Psychologists Off the Clock

262. Hope and Values in Dark Times with Us

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The world is chock full of bad news right now, and many are feeling the impacts. From war to revocation of rights, the world around us can easily (and not unreasonably) feel hopeless. On this week’s episode of POTC, Debbie, Yael, Jill, and Michael come together to discuss the psychological impact of the socio-political climate as well as practical advice for navigating these difficult times. Join us in this episode to learn expert-approved strategies for fostering hope and compassion in times of anger, using anger in values-oriented ways, distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy avoidance, and much more today. 


Listen and Learn:

  • The psychological impact of the socio-political climate
  • Practical advice for living consistently with your values during hard times
  • The validity in feeling numb, detaching, and isolating
  • Important distinctions in healthy and unhealthy avoidance
  • Expert-approved strategies for using anger in healthy ways
  • The cognitive load of uncertainty and practical advice for tolerating it
  • Evidence-based methods for fostering hope and taking action
  • Role-models who endured hopelessness with bravery and compassion
  • The strategies the POTC team uses to foster hope in their personal lives
  • How to balance feelings of guilt and shame
  • Practical advice for deciding when it’s time for self-care and when it’s time for taking action
  • Expert-approved strategies for staying informed without burning out or doom scrolling
  • How to have difficult conversations about heavy socio-political topics with even the most difficult of people
  • Clarifying your values by finding the grains of sugar in life


    • Resources:

    • Read Melinda Moyer’s article, The 'Psychic Numbing" of Mass Tragedies 
    • Read Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams’ book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times 
    • Check out Michael in his cow hat and with Jane Goodall!
    • Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych.
    • Check out Debbie, Diana, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more! 


      • About our team:


      Debbie Sorensen, PhD, (she/her) is a psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado She is co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. You can learn more about Debbie, read her blog, and find out about upcoming presentations and training events at her webpage, drdebbiesorensen.com.


      Yael Schonbrun, PhD, (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Brown University. Yael’s book, Work, Parent, Thrive comes out in November and is available for pre-order now!


      Jill Stoddard, PhD, (she/her) is a clinical psychologist and author of The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance. 


      Michael Herold (he/him) is the head coach at The Art of Charm and a public speaker and speaker coach. Clients he has coached for presentations have been featured on NBC, Fast Company, Forbes, and the Oprah Winfrey Network.


      Related Episodes:

      • Episode 201. Fierce Compassion with Kristin Neff 
      • Episode 214. How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Jerks with Melinda Wenner Moyer 
      • Episode 168. Everyday Conversations: How Conversational Style Impacts Relationships with Deborah Tannen 
      • Episode 260. Health Anxiety with Karen Lynn Cassiday 
      • Episode 230. The Laziness Lie with Devon Price 
      • Episode 259. Rethinking Delusions with Victoria Sheperd

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        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn
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