myths and misconceptions My other chat about sleep myths with Dr. Daniel Erichsen Better Sleep with insomnia coach Martin Reed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Conditioned arousal Bed time vs rise time How much deep sleep do ...
Raising Indistractable Kids with Nir Eyal
October 01, 2021 16:05 - 47 minutes - 38.1 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I talk with author Nir Eyal about the relationship between technology use and wellbeing among children, parenting in the age of social media, and the virtues of getting out of your kidsâ way. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Common misconceptions about kids and technology use Why screen time is a pointless metric Whatâs really behind increased rates of suicide and depression among kids? The mental health benefit...
The Metacognitive Way Through Overthinking with Pia Callesen
August 28, 2021 16:08 - 54 minutes - 62.9 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I talk with psychologist and author Pia Callesen about overthinking and the metacognitive approach to emotional struggles like anxiety and depression. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: What is overthinking, exactly? Types of overthinking The 2 reasons why we overthink The difference between anxious and depressive overthinking Overthinking as a universal mechanism for emotional suffering Scheduled overthinking ...
Reckless Parenting and Authentic Self-Care with Rosie Sherry
August 28, 2021 15:45 - 50 minutes - 57.4 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I talk with my friend Rosie Sherry about how she made the news for being a "reckless" parent, her distinctive approach to unschooling her kids, authenticity and vulnerability on social media, and what it means to practice self-care as a full-time community builder and mother of five. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Unschooling The struggle to treat each child as they need How Rosie thinks about self-care Dealin...
Managing Creative Overwhelm with Jay Clouse
August 08, 2021 13:09 - 40 minutes - 46.3 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I talk with Jay Clouse, the creator and host of one of my favorite podcasts, Creative Elements. Jay and I get into the details of creative overwhelm and burnout and how Jay manages it. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: What does overwhelm actually look like for Jay? Hard works as a response to feeling overwhelmed Respect for deadlines as a core part of Jayâs identity Jayâs approach to âde-scopingâ his schedule an...
Existential Time Management with Oliver Burkeman
August 01, 2021 15:04 - 58 minutes - 66.5 MBOliver Burkeman joins me to talk about the problem with the narrow concept of time management and how we mere mortals ought to think about managing our time instead. Show Notes Time management for 4-year-olds The narrow vs broad meaning of time management The importance trap and the temptation to âclear the decksâ Anti-skills, negative capability, and the superpower that is emotional tolerance The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Canât Stand Positive Thinking Elizabeth Gilb...
Emotional Processing with Emma McAdam
June 13, 2021 11:47 - 43 minutes - 49.7 MBEmma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as the host of the popular YouTube channel, Therapy in a Nutshell. In today's episode, Emma and I talk about emotional processing and the most important ideas and skills we can learn to manage painful feelings in a healthy and productive way. Show Notes What is emotional processing? Why is emotional processing important? Wilderness therapy Why is it so hard to talk about our feelings? Primary vs secondary emotions...
The Science of Personality Change with Dr. Christian Jarrett
May 20, 2021 20:31 - 47 minutes - 54 MBDr. Christian Jarrett joins me on the show to discuss the science of personality change and to what extent we can deliberately modify our own personality. Show Notes What is personality, exactly? The Big 5 Theory of Personality What makes a personality theory valid? How writing a book changed how Christian sees personality What are the mechanisms of significant personality shifts? Personality adaptability Neuroticism Are certain personality traits good or bad? Healthy or p...
Better Sleep with Insomnia Coach Martin Reed
May 16, 2021 18:53 - 50 minutes - 57.3 MBIn this episode of Minds & Mics, I talk with Martin Reed, a health coach who specializes in helping clients with insomnia and sleep issues. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Martinâs own struggles with insomnia and how they led him to become an insomnia educator and coach Coaching vs therapy for insomnia and sleep issues The dangers of insomnia âcommunitiesâ Similarities in what causes insomnia What makes a case of insomnia âextremeâ? Sleep t...
Sensitive Strivers and Imposter Syndrome with Melody Wilding
April 25, 2021 11:32 - 55 minutes - 63.4 MBIn this episode of Minds and Mics, I talk with Melody Wilding, a leadership and executive coach who specializes in helping sensitive high-achievers who are tired of getting in their own way, including struggling with imposter syndrome. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Sensitive strivers The big 5 personality traits Dr. Elaine Aron and the highly sensitive person Is âfake it âtill you make itâ good advice? Imposter syndrome How can parents hel...
