Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Savvy Psychologist
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain rot is real. What scrolling is actually doing to your brain | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:11:48 | |
576. You pick up your phone to check one thing and 45 minutes disappear. You try to read a book and can't get through a page. You sit in a meeting and your mind keeps reaching for something it can't name. Brain rot isn't just a meme — it's Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year and a now well-documented neurological phenomenon. This week Dr. Judy Ho breaks down what scrolling is actually doing to your brain, why the usual advice doesn't work, and three genuinely surprising ways to retrain your attention. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Existential Depression: Why do I feel empty when nothing is wrong? | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:18:59 | |
575. You’re functioning. You’re achieving. Nothing has gone dramatically wrong. And you wake up one morning and realize you genuinely can’t remember the last time something felt worth doing. A lot of people describe this as a feeling of emptiness. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks existential depression — the kind with no obvious cause, rooted in the collision with life’s biggest questions — what it is, why it hits the most thoughtful and high-achieving people hardest, and three ACT-based tools for moving toward meaning even when meaning feels absent. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The love that controls you: Understanding coercive control | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:24:48 | |
574. It doesn't start with a bruise. It starts with devotion that slowly becomes suffocation. The Netflix documentary Death of the Pastor's Wife, released August 26, 2026, has put coercive control back into the national conversation — a pattern of behavior that is now more commonly reported than physical abuse in many contexts and that carries some of the most severe mental health consequences in the intimate partner violence literature. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks what coercive control actually is, what drives someone to do it, how trauma bonding keeps people in it, and three evidence-based tools for recognizing it, navigating it, and helping someone you love who may be living it. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why do I feel lonely even when my life is full? | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:18:46 | |
573. You have a full life. People who love you. A calendar that barely has room to breathe. And somehow, underneath all of it, you still feel alone. Today Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the loneliness that nobody talks about — the kind that lives inside a full life — why it happens, what it's actually doing to your body, and three simple, evidence-based things you can start doing today to feel genuinely more connected. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Have you always been "a lot"? You might be a highly sensitive person | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:17:31 | |
572. If you were ever told you were too sensitive, too intense, or that you feel things too much — this episode is for you. The Highly Sensitive Person trait affects 15–30% of the population, shows up in over 100 animal species, and has measurable differences on brain scans. It is not a flaw. This week Dr. Judy Ho breaks down what HSP actually is, what makes the HSP brain genuinely different, the strengths that almost never get named, and three tools for thriving as an HSP rather than just surviving. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What the Lindsay Clancy trial gets wrong about postpartum psychosis — and what every parent needs to know | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:17:53 | |
571. The trial of Lindsay Clancy — the Massachusetts mother who allegedly strangled her three young children and says she was in the grip of postpartum psychosis — has reopened a conversation the public has been getting wrong for years. Baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis are three completely different conditions. Only one is a psychiatric emergency. This week Dr. Judy Ho explains the clinical distinctions, the warning signs that loved ones and clinicians miss, the systemic failures that allow this illness to go untreated, and the forensic question at the center of the trial: can a person be both sick and responsible? Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. CORRECTION: In this episode I originally misspoke about the burden of proof in lack-of-criminal-responsibility cases. In Massachusetts, once the defense raises the issue, the burden actually falls on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was criminally responsible. I know this — it just didn't come out right on the recording. We remove that line in the audio podcast. Thank you all for listening and for contributing to this important discussion about mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Billy Eichner on how to be fearless without trauma or shame | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:33:58 | |
570. People constantly tell Billy Eichner he's fearless, and they always want to know how he does it. In Savvy Psychologist's first-ever interview episode, Dr. Judy Ho sits down with the comedian behind "Billy on the Street" and "Parks and Recreation" to trace that boldness back to its source, and it isn't the one you'd expect. There's a stubborn myth that artists have to suffer to be great, but Billy's story is the opposite: two middle-class parents in a small Queens apartment who never instilled an ounce of shame in him and leaned all the way into who he was. His new audio memoir, "Billy on Billy," reveals how feeling completely safe and accepted as a kid is what gave him permission to take risks and become fully himself. The reframe at the heart of it: real confidence is built by love, not forged through pain. Listen to "Billy on Billy: An Audio Memoir" Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why you stay up way too late even when you’re exhausted: The psychology of revenge bedtime procrastination | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:17:21 | |
