The Verywell Mind Podcast

Verywell Mind

This season of the Verywell Mind Podcast will be focused on the power of community and hosted by Minaa B, a licensed social worker, mental health educator, and author of "Owning Our Struggles." Minaa is also a community care expert who helps people build healthy relationships. Every Friday, we'll be speaking with experts, wellness advocates, and individuals with lived experiences about community care and its impact on mental health. Episodes 1 – 263 were hosted by Amy Morin, psychotherapist and former editor-in-chief of Verywell Mind. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Verywell Mind Podcast is a show about mental health. The host, Minaa B., LMSW is a mental health educator and the author of Owning Our Struggles.

When it comes to mental health, there is always something new to learn. The Verywell Mind Podcast is a great resource for those who want to know the latest in psychology. Every episode provides a perspective on a different aspect of mental health.

Minaa B. seeks out podcast guests whose work can enrich the conversation. She talks to Dr. Judith Joseph about how listeners can cope with anhedonia. Nitika Chopra, the founder of the chronic illness community Chronicon discusses how we can cultivate self-love when living with a chronic illness. You’ll also learn about how you can transform your home into a mental health haven, depression in the BIPOC community, and how to become the most confident version of yourself.

So, tune in every Friday for actionable mental health tips and good vibes! Please note that while the show is rich with wellness and mental health tips, it is not a substitute for treatment with a mental health professional. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a licensed therapist.

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A New Season of Verywell Mind, Featuring New Host Minaa B.

A New Season of Verywell Mind, Featuring New Host Minaa B.

We're excited to introduce Minaa B., who will be hosting a new season of the Verywell Mind podcast starting September 1st. This season, we will be focusing on the power of community and discussing topics such as friendships, navigating difficult relationships, and how to seek support for your mental health. Minaa B. is a licensed social worker, mental health educator, and author of Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World. She's also a community care expert who helps people build healthy relationships and form connections. Every Friday, she will be speaking with experts, wellness advocates, and individuals with lived experiences about community care and its impact on mental health. She'll also be answering listener questions to provide tools for building healthy connections. Be sure to tune in every Friday for a new episode. You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or online at verywellmind.com/podcast.

276 - Ask Minaa Anything: Creating and Navigating Healthy Friendships

276 - Ask Minaa Anything: Creating and Navigating Healthy Friendships

You sent Minaa your most pressing questions, and in today's episode she provides her insight and advice to those questions. You asked about how to handle a friendship you may have outgrown, how to develop healthy two-sided friendships, and when to forgive a friend that betrayed your trust (and how to do it). For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

275 – How to Build Your Sisterhood With These Small Steps from Dr. Joy

275 – How to Build Your Sisterhood With These Small Steps from Dr. Joy

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a Licensed Psychologist. She’s also a speaker and the Founder & CEO of Therapy for Black Girls, and host of its wildly popular mental health podcast, which received a Webby award in 2023. In this episode, Dr. Joy sits down with Minaa to discuss her new book, Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. Her work focuses on making mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black women and she specializes in creating spaces for them to have fuller and healthier relationships with themselves and others. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

274 - How Black Mental Wealth is Key to Life-long Success and Wellness, with Dr. Raquel Martin

274 - How Black Mental Wealth is Key to Life-long Success and Wellness, with Dr. Raquel Martin

Dr. Raquel Martin is on a mission to radically reimagine Black possibility by promoting Black mental health as key to legacy-building and longevity for generations to come. In this episode, she sits down with Minaa B to discuss black mental wealth -- what it is and what it looks like in practice. Dr. Martin is an experienced licensed clinical psychologist, devoted professor, acclaimed researcher, and scientist. She deeply believes in the power of Black mental wealth – an affirming, lifelong journey, that encourages Black people to center mental health practices as integral and intentionally linked to success and wellbeing. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

273 - Technology and Kids: How to Limit Social Media's Impact on Mental Health in Today's World

273 - Technology and Kids: How to Limit Social Media's Impact on Mental Health in Today's World

