Explore every episode of the podcast Joy Lab | navigate depression, anxiety, & stress with the science of joy
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Surviving to Thriving: The Science and Soul of Resilience [263] | 01 May 2026 | 00:22:40 | |
What does it actually mean to be resilient? Spoiler: it's not about white-knuckling through hard times or being the type of person who just 'endures' everything. In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons kick off Joy Lab's month-long exploration of Resilience. They'll share a science-grounded, warmly human look at what resilience really is, where it comes from, what depletes it, and, most importantly how to keep filling it back up. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
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Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & introduce Resilience as this month's Element of Joy. [00:00:35] — Defining Resilience: Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick's definition: "a process to harness resources to sustain wellbeing" Resilience isn't a fixed state; it doesn't require the absence of illness, a certain mood, or a feeling of confidence. You can be resilient even when you feel completely unresilient. [00:01:40] — Henry's Take: Resilience as a Natural, Inborn Quality Henry frames resilience as something every human already carries — we wouldn't be here without it. He describes it as a capacity to face life's challenges with enough skill to deal with them "more or less successfully" (emphasis on more or less), get back up after being knocked down, and still hold onto some equanimity and connection to joy. [00:03:20] — Why Equanimity and Joy Are Part of Real Resilience: Aimee highlights that joy and equanimity aren't commonly included in definitions of resilience — and argues they should be. She makes the case that teaching people to simply endure hardship without attending to their relationship with it leads to only survival, not wellbeing. Personal story: her family's history of survival alongside deep, untended grief. [00:05:25] — The Research: Resilience Is Inborn and Universal- Aimee reviews longitudinal research on resilience: no single demographic, personality trait, or biological factor strongly predicts resilience. Chronic stress and difficult childhoods can "dent or delay" it, but they don't break it. The Joy Lab approach: tapping into the factors that boost resilience in meaningful, joyful ways. [00:07:10] — Henry's "Resilience Container" Model: Henry introduces a central metaphor for the episode- imagine a container in your brain/body holding a "magical elixir" that keeps you afloat. The size of that container differs between people — influenced by genetics and early environment. But the most important thing isn't container size — it's how well you keep refilling it. [00:08:10] — Factor #1: Genetics. Some resilience (and vulnerability) runs in families. Depression, for example, has a clear genetic component — but it's one piece of a much larger picture, not a sentence. [00:08:50] — Factor #2: Early Environment. How safe, nurtured, and emotionally respected we felt as children sets a tone for our emotional life. It's not something we can change retroactively, but its impact doesn't have to be permanent. Joy Lab's work is explicitly about shifting that emotional set point. [00:10:30] — Nobody Is Immune — But That's Not the End of the Story. Even the most naturally resilient person can be brought to their knees by a relentless string of losses or prolonged stress. The goal: reduce the drain and actively refill. It's a dynamic system. [00:11:50] — You Have to Test Resilience to Build It: The Biosphere 2 Story Aimee tells the story of Biosphere 2, the closed experimental ecosystem in Arizona — where trees given perfect growing conditions (no wind, no stress) grew fast and then simply collapsed. Scientists eventually discovered that wind stress causes trees to form stress wood (reaction wood): dense, concentrated cells that structurally reinforce the tree. [00:13:55] — Eustress: The Good Stress That Builds You Up. Aimee introduces eustress (eu = Greek for "good") — the kind of stress that actually strengthens us. Like exercise for muscles, or cardiovascular training: the system doesn't improve without being challenged. Our nervous systems, emotional resilience, and capacity to handle difficulty follow the same pattern. You are biologically laying down stronger capacity every time you navigate a challenge and come through the other side. [00:16:10] — Stress Isn't the Enemy — Imbalance Is. Henry clarifies: stress itself isn't the problem. It becomes a problem when it's too intense, lasts too long, or when we don't respond to it well. Our bodies are built to handle stress — in appropriate doses. [00:16:50] — The Brain Chemistry of Resilience: Norepinephrine & Serotonin. Henry breaks down two key neurochemicals: norepinephrine (the brain's version of adrenaline — activates focus and alertness under stress) and serotonin (his candidate for the "magic elixir" in the resilience container — a coolant that counterbalances overactivation). When these get depleted or thrown out of balance by chronic stress, we feel it — sluggish, run-down, depressed. [00:18:20] — Our Collective Resilience Depletion Right Now. Henry names what many are feeling: after years of pandemic stress, ongoing political turmoil, and a relentless churn of bad news, people are depleted on a large scale. What began as activation has, over time, curdled into exhaustion. This is a collective resilience crisis — and it calls for collective attention. [00:19:40] — Aimee on Equanimity and Agency in Brain Chemistry. Aimee connects the brain chemistry back to the equanimity point: even at the biological level, we have influence. This is self-care with scientific grounding. She invites listeners into the Joy Lab Program (free through the month of May 2026) to put these ideas into practice. [00:21:30] — Closing Quote: Alan Watts on Your Inborn Nature .Aimee closes with a reflection from Alan Watts on seeing yourself as part of nature — as extraordinary and as fundamental as trees, clouds, fire, and galaxies. A reminder that your resilience isn't something you have to earn. It's already what you are.
Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| What Are You Doing This For? Breaking Free From Joyless Urgency (encore) [262] | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:16:44 | |
We're in our new "month of renewal" format. We're essentially exploring this question throughout the month... what if growth required less effort? This is an encore episode that helps us answer this question. Reminder that we'll be back with new episodes May 1, 2026. "Joyless urgency." Two words that probably just hit a little too close to home. In this episode, Henry Emmons, MD and Aimee Prasek, PhD dig into the Element of Fun — and why so many of us have so little of it. Drawing on the writing of Marilynne Robinson, the surprising decline of kids biking, and sobering research on social media's role in what researchers call problematic engagement, Henry and Aimee make a compelling case that fun isn't frivolous. It's foundational. And reclaiming it might be one of the most radical — and effective — things you can do right now.
About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
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Sources and Notes:
Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & The Quote That Started It All Henry and Aimee open with a striking passage from author Marilynne Robinson's essay collection The Givenness of Things: "The spirit of the times is one of joyless urgency." Aimee unpacks why those two words land so hard — and how Robinson's observation that this urgency serves "inscrutable ends that are utterly not our own" is the quiet crisis underneath hustle culture. [00:02:00] — The Question We're Too Busy to Answer We've all had that moment of clarity — what am I doing this for? — only to immediately rush past it into the next task. Aimee names the pattern: sometimes urgency is more comfortable than sitting with the possibility that all this striving might not actually be for us. [00:03:00] — Henry's Childhood Take on Boredom (Wisdom From the Old Wise Rat) Henry reflects on being a kid who dreaded boredom — and how that boredom turned out to be necessary. The inactivity between moments of play is what made the play so rich. Think of it like the pause between musical notes. [00:05:30] — Aimee's Dollar Ice Cream Cone Moment Aimee connects bike riding to early experiences of autonomy and confidence — biking to the corner store with a dollar felt like being a real adult. A sweet illustration of how unstructured play doubles as a training ground for real-world social skills, self-confidence, and approach behavior. [00:07:00] — Social Media and the Architecture of Joyless Urgency Here's where it gets science-y. Aimee connects the joyless urgency framework directly to how most social media platforms are designed — not to satisfy us, but to keep us in a loop of stimulation and momentary relief. The mechanics: activate anxiety, ease it briefly, activate again. Repeat. Sound familiar? [00:08:00] — Problematic Engagement: What the Research Says Aimee introduces the research concept of problematic engagement — used in studies on social media addiction and gambling — which describes the cycle of engaging with something that momentarily eases dis-ease but ultimately causes harm. Key finding: social anxiety is a primary driver, and these platforms are algorithmically built to exploit it. [00:09:30] — The Most Ironic Research Finding People who believe they have complete control over their social media use — who think they could stop at any time — actually show the most signs of problematic engagement. They're absorbing the most harm while feeling the least concerned about it. [00:10:00] — Dr. Samira Farivar Quote + What We're Up Against Aimee references research by Dr. Samira Farivar: "You can't action a problem you don't even know exists." The platform isn't incidental to the problem — it is the business model. We're not weak for falling into this loop. We're human, and the trap was engineered specifically for us. [00:11:30] — The Simple Truth About Adding More Fun Henry brings it home: adding more fun to life is theoretically simple. If we just slow down enough to let our awareness catch up, we'll almost naturally fill that space with something we enjoy. Kids don't need instructions for fun — and adults don't either, once we clear the noise. [00:13:00] — Listening to the Voice That Wants to Play Henry offers a quiet but urgent reminder: our inner wisdom needs to be heard. If we don't honor it, it either goes silent — or gets louder until we can't ignore it. The invitation is to pause, ask what am I doing?, and actually wait for an answer to surface. [00:14:00] — Play Is an Offensive Strategy Aimee closes the conversation with a reframe: fun and play aren't a retreat from the hard stuff in the world. They're a way of moving through it.
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| How Facing the Harm You've Done Can Set You Free [254] | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:18:30 | |
In this episode of Joy Lab, we'll explore the Sixth Gate of Grief: the grief we carry for harm done to ourselves and others. We'll draw on the expanded framework of Francis Weller's gates of grief to unpack why this gate is one of the most challenging and most liberating to work with. It's important to note that this isn't about guilt-tripping or self-flagellation. It's about honest reckoning, releasing unconscious burdens, and reclaiming inner freedom. Because grief (not shame) is what actually moves us toward healing, repair, and becoming people who cause less harm.
This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready. p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.
