Jordana Brewster is best known for her role as Mia Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise. She's been open about the fact that she's seen a therapist since she was in college, and she says she continues to learn new strategies to improve her mental health.

Some of the things she discusses today are how she manages the pressure to develop a 'work/life balance,' the strategies she uses to manage anxious feelings, and what she wishes she had learned when she was younger to help her become a more brave person.

When our emotions go up, our logic goes down. The more emotional we are, the tougher it is to think clearly, make wise decisions, and feel good.

Fortunately, you can do many things to gain more control over your emotions. This strategy can decrease the intensity of an uncomfortable emotion so you can make healthy choices for yourself. It's one of my favorite mental strength-building strategies, and it's a simple but effective way to start feeling better right away.

Follow Amy on Instagram - @AmyMorinAuthor

Check out Amy's books on mental strength

Do you ever make things harder than they need to be? Most of us do that at one time or another. We overthink things or we beat ourselves up for making a mistake. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to just let things be easy, and author Susie Moore is going to explain how to do that.

Susie is a life coach who has written a book called Let It Be Easy, and she offers some great tips for dealing with fear, overcoming rejection, making decisions, and dealing with everyday obstacles.

Check out Susie's website - moore.com/">Susie-Moore.com

Everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. But there are always choices in how you respond to those feelings.

Whether you're overwhelmed by too many feelings or feel overwhelmed because you have too much to do, having a plan in place always helps. Amy explains a strategy that will help you prioritize your tasks and distance yourself from overwhelmed feelings.

Johnny Crowder is the CEO of a mental health/tech startup. But he wasn't always in a position to help other people. In fact, for many years he lacked hope that there were any mental health resources that could help him. He struggled with a variety of symptoms, and he attempted several different avenues of treatment — but nothing seemed to work.

Fortunately, he didn't give up, and he learned that he had the power to change his brain. Now, he shares what he learned about neuroplasticity and the steps anyone who is struggling can take to manage their mental health with both traditional treatment methods and some alternative strategies.

Check out Johnny's website - JohnnyCrowder.com

Discover more about his business - CopeNotes

Whether you get turned down for a promotion or you get ghosted by your latest love interest, rejection stings. But you don't have to let it define you. In fact, you can grow from the pain you experience when someone rejects you.

These seven strategies can help you cope with the pain of rejection while also help you move forward better than before.

Ali Landry was first spotlighted as Miss Louisiana Teen USA in 1990. She won the Miss USA title in 1996 and then starred in an iconic Super Bowl commercial advertising Doritos. She’s gone on to star in several movies and written a book called Shape Your Life.

But Ali’s life hasn’t always been easy. She went through a very public marriage that was annulled after only two weeks. The breakup was featured in tabloids across the globe. She remarried years later, and her father-in-law and brother-in-law were kidnapped and murdered.

Ali is speaking out about what the highs and lows of her life have taught her so far. She says when she started feeling tired all of the time, and had trouble sleeping, she didn’t excuse it as stress or aging. Instead, she decided to take back her life.

Some of the things she talks about today are ways she developed a healthier mindset, the strategies that helped her work through pain and grief, and how she empowers herself to create positive changes.

It's easy to blame other people for wasting your time or for ruining your day. It's also easy to feel as though your kindness is being taken advantage of or that other people are using you to get their needs met.

That's why boundaries are important. You get to set the rules on how other people treat you. While that can feel uncomfortable at first, healthy boundaries are the key to helping you live your best life.

Here are some signs that you could benefit from creating better boundaries in your life.

Mike Bayer is a New York Times Best-Selling author and a top life coach. He's also the CEO and founder of CAST Centers, a Hollywood-based treatment center that provides intensive outpatient services to people seeking help for addiction or mental health issues.

In today's episode, Mike explains intensive outpatient services. He talks about how to find help, who could benefit from this level of care, and how to pay for intensive services. He also shares the common pitfalls people should avoid when seeking quality treatment.

To learn more, check out his website or CAST Centers.

We all hold onto certain things that have no functional or monetary value. Whether it's an old ticket stub or a shirt that no longer fits, these items often hold a lot of sentimental value.

A quick inventory of the sentimental items you hold onto can actually give you some good insight into how you feel about yourself. Research shows there's a clear link between the items you hold onto and your self-worth. Here's what your sentimental objects might reveal about you.

Singer/songwriter Jewel has always made her struggles with a rough childhood, homelessness, and mental health issues public. She's on a mission to create a platform that will make mental treatment and social support accessible to everyone.

She partnered with psychology doctoral candidate Noah Robinson to create Innerworld, a virtual platform where people can get help free of charge while using an avatar.

Jewel talks about her mental health struggles and the tools that have helped her over the years. Then, Noah Robinson explains the science behind this virtual world they've created and he explains how it helps people.

To learn more about what they're doing or to try it for yourself, check out Inner.World

Self-care sounds simple on the surface. It includes anything that improves your mental or physical health.

But there are some common self-care mistakes that could leave you feeling emotionally exhausted rather than energized and rested.

Here's how to stop making those mistakes and engage in self-care that rejuvenates you.

Kelly Slater is the greatest professional surfer of all time! He's been surfing for 46 years and doesn't plan to quit any time soon.

Some of the things he talks about are how he stays so passionate about surfing without burning out, the exact things he does every day to manage his mental health, and how he deals with self-doubt.

Check out more about Kelly's story on the new season of Make or Break on Apple TV+.

People often associate mental strength building challenges with physical endurance tasks. But, you don't have to subject yourself to incredible physical challenges to build mental muscle. In fact, you can build mental strength without even getting off the couch.

There are many ways to build mental strength. Here are five of my favorite mental strength building exercises that you can do right now from anywhere.

Lewis Howes is a New York Times Best-Selling author, industry-leading podcast host, and keynote speaker. His show, The School of Greatness, is one of the top podcasts in the world with more than 500 million downloads. He was recognized by the White House and President Obama as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in the country under 30.

His new book, The Greatness Mindset, describes what he’s learned about creating the life of your dreams, and it includes strategies from some of his favorite mentors and podcast guests.

Some of the things he talks about today are practicing self-acceptance, designing a better life for yourself, and the strategies that can help you heal your old emotional wounds.

Check out The School of Greatness and LewisHowes.com.

Your brain lies to you. But, it’s tough to recognize those lies sometimes. 

Your brain will convince you that you messed everything up or that no one likes you. Or it will trick you into thinking it can predict the future and it’ll tell you something bad is going to happen.

