Practicing self-compassion is so vital right now that we consulted Dr. Kristin Neff on exercises for directing compassion inwards. Kristin is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and a co-developer of the empirically supported training program "Mindful Self-Compassion." Here she guides us on some self-soothing exercises and unpacks the research on why this approach is one of the most powerful sources of strength, coping, and resilience.

Bonus: Self-soothing exercises with Dr. Kristin Neff

Fear, boredom, grief, confusion—we're all feeling... a lot right now. How do we cope with our heightened emotions during this global pandemic? Susan David—a psychologist at Harvard Medical School—is here to offer us strategies. This show is an urgent response to an urgent moment—a support system, toolkit, and understanding voice during a time of great uncertainty.

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It’s possible to create extraordinary beauty in the face of stress, separation, and illness. Explore the value of music during this difficult time with Richard Kogan, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical Center, and noted concert pianist. Guided by the life story of Frédéric Chopin, one of the greatest composers in history, Susan and Richard reveal ways to move forward into an uncertain future.

Wisdom for the future

Join Susan for a guided exercise that can help you connect with how you want to move forward in the future. Ask yourself: What do I need to let go of? What parts of my life have not been working for me? What does the child in me need? And what does the future in me need?

Your past, present, future self

The conditions we live in under COVID-19 have put many of our goals in conflict — parenting vs work, comforting our loved ones vs social distancing, and more. They can feel like impossible choices in chaotic times. But there's a way to feel more confident in making tough decisions: getting clear about what we value. What's more, our present circumstances might actually offer us the opportunity to make choices that move us closer to the values we want to live by.

What do you value?

Even before COVID-19, many of us were teetering on the edge of burnout. With the pandemic ushering in changes to daily life, many of our stressors have only worsened. While we can’t change our situation, we can change the way we relate to it. Being intentional about when to grit and when to quit, and reassessing what goals are currently realistic can lead us on a path towards restoration.

How to tame burnout when your office is your bedroom

The pandemic is putting a spotlight on our loneliness. But by confronting it, and understanding how meaningful connection works, we can take steps to mitigate this difficult feeling. In this episode, Susan is joined by Dr. Steven C. Hayes, Foundation Professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada and one of the leading voices in modern psychology.

Bonus: Self-soothing exercises with Dr. Kristin Neff

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