About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
Full transcript available here
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Key moments: [00:00:00] — Sixth Gate: Grief for Harm Done, popularized by Sophy Banks and Azul Thomé alongside Weller's original framework. [00:01:00] — What this gate includes: harmful thought patterns like corrosive self-talk, choices that felt necessary but caused harm, inaction when we could have intervened, and participation in collective harms like racism, classism, ableism, and environmental destruction. [00:02:00] — A critical disclaimer: this gate asks us to see these harms — not soak in them. Grief is meant to flow through us, not become a stagnant pool. Henry emphasizes the difference between grieving well and getting stuck. [00:03:30] — Three reasons this gate is especially challenging: (1) the scope of harm we participate in is nearly infinite; (2) the thin line between acknowledging harm and collapsing into shame and guilt; (3) the defensiveness this topic can trigger — and how to touch that lightly and let it go. [00:05:00] — This is about inner freedom, not atonement. Genuine inner freedom requires an honest look at how we affect those around us. [00:05:30] — Aimee and Henry on the word releasing vs. "getting over it." You can leap over a thing and still be carrying it. Releasing requires first being able to see what's there. [00:06:00] — Quote from Sabaa Tahir: two kinds of guilt — the kind that drowns you until you're useless, and the kind that fires your soul to purpose. Working with grief can move us from one to the other. [00:06:30] — Introduction of moral injury: the psychological wound that comes from betraying our own values, or witnessing others do it. Research shows moral injury is more strongly associated with PTSD symptoms than direct exposure to danger. [00:07:30] — Moral injury shows up everywhere — not just in war. Healthcare rationing, kids being detained, someone cutting you off in traffic. Untended grief in this gate can mean we snap at small things because they echo larger unprocessed wounds. [00:09:00] — Henry: grief helps us heal these deep, often invisible wounds. [00:10:00] — How harm to others haunts us for years, even decades. As social creatures, we're wired to repair harm and strengthen bonds. When we don't act, buried harm turns into guilt and shame — and shame isolates. Grief, by contrast, calls us into community and toward repair. [00:11:00] — Autoimmune disease analogy: shame is the emotional equivalent of an immune system attacking itself. A healthy response addresses the problem; an overreaction causes more damage than the original harm. [00:13:00] — Turning to harms we cause ourselves: negative self-talk, lifestyle choices, addictions. No matter the cause, we deserve healing from it. The challenge: in this case, we are both perpetrator and victim. [00:14:00] — Grief opens us up rather than closing us down. It can hold both the hurt experienced and the compassion for causing that pain. [00:14:30] — Connection to post-traumatic growth: not about psychological comfort, but awakening. Grief is the ride between pain and gain — and there's no bypassing it. [00:15:00] — Henry on the role of equanimity (this month's Element of Joy): balance is what allows us to hold two seemingly opposing truths at once. You fully acknowledge the harm and hold yourself with compassion. Neither minimizing nor drowning. [00:16:30] — Quote from Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking): "People are more than the worst thing they've done." The goal isn't no harm — it's less harm. And believing that you are more than your worst moment fosters humility, compassion, and healing that ripples outward to others. [00:17:30] — Preview of the next episode: the Seventh Gate — Trauma, and how grief and trauma intersect in the work of healing. [00:17:45] — Closing wisdom from Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
Sources and Notes for this full grief series:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Stuck In Judgment Or Self-Criticism? Here's How to Break Free [ep. 164] | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:15:38 | |
Does your mind feel like a constant sea of judgment? Do thoughts popcorn day and night about how you're flawed or how someone else has it all wrong? You're not alone. Those kind of thoughts are common, but they can also be pretty destructive. There's clear evidence that the more we sit in judgment, the higher our risk for depression and anxiety. We'll dig into all this, including some exploration of the concept of aversion in relation to judgment and how it manifests inside our body and out. Most important, we'll dig into self-compassion as a powerful antidote to judgment and provide practices to shift towards acceptance and less judgment. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Are You a Short Sleeper? [ep. 163] | 20 Jul 2024 | 00:11:50 | |
Are four hours of sleep enough to function well? How about six? In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we'll dig into how much sleep most folks need, and the importance of sleep with a focus on 'short sleepers.' We'll laser in on the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on mental health, particularly in late teens and twenties, and explore some of the research. If you need some sleep support, be sure to check out our sleep workshop to help you get the hours you need. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Getting Comfy w/ Not Knowing [ep. 162] | 17 Jul 2024 | 00:18:15 | |
"I don't know." Do those three words make you feel a bit uncomfortable? Yeah, you're not alone. In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we highlight the concepts of awe and intellectual humility and how they can help us embrace more curiosity, avoid rigid thinking, and help us to stay more connected to the world around us (yes, even amidst political and social challenges). We've got some practical tips to take quick action so you can tap into the surprising freedom that sits within "not knowing." Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Magnesium for Anxiety & Depression [ep. 161] | 13 Jul 2024 | 00:15:02 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about the use of magnesium for anxiety and depression. There's good evidence to support its use, but it can be confusing. We get into the overall power of magnesium (its importance for nerve and muscle function, gut health, and neurotransmitter production) and why it's vital for mental health, particularly how it can support mood. We'll touch on the different types of magnesium supplements, their uses, and some best practices to consider. Of course, be sure to check with your doctor before taking any new supplement. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| No Need to Hurry, No Need to Sparkle, No Need to Be Anybody But Yourself [ep. 160] | 10 Jul 2024 | 00:10:54 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore a powerful quote by Virginia Woolf: "No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but one's self." It's radically simple wisdom that can be hard in practice. We'll talk about the societal pressures of striving for greatness and the importance of embracing one's authentic self while also exploring the mental health benefits of releasing these pressures and the roles of authenticity and self-compassion in fostering joy and resilience. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| It's OK to Check Out (as long as you check back in) [ep. 159] | 06 Jul 2024 | 00:17:25 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore the phenomenon of dissociation or what is sometimes called "going offline." We want to highlight that this can be a very natural survival mechanism in response to stress and trauma. It's not all bad. We'll talk about the pros and cons of going offline; share some personal experiences of how dissociation can show up; and provide strategies for grounding, skill building, and reconnecting. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| See Your Inner Light With Awe (encore) [ep. 158] | 03 Jul 2024 | 00:25:10 | |
