This podcast episode discusses imposter syndrome and how to overcome self-doubt. The speaker shares their experience at a music festival and how they turned self-doubt into a positive outcome. They also emphasize the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and maintaining a healthy diet. Tune in to learn empowering strategies to silence your self-doubt.

A few days ago, I was the witness to a very tragic accident, and the experience affected me very deeply. I reached out to a renowned trauma specialist, and the advice she gave me changed my life. In this episode, you will hear that incredible advice because she allowed me to record it.  Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, PhD, a best-selling author and professor, reveals the 5 essential things you need to know about trauma so you can finally move forward with your life. Listen, and I will help you pick up the remote control for your brain and turn OFF the trauma loop. What’s the trauma loop? You may be in it and not know it: if you get triggered and have no idea why (and this expert says we almost never know why), have flashbacks playing in your head over and over again, the trauma loop is at play. With the help of our expert, Dr. MaryCatherine, you and I unpack (in real time) the accident I witnessed and how it affected me. With compassion and clarity, she explains what trauma really is and how to heal from it. You will learn and benefit from her decades of research and clinical experience. And she’ll help you understand what steps you need to take so that your brain does not store an experience as "trauma".  Dr. McDonald is one of the few experts who explains trauma and how to heal it in a way that is easy to understand, and her 5 truths will change the way you relate to yourself forever. The strategies and science in this episode will help you: Know what to do 4–24 hours after the traumatic event occurs.Understand the ‘trauma loop’ so you can identify when you are stuck and how to get out.Properly process traumatic events, even if they were deep in the past.Spot myths about trauma that even psychologists don’t understand.Know what narrative psychology is and why it’s proven to work.Uncover and heal from your flashbacks, looped thoughts, and triggers.Learn why you and your siblings have different memories of the same events.How to calm your nervous system and be present with your emotions.  This episode could change your life. And it is absolutely one you want to share with anyone who could benefit from Dr. MaryCatherine’s expertise. And I want to be upfront with you: yes, today’s episode is powerful, and it’s also a serious topic. If this isn’t the right time for you to listen, I understand completely. Just bookmark it so you can come back to it later. I’m not going anywhere.Xo, Mel  In this episode, you’ll learn: 01:44: The very scary moment that left me feeling traumatized.06:19: Full panic hit me at this exact moment.11:26: What narrative psychology is and why it’s proven to work.14:10: Understand the ‘trauma loop’ so you can identify when you are stuck. 17:41: How your brain processes a normal event or memory. 19:38: How your brain processes a traumatic event.23:08: Uncover why you have flashbacks, looped thoughts, and triggers.27:32: How EMDR can integrate traumatic memories properly. 30:29: Why do you and your siblings have different memories of the same events. 37:28: Why feeling shame around a trauma response is normal.41:52: Three ways to calm your nervous system and be present with your emotions. 44:26: The biggest myth about triggers that even psychologists get wrong.  Disclaimer

In this episode, you’re getting a crash course in 13 essential hacks that will help you be more successful, and they’re backed by surprising research out of Princeton. Vanessa Van Edwards is the founder of the behavior lab The Science of People, a behavioral investigator, body language expert, and bestselling author who specializes in the kind of science-based people skills most of us never hear about. Vanessa’s research proves that anyone can learn these practical skills, earn the trust of others around them, and become more confident, competent, and reliable. News flash: You don’t have to be an extrovert to be successful. Whether you want to be a better leader, land your dream job, achieve big goals, or align your life with what you want, this is the episode for you. Listen, and you'll learn: 3 things you must do in the first ten seconds of a Zoom call to appear trustworthy and reliableHow to nail any interview by building unstoppable confidenceWhy do you keep getting passed over for a promotion?The words you need to get the bonus or raise you deserveWhy a second impression is just as important as the firstHow a fake smile will ruin your reputationThe simple mistake we all make when asking for what we wantHow do you spot a liar?  This is an encore episode that is packed with tools, tips, and scripts to boost your chances of success. With new and exciting insights from me at the top of the episode, you will leave feeling more confident for your next interview, first date, or wherever you are upleveling in your life.  You owe it to yourself to learn how to cultivate unstoppable confidence and influence, and you can do that in just a few minutes.  Xo, Mel  In this episode, you’ll learn:2:23: The shocking research from Princeton about how people size you up.4:50: What exactly IS charisma and what does it look like?6:58: Why high achievers can’t just rely on their intelligence.8:15: Two types of awkward people and how to tell.14:14: Are you highly competent? Look for these three signs.16:42: What highly competent people are missing.21:27: What highly warm people are missing.23:58: The ONE thing you need to do in the first 10 seconds of your Zoom call.28:06: A simple test that will help you figure out how charismatic you are.32:10: The reason why you keep getting passed over for that promotion.40:08: Why you should never fake a smile. 46:02: Three ways you can start building your charisma today.47:42: Why a second impression is as important as the first.51:07: Five silent cues to command respect in any situation.  Disclaimer

