The Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip

The Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip

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The Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip episodes

  • 9: When Your Brain Sounds the Alarm: The Science of Approaching Fear in Anxiety and OCD with Dr. Jon Abramowitz

    Ever feel like your brain is sounding an alarm you can't ignore, even when part of you knows you're not in real danger? With OCD and anxiety, it's easy to confuse fear with threat and relief with recovery. In this episode, recorded live at the International OCD Foundation Conference, Dr. Yip sits down with world-renowned OCD expert Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz. They explore why fear feels so urgent and why waiting to "feel ready" keeps you stuck. They also cover how approaching fear, rather than forcing yourself to face it, can help you take your life back from the OCD bully.

    Here's what we get into:

    • Why the field is shifting from "facing" to "approaching" your fears, and why most people with OCD never receive ERP
    • What's happening in the brain when a false alarm feels so real, and why logic and reassurance can't talk you out of it
    • How compulsions, avoidance, and reassurance-seeking keep the OCD cycle going
    • Why waiting for the "just right" feeling keeps you stuck, and how values and thinking like a scientist can help you move forward
    • Inhibitory learning explained, plus one small shift to start standing up to your OCD bully today

    • About Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz

      Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz is a professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is an internationally recognized expert in OCD and anxiety disorders, including fears and phobias, health anxiety, and panic. He has more than 350 scientific publications and 20 books, and he is widely respected for translating the science of anxiety and OCD into practical, evidence-based care.

      • Website: https://www.jabramowitz.com/

      • Connect with Dr. Yip

        • Instagram: @drjennyyip
        • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
        • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
        • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

        • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.

          If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.

          Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

          38 min
        • 8: The LGBTQ+ Experience of Fertility with Dr. Lauren Wadsworth

          So many moms feel the weight of expectations, but for LGBTQ+ parents, there's often an added layer of navigating societal assumptions and redefining what partnership truly looks like. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Yip talks with Dr. Lauren Wadsworth about redefining motherhood through a true mom lens — from the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments to balancing roles rooted in connection, not perfection.


          Here's what we get into:

          • Dr. Wadsworth's multi-year fertility journey — from IUI to IVF, pregnancy loss, and cautious optimism
          • The unexpected emotional moments that came with false hope, miscarriage, and grief
          • How two-mom households can share roles and challenge traditional gendered expectations
          • Practical strategies for splitting the "invisible load" — shared calendars, specific asks, and rotating responsibilities
          • Why boundaries aren't a one-time conversation, but something couples have to keep revisiting and reinforcing

          • About Dr. Lauren Wadsworth

            Dr. Lauren Wadsworth is a board-certified clinical psychologist passionate about expanding access to evidence-based treatments. She is the director of Genesee Valley Psychology and Meridian Psychology Practice, clinics serving New York State, and co-founder of the Mental Health Network and Training Institute, which offers app-based training and consultation on evidence-based treatments. She's also co-founder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers and co-author of Did That Just Happen? Beyond Diversity, Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations. Learn more at laurenwadsworth.com.


            Connect with Dr. Yip

            • Instagram: @drjennyyip
            • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
            • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
            • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

            • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


              If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


              Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

              47 min
            • 7: Breaking the Supermom Myth: Societal Expectations of Mothers with Paige Connell

              Ever notice how moms are expected to do it all – the career, the home, the kids – while dads get praised just for showing up? That's the "supermom myth," and it leaves so many moms stuck in guilt, exhaustion, and burnout. This week, Dr. Jenny Yip sits down with Paige Connell to unpack the double standards behind those expectations, and how moms and dads can start shifting them — without blame.


              Here's what we get into:

              • Where the "supermom myth" really comes from, and why it's less a compliment and more a pressure women are forced to carry
              • Why moms carry so much guilt while dads rarely do, starting with the language we use ("working mom" vs. "working dad")
              • "Pink jobs" vs. "blue jobs": why the relentless, daily tasks fall on moms while the occasional ones fall on dads
              • How to start an intentional (not heated) conversation with your partner about sharing the load
              • The reminder every mom needs: this pattern comes from the system, not from any personal failure

              • About Paige Connell 

                Paige is a working mom of four who uses her platform on TikTok and Instagram to fiercely advocate for equity for women and men, both at home and in the workplace. She shares insights on the mental load of motherhood, parenting, and career, raising awareness about the need for equitable relationships in households. Paige is a passionate advocate for affordable and accessible childcare, paid parental leave, and reproductive rights — striving to create a more balanced and supportive environment for all families. Find her everywhere at @SheIsPageTurner, or at SheIsPageTurner.com.


