Podcasts by The Savvy Psychologist

Isolation and coercive control: are you in a controlling relationship? from 2023-02-10T10:00

In part one of my series on coercive control, I discuss the signs of a coercive or controlling relationship, specifically the ways controlling partners attempt to isolate you from the world.

Exiles, managers, and firefighters: 3 parts hindering your true self from 2023-01-27T10:00

It can often feel like we have different parts inside competing for control. Learn about these 3 parts of your system that may be interfering with your life.

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Are you a perfectionist or do you have OCPD? from 2023-01-20T10:00

Learn the signs of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Listen

Why New Year’s resolutions fail from 2023-01-13T10:00

I get asked all the time if New Year's Resolutions actually work. This week, I will give you some quick and dirty tips to help you maximize your goal-setting.

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How do boundaries and self-esteem affect your relationships? from 2022-12-30T10:00

Do you find that your relationships are affected by poor boundaries and self-esteem? Or do you perhaps have too many boundaries and too much self-esteem? Dr. Monica Johnson, the Savvy Psychologi...

6 ways to cope with suicidal thoughts and behaviors from 2022-12-23T10:00

Have you or someone you know had suicidal thoughts? It’s a lot more common than you think. In this episode, the Savvy Psychologist explores the warning signs and ways to cope with suicidal ideat...

The facts of narcissistic personality disorder from 2022-12-16T10:00

Narcissistic personality disorder often shows up in pop culture, but it’s widely misunderstood. Here’s why not every jerk you come across can be called a narcissist.

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7 Tips to Avoid SADness from 2022-11-25T17:00

Do you find that your mood starts to drop like the leaves from a tree as soon as winter approaches? You may have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Dr. Monica Johnson, the Savvy Psychologist, shares 7...

The facts of bipolar disorder from 2022-11-18T16:22:12

Bipolar disorder often shows up in pop culture, but it’s widely misunderstood. Here are some facts about how bipolar disorder works.

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Meditation: Inner Critic from 2022-11-15T15:01:38

In this Savvy Psychologist Meditation, Dr. Monica Johnson leads you on a meditation to explore and let go of your inner critic.

S...

Safety behaviors that are actually harming you (Part 2) from 2022-11-11T08:00

Let's continue our discussion of safety behaviors that we started last week! If you missed part one, Listen

What is Illness Anxiety Disorder? from 2022-10-28T07:00

Staying up all night self-diagnosing terminal illnesses with WebMD? The Savvy Psychologist explains what it means to have Illness Anxiety Disorder, and how to ease your mind.

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3 facts to better understand worry from 2022-10-21T07:00

You’ve had worry as a part of your life for a long time, but do you really understand it?

Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr....

7 ways to distract yourself from your problems—in a healthy way from 2022-10-14T07:00

Avoiding your problems is easy. Distracting yourself from your problems in a healthy way that helps you eventually overcome them? A lot harder. Here are 7 healthy ways to distract your emotion m...

Meditation: Loving Kindness from 2022-10-11T07:00

In our first Savvy Psychologist Meditation, Dr. Monica Johnson leads you on a loving kindness meditation that allows you to experience compassion, acceptance, and love towards ourselves and othe...

4 communication assassins that end relationships from 2022-09-30T07:00

Do you struggle with having healthy communication with friends, family, and romantic partners? These 4 communication assassins may be trying to take out your relationships.

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How to win at the “what if” game from 2022-09-23T07:00

Does exploring the what-ifs keep you stuck? Here are some tips on how to better manage your thinking game.

Savvy Psychologist...

6 practical rules for setting boundaries in your relationships from 2022-09-16T07:00

In this follow-up to Boundaries 101, Dr. Monica Johnson goes over six practical rules to follow in establishing bo...

064 SP Should Kids Take Psychiatric Medication? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We all know (or were) the kid who makes us wish for the invention of a Ritalin blow dart. But is it a good idea to put kids on psychiatric meds? And once they’re on, how long is long enough? ...

306 - Postpartum Mental Health Issues We Don't Talk About from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There's more to postpartum mental health than "baby blues." These lesser-known challenges may not get as much attention as postpartum depression, but they're no less real to new m...

062 SP 6 Ways to Improve Your Empathy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The latest in empathy research finds that our genes may not be selfish after all. What’s more, good empathy skills make us happier and healthier. (Plus it’s the closest you’ll get...

305 - 6 Ways to Survive Survivor Guilt from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When tragedy befalls those around us but leaves us unscathed, some of us feel guilty. Here's how to understand and cope with survivor guilt. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and D...

061 SP What Is OCPD? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Affecting 3-8% of the population, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is the most common of all the personality disorders. This week, the Savvy Psychologist explains the 8 traits of OC...

304 - Feeling Out of Sorts? Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Might Help from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you getting your needs met? The classic Maslow's hierarchy can help you understand why you might be feeling unfulfilled and what to do about it. Read the transcript. Check out all the Qui...

060 SP 10 Ways to Spot a Narcissist from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Who’s your favorite narcissist? Kim? Justin Bieber? The Donald? And who can forget Kanye? Imma let you finish, but first, what exactly makes a narcissist? Savvy Psychologist explains, plus of...

303 - Pain Is Inevitable—Here's How to Make Suffering Optional from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Pain and suffering aren't the same. You can ease suffering by gently peeling back layers of worry, regret, complaint, and unhelpful story-telling to get to the pain inside. Read the transcript...

059 SP What Is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Affecting up to 16% of kids, Sensory Processing Disorder is the most common disorder you’ve never heard of. The Savvy Psychologist explains what is SPD and why it's so misunderstood. Plus...

302 - Chemtrails, Aliens, and Illuminati—The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Does your otherwise sensible friend believe "chemtrails" are part of a sinister government plot? The psychology behind believing in conspiracy theories is fascinating. Some may even have ...

058 SP How to Be Anti-Racist from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

As a follow-up to last week’s episode on how to handle the unintentional but hurtful racism of microaggressions, this week on the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 6 tips to be ...

301 - How to Stop Enabling and Start Helping from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When a loved one is in crisis, many kind, generous people enable their destructive behavior without even knowing it. Here's how to recognize enabling and correct it by mixing empathy, compassio...

057 SP How to Deal With Racism from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Has a comment about race left you thinking “Did that just happen?” These incidents of microaggression can be painful and confusing. Savvy Psychologist has 6 tips to deal with racist com...

253 - How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you really need eight hours of sleep each night to thrive? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Jade Wu breaks down the eight-hour sleep rule and offers three ways to find the best sleep for you. Read the tr...

056 SP I Can’t Sleep: 5 Myths About Insomnia from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

At night, you can’t sleep. In the morning, you can’t wake up. Sound familiar? Get back on track with 5 myths and facts about sleep and insomnia from Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendri...

300 - How to Stop Feeling Inadequate from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every human feels inadequate sometimes. Whether the whispers of “You’re not good enough” come from someone in your life or from inside your own head, these seven tips will help yo...

055 SP How to Stop Nightmares and Night Terrors from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week on the Savvy Psychologist podcast, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen outlines 4 differences between nightmares and night terrors, and best of all, how to get rid of each so you can drift back to dream...

299 - Are You Dissociating? Here's What to Do from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you dissociate? Probably. Is that a problem? It depends. Here’s how to tell, and three tips to help you stay rooted in the here and now. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and ...

054 SP Use a Journal to Get Healthy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

With the mindfulness movement in full swing and the gratitude movement gaining steam, keeping a journal is a timely (and popular) New Year’s resolution. Check out the Savvy Psychologist's...

298 - It's Okay (And Even Useful) to Be Angry from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You may believe that anger is something to be suppressed, but science and psychology tell a different story. Feeling anger is not only acceptable, but it can be a motivating force for good. Read t...

053 SP 5 Essential Tips for a Happy Life from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

After a year of hosting the popular Savvy Psychologist podcast, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen has learned a lot. Check out the top 5 most important lessons from the past year - and how you can use them to m...

297 - Are You Rational or Emotional? Wise Mind Requires Both from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is it better to be rational or emotional? Psychologists (and Albert Einstein) believe that true wisdom requires you to tap into both. Discover how your wise mind integrates emotion and reason, and ...

052 SP How to Be on Time: 10 Tips for Punctuality from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You may live by “Better never than late” or you may follow “Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.” Any way you slice it, being on time is a struggle for many of us. By req...

296 - How To Live a Meaningful Life (Hint: It's About Values) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If goals are points on a map, values are the North Star that guides you and gives your life meaning. Learn the values that drive you, and make a plan to act on them, using these four steps. Read t...

051 SP 3 Big Benefits of Giving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Abraham Lincoln said, “To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” To that end, Savvy Psychologist explains how giving can actually benefit the giver even more than...

295 - 5 Nefarious Gaslighting Examples and How to Respond from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that makes you question your sanity. Have you experienced these five examples of gaslighting behavior? Here's how to respond. Read the transcrip...

