Something You Should Know How Self Talk Can Sabotage You & Questioning What’s “Normal”
14 snips
Jan 1, 2026 
Rachel Goldsmith Turow, a psychotherapist and author, discusses the transformative power of self-talk, emphasizing that a kinder inner voice can lead to greater happiness and motivation. She shares strategies like mindfulness and self-compassion to combat negative thoughts. Gabor Maté, a physician and trauma expert, challenges societal norms, encouraging listeners to question what is considered 'normal.' He critiques harmful parenting practices and urges a reevaluation of these ingrained behaviors based on their outcomes, emphasizing the importance of community and healing.
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Mind Wandering Harms Happiness
- People spend about 47% of waking hours thinking about something other than the present, which correlates with lower happiness.
- Mindfulness trains attention and non-judgment to reduce mind-wandering and improve well-being.
The Inner Critic Is Constant
- Most people carry a near-constant inner critic that ranges from subtle to harsh and affects mood and behavior.
- Awareness of self-talk varies, and the inner critic often appears suddenly with strong negative words.
Use Mindfulness As A Daily Skill
- Practice mindfulness by returning attention to the breath and doing so without judgment whenever your mind wanders.
- Train the skill of shifting attention repeatedly to reduce self-judgment and improve mental health.