Whether you think you’re not smart enough to succeed or you believe that you’ll never get out of debt, your beliefs can quickly turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to believe everything you think. In fact, you can learn to recognize how your brain tries to trick you into believing things that aren’t true.

Chase Rice is a country music singer and songwriter. He’s sold over 2 million albums, and his songs have been streamed more than 3 billion times.

Some of his biggest songs include "Eyes on You" and “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen. (featuring Florida Georgia Line)." Prior to becoming a musician, he appeared on Survivor: Nicaragua where he was a runner-up. 

His newest album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell, focuses on mental health.

Some of the things he talks about on the show today are why he didn't know he was depressed, how he came to terms with it and got treatment, and the steps he continues to take on a daily basis to manage his mental health.

Many people go online to seek positive affirmations, mental health tips, and strategies for building mental strength. Unfortunately, many social media tips on improving mental health aren’t accurate, and some strategies can be downright damaging.

Many slogans, mantras, and tips just aren’t correct. But these pieces of bad mental health advice can go viral if they sound catchy, get paired with some cool music, or appear in an amazing video. 

Whether we’re talking about Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, the more likes, comments, and shares a piece of content has, the more likely people are to believe it’s true. But just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s accurate.

So here are some of the most common misconceptions about mental health, relationships, emotions, and human behavior that frequently get shared on social media.

In this bonus episode, I share how to know if online therapy is right for you, who shouldn't sign up for it, and how to find the best service for you. I also answer listeners' questions about online treatment and share some of the winners of Verywell Mind's Online Therapy Awards.

Mike Rucker, Ph.D., is an organizational psychologist who focuses on the science of fun. He’s a charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association, and his academic work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

He discovered that many of the tools he had built as a student of positive psychology failed to help him during a difficult time in his life. He realized there’s a lot of misinformation out there about happiness, so he launched his own research into strategies that could bring more joy into his life.

He wrote a book called The Fun Habit in which he encourages people to give themselves permission to have more fun. He describes concrete strategies for creating time for fun and describes how to make every day activities — like going to work — more enjoyable.

Some of the things he talks about are how to make everyday activities more fun, how to prevent burnout, and an exercise that will help you discover what kinds of fun are most important to you.

In recent years, the idea that your physical health is related to your mental health has become less controversial. It’s become clear that physical activity isn’t just good for your body. It’s also good for your mind.

But the mind/body connection is a two-way street. There are many ways you can use your mind to help your body too.

Everything from laughter to meditation might help you live a healthier, longer life. Your mind can also help you perform better regardless of whether you’re an athlete or a salesperson.

Here are some ways to unleash the power of your mind to benefit your body.

Elissa Epel, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco. She studies psychological, social, and behavioral processes related to chronic stress and how it affects health. She has conducted extensive research on the biological processes of aging with a focus on toxic stress.

She’s a New York Times Best-Selling author. Her newest book, The Stress Prescription, provides strategies for managing stress and turning it into your strength. 

Some of the things she talks about today are when stress is actually good for you, the best stress relievers you should try today, and the ways you can engage in deep rest to combat the effects of chronic stress.

We often avoid calling our friends and relatives simply because we don’t have time. You might think your aunt is impossible to get off the phone with, or you might think your friend can’t possibly hang up until she’s given you every detail of her life over the past month.

But there’s evidence that a quick phone call is not only possible but it might also be the key to happiness.

Rather than connect for an hour a couple of times per year, your psychological well-being might be better served by more frequent, shorter calls.

In fact, 8 minutes seems to be the sweet spot. It’s enough time to connect and to boost your mood.

So in this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I explain the research study that discovered the 8-minute phone call, how to actually get off the phone fast, and why it’s so good for you.

Bessel van der Kolk, MD, is a clinician, researcher, and professor who is best known for his work on post-traumatic stress disorder. He’s the medical director at the Trauma Center in Boston. He’s also a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the National Complex Trauma Treatment Network.

He’s the author of the wildly popular book The Body Keeps the Score. In it, he describes the link between the brain, mind, and body, and the treatment strategies that can help people heal from trauma.

Some of the things he talks about today are how things like yoga, community theater, and hypnosis have the power to heal, why traumatic memories have such an impact on the brain and the body, and why talking to your best friend could be the most powerful way to heal.

A town in Scotland made its street lights blue, and the crime rate decreased. Casinos keep people gambling at their tables longer by making the tabletops red. Those are just a couple of fascinating examples of how color affects behavior.

The colors around you can have a bigger impact on you than you might think. Colors evoke emotions. And they can affect your choices and your performance. 

Companies know this, so they use color to their advantage. Everything from logos to website colors is created to cause you to feel a certain way. 

The color of the walls in a store or a restaurant is often based on what the owner wants you to feel. Do they want you to slow down and relax so you’ll stick around and spend more money? Or do they want to energize you so you’ll make impulse purchases?

Learning a bit about color psychology might help you better understand how companies try to use your emotions to their advantage. You can also use your knowledge of color psychology to create an environment that will help you be your best when you’re working, when you’re eating, or when you’re relaxing.

Dr. Amir Levine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University. He’s a leading researcher on the molecular processes that are unique to the developing brain. His research has uncovered findings that may lead to changes in the way mood disorders and addictions are treated in both adolescents and adults. 

He’s also the co-author of a popular book called Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love. In it, he describes how understanding our attachments in adulthood can improve our relationships. 

Some of the things he talks about today are the three different adult attachment styles, how to recognize your attachment style and your partner's, and how you can change your attachment style.

At first glance, you might wonder why on earth anyone would be afraid to be happy. But if you think about it a little longer, you might recognize a few times in your life when you experienced an aversion to happiness.

Perhaps you won an award, and then you felt so much pressure to live up to the achievement that you were afraid to let yourself really enjoy your success.

Or maybe something really good happened, and you were so afraid that those happy feelings weren’t going to last that you didn’t let yourself feel happy for even a minute because you were afraid that things would come crashing down. 

You might have also found yourself in a tough spot in life — like, maybe you were grieving the loss of a loved one or you were facing some hard economic times — and you felt guilty laughing or having fun. It’s common to think you can allow yourself to be happy during sad times.

Those are just a few of the reasons why it’s hard to allow ourselves to be happy sometimes. But just as it’s harmful to avoid an uncomfortable emotion like anxiety, an aversion to happiness can take a toll on your well-being and your life too.

On this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share what the research says about why people are afraid of being happy, the consequences it can have on your life, and what you can do about it.

