Life's Dirty Little Secrets Podcast | Breaking Silence Around the Secrets We All Carry

Recommended Episodes:Secret #68 — Secrets of Rest with Alex Soojung-Kim PangSecret #30 — Wise Effort with Dr. Diana HillSecret #69 — No One Is “Self-Made” with Dr. Lakeysha HallmonA tender, practical conversation about how a terminal diagnosis can sharpen priorities, deepen connection, and teach the rest of us how to live on purpose—today.Psychologist Dr. Ray Owen and Sam Stroud, recently diagnosed with MND/ALS, join Emma and Chris to talk about presence, priorities, and building a life that stays wide—even when options narrow. Sam shares what helped in the first weeks after diagnosis (stay engaged with life, ask for real support), while Ray maps compassionate skills for meeting pain without letting it shrink your world. Together, they show how practices like meditation can hold difficulty and meaning at the same time, and why honest community is a lifeline for patients and families alike. You’ll leave with grounded tools for navigating illness—and for living more fully even if you’re well. Topics Discussed in this Episode:Staying engaged with life after diagnosisFirst-person stories as antidotes to fearMeditation as capacity-building (not escape)Compassion skills for making room for painCommunity and honest conversation as lifelinesMortality as a focusing practice for prioritiesView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Recommended Episodes:Secret #68: Secrets of Rest with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Secret #61: Reimagining Anger with Russell Kolts Secret #62: The Connection Paradox with James Cordova Secret #69: No One is "Self-Made" with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon Secret #55: Belonging with Meg McKelvie Secret #48: The Tree That Bends with Ross White Secret #60: There is No Normal with Dr. Steven C. Hayes Secret #54: The Reign of Pain with Howard Schubiner Secret #67: Living with Death with Dr. Robyn Walser and Dr. Manuela O'ConnellWhat happens when we look back on a year of conversations and discover the recurring themes that shape our lives? In this special year-in-review episode, hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington reflect on the surprising paradoxes they've encountered throughout their podcast journey—the uncomfortable truths that keep emerging despite our beStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Recommended EpisodesSecret #60: There is No Normal with Dr. Steven C. HayesSecret #56: Spirituality with Dr. Matthieu VillatteSecret #55: Belonging with Meg McKelvieWhat happens when we stop glorifying the “self-made” myth and start honoring the power of community? Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon—educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market and Our Village United—joins hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry to explore the truth that success is never a solo act. Together they unpack the cultural illusion of rugged individualism, how to build intentional communities, and why collaboration, not competition, is the path to collective flourishing.Dr. Hallmon shares how divine assignments, purpose, and persistence shaped her journey, and invites listeners to reframe independence as interdependence—to see that thriving is always a village effort.Topics Discussed:The myth of the “self-made” person and the harm of rugged individualismWhat it means to be village-made, not self-madeHow community closes economic and opportunity dividesThe six village archetypes: futurists, builders, connectors, collaborators, enthusiasts, and observersWhy resistance to collaboration is normal—and what to do about itDivine assignments, purpose, and trusting discomfort as part of growthHow to build communities with alignment, trust, and presenceView Extended Shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

 Recommended Episodes: Secret #62: The Connection Paradox with James Cordova Secret #67: Living with Death with Dr. Manuela O’Connell and Dr. Robyn Walser Secret #56: Spirituality with Dr. Matthieu Villatte Rest is not the opposite of work. It is the partner that makes great work possible. In this conversation, best-selling author and strategist Alex Soojung-Kim Pang shows how rest is a learnable skill that powers focus, creativity, and longevity. We dig into deliberate rest, the default mode network, and why short micro breaks can boost productivity. You will hear practical rhythms for your day—90 to 120 minutes of deep work followed by low-intensity recovery like walking or gardening—plus how absorbing hobbies, device boundaries, and shared team norms protect you from burnout. We also explore the social side of rest, building a sense of mattering and community so you can sustain excellence in a world engineered for distraction. Highlights: • Rest as an active skill that partners with work • The 90–120 minute deep-work rhythm and low-intensity recovery • Walking, gardening, and “default mode” insight during breaks • Hobbies, mastery, and community as buffers against burnout • Simple tech boundaries and the “zombie apocalypse” notification test • How to design environments and norms that support focus and rest • Sustainable excellence: doing great work for decades, not monthsORDER Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work LessView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Recommended EpisodesSecret #56: Spirituality with Dr. Matthieu VillatteSecret #51: New Thinking on Grief with Dr. Ray OwenSecret #62: The Connection Paradox with James Cordova What happens when we stop running from mortality and let it guide how we live now? Chris and Emma sit down with Dr. Robyn Walser and Dr. Manuela O’Connell to explore death as a teacher, not a terror. They unpack cultural avoidance of death, the role of ritual and spirituality, existential responsibility, and how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help us meet endings with presence, compassion, and choice. Robyn leads a powerful Lifeline exercise, while Manuela reframes death as a mindfulness bell that returns us to the heart of what matters. Topics DiscussedExistentialism and ACT in real life choicesCultural and spiritual perspectives on deathMindfulness, presence, and compassionate self talkValues based living across endings and transitionsGrief, regret, and returning again to what mattersView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Recommended episodes:Secret #20: There is No Normal with Dr. Steven C. HayesSecret #47: Living a Meaningful Life with Jenna LeJeuneSecret #30: Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill When life feels too heavy, should we fight our thoughts or learn to carry them? In this grounded, compassionate conversation, clinical psychologist and author Ben Sedley joins Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry to explore how to hold painful thoughts and emotions without being crushed by them. Ben shares practical Acceptance and Commitment Therapy insights, why self-criticism often masquerades as our “biggest fan,” how presence works as a first step, and why compassion sometimes looks fierce with clear boundaries. Expect simple, usable tools for noticing, naming, and carrying the “heavy stuff” while still moving toward what matters. Topics Discussed:How to carry painful emotions instead of trying to erase themWhy the inner critic often acts like a misguided “biggest fan”The first tool: presence and one-breath noticing before actionCompassion with boundaries: fierce, clear, and change-orientedFunction over content: measure thoughts by what they do, not what they sayView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Dr. Joe Oliver, a clinical psychologist and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, dives into the complexities of the self-help industry. He discusses the paradox where a booming market for self-help coexists with rising anxiety and depression. Joe reveals how relentless self-improvement can lead to self-judgment and distraction from the present. He introduces the concept of psychological flexibility as an empowering way to navigate emotional struggles and emphasizes the importance of pursuing values over perfectionism.

Are you ready to unravel the hidden psychology of moral outrage and discover practical tools for turning intense conflict into genuine understanding? In this eye-opening episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets, social psychologist and author Dr. Kurt Gray joins the hosts to reveal how our sense of right and wrong shapes everything from social media disputes to personal relationships and political division.Together, we unpack why humans are so deeply wired for moral outrage, the evolutionary forces that keep us alert to wrongdoing, and how our brains quickly flip people from friends to foes. Dr. Gray explores why liberals and conservatives clash over who is vulnerable, explains the fundamental attribution error, and digs into how social media intensifies group anger.Most importantly, you will learn actionable techniques for shifting from outrage to curiosity, building empathy, and connecting through storytelling both at home and in society. If you want to break free from cycles of blame and find new ways to listen, this episode will empower you to have braver, more transformative conversations one story at a time.Topics Discussed in this Episode:Psychological roots of moral outrageHarm perception in political disagreementsOvercoming conflict through curiosityImpact of social media echo chambersBuilding empathy with personal storytellingView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

Living with food allergies brings a daily struggle of anxiety, uncertainty, and real risk—but it also offers powerful lessons about courage, resilience, and managing fear. In this revealing episode, we’re joined by Tamara Hubbard, a licensed clinical professional counselor and leading expert on the psychological impact of food allergies. Tamara draws on her personal journey and professional expertise to uncover how constant vigilance around food can shape families, fuel anxiety, and lead to both overprotection and life-enhancing growth.From the reality of daily risk and the trauma of allergic reactions to navigating safety vs. quality of life, this discussion is packed with actionable advice for anyone facing anxiety—whether about parenting, health, or other unpredictable threats. Learn the difference between perceived and actual danger, how to empower yourself or your child to manage fear, and why finding a balance between safety and living fully is the ultimate secret to resilience.With practical tips based on evidence-based therapies, Tamara shares real-world strategies to build confidence, advocate for your needs, and help children thrive in the face of uncertainty. Tune in to unlock insights for a fuller, braver life, whether you’re parenting a child with food allergies, confronting your own anxieties, or simply seeking to live more boldly in a world full of “may contain” risks.Topics Discussed in this Episode:Psychological impact of food allergiesManaging parenting anxiety and fearBalancing safety and quality of lifeValues-driven approaches to risk managementEmpowering children through self-advocacy skillsView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)

What happens when connection feels both necessary and terrifying? In this intimate episode, Dr. James Cordova explores how warmth, authenticity, and mindful space shape human relationships. With wisdom from Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington, you'll hear how vulnerability, presence, and self-compassion create space for healing — whether in therapy, family life, or personal growth. Topics Discussed in this episode:The Connection Paradox in RelationshipsEmotional Safety and VulnerabilityParenting with Presence and CompassionMindfulness and Making Space for EmotionsHow Therapy Supports Real Human ConnectionView extended shownotes hereStruggling with your child’s big feelings? Our new children’s workbooks are here to help kids and parents handle worry, disappointment, and anger using practical, compassionate tools. Follow the journeys of Justin Case, the Glumm Twins, and Max Cross as they learn that tough emotions are normal and manageable. Find all three workbooks at bookstores everywhere and give your family the support they deserve. ORDER Max Cross Gets Unstuck from Anger: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook series for kids) ORDER Justin Case Sits with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids) ORDER The Glumm Twins Unhook from Sadness: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Ages 8-12 (ACT Workbook Series for Kids)