

The Dr. Leaf Show
Dr. Caroline Leaf
Hi! I’m Dr. Caroline Leaf. I’m a cognitive neuroscientist, author, & mental health expert. Whether you are struggling in your personal life or simply want to learn how to understand and use your mind to live your best life, this podcast will provide you with practical & scientific tips and tools to help you take back control over your mental, emotional, and physical health. Visit: https://drleaf.com*DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your personal physician if you have any personal medical questions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2020 • 46min
How to Overcome Emotional & Compulsive Eating + Tips on How to Help Someone with an Eating Disorder Find Freedom with Food (with Certified Eating Psychology Coach Jessi Jean)
Food can bring people together—just try think about one major event or holiday that is not marked by a shared meal. However, for many people, food can also be crutch, something that holds them back and prevents them from living the life they want. In this podcast, I talk with certified eating psychology coach Jessi Jean about compulsive eating habits and self-sabotaging behaviors, emotional binging, the different kinds of eating disorders, why diets often don’t work, and how to find freedom with food. For more info on Jessi: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessijeannn/ -Website: https://risewithmeco.com/ -Podcast: The Dear Body Podcast » https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dear-body-podcast/id1460137502 -Free Morning Routine Challenge: http://www.risewithmemorningroutine.com/optin36649556 Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-overcome-emotional-compulsive-eating-tips-on-how-to-deal-with-an-eating-disorder-and-find-freedom-with-food-with-certified-eating-psychology-coach-jessi-jean***SPECIAL OFFERS FROM THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: -Plushcare: PlushCare makes it easier than ever to take care of yourself, inside and out. Start your membership today. Go to https://PlushCare.com/drleaf to start your FREE 30-day trial. Podcast Highlights1:45 Why you need to give yourself permission to reinvent yourself5:11 Why what we are trying to hide from others will eventually explode9:50 Healing your relationship with food is a multidimensional process15:26 True behavior change is identity-shifting17:55 Food and addiction25:00 What is binge eating?31:00 How to find freedom with food39:34 What is the difference between binge eating and behaviors like bulimia and anorexia? Plus how to deal & healAdditional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 31, 2020 • 36min
Navigating common money mistakes that may be messing up your mental health + tips on healing your financial and mental health with financial expert Rachel Cruze
Dealing with money can be incredibly stressful—even just talking about it can give some people anxiety. This is even more true amid a global pandemic, where so much is unknown and uncertain, and where many people are not even sure where their next paycheck will come from. In this podcast, I speak with personal finance expert and bestselling author Rachel Cruze about managing money to reduce stress and anxiety, how to get out of debt, how to manage your money during crisis like COVID-19, how to have difficult conversations about money with your partner, how to improve your financial and mental health and so much more! For more info on Rachel and to get her books visit: rachelcruze.com Pre-order her new book here: https://www.rachelcruze.com/store/product/know-yourself-know-your-money-book Follow her on social media: -Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelcruze -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelcruze/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelramseycruze -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/rachelcruze Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/title-1**Special offers from our sponsors: -Jenni Kayne: Get 20% off your first order when you use code DRLEAF at checkout: https://jennikayne.com Podcast Highlights2:39 Why we all need to know how money works4:37 What are the most important things we need to learn when it comes to money?13:27 How should you manage your money in extreme situations or emergencies?20:15 How to talk about money in a relationshipAdditional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2020 • 54min
How clutter could be a sign of a major mental health issue + Tips on how to conquer the clutter and help a hoarder (with Social Worker Elaine Birchall)
