Ep. 33 The State of Psychology, Today with John Thomas

In this episode of MasterMined, hosts Jeff Skillen, and Lee Pepper sit down with John Thomas, President and Publisher of Psychology Today, to unpack how one of the most iconic brands in mental health has stayed relevant for nearly six decades. John shares how editorial integrity, science-based content, and an uncompromising stance on trust have fueled the platform's evolution across print, digital media, and the world's largest therapist directory. From AI and content authority to directory ethics and future pivots, this conversation offers timeless lessons for behavioral health leaders navigating rapid change. Key Moments: 01:51 – Introducing John Thomas and the legacy of Psychology Today 03:50 – Why most legacy media failed—and why Psychology Today didn't 05:42 – The three-pronged business model: magazine, website, and directory 08:06 – Playing offense and defense in a volatile media landscape 12:07 – Why journalistic-quality content still matters 12:54 – The science-first philosophy behind Psychology Today 16:48 – How video transformed therapist-patient matching 19:35 – AI, search, and protecting content authority 26:39 – Why the therapy directory forbids paid placement 37:13 – What's next: custom media, events, and future pivots Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://snapshotinteractive.com/mastermined Connect with John Thomas: https://psychologytoday.com Connect with Jeff Skillen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffskillen | https://www.skillsetenterprises.com Connect with Lee Pepper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leepepper | https://www.neveroutmatched.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com