Elaine Fox is a cognitive psychologist and the head of the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. She’s a leading mental health researcher who combines genetics, psychology, and neuroscience in her work. She runs the Oxford Elite Performance, a consulting group that brings cutting-edge science and psychology to those at the highest levels of sport, business, and the military.

Her newest book, Switch Craft, focuses on the benefits of mental agility. 

Just like we need a variety of tools in the toolbox we keep for our homes, we need a variety of tools to solve problems, manage uncomfortable emotions, and deal with challenges. Some of the things Dr. Fox talks about today are why we sometimes get stuck in rigid patterns, the strategies we can use to increase the number of tools we have in our toolkits, and the best ways to increase our psychological flexibility.

There were a lot of people on social media this year discouraging others from setting a New Year resolution. Opting out of a resolution isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

By mid-January, most people consider their resolutions failed. That means their intentions to hit the gym, wake up earlier, or save more money have already fallen by the wayside. So if your plan to create change this year isn't working out, you're not alone but don't give up.

Here are some strategies that can help you get back on track so you can make this year amazing.

Reggie Walker spent seven years in the NFL playing for the Cardinals, the Chargers, and the Broncos before deciding to walk away from the game.

Reggie was sexually, emotionally, and physically abused during childhood — something he tried to hide for much of his life. And for a while, football became a socially appropriate way for him to mask his anger because he could be aggressive on the field. 

He decided to get help to heal from the trauma he endured by talking to a therapist. But weekly therapy wasn’t enough, so he checked himself into a 30-day inpatient treatment program.

He’s since pursued a degree in counseling so he can help other people heal from their pain. He started a program for athletes to help them manage their mental health, and he wrote a book called The Game Within the Game.

Some of the things Reggie talks about are how he found the courage to get help, how he recognized that therapy wasn't going to be helpful enough, and the steps he is now taking to manage his mental health.

Have you ever spent two hours dreading the fact you were going to see someone for an hour? If so, you just gave that person two extra hours of your life.

Have you ever blamed someone for ruining your day or putting you in a bad mood? If so, you gave that person power over your emotions.

There are many ways in which we give negative people too much of our time, energy, and mental real estate. And the truth is, we all let negative people take a toll on us sometimes. 

And if we’re not careful, we might waste a lot of time and energy thinking about them or complaining about them. Or, we might let a negative person influence our behavior in an unhealthy way.

When you realize that you’re doing it, however, you can create positive change. You can set limits on how much of an impact you’re going to let a negative person have over our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. 

Richie Stephens is an Irish gangster-turned-actor who lives in Los Angeles. He frequently plays villains in TV and movies, including Days of Our Lives, Criminal Minds, MacGyver, and Blue Bloods.

He’s also the author of The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety where he shares how 12-step groups helped him get into recovery after decades of drug and alcohol abuse.

Some of the things he talks about today are what made him decide to get into recovery, the lies he had to stop believing, how he learned to manage his cravings, and what he did when he didn't agree with everything in the 12-step meetings he attended.

We all put things off sometimes — even when we know there will be negative consequences for doing it. Whether we avoid doing household chores, making appointments, or paying our bills, procrastination can become a real problem.

And while some people seem to think it’s a time management issue, procrastination is more likely to stem from an emotional regulation issue. We put off things that will cause us to feel uncomfortable emotions like boredom, anxiety, or frustration. 

Unfortunately, our attempts to avoid feeling uncomfortable don’t actually work. In fact, it can backfire and cause us to experience even more long-term distress as we face the consequences of our procrastination.

Fortunately, there are some science-backed strategies that can help you break the procrastination habit. When you start checking those tasks off your to-do list, you’ll experience a sense of relief and accomplishment — which can motivate you to keep going and get even more things done. 

I released this episode in 2021. But the strategies are still effective (and perhaps even more relevant now). So we decided to re-release it so you can make 2023 your best year yet!

Most resolutions don’t work. In fact, most are abandoned by mid-January. 

Yet most people continue to establish resolutions year after year hoping that, somehow, this will be the year that they actually create change.

That's not to say you shouldn't create a goal for next year. You should. But it's important to do so in a healthy way.

Today, I’m sharing an encore performance of a new year's resolution episode from a couple of years ago. These strategies to build mental strength in the new year might be even more relevant now than they were back then.

Some of the things I talk about in today’s episode:

• What a new survey reveals about how the pandemic has affected the types of resolutions people were making in 2021
• The biggest reasons most resolutions fail
• The 3 things your resolution needs if you want it to stick
• 5 resolutions that will help you build mental strength

It’s been a great year hosting The Verywell Mind Podcast. We’ve talked to so many mentally strong people who have been brave enough and kind enough to share their strategies for staying mentally strong and their struggles along the way.

I’ve also had a lot of fun creating the Friday Fix episodes to share some of my favorite strategies straight from the therapy office. I use them in my everyday life and I hope you find them helpful too.

One of the best parts of being the host of a podcast is hearing from the audience. I’ve heard from a lot of listeners who have shared the steps they’re taking to build mental strength too. 

Here are the most popular episodes and the lessons we've learned from them in 2022.

Michael Baldwin says EMDR saved his life. Deborah Korn, PsyD uses EMDR to help people overcome trauma. Together, they wrote a book called Every Memory Deserves Respect.

Some of the things they talk about are how EMDR works, why it is so effective in addressing PTSD, what to expect from an EMDR session, and the symptoms that tend to improve with treatment.

A decade ago, the idea of meeting with a therapist online seemed a bit too far-fetched for many people. There were concerns about everything from privacy to credibility.

But online therapy has become mainstream over the past few years. In fact, the abundance of online therapy sites and additional services being offered over the past few years has left many people feeling overwhelmed by all the choices.

And it’s no wonder why. Some online therapy sites take insurance. Others offer subscription services. Some sites allow you to message a therapist throughout the day while others offer video appointments only.

Fortunately, there are many reputable providers who can treat a variety of mental health issues effectively online. Depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and even relationship problems can be addressed with online treatment now. 

It’s tough to sort through all the options, however, (especially when you’re stressed out, battling depression, or feeling extremely anxious). It can also be difficult to know whether online therapy is a good fit for you.

So here's everything you need to know about online therapy.

Tracy McCubbin has always loved to create clutter-free spaces. So she turned her organizational skills into a full-time business called dClutterfly where she helps people organize their homes. 

