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PODCAST · education

Change Academy

by Monica Reinagel

Learn how to cultivate a more productive mindset, form sustainable habits, and create a lifestyle that supports both your goals and your wellbeing with host, Monica Reinagel. Drawing on decades of expertise and experience, Monica provides guidance on navigating the challenging process of behavior change in a fun and accessible way. Learn more and find show notes for every episode at https://changeacademypodcast.com

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Episodes

  1. [Listener Favorite] A 3-Step Ritual for New Year's Resolutions

    Revisiting one of our most popular episodes, originally published exactly one year ago These final few days of the year are a great time to reflect on the year that’s past and think about what we’d like to focus on or accomplish in the New Year. And in this episode, I’m sharing a three-part…

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  2. The freedom in embracing our finitude, with Oliver Burkeman

    What if the pursuit of happiness is NOT the path to greater life satisfaction? What if being more productive and getting more done isn’t actually the way to get ahead? In this episode, I'm revisiting my conversation with author Oliver Burkeman about some of the ways in which we might want to...

  3. We now return to your Future Self

    Ready for some time travel? Your Current Self was once your Future Self. And I’m guessing that Past You had big plans for Current You (previously, Future You). In this episode, we’re exploring how our lives and habits have and haven’t evolved in the ways we expected or hoped, and how we can use...

  4. Wellness is Big Busine$$. So why is it such a hard sell?

    In this final episode of our Business of Being Well series, wellness strategist and speaker Cassie Christopher joins me to explore how insights from the world of business—especially sales and marketing—can help wellness professionals become more effective, persuasive, and impactful. Highlights…

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  5. The underrated power of the (right) mission statement

    What if your values weren’t just something you thought about once during a journaling workshop, but a real-time compass for how you show up—especially when things get complicated? In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to turn your values into a functional operating system. Key Takeaways…

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  6. How to find (and fix) your rate-limiting step

    Sometimes, the system isn’t broken—it’s just bottlenecked. In this episode, we’re continuing our series on translating business strategies into personal growth tools by looking at bottlenecks: those hidden chokepoints where progress stalls and good intentions quietly fall apart. You’ll learn how…

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  7. How to "Recession-Proof" Your Commitments to Yourself

    When the economy gets rocky, smart businesses don’t panic—they prepare. They focus on what really matters, streamline what they can, and make sure they’re flexible enough to weather the storm. In this episode, we’re borrowing that same mindset and translating it into the way we think about our…

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  8. Success always lags. Here's how to take the lead.

    Will you succeed in reaching your next big goal? Only time will tell. Because success (or failure) generally comes at the end of the process. Except that every success or failure is actually made up of countless smaller successes or failures that happened along the way. And paying more attention…

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  9. Should you walk away or double down? How to know.

    If you feel like your progress (or your motivation) has stalled, you have options. You can redouble your efforts. You can take an entirely different approach. Or, you might even decide to walk away. In this episode, we’ll talk about figuring out which route serves you best. Key Takeaways 1.…

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  10. A sure-fire way to set yourself (and others) up for failure

    Are you guilty of holding yourself (or others) to impossibly high standards? In this episode, we're exploring the concept of Ought implies can—the notion that we can only be obligated to do what we’re actually capable of. But how do we know where the limits of ability really are? Are we being too...

  11. Transcending the grind: How to thrive in the job you have now

    Feeling stuck in the daily grind? Quitting isn’t the only way out. In this episode, Dr. Jessica Grossmeier shares how to find meaning, connection, and even transcendence in the job you have now. We explore: - How small shifts in perspective can reignite purpose and satisfaction - The power of...

  12. When we know better, we do better. Here's why.

    Ever wondered why some changes seem impossible to sustain while others just click? It’s not magic—it’s science. In this episode, we’re talking about a 3-part recipe for behavior change that was first developed 30 years ago and is still making waves today. If you’ve struggled with change or are...