569. It's midnight. You're exhausted. You have to be up in six hours. And you are absolutely not going to bed yet. Sound familiar? There's a name for it — and it's not laziness. Revenge bedtime procrastination is what happens when your brain decides that staying up is the only way to get something back after a day that felt completely out of your control. This week Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the psychology and neuroscience behind why we do this, including the surprising cortisol effect that means ignoring your first wave of tiredness can keep you awake an extra 60 to 90 minutes, and how to actually break the cycle. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why do certain people leave you completely drained? | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:17:50 | |
568. You know that feeling. Five minutes with a certain person and you need a three-hour nap. You leave the conversation and realize you've given everything while receiving nothing. Energy vampires are real — and the science behind why they drain you is more interesting than the term suggests. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the psychology of emotionally depleting relationships: what's actually happening in your brain and body during these interactions, why some people are far more vulnerable than others, what distinguishes the unconscious drainer from the deliberate one, and three tools to protect yourself without becoming someone who cuts off everyone who's ever had a hard day. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why your inner critic is so loud (and three ways to change that) | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:20:24 | |
567. There’s a voice in your head that has opinions about everything you do — and most of them are unkind. It replays your mistakes. It pre-edits your ideas before you even say them. It tells you that you’re too much, not enough, or both at once. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the inner critic: where it comes from, why it’s louder for some people than others, what the neuroscience says about why it’s so hard to shut up — and three evidence-based tools to change your relationship with it for good. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Imposter Syndrome: why the most competent people doubt themselves most | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:17:40 | |
566. You got the promotion, the degree, the recognition — and still you're waiting for someone to figure out you don't actually belong there. That feeling has a name, a neuroscience, and — surprisingly — a silver lining. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks imposter syndrome: why even the most confident people feel it, where it shows up beyond the workplace, how it presents differently across genders, and why it might secretly be one of the engines behind your best work. Plus three tools to stop it from running the show. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Adult ADHD: Why so many people are diagnosed late and what actually helps | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:19:56 | |
565. You've always been this way. You've just gotten better at hiding it. Adult ADHD is one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in mental health — particularly in women, high-achievers, and anyone who learned to compensate before anyone noticed. This week, Dr. Judy Ho cuts through the myths, explains how adult ADHD differs from the childhood version, clarifies what the diagnostic criteria actually require, and offers three evidence-based attention-training tools you can start using today. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Which attachment style is running your life? The self-talk that gives it away | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:20:25 | |
564. You already know attachment styles exist. But do you know what yours sounds like? In this episode, Dr. Judy Ho goes beyond the quiz results and into the actual self-talk running beneath the surface — the quiet inner monologue that drives your relationship patterns, your emotional reactions, and the way you see yourself. Drawing from her book The New Rules of Attachment, Dr. Judy introduces four renamed attachment styles, their signature self-statements, and three evidence-based tools to start rewriting the operating system. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What true crime gets wrong about psychopathy — and what you actually need to know | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:17:13 | |
563. True crime has made 'psychopath' one of the most recognized — and most misunderstood — words in popular culture. This week, Dr. Judy Ho brings her forensic psychology lens to what psychopathy actually is, the critical distinctions between psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality disorder, why psychopaths may be hiding in plain sight in corporate boardrooms, and what neuroscientist Dr. James Fallon's accidental self-discovery tells us about the brain behind the behavior. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| You're fine. you're succeeding. you're exhausted. The psychology of high-functioning anxiety | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:18:42 | |
562. You're hitting your goals. You're showing up. You're making it look easy. And you haven't had a full night's sleep in months. High-functioning anxiety is one of the most common — and most invisible — experiences in modern adult life. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks what it actually is (and what it isn't), why the people who have it are often the last to get help, and three evidence-based tools to start treating the root rather than just managing the output. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The psychology of slow living: Why slowing down is actually good for your brain | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:18:29 | |
561. People are baking sourdough, taking up needlepoint, going on phone-free walks, and joining knitting circles — and experts say it's one of the healthiest things they could be doing. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the neuroscience behind the slow living trend: why tactile, analog hobbies are a clinically meaningful antidote to urgency culture and digital burnout, what 'flow state' actually is and how it heals the brain, and how to build your own version of a slower life starting today. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Daddy issues are real: The psychology of father wounds and how they shape us | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:16:38 | |
560. 'Daddy issues' gets thrown around as a punchline — but the psychology underneath it is serious, well-researched, and affects people of every gender. This Father's Day week, Dr. Judy Ho reclaims the term and unpacks what paternal attachment wounds actually are, how they shape adult relationships and self-worth across all genders, what 'good enough' fathering looks like neurologically, and three tools for healing — whether your father is still in your life or not. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Life after graduation: The psychology of failure to launch — and how to actually get unstuck | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:17:33 | |