The Dangers of Fad Psychology with Jesse Singal
April 04, 2021 16:28 - 44 minutes - 35.6 MBScience journalist Jesse Singal joins me on the show to talk about the dangers of fad psychology, including myths and misconceptions about positive psychology, the self-esteem movement, deceptive media coverage of popular behavioral science research, the replication crisis in academic psychology, and more. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Jonathan Haidt and moral foundations theory Misleading statistics and external validity The problems with se...
Designing Better Conversations with Fred Dust
March 21, 2021 14:11 - 39 minutes - 45.4 MBDesigner and author Fred Dust joins me on the show to discuss how we can use principles from design to have better, more impactful conversations. Show Notes The distinctiveness of podcast conversations Mission-driven vs exploration-driven conversations The 3 ways conversations get derailed The usefulness of constraints in conversation Adjusting the speed of conversations The benefits of rehearsing hard conversations Overcoming self-consciousness in conversation Wearing jean...
Practical Creativity with Herbert Lui
March 10, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 57.1 MBNick chats with Herbert Lui about practical ways to exercise your creativity. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Misconceptions about creativity The creative process Nature vs nurture in creativity Quality vs quantity in creativity How to get started being more creative? Creative blocks Fear of being judged Creativity and community Constructive vs destructive comparisons Why constraints are helpful for creativity Is quitting important for ...
The Case for Life Coaching with Dr. Caitlin Faas
February 14, 2021 19:29 - 52 minutes - 60.6 MBCaitlin Faas returns to the show to talk about life coachingâwhat it is, how it works, how it helps, and common misconceptions. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: How Caitlin went from tenured professor to life coach Objections to life coaching: Life coaching isnât legit⌠If you think you need a life coach, what you really need is a therapist Thereâs nothing you can get from a life coach that you canât get from a good friend Life coaches are ju...
The Buddhist Way Through Anxiety with Lodro Rinzler
January 31, 2021 20:07 - 45 minutes - 51.7 MBLodro Rinzler returns to the show to talk about how a Buddhist perspective on anxiety can help us through difficult times. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: Focusing on stories vs anxiety itself The parable of the second arrow Anxiety vs worry vs stress The Three Vajras: Body, Speech, and Mind Is the popularity of mindfulness a good thing? Should we try to get rid of negative thinking? Expressing anxiety vs complaining about it How to handle...
Exploring the Adaptive Unconscious with Dr. Sarah Sarkis
January 17, 2021 12:57 - 55 minutes - 63.1 MBDr. Sarah Sarkis joins me on the show to talk about the adaptive unconscious, self-sabotaging behavior, attachment patterns, and therapy vs performance coaching. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: The adaptive unconscious Defense mechanisms Self-sabotage Improving self-awareness Developing an observing ego Attachment patterns Compensation and replication of attachment dynamics Emotional masking Using emotional pain as motivation Is it the cr...
Perfectly Hidden Depression with Dr. Margaret Rutherford
January 03, 2021 20:02 - 58 minutes - 67.3 MBDr. Margaret Rutherford joins me on the show to talk about perfectly hidden depression, perfectionism, and the challenges of emotional vulnerability. Show Notes Here are some of the highlights from the conversations: Constructive vs destructive perfectionism Appetitive vs aversive motivation Trauma, childhood strategies, and the origins of perfectionism "Smiling depression" Emotional vulnerability Brene Brown â The Gifts of Imperfection Terrence Real â I Donât Want to Talk ...
Difficult Conversations with Adar Cohen
December 19, 2020 20:10 - 55 minutes - 44.9 MBNick talks to professional mediator Dr. Adar Cohen about how we can have difficult conversations more effectively. Here are some of the highlights from the conversations: The Farsi concept of Taroff The psychology behind conflict avoidance The 3 main outcomes of difficult conversations: 1) Solution, 2) Plan, 3) Understanding Achieving deep understanding in conversations The elements of effective listening Open-ended questions vs. litigious questions The importance of uncover...
Life Writing with Uddipana Goswami
December 19, 2020 20:09 - 41 minutes - 47.4 MBIn this episode, I talk with author, professor, and writing coach Uddipana Goswami about her practice of Life Writing and how it helped her to process emotional struggles in her life. You can learn more about Uddipana and her work on her personal website. Get the latest Minds & Mics episodes as soon as they're released If you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here â
From Addiction to Entrepreneurship with Tim Stoddart
November 22, 2020 20:32 - 45 minutes - 52.4 MBTim Stoddart joins me on the show to talk about his journey out of addiction and into entrepreneurshipâand how blogging played a pivotal role. You can learn more about Tim and his work on his personal site TimStodz.com Links and items of note from this episode: Seth Godin Sober Nation Copyblogger Stodzy Internet Marketing Learn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as theyâre released.
