Are you wisely using your genius energy? 

In this episode, Michael reconnects with Diana Hill, a therapist and author who has recently explored the concept of focusing your genius energy on what matters most through her book Wise Effort.

Their discussion spans from insights from ancient Buddhist wisdom to the application of commitment therapy to the practice of finding one's unique 'genius energy.' 

If you’re interested in practical ways to maximize your strengths, handle emotional challenges, and cultivate a meaningful and balanced life, you’ll want to join them to unearth actionable tips and exercises for making the most out of your efforts and ultimately enhancing your well-being.

Listen and Learn: 

• What is “Wise Effort” and how can this practice reshape your energy, choices, and well-being?
• Identifying and using your unique “genius energy” while also recognizing how overusing those strengths can become a stumbling block, and how cultivating awareness, curiosity, and context helps direct those strengths with wisdom
• Practical self-reflection questions to uncover your genius
• A simple four-question “energy audit” for knowing when to dial your genius up or down
• Where true wisdom really comes from, and what if rethinking how growth happens
• Adopting “Wise Effort” helps you understand your struggles in context, align your actions with your values, and transform both self-judgment and relationships
• Bringing mindful intention to even mundane tasks to transform how you use your time, connect with yourself, and balance structure with flexibility in a meaningful life

Resources: 

• Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781649633361 
• Diana’s Website: drdianahill.com
• Connect with Diana on Social Media: 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdianahill
• https://www.facebook.com/drdianahill/
• https://www.youtube.com/drdianahill
• https://www.instagram.com/drdianahill/
• https://insighttimer.com/drdianahill 
• FREE Energy Audit guide: https://drdianahill.com/energy 
• Wise Effort: The Business Of Therapy Program: https://drdianahill.com/wise-effort-the-business-of-therapy 
• Michael’s Real Play Episode on The Wise Effort Podcast: https://wiseeffortshow.com/episode/living-life-on-your-own-terms-with-michael-herold-real-play 

About Diana Hill

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist, author, international trainer, and recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), compassion-based interventions, and psychological flexibility. With a background that bridges neuroscience, mindfulness, and behavioral science, she is known for making complex psychological concepts both practical and inspiring.

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she majored in Biopsychology, Dr. Hill earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She later collaborated with Dr. Debra Safer at Stanford University, researching Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Appetite Awareness Training (AAT) for bulimia nervosa. She completed her clinical internship at the University of California, Davis, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at La Luna Intensive Outpatient Center, where she later served as Clinical Director and developed their ACT- and AAT-based treatment program.

A leading voice in the evolution of ACT and Process-Based Therapy, Dr. Hill works closely with pioneers in the field. She co-leads ACT BootCamp Training for Therapists with ACT founder Dr. Steven Hayes and is actively involved in shaping the future of therapy—including applications of AI, advances in diagnostic systems, network modeling, and process-based approaches. She serves as a senior meditation teacher and curriculum developer for the University of California’s Climate Resilience Initiative, integrating ACT and mindfulness into interdisciplinary environmental education.

Dr. Hill has contributed to publications in the International Journal of Eating Disorders and co-authored a seminal article on Process-Based Therapy, advancing evidence-based clinical practice. She is a contributor to PsychFlex, a digital platform that helps clinicians incorporate ACT into their work and track client outcomes in real time through ecological measurements. She also speaks regularly at global conferences including the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) World Conference, Innovations in Psychotherapy, and the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference.

In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Hill teaches at organizations and retreat centers such as InsightLA, Blue Spirit Costa Rica, PESI, and PraxisCET. She serves on the clinical advisory board of Lightfully Behavioral Health and is a board member of the Institute for Better Health.

She is the author of Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most (Sounds True, 2025), The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, I Know I Should Exercise But…, and ACT Daily Journal. Her insights have been featured in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, Mindful, Prevention, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, and other leading media outlets. She is also the host of the Wise Effort podcast.

With more than 20 years of study and practice in yoga and meditation—including training in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh—Dr. Hill integrates contemplative practice into her approach to healing and growth. She lives in California, where she raises two sons, cares for bees, and embodies the Wise Effort principles she teaches—living a life guided by presence, purpose, and compassion.