She’s also the author of two books. Her first book, Making Space, Clutter Free, teaches readers how to get rid of the clutter once and for all. Her newest book, Make Space for Happiness, describes the link between clutter and emotional wellness.

Some of the things she talks about today are how clutter affects our well-being, how to decide when we have too much stuff, and a step-by-step guide to decluttering your home one space at a time.

It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, the holidays aren’t joy-filled. In fact, this time of year can be extra tough in many ways.

The holidays can amplify existing issues, like loneliness. They create a lot of stress, including financial strain, for many people. Sprinkle in some family tension, grief, and end of the year deadlines, and it’s a recipe for higher rates of distress.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to stay mentally strong throughout the holidays. Here are 10 things you can do this year to manage your mental health and reduce your stress.

Andrea Bonior is a psychologist who spent fifteen years turning what she’d learned in the therapy office into a mental health column for The Washington Post called “Baggage Check.”

She’s also the author of three books, including Detox Your Thoughts. She writes for Psychology Today and is the host of a new podcast called Baggage Check.

Some of the things Andrea shares are how to deal with people who cancel plans at the last minute, what to do when someone always points out the negative, and how to respond to unsolicited advice.

Whether you want an extra hand moving furniture or you need professional help for depression, asking for help can be tough.

It can feel scary too. We don’t want people to reject us, judge us, or feel more powerful than us. 

But the sooner we ask for help and make our needs known, the sooner we can get some relief.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make asking for help feel a little less uncomfortable. With each successful request, you might build the courage to ask for help again. And with a little help from those around you, life often becomes much more manageable and enjoyable.

Since 1993, Maurice Benard has been playing Sonny Corinthos on the ABC soap opera General Hospital.

Maurice has made his battle with bipolar disorder public. The writers at General Hospital have even made his on-screen character bipolar so that he can depict what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder.

Maurice’s book, Nothing General About It, reveals how he’s learned to live with bipolar and how he’s managing his symptoms. He also started a YouTube show called State of Mind, where he shares information on mental health.

Some of the things he talks about today are what it was like to have a 'nervous breakdown,' how to recognize when you need medication for a mental health issue, and how to start recognizing the things that trigger mental health problems in your life.

Kevin Hart is a world famous comedian whose stand-up comedy tours sell out stages around the world. Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015.

He’s also a New York Times bestselling author of several books. His latest book, an Audible Original called Monsters and How to Tame Them, discusses strategies for managing your inner critic.

Some of the things he talks about today are why everyone struggles with the same inner monsters, how to use your inner critic to your advantage, and the one monster he struggles to tame.

Sometimes, practicing gratitude can feel a little bit like a chore. Writing thank you notes or telling your family what you’re thankful for over the dinner table might not conjure up true gratitude after a while.

But, there are gratitude practices that can help you feel thankful every day. And that can have huge benefits for your health, your relationships, and your happiness level.

One of the best ways to practice gratitude involves being thankful for the people in your life, rather than the things that you have. 

Here are five ways you can experience and express true gratitude in your life. 

Andy Grammer is a singer, songwriter and record producer. He’s best known for his song, “Honey, I’m Good,” which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

His music is uplifting but he felt depressed during the pandemic. Now, he’s talking about how he went to therapy, what he learned, and why anyone can develop depression.

Some of the things you'll hear on the show are how Andy recognized he was depressed, what he's learning in therapy, and how he's practicing self-acceptance.

There’s a lot of information out there about setting healthy boundaries. But sometimes it’s difficult to get to the first step–saying no.

If you’re a people-pleaser or you have a fear of missing out, saying no is difficult. Whether your friends invite you to do something or your boss offers you a new opportunity, it can be hard to find the right words to turn something down.

It’s especially uncomfortable to say no to help. But if a colleague offers to help you with something and you’re afraid they’ll slow you down, you might just need to say no to that too. 

Every time you say yes to something that isn’t in line with your goals or isn’t something you want to do, you ultimately say no to something else. 

But how do you say, “No thank you,” and then stick to that answer when people try to pressure you to change your mind? 

Here are 10 phrases that will help you say no and some strategies that can help you stick to your answer.

John Oates is a member of the best-selling duo of all time Hall & Oates. He’s also an accomplished solo artist who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The American Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2017, his autobiography, Change of Seasons, became a bestseller. In it, he shares his journey with managing his mental health as a famous musician and the steps he took to stay grounded.

Now, he's growing back his famous mustache for Movember to spread awareness for mental health. Some of the things he discusses are how he reinvented himself, what he learned in therapy, and how he's managing his mental health.

Sometimes, we inadvertently increase the chances that our biggest fears might come true.

That’s not to say it’s your fault if something bad happened to you. Bad things happen to us through no fault of our own much of the time.

But there are times when our fear of something causes us to react in a way that actually increases the chances that our fear might come true.

From dating the exact type of person you said you wanted to avoid to getting into the financial mess that you swore you’d never get into, there are plenty of other ways in which our efforts sometimes backfire. 

Here are the four reasons we sometimes accidentally make our biggest fears come true, how to recognize when you’re doing it, and what to do about it.

Taye Diggs is an actor who has appeared on Broadway, in several TV shows, and in many movies. He’s best known for his roles in Rent, the TV series Private Practice, and the movies How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Brown Sugar, and Malibu’s Most Wanted.

Currently, he stars in All American, and he's going to host a new reality dating show called Back in the Groove.

Taye struggled with insomnia for 13 years. He tried to ignore it and told himself that what he was experiencing was normal. But a certain incident made him realize he needed to get help. Some of the things he talks about today are how to find the courage to get help for whatever problem you might have, how to overcome the stigma associated with taking medication, and how to overcome the discomfort of asking for help.

If you set an aggressive but realistic goal that you want to achieve and a tight deadline, there’s no time to procrastinate. And you might realize how much every single day counts as you have limited time to reach your goal.

I have found 30-day challenges to be really helpful in my life. Sometimes, they motivate me to create change. At other times, they provide me with information. I treat them as a behavioral experiment that I test for 30 days. When they’re over, I can decide if I want to continue with the changes I made.

Many of my therapy clients have enjoyed 30-day challenges as well. Whether they want to change their eating habits or they work on clearing clutter, most of them have said they accomplished more than they imagined possible in just one month.

Dr. Yeager is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Much of his work focuses on facilitating the advancement of meaningful dialogue surrounding the subject of race and racism.

He also serves as the therapist for the Detroit Pistons professional NBA basketball team. 

