

Psychologists Off the Clock
Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn
We are five experts in psychology, bringing you science-backed ideas that can help you flourish in your work, relationships, and health.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 30, 2025 • 58min
405. Taming the Inner Critic with Holly Yates and Shawn Whooley
Constantly battling that harsh inner voice that tells you you're not enough, that you’ll never measure up?
It can feel like this voice is always lurking, trying to undermine your confidence and making it so much harder to move forward. The good news is that you can change your internal narrative.
For this episode, Jill welcomes Shawn Costello Woolley and Holly Yates, coauthors of The Inner Critic Workbook, a fantastic resource that helps you transform your inner critic into a supportive, empowering voice.
You’ll understand how shame fuels negative self-talk, but more importantly, how self-compassion, mindfulness, and connecting with shared humanity can help you to quiet your critic and start building a kinder, more confident inner dialogue.
Listen and Learn:
How your inner critic often sabotages your path toward what matters to you most
Why your inner critic exists, how it hijacks your progress, and the ways it holds you back in life
Is your inner critic pushing you to avoid discomfort, keeping you from the meaningful things you crave?
Why self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook
Why attempting to replace your inner critic with positivity frequently fails, and what works instead
When your inner critic speaks, does it close doors or point you in the direction of values you care about?
Using the CARE method for growth to turn your inner critic into a compassionate coach
How shame isolates you, but sharing struggles helps you connect and turns our inner critic into a coach
Transforming self-criticism into compassion by speaking to yourself the way you would to a friend
Stepping back from your thoughts and reacting intentionally, not just based on emotional interpretations
How observing your thoughts and actions in the present moment can help clarify your values and guide your choices
Resources:
The Inner Critic Workbook: Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Skills to Reduce Feelings of Shame, Build Self-Worth, and Improve Your Life and Relationships: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781648484292
Shawn’s website: https://www.drshawnwhooley.com/
More about Holly on: https://www.newharbinger.com/author/holly-yates/
Connect with Shawn and Holly on social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-yates-8a8055321
https://www.instagram.com/holly.yates.healing/
https://www.instagram.com/shawncostello19/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-costello-whooley-psyd-b181294
Related Episodes:
385. Oliver Burkeman on Embracing Your Limitations
346. Self-compassion Daily Journal with Diana Hill
341. Self-Forgiveness with Grant Dewar
301. Seven Daily ACT Practices for Living Fully with Diana Hill and Debbie Sorensen
201. Fierce Compassion with Kristin Neff
147. Extending Compassion with Janina Scarlet and Sara Schairer
145. Caring, Compassion, and Cooperation with Paul Gilbert
75. Mindful Self-Compassion with Christopher Germer
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Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 2min
404. Raising Loving Siblings with Jonathan Caspi
You’ve tried reasoning with your kids, setting boundaries, and even taking away privileges, but the conflict just keeps bubbling up. When nothing seems to calm the chaos, where can you turn as a parent who’s simply worn out and craving peace in your home?For this conversation, Emily brings in guest Dr. Jonathan Caspi, an internationally recognized sibling expert and professor at Montclair State University. Jonathan offers insights from his book, Raising Loving Siblings, on the parental role in sibling conflict, the importance of sibling closeness, and strategies to manage and improve sibling relationships. Tune in if you are interested in learning about parental involvement and guidance for cultivating positive sibling relationships and reducing conflict. Listen and Learn:
Why well-meaning parents may unknowingly fuel sibling rivalry and what to do differently instead
Does parental conflict fuel sibling rivalry?
Why recognizing harmful sibling behavior matters
How sibling bullying hides in plain sight through avoidance, fear, and subtle signs parents often miss
Why everyday sibling spats are normal, but constant conflict may signal deeper family dynamics at play
Can frequent sibling fights sabotage lifelong bonds?