Related Episodes:

• 48. Practical Wisdom with Barry Schwartz
• 349. The Hunger Habit with Judson Brewer
• 188. Unwinding Anxiety with Judson Brewer
• 122. Taking in the Good with Rick Hanson
• 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser
• 320. Anger and Forgiveness with Robyn Walser
• 346. Self-compassion Daily Journal with Diana Hill
• 301. Seven Daily ACT Practices for Living Fully with Diana Hill and Debbie Sorensen

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How can we reshape the understanding of consent and more effectively address the widespread problem of sexual violence? 

Start by joining Jill for a conversation with award-winning activist Chanel Contos, who is bringing attention to the complexities of consent, sexual coercion, and rape culture through her book Consent Laid Bare. 

Chanel’s pioneering work in making consent education mandatory in Australia shows what’s possible and what could be achieved worldwide.

We invite you to listen in to broaden your knowledge about gender norms, the dangers of low empathy and high entitlement, practical steps to foster empathy in young people, and much more. 

This is a crucial conversation that has the potential to make a huge difference in everyone's lives.

Listen to POTC ad-free for just $5 a month by becoming a Mega Supporter on Patreon! Or, support the podcast with a one-time donation at Buy Me A Coffee!

Listen and Learn: 

• Chanel’s personal experiences with early consent education and witnessing systemic injustice that led to the creation of Teach Us Consent?
• Why clear, affirmative consent is understood as the active seeking of an enthusiastic “yes,” rather than simply the absence of a “no” 
• Distinguishing between different categories of rape
• Does the normalization of misogyny and the lack of social consequences contribute to rape culture and make sexual assault socially acceptable within peer groups and broader society?
• How language and metaphors, like the “blueberry” analogy, reveal the hidden social dynamics where men benefit from gendered power structures
• How language shapes recognition of sexual assault and why survivors of coercion or subtle rape struggle to label their experience as “rape”
• The classification of sexual violence and shifting from focusing on the victim’s response to examining the perpetrator’s intent
• How trauma responses like fawning and hypersexuality can explain why survivors continue contact with perpetrators and challenge misconceptions about consent
• How can parents and adults support young people in navigating online sexual content and consent by having open, shame-free conversations early, rather than relying on abstinence messages
• Raising boys’ empathy to match girls’ and reduce entitlement, creating a culture where consent and respect are normalized

Resources: 

• Chanel’s Book, Consent Laid Bare: Sex, Entitlement, and the Distortion of Desire: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780063449381 
• For More About Chanel’s Work, Visit: https://www.teachusconsent.com/
• https://www.teachusconsent.com/resources#Podcasts
• Teach Us Consent Podcast Series: https://www.teachusconsent.com/resources#Podcasts 
• Connect with Chanel on Social Media:
• https://x.com/Chanelcontos
• https://www.instagram.com/chanelc/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-contos
• https://www.tiktok.com/@chanazc 

About Chanel Contos

Chanel Contos is an international award-winning activist and the founder of Teach Us Consent, a campaign that successfully mandated consent education across Australia and led to the criminalisation of stealthing in multiple states. 

She holds a Master’s in Education, Gender, and International Development from University College London and is currently completing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford.

In 2022, Chanel was named by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspiring and influential women worldwide. Her work has received global attention, with coverage from the BBC, The New York Times, France24, and numerous other international outlets.

Related Episodes

• 19. Keeping Children Safe from Sexual Abuse with Feather Berkower
• 84. Courageous Conversations to Prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse with Feather Berkower
• 163. The Likeability Trap with Alicia Menendez
• 198. Break the Good Girl Myth with Majo Molfino
• 272. Middle School Matters with Phyllis Fagell
• 305. The Power of Saying No with Vanessa Patrick
• 390. Raising Empowered Girls in a Sexist World with Jo-Ann Finkelstein
• 421. Defy with Sunita Sah

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If you shudder when Daylight Saving Time ends and the colder months settle in, or if winter leaves you feeling stuck in a funk, we’re here to present a different way to look at this stretch of the year.

In this episode, Kari Leibowitz, a health psychologist and author of 'How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days,' joins Debbie to talk about her journey from being a self-proclaimed winter hater to a winter embracer. 

Kari shows us the impact of mindsets on our well-being, particularly during the cold, dark months, and offers practical strategies drawn from global research. You’ll also learn about the power of wintertime mindsets, adaptations for enjoying the season, and how to turn winter's perceived limitations into opportunities. 

Whether you love or loathe winter, this conversation will provide many tips to help you find joy and thrive during this often challenging season.

