Psychologists Off the Clock

In this bonus episode, Michael leads Jill, Debbie, and Emily in a hilarious round of Dungeons&Dragons. If you just tuned into our episode with Megan Connell on Dungeons&Dragons in Therapy, you’ll understand that tabletop role-playing games can only truly be understood by experiencing them in action, and who better to demonstrate it than the POTC cohosts? And, for those interested in trying it out themselves, we also provide some free resources. Welcome to Psychologists Off the Clock and Dungeons&Dragons!Resources: Begin your Dungeons&Dragons adventure at dndbeyond.com A Wild Sheep Chase by Winghorn Press Critical Core by Game to Grow Michael’s roll4confidence Website Related Episodes:330. Dungeons&Dragons in Therapy with Megan Connell 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.

Many clinical professionals all over the world are incorporating tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs) into therapy. They offer diverse benefits and can be a game-changing way to introduce enjoyment and creativity into therapy sessions. For this conversation, we are thrilled to be joined by Megan Connell, author of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master, to talk about the advantages and potential of RPGs in therapy. Using the wildly popular Dungeons&Dragons as the primary example, we look at how coming together to solve problems, face conflicts, and overcome obstacles through collective storytelling can provide a safe and creative environment for individuals to explore without real-world consequences, while also building on skills such as social and confidence development. Listen in and elevate your therapy game with a perfect blend of fun and learning!Listen and Learn: Megan gives an introduction to therapeutically applied tabletop role-playing games and how they're played The many benefits of tabletop role-playing games in teaching therapeutic skills  The limitless possibilities of Dungeons&Dragons How Megan approaches character creation for her clients The overlap between the ACT Hexaflex Model and role-playing games Resources: Visit Megan's Website Order your copy of Megan’s book Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master   G33ks like us Geek Therapeutics Healthquest Innovative Therapeutics Clinical Roll Psychology at the Table Follow Megan on X About Dr. Megan ConnellDr. Connell is a Licensed Psychologist and a Therapeutic Dungeon Master. She graduated from Argosy University Hawai’i in 2010 and served as a psychologist in the US Army for seven years. While in the Army she received specialty training focused on trauma and PTSD. In 2016, she left active duty and started her work in private practice. There, she has focused her work primarily on challenges related to anxiety, panic, changes in life, depression, trauma, and helping women on the autism spectrum. Through her work with Leyline Geek Therapeutics, she has helped train other mental health professionals on what geek culture is and how we can use geek culture to lead to better, more fulfilling lives. Related Episodes: 77. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jill Stoddard 288. The Fun Habit with Mike Rucker 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard 239. Edit Your Story, Change Your Life with Lori Gottlieb 325. Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued with Janina Scarlet 147. Extending Compassion with Janina Scarlet and Sara Schairer 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.

Is curiosity one of your greatest superpowers when it comes to making meaningful connections, healing, and growing personally? This episode features Scott Shigeoka, an expert on curiosity and the author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. Join us as Scott draws from personal experiences and extensive research to teach us about the power of deep curiosity and how it goes beyond mere knowledge-seeking to revolutionize your well-being, relationships, and even the world around you.Listen and Learn:  The spectrum of curiosity Scott shares his encounters with deep curiosity and how it changed his experiences Can deep curiosity help cure the global loneliness epidemic? The three directions of curiosity - internal, external, and beyond The downside to curiosity What's stopping you from getting curious? How to cultivate deep curiosity using the DIVE model What sets a weak question apart from a powerful question? Resources:  Visit Scott’s website Connect with Scott on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram Scott’s book Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World About Scott ShigeokaScott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author. He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at the UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Scott implements his curiosity practices in the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood, media organizations, education institutions, and small businesses.Related Episodes:  325. Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued with Janina Scarlet 302. Say the Right Thing with David Glasgow 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard 255. Influence is Your Superpower with Zoe Chance 251. Wonder with Frank Keil 247. Find Your Unicorn Space with Eve Rodsky 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.

We are all affected by change in some way or another. Whether it is an economic crisis, a career change, a global pandemic, or having children, change is unavoidable. In this episode, we welcome back best-selling author Brad Stulberg to talk about his new book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing - Including You. Brad shares a new model for defining change and draws upon principles for developing a renewed mindset around change that is supported by modern science, ancient wisdom, and daily practice. Brad's insight serves as a powerful reminder to embrace change with a fresh outlook and is a beacon of inspiration for every individual navigating life's constant changes. Tune in and discover how to reframe your perception of change and explore new avenues for growth and self-discovery.Listen and Learn:  Brad summarizes our current relationship with change as a modern society Are we functioning with change differently now than in the past? The concept of rugged flexibility The risks of too much fusion between identity and pursuit Taking skillful action to have the change shape you as well as to try to shape the change The concept of rugged and flexible action The importance of understanding rage versus pathways Resources: Visit Brads website Brad’s book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing - Including You Follow Brad on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn About Brad StulbergBrad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Atlantic, among many other publications. He is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina. https://www.bradstulberg.com/ Related Episodes:  232. Grounded to Soar Into 2022 with Brad Stulberg 291. Finding Freedom From Regret with Robert Leahy 282. Toxic Positivity with Whitney Goodman 280. Choose Growth with Scott Barry Kaufman 25. Resilience: Bouncing Back After Difficulty with Debbie and Rae 37. Post-Traumatic Growth with Diana and Debbie 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.