Why perceived favoritism can fuel sibling conflict, why avoiding favoritism talk may actually hurt family dynamics, and how to handle it better
How to manage sibling bickering and aggression with strategies that foster better behavior and connection
How validating kids' emotions and avoiding the 'victim vs. aggressor' mindset can help resolve sibling conflicts
How parents' own childhood experiences can shape their approach to sibling relationships
Resources: ● Jonathan's book Raising Loving Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Help Your Kids Connect ● Jonathan’s websites: https://siblingexpert.com/author/caspij/http://www.theeasyfamily.com/ ● Connect with Jonathan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siblingexpert/ About Jonathan CaspiJonathan Caspi, PhD, MSW, is Professor of Family Science and Human Development at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Dr. Caspi is an internationally recognized sibling expert. In addition to researching, writing, and teaching about families and siblings, he has been a family therapist for over 30 years and has a private practice in New Jersey.Related Episodes:
397. The Mindful Path to Intimacy with James Cordova
386. Parents Are Stressed: What Do We Do About It? With Emily, Debbie, and Yael
373. How to Stop Freaking Out with Carla Naumburg
369. Good News About Adolescence with Ellen Galinsky
241. Emotion Coaching Skills for Families with Mindy Solomon
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Apr 16, 2025 • 57min
403. Conflict Resilience with Bob Bordone and Joel Salinas
What if your next disagreement could actually bring you closer to someone instead of driving you apart?In this episode, we’re diving into Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In with co-authors Bob Bordone, a conflict resolution expert from Harvard, and Joe Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and founder of Isaac Health.Together with Yael, they have a down-to-earth conversation about what it really takes to stay present in conflict and why that matters for your relationships and your brain. You’ll hear personal stories, surprising research, and powerful insights on why it’s so important to get comfortable with discomfort, listen with an open heart, and know when (and how) to engage in tough conversations.Listen and Learn:
What happens when a conflict avoider and a conflict expert team up to explore how tension builds connection?
Why do two people experience the same conflict so differently, and how does your brain shape that story?
Is conflict really worse today, or have we just lost the resilience to stay in the heat and handle it?
Why avoiding conflict rewires your brain to fear it and building resilience means facing the heat, slowly.
How sharing real stories across deep divides can reshape how we see “the other” and actually spark true change.
Can deeper listening to those we disagree with reshape our brains, our beliefs, and maybe even our world?
Why listening grows from curiosity to open space for real connection
Knowing when to engage or exit conflict starts with curiosity and protects both peace and power
Resources:
Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In: http://www.conflictresiliencebook.com
Joel’s website: https://joelsalinasmd.com/
Bob’s website: https://www.bobbordone.com/about-me#:~:text=My%20Story,served%20as%20the%20Thaddeus%20R
Yael’s newsletter interview with the authors of You’re Not as Crazy as I Thought (But You’re Still Wrong)—on the topic of moving from “me versus you” to “us versus the problem”
Additional Books Referenced in the Episode
Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781250338143
The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780393354775
Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780525434955
The Klansman's Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781419764783
You're Not as Crazy as I Thought (But You're Still Wrong): https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781612344614
About Bob Bordone: Robert C. Bordone is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, founder and former director of the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program, former Thaddeus R. Beal Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and founder of The Cambridge Negotiation Institute. He is co-author of Designing Systems and Processes for Managing Disputes, and co-editor of The Handbook of Dispute Resolution. Bordone was ranked among 2025’s World’s Top 30 Negotiation Professionals by Global Gurus.About Joel Salinas: Joel Salinas, M.D. is a behavioral neurologist, scientist, and Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, founder and Chief Medical Officer at Isaac Health, and former Harvard Medical School faculty. He is the author of Mirror Touch: A Memoir of Synesthesia and the Secret Life of the Brain. Related Episodes:
51. The Psychology of Political Division with Yael and Debbie
392. Outraged with Kurt Gray
397. The Mindful Path to Intimacy with James Còrdova
276. Assertive Communication Skills with Randy Paterson
371. Uniting Toward a Better Future with Diana McLain Smith
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Apr 9, 2025 • 57min
402. Harm Reduction for Addiction with Kristin Dempsey
Breaking the cycle of addiction is both possible and challenging, but even just rethinking your relationship with it can be a powerful first step toward change.Offering an alternative to strict abstinence models is Kristin Dempsey, the author of The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction, who invites you to reconsider your approach to addiction, offering a tangible, compassionate, and science-backed method of recovery known as harm reduction. Through reflective listening, motivational interviewing, curiosity, and "change talk," Kristin talks to Michael about just a few of these helpful strategies for reassessing your relationship with addictive substances (and even other areas of your life) and navigating change in a way that feels both supportive and sustainable. Listen and Learn:
How harm reduction and motivational interviewing reshape substance use treatment with compassion
What changes when someone explores behavior on their own with a workbook versus in live conversation?