Listen and Learn: 

• How Kari’s accidental deep dive into Arctic life launched her decade-long exploration into winter mindsets and human flourishing
• How adopting a positive winter mindset can transform the season from something to endure into a source of enjoyment, opportunity, and greater well-being
• The ways mindsets shape your attention, motivation, behavior, and well-being, and how you can thrive during winter instead of merely enduring it
• Embracing a nuanced wintertime mindset to recognize both the challenges and pleasures of winter, stay present with your actual experiences, and develop a balanced, resilient, and practical approach to the season
• How seasonal changes naturally affect your energy and mood, and why embracing rest and adjusting expectations in winter can be healthy
• Evidence-based strategies to manage seasonal affective disorder that improve mood, resilience, and long-term well-being.

Resources: 

• Kari’s Website: https://www.karileibowitz.com/
• How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780593653753 
• Kari’s Substack, Wintery Mix: https://wintrymix.substack.com/ 

About Kari Leibowitz

Kari Leibowitz is a health psychologist, speaker, and writer, and the author of How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days. She received her PhD in Psychology from Stanford University, served as a US-Norway Fulbright Scholar, and taught the ‘Mindsets Matter’ Stanford Continuing Studies Course. Leibowitz combines scholarly expertise with practical strategies to help people understand and harness the power of their mindsets and find joy in winter. Her writing on the power of wintertime mindset has appeared in the Atlantic, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She has taught winter workshops to businesses, universities, non-profits, and organizations around the world. Kari lives in Amsterdam with her husband, son, and dog, where she is learning to love biking in the rain. 

Related Episodes: 

• 2. Hygge – Happiness and the Danish Art of Cozy Connection 
• 6. Holiday Stress with Stephanie Smith
• 115. Creating Meaningful Gatherings with Debbie and Diana
• 132. The Joy Of Movement With Kelly McGonigal  
• 348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar 
• 410. Creativity and Making Things with Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty 
• 431. Ordinary Magic: Social Psychology for Big Change with Gregory Walton

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when your trust is broken, or when people start questioning your trustworthiness? Chances are, you’re left feeling unsure, even overwhelmed. Most of us don’t really understand how trust works, so trying to fix it can feel impossible.

In this episode, Peter Kim from USC's Marshall School of Business breaks it down for us. Drawing from his book How Trust Works, he shares over twenty years of research on what makes people trustworthy, why trust gets broken, and how relationships can actually be repaired.

Join us for a conversation about the science of trust and discover what it really takes to build, break, and restore the connections that matter most.

Listen and Learn: 

• Why trust is essential for cooperation, even though it makes us vulnerable, and how people who choose to trust ultimately function and flourish better than those who don’t
• How trust is defined as a willingness to be vulnerable in situations involving real risk, and why acting as if you trust someone is not the same as truly trusting them
• How trust violations fall into competence or integrity, and how we weigh positive and negative information differently for each, shaping how we perceive and respond to others’ actions
• The effectiveness of apologies depends on whether a violation is seen as a matter of competence or integrity, and how our motivation to preserve relationships influences the way we interpret and respond to wrongdoing
• Moving beyond black-and-white judgments of right and wrong to explore the gray areas in human behavior and foster a more nuanced understanding and dialogue
• How to begin rebuilding trust by acknowledging the other person’s concerns, assuming shared core values, and creating a safe space for honest, collaborative conversation, even when opinions deeply differ
• Why apologies for integrity violations are so hard to accept, and ways to reframe actions or create narratives that allow people to recognize errors and pursue redemption

Resources: 

• How Trust Works: The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781250838155 
• Peter’s Website: https://peterhkim.com 
• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkim/ 
• My Octopus Teacher movie

About Peter Kim 

Peter is a Professor at USC's Marshall School of Business, where he teaches some of the most popular MBA courses around—probably because everyone wants to know why their apologies keep backfiring. His research on trust violation and repair has ten national and international awards, been featured everywhere from the New York Times to NPR, and culminated in his 2023 book How Trust Works: The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired, which won the Academy of Management's 'Distinguished Winner' award for making significant contributions to both science and practice.