In this episode, world-renowned brain specialist Dr. Daniel Amen reveals the secrets to a happier life, and it all starts with... (surprise!) your brain. Dr. Daniel Amen is a medical doctor with 40 years of experience as a psychiatrist, 12 New York Times bestselling books, and he’s conducted over 200,000 brain scans, all of which back up the simple, proven tactics he’s about to share with you. Dr. Amen shares the 3 most important habits you can start today to make your brain work better for you, based on decades of research.Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, addiction, or stress, the information in this episode will forever change the way you think about your brain. No boring and complicated science here. Learn simple, practical changes to improve your brain, like: What to say first thing in the morning to keep your brain strongThe 5 most important foods to eat for optimal brain healthThe 2 most important vitamins to take every dayHow to tell when your vital hormones are offWhy strength training is better than cardio for your health3 most important words to keep your brain sharpThe breathing technique Dr. Amen recommends for an anxious mind  This is your zero-cost guide to better brain health!  This is an encore episode with new and exciting insights from me at the top of the episode. You keep asking about how to improve your mental health, and it starts with improving your brain health. In under an hour, you’ll learn everything you need to be sharper, smarter, and more successful—by maximizing the power of your brain!  Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn:0:52: Today, you have an appointment with one of the world’s leading experts on brain health.05:28: The craziest brain scan Dr. Amen has ever seen07:17: Brain health 101: What you need to know about your brain today09:34: The simplest habit you can incorporate today to protect your brain10:53: The first thing you need to say every morning to keep your brain strong13:01: The 2 most important vitamins to take daily16:38: What do having a glass of wine and falling in love have in common?20:52: 3 easy ways to know if you have low dopamine levels29:02: The breathing technique Dr. Amen recommends for an anxious mind33:02: 2 proven ways to calm a very busy brain37:40: Whenever you get a negative thought, ask yourself this one question39:04: If you feel tired all the time, it’s time to look inward.42:47: How to improve your memory: it starts in your kitchen46:10: The greatest piece of advice on brain health you need to leave with  Disclaimer

In this episode, you’ll get 5 effective strategies to help you improve your family dynamics, resolve almost any conflict like a pro, and create a better bond. Spending time with family is awesome, but it can also be challenging because, as much as you wish everyone could get along, different personalities and opinions don’t always mix well together. When family drama starts, don’t allow yourself to get sucked into it. You can learn how to dial down the drama and build trust and connection. Today I invite you to sit on the couch next to me and my family here in Vermont as our three adult kids discuss all the ways Chris and I have screwed up as parents and the things we did that built trust and brought us closer. I can’t wait for you to hear the truth bombs our kids are dropping. They’re shockingly insightful and will change your relationships for the better. Listen, and you’ll learn: The mistakes we (and other parents) made and how to fix them.How to set powerful boundaries that everyone knows and respects.The most tactical way to deal with difficult relatives and their BS.The 6 words that increase trust in any relationship.What to do when you repeat the same toxic relationship patterns.5 secret words that will get your kids (or anyone) to tell you the truth.One simple tool that makes discipline and boundaries easier for you.(and your kids)  Share this episode with your family, and consider listening to it WITH your kids. It’ll definitely spark an interesting conversation because we get real and raw, and hold nothing back. If you’re looking to get closer to someone you love, this episode is exactly where you should start. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 02:40: My daughter recently schooled me in a conversation about boundaries.10:40: Ladies and gentlemen… my family.13:25: A listener asks, “Are your kids really that open in real life?”16:05: What we said to our daughter that knocked down barriers between us.18:30: Here’s the #1 reason why kids don’t get honest with their parents.21:30: This is how Chris and I think about the purpose of parenting.26:00: Shouting out research around addiction so we can have compassion.30:10: Chris shares how he became addicted to recreational drugs.33:00: How do you start forming a good bond with your kids at an early age?35:00: Trust us; you’re going to screw up as a parent, and it’s okay.39:30: Expressing our emotions lets our kids know they can express theirs.41:30: Oakley shares how seeing his dad cry impacted his life.45:15: A listener asks: How do you get your teens to open up to you?48:30: How do you find peace in your mistakes with your kids?54:00: Your kid wants to leave school for a partner somewhere else: try this.58:00: The #1 question I ask my kids when they’re struggling.1:05:00: Know somebody in a relationship with somebody who is stifling them?  Disclaimer