050 SP How to Deal With Rejection from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Rejection hurls a rock through the window of our confidence. It can leave us wounded and bitter, or stronger, wiser, and maybe even laughing. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offe...

294 - Why "Positive Vibes Only" Won't Make You Emotionally Strong from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Think positive! Just get over it! Avoid toxic negativity! Can we really manipulate our emotions like that? Harvard psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Susan David explains emotional agility, a ...

049 SP How to Deal With Loneliness from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Let’s call this an unconventional holiday special. Loneliness afflicts millions of Americans and the holidays are particularly hard for those who feel stuck out in the cold. This holiday seas...

293 - Feeling Overwhelmed? Here Are 8 Simple Remedies from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ever find yourself frantically scrolling through your to-do list thinking, "What next?" When you're overwhelmed, your brain blows a fuse. Savvy Psychologist offers eight simple tips t...

046 SP Am I Having a Panic Attack? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

One in 4 Americans has had a panic attack at some point. Panic is scary, exhausting, and potentially embarrassing - that’s the bad news. The good news? Treatment for panic is straightforward ...

292 - How to Handle Grief and Loss from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Mix profound sadness, shock, and anger with relief, fear, guilt, and any number of other emotions, and you have the difficult and messy experience of grief. Here are nine important things to know a...

044 7 Signs of Mania and Bipolar Disorder from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Everyone has ups and downs as part of life. But imagine the normal ups and downs stretched into a roller coaster of highs and lows: life at the extremes. This week, Savvy Psychologist shares 7 sign...

291 - Want to Sleep During Quarantine? Do It Like an Astronaut! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Quarantined at home? Sleep starting to go off-track? Learn how to sleep well during prolonged isolation from professionals who would know first hand—astronauts. Read the transcript. Check o...

043 Why Do We Like to Be Scared? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From haunted houses to Friday the 13th movies, we love to scare ourselves silly. And this isn’t new—from Edgar Allen Poe to the latest Stephen King, we’ve frightened ourselves on ...

290 - 5 Steps to Overcoming Nightmares from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Falling, being chased, teeth falling out … nightmares can seriously ruin a good night’s sleep. Savvy Psychologist shares five easy ways to beat nightmares and reclaim a good night'...

042 SP 13 Surprising Facts About Hoarding from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Think of your most valued possession. Your jewelry? That box of precious family photos? Baseball memorabilia? Now, imagine feeling that way about every single item in your house. Welcome to the min...

289 - Compassionate Advice for Coping with Infertility from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Infertility can be heartbreaking, isolating, and demoralizing. Mighty Mommy’s Cheryl Butler shares compassionate insights and practical tips from her five-year infertility journey. TRANS...

041 SP How to Stop Dieting from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you’re a chronic dieter and vacillate between hope and hopelessness, anxiety and guilt, not to mention your fat and skinny jeans, it’s time to call it quits--and be happier and healt...

288 - 3 Ways to Overcome Insecure Attachment in Relationships from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you struggle in intimate relationships, you may have an insecure attachment style. The good news is that you can overcome it with openness, hard work, and support. TRANSCRIPT: https://quick...

040 SP How to Get Happy by Using Facebook from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

News stories trumpet that social media makes us depressed, unproductive, and insecure, but little-known research shows a brighter side. The Savvy Psychologist offers 6 ways to use Facebook strategi...

287 - 4 Ways Your Attachment Style Affects Your Relationships from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Intimacy. Jealousy. Commitment. Sexual fulfillment. Here's how all these important pieces of close relationships are affected by your attachment style. TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirtytip...

038B - Can Men Be Victims of Domestic Violence? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week’s episode addressed 6 myths about abusive men. In this bonus episode of the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen busts the myth that domestic violence only victimizes women. Rea...

286 - How to Stay Calm During the Coronavirus Crisis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The daily onslaught of coronavirus information can be overwhelming. Dr. Jade Wu offers four sage tips for staying calm and protecting your mental health during the crisis. Read the transcript. Ch...

038A SP 6 Surprising Myths About Domestic Violence from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many of us, on hearing the news coverage about Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Ray McDonald, have thought, “How could anyone do that? What was he thinking?” It turns out the truth about what ...

285 - Which of These Four Attachment Styles Is Yours? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Your attachment style is formed early in life, and now it affects your adult relationships. Do you see yourself in one of these attachment style profiles? TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirtytips...

036 SP Is It Good or Bad to Zone Out, Space Out, or Daydream? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whether you call it zoning out, spacing out, or daydreaming, we spend up to 47% of our waking lives letting our minds wander. The Savvy Psychologist explains why mind wandering happens, when it&rsq...

284 - Can Mindfulness Ease Childbirth Pain? A Neuroscientist Says Yes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is mindfulness helpful for women and their partners during childbirth? We talk with neuroscientist Emiliana Simon-Thomas from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center about the transformativ...

035 SP Disordered Eating: 9 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship with Food from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Disordered eating—the less serious, but much more common version of a full-blown eating disorder—is an unhealthy, obsessive relationship with food. This week, the Savvy Psychologist rev...

283 - Sleep Hygiene Doesn't Cure Insomnia—Do This Instead from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sleep hygiene is so bad at treating insomnia that it's used as the placebo in clinical sleep trials. Before you buy darker blackout curtains, try these expert tips. TRANSCRIPT: https://qui...

033 SP 8 Tips to Grow Your Grit from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What's more important for success than talent, social skills, motivation, IQ, or practice? It's a scrappy little quality called grit. This week, the Savvy Psychologist offers 8 tips to cult...

282 - How to Recognize and Avoid Common Thinking Traps - Part 2 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Emotional reasoning, catastrophizing, and "shoulds" can keep you stuck and unhappy. There's a reason these common mental snares are called "thinking traps!" TRANSCRIPT:...

032 SP 5 Benefits of Gratitude and 4 Tips to Cultivate It from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Move over mindfulness, gratitude has arrived! The Savvy Psychologist offers 5 reasons to celebrate your own small-‘t’-thanksgiving, plus 4 tips to cultivate your own attitude of gratitu...

281 - How to Avoid Common Thinking Traps - Part 1 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Your clever brain can work overtime building worst-case scenarios. Here's how to recognize and avoid common thinking traps so you don't get stuck.

031 SP Four Tips for Alzheimer's Prevention from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Up to one-third of Alzheimer's and dementia cases are influenced by lifestyle--and therefore, are potentially preventable. The Savvy Psychologist offers 4 tips to help keep your brain fit and h...

280 - Why Oxytocin Is Incredible and How to Get More of It from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Oxytocin has been dubbed the “love hormone” for good reason. Here are some cool facts about this amazing hormone and ways to help your brain to release more of it. TRANSCRIPT: http...

029 SP How to Encourage Someone to Go to Therapy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week, we busted 5 myths about therapy. This week, the Savvy Psychologist covers the nuts and bolts of how to talk to someone who might need help--and how to deal with what they might say to yo...

279 - 5 Surprising Facts About Rejection Sensitivity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Rejection stings for everyone, but for highly rejection-sensitive people, it can be a real showstopper. Here are five things you may not know. TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-...

028 SP 5 Therapy Myths and Fears Busted from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While millions of people seek help to get through a rough patch, get some perspective, or optimize their life, others--maybe you included--are hesitant to take that step. This week, the (admittedly...

278 - Struggling to Make Good Decisions? It's Time to Trust Yourself from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What should you do when you're faced with a big decision? Whether you’re considering a career change, contemplating the future of your relationship, or otherwise about to take a leap, kno...

027 SP Your Brain on Porn and Other Sexual Images from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What is the effect of sexual imagery on our brains, and how does it influence how we see our fellow men and women? The Savvy Psychologist breaks down 3 studies that looked at your brain on porn and...

277 - Family Estrangement—Why Families Cut Ties and How to Mend Them from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Family estrangement is painful and isolating. What are the reasons that family members cut each other off? How can we cope with or prevent broken family ties? TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirty...

026 How to Identify a Psychopath or Sociopath from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“Psychopath” and “sociopath” are words that often get used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same. Regardless of semantics, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hen...

276 - 4 Psychology Hacks to Help You Stick to Your Goals from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Facing the perennial cycle of setting goals, getting pumped, and then falling off the wagon? These four hacks that will help you rock your goals instead of abandoning them. TRANSCRIPT: https:/...

024 SP How to Stop Biting Your Nails (and Other Nervous Habits) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hair pulling, skin picking, and knuckle cracking, oh my! Here are 10 tips to stop the snap, crackle, and pop of your body-focused nervous habits.

275 - 3 Mini Mindfulness Exercises You Can Do Without Meditating from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Don’t have time to meditate every day? Here are 3 mini mindfulness exercises you can do in five minutes or even five seconds. TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/men...

023 SP How to Get Into Flow from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Flow is total absorption in what you’re doing. When you're in it, you feel in full control, focused, un-self-conscious, and an hour can pass in what seems like a moment. In this episode, ...