559. The diploma is in hand. Now what? For millions of new graduates — and the parents watching from the sidelines — what comes next isn't a launch. It's a stall. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the psychology of 'failure to launch': what it actually is, why it's happening more than ever, and why the answer isn't pressure or tough love — it's understanding what's really getting in the way. Plus: practical tools for both the young adults who feel stuck and the parents trying to help without making it worse. Expert advice for navigating life after graduation — for new grads and the people cheering them on. From finances and freelancing to nutrition and knowing when to ask for help, find it all in our "Life After Graduation" playlist on Spotify. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The comparison trap: Why your brain ranks everything — and how to make it stop | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:14:50 | |
559. You scroll past a photo of someone's vacation, someone's promotion, someone's body — and something in you quietly deflates. That's not weakness. That's your brain doing exactly what it evolved to do. This week, Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the neuroscience of social comparison — why we do it, why social media has made it exponentially harder to resist, and three evidence-based tools to break the ranking cycle and find your way back to yourself. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stressflation: What economic anxiety does to your brain — and what to do about it | 26 May 2026 | 00:15:55 | |
557. Financial stress isn't just about money — it's rewiring your brain. A new term is capturing what 83% of Americans are living right now: stressflation. This week, Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the neuroscience of economic anxiety, why financial stress makes you literally less capable of solving the problem, and three evidence-based tools for protecting your mental health when the economic climate feels out of your control. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| You keep calling everyone a narcissist: What it means vs. just being toxic | 19 May 2026 | 00:15:03 | |
556. "Narcissist" has become one of the most overused words in pop psychology — applied to anyone selfish, difficult, or emotionally unavailable. This week, Dr. Judy Ho brings her clinical and forensic lens to provide a science-backed take on narcissism. We look at what it actually is, what it isn't, what it looks like in real life and in legal settings, and what to do if you think you're dealing with someone high in narcissistic traits. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What Bieberchella teaches us about our own views on healing | 12 May 2026 | 00:19:46 | |
555. When Justin Bieber confronted his past on the Coachella 2026 stage, it did more than just go viral—it acted as a mirror for our own needs. This week, Dr. Judy Ho explores what our reactions to "healing moments" reveal about our own complex emotions. We get into the science-backed difference between a public performance and private progress, offering actionable insights into building emotional fitness without the pressure of a "perfect" comeback. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why you can't stop people-pleasing (and it's not because you're too nice) | 05 May 2026 | 00:18:44 | |
554. This week, Dr. Ho reveals that people-pleasing isn't a personality trait—it’s a survival strategy. If you constantly say "yes" while feeling a quiet sense of self-betrayal, you’re likely stuck in the fawn response, a nervous system reflex designed to keep you safe by keeping others happy. Dr. Judy breaks down:
Take Action: Learn three practical tools to break the cycle, including the "Pause Practice" to stop the automatic yes and how to name the specific fears driving your behavior. Stop performing and start being known. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why you keep getting in your own way: A guide to stopping self-sabotage | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:14:27 | |
553. Ever wonder why you stall out just when things are going well? It’s not laziness—it’s your brain’s ancient survival system misfiring. This week, neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the science of self-sabotage. You’ll learn:
Stop being your own worst enemy and start turning insight into action. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is this all there is? Turning your existential dread into a clear path forward | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:18:16 | |
552. Have you ever felt a sudden wave of dread and wondered, "Is this it?" If you’re wrestling with big questions about your purpose, you aren’t broken—you’re experiencing a universal part of being human. In this episode, Dr. Judy Ho explains that existential anxiety isn't a malfunction; it's a message from your brain to pay attention to your life. Whether you are navigating a quarter-life crisis, a midlife transition, or a major identity shift, learn how to turn that discomfort into a values-driven path forward. Key insights include:
Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Passing the baton: Introducing our newest host, Dr. Judy Ho | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:19:43 | |
551. In this special "passing of the baton" episode, founding host Dr. Ellen Hendriksen welcomes the newest voice of Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Judy Ho. Dr. Ho is a triple board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University, and the author of "Stop Self-Sabotage" and "The New Rules of Attachment". Together, they dive into the fascinating world of forensic psychology and the critical importance of making mental health research accessible to everyone. Highlights from the conversation include:
Join us for this insightful transition as Dr. Ho prepares to lead the show into its next chapter. Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist More from Dr. Ho on her other channels: Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Meet Dr. Judy Ho | Official Trailer | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:00:58 | |
