Mentally Flexible

My guest today is Oliver Burkeman. Oliver is the author of the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, which is about embracing the finite nature of life and finally getting around to what matters most. He is also the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking and Help!: How to Be Slightly Happier, Slightly More Successful and Get a Bit More Done. For many years Oliver wrote a popular column on psychology for The Guardian called, This Column Will Change Your Life. He currently writes a newsletter called, The Imperfectionist, where he discusses productivity, mortality, and building a meaningful life in an age of distraction. Oliver is also a contributor to Sam Harris’ meditation app, Waking Up.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:
- How Oliver’s work overlaps with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Oliver’s background and how it helped him understand what doesn’t work regarding time management
- The idea of paying yourself first with time
- Making our peace with not being able to do everything that matters
- The importance of finding value in experiences themselves
- How our limitations are connected to distraction and impatience
- Oliver’s new book that he is currently writing

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Oliver’s website: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/

4000 Weeks: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374159122

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliverburkeman

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Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:

You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexible

Please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. Scott is a cognitive scientist and humanistic psychologist He is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world for his groundbreaking research on intelligence, creativity, and human potential. He is the founder and director of the Center for Human Potential and the author of several books, including “Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.” Scott is also the host of The Psychology Podcast, which frequently ranks as the #1 psychology podcast and has over 30 million downloads.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:
- The influence of individuals like Alan Watts and Abraham Maslow
- Scott’s latest book “Transcend” and his sailboat metaphor to understand the hierarchy of needs
- How the full vitality of life requires discomfort
- Areas of Scott’s personal growth
- Vulnerable Narcissism
- What it’s been like doing The Psychology Podcast for almost 10 years
- The difference between being-love and deficiency-love
- And the connection between transcendence and spirituality

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Scott’s website: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/

Transcend: https://a.co/d/79Lrh83

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottbarrykaufman/?hl=en

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Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:

You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexible

Please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Ben Eckstein, LCSW. Ben is a therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD, Anxiety, and OC-Spectrum Disorders. He is the owner and director of Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center in Durham, North Carolina. In addition to his clinical work, Ben is also an accomplished speaker, trainer, and is the author of the new book, Worrying is Optional: Break the Cycle of Anxiety and Rumination That Keeps You Stuck. He also serves on the board of OCD North Carolina, the state affiliate of the International OCD Foundation.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:
- How Ben ended up writingWorrying is Optional
- The overlap between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- How worrying can get in the way of other areas of life that are more important
- Understanding the habitual nature of worry
- The power of choosing what not to do
- The role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in addressing worry and rumination
- Ben’s background working in residential treatment for OCD

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Worrying Is Optional: https://a.co/d/aE4FjqK

Ben’s practice: https://www.bullcityanxiety.com/

Instagram: @bullcityanxiety

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Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:

You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexible

Please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today Jill Stoddard, PhD. Jill is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors, Be Mighty, and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Jill’s writing has appeared in places like The Washington Post and Psychology Today, and she regularly appears on podcasts and other media outlets.

Some of the topics we explore include:
- Jill’s new book, Imposter No More
- How and why she opens up about her own struggles in the book
- Learning that can come from our fears coming true
- The history of “Imposter Syndrome” and why it makes sense
- The different strategies people use to try to cover up their imposter thoughts and feelings
- The challenge and value of being vulnerable in a public way
- Skills and exercises to help work on imposter related challenges
- And the importance of learning how to accept discomfort

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Jill’s Website: https://jillstoddard.com/

Imposter No More: https://a.co/d/iDJsikJ

Jill’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/jillastoddard

Psychologists Off The Clock: https://offtheclockpsych.com/

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them!

Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, or 'Dr Z' as she is commonly known. She a clinical psychologist specializing in children, adolescents, and adults struggling with OCD, anxiety, and emotion regulation problems. Dr Z is the founder of East Bay Behavior Therapy Center, a therapy practice, where she runs an intensive outpatient program integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). She is the creator of “ACT beyond OCD,” an online class for people that want to augment their ACT and ERP skills for tackling OCD. In addition to her clinical work, Dr Zurita Ona supervises and teaches doctoral students at The Wright Institute, a private graduate school for psychology. She has also authored several books and workbooks which I can leave links for below

Some of the topics we explore include:
- The importance of behavioral flexibility in the face of adversity
- The difference between harmonious passions and obsessive behaviors
- How perfectionism can show up in a range of life areas
- Common challenges related to decision making, regret, and the fear of failure
- How a connection to a deeper awareness can help us move through difficulty
- The role of psychedelic-assisted therapy in cultivating an observer self

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Dr. Z’s website: https://www.thisisdoctorz.com/

OCD Workbook: https://www.thisisdoctorz.com/act-workbook-for-adults-with-ocd/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drz_behaviorist

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them!

Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Leidy Klotz. Leidy is a Professor at the University of Virginia, with appointments in Engineering, Architecture, and Business. He studies the science of design: how we transform things from how they are to how we want them to be. He has secured over $10 million in competitive funding to support this new area of research. To share research insights with those who can use them, he has written more than 80 articles and two books. His most recent book is called Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less.

