What is rumination really costing you?

In this episode, I speak with Donna Jackson Nakazawa, an award-winning science journalist and Oprah-picked author of Mind Drama.

We explore why getting stuck in your head can quietly steal years of your life, and why rumination is not just overthinking... it is a survival response that can keep you trapped in old stories, shame, guilt, and self-criticism.

We also look at the hidden cost of living in your head: losing focus, presence, relationships, and time you can never get back.

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in their own mind and wants to stop rumination from running their life.

Donna Jackson Nakazawa is an award-winning science journalist and author of Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Rumination Steals Life

(02:43) Research And Brain Roots

(06:03) When Rumination Turns Chronic

(09:46) Why We Ruminate More Now

(12:58) Childhood Wiring And Belonging

(15:11) MIST Framework Explained

(17:53) Guided MIST Exercise

(22:12) Naming It Brings Relief

(24:05) Building A Personal Code

(26:33) Personal Stories And Breakthroughs

(30:23) Rewriting The Inner Story

(33:10) Finding Voice And Freedom

(35:44) Healing Through Self Work

(37:18) Rumination Versus Processing

(39:22) Focus Lost In Thought Loops

(41:48) Parenting And Trauma Cycles

(43:53) Good Parents Still Miss Needs

(50:46) Ambition Or Old Story

(56:53) First Step, No Shame

(58:39) Modern Stress And Biology

(01:02:06) Final Thoughts

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Donna:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnajacksonnakazawa/

Website: https://donnajacksonnakazawa.com/

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

A lot of us don’t just feel anxious...we get anxious about being anxious.

In this episode, I speak with Donald J. Robertson, a psychotherapist and one of the world’s leading voices on Stoicism.

We talk about why trying to get rid of anxiety can keep it alive, why overthinking often feels useful when it’s really another form of avoidance, and how facing what we fear can help us move forward. We also get into self-criticism, comparison, external validation, and why so many people chase success without ever questioning if it’s the life they actually want.

This conversation is about anxiety, but it’s also about learning to stop fighting yourself.

Donald J. Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, author, and leading expert on Stoicism and modern psychology.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Stoicism Meets Anxiety

(00:29) Ancient Therapy Roots

(01:40) Dichotomy of Control

(02:43) Second Order Anxiety

(05:27) Avoidance And Exposure

(07:15) Worry As Cognitive Avoidance

(09:15) Emotions Are Cognitive

(14:36) Two Factor Anxiety Model

(19:20) Exposure Therapy Works

(27:38) Attention Narrows Under Threat

(33:01) Premeditation Of Evils

(34:03) Worry Versus Imaginal Exposure

(35:33) The Paradox Of Worry

(41:32) Postpone Worry To Think Clearly

(46:12) Control Your Worry

(47:14) Values And Comparison Trap

(49:06) Upward Vs Downward Comparisons

(51:32) Gratitude Through Absence

(53:02) Questioning Ambition

(55:01) Mortality Resets Priorities

(58:05) Character Over Externals

(01:01:55) Rigidity Vs Resilience

(01:06:03) Anxiety About Anxiety

(01:12:30) Social Anxiety Spotlight Effect

(01:14:29) Does Money Buy Happiness?

(01:17:52) Role Models And Reality

(01:24:29) Advice To Younger Self

(01:26:52) Closing Thoughts

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Donald:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldjrobertson/

Website: https://donaldrobertson.name/

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

Why do so many men feel lost today?

In this episode, I speak with Zach Watson, a viral creator and mental load coach helping men take emotional ownership in their relationships and lives.

We explore why so many men are struggling with loneliness, emotional numbness, rejection, porn, the internet, and the pressure to pretend they’re fine.

We also talk about why boys are often taught to hide what they feel, how that shapes men later in life, and why emotional regulation may be one of the biggest missing skills for modern men.

This episode will change how you understand male loneliness, emotional disconnection, and what it takes for men to rebuild themselves.