We all have those times in our lives when a little spring cleaning is necessary. Things build up, we keep stuff that we don’t need and before you know it, we have a cupboard or garage full of clutter that we make sure our house guests don’t see. But what happens when our desire to keep things turns toxic? What happens when the clutter takes over our lives, and our mind? In this podcast, I speak with social worker and bestselling author Elaine Birchall about the relationship between hoarding and mental health, practical strategies to regain control over the clutter, how to help someone who is hoarding, and so much more!Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-hoarding-can-be-a-sign-of-a-mental-health-issue-tips-on-how-to-conquer-the-clutter-and-help-a-hoarder-with-social-worker-elaine-birchallFor more info on Elaine and to get her book: http://hoarding.ca/about-us/ **Special offer from our sponsors: -BLUblox (the best glasses to reduce your exposure to harmful blue and green light): To get 15% off your BLUblox glasses use the code LEAF15 at checkout: https://BLUblox.com/drleaf -Organifi (one of my favorite superfood companies!): Get up to 15% off your order of Organifi GOLD today with code DRLEAF. Just visit https://organifi.com/drleaf and use code DRLEAF at checkout. Podcast Highlights3:30 How hoarding and mental health are connected6:56 The relationship between self-esteem and hoarding7:20 What is hoarding?16:49 How to regain control if you are hoarding24:04 Why do people hoard?27:30 How do you help someone who is hoarding?36:22 What is the difference between adaptive and maladaptive hoarding?41:53 Grief and hoarding44:05 Tips for a compulsive shopperAdditional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 26, 2020 • 54min
How heat, light & sweat can improve your mental health (Interview with Connie Zack, Sunlighten Sauna founder)
If you have been following me for a while, you will know how much I love my infrared sauna from Sunlighten! It is an integral part of my mental and physical health regimen, my favorite place to do brain research and detox my mind, and something I cannot live without. In this podcast, Connie, the founder of Sunlighten Saunas, joins me to discuss why infrared heat is so good for us and why it makes us feel so good, the difference between infrared and conventional saunas, the best way to use an infrared sauna, common mistakes we make when using infrared saunas, infrared saunas and children, the incredible science behind Sunlighten’s saunas, and so much more.For more info on Sunlighten visit here and if you are interested in purchasing your own sauna mention my name at checkout to get a discount! Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-heat-light-sweat-to-improve-your-mental-health-interview-with-connie-zack-sunlighten-sauna-founder**Special offers from our sponsors:-Pique Tea: Go to https://piquetea.com/drleaf and use the code DRLEAF for 5% off sitewide. Podcast Highlights5:14 The science behind infrared saunas10:46 What are the health benefits of infrared saunas?15:30 Immunity and infrared saunas18:04 Infrared saunas and mental health27:19 How long should you stay in an infrared sauna?29:13 Are infrared saunas safe for children?33:00 Infrared saunas and pain relief33:40 Common mistakes people make when using an infrared sauna35:30 The anti-aging properties of infrared saunas40:30 What makes Sunlighten unique?Additional resources:-Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time)-Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health!Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips!-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleafIf you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 24, 2020 • 1h 1min
How to Go from Emotionally Fragile to Emotionally Agile with Harvard Psychologist Dr. Susan David
Yes, sometimes our emotions can drive us crazy. But did you know that they are also an incredible source of data, a way to learn how to be in the world? In this podcast, I speak with author, speaker and Harvard-trained psychologist Dr. Susan David about how our emotions are an important source of data, the difference between emotional fragility and emotional agility, how to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, ways we can become more emotionally resilient, and how to help children learn to process and manage their emotions.For more in on Dr. Susan and to get her book visit: https://www.susandavid.com **Special offers from our sponsors: -ThirdLove Bras (the most comfortable bras): To get 15% off your ThirdLove Bra order see: https://thirdlove.com/drleaf -BiOptimizers (my favorite supplement company): Magnesium Breakthrough Supplement: Get 10% off from the normal package price with coupon code DRLEAF10: https://magbreakthrough.com/leaf Podcast Highlights2:18 What is internal psychology and why is it important?4:00 The problem with positivity7:18 How emotions help us understand our values11:08 Emotions are data, not directives22:00 Children and emotions36:03 When do emotions start getting toxic?38:38 How can you start practicing emotional agility?Read the show blog here: https://anchor.fm/cleaningupthementalmess/episodes/How-to-Go-from-Emotionally-Fragile-to-Emotionally-Agile-with-Harvard-Psychologist-Dr--Susan-David-eij0frAdditional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 21, 2020 • 1h 5min