In this episode, a renowned Oxford-trained neuroscientist teaches you the most incredibly simple, science-backed hack that will change every single part of your life in just 10 minutes. Professor Shane O’Mara, academic writer, author, and Experimental Brain Researcher at Trinity College in Dublin, walks us through the mind-blowing research behind, of all things, walking. You’ll be shocked to learn how the right kind of walking can lower depression and anxiety without medication. Professor O’Mara explains 3 different types of walking: one way will boost your creativity, another will make you more productive, and a third way will make you a rockstar problem solver. You’ll also learn about the incredible cognitive, mechanical, and physiological chain reaction that happens in your brain and body during a simple walk. The research and neuroscience will empower you to use walking to help you: Conquer your fears.Make your brain younger.Reduce your stress and feel happier.Double the number of your creative ideas.Be more focused and productive at work.Turn off anxious thoughts.Decrease inflammation in your body.Improve your relationship with yourself and others.  If you’re short on time, bullshit. Put your earbuds in and get outside. Are you ready? Hit play, and let’s walk. Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 05:29: Want a younger brain? Start moving.  09:48: You won’t believe these benefits of a 10-minute walk. 11:29: Is your environment working against you? 16:28: Here’s how walking is just as good, if not better, than your antidepressant.17:20: This is what happens when you get outside and into nature.20:50: What the heck is a “walking mind”?23:54: Walking makes you more creative if you do this.31:34: Turn up your energy while you walk using this incredible metaphor.32:56: The shocking study that explains how walking changes your personality.36:07: Don’t have enough time for a walk? I call BS. Here’s why.39:00: Professor O’Mara suggests your walking routine should look like this.42:32: 5 easy ways to get in more steps every day.47:03: This is why you want to make it a habit to walk at night.52:06: Feel like you don’t belong? Here’s how walking can help.    Disclaimer

In this episode, double-board certified Dr. Amy Shah is here to explain the science of hormones, how they impact a woman's body, and more importantly, what you can do about it. If you’re tired of PMS, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes, the belly "bread basket," or the brain fog of menopause... grab your pen and get ready to take notes. Dr. Amy, a medical doctor trained at Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia, is an immunologist and leading expert in women’s hormonal health and nutrition. She is here to explain it all in a way that you can understand and apply to your life.   Today, Dr. Amy Shah reveals: What hormones are and how they work.What’s going on in a woman's body from first period to menopause.Why hormone therapy won’t help you lose weight.What 4 things you need to help you naturally boost estrogen.Why walking is better than HIIT or running if you’re in menopause.3 simple changes for a better night’s sleep.How sleeping in a pitch-dark room helps you lose weight.How to hack your 28-day cycle for more confidence and resilience.  I can’t wait for you to learn from Dr. Amy. You are going to feel so empowered! And please share this with all the women you care about in your life: your mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and girlfriends, because we all deserve to know what the heck is going on and how to feel better in our bodies. Xo, Mel PS: For all of our readers who are men, do NOT stop reading. You have to live with us, so this will help you too. (And will make you wonderful when you forward it to all the women in your life). Plus this research and advice on hacking hormones is just downright fascinating! In this episode, you’ll learn:02:27: Why the hell do I always feel so tired? 04:52: What happens in our bodies during PMS and menopause?09:10: Best metaphor to help you understand what’s going on in your body.11:37: How to optimize your health in every phase of hormone change.15:02: When in your cycle you should train and eat like an athlete.17:03: What is really happening with your hormones during pregnancy?21:09: Where the heck did this muffin top come from?27:32: The top 5 health questions for Dr. Shah and her answers. 30:02: Did you know that PMS is a mini-menopause?34:06: Why sleeping in a cold, dark room will help you lose weight.38:42: Top 3 tricks that regulate your cravings.40:01: Why anxiety increases during PMS.46:48: What you need to know about hormone replacement therapy.56:12: Power nap or meditate at THIS time for best results.59:01: Why it’s way past time we start talking about women’s health.  Disclaimer

In this episode, renowned researcher, bestselling author, and total badass Ritu Bhasin will help you step into your power. Her work proves that a better life begins when you stop trying to fit in and start showing up as your authentic self. Does this sound like you? You say yes to fit in.You stay silent and let others talk over you during meetings.You never ask for that raise you’ve earned.You let your partner and friends make all the decisions.You don’t have big goals because you’re afraid to fail.  Before you waste another day of your life pretending to be someone you're not, listen to this life-changing episode.  You deserve better. This episode will teach you how to make the rules and be who you want to be. Ritu and I will teach you how to claim your confidence and live a bolder, badass life in 4 simple steps. Game ON.  This is your time. Take it. Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn:  05:27: Why Ritu wanted to make an entire video about how to pronounce her name.09:08: What it means to stand in your power.12:53: Are you masking your true identity?18:32: Feeling comfortable with yourself vs. hiding who you really are…22:24: The pressure to perform shows up in the body in these ways…27:02: The #1 thing Ritu did to bring more belonging and authenticity into her life. 29:24: 3 steps to conquer uncomfortable situations.31:42: The mantra that Ritu repeats to herself to stay in control.37:11: The only thing you can control are your actions. 43:48: The most important version of your “self” looks like this..47:32: How to make others feel like they belong, too, and why that matters.49:52: You have 3 versions of your "self" - here’s what they are.52:54: We are all adults stuck in a middle school brain.58:38: The #1 takeaway I want you to get from this conversation.  Disclaimer