                Connect with Dr. Yip

                • Instagram: @drjennyyip
                • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
                • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
                • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

                • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                  If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


                  Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

                  42 min
                • 6: Mental Health & Boundaries with Family with Jen Meyer

                  Ever feel like you're carrying the emotional weight of your whole family, fixing everything while ignoring your own needs? When someone you love is struggling with their mental health, it's easy to confuse care with self-sacrifice. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Yip sits down with Jennifer Meyer, CEO and designer of Jennifer Meyer Jewelry, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it really takes to support a loved one through OCD — without losing yourself or enabling the illness in the process.


                  Topics Covered

                  • Why accommodating a loved one's OCD feels like helping but is actually making things worse — and how to tell the difference
                  • What exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is and why consistency is everything when it comes to real recovery
                  • The guilt moms carry when they have to stop "fixing" things for their family, and how to work through it
                  • How Jen overcame her own panic attacks and anxiety — and why short-term pain truly leads to long-term relief
                  • Why breaking the stigma around mental illness starts with being willing to say "I need help" out loud

                  • About Jennifer Meyer

                    Jennifer Meyer is the CEO and designer of Jennifer Meyer Jewelry, a fine jewelry brand born and raised in Los Angeles. Launched in 2005, the brand is known for its timeless, personal pieces celebrating love, luck, and the moments that matter most. Beyond her role as a designer and entrepreneur, Jen is a proud mama and firm believer that hard work, done consistently, changes everything.

                    • Website: jennifermeyer.com
                    • Instagram: @jenmeyer.jewelry

                    • Connect with Dr. Yip

                      • Instagram: @drjennyyip
                      • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
                      • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
                      • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

                      • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                        If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


                        Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

                        44 min
                      • 5: Rediscovering Your Mom+ Identity with Amy Tangerine

                        Remember who you were before "mama" became your full-time title? You haven't lost her — she's just been buried under piles of laundry and never-ending to-do lists. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Yip sits down with creative entrepreneur, author, and maker Amy Tangerine to explore what it really means to rediscover your Mom+ identity. Because you are so much more than just mom, and honoring that is not selfish. It's essential.


                        Here's what we get into:

                        • Why motherhood reshapes our identity, and why feeling disconnected from your pre-baby self is completely natural

                        • The signs you're losing touch with yourself and how to reconnect with what actually brings you joy

                        • How inviting your creativity back in (even with just 10 minutes and a pen) can be a powerful act of self-care

                        • Amy's HARMONY acronym: a simple framework to help you realign with your values when you're at a crossroads

                        • Why rediscovering your Mom+ identity doesn't mean going back to who you were. It means honoring who you're becoming


                        • Connect with Amy Tangerine

                          Amy Tangerine is a maker, author, and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles known for helping others craft a life they love. She has worked with brands like Disney and Apple, been featured in the New York Times and Forbes, and taught creative workshops around the world. She shares her passion through videos, art, and colorful content across Instagram and YouTube.

                          • Website: amytangerine.com
                          • YouTube: Amy Tangerine
                          • Instagram: @amytangerine

                          • Connect with Dr. Yip

                            • Instagram: @drjennyyip
                            • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
                            • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
                            • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

                            • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                              If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


                              Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

                              43 min
                            • 4: Emotional Boundaries from Unsolicited Parenting Advice with Stacey Freeman, PhD

                              Ever get parenting advice that you didn't ask for and definitely didn't want to hear? Whether it's a stranger at the grocery store or your own mother-in-law, unsolicited parenting advice is everywhere. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Yip sits down with Stacey Freeman, PhD — creator of the lifestyle blog Posh in Progress — to talk about the emotional boundaries that honor you as the parent, because your sanity matters more than other people's opinions.