Career Transitions with Lisa Lewis
October 11, 2020 19:10 - 46 minutes - 52.9 MBGetting clarity about how to make a career transition with Lisa Lewis. Show Notes: How Lisa became a career transition expert What leads to career dissatisfaction? The four pillars of career fulfillment Testing career hypotheses Executing on a new career strategy Courage vs confidence You can learn more about Lisa and her work here: Lisa Lewis (Website) Career Clarity (Book) Get the latest Minds & Mics episodes as soon as they're released If you enjoyed this episode of Mi...
Starting a Meditation Practice with Lodro Rinzler
September 14, 2020 03:23 - 40 minutes - 46.5 MBLodro Rinzler is an experienced meditation teacher and the author of many books, including my favorite book about meditation, Sit Like a Buddha: A Pocket Guide to Meditation. In today's episode, I chat with Lodro about how to think differently about meditation, some of the unexpected benefits of meditating, and what you need to know to get a consistent meditation practice off the ground. Show Notes How he writes so damn much (1:00)Â Tea and Cake with Demons (1:50) Lodroâs favori...
Ultralearning and the Art of Personal Possibility with Scott Young
August 17, 2020 03:12 - 59 minutes - 68.7 MBScott Young is a prolific writer and thinker best known for his concept of ultralearning. In today's episode, I pick Scott's brain about what ultralearning actually is and the many psychological benefits that come with it. Show Notes The MIT Challenge The Year without English (6:00) The 30-Day Portrait Drawing Challenge (11:00) What is ultralearning? (18:00) Ultralearning and deep satisfaction (21:00) Ultralearning and the expansion of personal possibility (27:00) Ultralearn...
Childhood Anxiety with Psychologist Kristen Ohlenforst
July 27, 2020 03:01 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBChild psychologist Kristen Ohlenforst comes on the show to discuss childhood anxiety, followed up by a no-holds-barred round-robin between Nick and Kristen recounting their own "embarrassing blunders" and "tricks of the trade" as psychologist-parents. Show Notes How Kristen became interested in psychology (1:24) Talk Therapy vs Play Therapy for kids (12:58) Common misconceptions about childhood anxiety (19:10) Normal childhood anxiety vs clinically significant anxiety (22:30) ...
Ancient Chinese Philosophy and Mental Health with Alexus McLeod
July 12, 2020 18:45 - 54 minutes - 62.8 MBPhilosopher Alexus McLeod comes on the show to discuss ancient Chinese philosophy and what it can tell us about alternative approaches to mental health today. Show Notes Mental health in ancient Chinese philosophy Eastern vs Western approaches to philosophy Alexusâs Essay in Aeon (12:00) Communal approaches to personhood (13:00) Character and community (19:30) Stoicism and Buddhism (23:20) Can society cause mental illness? (25:00) Harmony and mental health (39:50) Individu...
A Primer on Psychiatric Medication with Dr. Brian Wu
July 12, 2020 17:54 - 48 minutes - 55.5 MBPsychiatrist Brian Wu comes on the show to discuss how to think about psychiatric medication. Show Notes Psychiatrists vs psychologists The most important factor when choosing a psychiatrist (17:00) What is psychiatric medication, exactly? (18:52) The most common psychiatric medications (20:00) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (26:00)Â Benzodiazepines (29:00)Â Getting prescribed psychiatric medication by non-psychiatrists (32:00) Children and psychiatric medication (...
The Science of Procrastination with Piers Steel
June 28, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBPiers Steel, one of the world's leading researchers on the science of procrastination, explains how to think about procrastination, what really causes it, and the changes we can make to do it a little less. Show Notes Meta-analysis David Hume, An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding The four factors in procrastination: Values Self-confidence Impulsiveness Reward delay Task aversiveness Subjective Expected Utility Theory The Procrastination Equation The Marshmallow Test...
Secrets to a Happy Marriage with Sam Hamburg
June 15, 2020 00:00 - 47 minutes - 53.9 MBClinical psychologist and marriage therapist Sam Hamburg joins Nick to discuss common myths and misconceptions about happy marriages, communication in relationships, and the advice all newlyweds should get but never do. Show Notes Why communication is never really the problem Why commitment is no guarantee of happiness The myth of hard work in marriage Why compatibility is the secret to a happy marriage The 3 dimensions of compatibility Practical Dimension Gender roles M...
Language and Emotion with Yvonne Barnes-Holmes
June 01, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 79.1 MBPsychologist and researcher Yvonne Barnes-Holmes joins Nick to discuss the role of language in mental health and human suffering, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and the state of psychotherapy in the 21st century. Show Notes The power of language for mental health and suffering Thought-Identity Fusion Learning histories and narrative habits Reading and social perspective-taking The Cat in the Hat False belief Does reading novels lead to psychological flexibility? Accepta...
The Psychology of Overeating with Caitlin Faas
May 18, 2020 01:30 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBCaitlin Faas, a professor of human development and life coach, joins Nick to discuss the psychology of overeating. Show Notes The Life Coach School âOvereatingâ vs âweight lossâ Eating as a way to push down difficult feelings How long do emotions really last? Patterns of emotional eating Managing urges Intentional vs automatic thoughts Curiosity and âI wonderâŚâ statements Indulgent feelings System 1 and System 2 thinking Why relying on willpower usually backfires Shapin...
Morita Therapy and The Art of Taking Action with Gregg Krech
May 04, 2020 02:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBGregg Krech, an expert in a form of Japanese psychology called Morita Therapy, discusses how to think differently about the role of emotions in mental health and the surprising power of taking action to improve things like anxiety, procrastination, and depression. Show Notes The relationship between feeling and action Morita therapy Feeling-centered vs purpose-centered lifestyle Coexisting with unpleasant feelings without acting on them Cultural difference in our understandin...
Thriving After 15 Years of Heroin Addiction with Brian Pennie
April 20, 2020 11:30 - 1 hour - 74.7 MBNeuroscience researcher and author Brian Pennie reflects on his 15-year addiction to heroin and how he managed to not only survive those harrowing years but to come out of it and build a life he loves. Show Notes Anxiety and addiction "The opposite of addiction is connection." Johann Hari Awareness is the opposite of addiction Awareness by Anthony DeMelo Storytelling and âthe grand self-deceptionâ The relationship between self-awareness, self-belief, and self-deception Where...
An Expert Guide to Assertive Communication with Dr. Randy Paterson
April 04, 2020 12:15 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBDr. Randy Paterson guides us through the ins and outs of assertive communication, explaining why it's essential for healthy, happy relationships in work, love, and life. Show Notes What is assertiveness? Common misconceptions about assertiveness The 4 styles of communication The benefits of becoming more assertive The barriers to being assertive: the stress barrier; the social barrier; the belief barrier Why itâs so hard to ask for what you really want Demanding what we want...
Insomnia Myths & Misconceptions with Dr. Daniel Erichsen
March 27, 2020 13:20 - 59 minutes - 67.9 MBNick and Daniel trade off describing their favorite myths and misconceptions about insomnia and sleep. Show Notes: Does everyone need 8 hours of sleep per night? Should I go to bed at the same time every night? The crucial difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepy If Iâm not getting 8 hours of sleep, am I at risk for major health issues? Do I need to avoid blue light before bed? Do things cause insomnia or beliefs about things? See also: Nick's Complete Guide to Ins...
Hypnosis Revealed with Traci Stein
March 16, 2020 22:05 - 57 minutes - 65.9 MBNick and Traci separate myth from reality on the topic of hypnosis and discuss what clinical hypnosis can actually be useful for. Show Notes: Common misconceptions about hypnosis What is hypnosis, exactly? Hypnosis vs Positive Visualization, Flow, and Mindfulness What does hypnosis actually feel like? What is a hypnotic trance? Everyday trances For Love of the Game Suggestibility Hypnosis and healthy behavior change What is hypnosis especially useful for? Hypnosis for s...
Rethinking Addiction with Thomas Horvath
March 16, 2020 21:55 - 1 hour - 87.7 MBNick and Tom discuss different ways of thinking about addiction and why it matters for tackling one of the world's most important challenges. Show Notes: Common misconceptions about addiction The 3 fundamental addictive behaviors Are addicts fundamentally different than non-addicts? Is addiction a habit? Addiction, loss of control, and the gun-to-the-head test How important is self-control and willpower in overcoming addiction? Cravings, Urge Surfing (Alan Marlatt), and Conf...
What Is Mindfulness, Really? with Daron Larson
March 16, 2020 21:30 - 57 minutes - 65.8 MBNick and Daron discuss what mindfulness is exactly and how to incorporate more mindfulness into your own life (without sitting on a yoga mat repeating a mantra for hours). Show Notes: What is mindfulness? The trappings of mindfulness Mindfulness as exercise for your attention Mindfulness vs mindfulness meditation Formal vs ordinary mindfulness Mindfulness as attention management Giuseppe's Italian restaurant Columbus Ohio Are mindfulness apps overrated? Daronâs personal mi...