How Thinking Bad Can Be Good for Your Mental Health + Why We Tend to Remember the Negative More Than Positive (with Science Writer John Tierney & Research Psychologist Roy F. Baumeister)
Bad is bad, right? Well…not always. In this podcast I speak with acclaimed science writer John Tierney and pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister about their new book, The Power of Bad, how we can harness our negativity bias for good, why bad is the best teacher, how to avoid anticipating the worst and how to handle negativity on social media and in our relationships.For more info on Roy and John follow them on social media:@JohnTierneyNYC@RoyFBaumeister**Special offers from our sponsors:-Blinkist (my favorite reading app): To get your free week on Blinkist AND 25% off your subscription see: https://www.blinkist.com/nc/partners/cleaning-up-the-mental-mess-Thrive Market (the best grocery delivery service!): Go to thrivemarket.com/DRLEAF. Join today and you’ll get up to $20 in shopping credit toward your first order!Highlights5:05 Why the mind reacts more strongly to bad things8:17 What is the power of bad?11:10, 18:00 How can we use the bad for good?15:42 How is “bad” parenting good?20:30 How to handle negativity on social media21:46 What the bad can teach us22:35, 45:00 Dealing with the bad in a relationship24:40 How to give constructive criticism29:15 What is catastrophizing?37:46 The low bad diet-Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time)-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 19, 2020 • 47min
How to unsubscribe from toxic thinking with Harvard-trained psychologist Dr. Sasha Heinz
2020 has definitely been one for the books, and it isn’t even over yet. Amid a global pandemic, so much is uncertain and unknown. What will the future look like? What will tomorrow look like? What will the world be like after all of this is over? It is not surprising that so many people are struggling with anxiety, grief, depression, anger and loneliness—we have all experienced low moments over the past few months. Thankfully, there is a way we can calm the mental chaos we are experiencing and take back control. In this week’s podcast and blog, I speak with Harvard-trained psychologist and health coach Dr. Sasha Heinz about why we struggle to get a handle on our anxiety, how to go from knowing what to do to doing it, how we can unsubscribe from our thoughts, how to handle pandemic fears and frustrations and what we can do now to create our own future, even when facing the unknown. Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/title For more info on Dr. Sasha see here: https://drsashaheinz.com **Special offers from this episode's sponsor: -NOOM (the best healthy habit company!): For your NOOM special offer see: https://noom.com/DRLEAF Podcast Highlights2:00 The intention-action gap, and how to overcome it7:18 How to get unstuck & control the mental chaos24:11 The different components of wellbeing27:30 Why we need to think about our thinking32:50 How to deal with grief and negative emotions36:40 The difference between clean pain and dirty pain40:35 How to unsubscribe from your own thoughtsAdditional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 17, 2020 • 1h 3min
How To Help Your Anxious Child + Tip For Raising Mentally Strong Children (Interview With Child Psychologist Dr. Tina Bryson)
Being a parent can be challenging, especially when it comes to teaching your child how to handle the hard stuff in life. There is a thin line between being overprotective and being overcritical, and often there are situations where doing or saying the right thing seems impossible. In this week’s podcast, I speak with child psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Tina Payne Bryson about why we need to let our children experience negative emotions like anxiety and irritation, how to help anxious children, how to show up when your child is struggling, common parenting mistakes we all make and how we can avoid them and more!Podcast Highlights2:19 What is the science behind the “why” of parenting?3:16 What is interpersonal neurobiology and why is it important as a parent?6:00 What are some of the major issues parents face today, and what can they do about them?46:00 Why the mind is so important when it comes to parenting47:00 Rethinking discipline & why punishment is not the answerFor more info on Dr. Tina and to get her books click hereRead the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-help-your-anxious-child-tip-for-raising-mentally-strong-children-interview-with-child-psychologist-dr-tina-bryson**Special offers from our sponsors:Ritual (my favorite multivitamins!): To get 10% off your first three months of Ritual multivitamins see: ritual/drleafFeals CBD (the best CBD out there!): To get 50% off your Feals CBD order and free shipping see feals/drleaf. Have questions about CBD? Feals has a free hotline and text message support to help guide your personal experience!-Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time)-Get my new brain detox app SWITCH: https://theswitch.app-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14, 2020 • 54min