274 - How Do Your Emotions Affect Your Moral Compass? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Would you sacrifice one person to save five? What if you had to cause harm with your own hands? Your answer may depend on the emotions you're feeling. TRANSCRIPT: https://quickanddirtytips.com/...

022 SP I Can’t Stop Eating: 6 Tips to Beat the Binge from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, offers 6 tips to overcome a challenge many of us can relate to: binge eating.

273 - Pregnancy Anxiety? Here's How to Keep Calm and Carry On from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Pregnancy is a time of overwhelming emotions. Anxiety is normal! Use these four indispensable tips to keep calm so you can enjoy this magical time. TRANSCRIPT & LINKS: Read the transcript:...

021 SP How to Motivate Yourself to Exercise from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The most popular day to exercise is “tomorrow.” Motivating yourself to exercise is, for most of us, an ongoing project. But even if your favorite curls are the cheese kind, here are 6 t...

272 - How to Harness Light to Defeat the Winter Blues from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The winter blues can sap your energy, disrupt your sleep, and destroy your concentration, but there's a simple key to defeating it—light. TRANSCRIPT & LINKS: Read the transcript: htt...

019 SP Sometimes I Just Want to Be Alone from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Everyone needs a room of one’s own, some more often than others. In Part 1 of this series, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explores some common—and not so common—variation...

271 - 3 Anxiety-Related Disorders You Might Not Know About from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Some psychological disorders fly under the radar, but they're no less real for the people who suffer from them. Here are three anxiety-related disorders you may not have heard of. TRANSCRIPT &...

018 SP How Mood Affects Food from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Savvy Psychologist interviews guest start Monica Reinagel, host of the Nutrition Diva podcast, about how our emotions affect what we eat and how little changes can make a big difference. Veggie...

270 - 5 Ways to Quiet Your Mind for Sleep from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sometimes our minds just won’t turn off when it's time for bed. Here are five ways to work with, instead of against, your busy brain and get some sleep. TRANSCRIPT & LINKS: Read the ...

017 SP 7 Myths (and 1 Big Fact) About PTSD from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Savvy Psychologist describes 7 misconceptions about PTSD and one big truth. Plus, how to approach healing and why stigma can get in the way (with a special emphasis on veterans of the wars in I...

269 - How to Help Someone with Hoarding Disorder from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hoarding disorder is a real experience that goes beyond the sensational scenes on TV shows like Hoarders. What are the risks associated with hoarding, and how can you help a loved one with this dis...

015 SP Should You Take on Bad Parenting in Public? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

While parenting decisions are generally best left to the parents, what happens when a parent does something to their child that makes your hair stand on end? This week, we’ll discuss this eth...

268 - Why Is Cyberbullying So Damaging and How Can You Cope? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Bullying is not new, but the Internet has raised this dangerous game to a new level. Why is cyberbullying so insidious, and how can you cope with it? TRANSCRIPT & LINKS Read the transcript: ...

014 SP What is ADHD? Common—and Surprising—Symptoms from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you frequently start and abandon projects? Does your ability to concentrate flip-flop between The Laser Beam and The Disco Ball? Sometimes ADHD is obvious, but sometimes it can fly under the rad...

267 - Does Hypnosis Work? Here's What Science Says from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is hypnosis for real or just a lot of hocus pocus? Here's a detailed look at the science behind how hypnosis works, and what it can (and can't) do. TRANSCRIPT & LINKS Read the transc...

013 SP How to Stop Avoiding Conflict from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When there’s a tough issue at hand, we run away, avoid people for weeks, screen calls, or pretend to change addresses. The Savvy Psychologist has 13 tips on how to stop avoiding conflict and ...

266 - 3 Easy Ways to Cool Down in an Emotional Crisis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Anger, despair, sadness—strong feelings can be hard to cope with. When your mind's a hot mess, your body holds the key to taming your emotional crisis. TRANSCRIPT & LINKS Read the ...

009 SP How to Beat Winter Blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When all that’s left of the fa-la-las is rock-hard fruitcake, the winter blahs creep up, settle in, and hang around until spring. Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 8 tips to d...

265 - 4 Things Never to Say or Do When Someone Has Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Helping someone with anxiety is surprisingly tricky, even if you have the best of intentions. Here are four things to avoid saying or doing if you want to be a supportive friend. TRANSCRIPT & ...

008 SP Do Antidepressants Work? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Antidepressants have been hailed as miracle drug rock stars and vilified as brain-changing happy pills. All promotion aside—good or bad—are they effective? Clinical psychologist Dr. Ell...

264 - 3 Symptoms of Childhood Trauma We Don't Talk About from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Complex childhood trauma is insidious and lingers in the body and mind. Here are three little-known long-term consequences. Read the full transcript at https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness...

263 - How to Politely Tune Out the Office Chatterbox from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is the office chatterbox driving you to distraction? It's possible to set boundaries and stick to them without being awkward or rude. Read the full transcript at https://quickanddirtytips.com/...

262 - 4 Surprising Ways Depression Affects Your Body from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Depression may be a mental illness, but your body feels it, too—in your gut, under your skin, and even through your eyes. Read the full transcript at https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-fit...

261 - Does Social Media Cause Depression? It's Complicated from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Does social media use negatively affect mental health? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Jade Wu breaks down the research on how social media is—and isn't—related to depression. Read the full...

260 - 4 Must-Do’s for College Mental Health from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

One-third of college freshmen report experiencing mental health problems. Here's how to take some pressure off so you can not only survive but thrive in college. Read the full transcript at ht...

259 - 5 Ways to Help Someone Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Someone you love is wrestling with suicidal thoughts. What do you do? Dr. Jade Wu's frank and empathetic advice will guide you. Read the full transcript at Check out all the Quick and Dirty ...

258 - Is ASMR real? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is all the rage lately. Is it real? Is there something special about people who have it? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Jade Wu explores the science behind this ...

257 - 4 Therapist Secrets to Being a Great Listener from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you been told that you’re a good listener? Or is this something you’d like to work on? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Jade Wu shares therapists’ top 4 secrets to great listening that...

256 - How To Survive as a Night Owl in a 9-to-5 world from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Living as a night owl in a lark's world could be damaging your health. Here are three tips (backed by science) for thriving among the day dwellers. Read the full transcript at https://quickand...

255 - How to Be Assertive Without Being A Jerk from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you assertive? Or do you hold your tongue because you don’t want to seem “pushy” or “dramatic?” Savvy Psychologist Dr. Jade Wu talks about what assertiveness is (a...

254 - Why Negative Emotions Aren’t All Bad from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Wouldn’t it be nice if our brains let us be happy and calm all the time? The science of emotions tells us that negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness are actually healthy and useful....

252 - The Best-Kept Psychological Secrets from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ta-da! At long last, meet your new Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Jade Wu, and say farewell to your founding host, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen. This week, the two hosts exchange thoughts on the biggest challenge...

251 - Savvy Psychologist’s Top 5 Psychological Takeaways from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Dun-dun-dun-DUN! After 5 years, 250 episodes, 14 million downloads, one book, and lots of corny jokes, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen presents her top 5 takeaways from researching, writing...

108 SP Can Love Actually Last? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Can love last? Or does love inevitably settle in, hang around in a stained t-shirt, and get a little too comfortable? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen looks at the many permutations of love,...

250 - Special Episode 250: The Science Behind the Wisdom of the Ages from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ta-da! It’s episode 250! In celebration, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers a deep dive into the science behind three of our most common truisms. Also, be sure to listen to the en...

249 - Why Some People Never Apologize from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you hate apologies that are mostly just defensive arguing? I’m sorry you feel that way. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains why so many people are resistant to apol...

114 SP How to Conquer Your Fear of Driving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s summer! Time for beach trips and mountain escapes, most of which involve the great open road. But for many of us, heading out on the highway feels like an ordeal, not an escape. This wee...

248 - How to Quit Opioids: A Conversation with Podcast Host Eric Zimmer from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Dr. Ellen Hendriksen dives into the history of the opioid abuse epidemic and asks former addict turned podcast host and behavior coach Eric Zimmer for his most vital advice on addiction recovery. ...

126 SP How to Give Up: 7 Tips to Challenge the Sunk Cost Fallacy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Perseverance, especially in the face of adversity, is praised so highly and so often that sometimes we forget there’s another option. This week, by request from listener Sari in Melbourne, Au...

247 - 5 Ways to Challenge Your Perfectionism from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

A little perfectionism can get you a long way, but too much holds you back like a 300-pound bouncer trying to break up a bar fight. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covers 5 ways ...

246 - How to Stop Worrying from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Worrying doesn't prevent things from happening, it just means you suffer twice if they do. Here are three strategies to help you stop worrying. Read the full transcript at https://quickanddirt...

245 - 3 Secrets to Beat Performance Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Read the transcript at https://quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/beat-performance-anxiety Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts FOLLO...

244 - 5 Unofficial Types of Depression from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Depression is like a salad. Just like dishes as varied as tuna nicoise, egg salad, and molded Jell-O studded with canned fruit cocktail are all legit salads, the hundreds of possible symptom profil...

243 - How to Fight Toxic Masculinity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The code of toxic masculinity requires that men are dominant over everyone else, have no needs, show no emotion, and are always #winning. It’s an impossible order that stifles and hurts every...

242 - 5 Psychological Secrets of Adulting from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whether your graduation is coming up this spring or twenty years behind you, we all have moments when we wonder if we’re cut out for this adulthood thing. This week, based on the questions of...

103 SP How to Say No (Without Feeling Guilty) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s one of the smallest, shortest words in the English language, but one of the hardest to say. This week, Savvy Psychologist Ellen Hendriksen offers 7 ways to say no (and maybe not even fee...

241 - What Your Therapist Really Thinks: A Conversation With Lori Gottlieb from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ever wondered what your therapist really thinks? Curious to know if your therapist likes you? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen and bestselling author Lori Gottlieb pull back the c...

240 - The Mindset of Eating Disorders from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Eating disorders can be a mystery to outsiders. It's difficult to empathize with throwing up, starving, or bingeing until it hurts. But there's a reason for every eating disorder. The Savvy...

239 - Failure to Launch Syndrome from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Call it failure to launch, Peter Pan syndrome, or hikikomori, it’s the phenomenon of adult children not making the transition to adulthood. The Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, explo...

238 - How to Fix Dissatisfaction at Work: A Conversation with Adam Grant from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Disgruntlement isn’t limited to postal workers. We’ve all felt disillusioned or dissatisfied at work at one time or another. Luckily, there are ways to fix it (besides fantasizing about...

141 SP 5 Ways Money May Be Costing Your Humanity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

With the widest wealth gap on record between America’s wealthiest families and, well, everyone else, economic inequality is making headlines. History teaches us that concentrated wealth isn&r...

237- 5 Reasons to Talk About Trauma from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Trauma, once thought to be a rare occurrence, is actually quite common. And something else is becoming common: people are talking about it. From feeling less alone to getting support to making mean...

236 - 5 Surprising Causes of Burnout from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you stuck in a job so demoralizing or stressful, you look at Sisyphus and think, “That doesn’t look so bad.” The Savvy Psychologist explains 5 surprising causes of burnout (ak...

235 - How to Know If You've Met The One from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do birds suddenly appear every time your beloved is near? Do stars fall from the sky every time they walk by? The Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, shares 6 ways to know if you’ve met ...

316 - 6 Negotiating Tactics Based on Psychological Science from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you ever haggled over the price of a car? Negotiated a salary? What strategies did you use in these interactions? Whether you're an employee, a parent, or an FBI hostage negotiator, psycho...

234 - Getting the Love You Want: Interview with Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The the Savvy Psychologist talks to Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, authors of the classic bestseller for couples, 'Getting the Love You Want,' now celebrating its 30th annive...

315 - Should You Become a Parent? Let Emotions Be Your Guide from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whether to have kids or not is a monumental decision, and the pros and cons are hard to predict or quantify. How do you decide? Borrowing ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help...

233 - Awe: The Most Incredible Emotion and Its Spectacular Effects from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What do the Aurora Borealis, the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, and Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile have in common? They elicit a feeling of "awe." This week, Savvy Psy...

232 - What to Do When Nothing Feels Good from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Imagine feeling blah, but on steroids. Or unmotivated, but supersized. Feeling like nothing is enjoyable (and that nothing matters anyway) is a serious symptom called anhedonia. This week, Savvy Ps...

231 - 7 Strategies to Maximize a Break Without Losing Focus from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Too many of us try to power through the day in the name of productivity. We skip lunch but then burn out by 3:00pm. Or we reward a productive stretch with a “quick break” that morphs in...

230 - How to Disclose a Mental Health Issue from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Mental health and illness is largely invisible. But whether or not to disclose your struggles puts a huge decision on your shoulders. Should you tell your best friend? Your date? Your impatient bos...

229 - 7 Secrets to a Long-Lasting Relationship from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whether you’re just starting a committed relationship or you’ve got 50 years under your belt, whether your song is "Thinking Out Loud" or "Love Me Tender," whether y...

228 - How to Be Happy When the World Makes You Depressed from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hold on to your handbasket! Every day, the headlines push our buttons of alarm, despair, and fury all at once. What’s a thinking, feeling human to do, besides invest in a Hunger Games-style b...

175 - 7 Beliefs of Emotionally Healthy People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What does it take to be healthy? Exercise, sleep, and perhaps not letting hours per week playing World of Warcraft stretch into the triple digits--we know those. But what about the beliefs we hold?...

227 - 5 Facts About 'Hangxiety,' or Hangover-Induced Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hangovers are bad enough. Mustering the willpower to get a glass of water, let alone make an egg sandwich, can take multiple hours. But now there’s a new symptom in the news: hangxiety, which...

226 - Will Cosmetic Surgery Make Me Happier? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Individuals who undergo cosmetic surgery expect to look better or younger, of course, but they also want to feel different—happier or more confident. But does it work? Whether you think peels...

225 - How to Deal With People Who Talk Too Much from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is your cubicle the unofficial office water cooler? Are you tempted to set up shop in the handicapped stall just to close a door and get some work done? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hend...

224 - How to Stop Feeling Overly Responsible from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Forward-thinking companies strive to be socially responsible. Beer commercials exhort us to drink responsibly. And every parent wants their kid to be more responsible. All in all, responsibility is...

223 - 6 Ways to Deal with Nosy Questions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The holidays mean gathering around the table with friends and family. But along with the turkey, you’ll probably also get served a nosy question or two. Therefore, when grandma demands to kno...

222 - Freaked About Climate Change? 7 Ways to Cope from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

With the release of the UN scientific panel’s report, climate change is looking less like an inconvenient truth and more like a inescapable crisis. Wildfires, superstorms, and typhoons are th...

221 - How to Have Great Sex in a Committed Relationship from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is your love language unintelligible? Is the spark in your committed relationship more like a dying ember? Sex advice abounds, but it’s either vague (“Stay curious,” “Grow t...

220 - 3 Tips to Starting a Conversation (and Defusing Awkwardness) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s the eternal question: how to start a conversation in a way that’s not creepy (“You have such beautiful lips,”) an overshare (“Ugh, this thong is way too tight,&rd...

219 - How to Overcome Feelings of Shame from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What do challenges as diverse as addiction, perfectionism, narcissism, and masochism have in common? They’re driven by a family of emotions that share “a painful awareness of self,&rdqu...

218 - 5 Signs You're Too Self-Critical from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you harder on yourself than 40-grit sandpaper? Do you feel like you’re falling short, no matter how high you’ve climbed? Are you tough as nails on yourself, but soft as mashed potat...

314 - Ghosts in Your Bedroom?—It's Probably Sleep Paralysis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sleep paralysis is a freaky phenomenon that has inspired ghost stories and alien abduction conspiracies. Fortunately, there's a scientific explanation for why it happens, and also ways to preve...

217 - How to Deal with Entitled People in 4 Steps from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From a child who needs a bribe to make it through an errand to the colleague who expects you to rescue him from his poor planning, entitled individuals are more demanding than The Rock’s work...

254 - Why Negative Emotions Aren't All Bad from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Wouldn’t it be nice if our brains let us be happy and calm all the time? The science of emotions tells us that negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness are actually healthy and useful....

153 SP 3 Toxic Thinking Habits That Feed Your Insecurity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What makes you feel insecure (besides trying on swimwear under fluorescent lighting?) Surprise! The culprit is your very own mind. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals three t...

216 - Why 'Getting Away' in Nature Is Good for Your Mental Health from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s intuitive that getting out in nature is rejuvenating, but why? What is it about going over the river and through the woods that helps us clear our heads? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr...

215 - What Type of Procrastinator Are You? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Like forms of procrastination—binge-watching GLOW, shopping for dog raincoats online, or stalking your middle school friends on social media—procrastinators themselves come in many shap...

214 - Self-Improvement vs. Self-Compassion: Finding the Balance from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When should you stick to your high standards? And when should you accept yourself as “enough”? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles whether self-improvement and se...

213 - Why Do Victims Go Back to Their Abusers? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Anyone who’s ever tried to help a friend in an abusive relationship has likely uttered the following two words: “Just leave.” But what seems so simple from the outside is much mor...

212 - The 5 Biggest Myths of Mindfulness from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Mindfulness is the biggest thing since indoor plumbing. But as the mindfulness movement rolls on, myths and misinformation have popped up, like sweets in your grocery cart when shopping with a todd...

083 SP How to Deal with Sarcastic People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sarcastic people can be hilarious, but when their barbs are pointed at you, they can be annoying or even hurtful. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1gSwloB

211 - How to Talk to (and Even Live With) Your Political Opposite from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are your political views getting you unfriended on Facebook? Do you find yourself retreating to your particular bubble, even at the expense of relationships? Well, imagine being married to your pol...

210 - Should I Keep Pushing Myself or Rest? 4 Simple Solutions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It happens to everyone. You’re supposed to go out, work out, or otherwise be active, but your energy is lower than a three-watt bulb. Are you actually tired? Or just being lazy or avoidant? T...

209 - Shake It Off: 7 Ways to Let Go of Guilt from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sometimes guilt is appropriate: it links us to our moral compass and spurs us to right our wrongs. But too often, guilt crosses the line into inappropriate. It keeps us stuck, ruminating about the ...

208 - Does Revenge Work? Our Minds on Vengeance from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Inequality, privilege, and injustice blare from the headlines. When faced with an unjust world, how do you cope? Do you dwell on unfairness? Or do you stay out of the fray? This week, by request fr...

207 - 5 Ways to Handle Life's Disappointments from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We all find our soulmate, are successful in our chosen field, fulfill our dreams, and live happily ever after, right? No so much. Occasionally life is a bed of roses, but often it’s a briar p...

206 - The Hidden Epidemic of Childhood Sexual Abuse of Boys from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The #metoo movement has shed much-needed light on sexual assault and harassment. But sexual abuse of another kind remains hidden even today. In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 6 men wa...

205 - Stop Comparing Yourself to Others with These 5 Tips from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Comparing yourself to others inevitably leads you to feel bad about yourself. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to stop pining for that greener grass. Read the full transcript at https://www.quick...

204 - How To Make Friends as an Adult from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Almost everybody struggles with it. But no one talks about it. What is it? How to discreetly sniff your own armpits in public? How not to buy the free sample after you just ate three of them? Not q...

203 - How to Embrace Awkwardness from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Usually, awkwardness gets thrown around as a personality trait,as in, "I hate parties because I'm so awkward." Or, "I have a hard time meeting new people because I'm awkward....

034 SP 7 Myths About Suicide from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The recent tragedy of Robin Williams's suicide—and the ensuing media storm—raised awareness of suicide as a mental health issue, but also generated a lot of misinformation. This wee...

128 SP Are Emotional Support Animals Necessary or Just Glorified Pets? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

They may not be lions and tigers and bears, but they are dogs and cats and bunnies, not to mention all sorts of other critters. Who are they? Emotional Support Animals, and they’re becoming m...

202 - 4 Ways to Heal Your Broken Heart from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Heartbreak hurts, plus it affects our judgment. Suddenly, driving by our ex’s house “just to see,” posting overwrought poetry on our blog, and a six-pack nightcap all seem like go...

201 - 4 Myths About Extroversion We're Guilty of Believing from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The introvert revolution has revolutionized how we view our personalities. But lifting up introverts has had unintentional side effects for extroverts, too often painting them as mouth-breathing pa...

200 - The Science Behind 5 Classic Happiness Clichés from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

To celebrate our 200th episode, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen gives a much needed makeover to 5 pieces of classic happiness advice. Read the full transcript at https://www.quickandd...

199 - Busting 3 Persistent Myths About Introverts from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Some myths about introverts and extroverts stick around longer than gum on a city sidewalk: introverts are people-haters. Extroverts won’t shut up. Introverts are neurotic. Extroverts are sha...

198 - Why We Procrastinate and 5 Ways to Stop from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“I should probably get back to work,” we say, as we scroll through our Facebook page from 2012 or plan our wedding while still single. We all procrastinate, even at times we know better...

197 - How to Hold Back Tears (Plus Two Big Myths About Crying) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From a wet diaper to a skinned knee to a broken heart, our reasons for crying evolve as we grow. But as adults, sometimes the waterworks start for no apparent reason, or in an inconvenient place (d...

196 - How to Help a Loved One Suffering from Mental Illness from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

As a family member, encouraging a loved one to seek mental health treatment is one of the thinnest tightropes we can walk. The stakes are high, the subject is touchy, and years of stressful family ...

195 - 5 Ways to Forgive People (Even Those Who Don’t Apologize) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Studies show people who forgive have less depression, use less medicine, have more energy, and are more satisfied with life. All that sounds appealing, but forgiveness can be hard, especially when ...

136 Is Your Gut Making You Depressed or Anxious? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Turns out “gut feeling” is more than just a fancy name for intuition. Our small and large intestine, and the trillions of bacteria that call it home, are more important than ever imagin...

194 - 5 Graceful Ways to Stop Getting Defensive from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What do a medieval fortress, a balled-up porcupine, and a lymphocyte have in common? They’re all pros at getting defensive. If your defensiveness gives a linebacker a run for his money, you&r...

193 - The Flip Side of Social Awkwardness (It's OK to Cringe!) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sometimes it feels like the awkwardness of middle school just never wears off. But maybe there’s a silver lining? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks with psychologist Dr...

192 - What to Do (and Not Do) When You Feel Insecure from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whatever you call it—self-doubt, insecurity, inadequacy—it’s a universal phenomenon. We can all relate to feeling as insecure as a newly-launched cryptocurrency. Luckily, there is...

191 - 5 Ways Technology is Making Us Anxious from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Some is vital, but too much and it can take over your life. What am I talking about? Carbs? Money? Tupperware? (Not that last one? Okay, maybe that’s just me.) How about technology? Technolog...

190 - The Best Social Anxiety Hacks for Any Occasion from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Socially anxious moments are universal: we’ve all felt that self-conscious urge to hide. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen shares her top 3 social anxiety hacks to help you f...

189 - How We're Doing Introversion Wrong with Sophia Dembling from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There’s never been a better time to be an introvert. But sometimes introverts miss the mark, push introversion too far, and end up feeling isolated. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen He...

188 - How to Beat Stage Fright with Dr. Noa Kageyama from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Leave stage fright, jitters, and nerves behind! Learn how to get focused, keep your cool, and perform at your best. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks performance hacks at the...

187 - Why We Choose Ill-Matched Romantic Partners (And How to Stop) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Why do we choose people who are so wrong for us? And more importantly, how can we stop? This week, we're exploring what to do when your 'partner picker' is broken. Read the transcript a...

090 SP How to Stop Caring What Other People Think from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

They say you stay up too late and got nothing in your brain? It’s normal to care what important people in your life think of you. But if caring too much makes you stressed or you live your li...

184 - How to Stop Abandoning Projects and Follow Through from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From the half-built skateboard halfpipe in the backyard to the plate full of bacon despite our vegetarianism, we’ve all abandoned projects. But why? And how can we follow through? This week, ...

183 - Busting the Myths of Meditation with Dan Harris from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks to award-winning journalist and news anchor Dan Harris to bust the myths that stop you from meditating, plus gets a little coaching along th...

127 SP 5 Ways to Get Motivated When You're in a Funk from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When your motivation is lower than a gravedigger at the end of his shift, it can be hard to turn things around. YouTube beckons, your fridge somehow develops a tractor beam, and gravity becomes par...

182 - 4 Simple Reasons Resolutions Fail (and Why Yours Won't) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The start of a new year is a time of optimism and ambition, with gung-ho promises to make this year the best, healthiest, or happiest ever. But after a few weeks, most of us are using that new bosu...

181 - 5 Body Hacks to Instantly Calm Overwhelming Emotion from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

No one walks through life with a perpetual Peaceful Easy Feeling. Some days, you feel less like Sweet Emotion and more like Everybody Hurts at maximum volume. Let's breaks the glass on 5 body h...

180 - Embracing Masculine Vulnerability: A Q&A with Lewis Howes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Savvy Psychologist and author Lewis Howes discuss masculine vulnerability: why it can be both terrifying but necessary. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental...

179 - 5 Tricks to Handle Passive Aggressive People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Tired of being on the receiving end of insults followed with “jk!”? Sick of finding ostensibly polite but obviously angry notes from your roommate? This week, by request from Steve in B...

047 SP How to Deal With Difficult Family on Thanksgiving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Would you like a thinly disguised insult with your turkey? An exasperating political discussion with your pumpkin pie? Family gatherings are hard enough without the Rockwellian pressure of Thanks...

596 - Why Businesses Are Called Houses. Why We Call It "Black Friday." from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Today has been called "Black Friday" longer than you think, and there are other "black" days too! Also, have you ever wondered why some businesses are called "houses"? SPONSORS http://heifer.or...

178 - How to (Try to) Not Take Things Personally from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you hypersensitive? Do you take things personally? Do you overreact like a high school chemistry experiment gone horribly wrong? By request from listener Kris from Utah, this week, Savvy Psycho...

308 - Doomscrolling- Through 2020? Here's How to Stop from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The screen casts an eerie glow on your face. You can't tear your eyes away from the bad news. You feel depressed and angry, but you can't stop scrolling. Why do we do this to ourselves, and...