                              Here's what we get into:

                              • Why unsolicited advice (from strangers, friends, and family) hits moms so hard — and how it ties into mom guilt
                              • The research-backed reasons women are conditioned from childhood to absorb the emotional labor of caregiving
                              • How losing your sense of identity as a new mom can sneak up on you, and what it looks like to reclaim it
                              • Practical ways to set emotional boundaries without guilt — including building community and "self-maintenance" time
                              • Letting go of the myth of the "one right way" to parent, and giving yourself grace as you grow into the role

                              • About Stacey Freeman, PhD

                                Stacey Freeman, PhD, is the creator of Posh in Progress, a lifestyle blog focused on practical style, food, travel, and parenting. A university educator with a PhD in educational policy and evaluation, she started the blog in 2013 as a creative outlet after becoming a mom. Originally from Wisconsin and now based in Los Angeles, Stacey's mission is to inspire others to live efficient, stylish, and fulfilling lives.

                                • Blog: https://www.poshinprogress.com/
                                • Instagram/Social: @poshinnprogress

                                • Connect with Dr. Yip

                                  • Instagram: @drjennyyip
                                  • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
                                  • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
                                  • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

                                  • You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                                    If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


                                    Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

                                    35 min
                                  • 3: Work-Life Awareness vs Work-Life Balance with Sinead de Vries

                                    Have you ever wondered why work-life balance feels more like a setup than a solution? Real life doesn't come evenly split. Some weeks your job demands everything, other weeks your family does, and trying to force a perfect 50-50 just leaves you feeling like you've failed. 


                                    In this episode, Dr. Jenny Yip shifts the conversation from balance to awareness with guest Sinead de Vries — a South African-born host, content creator, and actress based in LA — about why striving for 50-50 sets moms up for guilt, and how building awareness of your own seasons and hotspots helps you get ahead of burnout instead of blindsided by it.


                                    Here's what we get into:

                                    • Why "work-life balance" became a cultural setup for guilt, and how social media fueled the myth of the mom who "has it all together"

                                    • Shifting from striving for balance to building awareness of your weekly, monthly, and yearly hotspots

                                    • The hidden weight of mental and emotional labor moms carry, even (especially) stay-at-home moms

                                    • What burnout actually looks like, and small daily practices (like a 15-minute morning check-in) to catch it early

                                    • Practical tools for managing guilt, asking for help, and staying flexible when life throws curveballs


                                      About Sinead de Vries


                                      Sinead de Vries is a South African-born host, content creator, and actress based in Los Angeles. She began in commercials and theater before making her scripted TV debut on Nickelodeon and her hosting debut on Freeform's Superfans Suite. She's covered top movies, premieres, and celebrity interviews, and has worked with platforms including QVC+, Indeed, E!, Collider, Clevver TV, NBC, and CBS.


                                      Instagram: @sineaddevries


                                      Connect with Dr. Yip

                                      • Instagram: @drjennyyip

                                      • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/

                                      • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/

                                      • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community


                                        You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                                        If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it. Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.

                                        43 min
                                      • 2: The "Working Mom" Myth and The Invisible Load with Michelle Massi

                                        Do you know how heavy your invisible load is as a mom, whether your work happens inside the home or outside of it? Because let's face it, work is work, no matter where it happens. And all that mental juggling you do that no one else sees, acknowledges, or thanks you for is some of the most draining work of all.


                                        In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and dear colleague Michelle Massi, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience treating OCD and OC-related disorders, to unpack exactly that. We start with a question that changes how you see everything: why do we call it a "working mom" when we never say "working dad"? From there we get into what the invisible load actually looks like day to day, why guilt shows up so differently for moms than it does for dads, and why self-care isn't optional. It's self-maintenance.


                                        This is a conversation for every mama who has ever felt like she's doing it all and it's still not enough.


                                        Here’s what we get into:

                                        • Why we say "working mom" but never "working dad." Michelle and I trace where that double standard comes from and why society still measures a mother's worth by whether she's bringing money home.

                                        • What the invisible load actually looks like. From planning vacations to remembering registration deadlines to stocking groceries before a trip, we name the mental tasks that go unseen and unthanked.