Some of the topics we explore include:
- The research and insights that led to writing his book Subtract
-How neglecting to consider subtraction can create challenges in our lives 
-The role that our environmental spaces can play in wellbeing 
-The similarities and difference between subtracting and minimalism
-How Leidy works to integrate these ideas work into his own life
- How subtraction can be useful in places like therapy, music, and relationships

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Leidy website: https://www.leidyklotz.com/

Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less: https://a.co/d/hzbeMBg

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them! 

Connect with me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode. https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Leidy Klotz. Leidy is a Professor at the University of Virginia, with appointments in Engineering, Architecture, and Business. He studies the science of design: how we transform things from how they are to how we want them to be. He has secured over $10 million in competitive funding to support this new area of research. To share research insights with those who can use them, he has written more than 80 articles and two books. His most recent book is called Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less.

Some of the topics we explore include:
- The research and insights that led to writing his book Subtract
-How neglecting to consider subtraction can create challenges in our lives 
-The role that our environmental spaces can play in wellbeing 
-The similarities and difference between subtracting and minimalism
-How Leidy works to integrate these ideas work into his own life
- How subtraction can be useful in places like therapy, music, and relationships

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Leidy website: https://www.leidyklotz.com/

Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less: https://a.co/d/hzbeMBg

—————————————————————————

If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them! 

Connect with me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode. https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Yael Schonbrun, PhD. Yael is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University,  and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock.  Yael’s academic research explores the interaction between relationship problems and mental health conditions. She has authored chapters in several books and has written dozens of scientific articles. In her private practice, writing, and podcasting, Yael uses evidence-based science to help individuals and couples learn to manage work, parenting, and marriage in more effective and fulfilling ways. She draws upon treatments that integrate ancient Eastern philosophy with scientifically backed practices. Yael’s writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in places the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much).

Some of the topics we explore include:
- What is was like for Yael to bring her own life experience into Work, Parent, Thrive
- The difference between approaching problems “inside out” vs “outside in” 
- The challenges associated with balancing multiple important life roles
- The books, ideas, and people that influenced Yeal’s new book
- The importance of removing things from our lives instead of exclusively adding
- How ACT is integrated into Yael’s clinical work with couples
- We end by exploring both of our experiences podcasting 

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Yael’s website: https://yaelschonbrun.com/

Work, Parent, Thrive: https://www.shambhala.com/work-parent-thrive.html

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them! 

Connect with me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode. https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Yael Schonbrun, PhD. Yael is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University,  and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock.  Yael’s academic research explores the interaction between relationship problems and mental health conditions. She has authored chapters in several books and has written dozens of scientific articles. In her private practice, writing, and podcasting, Yael uses evidence-based science to help individuals and couples learn to manage work, parenting, and marriage in more effective and fulfilling ways. She draws upon treatments that integrate ancient Eastern philosophy with scientifically backed practices. Yael’s writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in places the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much).

Some of the topics we explore include:
- What is was like for Yael to bring her own life experience into Work, Parent, Thrive
- The difference between approaching problems “inside out” vs “outside in” 
- The challenges associated with balancing multiple important life roles
- The books, ideas, and people that influenced Yeal’s new book
- The importance of removing things from our lives instead of exclusively adding
- How ACT is integrated into Yael’s clinical work with couples
- We end by exploring both of our experiences podcasting 

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Yael’s website: https://yaelschonbrun.com/

Work, Parent, Thrive: https://www.shambhala.com/work-parent-thrive.html

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them! 

Connect with me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode. https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guests today are David Juncos and Elvire de Paiva e Pona.

David Juncos is a clinical psychologist based in Philadelphia, PA. He works with individuals on clinical issues ranging from anxiety to mood and substance use disorders He is also on faculty with the Voice Study Centre in the UK, where he lectures on topics such as peak performance and statistics/research design, and trains music teachers in using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) principles to address performance anxiety and enhance music performance.

Based in Vienna, Elvire de Paiva e Pona is a classically trained singer who performs internationally. With degrees in vocal pedagogy and psychology in addition to vocal performance, she is also a dedicated educator and teaches individual and group singing lessons and facilitates music classes for young children.

We explore a range of topics including:
- The story behind Dave and Elvire collaboration for their new book. ACT for Musicians
-How ACT can support musicians in both formal clinical approaches as well as music lessons
-How Elvire’s direct experience as a professional musician has played an important role in this work
-Some of the barriers within music education to integrate mental and emotional components 
-Some of the common challenges musicians face including:
       - Performance anxiety
       - Perfectionism
       - Shame and self-critical thinking
- Hopes for the future of ACT within music 

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ACT for Musicians: https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Musicians-Acceptance-Commitment-Performance/dp/1627343814

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If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It plays an important role in being able to get new guests. I also love reading them! 

Connect with me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode. https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth