it’s time for some real talk. In this episode, I dive into a topic that hits close to home for so many of us — childhood trauma and how it shapes who we are today. Let’s face it, what we experience when we're young leaves a lasting impact on our mental, emotional, and even physical health. But here's the thing: just focusing on the bad stuff can keep us stuck in the past.

I break down the groundbreaking research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how they’re linked to long-term health issues. But I also shine a light on something just as important — Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how they can help heal and build resilience, even if you've had a rough start in life.

Healing isn’t about ignoring the negative, but it’s also not about getting lost in it. I share practical tips like balancing your memories of the past and practicing the 3:1 thought ratio — a powerful tool to help shift your mindset when you're spiraling. Trust me, it works.

This conversation isn’t about pretending everything is perfect or magically fixing deep-rooted pain overnight. It’s about finding hope, healing, and rewriting your story in a way that empowers you to move forward. Let's tap into that incredible strength we all have and find balance on this journey.

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode—it truly helps the show grow.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-PUORI: add Puori (O3) to your routine now! And I have an amazing deal for you: right now you get an amazing 20% off, or if you choose their already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Available when you visit my exclusive URL Puori.com/DRLEAF and use my promo code DRLEAF • Or save 20% off when you make a one-time purchase – still such great savings.

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the profound difference between kindness and niceness. While niceness often prioritizes comfort and approval, kindness is rooted in genuine care, bravery, and authenticity. Discover why being kind—not just nice—fosters trust, deeper connections, and long-term growth.

You’ll also learn about the science of kindness, from its biochemical benefits like releasing dopamine and oxytocin to its proven impact on mental health. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for incorporating kindness into your daily routine, including the ideal ratio of compliments to criticisms (hint: it’s 5.6:1!) and how acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of well-being.

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode—it truly helps the show grow.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

HERO: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to hero.co and use code DRLEAF at checkout.

ZOCDOC: So stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to zocdoc.com/leaf to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. 

AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/mentalmess to get this offer! 

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt triggered, ready to react, but wished for a guiding hand to pull you back to calm? In this episode, Cultivating Calm When Feeling Triggered, we explore how you can become that guiding hand for yourself. Packed with science-backed strategies and personal insights, this episode will empower you to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.

Highlights include:

• "Isn't This Interesting" Technique: Learn how a simple 60-second pause can create space for calm and insight, turning triggering moments into opportunities for growth.
• The Power of Immediate Gratitude: Discover how practicing gratitude for even the smallest things can shift your mind into healing theta and learning gamma brainwaves, rewiring your perspective.
• Trigger Sips: A breathing technique designed to soothe your nervous system and bring clarity in moments of distress.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

- PUORI: add Puori (O3) to your routine now! And I have an amazing deal for you: right now you get an amazing 20% off, or if you choose their already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Available when you visit my exclusive URL Puori.com/DRLEAF and use my promo code DRLEAF • Or save 20% off when you make a one-time purchase – still such great savings. 

-APOSTROPHE: Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/DRLEAF when you use our code: DRLEAF. That’s a savings of fifteen dollars! This code is only available to my listeners. 

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast, I dive into powerful tips on transforming your relationship with stress by shifting how you perceive and process it. It's a game-changing episode designed to help you start the new year with a fresh mindset and a renewed sense of control. Don't miss this opportunity to turn stress into a tool for growth and resilience!

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-ANCIENT NUTRITION: Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to AncientNutrition.com/DRLEAF

-AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/mentalmess to get this offer!

Research studies mentioned in this episode:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180417130111.htm

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23327269/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3780662/pdf/AJPH.2012.300876.pdf

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22201278/

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast I share the one phrase that may be limiting your growth and slowing down your healing. I also share what to say instead, and how to frame words so they don't negatively affect your mental health.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-PURITY WOODS: Honestly, I have never seen a natural skincare product of this quality at this reasonable of a price point! And thankfully, the good people at Purity Woods have a special coupon code specifically for my listeners, so you can try it for yourself for 27% off today. Just go to puritywoods.com/MENTALMESS or enter MENTALMESS at checkout.

-FATTY15: Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health! You can now get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DRLEAF and using code DRLEAF at checkout for an additional 15% off your first order! 

-AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/mentalmess to get this offer!

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felling a relationship lull? In this episode I share my favourite and most effective tip to supercharge any relationships.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/LEAF and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours!

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Register for my annual New Years Brain Detox Challenge here: https://drleaf.com/pages/brain-detox-challenge

In this episode I share 6 scientific and effective strategies to stop fights before they begin. These helped me, and hopefully will help you avoid so much unnecessary pain!

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-BETTERHELP:  Become your own soulmate, whether you’re looking for one or not. Visit BetterHelp.com/drleaf today to get 10% off your first month. 

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I interview my good friend, best-selling author, and top podcast host Shawn Stevenson about:

• The #1 exercise that's clinically proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Understand the critical connection between sleep quality and mental health.
• Learn which nutrients to prioritize daily to protect your mental and metabolic health.

And more!

Learn more about Shawn here: https://themodelhealthshow.com/

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-IHERB: For a limited time, my listeners get 22% off their first order when you use code DRLEAF at iherb.com/shop/DRLEAF. Existing customers receive 15% off!

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I interview Certified Neurocycle Facilitator Elana Van Deventer on how to end the cycle of procrastination by finding the root issue, and creating better and more sustainable time-management habits.

Contact Elana: https://www.instagram.com/elanavdeventer/?hl=en

To watch this episode ad-free, and many other webinars to help you on your healing journey download the Neurocycle app here: https://www.neurocycle.app/

Sponsors making this episode possible:

-PURITY WOODS: Honestly, I have never seen a natural skincare product of this quality at this reasonable of a price point! And thankfully, the good people at Purity Woods have a special coupon code specifically for my listeners, so you can try it for yourself for 27% off today. Just go to puritywoods.com/MENTALMESS or enter MENTALMESS at checkout.

-BIOPTIMIZERS: Become your own soulmate, whether you’re looking for one or not. Visit BetterHelp.com/drleaf today to get 10% off your first month. 

-FATTY15: Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health! You can now get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DRLEAF and using code DRLEAF at checkout for an additional 15% off your first order! 

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I share some life-saving tips and scientific strategies to help prevent dementia, and reduce the symptoms.

Listen to the full episode ad-free on the Neurocycle app here: https://www.neurocycle.app

Sponsors making this show possible:

-BETTERHELP: Become your own soulmate, whether you’re looking for one or not. Visit BetterHelp.com/drleaf today to get 10% off your first month. 

📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com

🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET IN TOUCH:

🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.