Mind Over Grind: Dr. Guy Winch on How to Stop Work from Taking Over Your Life (03-08-26)

In a culture that celebrates productivity and work ethic—especially here in West Michigan—it’s easy for work to become more than just a job. But what happens when work starts to quietly take over our identity, our relationships, and our mental space?

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Dr. Guy Winch, clinical psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life. Dr. Winch explores the psychology behind why so many driven, responsible people become deeply over-identified with their work—and the emotional toll it can take.

The conversation looks at the subtle warning signs that work has begun to dominate our thinking, the hidden emotional costs of always feeling “on the clock,” and how ambition can gradually turn into an unhealthy dependency. Dr. Winch also shares practical strategies for creating healthier mental boundaries with work while still pursuing meaningful goals. If you’ve ever struggled to mentally “clock out,” felt your work identity crowding out other parts of life, or wondered how to balance ambition with well-being, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical tools.

Learn more about Dr. Winch and his work at guywinch.com,

Watch his TED Talk on turning off work thoughts during your free time at TED.com. 

Get Guy Winch’s new book, Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.