Related Episodes: 

• Episode 51. The Psychology of Political Division with Debbie and Yael
• Episode 371. Uniting Toward a Better Future with Diana McLain Smith
• Episode 281. Belonging Uncertainty and Bridging Divides with Geoffrey Cohen
• Episode 392. Outraged with Kurt Gray

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Parenting in the digital age can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. For this episode, Emily brings in the insight of Ash Brandin for a thoughtful conversation about her book, Power On, and what healthy screen use can actually look like for families. 

With over 15 years of hands-on experience teaching in the classroom, Ash shares a perspective that moves away from fear and guilt, encouraging parents to think about screens with the same balance and neutrality we often bring to food or other everyday choices.

By the end, you’ll hopefully have a more compassionate lens for thinking about tech and some practical, flexible ideas for creating a calm, balanced approach to screen time that truly fits with your own family’s life.

Listen and Learn: 

• How viewing kids’ screen time with moral neutrality can help parents move past guilt and fear to understand the real purposes screens serve and the deeper systemic issues driving our reliance on them
• Why the old “two-hour screen limit” is outdated and oversimplified, and how a personalized family media plan can lead to healthier, more sustainable screen use
• Reframing of screen time and how systemic factors make it unfair to place all the blame or responsibility on individual parents, and why true change requires collective, not individual, solutions
• How self-determination theory explains kids’ relationships with screens, not as addiction but as a way to meet core needs for autonomy, competence, and connection, and how parents can stay neutral, understand what needs are being met, and help kids find healthy, varied ways to fulfill them
• Why not everything that releases dopamine is addictive, how our relationship to an activity matters more than the activity itself, and why screens aren’t “evil dopamine machines”

Resources: 

• Power on: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780306836992
• Ash’s Website https://www.thegamereducator.com/
• Connect with Ashon Social Media: 
• https://www.instagram.com/thegamereducator
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-brandin025
• For More on Ash’s Work, Subscribe to their Substack https://thegamereducator.substack.com/ 

About Ash Brandin

Ash Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family. Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques. Ash has appeared on podcasts including Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, Care and Feeding from Slate, Brave Writer Podcast with Julie Bogart, Learning Curve with Mr. Chazz, Burnt Toast with Virginia Sole-Smith, Your Parenting Mojo with Jen Lumanlan, and Kid Talk with Katie Plunkett, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR. Their bestselling book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family" debuted in August, 2025. In their free time, Ash loves to hike, bake, play video games, and spend time with their family. 

Related Episodes

• 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health
• 369. The Good News About Adolescence with Ellen Galinsky
• 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with Emily Edlynn
• 317. Growing Up in Public with Devorah Heitner
• 256. Social Justice Parenting with Traci Baxley

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you show up in the world, whether it’s online, at work, or in your community? Whether you’ve thought about it or not, that’s all part of your personal brand. 

In this episode of Psychologists Off The Clock, Michael is joined by Goldie Chan, a personal branding expert, to unpack her book, Personal Branding for Introverts, and what personal branding really is and how it’s different from just having a reputation. They talk about how to choose the right platforms, why consistency matters when you’re sharing content, and how to stay authentic while still protecting your privacy. 

Goldie also shares smart, down-to-earth advice on setting boundaries, creating meaningful content, and building genuine connections, especially for introverts and small business owners. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to shape your public persona without feeling fake or overwhelmed, this episode is full of practical, encouraging insights.

Listen and Learn: 

• What a personal brand is and how it reflects how people outside your inner circle perceive you
• The key difference between reputation (what others say about you) and personal branding (what you intentionally communicate about yourself)
• The many components that make up a personal brand, both online and offline
• The key differences between “rented” and “owned” online spaces, including their pros, cons, and how the balance between them has evolved in today’s digital landscape
• Practical, ethical, and authentic strategies for creating and posting social media content, including how to choose the right platform, define their audience, and maintain a sustainable posting cadence
• Testing and adapting to new platforms, understanding where their target community actually is, and aligning their content style with both personal preference and audience expectations
• Why going viral doesn’t necessarily build a lasting or engaged community, and why focusing on meaningful conversations and evergreen content is more valuable than chasing virality
• How to balance authenticity and privacy when building a personal brand
• Expressing genuine personality and emotion online in a sustainable way that maintains connection without compromising personal well-being or energy

Resources: 

• Personal Branding for Introverts: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781541705463 
• Goldie’s Website https://www.goldiechan.com
• Warm Robots: https://www.warmrobots.com 
• Connect with Goldie on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/goldie 
• Debbie’s Substack article: Am I a Brand? (Part 1) https://drdebbiesorensen.substack.com/p/am-i-a-brand
• Ambivalence about marketing my business (as a therapist, writer, and small business owner)