177 - 6 Ways to Thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Google “introversion” and you’ll come up with an alphabet soup of acronyms: INTJ, INFP, ISTJ, and many more. But another acronym went mainstream way before the interweb was litter...

176 - Why We Fall for Con Artists (and How to Be Con-Proof) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Maria Konnikova joins Savvy Psychologist to discuss the psychology of the con, how to make yourself less vulnerable, and why there's a perfect con out there for each of us. Read the transcript ...

174 - Sexual Harassment: 4 Psychological Traits of Perpetrators from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From Clarence Thomas to basically all of Uber to Harvey Weinstein, sexual harassment is as rampant as it is repugnant. We wonder, what are they thinking? How could anyone do that? This week, Savvy ...

173 - 5 Unique Ways to Be More Patient and Less Annoyed from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

They say patience is a virtue. But sometimes we wish leaving us alone would be a bigger virtue. Or not asking stupid questions. Or paying attention the first time we explain things. You get the poi...

320 - Anyone Can Practice Mindfulness (Yes, Even You!) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You've heard how amazing and effective mindfulness is, but it sounds intimidating. Worry not! There are simple and sustainable ways to add mindfulness practices to your life and reap real benef...

172 - How to Trust People Again: 8 Easy Steps from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you tired of feeling lonely because you can’t trust anyone? Are you trying to keep yourself safe but just end up feeling isolated? Rebuilding your faith in humanity is a long road, but it...

319 - What Are We Getting Wrong About Mindfulness? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Can mindfulness treat cancer? Help you fall asleep? Everyone's talking about mindfulness and how it can improve well-being and performance. But through all the hype, we may be losing sight of w...

171 - 6 Signs You Were Raised by a Narcissist from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Narcissists are like the sun—they make everyone orbit around them. But what happens when someone pathologically vain and egotistical also happens to be your mom or dad? This week, Savvy Psych...

272 - Harness Light to Defeat the Winter Blues from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The winter blues can sap your energy, disrupt your sleep, and destroy your concentration, but there's a simple key to defeating it—light. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick an...

170 - How to Handle a Toxic Family Member from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Toxic co-worker? Steer clear. Toxic friend? Time for a breakup. But what if the toxic person in question is perched firmly in your family tree? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen of...

169 - Screen Time for Kids: 3 Questions You Should Be Asking from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The headlines scream: Screens are like crack! Screens turn your kid’s brain to mush! But are tablets, smartphones, and laptops—not to mention TV—really so bad? This week, Savvy Ps...

168 SP 5 Easy Ways to Help Your Anxious Child (and Your Anxious Self) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From bullies to math tests to things that go bump in the night, life is full of things for kids to worry about. And especially at stressful transition times--back to school, the holidays, heading t...

118 SP What Is Mindfulness, and Should You Try It? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Mindfulness is all the rage, and with a promise to improve concentration, mood, and energy, reduce stress, improve immune function, and even fight obesity, it should be. But to outsiders, sometimes...

167 SP Facing Your 4 Most Common Fears of Death from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Apropos to solar eclipse mania comes a quote from a 17th century French nobleman: “Neither the sun, nor death, can be looked at steadily.” Four hundred years later, his words still hold...

166 SP The 2 Biggest Questions You Have About Death from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s been said that only two things are certain in this world. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks about one of them, and it’s not taxes.

165 SP How to Have Great Luck from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Were you born under a lucky star? Or maybe you’re having a Friday the 13th kind of life. It turns out having good luck isn’t just a matter of, well, luck. This week, Savvy Psychologist ...

164 SP How to Listen to Your Gut and Make the Right Decision Every Time from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’ve all been told to follow our heart. Go with our gut. Trust our intuition. But how, exactly? This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains the “what” and the &ld...

163 SP How to Be an Amazing Listener from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

A conversation with a good listener is like a good meal—we walk away feeling satisfied, happy, and nourished. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to be an amazing...

162 SP Why Can't I Focus? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Concentration, focus, attention. Whatever you call it, it’s quickly becoming the rarest of national resources. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals 9 reasons your focus ...

161 SP How to Deal with Judgment and Haters from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Shaking off the judgment of haters is harder than mega-hit pop songs would have you believe. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 6 ways to, whatever they say, be the rubber to...

067 SP 4 Tips to Face Your Fears from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sick of running scared? Tired of the butterflies in your stomach getting the last word? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 tips to face fear head on.

160 SP How to Ease Travel Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ah, summer: the crash of waves, the crackling of a bonfire, the sand between your toes...and, well, between everything else, too. But is a vacation truly a break if you’re anxious about getti...

159 SP 9 Hidden Signs of Perfectionism from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you a perfectionist? Most perfectionists don’t identify with the label. But Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 9 signs that might make you come out of the (perfectly organized...

158 SP Kid Fears in Adults: The Dark and Other Phobias from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

As kids, most of us were afraid of dogs, clowns, or things that go bump in the night. But for a lot of us, childhood fears never wore off. And that isn’t just inconvenient, it’s potenti...

157 SP Kid Fears in Adults: Separation Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The term “separation anxiety” usually conjures the image of a tearful toddler, or worse, a whimpering dog, but millions of grown-ups live with separation anxiety, too. This week, Savvy ...

156 SP Why We Choke Under Pressure—Plus How to Stop from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Choking under pressure happens to everyone from professional athletes to ten-year-olds taking a math test. Even socially awkward moments have their roots in choking, recent research shows. This wee...

155 SP 5 Ways to Rebuild Broken Trust from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Trust is easy to break, hard to rebuild. By request from listener Kate, this week Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 steps to put the pieces together again.

154 SP 4 Ways to Deal with Entitled People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Entitlement isn’t just Social Security and other government programs—more insidiously, it’s a mindset that the world owes you. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen d...

077 SP How to Tell If Someone Is Lying from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“Your message must have gone to my spam folder.” “No, those pants are totally cute on you.” “The check’s in the mail.” White lies may be a necessary social...

152 SP 6 Effective Ways to Prepare for Your Big Moment from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You’ve got a big moment ahead of you, whether it’s a presentation, a performance, or a pitch. You want to own it, but your jitters are threatening to own you. What to do? This week, Sav...

151 SP 7 Ways to Improve Your Self-Control from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Self-control (or lack of it) plays a role in choosing a salad or a soda, working out or staying on the couch, and moderating alcohol or getting trashed on a Tuesday. There are times we all wish we ...

148 SP 7 Signs It's Time to Let Go of a Friendship from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What happens when your BFF’s behavior makes you say WTF? When do you stay loyal and when do you call it quits? By request from listener Alyssa, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles...

147 SP How to Achieve More by Doing Less: A Conversation with Tiffany Dufu from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Whether working, mothering, or operating as the head of the house, women everywhere understand the anxiety surrounding the phrase "dropping the ball." Author and activist Tiffany Dufu explains why ...

146 SP Is Complaining Good or Bad For You? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Pop psychology tells us that complaining is a sort of catharsis—that by getting our feelings out rather than bottling them up, we’ll feel better. But it turns out this is largely a myth...

145 The Link Between Disorder and Genius: An Interview with Dr. Gail Saltz from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What's the flip side of psychological disorder? Is there a link between illness and genius? This week on the podcast, psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz shares how many diagnoses--from ADHD...

144 SP 5 Self-Care Tips for Today's Political Climate from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Scrolling through the news these days is like walking through a Halloween haunted house: scary, horrifying things pop out at you from every angle. Last week on the show, we talked about how to hand...

143 SP How to Deal with News Overload from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

These days breaking news threatens to break all of us. No matter your political leanings, the volume (in terms of both quantity and loudness) of news these days is unprecedented. How to deal? This ...

048 SP 6 Ways to Deal with Panic Attacks from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Your heart races, you feel lightheaded, your sweat glands work overtime - is this the end? Nope, it's a panic attack. The Savvy Psychologist has 6 ways to fight this disabling disorder. Visit t...

142 SP Why Money Doesn't Equal Happiness: An Interview with Jean Chatzky from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Life is full of stressors, and for most, money is right a the top of the list. On this week's podcast, author and financial expert Jean Chatzky shares how taking small steps to reduce financial str...

140 SP 6 Ways to Build Your Resilience from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Like grit, executive functioning, and mindfulness, resilience is a buzzword these days. But what does it really mean to be resilient? How do we rebound from setbacks? This week, Savvy Psychologist ...

139 SP 5 Ways to Overcome Fear of Failure from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week we talked about 6 ways we self-sabotage and one reason why: fear of failure. This makes a lot of sense—who doesn’t want to avoid humiliation and defeat? But how to move forwar...

138 SP 6 Reasons Why We Self-Sabotage from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“Why do I do this to myself?” If you’ve uttered that phrase, you may be an unwitting victim of your own bad habits, better known as self-sabotage. By request from listener Sari in...

137 SP Do Heartburn Medications Really Cause Dementia? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last time on the Savvy Psychologist, we talked about the two-way connection between the brain and the small and large intestines, aka the gut. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen con...