                                        • Why moms carry guilt that dads simply don't. We talk through why a golf trip doesn't cost a dad a second thought, while a girls' trip can feel like an act that needs justifying.

                                        • Self-care versus self-maintenance. I explain why I've stopped using the word self-care with my clients and why thinking of it as maintenance changes how seriously you take it.

                                        • Practical ways to start unloading. Michelle shares what actually helps: asking directly instead of expecting your partner to read your mind, setting real boundaries, building community, and letting your kids build independence through things like sittervising.


                                          About Michelle Massi

                                          Michelle Massi is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and OC spectrum related disorders. She runs a group private practice in Los Angeles, California, specializing in cognitive behavior therapy to help children, teens, and adults manage OCD, OC spectrum disorders, and other anxiety related challenges.


                                          Website: https://anxietytherapyla.com/

                                          Instagram: @anxietytherapyla


                                          Connect with Dr. Yip

                                          • Instagram: @drjennyyip

                                          • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/

                                          • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/

                                          • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community

                                            You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                                            If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.


                                            Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.


                                            37 min
                                          • 1: Self-Maintenance to Prevent Burnout with Anne Watson

                                            When was the last time you actually took time for yourself, without the guilt?


                                            Most moms I talk to bristle at the words "self-care." And honestly? I get it. It sounds like a luxury you don't have time for. That's exactly why I've stopped using it. Instead, I want to talk about self-maintenance because just like a vehicle, your body and mind need regular upkeep. Skip it long enough, and you won't just run low on fuel. You'll break down entirely.


                                            In this episode, I sit down with Anne Watson, award-winning photographer, holistic practitioner, PR professional, wine grower, and devoted mama to her 11-year-old son Russell, to talk about what it really takes to prevent burnout and show up fully for the people you love.


                                            Anne's story is one of radical honesty, deep loss, and a hard-won awakening that transformed every area of her life. This is a conversation every mama needs to hear.


                                            Here’s what we dive into:

                                            • Why "self-care" isn't working and what to call it instead. Learn the reframe that actually removes the guilt and makes prioritizing yourself feel non-negotiable.

                                            • How to recognize burnout before it takes you down. Anne shares the early warning signs she now watches for and the simple permission slip that helps her course-correct in real time.

                                            • What grief taught her about maintaining her own vehicle. After losing her husband to stage four cancer, Anne experienced a spiritual awakening that completely shifted how she approaches her mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

                                            • How to raise kids who don't martyr themselves. When you set boundaries out loud and without apology, you're not just protecting yourself. You're modeling self-worth for the next generation.

                                            • Practical ways to say no and mean it. From scanning your to-do list for things to remove to saying "not tonight" to your kids at bedtime, small boundaries add up to real sanity.


                                              About Anne Watson


                                              Anne Watson is an award-winning photographer, holistic practitioner, public relations professional, mother, and wine grower. She runs Watson Wellness, a holistic healing practice where she serves as a Reiki master practitioner, Bhakti yoga teacher, and mindfulness meditation instructor. She has been featured in internationally celebrated magazines, newspapers, online outlets, and cookbooks.


                                              Website: https://annewatson.com/

                                              Instagram: @theannewatson


                                              Connect with Dr. Yip

                                              • Instagram: @drjennyyip

                                              • Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/

                                              • The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/

                                              • Join our community: https://dryip.com/#join-community


                                                You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.


                                                If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mama who needs to hear it.

                                                Leave a review to help more moms find the support they deserve.


                                                41 min
                                              • #41: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Worrying)

                                                When does a worry become a worry? Falling into the spiral of one worry after another is all too easy. The process of worrying can be exhausting – even resulting in insomnia and many other negative physical effects. Wondering what you can do? Tune in for actionable tips from Dr. Yip. Please subscribe & share this episode with friends!

                                                20 min

                                              About The Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip

                                              From the publisher's feed

                                              Welcome to the Stress-Less Life with Dr. Yip, a podcast about conquering your fears and overcoming anxiety. Join nationally recognized mental health expert Dr. Jenny Yip as she discusses the many…

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