About Goldie Chan

Goldie Chan is a creative, keynote speaker, author and cancer survivor. She was named the "Oprah of LinkedIn" by Huffington Post and her creative video channel won LinkedIn Top Voice for Social Media. Goldie founded Warm Robots in 2018, an award-winning social media strategy and creative agency based in Los Angeles with global clients. Previously, she wrote an internationally-recognized column for Forbes, which received nearly 10M views, and was named Journalist Of the Year in 2024. Goldie writes for Archie Comics and has been featured as a fresh voice in The New York Times, CNN, Fast Company, and many other outlets. Her first book, Personal Branding for Introverts, published with Basic Ventures in 2025. Goldie is based in sunny Los Angeles.

Related Episodes

• 399. Likable Badass with Alison Fragale
• 357. Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas and Christopher Wong Michaelson
• 307. Navigating Social Media As a Parent with Cara Goodwin
• 250. Anxiety and Perfectionism with Clarissa Ong

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve all had those moments when a simple shift in perspective suddenly makes everything feel possible, and that’s exactly what this episode explores.

Debbie is joined in this episode, Stanford psychologist Gregory Walton for a conversation about his book Ordinary Magic and how small shifts in the way we think can lead to big changes in our lives and communities.

From the way we handle tough moments and self-doubt to how institutions support students or help juvenile offenders find their footing again, Gregory shows how simple, well-designed interventions can make a powerful difference. He shares real-life stories and research that reveal how even a single encouraging message can transform someone’s outlook.

At its heart, this conversation is all about perspective, compassion, and the power of listening, reminding us that meaningful change often starts with the smallest, most human gestures.

Listen to POTC ad-free for just $5 a month by becoming a Mega Supporter on Patreon! Or, support the podcast with a one-time donation at Buy Me A Coffee!

Listen and Learn: 

• How simple shifts in perspective, rooted in social psychology, can create what feels like “ordinary magic,” helping us navigate life’s challenges with greater wisdom and clarity
• Spotting and stepping out of the emotional spirals that quietly shape your relationships, helping you break the cycle and build real connections instead
• How our strongest reactions often reveal deeper questions like “Do I really belong?” or “Do they really love me?” and how noticing those moments can turn conflict into connection
• The surprising ways tiny facts shape big theories about ourselves and others, and why a change in perspective can transform the story
• How the cycles that shape our relationships, sense of belonging, and life trajectory are not fixed, and how small, intentional interventions can create lasting positive change
• A nuanced approach to belonging, self-esteem, and growth, showing how the subtle ways we respond to people’s questions about themselves can truly shape their confidence and resilience.
• Building honest, meaningful relationships, especially for young people facing huge challenges, can create transformative change in schools and communities

Resources: 

• Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780593580899 
• Gregory’s Website: https://www.gregorywalton.com/
• A blog post by Debbie on praising children and the problem with the self-esteem movement
• Connect with Gregory on Social Media: 
• https://www.instagram.com/dr.gdub

About Dr. Gregory Walton

Dr. Gregory Walton is the Michael Forman University Fellow and professor of psychology at Stanford University. Much of his research investigates psychological processes that contribute to major social problems, and how brief psychological interventions that target these processes can address such problems and help people flourish over long periods of time. Greg’s research has been published in leading scientific journals, and has been covered in major media outlets including the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR. He has received awards from numerous organizations including from the American Education Research Association, the American Psychological Association, the Society for Experimental Social Psychology, and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. He earned his A.B. in Philosophy from Stanford and a PhD in Psychology from Yale University. His new book is called Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts. 

Related Episodes: 

• 422. Mindwise with Nicholas Epley
• 393. Supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg 
• 281. Belonging Uncertainty and Bridging Divides with Geoffrey Cohen
• 255. Influence is Your Superpower with Zoe Chance
• 212. Stuff That’s Loud: OCD and Anxiety with Lisa Coyne and Ben Sedley – Psychologists Off the Clock     
• 200. Growing Grit with Angela Duckworth – Psychologists Off the Clock 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever found yourself holding onto feelings of guilt or shame long after a difficult experience or mistake? 