  13. How to cope when your life goes completely off the rails

    Whenever we make plans or set goals, it's important anticipate the inevitable bumps in the road, and be ready to adapt and course-correct. But sometimes, life doesn't just serve up a bump in the road. It delivers an earthquake that shakes us to the core and opens up a chasm into which our entire...

  14. Resolution Remix: A 3-Step Ritual That Sets You Up for Success

    These final few days of the year are a great time to reflect on the year that’s past and think about what we’d like to focus on or accomplish in the New Year. And in this episode, I’m sharing a three-part process that might just become your new end-of-year ritual. Instead of your New year’s...

  15. Going beyond pros and cons to get to the heart of tough decisions

    Wrestling with a tough choice? Trying to weigh the pros and cons but going in circles? In this episode, I've got a systematic approach to decision-making that can bring some welcome clarity to complex choices. Whether you're standing at a personal or professional crossroads, or debating different...

  16. Escaping the pleasure trap: How to break highly rewarding habits

    Struggling with hard-to-quit habits? Whether it's the nightly glass of wine, mindless snacking, or endless social media scrolling, in this episode we're talking about why these habits are so sticky - and more importantly, how to finally change them. You'll learn how your brain's reward system...

  17. What to do with your negative thoughts

    Our thoughts powerfully impact our lives—but we don't always pay enough attention to what we're telling ourselves. In this episode, we’ll take a look at four distinct categories of thoughts: those that are both true and helpful, those that might not be proven but serve us well, those that are…

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  18. How to overcome your resistance to change

    In this first episode of a three-part series, we are digging in to why we so often resist making positive changes in our lives. Resistance isn't simply stubbornness or laziness; it can be your brain’s way of keeping you safe. The key is to recognize what our resistance is trying to tell us, so…

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  19. Year-End Recalibration: Let's Make These Last Two Months Count

    As the end of the year looms into view, you may feel some regret or disappointment about unmet goals or unrealized ambitions. Add in the chaos of holiday schedules, and it's tempting to shelve all personal objectives until January. This episode challenges that mindset, showing you how to turn…

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  20. The Surprising Secret to Enjoying Weekends and Vacations

    Craving a break from your routines? Discover why that might actually be sabotaging your happiness…as well as your progress. Molly Watts returns to the Change Academy to help me unravel the counterintuitive link between structure and relaxation. Learn how to craft routines that boost mental and...

  21. Why Change Takes Forever (and Why That’s So Awesome!)

    Discover why viewing change as a lifelong journey is not just realistic, but liberating and exciting. Learn how to reframe personal growth as evolution rather than 'fixing' yourself, and explore the powerful concept of change as a form of self-expression. Whether you're working on health…

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  22. The Alchemy of Failure: Finding the treasure hiding in our mistakes

    In a world obsessed with success, embracing failure seems a bit counter-cultural. But if it’s good enough for the some of history’s smartest and most successful figures, there’s probably something the rest of us can learn. In fact, an outsized fear of failure could hold us back from our greatest...

  23. What (and how) you practice matters hugely. Choose well.

    In this episode, we explore the role of practice in habit formation and how a thoughtful approach can accelerate your progress more than just mindless repetition. We also talk about the mental aspect of practice and how practicing better thoughts can drive better behaviors. Practice doesn't make...

  24. The ultimate guide to giving feedback that gets positive results

    Dr. Bethy Campbell joins Monica to explore the delicate dance of offering constructive criticism while maintaining positive relationships. Learn practical strategies for delivering feedback that empowers growth, builds trust, and respects autonomy. Whether you're offering feedback as a manager,...

  25. How to create a more effective support strategy

    Change is challenging, for all kinds of different reasons. But one thing that can make it more challenging than it actually needs to be is when we insist on going it alone. Whether you're aiming to improve your health, boost your productivity, or cultivate a new skill, having a solid support...

