In job interviews and in life, perfectionism is often seen as a selling point – an asset disguised as a flaw. But as psychologists have found rising rates of perfectionism in the United States and around the world in recent decades, they’ve begun to recognize the toll that the drive to be perfect can take on people’s mental health and well-being. Thomas Curr ... Show More
Apr 22
Invisible scars: Recognizing and treating medical trauma, with James C. Jackson, PsyD
Every year, millions of people go through harrowing medical experiences, from a stay in the ICU to a difficult childbirth to the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. These experiences can leave scars on our minds as well as our bodies. Psychologist James C. Jackson, PhD, aut ... Show More
37m 5s
Apr 15
Tip or skip? What drives our tipping behavior, with Michael Lynn, PhD
Tipping has long been a part of service culture in the U.S., but in the last few years, the number of places where we're asked to tip has multiplied. Social psychologist and tipping researcher Michael Lynn, PhD, discusses “tip creep” and how digital payment screens are reshaping ... Show More
26m 22s
Apr 8
The psychology of spending, debt and budgeting, with Abigail Sussman, PhD
Buy now, pay later plans have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, adding yet another variable to consider when making spending decisions. Abigail Sussman, PhD, discusses the psychological biases that influence how we spend, budget and borrow, including why splitting paymen ... Show More
34m 14s
Nov 2025
353. The psychology of perfectionism
We’ve all heard someone say, “I’m such a perfectionist”, like it’s a badge of honour. But what does perfectionism really mean - and what’s hiding beneath it? In today’s bonus episode, we unpack the psychology of perfectionism: the fear, the origins, and how to finally let go of “ ... Show More
27m 19s
Mar 2025
how to overcome PERFECTIONISM: embrace progress, let go of pressure & stop preforming! letting youreself be HUMAN
in today’s episode, we’re diving into something I know we all struggle with from time to time… PERFECTIONISM! 💭✨ While holding yourself to a high standard can be motivating, there’s a fine line where it can lead to insecurity, never feeling fulfilled, and an inability to embrace ... Show More
36m 20s
Sep 2025
336. Why do we crave external validation?
In our twenties, the feedback sources that once defined our worth - grades, report cards, and parental praise - start to disappear. This leaves a void, which many of us instinctively turn to external sources like social media, career achievements, and the opinions of others, to f ... Show More
42m 34s
May 2025
The Roots of Perfectionism and How We Can Change
Perfectionism can help us succeed, but it can also be a detriment to our mental health and our lives. Understanding it is the first step to better management. In this episode, psychologist Thomas Greenspon shares research about perfectionism, where it comes from, how it can impac ... Show More
29m 56s
Jan 2025
Dealing with Perfectionism
High standards, attention to detail, and self-control are invaluable qualities at work. They’re also aspects of perfectionism, something to which many high achievers credit much of their success. But Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist at Boston University's Center for Anxiet ... Show More
26m 52s
Jan 2025
What If Healing Your Mind Starts in Your Body?
Trauma has become a buzzword in the zeitgeist over the years, but do we really understand what it means and how it impacts the body? Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, to explore what both psychologists and th ... Show More
39m 7s