In this episode, Jill sits down with Dr. Carolyn Allard, a leading voice in trauma-focused psychology and research. Together, they unpack the complex nature of guilt and shame, especially when these emotions become non-adaptive in the face of trauma or hardship. 

Carolyn, who is also the author of Transform Your Guilt and Shame: Evidence-Based Strategies to Heal from Trauma and Adversity, shares how to recognize the difference between guilt and shame and introduces the idea of “non-adaptive guilt and shame” (NAGS). 

You’ll gain insight into how these emotions link to moral injury and other trauma responses, and walk away with actionable tools such as hindsight bias and justification analysis to better understand, challenge, and manage them.

Listen and Learn: 

• How guilt and shame differ lies in focus, as guilt is about actions and shame is about identity, and why they matter
• How moral injury can emerge from situations where individuals face impossible choices that conflict with their values, leading to lasting feelings of guilt and shame
• Why we feel non-adaptive guilt and shame often comes down to distorted beliefs about responsibility, justification, and values, and how understanding these patterns helps us break free from self-blame and move toward self-compassion
• How hindsight bias can trick us into unfair self-judgment, and by reflecting on our choices and context at the time, we can gain a clearer, kinder perspective
• Understanding the difference between accountability (being answerable) and responsibility (having control or intention) and how this helps us untangle guilt and shame, process mistakes effectively, and break the self-reinforcing cycles of trauma that impair our ability to act according to our values

Resources: 

• Transform Your Guilt and Shame: Evidence-Based Strategies to Heal from Trauma and Adversity: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781433843419 
• Carolyn’s Website: https://www.carolynallardphd.com/
• Connect with Carolyn on Social Media: 

Bluesky: 

https://bsky.app/profile/carolynallardphd.bsky.social

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Carolyn-Allard-PhD 

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-allard-99749155/

About Carolyn B. Allard

Carolyn B. Allard ,PhD, ABPP, is internationally recognized for her trauma-focused research and clinical expertise. She is a licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist, Distinguished Professor and Program Director of the Clinical Psychology PhD Program at Alliant International University. Before that, she directed a trauma clinic at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and served as clinical faculty at the University of California San Diego. Carolyn also serves on the executive council of the American Psychological Association’s Trauma Division and its scientific journal’s editorial board, and has over 200 scientific publications and presentations. For over 20 years, she has been providing therapy, training and consultation in empirically supported therapy for posttraumatic distress; and conducting research focused on socio-cultural and contextual predictors of posttraumatic distress and treatment outcomes. She co-developed Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR), the evidence-based therapy that is the basis of her latest book, Transform Your Guilt and Shame, a self-guided workbook. Besides making psychology accessible, Carolyn is passionate about traveling and promoting compassion. Visit CarolynAllardPhD.com for more information.

Related Episodes:

• 118. Moral Injury and Shame with Lauren Borges and Jacob Farnsworth
• 416. Trauma and PTSD Treatment with Robyn Walser
• 383. What My Bones Know: C-PTSD with Stephanie Foo
• 417. Busting Trauma Treatment Myths with Emi Nietfeld
• 405. Taming the Inner Critic with Holly Yates and Shawn Whooley
• 341. Self-Forgiveness with Grant Dewar
• 279. ACT for Healing Black Racial Trauma with Jennifer Shepard Payne

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

These days, it feels like we’re bombarded with information from every direction, and figuring out what’s true can be overwhelming. 

Yael sits down with Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies, for a fascinating conversation about how misinformation shapes the way we see the world. They talk about why even fact-checking has its limits and how common biases, such as wanting to confirm what we already believe or seeing things in black and white, can cloud our judgment. 

Using everyday examples, from the Atkins diet to debates about breastfeeding, Alex shows how data can be bent to tell almost any story. We invite you to stay curious but skeptical, with practical strategies for navigating opposing views and creating more thoughtful, respectful conversations.

Listen to POTC ad-free for just $5 a month by becoming a Mega Supporter on Patreon! Or, support the podcast with a one-time donation at Buy Me A Coffee!