It is astounding how much information we are exposed to on a daily basis. But how can we transform information overload into opportunity? For this episode, we invited internationally recognized leading futurist, entrepreneur, and author Ross Dawson to the conversation to share valuable insights from his new book, "Thriving on Overload: The 5 Powers for Success in a World of Exponential Information" Ross gives his take on the challenges of information overload in today's digital age and provides a detailed roadmap for navigating the noise and making better-informed decisions about the information you engage in by harnessing five essential powers - Purpose, Framing, Filtering, Attention, and Synthesis. Listen and Learn: What is at risk if we don't train our brains and gain the habits, approaches, and behaviors that serve us well in this age of information overload?  The power of understanding your purpose  How to get more clear on what your purpose might be when making choices around engaging with information The power of filtering to decipher which information is most useful to you The power of framing in connecting information into meaningful patterns that build knowledge and insight How to harness your attention to maximize productivity Tips for becoming a better ‘synthesizer’ Using the five powers to go about mining and attending to information Reframing your perception from one of overload to abundance Resources: Find Ross at rossdawson.com or amplifyingcognition.com Thriving on Overload: The 5 Powers for Success in a World of Exponential Information Follow Ross on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn About Ross Dawson Ross Dawson is globally recognized as a leading futurist, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and strategy advisor. Ross is Founding Chairman of the Advanced Human Technologies group of companies and Bondi Innovation Alliance. He travels the world helping business and government leaders think about the future, having delivered keynotes and strategy workshops in over 30 countries across six continents. He is the bestselling author of five books, including Thriving on Overload: The 5 Powers for Success in a World of Exponential Information. Ross frequently appears in the media, including on CNN, Bloomberg TV, SkyNews, ABC TV, USA Today, the Today and Sunrise shows, and many other programs.Related episodes 317. Growing Up in Public with Devorah Heitner 307. Navigating Social Media As a Parent with Cara Goodwin 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard 127. Indistractable with Nir Eyal 73. Essentialism with Greg McKeown 42. Strategies To Increase Focus And Work More Effectively with Debbie and Diana 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.

The topic of weight and body image is more prevalent in today's society than ever before. Every day we are bombarded with messages that convey the thin ideal and encourage us to strive for certain body types. Sadly, what is often overlooked is the harmful impact of these societal expectations, especially on people who don't fit the narrow definition of beauty. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Sarah Pegrum, a clinical psychologist, ACT peer-reviewed trainer, and author of the groundbreaking book "Break the Binds of Weight Stigma." Sarah provides an insightful perspective into the role of weight stigma and anti-fat bias in our culture, as well as how the wellness and health industries perpetuate these prejudices for their own gain. We discuss how this, in turn, leads to shame and consequent unhealthy behaviors and underline the importance of analyzing the "obesity epidemic" narrative more critically, as it is often more complex than it is often portrayed. Tune in for this empowering conversation on breaking free from body image struggles using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and start embracing life to the fullest!Listen and Learn:  Sarah’s experience putting this book out into the world and her fears of being a voice on the topic of weight stigma and body image  How weight stigma manifests itself in the media and everyday conversation Weight stigma and the negative impact it has on mental and physical health How does the sense of belonging and fitting in pertain to weight stigma? How our personal learning history may contribute to issues surrounding body image How we get into patterns of avoidance and control and how that can be problematic The emotional impact of weight stigma How important is it to feel positive about your own body to have a healthier relationship with it? How to apply the acceptance part of acceptance and commitment therapy when we aren't feeling so positive about our bodies Sarah’s words of wisdom for people consumed by thoughts of body criticism What needs to change at the cultural level in terms of weight stigma and discrimination? Resources:  Sarah’s website Order your copy of Sarah’s book, Break the Binds of Weight Stigma: Free Yourself from Body Image Struggles Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy  Related Episodes:  68. Body Image and Eating Disorders with Emily Sandoz 151. Intuitive Eating with Evelyn Tribole 129. Yoga for All and Body Kindness with Jennifer Webb  231. Eating Skills and Emotional Eating with Josh Hillis 264. Raising Intuitive Eaters with Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson  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.

