Ever felt like you should have it all figured out by now? Like life handed you a script you didn’t exactly sign up for? Well, Tamsen Fadal is here to throw that script out the window.

An Emmy-winning journalist, author, and advocate for midlife reinvention, Tamsen has built a career on telling powerful stories—and now, she’s telling her own. From walking away from a decades-long journalism career to becoming a voice for midlife women, she’s proving that there is no expiration date on reinvention.

Together, Tamsen and Dr. Scott dive into: why milestones don’t define us, the radical shift that happens when we stop asking ‘why me?’ and start saying ‘what’s next?’—and how menopause, career changes, and unexpected pivots are all part of the bigger picture.

• Midlife Myths & Why We’re Doing This All Wrong – Forget ‘aging gracefully’—let’s talk about thriving on our own terms.
• The ‘Now What?’ Moment – Why so many of us hit a point where we question everything—and how to navigate it.
• Reinvention is a Muscle – Why starting over isn’t a setback—it’s a superpower.
• The Unspoken Power of Menopause – Breaking the silence around midlife health and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves.
• The ‘I Get To’ Mindset – Shifting from obligation to opportunity in work, health, and relationships.

✨ This episode is a love letter to second (and third, and fourth) chances. Tune in and get inspired!

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Like the world keeps trying to put you in a box that just doesn’t fit? Then this episode is for you.

Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Dr. Rae Johnson, a leading researcher, professor, and author exploring the intersections of somatics, social justice, and identity. Rae’s work challenges us to reconnect with our bodies, question the systems that shape us, and embrace our full, unfiltered selves.

Together, Scott and Rae explore why we brace ourselves against misunderstanding, how validation changes our nervous system, and what it really means to be witnessed. Plus, they unpack how a simple shift in perspective—or the right words from a total stranger—can change everything.

• Why we over-explain & brace for misunderstanding – The social conditioning that keeps us apologizing for who we are.
• The ‘Validation Reflex’ – How being truly seen creates a physical release in the body.
• Why strangers can sometimes know us better than our friends – The science behind why an outside perspective can feel so powerful.
• The cost of authenticity – What we sacrifice to be fully ourselves—and why it’s worth it.
• Witnessing & being witnessed – How deep presence can transform our relationships and sense of self.

✨ This is a conversation about freedom, embodiment, and breaking free from outdated stories—don’t miss it!

Heartbreak isn’t just emotional—it’s chemical. That’s right, breakups trigger withdrawal symptoms in your brain just like a drug, and if you’ve ever felt literally addicted to your ex, there’s a reason why.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with neuroscientist Nicole Vignola to unpack the science of breakups, love addiction, and how to rewire your brain for healing. Together, they explore why we can’t stop thinking about certain people, the dopamine loops that keep us stuck, and the fastest ways to break free from the past.

Plus, they get real about their own breakups, the neuroscience-backed hacks that actually help, and why blocking your ex might just be the most scientifically sound decision you’ll ever make.

• Why Breakups Feel Like an Actual Addiction – The neuroscience behind heartbreak withdrawal.
• Checking Your Ex’s Social Media? Here’s Why You Can’t Stop – How dopamine fuels obsessive behaviors post-breakup.
• The Power of ‘Cold Turkey’ – Why cutting off contact is the fastest way to rewire your brain.
• Re-Scaffolding Your Life – How to rebuild your identity after a relationship ends.
• Why You Keep Dating the Same Type – Breaking free from unconscious relationship patterns.

✨ Whether you’re freshly single, healing from an old breakup, or just fascinated by the brain’s wild ways—this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward.

Are you letting self-doubt, over-explaining, or other people's opinions keep you small? Not on Niyc Pidgeon's watch. This episode is all about stepping into your power, shifting your mindset, and harnessing the science of success to create a life that actually excites you.

Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Niyc Pidgeon, an award-winning positive psychologist, best-selling author, and high-performance business mentor, to explore the psychology behind resilience, joy, and confidence. Author of Now Is Your Chance and Unstoppable Success, Niyc has helped thousands of people rewire their thinking and create their best lives.

Together, Scott and Niyc unpack what it really means to be happy—not in a ‘toxic positivity’ way, but in a real, grounded, and science-backed way. If you've ever felt stuck, exhausted, or like you're tolerating way too much in life, this conversation will help you break free.

• Why positivity isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff – The difference between real happiness and toxic positivity.
• Over-explaining & self-abandonment – Why we do it and how to stop apologizing for simply existing.
• The ripple effect of awe – How small moments of joy can transform your energy (and impact 135 people around you!).
• What’s your Organizing Principle? – The hidden force guiding your choices, and how to harness it for success.
• The power of curiosity – How asking better questions can lead to deeper connections and greater clarity.

✨ This episode is packed with insights, humor, and some seriously life-changing mindset shifts. Tune in now and get ready to step into your most unstoppable self!

Have you ever felt like you were following invisible rules you didn’t agree to? Do you catch yourself playing small, staying “good,” or holding back while others take up space? And what if those subconscious beliefs—about power, success, and even desire—aren’t actually yours?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Elise Loehnen, a writer, editor, and cultural critic known for her sharp insights on power, patriarchy, and personal growth. As the former Chief Content Officer at Goop, Elise helped shape the modern wellness landscape before turning her focus to deconstructing the subconscious rules that shape our lives. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of On Our Best Behavior, which explores how deeply ingrained cultural norms—particularly the Seven Deadly Sins—still dictate women’s behavior today.

Together, Scott and Elise dive into the hidden forces that govern us, how to unlearn restrictive narratives, and why recognizing our own internalized biases is the key to true liberation. If you've ever felt stuck in a system that doesn’t quite serve you, this episode will give you the perspective shift you need.

• The Cultural Programming We Can’t See – How we internalize and reinforce social norms without even realizing it.
• The Patriarchy Isn’t Just ‘Men’ – Understanding how women also uphold and police patriarchal structures.
• Envy as a Compass – Why the things (and people) that trigger us the most might be showing us what we truly want.
• How We Keep Ourselves Small – The self-imposed rules that hold us back, and how to rewrite them.
• Moving from ‘Against’ to ‘For’ – Shifting from resistance to creation, and learning how to build the world we actually want.

Tune in for an honest, mind-expanding conversation that just might change the way you see yourself—and the world around you.

Do you ever feel like you’re chasing success, but once you get “there,” the finish line moves again?

If you’re nodding along, then this episode is for you.

This week, we’re getting deep, real, and hilarious with bestselling author and keynote speaker Laura Gassner Otting (LGO)—a woman who has done it all, from working in the White House to writing books that change lives. But here’s the twist: even she has struggled with self-worth, impostor syndrome, and figuring out what success actually means.

What if success isn’t about more money, more titles, or even more standing ovations?

What if success is about feeling aligned with your values and choices—no matter what anyone else thinks?

That’s the conversation we’re diving into today. It’s a mix of wisdom, humor, and real talk (plus a detour into drag queens, rage rooms, and why Malala might just be the best at avoiding awkward small talk).

• Success: Who Defines It? – Laura turns the traditional definition of success on its head. Spoiler alert: It’s not about a corner office, a million-dollar paycheck, or someone else’s approval.
• Why We Suck at Receiving Compliments – Laura’s personal struggle with praise, her therapist’s game-changing advice, and how you can actually accept a compliment without feeling weird.
• The Different Versions of Ourselves – Ever feel like you have a work-self, a home-self, and a totally different karaoke-self? Laura shares how she balances “LGO the speaker” with just being Laura, the introvert who loves bad reality TV.
• Success Does Not Equal Happiness – If money and power automatically made people happy, billionaires wouldn’t get divorced and celebrities wouldn’t have meltdowns. We get real about why external success is often a trap.
• The Everest Analogy – What climbing a mountain taught Laura about life, ambition, and why getting to the top isn’t actually the goal.

What are trauma tingles, you ask? Oh, you know them. They're those wild, exciting, tantalizing, and misdirecting feelings that magnetize you into the same shitty relational dynamics you've been dealing with your whole life.

Oof, It's wild out there in the complex realm of relationships. Sometimes we find ourselves more interested in the chase than the embrace or confusing intensity for intimacy- all the while declaring that we want and need love. If red flags feel like home and you find yourself or people you know in the merry-go-round of relationship pains, welcome to the world of trauma tingles... Let's talk about it.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons chats with Kai Cheng Thom and Nkem Ndefo about red flags in dating and why trauma tingles feel irresistible. If an ordinary life feels risky and red flags cause a buzz of excitement, don't worry—this is a normal part of being human and an adaptive response to trauma. Through witnessing patterns unfolding and learning how to form safer boundaries for ourselves and others, we can heal to the point that those trauma tingles become boring and unsexy- red flag couture no more!

Topics we break down:

• How trauma tingles relate to your attachment style.
• Why dating apps can be dehumanizing.
• Communicating your needs.
• Reconfiguring relationships.
• Maintaining boundaries.
• Choosing yourself.

Kai Cheng's work focuses on the intersection of social justice, pleasure activism, and transformative approaches to healing conflict.

Connect with Kai Cheng

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Arise Embodiment

Nkem is the founder of Lumos Transforms and the creator of the Resilience Toolkit.

Connect with Nkem

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The Resilience Toolkit

Connect with Dr. Scott

Website | Instagram | TikTok

Addicted to Drama

Save 10% at OMALA with offer code DRSCOTT10

Save 10% on The Embody Lab with offer code GENTLYUSED10

Want to see the Rorschach Drawings? Head over to the episode page.

What if the key to unlocking your potential wasn’t waiting for the perfect opportunity but realizing that you get to create it?

In this episode of The Gently Used Human, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Maha Abouelenein, a global expert in communications, branding, and self-reliance, to explore the mindset shifts that turn hesitation into action, connections into opportunities, and self-doubt into unshakable confidence.

Maha’s career spans decades as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, and some of the world’s most influential brands. She understands what it takes to build influence, create lasting relationships, and step fully into your strengths. In this conversation, she shares the strategies she’s used to navigate her own journey—from overcoming personal challenges to becoming one of the most sought-after voices in branding and communication.

Together, Maha and Scott break down how to reframe self-doubt, develop confidence through action, and build a personal brand that reflects who you truly are. They explore why networking doesn’t have to feel transactional, how the simple shift from have to to get to can change your entire outlook, and why true success comes from showing up, creating value, and taking bold steps forward.

This episode is filled with practical insights on how to stop waiting, start owning your story, and build the kind of influence that opens doors.

• Reframing self-doubt – Why waiting for confidence is a trap
• Building your network – How to connect with people authentically
• The power of gratitude – Why shifting from have to → get to changes everything
• Personal branding – Why your reputation matters more than ever
• Taking the first step – How to break free from hesitation and just start

This is a conversation about power, presence, and the freedom that comes from stepping into who you truly are. Listen now on The Gently Used Human.

Maha's "Icebreaker Questions for Introverts"

• How can I help? 
• What brought you to this event? 
• What do you enjoy most about your work?
• What projects are you excited about working on next?
• How did you first get started in [industry]? 
• What do you find most challenging/rewarding about your job? 
• What inspired you to pursue a career in [specific field]? 
• Are there any industry trends or developments that particularly interest you right now? 
• How do you see your industry evolving in the next few years? 
• What advice would you give to someone just starting out in [industry/profession] 
• What are your thoughts on [current industry news/topic] 
• Have you attended any interesting conferences or workshops lately? 
• Are there any skills or knowledge areas you're currently looking to develop?

Are you struggling to stay focused in a world full of distractions? Do you feel like your memory isn’t as sharp as it could be? 

In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with the world-renowned brain coach, memory expert, and author Jim Kwik. Jim has dedicated his life to helping people break through mental barriers and unlock their full cognitive potential. From overcoming his own childhood struggles with learning difficulties to becoming the go-to brain coach for top performers, Jim shares his transformative journey and the essential tools to supercharge memory, focus, and productivity.

Throughout this conversation, Jim and Scott dive into the impact of digital distractions, the hidden costs of our reliance on technology, and how to reclaim mental strength in a world that often works against us. Jim offers practical, neuroscience-backed strategies that listeners can start using immediately to improve concentration, beat burnout, and optimize brain health.

By the end of this episode, you'll be inspired to take charge of your mental fitness and equipped with actionable techniques to sharpen your mind, cultivate resilience, and create a more fulfilling life.

Topics We Break Down:

• The modern digital habits that are eroding focus, memory, and decision-making

• How the brain rewires itself and how you can train it for peak performance

• How outsourcing our memory to devices is making us mentally weaker

• Daily techniques to rebuild attention span and mental clarity

• What your brain needs to stay sharp and resilient

• The self-imposed beliefs that hold us back and how to overcome them

• How challenges and adversity can be transformed into personal superpowers

• Simple, effective exercises to remember names, learn faster, and stay present

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to reclaim their cognitive power, improve learning skills, and develop unshakable mental resilience.

Where to Find Jim Kwik:

📖 Read his book: Limitless

📱 Follow him on Instagram: @jimkwik

🎧 Listen to his podcast: Kwik Brain

🧠 Take the Brain Type Quiz: My Brain Animal

Join the Conversation!

Screenshot this episode, share your favorite takeaway, and tag us on Instagram @thegentlyusedhuman and @jimkwik! Let us know which Brain Animal you are! 🧠🔥

Welcome to The Best of January—a powerful compilation of the most insightful, transformative, and inspiring moments from our recent episodes. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode brings together wisdom from thought leaders, wellness experts, and real-life stories of resilience.

If you’re looking for motivation, a fresh perspective, or simply a reminder that healing is possible, this episode is for you. You’ll hear deep, honest conversations about overcoming adversity, shifting your mindset, and reclaiming your sense of self. These moments will not only inspire you but also offer insights to help you navigate stress, relationships, and personal growth.

🔹 Lindsay Roth – The power of presence in parenting, why you don’t need to have all the answers, and how shifting your perspective can transform relationships.

🔹 Elaine Glass – Breaking free from toxic relationships, rediscovering your identity, and learning to trust your intuition in the healing process.

🔹 Gabor Maté – A fresh perspective on ADHD, medication, and mental health, along with how stress and trauma shape our experiences.

🔹 Josselyne Herman Saccio – Why mindset alone isn’t enough, how to turn insight into action, and the power of keeping your word to create real transformation.

✨ Small Shifts Matter – You don’t have to solve everything at once; focusing on the present moment can be life-changing.

✨ Stress Isn’t the Enemy – It’s how we perceive and adapt to stress that shapes our experience.

✨ Healing Starts with Truth – Ignoring problems won’t make them disappear; acknowledging them is the first step toward change.

✨ You're Never Alone – There is always a way forward, and sometimes, it starts with getting quiet enough to listen to yourself.

✨ Action Creates Transformation – Insight is valuable, but true change happens when we take steps—no matter how small.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs a little inspiration today! And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and continue your journey of healing and self-discovery.