Listen and Learn:

• Why simply “checking the facts” isn’t enough and how even accurate data can mislead when context, updates, or evolving evidence are ignored
• How confirmation bias subtly shapes our judgments, even among experts and leaders
• Why we’re drawn to simple, black-and-white explanations and how applying scientific thinking and questioning our own biases helps us see nuance, challenge popular myths, and make more informed decisions
• The danger of oversimplified advice and the lasting impact of misinformation, and why real progress and understanding come from embracing complexity and questioning easy answers
• Being “data-driven” isn’t enough, and true understanding comes from distinguishing data from evidence
• How reframing conflict through curiosity and focusing on shared goals, rather than opposition, can transform disagreements into opportunities for collaboration, deeper understanding, and personal growth
• Managing disagreements by calming their initial reactions, focusing on shared goals, and giving others the benefit of the doubt, turning conflict into an opportunity for understanding and growth

Resources: 

• May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases--And What We Can Do about It https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780520405851 
• Alex’s Website: https://alexedmans.com/ 
• Connect with Alex on Social Media: 

https://www.instagram.com/aedmans

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aedmans/

https://twitter.com/aedmans 

About Alex Edmans: 

Alex Edmans is a Professor of Finance at London Business School, where his ability to translate complex ideas has earned him 28 teaching awards and the title of Poets & Quants Professor of the Year in 2021. His journey has taken him from Oxford to Wall Street (Morgan Stanley), then to MIT as a Fulbright Scholar for his PhD, followed by tenure at Wharton before joining LBS.

Alex moves fluidly between academia and the real world—he's testified in Parliament, spoken at Davos, and somehow convinced 3 million people to watch his TED talks. His latest book, May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases—And What We Can Do About It, arrives at exactly the right moment for our post-truth era, where everyone's an expert and every statistic can be bent to tell the story you want to hear.

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• 245. Family Firm with Emily Oster
• 311. Nobody’s Fool with Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris
• 382. The Anxious Generations? The Conversation We Should be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health

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Not knowing the answer can feel unsettling, but what if uncertainty was actually something to embrace? In this episode, Michael sits down with Elizabeth Weingarten to explore that idea. Elizabeth, whose work spans top publications and research programs, shares insights from her book How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Their conversation unpacks why we often resist uncertainty and how curiosity, community, and authenticity can transform the way we approach life’s biggest unknowns. She also reflects on the role of genuine self-expression in relationships, inviting listeners to see how asking better questions might open the door to a more fulfilling life.

Listen and Learn: 

• Why certain uncertainties unsettle us most, and how our brains and biology shape our struggle to live with the unknown
• Elizabeth’s powerful "question tree" metaphor that categorizes the types of questions we ask in life, from quick-answer "peach" questions to lifelong "heartwood" questions, and how letting go of "dead leaf" questions helps us grow
• How our search for quick answers can keep us stuck in uncertainty—and why learning to sit with unanswerable questions and ask better ones is key to real growth and self-understanding
• Embracing open-ended questions instead of binary ones for deeper self-understanding, growth, and freedom from the need for control
• What it truly means to “live” and “love” life’s big questions, moving beyond the shallow advice to “embrace uncertainty” and instead learning how our questions can guide growth, clarity, and connection to our future selves
• Recognizing and refining the right questions in your life, ones that lead you back to your values, open new possibilities, and move you forward instead of getting stuck in fear, “shoulds,” or rumination

Listen to POTC ad-free for just $5 a month by becoming a Mega Supporter on Patreon! Or, support the podcast with a one-time donation at Buy Me A Coffee!

Resources: 

• Elizabeth’s Book, How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780063335134
• Elizabeth’s Website: www.elizabethweingarten.com
• Elizabeth’s Substack: Time Travel for Beginners
• Yael’s Article: How Practical Wisdom Helps Us Cope with Radical Uncertainty (By Yael Schonbrun and Barry Schwartz)

About Elizabeth Weingarten

Elizabeth Weingarten is a journalist and applied behavioral scientist who works at the intersection of science and storytelling. She has been part of the editorial staffs of The Atlantic, Slate, and Qatar Today, and also served as managing editor of Behavioral Scientist. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Atlantic, Slate, CNN, Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, and TIME. Beyond journalism, she has led research programs at the think tank New America, the consultancy ideas42, and the tech companies Torch and Udemy. Elizabeth lives in Northern California with her husband and son. You can learn more about her work at www.elizabethweingarten.com.

Related Episodes:

• 188. Unwinding Anxiety with Judson Brewer
• 349. The Hunger Habit with Judson Brewer
• 329. The Power of Curiosity with Scott Shigeoka
• 422. Mindwise with Nicholas Epley
• 303. Both/And Thinking with Marianne Lewis

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.