Unseen, unheard, undervalued - have you ever felt like that? As our guest this week, Dr. Janina Scarlet, a licensed clinical psychologist, points out, these feelings, while understandable, can be overcome. In Janina's mission to de-stigmatize loneliness and help people connect and support one another, she authored the book 'Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued: Managing Loneliness, Loss of Connection and Not Fitting in’ which serves as the backdrop for the conversation in this episode. You'll hear how to combat loneliness by understanding its dimensions, talking more about our experiences with loneliness, and seeking emotional support and self-compassion. Janina also offers many helpful tips, from finding and cultivating a ‘chosen family’ who truly sees, hears, and values you to transforming how you feel and react to shame. Don't miss this enriching conversation with Dr. Janina Scarlett!Listen and Learn:  What inspired Janina to write a book that de-stigmatizes the experience of loneliness Why psychical loneliness and the feeling of loneliness are not the same thing  The components of loneliness - to be unseen, unheard, and unvalued  How to change the way you respond to shame  How loneliness can be addressed differently The significance of forming relationships with people who see, hear, and value you  How to speak about and address your own feelings of loneliness using Janina’s ‘journaling in two parts’ exercise Using ‘savoring’ as a practice to experience being fully present    Finding your ‘chosen family’  Resources:  Find out more about Dr. Janina Scarlet at her website Order your copy of Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued: Managing Loneliness, Loss of Connection and Not Fitting in Follow Janina on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok About Janina Scarlet Dr. Janina Scarlet is a licensed clinical psychologist, an award-winning author, and a full-time geek. A Ukrainian-born refugee, she survived Chernobyl radiation and persecution. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 with her family and later, inspired by the X-Men, developed Superhero Therapy to help patients with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Dr. Scarlet is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award by the United Nations Association for her work on Superhero Therapy. Her work has been featured on Yahoo!, the BBC, NPR, Sunday Times, CNN, CW, ABC, The New York Times, Forbes and many other outlets. She regularly consults on books and television shows, including HBO’s The Young Justice. She was also portrayed as a comic book character in Gail Simone’s Seven Days graphic novel. Dr. Scarlet is the Lead Trauma Specialist at the Trauma and PTSD Healing Center and the Lead Creativity Coach at Creative Community in San Diego, California.Related Episodes: 147. Extending Compassion with Janina Scarlet and Sara Schairer 32. Social Connection: Exploring Loneliness and Building Intimacy with Debbie and Diana 269. Connection Through Vulnerability with Rikke Kjelgaard 199. Belonging From the Inside Out with Meg McKelvie 281. Belonging Uncertainty and Bridging Divides with Geoffrey Cohen 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.

Students in high-achieving schools across America are facing increased rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm due to intense pressure to succeed. This leads educators, parents, and community leaders to grapple with a difficult question: how can we encourage excellence while avoiding overwhelming our children? In this episode, co-host Emily Edlynn interviews award-winning reporter Jennifer B. Wallace about her book, 'Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-And What We Can Do About It'. Jennifer draws importance to the framework of “mattering” as a healthy way to motivate success and shares key findings from her three-year investigation into the root of anxieties and fears parents have regarding their children's success in today's world. Additionally, she sheds light on the impact of economic scarcity and intensive parenting and offers practical strategies to combat a toxic achievement culture at home. This is a conversation not to be missed! Listen and Learn:  Why The Varsity Blues scandal inspired Jennifer to write about toxic achievement culture  What is toxic achievement culture? What Jennifer learned from spending three years with families struggling with achievement culture while researching for her book and how it affected her on a personal level The risks that toxic achievement cultures pose for children and teenagers  How to buffer against achievement culture at home by using the Puppy Dog Principle to minimize criticism and prioritize affection The ways in which economic scarcity contributes to achievement pressures The impact and experience of achievement pressure on families of color versus white families How to lead with mattering in your parenting to give your kids healthy, sustaining motivation The consequences of sacrificing your own mattering for the sake of your children's needs How Jennifer sees intensive parenting contributing to toxic achievement culture and what we can do about it Understanding grind culture and how it intersects with what Jennifer calls an ‘increasingly narrow definition of success’ What you can do to prioritize rest and moderation over productivity and achievement Resources:  Visit Jennifer's website Go check out The Mattering Movement  Order your copy of Jennifer’s book 'Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-And What We Can Do About It' Follow Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram About Jennifer Wallace Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and author of the New York Times bestselling book Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It.  She is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and appears on national television to discuss her articles and relevant topics in the news.  After graduating from Harvard College, Wallace began her journalism career at CBS “60 Minutes,” where she was part of a team that won The Robert F. Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism. She is a Journalism Fellow at The Center for Parent and Teen Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Jennifer serves on the board of the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City, where she lives with her husband and their three children.Related Episodes 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 272. Middle School Matters with Phyllis Fagell 146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne 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.