Meet Dr. Judy Ho, your new host of Savvy Psychologist! A clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, tenured professor, and published author, Dr. Ho brings an evidence-based, judgment-free approach to everyday mental health, pop culture, and true crime through a forensic psychology lens. First episode drops on Tuesday!!! Follow or subscribe now so you don't miss the premiere! Watch the official trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 5 Psychological secrets of adulting (Reissue) | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:12:13 | |
242. Whether your graduation is coming up this spring or twenty years behind you, we all have moments when we wonder if we’re cut out for this adulthood thing. This week, based on the questions of many college seniors over many graduations, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen brings you the 5 biggest gems in the psychological crown of adulting. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologist https://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologist https://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to stop feeling inadequate (Reissue) | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:12:25 | |
300. Every human feels inadequate sometimes. Whether the whispers of “You’re not good enough” come from someone in your life or from inside your own head, these seven tips will help you feel more self-assured. Find Dr. Jade Wu here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologist https://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologist https://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to make friends as an adult (Reissue) | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:40:40 | |
Almost everybody struggles with it. But no one talks about it. What is it? How to discreetly sniff your own armpits in public? How not to buy the free sample after you just ate three of them? Not quite; it’s the mysterious process of making friends as an adult. This week, in a twist on the usual episode, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen presents an audio excerpt from her debut book, How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologist https://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologist https://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 5 Signs you're too self-critical (Reissue) | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:09:03 | |
218. Are you harder on yourself than 40-grit sandpaper? Do you feel like you’re falling short, no matter how high you’ve climbed? Are you tough as nails on yourself, but soft as mashed potatoes with others? Welcome to the esteemed yet insecure club of the highly self-critical. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to be happy when the world makes you depressed (Reissue) | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:07:29 | |
228. Hold on to your handbasket! Every day, the headlines push our buttons of alarm, despair, and fury all at once. What’s a thinking, feeling human to do, besides invest in a Hunger Games-style bow and arrow? This week, in an episode that originally ran in January 2019, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 tips to be happy in a world that can feel like a Mad Max chase through the headlines. As true today as the day this episode first dropped! Find a transcript here. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What to do (and not do) when you feel insecure (Reissue) | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:11:48 | |
192. Whatever you call it—self-doubt, insecurity, inadequacy—it’s a universal phenomenon. We can all relate to feeling as insecure as a newly-launched cryptocurrency. Luckily, there is lots we can do. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covers how to feel better about yourself in the moment (plus what NOT to do). Find a transcript here. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to beat winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) (Reissue) | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:09:37 | |
9. When all that’s left of the fa-la-las is rock-hard fruitcake, the winter blahs creep up, settle in, and hang around until spring. In this episode from the very early days of the podcast (2014!), Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 8 tips to deal with the blahs and their more serious cousin, Seasonal Affective Disorder. This classic feels as timely as ever. We hope you enjoy! Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The science behind 5 classic happiness clichés (Reissue) | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:11:07 | |
200. In this fan-favorite episode from 2018, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen celebrates her 200th episode by giving us a much-needed makeover using five pieces of classic happiness advice. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to talk with someone intimidating | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:06:17 | |
550. Continuing our two-part series on speaking up at work, this week's episode tackles how to talk with someone intimidating—a boss, professor, or anyone who makes your adrenaline spike. You’ll learn how to recognize dominance signals, mentally humanize scary people, use your own body language to project calm confidence, and prepare for tough conversations without overpreparing. Regardless of your intimidating situation, these four practical tools will help you use your voice with more clarity and self-respect. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to speak up in a meeting | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:05:38 | |
549. Meetings are everywhere—from work and faculty meetings to HOAs and book clubs. But speaking up can feel intimidating, especially if you struggle with social anxiety, perfectionism, or power dynamics. In this episode, we unpack why staying silent feels safer and why it rarely feels good afterward. Then we walk through six practical, low-pressure strategies to help you participate without needing the “perfect” comment. Related episodes: Modern Mentor episode 869 - Make meetings matter: Intentional gatherings for impact Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to deal with the midlife crisis (Reissue) | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:10:27 | |
113. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen channels her best Talking Heads and asks, on behalf of every middle-aged adult: "How did I get here?" Plus, Dr. Hendriksen explains why time seems to fly as we get older. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to know you did a good job (without asking for approval) | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:08:22 | |
