The Addicted Mind Podcast

TAM+ Episode 44: Unlocking Your Inner Optimist: How Your Attention Shapes Your Reality


Listen Later


Ever wonder why two people can experience the exact same event but walk away with completely different emotions? 

In this fascinating episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the science of optimism and reveal how our attention shapes our reality. They explain that optimism isn't about ignoring negative experiences or forcing positivity – it's about training our brain to process both positive and negative information in a balanced way. 

Through practical examples and evidence-based strategies, they show listeners how to break free from negative thought spirals and develop genuine optimistic thinking. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or just want to build more resilience, this episode offers simple yet powerful tools to help you unlock your inner optimist and transform how you experience life's challenges.


Download: Unlocking Your Inner Optimist Worksheet

Click Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.

Our Deep Dive is now in the community, where we discuss this episode in depth.

Key Topics
  • The difference between toxic positivity and genuine optimism
  • How attention bias affects our experience of events
  • The science behind optimistic versus pessimistic thinking
  • Three evidence-based strategies for developing optimism
  • The role of physical movement in changing perspective
  • How optimism builds resilience and creativity
  • Practical daily exercises for training your brain

  • Timestamps

    [00:01:27] The power of perspective: Same event, different experiences

    [00:03:42] The science behind attention and optimism

    [00:05:19] Why this isn't toxic positivity

    [00:09:30] Introduction to practical strategies

    [00:09:54] The two-chair technique explained

    [00:11:28] The daily spotlight exercise

    [00:13:02] The reframe challenge technique


    Follow and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

    NovusMindfulLife.com

    We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

    Disclaimer

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Addicted Mind PodcastBy Duane Osterlind, LMFT

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    594 ratings


    More shows like The Addicted Mind Podcast

    View all
    The Recovery Show » Finding serenity through 12 step recovery in Al-Anon – a podcast by The Recovery Show

    The Recovery Show » Finding serenity through 12 step recovery in Al-Anon – a podcast

    1,577 Listeners

    The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

    The One You Feed

    2,501 Listeners

    The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair by Michelle Chalfant

    The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair

    1,539 Listeners

    Recovery Elevator by Paul Churchill

    Recovery Elevator

    1,704 Listeners

    Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

    Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

    617 Listeners

    This Naked Mind Podcast by Annie Grace

    This Naked Mind Podcast

    2,568 Listeners

    Addiction Unlimited Podcast by Angela Pugh

    Addiction Unlimited Podcast

    499 Listeners

    Helping Couples Heal Podcast by Marnie Breecker

    Helping Couples Heal Podcast

    436 Listeners

    Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE by Steve Moore & Mark Kastleman

    Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE

    174 Listeners

    The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women by Casey McGuire Davidson

    The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women

    698 Listeners

    Sober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being Sober by Gillian Tietz, MS, CPRC

    Sober Powered: The Neuroscience of Being Sober

    1,193 Listeners

    Adult Child by Andrea

    Adult Child

    1,804 Listeners

    2 Sober Girls Podcast by Erinn + Michaela

    2 Sober Girls Podcast

    186 Listeners

    Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories by Brad McLeod

    Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

    568 Listeners

    Happiest Sober Podcast by Madeline Forrest

    Happiest Sober Podcast

    210 Listeners