Awe is a powerful element of joy and a powerful contributor to good mental health. And it isn't just something to experience when magical, mysterious, or rare events surprise us. Awe is something we can practice daily. But... how?! We'll talk about some cognitive barriers that may hinder it, such as overgeneralization and filtering. We'll also offer some practical steps to welcome more awe into our lives and uncover more of the joy that resides within us. Joy Lab & Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. See our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Mental Health & The Male Hubris, Female Humility Effect [ep. 157] | 29 Jun 2024 | 00:15:49 | |
There's something called the "male hubris, female humility effect." And it's really a thing. It means that men tend to rate themselves higher on self-reported intelligence compared to women. How does this impact mental health? There's a lot to consider here. We'll talk about this effect and its relationship to intellectual humility and imposter syndrome. We highlight the importance of intellectual humility when it comes to wellbeing and how balancing humility and hubris can prevent rigidity and promote emotional flexibility. Tune in to find out where you might sit on this continuum and how you can cultivate balance to feed your wellbeing. Joy Lab & Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| How Do I Know If I'm Thriving? (special community talk share + short practice) [ep. 156] | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:25:40 | |
How do you know if you're thriving? That's a question we received from one of our NMH Community members. We'll talk about this concept of thriving through the lens of positive psychology, leaning on Dr. Martin Seligman's PERMA model which includes Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Most of all, we'll focus on thriving as a practice rather than a fixed state and highlight the learnable skills we can all integrate to go beyond our baseline. Stay as well for the guided practice to help you tune into your own states of openness or constriction, inviting a more holistic understanding of your emotional and mental wellbeing. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Sad Music... For A Mood Boost? [ep. 155] | 22 Jun 2024 | 00:12:11 | |
Does sad music make you feel a little better? You're not alone. In this episode, we're exploring the intriguing topic of how sad music can influence mood and foster resilience. A recent study revealed some reason why we are drawn to sad music and the diverse emotions it evokes, including nostalgia, peacefulness, and empathy. The study also found four dimensions or rewards of listening to sad music: imagination, emotional regulation, empathy, and experiencing emotions without real-life implications. Long song short, there's a real therapeutic and connecting power of sad music and it can be a valuable mindfulness practice for emotional processing. Joy Lab & Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [253] | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:18:26 | |
What if some of the grief you carry isn't entirely yours? In this episode we'll open what Francis Weller identified as the Fifth Gate of Grief: ancestral grief. We're talking about the unacknowledged, untended sorrows of those who came before us: lost languages, severed connections to land and ritual, collective traumas like war, displacement, and genocide. But we're also talking about the science; specifically, epigenetics and how it can help explain how those experiences literally get woven into our biology and passed down through generations, even when we don't know the stories. The good news? What gets passed down can also be healed. You don't have to carry rancid snacks in your backpack forever (you'll get that reference when you listen). And this gate, like all the others, ultimately opens into something more expansive — resilience, power, and the steady ground of equanimity. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready. p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:
Sources and Notes for this full grief series:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Flow & The Art of Non-Doing [ep. 154] | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:13:58 | |
We're talking about the concept of 'flow' and how to tap into that state of deep absorption in our activities. Interestingly, flow usually requires a bit of prep work. We have to feel comfortable with the challenge and have some confidence in our abilities before the art of letting go can occur. Tune in for some tips on how to shake overthinking so you can tap into more flow. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| To All The Dads With Depression And Anxiety... [ep. 153] | 15 Jun 2024 | 00:17:23 | |
Read this carefully: children of fathers with mild depressive symptoms or anxiety tend to have fewer behavioral difficulties and higher IQs. Yup. We'll talk a bit about the research here, but we want to emphasize the huge benefits of acknowledging and sharing mental health struggles with those close to us. Yes, that means emotional openness is a parenting strength. That means parents and adults can model how to navigate tough emotions in such a way that builds personal growth and enhanced resilience in both themselves and the kids around them. This episode goes out to all the dads, but it's really true for all of us. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Getting Unstuck With Curiosity (encore) [ep. 152] | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:21:29 | |
In this episode, we explore the element of curiosity and how it can work to reshape our brains. We become what we think, and by changing the way we think we can reframe how we see things. Curiosity can help us see things in different, positive ways that help us reprogram our neural pathways. Tune in to this episode to explore the element of curiosity and how we can use it to foster joy in our lives. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| The Shocking Correlation Between Dandruff & Depression [ep. 151] | 08 Jun 2024 | 00:11:37 | |
What do dandruff and depression have in common? Well, they are two of the most over-diagnosed/pathologized experiences of our human journey. They also shine a light on how judgment and stigma can hinder self-care. We'll talk about how we can look beyond the surface and address the real issues impacting mood and wellbeing, amidst the understanding that we are not broken. We can embrace our emotions without shame AND seek appropriate support. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Accept Yourself Just As You Are & Then You Can Change [ep. 150] | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:21:56 | |
In this episode, we explore Carl Rogers' 'Curious Paradox'—the concept that true change comes from self-acceptance. We'll talk about the historical context of Rogers' humanistic psychology and his focus on unconditional positive regard and person-centered therapy. The big takeaway is the profound impact self-acceptance and self-compassion have on behavior change and healing.
