REAL with Carly Weinstein

Are we actually lonelier than ever, or just more disconnected? In the season finale of The Experts Series, Carly sits down with therapist and mental health educator Minaa B. to explore the vital role of community in our mental health. They dive deep into the evolution of sibling dynamics, the reality of "chosen family," and how to navigate the shift in parental relationships as adults. From "community care" to overcoming hyper-independence, this episode is a guide to finding your people and building a life rooted in connection.

Follow Minaa B.:

https://www.instagram.com/minaa_b/

https://www.minaab.com/

Follow REAL on socials:

https://www.instagram.com/realwithcw

https://www.tiktok.com/@realwithcarlyweinstein

You're not lazy — your brain just works differently. This week Dr. Janina Maschke (cognitive psychologist, ADHD researcher, and author of A Feminist's Guide to ADHD) joins me to unpack why ADHD shows up so differently in women and why so many of us get diagnosed late. We cover executive dysfunction, time blindness, masking, rejection sensitivity, ADHD burnout, medication, dopamine, hormones — and the tips that actually make daily life easier.

Whether you're diagnosed, wondering, or just trying to understand your brain, this one will make you feel seen.

Guest: Dr. Janina Maschke — IG @adhd_empowerment_coaching · A Feminist's Guide to ADHD

Host: Carly Weinstein — IG @carlyweinstein · TikTok @carlyweinstein1 · @realwithcw

Why does it feel like no accomplishment is ever enough?

You hit the goal. You check the box. You get the thing you've been working toward—and somehow, instead of feeling satisfied, you're already focused on what's next.

If you've ever struggled to enjoy your accomplishments, felt guilty when you rest, or constantly wondered why you still don't feel "there" yet, this episode is for you.

This week on The Experts Series, therapist and founder of Therapy in the City, Aliza Shapiro, joins me to explore one of the most overlooked reasons this happens: perfectionism.

We talk about why so many high-achieving women don't realize they're perfectionists, how achievement becomes tied to self-worth, and why constantly chasing the next milestone can leave us feeling anxious, burnt out, and disconnected from ourselves.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The hidden signs of perfectionism
• Why achievement can become tied to identity
• The link between perfectionism, anxiety, and burnout
• Why rest can feel uncomfortable or even guilt-inducing
• How childhood experiences shape perfectionistic thinking
• Exposure therapy exercises for perfectionism
• The "Here I Am" grounding practice
• Building self-compassion and separating worth from achievement
• How to slow down without losing your ambition

If you've ever felt like you're constantly moving the goalposts on yourself, this conversation will help you understand why—and what to do about it.

Follow Aliza:

Instagram: @alizashapiro
Therapy in the City: @therapyinthecity

Follow The Experts Series:

Instagram: @realwithcw
TikTok: @realwithcarlyweinstein

Subscribe for more conversations with leading mental health experts on The Experts Series.

Why does anxiety feel so different now?

In this episode, I sit down with licensed therapist Kati Morton to talk about the modern anxiety epidemic — the kind that shows up as constant overthinking, people pleasing, racing thoughts, social anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance, doomscrolling, and feeling mentally “on” 24/7.

We talk about the hidden signs of anxiety that so many people miss, why anxiety can be so hard to recognize, how social media has intensified our fears and self-comparison, and what happens when social anxiety starts affecting friendships, relationships, and everyday life.

Kati also explains the difference between generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder, when it may be time to consider medication, and practical ways to calm the nervous system and quiet the mental noise without relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms.

This episode honestly felt like putting words to experiences so many of us thought were just personality traits.

For resources & more: realwithcw.com

Follow Kati:
YouTube: @Katimorton
Instagram: @katimorton
TikTok: @katimorton

Trauma isn't just the big, obvious stuff. It's the subtle, everyday experiences that quietly shape how you move through the world — and most people don't recognize it in themselves. In this episode, licensed social worker and EMDR therapist Ada Ding breaks down what trauma really means, how it shows up in your body, your relationships, and your nervous system, and what healing can actually look like.