How can Kristin’s workbook also reveal insights about everyday habits and hidden patterns?
Why do we resist advice, even when we ask for it, and how can choice unlock real change?
How “change talk” in motivational interviewing helps people move from intention to action
Using reflective listening to improve your conversations and build stronger, more meaningful connections
Can curiosity, not problem-solving, unlock deeper conversations and personal growth?
Why you should support someone struggling with substance use by building a relationship first, not by jumping to advice
Resources:
The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781648481901
Kristen’s social media links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-dempsey-ed-d-lpcc-lmft-322812a
Bluesky: @kristind-lmft-lpcc.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057356474362.
For more on Kristen’s webinars and podcasts, in addition to information about her practice, see here: https://www.kristindempseycounseling.com/
Order The Harm Reduction Workbook and find free worksheets: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648481901/the-harm-reduction-workbook-for-addiction/
Yael’s newsletter on listening
About Kristin DempseyKristin L. Dempsey, EdD, LMFT, LPCC, is a psychotherapist, counselor educator, and trainer. For thirty years, she has supported individuals with exploring their own relationships to substances. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and has been privileged to provide motivational interviewing (MI) training to thousands of people in behavioral health, primary care, public health, school, corrections, and human services organizations.Related Episodes
66. Helping People Change Using Motivational Interviewing With Nadine Mastroleo
286. Not Drinking Tonight with Amanda White
101. The Complete Family Guide to Addiction with Thomas Harrison and Hillary Connery
202. The Addiction Inoculation with Jess Lahey
135. Power of Empathy and Motivational Interviewing with Stephen Rollnick
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Apr 2, 2025 • 53min
401. The Doors You Can Open Through Sponsorship with Rosalind Chow
Success isn’t just about how hard you work. It’s also about who’s advocating for you even when you’re not in the room.In this episode, Debbie talks with Rosalind Chow, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, about her new book, The Doors You Can Open A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace. They get into the real difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why both matter, and how having the right sponsor can completely change the game for your career. Rosalind shares her perspective on the challenges of systemic racism and inclusion and how being intentional about sponsorship can actually create real opportunities for people who need them.Concluding the interview, Debbie and Yael give their take on what it means to build relationships that open doors, not just for ourselves but for others, too.Listen and Learn:
When systemic solutions fade, what can individuals do?
How sponsorship, not mentorship, breaks barriers for marginalized professionals
How power dynamics in mentorship can shape careers and why sponsorship may be the real key to success
Rethinking networking and how shifting from power moves to collective problem-solving can build real influence
Sponsorship vs. mentorship: why trust flows differently, and why sponsors take the biggest career risks
Can sponsorship fight bias, or does it reinforce it?