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab 00:39 Introducing the Curious Paradox 01:35 About Carl Rogers 05:00 The Power of Self-Acceptance 09:39 Personal Stories of Self-Acceptance 13:29 Embracing Authenticity 20:40 Closing Thoughts and Wisdom
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Antidepressant Withdrawal & Coming Off Antidepressants With Less Side Effects [ep. 149] | 01 Jun 2024 | 00:21:06 | |
In this episode, we talk about the experience of coming off antidepressants. It's important to note that there is a serious lack of attention and research on antidepressant withdrawal compared to starting these medications. We'll talk about the challenges of withdrawal symptoms, the importance of patient voices in healthcare research, and best practices for tapering off medications. We'll also touch on some natural ways to support the serotonin system during withdrawal, such as using supplements like 5-HTP. We hope this episode helps spread information about the realities of antidepressant withdrawal and that folks can have a more well-informed approach in collaboration with healthcare providers to navigate this process with less negative symptoms. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Which Do You Usually Grab - The Handle of Hope or the Handle of Fear? (special replay) [ep. 148] | 29 May 2024 | 00:24:35 | |
We wanted to share this replay from several years ago, because it covers the concept of hope and its relationship with mental health really well. In this episode, we'll share how hope work with the help of traditional wisdom, neuroscience, and personal experiences. We'll also highlight what we call the "enemies of joy." These include brain imbalance, an unsettled mind, and the illusion of separation. As always, we'll also note the scientifically-backed benefits of being hopeful, which include better life satisfaction, a stronger sense of purpose, and higher possibility of achieving set goals.
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| 5-Hydroxytryptophan Side Effects & Benefits [ep. 147] | 25 May 2024 | 00:20:05 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're diving into the science and soul of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a supplement known for supporting mood through its role in serotonin production. We'll cover the basics of 5-HTP and its role in depression and anxiety along with the complex nature of depression and how 5-HTP might play a role in supporting mood (yeah, we'll even touch on the controversial serotonin hypothesis- we see you psychology and biology nerds!) Of course, since many of us want to know if supplementing with 5-HTP is helpful, we'll talk about the importance of quality in supplements, potential risks of serotonin syndrome, common 5-HTP dosages, and the nuanced approach needed when considering 5-HTP as part of mental health support.
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.See our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Feel Hopeless? Hope's Out There (and in you too) [ep. 146] | 22 May 2024 | 00:20:19 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast we explore the concept of hope as a crucial element of joy. We're offering an 'outside in' approach to hope in this episode, suggesting that by fostering hope for the world around us, we can boost our own hope, resilience, and personal growth. There are lots of nuggets to take away from this episode as we dig into topics like learned helplessness; learned hopefulness; the relationship between optimism, pessimism, and hope; and why hope and toxic positivity are not at all the same thing. We'll get into practical insights to help us all tap into the hope that already exists around us and within us. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| How to Change: External vs Internal Motivators [ep. 145] | 18 May 2024 | 00:17:45 | |
It can be hard to make healthy changes. And there's no shortage of advice on what to change and how to change. In this episode, we dig into why change can be hard and how to make the process a bit easier. We'll talk about the nuances of external and internal motivators in behavior change, distinguishing between external (extrinsic) motivators, which stem from outside forces, and internal (intrinsic) motivators, which arise from our personal desires or values. The short story is that external motivators can be effective in the short term, especially for routine or necessity-driven tasks, but they often fall short in fostering lasting behavioral changes that contribute to wellbeing. We'll share some insights into human biology, including our evolutionary drives and the principle of homeostasis, while also touching on the significance of self-acceptance and self-compassion in nurturing internal motivation. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [252] | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:20:20 | |
What if the loss you're carrying doesn't have a name — no death, no disaster, just a quiet, persistent ache that something was always missing? In this episode of Joy Lab, we'll look at Gate Four of our grief series: What We Expected But Did Not Receive. Drawing from Francis Weller's The Wild Edge of Sorrow, we'll explore the grief that comes from never being fully welcomed, seen, or celebrated for exactly who you are — a loss so subtle it often masquerades as personal failure. This episode offers a deeply compassionate and scientifically grounded look at why so many of us feel vaguely unfulfilled and how we can actually do something about it. Spoiler: it starts with grieving what you were owed. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready. p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.