  26. Revisiting the Joy Choice with Michelle Segar

    Dr. Michelle Segar is an NIH-funded researcher at the University of Michigan. She’s also a best-selling author and health coach. She’s spent close to thirty years studying how to create sustainable changes and healthy behaviors that can survive the complexity and unpredictability of the real…

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  27. 3 types of goals and what they reveal about you

    Goals come in different flavors--and they don’t all work same way. By understanding the differences, we can uncover ways in which our goals may be a bit fuzzy, lacking support, in conflict with one another, or even just out of balance. That insight can help us fine-tune our efforts, helping us...

  28. Sense foraging: How to do an end run around your DMN

    The Default Mode Network, or DMN, is the part of your brain that drives your habitual actions and thoughts. When we feel “stuck” in unwanted behaviors or thought patterns, the DMN is running the show. You might think that the solution would be to somehow ratchet down DMN activity. Unfortunately,...

  29. Why even a great plan isn't always enough

    There's definitely an art to planning. And we'll get into that in this episode. But here’s the thing everyone forgets to tell you about planning: The real trick is actually not in making the plan. The real trick is in sticking to the plan you’ve made. We'll talk about why that is so darned...

  30. We're told to "Be curious!" Why that's easier said than done.

    Being curious about our experiences (both internal and external) really is key to unlocking our progress and potential. But to be honest, it’s a tricky one. Certain mental reactions often masquerade as genuine curiosity. In this episode, you'll learn to recognize these imposters and pivot instead...

  31. How we cheat ourselves of the future we dream of

    I'm betting you aspire to a future life that is at least a little bit better than it is now—perhaps you'll be a bit healthier, less stressed, more content. You're working towards a future in which you have achieved certain goals or milestones. What we don't always realize (or fully acknowledge)…

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  32. How being selfish can be an act of service

    Over the past 9 or so months, Karen has lost about 25% of her weight. Which is a big deal. But it’s really not the headline of her story. Her story is really about shedding her lifelong identity as the one who could do everything for everyone. Instead, she realized that focusing on her own…

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  33. Roadmap for Success: The practices that lead to real change

    Do you know what separates the people who achieve lasting change from those who stay stuck? I’ve worked with hundreds of clients over the years and some clear patterns have definitely emerged. In this episode, I share the attitudes and behaviors that my most successful clients all embody…

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  34. Growth Factor: How to ask for (and receive) feedback

    Dr. Bethy Campbell joins Monica to discuss the rewards and potential pitfalls of seeking feedback–in both your professional and personal relationships. Concrete strategies and real-world examples show you how to elicit the most constructive feedback and then how to process and act on it for…

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  35. When motivation is a struggle, it's time to realign your why

    In this episode, we’re exploring an aspect of change that can be really tricky: figuring out why making this change is important to you. It doesn’t sound like it would be that hard. But often it takes a little digging to get at the true heart of our WHY, our compelling reason. Whether your goals...

  36. How to make sure you've set the right goals

    We are a society of goal-setters. If you’re not setting and achieving goals, you’re not living your best life. Or so we’re told. And goals do have their place. The thing is that goals (alone) are not enough to really move us forward in the ways that matter most. In order to that, they have to be...

  37. How to do the things that you don’t want to do

    Why is it sometimes so darned hard to just do the things that we KNOW will make us healthier, happier and more effective in our jobs and lives? Behavioral activation offers us a framework for understanding and responding to that familiar situation of not wanting to do the thing that we know will...

  38. How behavior change experts work on their own difficult habits

    Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan are the co-hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast and heavy hitters in the behavioral sciences. In this episode, the three of us trade notes on what we've learned from years of podcasting and behavioral coaching and how it impacts our ability to work with our own...

  39. Why we can't help comparing ourselves to others

    It’s a very natural human tendency to compare ourselves to the people around us–and even to the people we see portrayed in the media. And like so many other behavioral tendencies, this one is a double-edged sword. Looking at what others have achieved can inspire us to greater effort. It can also...