Zach Watson is a viral mental load coach and creator known for helping men understand invisible labor, emotional ownership, and healthier relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Why Men Feel Lonely

(00:52) Rejection and Real Life Practice

(01:35) Porn and Internet Trap

(04:00) Invisible Labor Explained

(05:01) Male Privilege Today

(09:18) Turning Anger Into Action

(14:07) Storytelling That Changes Minds

(19:18) Is It Harder for Women?

(22:01) Accountability for Misconduct

(23:24) Mens Biggest Obstacle

(23:44) Emotional Regulation Skills

(26:31) Where to Find Zach

(26:58) Final Words

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Zack:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachmentalloadcoach/

Website: https://zachmentalloadcoach.com/

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

Why can success still leave you feeling empty?

In this episode, I speak with James Ostroburski OAM, a banking executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and mental health advocate.

James built and led a lending business that deployed over $2 billion, while privately navigating depression, burnout, ADHD, and the pressure of always needing to achieve more.

We talk about ambition, identity, childhood pressure, mental health, and what happens when everything looks successful from the outside but something feels wrong underneath.

This episode will change how you think about success, pressure, and the cost of ignoring your mental health.

James Ostroburski is the founder of Tyalla Capital and former CEO of Kooyong Group (now Avant Finance), where he led over $2 billion in lending, and continues to be involved in philanthropy and mental health advocacy.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:31) Success, Yet Empty

(01:55) Two Speed Childhood

(03:39) Ballet Pressure Cooker

(09:03) Stoicism And Balance

(10:21) Why Finance Chose Him

(14:35) ADHD Finally Named

(17:16) Investec To Culture Shock

(24:10) Grief And Breakdown

(26:06) Treatment And TMS

(30:47) Quitting And Finding Purpose

(32:28) Philanthropy Roots

(34:42) Betty Amsden Mentorship

(38:57) Starting Kooyong

(40:08) Scaling Kooyong Fast

(40:35) Insurance Deal Then COVID

(43:15) Lockdown Growth Playbook

(44:30) Philanthropy And Boards

(47:41) Mentorship And Asking

(50:43) Writing To Leaders

(55:50) Shareholder Power Shift

(59:59) Grandfather Loss And Crash

(01:10:20) Exit Terms And Aftermath

(01:11:39) Rebuilding Health And Business

(01:18:01) Trust Lessons And Wrap

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jostroburski/

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

Why is it so hard to stop comparing yourself to others?

In this episode, I speak with Jemma Sbeg, host of The Psychology of Your 20s, a #1 global podcast with over 50 million listens, now streaming on Netflix.

We explore why comparison has become so unavoidable, and how it can leave you feeling behind, stuck, and disconnected from your own life.

This episode will change how you think about comparison and help you stop chasing someone else’s version of success.

Jemma Sbeg is a mental health advocate and host of The Psychology of Your 20s.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction - Why Comparison Hurts

(01:25) Stuck in the Template

(02:42) Stay in Your Lane

(05:01) Circle Not Ladder

(06:47) Too Many Options

(07:51) Nick’s Business Detours

(10:37) Why Twenties Feel Hard

(13:36) Be Present in Your Chapter

(16:46) Success Doesn’t Fix You

(20:45) Reading for Balance

(23:29) The Optimization Trap

(25:57) Common Sense Over Optimizing

(27:29) Health Trends And Irony

(28:06) Looksmaxxing And Male Pressure

(33:14) Resilience Through Failure

(38:08) Success Without Quitting

(39:33) Podcast Fame And Pressure

(43:53) Dream Bigger And Imposter Syndrome

(46:39) Where To Find The Show

(47:25) Advice To Younger Self

(48:06) Final Thanks

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jemma:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

Website: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/

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

Why does modern life leave so many people feeling empty?

In this episode, I speak with Mike Glover, a former Green Beret and CIA contractor.

We explore why comfort, instant gratification, and modern convenience may be making people feel more lost, disconnected, and unfulfilled.

We talk about purpose, discipline, self-reliance, and why many people don’t change until they’re faced with crisis, regret, or mortality.

This episode will challenge the way you think about comfort and what it takes to build a meaningful life.

Mike Glover is a former Green Beret and CIA contractor, and founder of Fieldcraft Survival.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:25) Comfort Breeds Complacency

(01:24) Outsourced Self-Reliance

(03:00) Instant Gratification Trap

(04:53) Mortality And Discomfort

(06:26) Back To Basics Purpose

(07:43) Quitting Alcohol And Self-Love

(12:15) Groupthink And Peer Pressure

(15:16) Adversity Builds Purpose

(17:14) Money Status And Grind Culture

(20:37) Midlife Crisis Programming

(24:27) Faith, Family And Foundation

(28:03) Family Over Identity

(30:22) Meaning Without Religion

(30:27) Stoicism as Structure

(31:52) Why We Need Foundations

(33:42) Rebellion and Trauma

(34:30) Operators Master Basics

(36:34) Social Media and Shortcuts

(37:23) The 10,000 Hour Reality

(41:26) Failure Builds Growth

(43:05) Ten Year Bible Plan

(45:30) Instant Gratification Trap

(49:01) Marbles and Priorities

(53:22) Military Path and Discipline

(56:49) Be Present and Final Thoughts

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Mike:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.a.glover/

Website: https://mikegloveractual.com/

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

What would you do if you were told you might never walk again?

In this episode, I speak with Jason Cooper, a former high school athlete chasing his dream of playing college football...until a car crash in 2019 left him paralyzed from the neck down. We explore what goes through your mind when everything changes overnight - your identity, your future, and the life you thought you were meant to live.

Jason shares the moment he hit rock bottom in a hospital room, the decision that changed everything, and how he began rebuilding his life step by step, mentally and physically.

Today, he walks with the help of crutches, trains relentlessly, and is pushing himself to new limits, proving what’s possible when you refuse to accept your limitations.

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure if you’re still on the right path, this conversation will change how you see your life.

Jason Cooper is an athlete, personal trainer, and speaker who is now pushing to set records as a paraplegic athlete.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Paralyzed Overnight

(00:23) Meet Jason Cooper

(01:15) The Car Crash Story

(03:21) Fear And Growth

(05:07) Rehab Mindset Shift

(08:18) Doctors Prognosis

(09:45) Faith And Training

(12:59) Purpose And Fatherhood

(16:52) No Losses, Just Lessons

(20:35) Greatness Takes Time

(21:42) Relentless Work Ethic

(24:03) Family Motivation

(25:42) Mobility Comeback

(26:51) Ignoring the Haters

(27:21) Compete With Yourself

(28:21) Consistency and Accountability

(28:48) Rock Bottom to Faith

(30:13) Obsessed With the Craft

(32:04) Process Over Popularity

(33:19) Mind Over Body

(36:05) Athletes and Mental Health

(39:36) Time Is Precious

(41:29) Disability and Independence

(43:37) No Regrets After the Car Crash

(45:55) Recovery Progress Update

(49:08) Where to Find Jason

(49:45) Advice and What Happiness Means

(51:28) Final Thanks

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jason:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coop.__13

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

Why do you keep choosing the wrong people?

In this episode, I speak with Jessica Baum, a psychotherapist, relationship coach, and author of Anxiously Attached.

We explore why you keep choosing the wrong people and what that reveals about your deeper relationship patterns.

We unpack how early experiences shape who you’re drawn to, why unhealthy relationships feel familiar, and why you keep repeating the same patterns, even when you want something different.

This episode will change how you understand attraction, intimacy, and the patterns that keep you stuck.

