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, Amy Morin, is the author of several bestselling books on mental strength. She is also the editor in chief of Verywellmind.com, a mental health and self-improvement resource.

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.

Amy seeks out podcast guests whose work can enrich the conversation. She talks to Jesse Lyon, a hypnotherapist, about dream interpretation. Business coach Susie Moore comes on the show to chat about self-sabotage and how to avoid it. PTSD expert Bessel Van Der Kolk discusses how the body holds on to trauma.

The Verywell Mind Podcast also has guests who share their lived experiences. Actress Jordana Brewster is outspoken about the place of therapy in her life. Suicide and abuse survivor Johnny Crowder shares his journey. Singer/songwriter Jewel talks about being homeless as a child.

After talking with her guests, Amy ends the episode with a segment called "The Therapist's Take." In two or three minutes, she summarizes her guest's main points. She then suggests concrete steps listeners can take.

Every week, Amy hosts "The Friday Fix." These episodes focus on actionable strategies for improving one's outlook. Amy talks about misconceptions about self-care. She shares tips on developing healthy boundaries. She provides tools to use when feeling overwhelmed. She discusses the link between reading and mental health.

This show is an excellent choice for listeners who like concrete strategies for improving their mental health. It's a helpful resource and a comforting companion on anyone's self-improvement journey. The show is rich with wellness and mental health tips. However, listeners should consult a mental health professional for real-life advice. This show is not a substitute for treatment.

read less

Play Trailer

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.

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 Ayana Underwood - Associate Editor, 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.

Encore: Communication Mistakes Most Couples Make with Couples Therapist Dr. Jenn Mann

Encore: Communication Mistakes Most Couples Make with Couples Therapist Dr. Jenn Mann

While we're on a brief break, enjoy some of our top episodes! 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. Original Episode Air Date: April 25, 2022

263 - How to Be Drama Free with Therapist/Author Nedra Glover Tawwab

263 - How to Be Drama Free with Therapist/Author Nedra Glover Tawwab

Do you struggle to find healthy ways to deal with family dysfunction? If so, you're not alone. Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab has some ideas on how to manage issues with friends and family without all the drama. Some of the things she talks about today are recognizing when you're getting pulled into dysfunction, setting time boundaries, and dealing with privacy issues. To learn more about Nedra, visit her website or check out her new best-selling book, Drama Free.

262 - Friday Fix: A Psychological Trick for Getting Through a Panic Attack

262 - Friday Fix: A Psychological Trick for Getting Through a Panic Attack

Panic attacks involve an intense fear that comes out of the blue. It creates physical symptoms within the body, such as a rapid heart rate, dizziness, and sweating. Many people live in great fear of when they'll have another panic attack and often worry that it will happen in public. Fortunately, there are some strategies that can help you get through a panic attack while also making the fear another one a lot less scary. The 5-4-3-2-1 strategy can help ground you when your body and your mind are in a state of sheer panic.

261 - What Your Dreams Say About You with Hypnotherapist/Dream Interpreter Jesse Lyon

261 - What Your Dreams Say About You with Hypnotherapist/Dream Interpreter Jesse Lyon

Have you ever wondered why you keep dreaming that you're falling? Or have you ever dreamed that you showed up somewhere without your clothes on? If so, you're not alone. And while you might try to brush off your dreams by telling yourself that they are just your brain telling stories while you're sleeping, there's evidence that suggests your dreams can have deeper meanings. Jesse Lyon is a therapist and dream scientist. And on today's episode, he explains what some common dreams mean, how we can interpret our own dreams, and what insights we can gain from our dreams. Check out DreamApp Check out Jesse's website Follow him on Instagram - @lyonmentalhealth Follow him on TikTok - @lyonmentalhealth

260 - Friday Fix: How Reading Improves Your Mental Health

260 - Friday Fix: How Reading Improves Your Mental Health

While it may come as no surprise that reading could be good for your cognitive health, a lot of research shows it can be good for your mental health. In fact, reading might even be good for your social life. The good news is that you don't have to read for long to reap the benefits. There's some research that shows reading for just six minutes a day might make you a happier person. Follow Amy on Instagram - @AmyMorinAuthor Check out Amy's books on mental strength

259 - Be Mindful, Vulnerable, and Real with Actress Jordana Brewster

259 - Be Mindful, Vulnerable, and Real with Actress Jordana Brewster

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.

258 - Friday Fix: How to Gain More Emotional Control

258 - Friday Fix: How to Gain More Emotional Control

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

257 - How to Stop Making Everything So Difficult with Author/Business Coach Susie Moore

257 - How to Stop Making Everything So Difficult with Author/Business Coach Susie Moore

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 - Susie-Moore.com

256 - Friday Fix: The Best Tool for When You Feel Overwhelmed

256 - Friday Fix: The Best Tool for When You Feel Overwhelmed

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.

255 - How to Find Mental Health Resources That Work for You with Suicide/Abuse Survivor Johnny Crowder

255 - How to Find Mental Health Resources That Work for You with Suicide/Abuse Survivor Johnny Crowder

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

254 - Friday Fix: How to Deal With Rejection

254 - Friday Fix: How to Deal With Rejection

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.

253 - Reshape Your Life with Actress/Author Ali Landry

253 - Reshape Your Life with Actress/Author Ali Landry

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.

252 - Friday Fix: 10 Signs You Need Better Boundaries

252 - Friday Fix: 10 Signs You Need Better Boundaries

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.

251 - How to Get Help When Therapy Isn't Enough with Personal Development Coach Mike Bayer

251 - How to Get Help When Therapy Isn't Enough with Personal Development Coach Mike Bayer

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.

250 - Friday Fix: What the Sentimental Items You Keep Say About You

250 - Friday Fix: What the Sentimental Items You Keep Say About You

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.