How Kristin became the unlikely leader of a program for Black professionals and won over skeptics
How sponsoring a colleague led Kristin to a Harvard Business Review article and a career boost
Resources:
Rosalind’s website: https://www.rosalindchow.com/
The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781541702752
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-chow-6b25541b0/
About Rosalind ChowRosalind Chow is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studies the power of social hierarchy and its impact on diversity and inclusion efforts within organizations. She uses her research expertise to direct executive leadership programs aimed at accelerating participants' careers, with a particular focus on the advancement of women and members of marginalized groups. Her forthcoming book, The Doors You Can Open (PublicAffairs, April 8, 2025), introduces the concept of sponsorship as a way we can use our social connections to change the relationships we have with other people and the relationships that other people have with one another in the service of creating greater communal good.Related Episodes:
299. Leadership and the Changing Workplace with Chris Shipley
290. Shared Sisterhood: Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work with Tina Opie and Beth Livingston
185. Good Guys: Allies in the Workplace with Brad Johnson and David Smith
389. Generational Differences in the Workplace with Michelle Quist Ryder
357. Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas and Christopher Wong Michaelson
347. Job Changes & Career Pivots with Paula Brand
276. Assertive Communication Skills with Randy Paterson
265. The Power of Emotions at Work with Karla McLaren
107. Playing Big with Tara Mohr
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Mar 26, 2025 • 53min
400. Behind the Scenes with Us
Off-the-clockers, it's time to celebrate because Psychologists Off The Clock just hit 400 episodes! 🎉 For this special milestone episode, the cohosts wanted to pull back the curtain on the podcast: why we do it, how it’s changed our lives, behind-the-scenes blunders, keeping the podcast financially afloat, and the incredible friendships we’ve built along the way.You all sent in questions for the team, and we’re answering them! Wondering how we choose guests or which co-host gets to interview which guest? We’re revealing it all. And as an extra treat, our podcast production manager, Jai, will be joining us to chat about editing, hilarious bloopers, memorable lessons and episodes, and give you a peek at what really happens in post-production.And to close out the episode, we’re giving a huge shoutout to some of our amazing Patreon supporters who are helping us deliver the podcast ad-free and making it possible for us to continue bringing you great science-backed psychology content!So please grab your favorite drink, hit play, and come celebrate with us!Resources:
Cohost Books:
ACT Daily Journal by Debbie Sorensen: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781684037377
Autonomy-Supportive Parenting by Emily Edlynn: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781641709767
In Your Feels by Emily Edlynn: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781950785933
Imposter No More by Jill Stoddard: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781538724798
ACT for Burnout by Debbie Sorensen: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781839975370
Join our Patreon and enjoy our episode ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/offtheclockpsych
POTC episodes referenced in this episode:
368. Get Better at Anything with Scott Young
315. Hot & Bothered: Menopause with Jancee Dunn
176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky
382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health
393. Supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg
348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar
396. Public Speaking and TED Talks with Alina Nikolaou
Join our community on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/offtheclockpsych/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/offtheclockpsych Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheclockpsych/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PsychologistsOfftheClock Get in contact with our Podcast Production Manager, Jai: jswpodcastassistant.com
Related Episodes:1. Taking a Leap Into Something Meaningful100. Celebrating 100 Episodes300. Celebrating 300 Episodes with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 19, 2025 • 51min
399. Likable Badass with Alison Fragale
Balancing warmth with assertiveness can feel like an impossible juggling act—too soft, and you're overlooked; too strong, and you're “too much.”Alison Fragale's book, Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, offers practical, research-backed strategies to help women excel at work and in life. In this episode, you'll get to understand the science of power and status, self-promotion without the cringe, and overcoming gender biases with authenticity and confidence. We also include real-world challenges, making this discussion both insightful and refreshingly relatable.Listen and Learn:
How power controls resources, but status shapes influence and why respect is the key to real authority
How women can play smart within unfair rules to spark real change
The science behind being a likable badass
Navigating the balance between assertiveness and warmth and finding your authentic style
Overcoming biases in social and professional settings
How to confidently share your wins without feeling boastful, while staying warm and relatable
Resources:
Alison’s Book: Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve
Alison’s Website: alisonfragale.com
Connect with Alison on:
LinkedIn Instagram TikTok
Alison’s Substack: The Upper Hand with Alison Fragale
Alison’s Media Page: https://alisonfragale.com/media-research/
Alison’s Hidden Brain episode: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/how-to-win-people-over/
My WorkLife with Adam Grant episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secret-to-success-isnt-power-its-status/id1346314086?i=1000668204498
About Alison Fragale Alison Fragale is the Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar of Organizational Behavior at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. As a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, she is on a mission to help others — especially women — use behavioral science to work and live better. Her scholarship has been published in the most prestigious academic journals in her field and featured in prominent media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Boston Globe, and Inc. Alison is the author of the national bestseller, LIKEABLE BADASS: How Women Get the Success They Deserve. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children, who are all named after professional athletes.Related Episodes
49. Empowering Women with Robyn Walser
107. Playing Big with Tara Mohr
121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard
163. The Likeability Trap with Alicia Menendez
176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky
185. Good Guys: Allies in the Workplace with Brad Johnson and David Smith
290. Shared Sisterhood: Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work with Tina Opie and Beth Livingston
321. Imposter No More with Jill Stoddard
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Mar 12, 2025 • 59min
398. Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Money with Elizabeth Husserl
Money impacts us all, whether it brings joy, stress, or confusion.Chatting with Elizabeth Husserl, author of The Power of Enough and a financial advisor with a background in economics, spirituality, and psychology, we hear about finding joy in our relationship with money. You'll learn about breaking free from the abundance-scarcity cycle and gain practical tools like the wealth mandala to help reshape your money mindset. Elizabeth also teaches us how open communication can create healthier financial dynamics in families. Tune in for a fresh perspective on money as a tool for fulfillment and well-being! Listen and Learn:
Redefining money as a social technology to change our relationship with wealth and well-being
How our relationship with money shapes our sense of wealth—and why capitalism gets it so wrong
How our bodies are wired for constant seeking, the tension of abundance vs. scarcity, and the shift to true fulfillment
Are you unknowingly using money to avoid deeper needs?