The secret is finally out! We’re kicking off an amazing new chapter for POTC this week as we reveal our two latest additions to the cohost team - Emily Edlynn and Michael Herold! It’s going to be a blast having them aboard, and we can't wait for you to discover all the invaluable wisdom and ideas they have to offer in the realm of psychology. With Emily's insight into science-based parenting guidance and Michael’s background in confidence and social skills training, they bring such a refreshing and relatable perspective, and we feel privileged to have them join the team. Listen in to get to know them better and hear what our team is most looking forward to as we start this new journey together!Listen and Learn:  Introducing our new cohosts! Getting to know Emily and Michael on a personal and professional level In a quick-fire round of questions, find out who worked on a Sean Connery movie, who got an email from author Bonnie Garmis, and who would like to be a hip-hop dancer in an alternate reality. What the team are most excited about as they start this next chapter of POTC Resources Visit Michael’s website Watch Michael’s TEDx talk, ‘What if I Had a Time Machine?’ Follow Michael on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn Visit Emily’s website Follow Emily on on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Order your copy of Emily’s book, ‘Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children’ About Michael HeroldMichael is a confidence trainer and social skills coach, based in Vienna, Austria. He's helping his clients overcome their social anxiety through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and fun exposure exercises. (Though the jury is still out on whether they're mostly fun for him)He is also a certified therapeutic game master, utilizing the Dungeons&Dragons tabletop roleplaying game to train communication, assertiveness, and teamwork with young adults. Or actually, anyone ready to roll some dice and battle goblins in a supportive group where players want to level up (pun!) their social skills.Michael is the head coach of the L.A. based company The Art of Charm, running their confidence-building program “Unstoppable” as well as workshops on small talk, storytelling, vulnerability, and more. He is the scientific advisor and co-producer of their large podcast with more than 250 million downloads. As a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), Michael is the current President of the ACT Coaching Special Interest Group with nearly 1,000 coaches worldwide, and the co-founder of the ACT in Austria Affiliate of ACBS, a nationwide meetup for ACT practitioners in Austria.He's a public speaker who has spoken at TEDx, in front of members of parliament, universities, and once in a cinema full of 500 kids high on sugary popcorn.About Emily Edlynn Emily (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. She has a BA in English from Smith College, a PhD in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and completed postgraduate training at Stanford and Children’s Hospital Orange County. Emily spent almost ten years working in children’s hospitals before pivoting to private practice, which allowed her to start a writing career. Emily has written her blog, The Art and Science of Mom, since 2017 and a parenting advice column for Parents.com since 2019. Emily’s writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, Scary Mommy, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, and more. She recently added author to her bio with her book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent Confident Children and has a Substack newsletter. Emily lives with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs in Oak Park, IL where she can see Chicago’s skyline from her attic window.       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.

In a bittersweet episode of POTC, we say farewell to our dear friend, Yael Schonbrun, who, after six cherished years on Psychologists Off The Clock, is stepping down from her seat as cohost. We take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for Yael's brilliant contributions, chat about decision-making tips, reflect on some of Yael's most influential episodes, and discuss what Yael will miss most about her role as cohost. Plus, we give a sneak peek at some exciting new developments within the team! Yael, we are so honored to have had you on this podcasting adventure with us! We can’t wait to have you back on as a guest soon!Listen and Learn:  Yael walks us through her tough decision to step down as cohost and also imparts tips for navigating your own decisions in life  What new ventures lie ahead for Yael as she embarks on the next chapter of her career? The POTC guests and episodes that had the most influence on Yael Jill and Debbie express their gratitude for Yael and reflect on the beautiful relationship they have all developed over the years  What’s next for POTC? Resources:  Visit Yael’s website  Sign up for Yael’s newsletter Relational: The Art and Science of Connections Grab your copy of Yael's book, Work Parent Thrive  Follow Yael on Twitter and Instagram Mary Louise Kelly’s book, It. Goes. So. Fast. About Yael SchonbrunYael Schonbrun, Ph.D. is a practicing clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, relationship specialist, and a mom of three. She is the author of Work, Parent, Thrive, and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, and Tricycle, among others. Her newsletter, Relational, releases bi-monthly and shares science-backed ideas and practices to grow connections. She is also newly retired from her post as Psychologists Off the Clock Co-host.Related Episodes:  24. Choosing Both: Straddling Meaningful Career and Parenthood with Yael Schonbrun 73. Essentialism with Greg McKeown 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz 232. Grounded to Soar Into 2022 with Brad Stulberg 271. Cultivating Friendships in Adulthood Featuring Adam Dorsay 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 293. Quit with Annie Duke 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.