About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:
Sources and Notes for this full grief series:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| You Are Not Alone: Building Your Awareness of Unity & Belonging (encore) [ep. 144] | 15 May 2024 | 00:18:59 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm). We're talking about the seventh and final root, "Creating Deep Connections" and how those connections are essential for our resilience and hope. And fear not, introverts. This root doesn't mean you need to to make a boatload of friends. Instead, we're looking at how connection and belonging are essential for our mental health. That means one of the most important shifts you can make is to wake up from the illusion of separation and replace it with an awareness of unity. We'll talk about practical ways to do that in this episode and why it matters so much for mental health. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keep the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Building Resilience And An Open Heart With Your Heart-Brain (encore) [ep. 143] | 11 May 2024 | 00:22:42 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element Hope… and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons books, The Chemistry of Calm). We're talking about the sixth root, "Cultivating a Good Heart." What does this have to do with mental health?! A lot actually. We're not just a brain wandering around all alone. We're more than that. And this root opens up the rest of our body, and the world around us, so that we can not only improve our mental health, but connect with meaning and purpose, and tap into our joy, hope, and resilience. We'll get into some specifics with the factors of self-acceptance, loving-kindness, and compassion as foundational strategies to cultivate a good heart. Expect to learn some insights from neuroscience and traditional wisdom on the heart's central role in emotional processing and connection, along with key practices to cultivate kindness and compassion towards ourselves and others. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Working Through Uncomfortable Feelings & Building Your Emotional Immune System (encore) [ep. 142] | 08 May 2024 | 00:20:58 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm). We're talking about the fifth root, "Turning Toward the Feeling." Specifically, those uncomfortable ones that we may want to run from or push down. Instead, if we want those feelings to move through us (and go on their way), then we need to turn toward them and give them the attention that they require.This can be a really hard practice to start, but we'll discuss a three-step process that is super effective at helping us face and move through these uncomfortable feelings. And, like any other skill, we'll get better and better at facing them every time we practice. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| The Truth Behind Your Thoughts And How to Calm Your Mind (encore) [ep. 141] | 04 May 2024 | 00:19:53 | |
As you may know, we're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm). In this episode, we're working on our fourth root, "Calming the Mind." We'll hit on some key insights and strategies that include: Realizing we're thinking and that many of our thoughts are false, embracing the skill of learned optimism, stepping into the role of our observing self, and how we can get more comfortable venturing into our inner-world. Bonus: Head over to our NMH community for a Calm Mind Meditation to put this conversation into practice. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources & Notes:
Full transcript available here. Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Resilience, Hope, and Mental Health (encore) [ep. 140] | 01 May 2024 | 00:15:42 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! As you may know, we're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm). We're adding this element of Hope because working on our resilience skills is something that can actually feed hope, which then boosts our resilience… which then fuels our hope. It's the upward spiral we love here. And, just to be clear, you don't need to be an optimist to be hopeful. Or joyful. We'll discuss a bit more about that in this episode. One more reason why we like to talk about hope and resilience together: Working with these elements together creates more opportunities to tap into our resilient self, particularly if we're feeling at odds with our body (for whatever reason). We'll discuss how we can tap into our resilience and hope through our mind and heart space, and in a way that also nourishes the body. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available here This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Align With Nature & Your Rhythms (ultradian, circadian, & infradian) [encore] [ep. 139] | 27 Apr 2024 | 00:27:54 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience and exploring the third "Root of Resilience" known as aligning with nature. The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." This root builds on our last one ("managing energy") by embracing the cycles and rhythms that are part of a much bigger system. This may seem "woo-woo," but.. well, it's not. Like all mammals and really every other living thing, we are influenced by cycles around us. A growing field of study known as chronobiology is bringing more scientific understanding to these cycles (for example: seasonal affective disorder and seasonal mood shifts). We'll talk more about this root and how increasing awareness of your connection with nature and adding some simple skills in response to this connection can support your mood, energy, and resilience in really powerful ways.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148589404
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Overcoming the Energy Thieves and Managing Energy to Feel More Refreshed, Engaged, & Connected (encore) | Joy Lab Podcast [ep. 138] | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:26:11 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience and exploring the second Root of Resilience known as managing energy. The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." We'll work through this foundational aspect of resilience, focusing on how we can keep our resilience tank more full by returning to our natural rhythms of rest and activity to help us feel more refreshed, engaged, and connected. We'll also learn about three "energy thieves" (oxidative stress, blood sugar dysregulation, and systemic inflammation) and how you can overcome those thieves to reclaim your natural energy cycles. The key strategies we'll focus on are: adopting a diet rich in whole foods, supplementing wisely with vitamins and antioxidants (if needed), and engaging in simple, enjoyable exercise like walking.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148586363
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| A Balanced Approach to Medications, Supplements, and Nutrition to Support Mood (encore) [ep. 137] | 20 Apr 2024 | 00:27:49 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're exploring a more balanced approach to supporting brain chemistry. Understanding brain chemistry for mental health is really important... it's not everything, but it's important (we'll get into those other important areas later in this series). In this episode, we'll touch on dietary strategies, supplements, and foods to support mood and resilience.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148586006
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.
Please see our terms for more information.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Refilling Your Resilience Tank (encore) [ep. 136] | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:19:55 | |
In this episode, we're working on our element of Resilience. And even if you feel the opposite of resilient right now, we'll discuss more about how each of us is wired for resilience. We are naturally resilient and can uncover and build up this element--no matter what. This is also the first part of our "Roots of Resilience" series. The Roots of Resilience were laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, "The Chemistry of Calm." We'll work through all the roots throughout our episodes on Resilience and Hope (nine episodes!). These roots are really the key aspects of resilience that are essential to be aware of and to strengthen. Stay with us for this full series to uncover and nourish your most rooted, resilient self.
