Savvy Psychologist

Savvy Psychologist

https://feeds.simplecast.com/w6PauQYI
3.7K Followers 566 Episodes
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Monica Johnson explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding.

Episode List

How to speak up in a meeting

Feb 4th, 2026 10:00 AM

549. Meetings are everywhere—from work and faculty meetings to HOAs and book clubs. But speaking up can feel intimidating, especially if you struggle with social anxiety, perfectionism, or power dynamics. In this episode, we unpack why staying silent feels safer and why it rarely feels good afterward. Then we walk through six practical, low-pressure strategies to help you participate without needing the “perfect” comment. Related episodes:Modern Mentor episode 869 - Make meetings matter: Intentional gatherings for impactFind Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack.Find a transcript here.Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to deal with the midlife crisis (Reissue)

Jan 28th, 2026 10:00 AM

113. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen channels her best Talking Heads and asks, on behalf of every middle-aged adult, “How did I get here?” Plus, why time seems to fly as we get older.Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack.Find a transcript here.Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to know you did a good job (without asking for approval)

Jan 21st, 2026 10:00 AM

548. In a culture of likes, reviews, and constant comparison, deciding if you’ve "done well" can feel impossible. This week, interim host Dr. Ellen Hendriksen unpacks the trap of tying your value to others’ approval. She explores when external evaluation works and when it emphatically fails. She also shares three simple questions to help you define success on your own terms.Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack.Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website.Find a transcript here.Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The sleep rules you don't actually need to follow

Jan 14th, 2026 10:00 AM

547. If you've ever followed every sleep rule in the book and still found yourself wide awake at 2 a.m., this episode is for you. Sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at why sleep hygiene—like avoiding screens or caffeine—is a great foundation but won't actually fix a "cavity" like chronic insomnia. She looks at why rigid rule-following can create the very anxiety that keeps you awake. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three truths about self-compassion that made me say, “Oh, now I get it!”

Jan 7th, 2026 10:00 AM

546. Self-compassion sounds simple—be kind to yourself—but for those of us with a loud inner critic, it can feel surprisingly hard to put into practice. This week, we’ll break down three truths that make self-compassion more doable and less fuzzy. If you’ve ever worried that self-compassion means lowering your standards, let this week’s episode (kindly) change your mind.Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack.Find Dr. Jade Wu on her website.Find a transcript here.Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsych Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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