He’s the author of a new book called How Am I Doing: 40 Conversations to Have With Yourself. In it, he describes questions we can all ask ourselves to increase self-awareness. 

Some of the things he discusses in today's episode are the specific questions we can ask ourselves to increase our self-awareness, the tools that can help us improve our mental health, and how we can begin to identify specific patterns in our lives.

There’s more than one way to tackle the same problem — especially when it comes to mental health problems. 

Some therapists focus on problems and all the things that contribute to emotional pain and suffering. Their goal is to help people gain insight into their problems so they can create positive changes.

Solution-focused therapists focus on solutions only. These therapists don’t explore old childhood wounds, and they don’t talk about past mistakes. They keep the conversation about the 'here and now' and the steps someone can take when moving forward.

That’s why a lot of them ask "the miracle question." It’s a question that helps people start imagining a more positive future.

And when people imagine a positive future, they often start taking helpful action.

Just talking about a positive future can remind people of their inner strength and the resources they can use to make their lives better.

You don’t have to go see a solution-focused therapist to start thinking about a more positive future for yourself. You can answer "the miracle question" for yourself right now.

Ryan Holiday is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling author and media strategist. He’s written more than a dozen books, including Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, The Obstacle Is the Way, and Stillness Is the Key.

He’s also the host of a popular podcast called The Daily Stoic.

His newest book, Discipline Is Destiny, is part of a series he’s written on The Stoic Virtues. 

Some of the things he talks about today are why a lack of discipline leads to unhappiness, the areas of your life where you can start developing more discipline, and the biggest misconceptions about living a disciplined life.

We all make poor decisions sometimes. But we often blame those bad decisions on not having enough information. And while that may be a factor, there’s another factor that often comes into play–we aren’t balancing our emotions with logic. 

Emotions should play a role in our decisions. But, if they play too big of a role, we’ll make poor choices.

Logic should also play a role in decision making. But if we base our choices on logic alone, we’ll also make mistakes.

We make our best decisions when we balance logic with emotion. That can be tough to do though.

Fortunately, this is a skill that everyone can learn. And as we sharpen our skills, we get better at making wise decisions.

Kelsey Crowe, Ph.D. heads Empathy Bootcamp, a company that trains people to be more empathetic. She's also the author of There Is No Good Card for This. She's an expert in helping people find the best words to say to someone going through a tough time.

Some of the things she talks about today are why it's so difficult for us to know what to say to someone who is in pain, the one phrase you can use in almost any situation, and the things you can do for someone who is going through a hard time. Whether someone you know has lost a loved one or they've been diagnosed with a serious illness, Kelsey will help you find the best words to say to them.

We all imagine catastrophic things happening sometimes. Maybe whenever a loved one doesn’t reply to a text message, right you automatically think something terrible has happened to them. Or perhaps every time your boss asks you to meet, you assume that you’re about to get fired.

Not only do catastrophic thoughts overestimate how bad things are going to be, they also underestimate our ability to cope if something bad does happen. You might tell yourself that you’d be completely destroyed if you got laid off or that you’d never recover if your love interest broke up with you. 

Catastrophic thoughts cause us to feel awful. And they can keep us from taking productive action if you let them.

While you can’t stop them from happening, you can choose how you respond to them. 

It’s a common issue we address in the therapy office — skills for managing catastrophic thoughts. Here's my favorite strategy for dealing with them.

Nick Viall is best known for his role on The Bachelor TV series. He starred in The Bachelorette for two seasons before starring as "The Bachelor." He also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise.

He has since started a podcast called The Viall Files where he talks about relationships, and he wrote a book called Don’t Text Your Ex Happy Birthday: and Other Advice on Love, Sex, and Dating.

Some of the things he talks about today are the difference between expectations and boundaries, how your ego can interfere with your ability to have healthy relationships, and why it's our natural tendency to choose pain over boredom.

We all act tough sometimes. There are times when acting tough can serve a purpose. There will be times when you need to set your feelings aside and push through something difficult. 

It’s OK to acknowledge that you feel uncomfortable, to ask for help, and to be vulnerable with other people. In fact, it often takes more strength to acknowledge your feelings or to admit to your mistakes.

It can be helpful to stop and ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing right now an example of being strong, or am I just acting tough?”

Once you recognize the difference, you can choose to start doing the things that help you grow mentally stronger.

Dr. Mark Goulston is a psychiatrist, best-selling author, and executive coach.

He spent many years of his career working with patients who were experiencing thoughts of suicide. He learned that one of the best things he could do for people who were in pain was to sit and listen to them. 

Some of the things he talks about today are the truth about why people experience suicidal thoughts (it's not always depression), how to talk to a loved one if you're concerned about them, and what you can do if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide.

We're celebrating our 200th episode by sharing the top mental strength lessons we've learned so far on the podcast. I discuss some of my favorite lessons I've learned from guests like Matthew McConaughey, Nikki Sixx, and Chrissy Metz. I also share the mental strength exercises that our listeners talk about the most from the Friday Fix episodes!

Ethan Suplee is an actor who is known for his roles on TV shows like Boy Meets World and My Name Is Earl as well as movies like American History X, Blow, The Wolf of Wallstreet, John Q, and Remember the Titans. 

In many of his acting roles, Ethan was morbidly obese. But food wasn’t his only addiction. He struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol as well. 

After being told that he was going to die due to the severity of his health issues stemming from his weight and addiction, Ethan decided to try and get healthier. He went to rehab, lost hundreds of pounds, and took control of his health.

Some of the things he talks about are how he stopped engaging in self-destructive behavior, how he continues to combat self-hatred, and the steps he's taking to improve his life one step at a time.

There are many ways to treat depression — medication, individual therapy, group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation to name a few.

But there are also lifestyle changes that can sometimes provide effective relief from symptoms. Something as simple as growing a garden can sometimes be an effective way to improve mood and reduce stress.

In fact, horticulture therapy has become an entire field of treatment for individuals who want to improve their well-being. From working in community gardens to growing plants at home — being in nature, getting physical activity, and working toward a goal are good for mental health.

But there's something about caring for a plant, even if it's an indoor plant that provides extra benefits to our emotional well-being.

Cobie Smulders is an actress who is known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. She’s also starred in many movies, including her role as agent Maria Hill in Marvel movies. 

She also knows a thing or two about resilience. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 25. She underwent multiple surgeries while starring in How I Met Your Mother and did not make her diagnosis public until several years later.