Jessica Baum is a psychotherapist and relationship coach specializing in attachment, trauma, and building secure, healthy relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Why We Crave Unhealthy Love

(00:34) Implicit Memory and Familiar Trauma

(02:16) Nervous System and Attachment Reactions

(05:14) Healing With Secure Anchors

(06:39) Intensity Versus Safety in Love

(12:13) Beyond Codependency to Interdependence

(16:00) Healing Alone Myth and Support

(20:04) After Trauma Rebuilding Trust

(23:16) Modern Dating Apps and Choice Overload

(25:23) Kids Marriage and Conscious Choices

(29:39) Jessica Baum Origin Story

(30:18) Therapy Path and Attachment

(32:40) Healing as a Clinician

(34:06) Hospitalized Anxiety Story

(36:21) Books That Saved Her

(38:04) Purpose Behind Writing

(39:14) Safe Book Breakdown

(41:38) No Quick Fix Healing

(43:51) Life Beyond Relationships

(45:18) First Steps to Start

(47:04) Workaholism and Balance

(51:24) Advice to Younger Self

(53:08) What Happiness Means

(55:02) Final Thanks and Outro

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabaumlmhc/

Website: https://jessicabaumlmhc.com/

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

Why are so many men struggling in silence?

In this episode, I speak with George from The Tin Men, a writer and advocate focused on the hidden realities of men’s mental health.

We discuss why suicide is the biggest risk to men under 50, what society keeps getting wrong about men’s struggles, and why “just talking about it” isn’t enough.

We explore the structural issues that can leave men feeling trapped, unheard, and hopeless - from relationship breakdown and abuse to shame, purpose, and the lack of support.

George is the creator of The Tin Men, a platform dedicated to highlighting the overlooked issues affecting men and boys.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction - Men Under 50 Suicide Risk

(00:30) Beyond Just Talking

(01:38) Structural Disadvantages List

(03:28) Finland’s Suicide Blueprint

(06:02) Why Governments Don’t Act

(07:51) Politics And Vote Incentives

(11:30) Psychache And External Triggers

(15:27) Relationship Breakdown Statistics

(17:19) Coping Mechanisms And Self Harm

(19:11) Why Men Die More Often

(23:38) Provider Pressure And Meaning

(25:37) Male Victims Of Domestic Abuse

(28:35) Psychological Abuse And Control

(30:26) Parental Alienation Mention

(30:40) Parental Alienation Debate

(32:03) Joint Custody Changes

(33:48) Custody Trauma and Suicide

(36:04) Dads as Role Models

(38:43) Myths About Crying

(41:50) Help Over Slogans

(44:45) Therapy That Works for Men

(49:24) Grassroots Mens Support

(51:49) Empathy for Addiction and Pain

(55:28) Wrap Up and Advice

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with George:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetinmen/

Website: https://thetinmen.blog/

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

Why do people stay in abusive relationships?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Peter Salerno, a psychologist and expert in trauma and abusive relationships.

We explore what happens psychologically when someone is being abused - from the early signs to the long-term effects on the mind and nervous system.

We talk about cognitive dissonance, manipulation tactics like gaslighting and love bombing, and why people can feel trapped even when they know something is wrong.

This episode will change how you understand abusive relationships and the people who experience them.

Dr. Peter Salerno is a psychologist specializing in trauma, personality disorders, and recovery from abusive relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro - Signs of Abuse 

(00:48) Confusion and Dissonance 

(01:30) Nervous System Freeze 

(03:26) Intuition Versus Gaslighting 

(06:00) Manipulation Tactics 

(08:23) Intentional Abuse Explained 

(12:28) Psychopathy and Empathy 

(17:15) Who Gets Targeted 

(20:39) Why Leaving Feels Impossible 

(22:49) Beyond Romance and Long Term Healing 

(29:24) Finding Meaning After Trauma 

(31:14) Shame During Grad School 

(32:22) When Professionals Invalidate 

(35:18) Social Media Spreads Awareness 

(39:07) Are Victims People Pleasers 

(40:11) Psychopathy and Power 

(45:39) Spotting Red Flags Early 

(50:20) First Steps to Get Help 

(53:39) Where to Learn More 

(55:02) Advice and Happiness 

(57:24) Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Peter:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpetersalerno/

Website: https://www.drpetersalerno.com/

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