Key moments:
00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148582312
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.
Please see our terms for more information.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Resilience Training + Our Roots of Resilience Series [ep. 135] | 13 Apr 2024 | 00:09:27 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we (Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek) reintroduce our Roots of Resilience series, focusing on building resilience and uncovering joy by blending scientific and soulful approaches. And big news! Our Resilience Training program will be added to our NMH community this summer. In this series (and more so in the program) we'll explore foundational aspects of resilience within the three interrelated categories body, mind, and heart or soul. It's an empowering approach to resilience that emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our wholeness for a joyful and resilient life.
Key Moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148582289 Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [251] | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:29:20 | |
We're diving deep into Francis Weller's third gate of grief: the sorrows of the world. This gate reminds us that collective losses like wars, violence, injustice, and environmental destruction impact us whether we acknowledge them or not. We are interdependent beings, wired for connection, and when we try to shut down our caring to protect ourselves, we sacrifice our capacity for joy, flexibility, and resilience. The challenge is to trust our intuitive drive to care and connect, even when it feels uncomfortable. We'll offer some practical strategies to meet that challenge and to help you stay open to collective grief without being overwhelmed by it. CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses gun violence. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:
Sources and Notes for this full grief series:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| You're Wired for Resilience (special replay) [ep. 134] | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:32:17 | |
We recorded this early in our Joy Lab journey, but it's as true as it was then. Truth is, we're all wired for resilience. It's built into all living systems, from a single cell to dynamic global systems. And none of us would be here if we didn't have it. But, have you wondered why we all have different levels of resilience and how it can be boosted? In this episode, we explore what resilience means, how to protect your resilience, how to get it back if it's been depleted, and even how to grow it to a level you might not have thought you could get to.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Links Mentioned:
Full transcript available: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148072999
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Lack of Sleep, Anxiety, and Panic Attacks [ep. 133] | 06 Apr 2024 | 00:12:24 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek talk about the intricate relationships between sleep, stress, anxiety, and panic attacks, emphasizing the distinction between panic attacks and anxiety. They discuss the various factors contributing to panic attacks, including genetics, brain chemistry, and stress, and how these can intensify due to lack of sleep. They also discuss nocturnal panic attacks, which abruptly wake individuals from sleep, complicating the cycle of anxiety and sleep disturbance. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these experiences for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The hosts encourage seeking professional help for panic attacks and stress management, offering a blend of science-based insights and practical advice to navigate these challenges.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148576731
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Discovering Your Resilience Type (+ Our Updated Resilience Quiz) [ep. 132] | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:15:47 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about our updated resilience quiz and the power of identifying your Resilience Type. The new quiz is more focused on innate strengths and is intended to provide insightful and relevant paths to consider as we foster more resilience and live more joyful lives. We'll also highlight the fluid nature ofResilience Types and caution against rigid categorization. It's a good reminder that we all possess a multitude of resilient qualities.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148464778
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| New Mail Bag & When To Turn Off the SAD Light [ep. 131] | 30 Mar 2024 | 00:11:52 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek announce the new NMH Mailbag and address a listener's question about the appropriate use of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lights, discussing optimal usage periods and considerations for adjusting use based on personal response. The discussion also touches on vitamin D supplementation during specific times of the year for those living in northern latitudes, emphasizing the balance between supplement use and natural sun exposure.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148568573
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| drumroll, please... Meet our Updated Joy Lab Program! [ep. 130] | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:24:56 | |
The Joy Lab podcast, hosted by Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek, aims to help listeners build resilience and discover joy by blending scientific methods with soulful practices. In this episode, we re-introduce the Joy Lab program, now part of the Natural Mental Health (NMH) community. We discuss the program's foundation on the four pillars of Joy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, the Science of Mindfulness, and the Wisdom of the Soul, alongside the 12 elements essential for fostering joy such as hope, gratitude, and resilience. Tune in to learn how the experiments within the Program are designed to help you practice and integrate these elements into daily life, aiming for long-term mental health support and flourishing.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab: Uncovering Joy Through Science and Soul
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148565801
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Meditation for Burnout [ep. 129] | 23 Mar 2024 | 00:09:01 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, Dr. Aimee Prasek will guide you through a visualization exercise to tune into your body and observe the differences in sensations and emotions experienced during a day off of work compared to a typical workday. By stepping into the observing self, you'll watch a 'life movie' play out in two parts; one depicting a leisurely day without work obligations and the other, a busy workday. Throughout the visualization, the focus is on noticing bodily sensations, emotions, and the specific triggers of stress, constriction, or exhaustion. The aim is to cultivate awareness and identify possible contributors of stress along with opportunities for change.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab: Unleashing Your Joy
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148565810
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Is It Burnout or Depression? [ep. 128] | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:18:19 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're sharing a live chat we had in our Natural Mental Health Community. We tackled the topic of burnout, discussing its characteristics, causes, and how it differs from depression. After this episode, we'll share a burnout meditation you can use to illuminate your own possible experiences of burnout and depression. And stay tuned for our burnout series coming up in the next several months. In that series, we'll explore more contributors and antidotes to burnout.
