
Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson
Forrest Hanson is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson and a world-class group of experts to explore the practical science of lasting well-being. Conversations focus on the key insights from psychology, science, and contemplative practice that you need to build reliable inner strengths, overcome your challenges, and get the most out of life. New episodes every Monday.
Latest episodes

20 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 6min
OCD and Anxiety Disorders with Kimberley Quinlan
Join Kimberley Quinlan, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of CBTschool.com, as she unpacks the complexities of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She distinguishes between obsessions and compulsions, revealing how trauma can link to OCD. Kimberley shares insights on effective treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and the significance of self-compassion in recovery. She also addresses common stigmas that hinder treatment, and emphasizes the importance of personalized care and support for those battling OCD.

23 snips
May 26, 2025 • 1h 20min
People Pleasing, AI Therapy, and Sexual Transference: May Mailbag
The hosts tackle the nuances of people-pleasing and how it affects personal relationships. They dive into the pros and cons of using AI as a therapist, including concerns about privacy and the need for human connection. They explore the emotional complexities of developing feelings for one’s therapist, discussing the phenomenon of sexual transference. Wrapping up, they reflect on the importance of communication in nurturing long-lasting relationships and ponder whether Gandalf would have made a good therapist.

113 snips
May 19, 2025 • 1h 14min
Disorganized Attachment: Heal By Embracing Your Needs
Disorganized attachment can make emotional intimacy feel daunting. The hosts discuss how past experiences shape these complex styles and the internal struggles they create. Embracing and expressing needs is highlighted as essential for healing. They touch on topics like hypersensitivity, self-regulation, and the surprising benefits of 'boring' relationships. With a focus on self-awareness and emotional validation, they outline pathways to transform sensitivity into strength, ultimately fostering healthier connections.

41 snips
May 12, 2025 • 1h 15min
Living with Depression with Dr. Scott Eilers
Forrest chats with Dr. Scott Eilers, a licensed psychologist and author specializing in treatment-resistant mood disorders. They dive deep into Dr. Eilers’ personal journey with chronic depression and discuss anhedonia, the challenge of treatment resistance, and the importance of emotional budgeting. The conversation explores creating new practices even when motivation is low and the healing power of acceptance. They also touch on the intertwining of humor and mental health, along with strategies to foster resilience and self-discovery.

55 snips
May 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
Live Show: Yung Pueblo on Relationships, Change, and Mindfulness
Yung Pueblo, poet and bestselling author, shares his insights on love and mindfulness in a heartfelt conversation. He discusses how meditation has transformed his relationships and emphasizes the importance of honesty with partners. Delving into the difference between attachment and commitment, he highlights the necessity of open communication and vulnerability. Yung Pueblo also explores the challenges of evolving alongside a partner and offers strategies for rebuilding after past hurt, advocating for a compassionate approach to connection.

85 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 16min
How to Change Your Personality with Olga Khazan
In this conversation with Olga Khazan, a writer at The Atlantic and author of 'Me, But Better', she shares her journey of transforming her personality traits. Olga discusses how intentional behavior changes led her to become more extroverted and agreeable. They explore concepts like the Big Five personality traits, the influence of mindfulness and meditation, and how external factors like psychedelics can reshape self-perception. Additionally, they dive into the dynamics of parenthood and its impact on personality evolution.

83 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 22min
Your Parents Are Emotionally Immature. Now What? w/ Dr. Lindsay Gibson
Dr. Lindsay Gibson joins Forrest to explore emotional immaturity, the consequences of growing up with emotionally immature caregivers, and what we can do to change those patterns in adulthood. They discuss the key signs of emotional immaturity, including egocentrism, low empathy, and affective realism. Dr. Gibson then shares how having an emotionally immature parent affects children, often by leading to emotional disconnection and people-pleasing, and the consequences of these patterns in adult life. Topics include the problems with “just be more compassionate,” estrangement, balancing competing desires, and how to heal in adulthood by reconnecting with your feelings, letting go of old fantasies, and setting healthy boundaries.About our Guest: Dr. Lindsay Gibson is a clinical psychologist and the author of the Emotional Immaturity series of books, including her bestseller Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. You can watch this episode on YouTube.Key Topics:0:00: Introduction1:15: How Dr. Gibson defines emotional immaturity6:45: Markers of emotional immaturity in parents11:05: Emotional intelligence in children, loneliness, and regulating parents19:05: The arc of recovery, responding to feelings with thoughts, and healthy guidance31:00: Repeating patterns in relationships36:15: Letting go of the healing fantasy, and when to take space42:45: Estrangement, compassion, boundary setting, and becoming more authentic58:45: When healthy change creates social pressure1:01:55: Common misconceptions about emotional immaturity1:06:05: RecapSupport the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.SponsorsHead to fastgrowingtrees.com/BEINGWELL to get 15% off the best deals for your yard. Use BEINGWELL at checkout, and take advantage of their Alive and Thrive Guarantee!Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell. Go to ZOE.com and find out what ZOE Membership could do for you. Use code WELL10 to get 10% off membership.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BEINGWELL at https://www.oneskin.co/ Connect with the show:
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123 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
Self-Concept: The Secret to Changing WHO You Are
The hosts explore how self-concept shapes our identities and influences our lives. They discuss the dangers of rigid self-beliefs and the transformative power of psychological flexibility. Insights from Carl Rogers and Buddhist philosophy highlight the importance of humility and openness to change. The conversation emphasizes self-discovery through mindfulness and self-inventory, encouraging listeners to embrace their strengths while confronting flaws. It's a fascinating look at redefining self-identity for personal growth and authenticity.

31 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 13min
Linking: The Secret to Rewiring Painful Memories
Forrest and Dr. Rick delve into the powerful psychological technique of linking, exploring how it can help rewire painful memories. They discuss the neuroscience behind memory reconsolidation and the importance of pairing positive experiences with our past pains. Personal anecdotes and practical tips illuminate the process, emphasizing emotional awareness and resilience. Cautions are provided for safely practicing linking, along with insights on how to disentangle our adult selves from past traumas, fostering a transformative pathway to healing.

12 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 10min
How to Get On the Same Team: Relationship Mailbag
Dr. Rick and Forrest dive into essential relationship dynamics, tackling how to balance sensitivity with directness. They discuss the importance of communication styles and the impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior. Listeners learn strategies for bridging emotional processing gaps, setting healthy boundaries, and viewing challenges as collective issues. The conversation highlights the significance of teamwork in relationships and how small changes can foster deeper connections. Tune in for insights on transforming 'me problems' into 'we problems'!