Breaking free from a scarcity mindset and finding the balance between spending, saving, and true fulfillment
How to find true satisfaction with money by discovering what truly nourishes your life
Ways to manage money intentionally by aligning resources with your most important needs
Breaking the taboo around money to transform your relationship to wealth and well-being
Resources: ● Books: The Power of Enough: Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Money: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781608689422● Elizabeth's Website: http://www.elizabethhusserl.com● Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethhusserl● Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhusserl/About Elizabeth Husserl Elizabeth Husserl is a registered investment advisor representative, financial advisor, highly sought-after speaker, and cofounder of Peak360 Wealth Management, a boutique wealth planning firm. She does nonprofit work throughout the Americas and has led workshops at major tech companies, including Airbnb, Unity, and Google. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.Related Episodes:
365. Tightwads and Spendthrifts with Scott Rick
357. Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas and Christopher Wong Michaelson
296. Money and Love with Abby Davisson
217. Redefining Rick with Shannon Hayes
182. Do More with Less: How to Stretch in Work and Life with Scott Sonenshein
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Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 5min
397. The Mindful Path to Intimacy with James Cordova
What is the recipe for developing deeper, more intimate relationships? Breaking this all down in his new book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy, is couples therapist Dr. James Cordova, who talks to Yael about how true intimacy happens when vulnerability is met with warmth and acceptance and feeling safe being your real self with someone. You’ll hear some eye-opening research, including his “relationship checkup” method and how marriage therapy has evolved to focus on both behavior and acceptance. If you are looking for ways to strengthen your relationship emotionally and physically—such as staying mindful, paying attention to one another, sexual intimacy, and making check-ins a regular habit—James has some extremely practical suggestions for you!Listen and Learn:
The true meaning of intimacy
Balancing change and acceptance in relationships
How can we stay open and kind when we hear something we don’t want to?
How mindfulness can transform intimacy
The power of vulnerability and compassion in the face of conflict and how understanding your partner leads to a deeper connection
Why our ancient instincts for self-protection clash with modern relationship needs
How relational flexibility can transform your relationships
How do daily hurts and unaddressed issues lead to distance in your relationship?
The role "marital checkups" play in keeping intimacy alive and preventing relationship drift
Why is sexual intimacy such a vulnerability trigger in relationships, and how can you address it?