091 SP Humans of New York's Brandon Stanton on How to Talk to Strangers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Brandon Stanton has interviewed thousands of subjects for his popular photo blog and NYT best-selling books, Humans of New York. What insights can he share regarding talking to strangers and having...

135 5 Ways to Stop Being a Control Freak from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you the dictator of your corner of the world? If your theme song is Frank Sinatra’s My Way, check out this week’s 5 tips from Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen. Read the full ...

134 SP 5 Ways to Stop People Pleasing from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

To please or not to please. For most people, that is the question. But for people pleasers, the question is moot, because there’s only one answer: of course I can help you! Ready for a change...

142 SP How to Make or Break a Habit from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This New Year's, creating a healthy new habit or breaking an unhealthy old one doesn't have to hinge on sheer willpower. Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen suggests 5 steps to help you mak...

133 SP 4 Reasons to Exercise This Holiday Season from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The holiday season brings good tidings and joy, but also stress from all sides. The closest thing to a magic bullet? Exercise. Making a commitment to consistent activity during the holiday season m...

313 - How to Deal with Mean Sarcasm from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sarcastic people can be hilarious, but when their barbs are pointed at you, they can be annoying or even hurtful. How should you respond? Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Ti...

132 SP 6 Signs of Sex Addiction from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is sex addiction really a thing? Or just an excuse for horny people with no self-control? And why is demand for help with sex addiction on the rise (no pun intended)? This week, Savvy Psychologist ...

312 - How to Reduce Money Anxiety—Compassionate Advice from a Finance Pro from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Worried about bills? Not sure if you're saving enough? Feeling uncertain about your financial future? Many are worried about their personal finances. We talked to Money Girl Laura Adams for adv...

318 - How to Deal with Entitled People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you ever had to deal with someone who seems to think they're better than you or that the world owes them? Uh-oh! That's entitlement rearing it's ugly head. Here are five ways to pr...

131 SP Is Your Relationship Codependent? And What Exactly Does That Mean? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Like “self love” or “inner child,” the term “codependent” smacks of pop psychology psychobabble. To make matters worse, it’s become shorthand for a whole h...

311 - How Being Less Defensive About Racism Will Help You Grow from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Becoming an antiracist starts with an important first step—losing our defenses. Confronting the implicit biases we all have means getting uncomfortable ... and it's the only way to grow. ...

317 - From Grief to Grace—Processing Our Collective Grief from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this year of collective grief, we mourn the people, the stability, and the life experiences we have lost. How do we cope with this grief and help each other through it? How do we talk about it w...

130 SP 9 Ways to Deal with Adult Bullies and Mean Girls from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Unless you had magical childhood luck or were homeschooled in the wilderness, you probably tangled with a mean girl or bully back in your day. Unfortunately, mean girls and bullies grow up and go t...

007 SP How to Beat Creativity Blocks from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If your muse is on strike, what can you do to get it back on the job? The Savvy Psychologist has 8 strategies you can use to kick-start the flow of your creative juices.

129 SP How is ADHD Different for Women and Girls? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

ADHD has long been the domain of school age boys who seem to come with a built-in jet pack. What’s slowly emerging is that girls and women suffer too, but with slightly different symptoms tha...

006 SP How to Be Creative from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s hard to define creativity, but, like jazz or porn, you know it when you see it. In the first of a two-part series, clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 6 tips to set the sta...

016 SP 5 Signs of PTSD from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In the first of a two-part series, the Savvy Psychologist identifies the 5 symptoms of PTSD. Next week, she tackles healing and what you can do to offer support to someone with PTSD - plus, what no...

004 SP Why Your New Year's Resolutions Fail (and How You Can Change the Pattern) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There are three kinds of New Year’s resolutions. Will yours make it to February? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals what type of resolution survives, what fails, and how to recom...

125 SP 9 Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s the most dramatized of the personality disorders (Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction with her boiled bunny, anyone?) but one of the least understood. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen...

003 SP Talking to Myself - Is That Normal? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Talking to yourself again? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen assures you’re not going crazy. You’re simply thinking out loud, which is not only normal, but beneficial.

030 SP 9 Tips For Dealing With Difficult People from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Blamers, complainers, and bullies, oh my! The Savvy Psychologist offers 4 tips for dealing with difficult people, and 5 more for taking care of yourself after a close encounter with the difficult k...

124 SP Should I Stay or Should I Go? How to Make Tough Decisions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’ve all been in situations where the choice is anything but clear. How do you know when to keep on keepin’ on? Or wave the white flag of surrender? This week on the Savvy Psychologist...

123 SP What Is Anxiety Sensitivity and Do I Have It? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Shaking and numbness and sweat, oh my! What do we call it when what we fear is fear itself? None other than the little-known, but hugely important concept of anxiety sensitivity. This week, Savvy P...

063 SP What Do Dreams Mean? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From the boulevard of broken dreams to California dreamin’, the Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles the psychology and physiology behind your dreams. Read the transcript: http://b...

122 SP 10 Tips for Talking to Kids About Sex from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Talking to kids about sex used to mean one awkward sit-down for “the talk.” But these days, there’s so much more to talk about—media coverage of sexual assaults on college campuses, “yes means yes”...

121 SP 5 Psychological Studies to Reboot Your Summer from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How is it already August? June and July flew by in about ten minutes, leaving us to wonder where all our grand plans for the Best Summer Ever went. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendrikse...

120 SP How to Avoid the Overparenting Trap: An Interview with Julie Lythcott-Haims from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Check out some highlights from the Savvy Psychologist's recent interview with Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid fo...

119 SP - How to Survive the Sandwich Generation from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What do the Greatest Generation, Boomers, Gen X-ers, and Millennials have in common? No matter your generation, at some point in life, you may find yourself in the Sandwich Generation. The Savvy Ps...

117 SP Is Your Smartphone Good or Bad for Your Relationship? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

To text or not to text? In a world where two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, the answer is usually “to text,” to the point that 25% of couples who live together report texting eac...

116 SP What Influences Someone to Be Transgender? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, by request from listener Cindy in Iowa, we’ll take a look at the still-evolving science of what causes an individual to be transgender. Plus, the surprising reason why gender dysph...

115 SP 4 Ways to Handle Life's Daily Hassles from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The garbage disposal breaks. There’s traffic and you’re late. You can’t find your wallet. The bus roars right past your stop. What to do? By request from listener Abdelkarim in Mo...

039 SP How to Talk to Kids About Terrorism and Violence from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From 9/11 to the Boston Marathon bombings to ISIS, violence and terrorism are part of growing up in our world today. How do we explain such a world to our kids? Savvy Psychologist offers 13 tips to...

025 SP What Is Impostor Syndrome? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Can’t take a compliment? Feel like a fake? Convinced you’ll be unmasked at any moment? Welcome to the secret circle of high achievers suffering from Impostor Syndrome. Savvy Psychologis...

113 SP How to Deal with the Midlife Crisis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen channels her best Talking Heads and asks, on behalf of every middle-aged adult, “How did I get here?” Plus, why time seems to fly as w...

112 SP How to Deal With the Quarter-Life Crisis from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Call it entering the real world, call it halfway between nothing and something, or call it emerging adulthood. Whatever you call it, it’s the quarter-life crisis. This week, Savvy Psychologis...

111 SP How to Handle Obsessive and Unrequited Love: An Interview with Dr. Jeanne Safer from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks love, hope, obsession, and more with Dr. Jeanne Safer, author of The Golden Condom and Other Essays on Love Lost and Found. Read the transcript here: h...

110 SP How to Deal with Big Life Changes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Two listeners--Karen and Janice--independently wrote in and asked how to deal with life’s big changes. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 ways to handle life’s ...

109 SP How to Help Someone Who is Grieving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

An anonymous listener wrote in and asked how to help someone who is grieving. She is worried she’ll say the wrong thing, cause her friend more pain, and generally make things worse. She&rsquo...

065 SP Toxic Habits: Perfectionism from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, we’ll start a three-part series on surprisingly toxic traits that, at first glance, can seem harmless or even productive. First up, perfectionism. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covers the t...

107 SP Addiction Isn’t What You Think: An Interview with Author Maia Szalavitz from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Maia Szalavitz is an award-winning neuroscience journalist who knows addictions research and policy inside out. But she has also struggled with addiction to cocaine and heroin, a journey that took ...

001 SP How to Ask for Help from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Asking for help seems simple enough, but if you’ve ever needed a hand, you know how hard it can be. Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains why it’s so challenging and shows...

106 SP The Two Big Beliefs Linked to Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Worries and fears and stress, oh my! This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals the two big beliefs that light up anxiety, plus how to pull the plug. Read the full transcript here: ...

105 SP 5 Things You Need to Know About Anniversary Reactions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Anniversaries aren’t just for couples, and some aren’t so happy. The spike in distress around the anniversary of a trauma or loss is called the anniversary reaction, and it’s a ve...