548. In a culture of likes, reviews, and constant comparison, deciding if you’ve "done well" can feel impossible. This week, interim host Dr. Ellen Hendriksen unpacks the trap of tying your value to others’ approval. She explores when external evaluation works and when it emphatically fails. She also shares three simple questions to help you define success on your own terms. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The sleep rules you don't actually need to follow | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:14:10 | |
547. If you've ever followed every sleep rule in the book and still found yourself wide awake at 2 a.m., this episode is for you. Sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at why sleep hygiene—like avoiding screens or caffeine—is a great foundation but won't actually fix a "cavity" like chronic insomnia. She looks at why rigid rule-following can create the very anxiety that keeps you awake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Three truths about self-compassion that made me say, “Oh, now I get it!” | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:08:55 | |
546. Self-compassion sounds simple—be kind to yourself—but for those of us with a loud inner critic, it can feel surprisingly hard to put into practice. This week, we’ll break down three truths that make self-compassion more doable and less fuzzy. If you’ve ever worried that self-compassion means lowering your standards, let this week’s episode (kindly) change your mind. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to quiet a racing mind: Three daytime habits for nighttime peace | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:13:24 | |
545. Do you close your eyes only for your brain to start spinning with to-do lists and worries? In this episode, sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at why your mind races at night. She looks at three common daytime saboteurs of nighttime peace and offers science-backed methods to help you finally quiet your mind and fall asleep. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to set boundaries when you’re anxious | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:09:38 | |
544. Boundaries, like wide-leg sweatpants and quarter-zips, are trending—but setting them can feel anything but comfy, especially if you’re anxious. This week, we’ll talk about how to set boundaries kindly, handle pushback without folding, and avoid using boundaries as a wall that isolates you. By the end, you’ll see boundaries as practical, comfortable, and totally wearable—just like your favorite cozy outfit. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to nap without ruining your sleep: Finding the sweet spot | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:13:50 | |
543. Napping isn't just for toddlers; it's a performance enhancer. In her first solo episode back, sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at what short naps do for your declarative memory, emotional regulation, and physical speed. She looks at the science behind the afternoon slump and why a well-timed nap can provide a performance boost. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to resist the urge to optimize everything | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:09:14 | |
542. If you’ve ever obsessed over your sleep score, treated self-help like homework, or tried to “maximize” a vacation, you know how easily optimization becomes its own exhausting job. Culture tells us to upgrade everything—habits, productivity, even our emotions—but at a certain point, trying to be our “best self” backfires. This week, instead of automatically optimizing your life, here are five questions to help you step back, recalibrate, and remember what actually matters. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Find a transcript here. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A blast from the past: Ellen Hendriksen and Jade Wu return | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:18:12 | |
541. Today, we hear from two of our past hosts of the Savvy Psychologist. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen and Dr. Jade Wu. They will tell us what they’ve been up to and set the stage for exciting weeks ahead for the show. While we work to fill the seat of the amazing Dr. Monica Johnson, Drs. Hendriksen and Wu will deliver mental health wisdom you are used to. Today, they chat about the meaning of a psychologist's work, the biggest challenges in mental health, and what you can look forward to on the show. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The power of being DUMB to build a good life | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:16:05 | |
540. On her final episode, Dr. Monica Johnson shares a brain dump of quick and dirty tips to help listeners build a life worth living. She looks at the benefits of being DUMB—an acronym covering Decode/Disrupt patterns, Uncomfortable Engagement, Meaning-Making/Mastery, and Belonging. Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Structural dissociation: Understanding your personality's survival parts | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:27:03 | |
539. Dissociation is a normal human experience, but when it's outside of normal limits, it can be dysregulating. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson and Alexandra Mejia look at the signs of structural dissociation, the importance of building a baseline of coping skills, and the need for trauma-informed, integrated therapy (like DBT and somatic work) for long-term healing. Learn more about Sasha at her practice, MindfulInsightsMHC. Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How can you walk with grief instead of fighting it, with Hilary Bucell | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:30:50 | |
538. Loss is inevitable, but grief is our emotional response to what is gone. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson and psychotherapist Hilary Bucell look at the differences between grief and depression and discuss various forms of loss, including ambiguous loss (like dementia or divorce) and disenfranchised grief (loss that society doesn't acknowledge). Learn more about Hilary Bucell at her practice, integrativepsychwellness.com. Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to manage the winter blues | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:13:23 | |
537. You don't have to suffer through the winter months. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at how to create a multi-faceted approach to wellness for SAD. She looks at the importance of regulating your sleep schedule, boosting natural light exposure, and using behavioral activation to combat the urge to withdraw and isolate yourself. Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips. Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||