When mindfulness backfires

In this episode, Joe Nucci explores what it means to go beyond the buzzwords and how to talk about mental health without losing its meaning. He explains how mental health language has become less useful as it’s gained popularity, and how clinical terms meant for specific purposes have drifted into everyday speech until they describe everything, and therefore, nothing. The words we use create the world we see, and once you start viewing yourself through a diagnostic lens, it can be hard to see in any other way. One of the most powerful takeaways from this conversation is that the value of a psychological term lies not only in its accuracy, but in its usefulness, and sometimes the language we use builds a cage instead of offering clarity.

Exciting News!!! Coming in March, 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!

Key Takeaways:

• The popularization of mental health language and concepts.
• The phenomenon of “psychobabble” and its implications.
• The concept of “concept creep” in mental health terminology.
• The importance of accurate mental health diagnoses and their clinical usefulness.
• The balance between clinical accuracy and practical application in mental health discussions.
• The complexities of people pleasing and its underlying motivations.
• The overuse and misapplication of the term “trauma” in contemporary discourse.
• The distinction between normal emotional responses and clinical disorders.
• The role of language in shaping perceptions of mental health.
• The need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to mental health treatment and understanding.

For full show notes, click here!

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Joe Nucci, check out these other episodes:

How to Harness Brain Energy for Mental Health with Dr. Chris Palmer

Why We Need to Rethink Mental Health with Eric Maisel

Insights on Mental Health and Resilience with Andrew Solomon

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