Using the "stop, drop, and roll" practice to stay open and connected
Resources: ● Books: The Mindful Path to Intimacy by James Cordova Reconcilable Differences by Neil Jacobson, Andrew Christensen, and Brian Doss● More About James:https://www.clarku.edu/faculty/profiles/james-cordova/● Connect with James on Social MediaLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cordova-1b803316aFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/DrJamesCordova/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jamesvcordova/About James Cordova: Dr. James Córdova is a professor at Clark University and a practicing couples therapist. Dr. Córdova’s work strives to better understand the processes that affect marital/couples health and deterioration, particularly those processes that promote greater relationship, mental and physical health. His work helps to build empirically testable approaches to therapy that foster intimacy, acceptance, and motivation for adopting healthy relational practices. Dr. Córdova’s current projects include (1) the Relationship Checkup, a relationship health checkup designed to help partners maintain healthy relationships for a lifetime, (2) observing the process of intimacy development in couples’ interactions, and (3) studying the role of emotional skillfulness in relationship health. He has a few terrific books including The Story of Mu, The Marital Check-Up, and his brand new book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy: Cultivating a Deeper Connection with Your Partner.Related Episodes:
61. Becoming Our Best Relationship Selves By Identifying Core Values and Schemas with Avigail Lev
92. Marriage in Midlife: The Rough Patch with Daphne de Marneffe
179. How to Be an Adult in Relationships with Dave Richo
248. Let’s Talk about Sex & Intimacy with Zoe Kors
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Feb 26, 2025 • 58min
396. Public Speaking and TED Talks with Alina Nikolaou
Ever wondered what it takes to bring a TED talk to life? In this episode, Michael Herold has a conversation with Dr. Alina Nikolaou, a passionate TED event curator, who shares her insights about the exciting world of organizing TED and TEDx events. They discuss the process of selecting speakers, the power of storytelling, and how to balance entertainment with information. Dr. Nikolaou offers valuable tips on public speaking, preparation rituals, and the experience of participating in TEDx.You’ll also pick up tips on how to pitch a TEDx talk and ways to stay engaged with the TED community.Listen and Learn:
The difference between TED and TEDx, and how these talks are bringing global ideas to local stages across the world
What it is really like to attend or organize a TEDx event—on stage, behind the scenes, and beyond
How are TEDx speakers chosen, coached, and prepared to deliver talks that leave a lasting impact?
How TEDx organizers curate the perfect lineup and ensure each talk flows
Even the weirdest ideas have a place at TEDx—how organizers craft the perfect lineup of talks
What happens behind the curtain before a TEDx talk?
How can speakers avoid awkwardness when transitioning from rehearsal to the stage?
What’s the secret to delivering a talk naturally—without memorizing every word like a script?
How to enliven a slide deck to captivate any audience
Tips for landing a TEDx talk
Resources:
TEDAI Vienna
TED.com
TEDx.com
Alina on LinkedIn
TEDAI on LinkedIn
Alina’s Website
Jill’s TEDx talk
Michael’s TEDx talk
Ted Talks The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking
About Dr. Alina NikolaouDr. Alina Nikolaou is Director and Curator of TEDAI Vienna, the first TED event in Europe dedicated to groundbreaking ideas on Artificial Intelligence. Born to Greek and Austrian parents, Alina grew up during the financial crisis in Athens, Greece. After school, she moved to Vienna, Austria to graduate with degrees in Communication Science and Political Science. After a short and rather disenchanting journey into the world of advertising, Alina returned to academia for her doctoral research where she explored how Virtual Reality can affect how we think and behave toward complex sociopolitical issues. Her co-authored study about the influence of deepfakes on media trust and credibility won the award for Best Student Paper at the annual conference of the International Communication Science Association in 2023. Alina has held several courses at the University of Vienna, ranging from empirical research methods in the Social Sciences to Media History. In October 2023 she presented her research at AWE EU, the leading industry conference on mixed reality.Constantly fascinated with the hypes, hopes and fears that surround new technologies, Alina has been a Curator at TEDxVienna since 2019. There she specialises on interdisciplinary ideas about tech, philosophy and power, and brings them to life in the form of TEDx Talks.To deal with how miraculous and ridiculous the world is she constantly experiments with different artforms: A regular on Vienna’s storytelling stages, Alina is known for her criticisms on capitalism, her borderline anarchist stance and her absurdist humor. Her most recent appearance was at the Rote Bar at Volkstheater, Vienna. Alina is also the creator of the (so far unsuccessful) dadaist Bring Back Boredom movement and the far more successful event format “Poetry Society Vienna”.Alina holds a Bakk.phil, MSc and Dr.phil. in Communication Science as well as a BA in Political Science from the University of Vienna, Austria. Related Episodes
313. ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety with Brian Pilecki and Brian Thompson
188. Unwinding Anxiety with Judson Brewer
239. Edit Your Story, Change Your Life with Lori Gottlieb
294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard
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