104 SP The Two Big Beliefs Linked to Depression from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There are dozens of risks factors for depression, but how we think about ourselves makes up one of the biggest pieces of the pie. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals the two ...

102 SP How to Let Go and Move On from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sometimes hanging in there actually means you’re just hanging on…and on. It’s hard to hold onto old hurts. But it’s even harder to let them go. This week, Savvy Psychologis...

101 SP How to Cope with Profound Grief from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

An interview with Tom Hart, author of Rosalie Lightning, a graphic memoir about the loss of his daughter and the profound grief that followed. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1Tg0HTz

100 SP 5 Tips for a Happier, Healthier Life from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

After two years, a Best New Podcast iTunes award, and millions of downloads, the Savvy Psychologist podcast has reached episode 100! And believe me, I’ve learned a lot along the way. Read the...

099 SP Is Depression Contagious? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week on the podcast, by request from an anonymous listener who wonders if her depressed partner might be bringing her down, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen weighs in on whether or not ...

098 SP Why We Do Stupid Things from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We all do things we know we’ll regret. They could be little, like funnelling Thin Mints straight from the sleeve when we’re ostensibly on a diet or sending an angry, heat-of-the-moment ...

045 SP How to Grow a Thick Skin from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Does even constructive criticism cut you to the core? Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 12 ways to develop thicker skin and make the most of negative feedback. Visit the website: http:...

097 SP Am I Introverted or Socially Anxious? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

At long last, introverts are having their day. Over the last few years, being quiet and inner-directed has become not only acceptable, but downright trendy. Read the full transcript here: http://bi...

037 SP 8 Tips to Improve Your Self-Control from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It happens to us all: a well-meaning stab at a virtuous task devolves into an hour of Facebook, or six trips to the fridge. This week, the Savvy Psychologist offers 8 tips to help increase your sel...

095 SP How to Change a Habit Without Willpower from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s that time of year again. After a season of indulgence, we resolve to shape up, dry out, spend less, and generally improve ourselves. But too often we rely on brute force and moment-by-mo...

094 SP How to Talk to Kids About Shootings and Gun Violence from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s been about a year since we covered How to Talk To Kids About Terrorism, and sadly, the topic is still as timely as ever. In fact, between Oregon, Paris, and San Bernadino, it’s tim...

093 SP 9 Ways to Stop Feeling Homesick from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What do college students, deployed soldiers, recent immigrants, expats, professionals in a new city, refugees, and kids at summer camp have in common? Just in time for the holiday season, by reques...

092 SP 5 Ways to Fight FOMO from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Social media makes us feel connected...and neglected. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to conquer FOMO--the fear of missing out. Read the full transcript here: http:...

020 SP 6 Ways to Beat Social Anxiety from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Everyone needs a room of one’s own, some more often than others. In Part 2 of this series on the various states of solitude, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers tips on how to tell...

089 SP 8 Little-Known Signs of Postpartum Depression from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Usually, a celebrity checking into a treatment facility equals scandal. But Hayden Panettiere’s story is anything but. On the contrary, the actress, who sought treatment for postpartum depres...

088 SP 6 Things You Didn't Know About Caregiving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do you talk with the pharmacist more often than your friends? Does your loved one’s doctor ask if you’re a doctor, too? If so, you can probably count yourself among the nation’s 6...

087 SP Why Am I Still So Tired? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In one of the Savvy Psychologist’s first episodes, we answered the ever-popular question “Why am I so tired?” with 7 common, but not obvious, reasons. This week, we revisit the qu...

086 4 Surprising Facts About Cutting and Self-Harm from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most people think cutting only affects angsty teenage girls with lots of eyeliner. But self-harm is a surprisingly widespread phenomenon that affects youth and adults, men and women. This week on t...

085 SP What's the Difference Between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, oh my! Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1MdnaYD

084 SP Anxiety, Depression, or Both? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Anxiety and depression are both challenging disorders that can wreak havoc on a life. And to make matters worse, they occur together up to 50% of the time. Read the full transcript here: http://bit...

082 SP How to Survive the Back-to-School Transition: A Conversation with Mighty Mommy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Cheryl Butler is the host of QDT’s Mighty Mommy podcast, parenting columnist, and most importantly, mom to 8--count ‘em--8 kids, so she’s got some mighty street cred and some inva...

081 SP How Not To Be Envious from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week, we tamed the green-eyed monster with an episode on how not to be jealous. This week, by request from Sonia A. from Phoenix, AZ, we cover another emotion of inadequacy: envy. From Savvy P...

080 SP How Not to be Jealous from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Like an ill-fitting suit, jealousy is clingy and unattractive, plus it saps your confidence. This week, by request from listener Sonia A., Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers five tips t...

079 SP 9 Ways to Handle Job Stress and Burnout from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week on the podcast, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covered the three signs of burnout. This week, by request from listener Liz L. from Boston, we’ll get your fire burning brigh...

078 SP Is My Job Stress Causing Burnout? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, by request from listener Liz L. from Boston, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explains the three signs of burnout. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1fsJfc6

310 - 4 Buffers Against the Toxic Effects of Racism from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Racist encounters are stressful and detrimental to Black and African American mental health. It shouldn't be Black people's burden to right these wrongs—it's everyone's job to...

012 SP How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying (Part 2) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In Part 1 of this series, Savvy Psychologist covered 5 ways to get to your destination without leaving fingernail marks in the armrest. Today, we’ll learn why you freak out at 30,000 feet and...

309 - How Does Racism Affect Black Mental Health? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You may be surprised by how many ways racism impacts mental health, from the way trauma is transmitted from parents to kids, to how racism affects the way people see themselves, to its impact on th...

011 SP How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying (Part 1) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

About 40% of all Americans have a fear of flying. That's more than 120 million people! If you're one of them, the Savvy Psychologist has 5 tips to get you in the air without a pit stop at t...

076 SP 5 Ways to Practice Self-Compassion from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Self-criticism can be a healthy motivator or an opportunity for learning. But too often we go overboard, lashing ourselves with insults and magnifying our faults. How to rebalance? Enter self-compa...

075 SP 5 Tips to Cope With Chronic Pain from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Chronic pain can be in your neck, back, and anywhere else. It can disrupt your work, your relationships, and by extension, your mental health. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen off...

010 SP How to Handle Food Cravings from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Chocolate calling you from the cupboard? Tractor beam emanating from the cookie jar? Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 7 ways to prevent and deal with cravings. Read the full transc...

005 SP How to Stop Procrastinating from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Procrastination happens to the best of us. None other than Leonardo DaVinci noted “It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.” So don’t delay! In this week's epi...

073 SP Should Moms Work or Stay at Home? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Like Tae Bo and Beanie Babies, the Mommy Wars are so 1990s. But ask any mom (or anyone, for that matter) whether it’s better for moms to work or stay at home, and you’ll likely get a st...

072 SP How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Relationships from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Setting boundaries in a relationship sounds formidable, as if it involves barbed wire or palace guards, but actually, boundaries are respectful and healthy. Boundaries need not be approached with a...

071 SP 4 Common Challenges of Abuse Survivors, Plus How to Help from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In today’s episode, we’ll tackle a challenging issue: why some individuals seem to get into one abusive situation after another. There are as many reasons as there are people involved, ...

070 SP Transgender 101: 6 Essential Questions and Answers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Transgender individuals seem to be everywhere these days. From Laverne Cox to Bruce Jenner to Jeffrey Tambor (who isn’t trans, but plays one on TV), the transgender movement is making headlin...

069 SP Toxic Habits: Overthinking from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This week, we’ll wrap up our three-part series on toxic habits. Our third toxic habit? Call it overthinking, obsessing, brooding, or wallowing, or, call it the official term: rumination. In t...

068 SP How to Teach Your Kids About Spirituality from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Savvy Psychologist welcomes special guest Dr. Lisa Miller, author of the fascinating new book The Spiritual Child, to discuss the importance of fostering spirituality in your child's life.

066 SP Toxic Habits: Avoidance from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In Part 2 of the series on surprisingly toxic habits the Savvy Psychologist discusses the 3 reasons why you should avoid avoidance. (Hint: Like ostensibly loose slot machines or helping out a Niger...

002 SP Why Am I So Tired? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen probes your psyche to find out why you're so tired, and gives advice on what you can do about it. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1CsgEZH

000 What to Say to Someone with Cancer from 2013-12-19T08:00

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the right words can be hard to come by. The good news: you can’t go wrong with heartfelt authenticity. Guest author, psychologist Dr. Ellen H...

000 What to Say to Someone with Cancer from 2013-12-19T00:00

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the right words can be hard to come by. The good news: you can’t go wrong with heartfelt authenticity. Guest author, psychologist Dr. Elle...

000 What to Say to Someone with Cancer from 2013-12-19T00:00

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the right words can be hard to come by. The good news: you can’t go wrong with heartfelt authenticity. Guest author, psychologist Dr. Elle...