How Anxiety Could Be a Sign of an Untreated Head Injury + Tips on How to Heal Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries with Dr. Kabran Chapek
For many of us, a brain injury comes from something big: a car accident, a major fall or a sports injury. We don’t realize how common brain injuries actual are and how they can affect both our mental and physical wellbeing. In this podcast, I interviewed neuropathic physician Dr. Kabran Chapek about the relationship between head injuries, anxiety and other mental disorders, how to heal traumatic brain injuries and concussions, PTSD and brain injuries, natural treatment options, the importance of a holistic approach to brain injuries, and how it is never too late to heal the brain.Highlights12:01 Why we need to address mild and moderate brain injuries13:40 What is a traumatic brain injury?20:21 What happens in the brain injury right after an injury?31:00 Hormone imbalance and TBI34:15 TBIs and PTSD among veterans36:30 A holistic approach to healing brain injuries46:13 Healing & preventing concussionsFor more info on Dr. Chapek visit: www.AmenClinics.comRead the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-anxiety-could-be-a-sign-of-an-untreated-head-injury-tips-on-how-to-heal-concussions-and-traumatic-brain-injuries-with-dr-kabran-chapek**Special offers from this episode's sponsors: -BLUblox (the best glasses to reduce exposure to harmful blue and green light): To get 15% off your BLUblox glasses use the code LEAF15 at checkout: https://BLUblox.com/drleaf-Blinkist (my favorite reading app): To get your free week on Blinkist AND 25% off your subscription see: https://www.blinkist.com/nc/partners/cleaning-up-the-mental-mess-Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time)-Get my new brain detox app SWITCH: https://theswitch.app-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 12, 2020 • 1h 2min
Why People Join Cults, the Difference Between Sociopaths and Psychopaths + Tips On Healing from Abusive Relationships with Therapist Rachel Bernstein
The unknown and uncertain can be frightening, especially when it comes to the darker side of human nature. In this podcast, I speak with licensed marriage and family therapist and Indoctrination podcast host Rachel Bernstein about the appeal of cults, how to help someone who gets involved in a cult, the difference between cult leaders, narcissists, sociopaths and psychopaths, if it’s possible for a psychopath to heal, how to recover from emotional abuse, and how to find freedom and safety in a relationship. **Special Offer from this episode's sponsor: Interested in getting your own Sunlighten Sauna? Right now they have a special offer just for my listeners! Get $200 off any cabin unit and $99 shipping when you visit https://www.sunlighten.com/dr-caroline-leaf/ and mention my name at checkout! Podcast Highlights 3:34 How Rachel helps people who get involved in cults 8:21 Why do people join cults? 15:28 How to spot a cult 21:36 The different kinds of cults 26:30 How do you recognize emotional manipulation and abuse? 33:10 What is the difference between a narcissist and being selfish? 36:11 How do we protect ourselves from abusive relationships? 42:00 How to help someone recover from an abusive relationship? 46:36 What is the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths? Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/why-people-join-cults-the-difference-between-sociopaths-psychopaths-tips-on-healing-from-abusive-relationships-with-therapist-rachel-bernstein For more info on Rachel and to listen to her podcast visit: Twitter: @_indoctrination Instagram: @indoctrinationpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/indoctrination-Gb1JeZ/episodes Additional resources: -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) -Get my new brain detox app SWITCH on sale now! Get 50% off a 3 month subscription. Just look for Switch on Your Brain in the App Store or Google Play or visit: https://theswitch.app -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! Follow me on social media for daily mental self-care tips! -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/ -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