  40. Why behavioral economics shouldn't be the only tool in the toolbox

    Behavioral economics has given us a lot of insights into how we can influence our own and other’s behavior. But the approach has some serious limitations, especially when applied to promoting health behaviors. Joining me on the podcast is Michelle Segar, a frequent guest here on the Change…

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  41. Looking for happiness in all the wrong places, with Oliver Burkeman

    What if the pursuit of happiness is NOT the path to greater life satisfaction? What if being more productive and getting more done isn’t actually the way to get ahead? In today’s episode, I’m talking to author Oliver Burkeman about some of the ways in which we might want to re-examine our...

  42. How to get back on track instead of sabotaging your progress

    Over the years, I have worked with a lot of people on various aspects of behavior change–mostly having to do with health behaviors. I have witnessed and celebrated some amazing breakthroughs and successes. But I have also seen people stumble and struggle. Regularly. Something happens and they…

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  43. How to stop complaining and find the path to positive change

    Is there something in your life that’s been driving you crazy for a while? Some situation at work that you find yourself venting to your spouse about every night at dinner? Or maybe a recurring conflict with your partner or your kids that never seems to be adequately resolved? Do you find…

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  44. The inner work that makes outward change more possible

    In this conversation with a recent “graduate” of the Weighless program, Lauren shares some of the key insights that helped her permanently transform her physical and mental health. Lauren is a healthcare professional herself, with a front row seat to some of the consequences of unhealthy habits…

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  45. Why it’s so hard to convert good intentions into action

    There’s clearly no shortage of good intentions in the world, and most of them actually have to do with health. People want to get into shape, they want to eat better, they want to lose weight. Unfortunately, very few of these good intentions get converted into reality. Believe it or not, there’s…

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  46. How to know when it’s time to make a big change

    Careers are one of the ways that we find meaning and purpose in our lives. Not the only way, of course. But what if you wake up one day and realize that your true purpose might be better fulfilled by doing something other than what you originally trained for. Now what?! Design thinking offers…

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  47. What if you didn’t have to be more disciplined to succeed?

    I was recently exchanging emails with someone who was struggling to change some unhelpful behaviors. He wrote: “I do really well for a couple of days and then I go totally off the rails again. It’s such a vicious cycle. I just need to be be more disciplined.” And if there is something that you…

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  48. Making the most of a reboot (Behind the scenes)

    I’ve decided that my special word for 2024 is Reboot. Much of my last year was consumed by the reboot of the Weighless program–a coaching program that I launched with Brock Armstrong 7 years ago, and which has now been now relaunched in a new format that I think is its best version yet. The…

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  49. Special Series: Mindset Reset #5

    This is the last of a special 5-part Mindset Reset–a little bonus series to help us get our mindset tuned up as we head into the New Year, and into whatever new projects and objectives we’re hoping to tackle. This last mindset reset is really the key to any change you are working on: Remembering...

  50. Special Series: Mindset Reset #4

    We have reached the fourth installment our special 5-day Mindset Reset series and this reset is a juicy one. Many of us have learned the unhelpful habit of moralizing our food choices. Here's a more helpful way to think about the choices we make. If you’re interested in learning more about the...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Learn how to cultivate a more productive mindset, form sustainable habits, and create a lifestyle that supports both your goals and your wellbeing with host, Monica Reinagel. Drawing on decades of expertise and experience, Monica provides guidance on navigating the challenging process of behavior change in a fun and accessible way. Learn more and find show notes for every episode at https://changeacademypodcast.com

HOSTED BY

Monica Reinagel

Produced by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Change Academy have?

Change Academy currently has 190 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Change Academy about?

Learn how to cultivate a more productive mindset, form sustainable habits, and create a lifestyle that supports both your goals and your wellbeing with host, Monica Reinagel. Drawing on decades of expertise and experience, Monica provides guidance on navigating the challenging process of behavior...

How often does Change Academy release new episodes?

Change Academy publishes regularly with 190 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Change Academy?

You can listen to Change Academy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Change Academy?

Change Academy is created and hosted by Monica Reinagel.
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