Topics covered: What trauma really means | Big T vs little t trauma | How trauma shows up subtly | Fight, flight, freeze, fawn | Hyper-independence | Emotional flashbacks | Trauma stored in the body | Shame, insecurity & feeling broken | Attachment styles | Intergenerational & systemic trauma | When you can't heal in an unsafe environment | What EMDR is & how it works neurologically

Follow Ada:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/therapywithada/⁠

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@realwithcw on IG

@realwithcarlyweinstein on Tik Tok

For more resources & experts:

realwithcw.com

Therapist Vienna Pharaon joins us for a conversation on dating, attachment, and breaking the patterns that keep us stuck in the same relationships.

Vienna has practiced therapy for nearly 20 years, founded Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy in NYC, and wrote the National Bestselling book The Origins of You.

In this episode: why we love who we love, the 5 core wounds from childhood that quietly run our relationships, how to date with intention, what healthy conflict looks like, early signs of emotional unavailability, and how to know when a relationship is worth fighting for — and when it isn't. Plus a rapid-fire round on closure, situationships, and if "if he wanted to he would" is actually true or not.

Follow Vienna: @mindfulmft | TheOriginsOfYou.com

For more resources head to realwithcw.com

Most people think OCD is about being clean or organized. It's not. OCD is one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed mental health conditions — and it shows up in ways most people would never recognize. In this episode, I sit down with licensed clinical social worker Julia Resnick to break down what OCD actually is, how it overlaps with anxiety, depression, and perfectionism, and why so many high achievers struggle with it without ever knowing. We also get into Relationship OCD — what it is, why it makes you constantly question your feelings and seek reassurance, and how to tell the difference between normal relationship doubts and something deeper. Plus what real treatment looks like, why healing is so uncomfortable, and what to do if you think you might have OCD but have no idea where to start.

Follow Julia! @ocdtherapywithjulia on IG!

For more in-depth mental health resources & more, visit

realwithcw.com

Follow me on Instagram: @realwithcw

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere right now — but what is this shift actually doing to our minds, our confidence, and our relationship with food?

In this episode of The Experts Series, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Goldman — psychologist, NYU professor, media expert, and author of When Life Happens — for a conversation that goes beyond the headlines and into the real psychological impact of weight loss culture today.

We talk about:

• Who GLP-1 medications are actually for
• What “food noise” is and why it feels so overwhelming
• Emotional eating — how to recognize it and what’s underneath it
• Mindful eating practices that are realistic and sustainable
• Body acceptance in a world where everyone around you may be changing
• How to protect your mental health when comparison is everywhere

This conversation is honest, nuanced, and necessary — especially if you’ve been feeling the pressure of what’s happening around you.

Dr. Rachel Goldman is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine, and media expert specializing in health behavior change.

Learn more about Dr. Rachel Goldman:
Website: https://www.drrachelgoldman.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelgoldman

Her new book When Life Happens is available now:
https://www.drrachelgoldman.com/book

For more in-depth mental health resources & more, visit realwithcw.com
Follow me on Instagram: @realwithcw

In this episode, we're sitting down with one of the leading voices in psychiatry to talk about something so many of us experience but can't quite name: high-functioning depression. You show up to work, you smile, you get things done — but underneath, something feels deeply off.

Dr. Judith Joseph breaks down what high-functioning depression actually looks like, why it's so easy to miss (especially in high achievers and women), and what's going on in the brain when we feel emotionally numb. She also shares what real recovery can look like — and why joy is something you can actually reclaim.

Dr. Judith's Website

Dr. Judith's Instagram

Dr. Judith's Book

For more in-depth mental health resources & more, visit realwithcw.com

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If you hate your body, constantly think about food, or feel stuck in that cycle—this episode will explain why.

In Episode 1 of The Experts Series, Carly sits down with therapist Lauren Larkin to break down what’s actually going on beneath body image struggles and disordered eating—and how to begin healing your relationship with food.

They talk about why so many women struggle with body image, the psychology behind disordered eating, and what recovery really looks like (beyond what we see online). Lauren also shares practical ways to start shifting your mindset, build a healthier relationship with your body, and support yourself through the process.

Whether you’re dealing with food anxiety, body image issues, or just feel overwhelmed by all the messaging around diet culture—this conversation is honest, nuanced, and incredibly validating.

Follow Lauren Larkin:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leltherapy/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leltherapy
Website: https://leltherapy.com

For resources & more recommendations straight from the expert, click here!