Key moments: 00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab: Uncovering Joy Through Science and Soul
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript and links mentioned available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148464777
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Lithium Orotate & Lithium Carbonate [ep. 127] | 16 Mar 2024 | 00:18:22 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek talk about lithium orotate, a compound different from the commonly prescribed lithium carbonate used for bipolar disorder. They explore its potential advantages including better brain absorption and fewer side effects at lower doses, while also clarifying that although it should not replace prescribed medications, it may have valuable uses. The conversation also covers how lithium orotate may have a role in clinical practice for mood disorders and depression with a genetic component. The historical context of lithium's use and the repercussions of its bad PR in the past are also noted, alongside emerging research on its possible preventive role for conditions like Alzheimer's.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to the Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148536245 Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Self-Care Ideas & Simple Joy Challenges [ep. 126] | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:13:51 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek explore the concept of simplicity in creating change, focusing on the significance of a simple, joy-filled approach to self-care. They challenge the overly simplistic strategy of relying on a single solution for mental health issues, advocating instead for a multifaceted and gentle approach to self-care that combines science with soul. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, community support, and engaging in simple, joyous activities that can lead to significant wellbeing gains.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all!
Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148560855
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Mindful Eating & the Cephalic Phase of Digestion (really, it's a thing!) [ep. 125] | 09 Mar 2024 | 00:16:17 | |
In this episode of the Joy Lab Podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek talk about the cephalic phase of digestion and how mindful eating can promote better digestion. What's the cephalic phase of digestion? Glad you asked! The cephalic (head) phase of digestion is triggered by the sight and smell of food, continues on as you taste and savor your food, and here's the kicker: it can influence about 30 to 40% of the total digestive response. Mindful eating practices are perfect to support this phase of digestion. Tune in for some strategies to help you eat more mindfully and support this important aspect of digestion.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148536759
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [250] | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:21:54 | |
We're exploring the second gate of grief from Francis Weller's framework: The Places That Have Not Known Love. Unlike the first gate (episode #249)—which dealt with more of the external losses—this gate turns inward to examine the parts of ourselves we've rejected, hidden, or banished in our need to belong. And this isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It's about integrating the messy, uncomfortable, angry, scared, "too much" parts of yourself—and discovering that when you love what you've rejected, it loses its grip over you. p.s. Find your Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.
About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).
Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:
Sources and notes:
Full notes, sources, and full transcript available here.
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Equanimity, Mental Health, & The Five Pathways to Inner Calm (special replay) [ep. 124] | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:28:10 | |
Feeling stressed lately? Our stress responses are being activated by a lot of stressors floating around lately. That's why we wanted to replay this episode that digs more into stress and reclaiming balance. As we'll get into, stress is generally fine as long as it recedes in a reasonable amount of time. If that doesn't happen, we can lock ourselves into a chronic state of stress. That's where equanimity can come in. In this episode, we explore equanimity (we also like to call it inner calm), the science behind it, and how it has been sought after throughout human history. We share some learnings from those quests and five pathways to experiment with to help ease our stress responses and bring more equanimity back into our lives–even after just a single equanimity practice.
IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast 00:43 Understanding the Concept of Equanimity 02:12 Historical Perspectives on Equanimity 03:50 Personal Experiences with Equanimity 10:12 The Neuroscience of Equanimity 13:38 The Science of Equanimity 19:21 Pathways to Inner Calm and Equanimity 27:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148560136
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. | |||
| Colds, Viruses, & Depression [ep. 123] | 02 Mar 2024 | 00:16:21 | |
In this episode, we're talking about the relationship between viruses and depression. We'll cover how viral illnesses can negatively impact mood, how this process is completely natural, and how it can go awry. We'll hit on the role of inflammation, and how mood-regulating chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine can get disrupted. And of course, we'll cover some strategies to help restore our system after clearing a virus (i.e., rest, hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and supportive supplements).
KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast 00:38 Understanding Viruses and Mental Health 01:32 Personal Experience with Viral Illness 02:10 The Science Behind Viral Illness and Mood 04:39 The Role of the Immune System in Mood Regulation 07:44 Understanding Postviral Fatigue and Syndrome 10:40 Strategies for Mood Support After Clearing a Virus 11:57 The Role of Nutrition and Supplements in Recovery 15:11 Closing Thoughts and Quote 15:57 Disclaimer and Conclusion
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2148560676
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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| Social Media: Moving Out of Social Comparison & Into Social Savoring [ep. 122] | 28 Feb 2024 | 00:20:31 | |
In this episode, we discuss the impact of social media on mental health, focusing on the concepts of social comparison and social savoring. One route that social media can take to tank our mood has to do with social comparison, where we evaluate our own worth based on others. However, the negative impacts of this can be reduced through the practice of social savoring, which aims at deriving joy from other's experiences. We'll talk about how this approach can help us shift our personal story-telling in such a way that actually boosts our mood.
Key moments: 00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supported. When you buy through the links below, we may earn a commission. That support helps keeps the Joy Lab podcast free for all! Sources and Notes:
Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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