Now, she's teamed up with Colgate because she wants kids to learn skills that can help them be resilient. She's concerned about the mental health health of young people following the pandemic, and she's launched a campaign to ensure young people are learning the skills they need to thrive during uncertain times.

Some of the things she talks about today are why hope is such an important part of resilience, how nature improves her mental health, and why she apologizes to her kids (even though her parents never apologized to her).

Maybe you’re having dinner with a friend and all you can think about is your to-do list. Or perhaps it takes 30 minutes to send an email because you keep questioning how to word each sentence.

There are several reasons why our brains feel cluttered sometimes. Depression can cause us to ruminate on the past. Anxiety can cause you to worry about the future. Traumatic experiences can cause you to always be on the lookout for danger. 

But a diagnosable mental health condition isn’t always the culprit. Having a stressful life or a busy day can also lead to repetitive and unhelpful thoughts.

Regardless of the reason, it’s tough to feel mentally strong when your brain is filled with thoughts that aren’t helpful.

Lauren Swanson is a board-certified physician assistant who prescribes Ketamine through a telehealth company. She says she has seen it make huge differences in the lives of people who are battling anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Some of the things she talks about today are the science behind how Ketamine works, the benefits Ketamine can offer, and what someone can expect when they begin Ketamine treatment.

One person’s hallmark of mental strength might involve taking a little more time off to relax. Another person’s evidence of bigger mental muscles might involve pushing themselves to do more even though they don’t feel like it.

Our behavior doesn’t always reveal the battle we’re fighting inside our own minds. So it’s important to remember that your actions are only part of the process. Mental strength also involves the way you think and the way you feel.

Fortunately, there is a strategy that can help you discover whether you’re growing mentally stronger, even if your behavior doesn’t change right away. 

This one question can help you measure your mental strength every day.

Ricky Byrd is a rock and roll guitar player, singer, songwriter, and music producer. For more than a decade, he was a member of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, where he contributed background vocals and music to many albums, including two platinum albums and one gold album.

His most famous song might be “I Love Rock 'n Roll,” which was released in 1981. 

For many years, Ricky lived what might be the “typical” musician lifestyle. He drank, used drugs, and partied hard as he toured around the world alongside other famous musicians like Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Wonder. 

But Ricky made a decision to get sober over 30 years ago. Since then, he’s created a lot of new music that focuses on recovery and hope. He often performs at benefit shows to raise money for drug and alcohol treatment facilities. 

He’s become a certified recovery coach and drug and alcohol counselor. He frequently leads recovery music groups at treatment facilities around the United States. 

Some of the things he talks about are how his denial and desire to punish himself kept his substance abuse going, the one thing that inspired him to get help, and how he now helps other people who are struggling with addiction.

You may find yourself thinking you need more mental strength so you can go to the gym. But what if the opposite were true? You need to go to the gym to build mental strength.

Most people focus on the physical muscle they build from exercise. But physical activity is also a great way to build mental muscle. 

Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need a gym membership to bolster your mental strength. There are plenty of physical activities you can do from home or outside to build mental strength.

You also don’t need to do torturous workouts that prove you can stand pain (a common myth about mental strength training). Sometimes, a few simple physical activities might be enough to help you feel better, think clearer, and gain motivation.

Ronald Siegel, PsyD, is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School where he’s taught since the early 1980s.

He’s a longtime student of mindfulness meditation, and he has taught internationally about the importance of mindfulness and mind-body treatment. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lincoln, MA.

Some of the things he talks about in this episode are why we equate happiness with achievement (even though success doesn't make us happy), the exercise that will help you discover what really matters to you in life, and how to conquer the fear of not being good enough.

While you can’t control how other people behave, you can control how you respond to them.

If you’ve allowed someone to treat you poorly and you didn’t address their behavior, it’s important to consider why.

It may have to do with the other person–like you fear what would happen if you spoke up. Or, it may have more to do with you–like you fear what would happen to you if the other person stopped being in your life.

Once you understand why you allow mistreatment to happen, you can take helpful action.

In this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I explain the top seven reasons why you might allow someone to mistreat you. I also share how you can take steps to move forward in a healthy way if someone treats you poorly.

Boundaries involve setting rules that make it clear how you want to be treated.

Sometimes, this means saying something like, “No, I won’t loan you my car.” Other boundaries involve telling someone what you expect like, “I expect you to call before showing up at my house.”

It’s important to announce your boundaries to other people. You might say, “Please don’t ask about my health issues in front of other people.”

At times, however, it’s best to show what your boundaries are with your behavior. If you’re at a dinner party where people start drinking heavily and you’re uncomfortable, you might find it’s best to leave without offering an explanation about why.

Setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable at first if you aren’t used to setting them. But establishing clear boundaries shows you have respect for yourself, and it can be the key to establishing healthy relationships with other people. 

There are a lot of misconceptions about boundaries. These misconceptions often spread quickly on social media and cause many people to misunderstand how to set boundaries in a healthy way.

Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and a New York Times Best Selling author. Her books, including Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, have been translated into 20 languages.

She’s also a contributor to The Atlantic where she writes a regular column called “Dear Therapist.” She co-hosts a podcast with Guy Winch, called Dear Therapists, where they respond to listeners’ problems and walk them through therapy sessions with actionable advice.

In her book, Lori talked about a mysterious illness she has. She struggled to get a diagnosis and treatment.

So now she's talking about chronic illness and the impact it can have on well-being. She shares some actionable strategies for managing an illness and supporting someone else who has one.

A lot of people enter my therapy office, not because they’re looking to change themselves, but because they want to change someone else.

I commonly get questions like, “Can you talk to my partner about their drinking for me?” or “Can you meet with my daughter to tell her that she needs to stop dating men with so many problems? It’s not good for her kids to see that.” 

While you can’t force someone else to change their behavior, you can influence them. In fact, the closer your relationship is to someone else, the more likely you are to have an influence on the choices they make.

Jazmyn Simon is an actress who is best known for her roles in Ballers, Raising Dion, and Locked Down. 

She’s also an author. She wrote a children’s book called Most Perfect You, a letter to children struggling to accept themselves. It was inspired by a conversation Jazmyn had with her daughter when she was young.

Some of the things she talks about today are why we should talk to kids about their appearance, how to help kids feel better about themselves, and how to get kids to open up and tell you what's really going on.

When life has thrown you some serious curveballs or your mental health is declining, it’s tough to see the positive things going on around you. 

But noticing the bad, however, is easy. You might find your brain automatically focuses on the worst thing that happened or it might constantly predict negative outcomes.  

These kinds of thoughts affect how you feel and how you behave. If you aren’t careful, your thoughts can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to look for the good in life by practicing toxic positivity.

Nathan Kress is an actor who is best known for playing Freddie Benson on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, which aired between 2007 and 2012. In 2021, he reprised his role in the iCarly revival. 

He’s also the co-host of a podcast called RadioActive Dads. He and his co-host, fellow actor Brett Davern, talk about their experiences raising kids. 

Nathan is also a caregiver. His wife has endometriosis, and at times, her symptoms are debilitating. Some of the things he talks about in today's episode are how he and his wife dealt with grief following five miscarriages, how he takes care of himself, and his mental health tips for other caregivers.

Have you ever been so emotionally exhausted that you felt like you have nothing else to give? If so, you’re not alone. 

There are a lot of people feeling emotionally exhausted right now, and there are a lot of reasons why — the pandemic, rising gas prices, economic uncertainty, and ongoing media reports about bad things happening in the world.

When you feel emotionally exhausted, the typical self-care tips aren’t likely to work. Taking a bubble bath or getting some exercise might take the edge off for a minute, but these self-care tips won’t relieve your exhaustion long-term.

Fortunately, there are some more effective things that you can do to charge your batteries and relieve your emotional exhaustion.

In this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share the symptoms of emotional exhaustion and the best thing you can do to address it.

Grace Gaustad is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame at the age of 15 when her performance of “Take Me to Church” went viral. 

She released her debut album, BLKBX, in 2021. In it, she addresses her experiences growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community and the bullying she endured in school. 

She released several singles in 2022.

Grace was bullied throughout her childhood, and she often felt alone in her struggles. Now, she's using her platform to help other people who feel alone. As someone who has battled depression and anxiety, she's sharing how she's staying mentally strong.

When we’re faced with a crisis, our bodies and our minds gear up to tackle the challenge. Then, when the crisis is resolved, we go back into our normal state of being.

Our bodies weren’t meant to stay in a heightened state of alert over a long period of time. So when a crisis doesn’t end fast enough, we grow weary and get what’s known as crisis fatigue.

If you’ve developed crisis fatigue, you’re not alone. It’s important to note that crisis fatigue doesn’t mean you’re insensitive, you lack mental strength, or you’ve done anything wrong. It just means your body and your mind are having trouble coping with a prolonged state of distress — which is normal.

Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on human performance. He’s been a consultant on mental skills development for professional sports teams, including some of the top NBA teams. 

He co-authored Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox with our former guest Brad Stulberg. He also wrote The Science of Running, and now he has a new book called Do Hard Things. 

He shares today why our brains work so hard to keep us inside our comfort zones, how to change our inner dialogue, and what happens when we push ourselves to do hard things.

If you are stressed at work, you might think the solution is to build more mental strength so you can handle workplace issues better. If you’re struggling with anxiety, you might assume you need to meditate more often.

But sometimes, the solution to our problems isn’t about working on our inner strength. Instead, the best way to tackle some problems involves making a few changes to the environment.

There are some simple changes you can make to the environment to help you build mental strength and to preserve what strength you already have.

You only have so much mental energy. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a position where all your energy is wasted combating an unhealthy environment. Here's how to create an environment that will help you be the strongest and best version of yourself. 

Dr. Myron Rolle is a former NFL player turned neurosurgeon. He’s also the author of a new book called The 2% Way. In it, he describes how striving to become two percent better each day helped him achieve his goals on the athletic field, in college, and in life.

Some of the things he talks about today are how to stay motivated when you're tackling a tough challenge, how to break a big goal into smaller action steps, and how the 2% way can help you reach your greatest potential.

Hope keeps us going through tough times. But we’ve all had times when we’ve felt utterly hopeless. It’s so hard to push through when you don’t have any hope that things will get better.

Maybe you have a health issue that causes you to feel utterly hopeless about the future. You might be convinced that no matter what you do or what medication you try, you’re never going to feel better.

Or you might feel hopeless about your financial situation. Looking at your mounting debt may cause you to think that there’s no way you’re ever going to dig yourself out.

Mental health issues can also cause hopelessness. One of the main symptoms of depression involves a lack of hope. And not having any hope can worsen your mental health. It’s a two-way street.

Here's my favorite science-backed strategy for cultivating hope. It only takes a few minutes, but doing it can help you feel happier and more hopeful about the future. 

Brooke Shields has worked in Hollywood since 1978 as an actress and a model. She’s starred on magazine covers across the globe, appeared in movies like The Blue Lagoon, and starred in the TV show Suddenly Susan.

She’s also a New York Times Best Selling author. In 2005, her book Down Came the Rain talked about the debilitating postpartum depression she experienced after the birth of her daughter, and this helped reduce the stigma associated with postpartum depression. In 2014, her book There Was a Little Girl chronicled her life growing up with a single mother who became her show business manager. 

One of Brooke’s latest ventures is Beginning is Now, a website that combats ageism. At age 56, she is showing women that life doesn’t end at 40. Instead, it’s just beginning!

Some of the things she talks about today are the stereotypes about aging that she is trying to break, how to stop comparing yourself to others, and how to get more excited about life at any age.

Whether you don’t feel like working out any longer or you don’t feel like cleaning the house, it’s tough to push yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing.

That’s because your brain will try to hijack your behavior. It might tell you that you’re too tired to keep going. Or it might distract you with catastrophic thoughts. 

But you don’t have to believe your brain when it tells you that you can’t stand to keep going. In fact, pushing yourself to do things you don’t want to do is a great way to show your brain that you’re more capable and competent than it gives you credit for.

Here are seven strategies that can help you keep pushing forward when you feel like quitting.

Terry Crews is an NFL player turned actor and TV host. He has appeared on shows like Everybody Hates Chris and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s also hosted shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent.

He’s the author of a new book called Tough. In it, he shares stories from his childhood, his experiences in the NFL, and how his idea of real toughness has evolved over the years. Some of the things he talks about in today's episode are how his definition of toughness has evolved over the years, how he healed from his addiction to pornography, and how he broke free from the shame that held him back in life. 

When your nervous system is activated and you feel complete panic, thinking calming thoughts might not cut it. Or, when you feel so angry you can’t think clearly, you won’t be able to have a productive problem-solving conversation. 

Sometimes, it’s helpful to calm your nervous system first. Changing your body’s physiology can calm both your brain and your body.

That’s where TIPP comes in. It involves four strategies that can change your body's physiology. And when you've calmed your nervous system down, managing your emotions becomes much easier. 

Eric Barker is the creator of a blog called Barking Up the Wrong Tree which presents scientific answers about how to "be awesome at life." He’s also the author of two best-selling books. Barking Up the Wrong Tree addressed the science of success. His new book, Plays Well With Others, discusses the science behind relationships. Some of the things Eric talks about are why friends might be more important than family when it comes to our health and well-being, how to combat loneliness, and the science behind developing more meaningful friendships.

Do you ever think you just don’t have any more to give? Are you emotionally exhausted? Do you feel cynical and hopeless? 

These are just a few signs that you might be experiencing burnout. High levels of chronic stress combined with a sense of feeling stuck can lead to burnout. 

You can’t always control all the factors that contribute to burnout. An unhealthy work environment may be to blame.

But there are steps you can take to improve your individual situation. A few changes to your lifestyle might go a long way toward helping you feel better.

Lisa Bilyeu is co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a billion-dollar company. She’s also the president of Impact Theory, a weekly interview show that uncovers how achievers become successful.

She’s now the author of a book called Radical Confidence. In it, she describes how changing her mindset helped her create the life of her dreams.

Some of the things she talks about in today's episode are how gratitude was actually keeping her stuck in life, the difference between confidence and radical confidence, and the tools you need to create your best life.

When someone is gaslighting you, you’ll likely second guess yourself. Gaslighters are good at convincing you that you’ve lost touch with reality.

Whether they lie about your behavior, insist your feelings are irrational, or say your thoughts are distorted, their goal is to cause you to feel as though you’re losing your mind.

While gaslighting is most often discussed in terms of romantic relationships, it can occur in other relationships too. Your boss, friends, extended family, or even your doctor may gaslight you. 

It’s tough to know what’s real and what isn’t when someone gaslights you. So on today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share four strategies that can help you stay mentally strong when someone is gaslighting you. I explain how to recognize gaslighting and what to do about it.

Edith Eger was a Jew living in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe when she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, a death camp. Dr. Eger and her sister survived, but their parents did not.

After the war, Dr. Eger got married and had a baby. She and her husband moved to the United States in 1949, and she got her degree in psychology. She began treating people with PTSD, which inspired her to continue working on healing herself.

Now, she’s written two books, The Choice and The Gift, where she chronicles her journey and the lessons she learned along the way.Dr. Eger's daughter, Marianne Engle, also became a psychologist. She joins us for this conversation today. Some of the things Dr. Eger talks about are the things she had done to promote her own healing, how she fosters resilience in others, and how she has turned her suffering into strength.

Do you ever feel like your brain can’t possibly make one more decision? Do simple choices feel overwhelming sometimes? If so, you might be experiencing decision fatigue.

It’s a real problem that can affect all of us. Our decision-making mental muscles only have so much energy. And when those reserves are depleted, decision-making can go downhill fast.

For some people, decision fatigue causes them to make poor choices. For others, the weariness makes it nearly impossible to decide on anything at all. 

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to combat decision fatigue. A few simple changes to the way you operate your day can make a big difference to your brainpower. 

In today’s episode, I share the pitfalls of decision fatigue and the five things you can do to avoid it. 

Chrissy Metz is an American actress and singer. She’s best known for her role as Kate Pearson on the TV series This Is Us. She’s been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and she’s won two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Chrissy’s 2018 book, This Is Me, became a #1 New York Times Best Seller. In it, she describes her life growing up, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her tips for living your best life. 

Some of the things Chrissy talks about today are how she's learned to recognize her unhealed childhood wounds, the steps she is taking to manage her mental health, and how she's learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable.

Every week, my inbox is flooded with questions from podcast listeners and readers who want to know about mental health, mental strength, and therapy. As much as I’d love to be able to respond to each message, it’s no longer feasible to do so. 

So that’s where these "Ask Me Anything" episodes come in. Every month or so, I pick a few questions and address them on the podcast. 

On today’s show, I answer questions about recognizing if you have depression, dealing with in-law relationships, and self-talk.

Jenn Mann is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is best known for being the host of VH1’s hit shows Couples Therapy and Family Therapy. 

She’s the author of several best-selling books including The Relationship Fix: Dr. Jenn’s 6-Step Guide to Improving Communication, Connection & Intimacy.Some of the things she talks about today are common communication mistakes, how to reconnect with your partner, and how to improve your relationship.

Imposter syndrome is that uncomfortable feeling you experience when you think you’re unqualified and incompetent. You might look around and assume everyone knows what they’re doing except you. 

And if you achieve something good, you’ll chalk your accomplishments up to “good luck.” 

Almost everyone experiences imposter syndrome at one point or another. For some people, it’s a small problem. For others though, it can be debilitating.

If you have imposter syndrome, you might worry that someone is going to discover how inept you really are. You might cope by becoming an overachiever. Or you might stop trying to reach your potential so you don’t disappoint anyone.  

Imposter syndrome isn’t just something that happens at work. You might struggle with it in your personal life too if you feel like an ineffective parent or you think you aren’t a good partner.  

Fortunately, this science-backed strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome can help you live your best life–and feel effective while you’re doing it.

Brooke is a television personality, author, fitness trainer, actress, and entrepreneur. 

She’s appeared on my shows over the years, including hosting Wild On!, a travel show that appeared on the E! network. She won the seventh season of Dancing With the Stars and then became a co-host of the show.

She’s the host of the Intimate Knowledge podcast. She’s appeared on the cover of many fitness, lifestyle, and fashion magazines. Despite her busy lifestyle, she makes self-care a top priority in her life.

Some of the things she talks about today are how she teaches people to get comfortable being uncomfortable, how she establishes boundaries, and how she creates time for herself.

Whether you carried on a whole conversation with spinach in your teeth or you slipped and fell in front of a whole room full of people, embarrassing moments are inevitable.

Although embarrassment feels uncomfortable, it won’t kill you. But the fear of embarrassment might actually be deadly. 

Fortunately, there’s help for people who fear being judged or who fear that they’ll experience embarrassment. It’s an issue we frequently address in the therapy office. 

Rather than avoid embarrassing moments, there’s something really powerful about learning to cope with embarrassing feelings. You might even get to a place where you can empower yourself by sharing your embarrassing stories with others.

On today’s episode, I share real-life ways the fear of embarrassment sometimes kills people. And I talk about the steps you can take to conquer your fear.