Julie Scelfo is the Founder/Executive Director of Get Media Savvy, a nonprofit using pop culture to establish a healthy media environment for kids and families. She is an award-winning journalist, a former New York Times staff writer, a media ecologist, an author, and a parent. Scelfo was moved to start Get Media Savvy after reporting on the youth mental health crisis and seeing suicidality affect children at ever-younger ages, and recognizing how a multitude of factors—including absent regulations and the lack of widespread media literacy—has created an unhealthy, unsafe media environment. In this episode Scelfo talks with Minaa B about how her coalition works to create a widespread cultural shift so everyone recognizes the existence of the media environment and its central role in human affairs. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B, LMSW -- Host Kristen Altmeyer -- VP/GM, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay -- Podcast Producer/Editor

272 - No More Suffering in Silence: How to Support and Care for New Parents with Postpartum Depression

272 - No More Suffering in Silence: How to Support and Care for New Parents with Postpartum Depression

Paige Bellenbaum, is a LCSW, and the Founding Director and Chief External Relations Officer at The Motherhood Center of New York. In this episode, Bellenbaum sits down with Minaa B to discuss her experience with severe postpartum depression and how that drove her to fight for education, screening, and treatment for postpartum depression so that no more women would have to suffer silently. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

271 - Building Confidence with Model and Self-love Advocate Achieng Agutu

271 - Building Confidence with Model and Self-love Advocate Achieng Agutu

Achieng Agutu is a Kenyan-born model, and digital content creator, who has made a name for herself through social platforms by serving us a daily bowl of motivation, daily affirmations, self-love and fearlessness.The positivity became a viral sensation, leading Vogue to name her the “Confidence Queen.” Global attention from major brands such as Victoria’s Secret and Away followed and she was also chosen for this year’s Create & Cultivate Top 100 list for creators. In this episode, Agutu sits down with Minaa B to discuss how she developed her confidence, stopped living for other people and what's up next for the "Confidence Queen." For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

270 - Ask Minaa Anything: Setting Boundaries and Expectations with Family, Friends and Partners

270 - Ask Minaa Anything: Setting Boundaries and Expectations with Family, Friends and Partners

You sent Minaa your most pressing questions, and in today's episode Minaa provides her insight and advice to those questions. You asked about managing boundaries with an emotionally abusive parent, how to talk about intimacy in a relationship when you and your partner might have different needs, and how to set boundaries with a friend who is consistently late. Want your questions answered in another "Ask Minaa Anything" episode this season? Go to verywellmind.com/podcast and submit your question on the form to be considered. The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B, LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - VP/GM, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

269 - How Therapy Has Shaped Grammy-nominated Singer/Songwriter Cassadee Pope

269 - How Therapy Has Shaped Grammy-nominated Singer/Songwriter Cassadee Pope

Over the last 15 years, Cassadee Pope has been a lot of things to a lot of people—leader of seminal pop-punk band Hey Monday, the season 3 winner of The Voice and a platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated country singer-songwriter. Pope is also an ally and activist pushing for social change and a brighter future in a backward world. In this episode, Pope sits down with Minaa B. to discuss how therapy has shaped her life and songwriting, she also gives listeners a peek into what inspired her soon-to-be-released single. For more info visit verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B, LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - VP/GM, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

268 - We All Get Lonely Sometimes, But There Are Healthy Ways to Cope With Feeling This Way

268 - We All Get Lonely Sometimes, But There Are Healthy Ways to Cope With Feeling This Way

Being lonely really sucks. We've all experienced the moments where everyone we know seems to be busy—we haven't gotten a text back in hours, no one else is at home with us...even our pets can't be bothered with us! While the feeling of loneliness is never fun, we can learn ways to deal with solitude in a healthy way that doesn't start to wreak havoc on our mental health. Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, Founder of Project UnLonely talks about the toxicity of loneliness and how we can break down the stigma surrounding the topic because it can be hard to admit we're feeling lonely. Dr. Nobel also shares the types of creative expression that can be an antidote to loneliness. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

267 - Bridging the Gaps Between Activism, Vulnerability, & Mental Health

267 - Bridging the Gaps Between Activism, Vulnerability, & Mental Health

Social activism is hard and often thankless work. However, the small and big wins feel monumental and make the journey toward gaining equity and fair treatment worth it. Felicia A. Henry, LMSW, a social worker and PhD candidate with a focus on race, gender, carceral, and social vulnerability studies shares ways we can preserve our mental health while fighting for social justice—because activists deserve rest too. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

