Too often, we say "yes" to friends, bosses, and even strangers when what we really want to say is "absolutely not." Why do we do this? Vanessa Patrick, a marketing professor at the University of Houston, has spent years researching this question. The answer she's come up with could change your life.
Today
Therapy Nation: When the Cure Becomes the Culture
Therapy is everywhere — in our language, our social media feeds, and increasingly, our daily routines. But is all that self-examination actually making us better? In Therapy Nation, therapist and author Jonathan Alpert argues that America's therapy obsession has left us more anxi ... Show More
35m 11s
Jun 2023
95. The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives
<p>Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our own reputation. But as <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/vanessa-patrick/">Vanessa Patrick</a> says, no is an empowering word that gives us greater agency in our lives. ... Show More
25m 30s
May 2025
The Problem with Being Too Nice: How to Reclaim Your Voice and Say NO
Saying "yes" when you mean "no" is a slow poison. Buy The Book Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah, a physician turned organizational psychologist, reveals the hidden costs of excessive compliance and how it silently destroys your s ... Show More
43m 50s
Jul 2025
Dr. Sunita Sah: How to Say No at Work
How many times have we been juggling a thousand projects, and responsibilities just keep coming? And we say yes to everything! Today's guest, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent her career studying the power of "no." Dr. Sah is a Professor at Cornell University's Graduate School of Managem ... Show More
36 m
Feb 2025
How to say ‘no’: The power of defiance, with Sunita Sah, PhD
How often do you “go along to get along,” or say yes when you really want to say no? Organizational psychologist Sunita Sah, PhD, author of “Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes,” talks about why it can be so hard to speak up and and how can you strengthen your resol ... Show More
38m 12s
Aug 2025
How to Stop Being a People Pleaser
Do you say “yes” when you want to say “no?" In this episode, I break down the childhood roots of people-pleasing, the hidden costs it has on your happiness and identity, and practical steps to set boundaries, be assertive, and reclaim your sense of self. Feeling stuck? It's time ... Show More
18m 10s