242 — Feeling Off-Balance? Here's How to Take Back Control of Your Life
Do you feel like there just isn't enough time to get things done? Or do you feel guilty for not spending enough time on the things that matter most—whether it’s your health, your relationships, or your personal goals. You’re not alone.
Today I'm talking about how to make intentional trade-offs that align with your values so your life feels more in balance. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear plan to prioritize what matters most to you.
Some of the things I talk about are:
The 7 key areas of your life that need attention
How to decide where to focus your energy and attention
Why trade-offs aren’t a bad thing
The surprising research on happiness and balance—and why it’s not about doing everything equally
How to align your actions with your values
Real-life strategies that will help you create the right balance for you
Mentally Strong App
Get mental strength coaching (subscribers only) — Episode 242 Exercise
Get mental strength coaching via voice (subscribers only) — Episode 242 Voice Exercise
Subscribe to the app to unlock all the features — MentallyStrong.Downpat.Ai
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit Amy's website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
HoneyLove — Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/STRONGER #honeylovepod
BetterHelp — Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mentallystrong
CocoaVia — Get 20% off with code Amy2025 at cocoavia.com.
OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at https://www.oneskin.co/
ZocDoc — Go to Zocdoc.com/STRONGER to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/mentallystronger
Life Kit — Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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241 — How to Solve Family Drama Without Losing Your Mind with Dr. Bobby Parmar
Do you ever feel stuck in the middle of family drama while trying to make the "right" decision? Maybe you’ve been asked to take sides in a family feud or you want to help someone but you're afraid you might enable their poor choices. These kinds of dilemmas can leave you feeling stressed out and anxious--unless you have a strategy for dealing with family drama.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Bobby Parmar, professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and author of Radical Doubt. Dr. Parmar is an expert in decision-making, ethics, and navigating uncertainty. Together, we tackle common real-life family dilemmas that I often hear about in my therapy office and explore how to make the best decisions.
Some of the things we talk about are:
How to reframe family feuds so you’re not stuck choosing sides
Why your character doesn’t determine your decisions (and what does)
The surprising link between uncertainty and mental strength
How to set boundaries without feeling guilty or selfish
What to do when you know information you wish you didn’t
How to handle family drama, like wedding conflicts or sibling rivalries
Why your gut instinct might not always be the best guide (and how to use it wisely)
How to make decisions when you’re caught between your values and relationships
The key to avoiding regret when making tough choices
Why small, actionable steps are the secret to solving big problems
Links & Resources
Radical Doubt
University of Virginia Faculty Page
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit my website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
HoneyLove — Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/STRONGER #honeylovepod
BetterHelp — Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mentallystrong
CocoaVia — Get 20% off with code Amy2025 at cocoavia.com.
OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at https://www.oneskin.co/
ZocDoc — Go to Zocdoc.com/STRONGER to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/mentallystronger
Life Kit — Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.
Mentally Strong App — Take your mental strength to the next level. Sign up at mentallystrong.downpat.ai
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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240 — 7 Therapist-Approved Tips to Create an Incredible Life After a Difficult Childhood
Do you ever feel like having a less than ideal childhood somehow holds you back? Maybe you grew up in a chaotic household or you just weren't taught the skills other kids learned. As an adult, you might find yourself feeling stunted by the adversity you faced.
On today's episode, we’re diving into science-backed strategies to overcome a difficult childhood. And don't worry, you don't have to rehash the past to overcome it. Instead, you can use these tools to grow stronger, and create the adulthood you want to have.
Some of the things I share are:
How childhood adversity impacts mental strength.
Why you don’t have to talk about your past to heal from it.
The surprising benefits of having a rough start in life(and how to unlock them).
7 actionable strategies to help you move forward.
How to develop a growth mindset and learn the skills you didn’t get as a kid.
Mentally Strong App
Get free mental strength coaching — Episode 240 Exercise
Get mental strength coaching via voice (subscribers only) - Episode 240 Voice Exercise
Subscribe to the app to unlock all the features — MentallyStrong.Downpat.Ai
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit Amy's website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
HoneyLove — Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/STRONGER #honeylovepod
BetterHelp — Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mentallystrong
CocoaVia — Get 20% off with code Amy2025 at cocoavia.com.
OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at https://www.oneskin.co/
ZocDoc — Go to Zocdoc.com/STRONGER to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/mentallystronger
Life Kit — Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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239 — You’re Being Brainwashed Every Day—Here’s How to Stay Mentally Strong in a World of Hidden Influence with Professor Rebecca Lemov
Why would someone confess to a crime they didn’t commit? Or why would someone join a cult? Most of us think we’re too mentally strong to fall for brainwashing, but subtle forms of persuasion might already be shaping the way we think, feel, and act—without us even realizing it.
In this episode, I sit down with historian, professor, and author Rebecca Lemov to explore the psychology of brainwashing and how it shows up in modern life. From social media algorithms to toxic relationships, Rebecca explains how small, seemingly insignificant choices can shape the way we see ourselves and the world.
Some of the things we talk about are:
The psychology of brainwashing
The modern day forces that shape our beliefs and emotions (like social media)
How social media algorithms are designed to impact you
The Facebook experiment that manipulated emotions and what that reveals about brainwashing and social media
The privacy paradox: why we give up our data even when we know better
How addiction and trauma make us more vulnerable to coercive tactics
How you might be being brainwashed right now without even realizing it
The role of gut instincts in protecting yourself from manipulation
The signs that you're being brainwashed in everyday life
Practical strategies to stay grounded, self-aware, and mentally strong in a world of hidden influence
Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like bonus episodes, signed books, and 30-day challenges that will keep you growing stronger.
Links & Resources
RebeccaLemov.com
Follow Rebecca on Instagram - @RebeccaLemov
The Instability of Truth
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit my website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
HoneyLove — Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/STRONGER #honeylovepod
BetterHelp — Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mentallystrong
CocoaVia — Get 20% off with code Amy2025 at cocoavia.com.
OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at https://www.oneskin.co/
ZocDoc — Go to Zocdoc.com/STRONGER to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/mentallystronger
Life Kit — Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.
Mentally Strong App — Take your mental strength to the next level. Sign up at mentallystrong.downpat.ai
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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238 — Stuck in a Rut? How to Break Free with DSD
Do you ever feel stuck in a rut or frustrated that you keep falling back into the same old patterns that aren’t working? If so, this episode is for you.
We often go through life on autopilot. We rely on routines that feel comfortable even when they aren't working for us.
The good news is, you have the power to break free and the answer is as simple as DSD — "Do Something Different."
Some of the things I talk about are:
Why our brains love comfort zones — and how they keep us stuck
The science behind psychological flexibility (and why it's so important)
How small, intentional changes can rewire your brain
How to apply DSD to your situation to create change
The two biggest mistakes people make when trying to change — and how to avoid them
Three simple steps to start practicing DSD today
How to identify what's keeping you stuck and brainstorm creative solutions
Mentally Strong App
Get mental strength coaching via text — Episode 238 Exercise
Get mental strength coaching via voice - Episode 238 Voice Exercise
Subscribe to the app to unlock all the features — MentallyStrong.Downpat.Ai
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit Amy's website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
HoneyLove - Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/STRONGER #honeylovepod
BetterHelp — Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mentallystrong
CocoaVia — Get 20% off with code Amy2025 at cocoavia.com.
OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at https://www.oneskin.co/
ZocDoc — Go to Zocdoc.com/STRONGER to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/mentallystronger
Life Kit — Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Growing mentally stronger will change your life and therapist Amy Morin wants to show you how to make it happen.
Whether you want to improve your mental health, boost your resilience, gain emotional intelligence, or gain a competitive edge that will help you reach your greatest potential, this show is for you.
Mentally Stronger provides therapist-approved strategies for tackling the biggest battle we all face--the one in our minds.
Webby Award-Winning Host Amy Morin is a psychotherapist and the bestselling author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. Every episode dives into science-backed strategies for building the mental strength you need to handle whatever life throws this way.
No one understands the importance of having mental strength more than Amy. Her personal journey surrounding grief and loss has led to her to take a deep dive into mental strength. And now, she's sharing what she learned along the way.
Her TEDx talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, is one of the most viewed talks of all time with 25 million views and she's sold over 1 million books. She's a speaker and a consulted who teaches companies like Google, Under Armour, and NBC how to grow mentally stronger.
Unlike other shows, Mentally Stronger provides a unique blend of research-backed tips, stories of mental strength, and therapist-approved strategies that will empower you to thrive.
Join Amy on the transformative journey to mastering your mind. And the fun part is, she records the show from a sailboat in the Florida Keys.