266 - Anita Yokota on Using Interior Design as a Therapy Tool

266 - Anita Yokota on Using Interior Design as a Therapy Tool

Your home environment and mood are connected. So, take a moment and look at your home surroundings. How does your home make you feel? Anxious? Sad? Cagey? Whatever emotion just popped up for you likely has something to do with the interior of your home. Even if some negative feelings come up for you—fear not!—because we can use interior design as a therapy tool. In fact, therapist-turned-interior-design Anita Yokota swears by it! In this episode, Yokota teaches us how to identify the emotional climate of our homes and the interior design changes we can make to our homes look—and feel better. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Ayana Underwood - Associate Editor, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

265 - Nitika Chopra on Achieving Community Support & Self Love While Living with a Chronic Illness

265 - Nitika Chopra on Achieving Community Support & Self Love While Living with a Chronic Illness

Conditions that last for a year or more and impair daily functioning are called chronic illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the most common include heart disease, depression, and arthritis. Living with a chronic illness can be isolating and painful, however, treatment options are available. In this episode, Nitika Chopra, founder and CEO of the chronic illness community Chronicon, details her debilitating psoriasis journey. Hear her discuss how she got through her most awful days and how cultivating community and self-love can help people with chronic illnesses live their best lives. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Ayana Underwood - Associate Editor, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

264 - Unpacking Anhedonia With Dr. Judith Joseph—What to Do When You Lose Interest in Everything

264 - Unpacking Anhedonia With Dr. Judith Joseph—What to Do When You Lose Interest in Everything

When living with certain mental health conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance use disorder, a common symptom is anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure from the things that used to bring you joy. In this episode, Dr. Judith Joseph aka "social media's favorite psychiatrist" talks about what anhedonia really looks like and how people experiencing it can ask for and get the help they need—and deserve. For more info visit: verywellmind.com/podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is produced by: Minaa B., LMSW - Host Kristen Altmeyer - GM/VP, Verywell Mind Ayana Underwood - Associate Editor, Verywell Mind Jeremiah McVay - Podcast Producer/Editor

A New Season of Verywell Mind, Featuring New Host Minaa B.

A New Season of Verywell Mind, Featuring New Host Minaa B.

We're excited to introduce Minaa B., who will be hosting a new season of the Verywell Mind podcast starting September 1st. This season, we will be focusing on the power of community and discussing topics such as friendships, navigating difficult relationships, and how to seek support for your mental health. Minaa B. is a licensed social worker, mental health educator, and author of Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World. She's also a community care expert who helps people build healthy relationships and form connections. Every Friday, she will be speaking with experts, wellness advocates, and individuals with lived experiences about community care and its impact on mental health. She'll also be answering listener questions to provide tools for building healthy connections. Be sure to tune in every Friday for a new episode. You can find us wherever you listen to podcasts or online at verywellmind.com/podcast.

170 - Friday Fix: How to Prevent Burnout

170 - Friday Fix: How to Prevent Burnout

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.

169 - How to Develop Radical Confidence with Author Lisa Bilyeu

169 - How to Develop Radical Confidence with Author Lisa Bilyeu

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.

168 - Friday Fix: How to Stay Mentally Strong When Someone Is Gaslighting You

168 - Friday Fix: How to Stay Mentally Strong When Someone Is Gaslighting You

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.

167 - Strategies for Healing & Resilience with Holocaust Survivor Dr. Edith Eger & Daughter Dr. Marianne Engle

167 - Strategies for Healing & Resilience with Holocaust Survivor Dr. Edith Eger & Daughter Dr. Marianne Engle

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.

166 - Friday Fix: How to Avoid Decision Fatigue

166 - Friday Fix: How to Avoid Decision Fatigue

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.

165 - How to Heal Your Childhood Wounds with Actress Chrissy Metz

165 - How to Heal Your Childhood Wounds with Actress Chrissy Metz

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.