

Savvy Psychologist
QuickAndDirtyTips.com
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Monica Johnson explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

12 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 12min
The psychology of money: How your brain, history, and emotions influence your financial habits
Money is more than just numbers; it’s an emotional landscape influenced by our childhood beliefs. The concept of mental accounting explains how we categorize our finances, affecting our spending decisions. Discover the intriguing phenomenon of doom spending, used as a form of emotional regulation. Research shows that experiences bring more happiness than material purchases, while optimism can enhance savings and reduce anxiety. Learn practical strategies to change your money story and make mindful spending choices aligned with your values.

Oct 8, 2025 • 9min
Understand the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn survival responses
533. Do you snap at your loved ones, shut down in meetings, or go to great lengths to please others? In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at the four survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. She looks at how these deeply rooted biological reactions manifest in your daily life and offers strategies for understanding your nervous system's attempts to keep you safe.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
How to deal with emotionally immature people
532. It's possible to have healthy, reciprocal relationships, even if you’re dealing with emotionally immature people. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at how to reclaim your peace by understanding this dynamic. She looks at why your boundaries are essential and offers insights on how to disengage from unhealthy patterns so you can prioritize your well-being.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 24, 2025 • 10min
How a love triangle can build a better relationship
531. Have you ever wondered why some relationships last while others fizzle? In this episode, Dr. Johnson looks at Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love to help you understand the dynamics of your relationships. She looks at the roles of emotional closeness, physical attraction, and long-term commitment, and how their presence or absence shapes different kinds of love.Find a full transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 17, 2025 • 9min
How to stop people pleasing and set better boundaries
530. Do you often find yourself agreeing to things you don't want to do? In this episode, we look at the deep psychological and cultural reasons behind people-pleasing, from social conditioning to the fear of rejection. We look at how this tendency can lead to burnout, resentment, and a loss of self-trust, and offer ways to understand why you might struggle to say "no.”Find a full transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 10, 2025 • 14min
How can you expand your window of tolerance for stress?
529. Do you find yourself easily overwhelmed or shut down by stress? In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at the window of tolerance, a key concept for understanding your nervous system's capacity to handle life's challenges. She looks at how past trauma and societal pressures, particularly for groups like Black women, can impact this window, and offers actionable strategies to expand it.Find a full transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 3, 2025 • 14min
12 ways to cope with adult ADHD (Reissue)
Discover effective techniques for managing adult ADHD with a focus on enhancing executive functioning skills. Learn about practical tools like checklists and mindfulness to minimize distractions. Dive into the importance of organization and the impact of screen time on eye health. Uncover strategies for better planning, prioritization, and self-care to boost productivity. Explore how to tackle emotional stress and procrastination with actionable changes and the need for recovery time through relaxation.

Aug 27, 2025 • 12min
Navigating the grief of job loss: How to restructure and thrive
Losing a job can unleash a wave of unexpected emotions, from shock to self-blame. The importance of recognizing this grief is highlighted, along with strategies to navigate it effectively. Listeners are encouraged to reclaim their narrative and find time for healing while pursuing new opportunities. Practical rituals and community-building steps are discussed to foster resilience. Ultimately, the podcast emphasizes maintaining a positive outlook and the significance of social connections during this transformative period.

Aug 20, 2025 • 9min
The transformative power of small talk
Do you struggle with small talk? This episode looks at why this everyday interaction is more important than you might think for mental health and relationships. We look at the benefits of small talk, including building social bonds and practicing communication skills, and offer actionable tips like the FORD framework and reflective listening to make it easier.Find a full transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 13, 2025 • 11min
How do you heal your body image?
Dive into the complexities of body image as it intertwines with self-worth and identity. Discover how media and cultural norms shape our perceptions for everyone, including non-binary individuals. Learn the gradual journey to healing through self-compassion and evidence-based strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy. Uncover actionable tips for cultivating a positive body image, focusing on challenging negativity and embracing practices like yoga to enhance your relationship with your body.