In this episode, Harvard professor Dr. Luana Marques is going to teach you 3 simple steps to turn anxiety into power. And she’s not fooling around; in the first few minutes, she even called me out. If you want to be more successful and effective in getting what you want out of your life or career, learning how to master your emotions, especially in difficult situations, is an essential skill. And Dr. Luana is a sought-after expert who will teach you how. If major life changes crush you with overwhelm and anxiety, this is for you. If stress and frustration are holding you back at work, you need her 3-step method. If your palms start to sweat just thinking about… Downloading the dating app.Applying for a better job.Moving in with your significant other.Filing for divorce.Your kids leaving for college or to live on their own. Not anymore. Dr. Luana Marques is a popular Harvard professor here to teach you that change is not only a necessary part of life but an incredibly powerful part of creating the life you want. And even cooler, she is going through a MAJOR career change right now (and using her 3-step process to do it). Today you’ll learn to: Stop running away from your feelings.Silence your self-doubt.Figure out what’s most important to you (so you can run toward it).Jump into new situations using a powerful metaphor. And you’ll get a practical and simple 3-step framework to master any transition in your life.  Grab your notebook, your pencil, and hit play. Xo Mel  In this episode, you’ll learn:02:36: Why are transitions so damn hard?06:45: The exercise you need to find your values, according to research.09:24: What happens when ambition no longer serves you?13:17: What happens when success comes at a cost?16:21: How values have shifted post-pandemic.20:54: Holding space for discomfort with your loved ones is essential.23:58: Feel your feelings; it’s okay to not feel okay.28:41: The one thing you need to add to your calendar today.31:42: Attach yourself to your why.37:56: Dr. Luana’s 3-step method to overcoming any transition.42:04: Dr. Luana’s incredible work at Harvard.43:08: What Dr. Luana means when she says the world is "locked". Disclaimer

Today on the podcast, you and I are having a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about alcohol and your relationship to it. Rachel Hart is a best-selling author and master coach who has helped thousands of people re-examine their relationship with alcohol, and that’s exactly what she is going to help you do today. Rachel knows the surprising reason you (and I) crave a drink (or have the urge to shop, vape, play video games, scroll on social media, or want something sweet). She’ll also explain that weird cycle of emotions you experience after drinking. Did I drink too much last night? Did I do anything I regret? Should I stop drinking altogether? Should I detox this week before the wedding next weekend? How do I drink less? Maybe it’s time I stopped altogether. You’ll learn that this agitation and conflict about alcohol are normal. The question is, how do you change it? Rachel says it’s by examining the desires underneath the urge. Today, Rachel will help you unpack urges and desires and teach you why boundaries go right out the window when you feel an urge. Today you’ll learn:What your drinking might really be all about. (it’s not what you think)Why feeling conflicted about drinking is normal.Where do urges really come from, and how do you ignore them?How your first experience with alcohol impacts your relationship with it.What your desires are trying to tell you.How to ditch the shame once and for all.The complicated messaging around alcohol.The 30-day plan Rachel uses with all her clients. Not sure if you have a problem with alcohol? Worried about someone else who does? You're not ready to quit alcohol all together, but you wish you’d not reach for the glass of wine most nights. Wonder if maybe you should stop? Perfect. Listen in.  You can change your relationship with alcohol. After this episode, you’ll know how. Xo, Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 02:12: Why is my relationship with alcohol so confusing?05:43: The shame cycle I go through every time I drink.12:08: What does your urge actually symbolize? For me, I had to go back to when I was 14 to figure it out.15:07: You are creating boundaries that justify your cravings and urges.20:06: What your urges and cravings are trying to communicate to you.23:07: The difference between your upper and lower brain and what you need to know.26:10: How to stop drinking without stopping drinking.28:09: Learning how to change means having a different relationship with commitment.36:18: Tool #1: Name the urge when it’s happening.40:06: Why "just say no" doesn’t work.48:03: Stop looking for answers from others. You have an inner knowing of what’s best for you.54:47: Tool #2: Ask yourself, If you couldn’t drink for the rest of your life, what would it feel like?58:30: Disappointment when you give up your urges is normal. Disclaimer