PODCAST · health
Savvy Psychologist
by QuickAndDirtyTips.com
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Judy Ho explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Beyond the screens: Regulating your emotions when the world feels heavy
577. You know doomscrolling is bad for you. You do it anyway. And if you're honest — in the moment, it kind of feels like it's helping. Today Dr. Judy Ho explains why that feeling is real, why it's also making everything worse, and three genuinely practical ways to interrupt the cycle that have...
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Brain rot is real. What scrolling is actually doing to your brain
576. You pick up your phone to check one thing and 45 minutes disappear. You try to read a book and can't get through a page. You sit in a meeting and your mind keeps reaching for something it can't name. Brain rot isn't just a meme — it's Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year and a now well-documented...
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Existential Depression: Why do I feel empty when nothing is wrong?
575. You’re functioning. You’re achieving. Nothing has gone dramatically wrong. And you wake up one morning and realize you genuinely can’t remember the last time something felt worth doing. A lot of people describe this as a feeling of emptiness. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks existential...
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The love that controls you: Understanding coercive control
574. It doesn't start with a bruise. It starts with devotion that slowly becomes suffocation. The Netflix documentary Death of the Pastor's Wife, released August 26, 2026, has put coercive control back into the national conversation — a pattern of behavior that is now more commonly reported than...
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Why do I feel lonely even when my life is full?
573. You have a full life. People who love you. A calendar that barely has room to breathe. And somehow, underneath all of it, you still feel alone. Today Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the loneliness that nobody talks about — the kind that lives inside a full life — why it happens, what it's actually doing...
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Have you always been "a lot"? You might be a highly sensitive person
572. If you were ever told you were too sensitive, too intense, or that you feel things too much — this episode is for you. The Highly Sensitive Person trait affects 15–30% of the population, shows up in over 100 animal species, and has measurable differences on brain scans. It is not a flaw.…
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What the Lindsay Clancy trial gets wrong about postpartum psychosis — and what every parent needs to know
571. The trial of Lindsay Clancy — the Massachusetts mother who allegedly strangled her three young children and says she was in the grip of postpartum psychosis — has reopened a conversation the public has been getting wrong for years. Baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis...
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Billy Eichner on how to be fearless without trauma or shame
570. People constantly tell Billy Eichner he's fearless, and they always want to know how he does it. In Savvy Psychologist's first-ever interview episode, Dr. Judy Ho sits down with the comedian behind "Billy on the Street" and "Parks and Recreation" to trace that boldness back to its source…
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Why you stay up way too late even when you’re exhausted: The psychology of revenge bedtime procrastination
569. It's midnight. You're exhausted. You have to be up in six hours. And you are absolutely not going to bed yet. Sound familiar? There's a name for it — and it's not laziness. Revenge bedtime procrastination is what happens when your brain decides that staying up is the only way to get…
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Why do certain people leave you completely drained?
568. You know that feeling. Five minutes with a certain person and you need a three-hour nap. You leave the conversation and realize you've given everything while receiving nothing. Energy vampires are real — and the science behind why they drain you is more interesting than the term suggests.…
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Why your inner critic is so loud (and three ways to change that)
567. There’s a voice in your head that has opinions about everything you do — and most of them are unkind. It replays your mistakes. It pre-edits your ideas before you even say them. It tells you that you’re too much, not enough, or both at once. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the inner critic:...
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Imposter Syndrome: why the most competent people doubt themselves most
566. You got the promotion, the degree, the recognition — and still you're waiting for someone to figure out you don't actually belong there. That feeling has a name, a neuroscience, and — surprisingly — a silver lining. This week Dr. Judy Ho unpacks imposter syndrome: why even the most confident...
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Adult ADHD: Why so many people are diagnosed late and what actually helps
565. You've always been this way. You've just gotten better at hiding it. Adult ADHD is one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in mental health — particularly in women, high-achievers, and anyone who learned to compensate before anyone noticed. This week, Dr. Judy Ho cuts...
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Which attachment style is running your life? The self-talk that gives it away
564. You already know attachment styles exist. But do you know what yours sounds like? In this episode, Dr. Judy Ho goes beyond the quiz results and into the actual self-talk running beneath the surface — the quiet inner monologue that drives your relationship patterns, your emotional reactions,...
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What true crime gets wrong about psychopathy — and what you actually need to know
563. True crime has made 'psychopath' one of the most recognized — and most misunderstood — words in popular culture. This week, Dr. Judy Ho brings her forensic psychology lens to what psychopathy actually is, the critical distinctions between psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality...
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You're fine. you're succeeding. you're exhausted. The psychology of high-functioning anxiety
562. You're hitting your goals. You're showing up. You're making it look easy. And you haven't had a full night's sleep in months. High-functioning anxiety is one of the most common — and most invisible — experiences in modern adult life. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks what it actually is (and…
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The psychology of slow living: Why slowing down is actually good for your brain
561. People are baking sourdough, taking up needlepoint, going on phone-free walks, and joining knitting circles — and experts say it's one of the healthiest things they could be doing. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the neuroscience behind the slow living trend: why tactile, analog hobbies are a...
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Daddy issues are real: The psychology of father wounds and how they shape us
560. 'Daddy issues' gets thrown around as a punchline — but the psychology underneath it is serious, well-researched, and affects people of every gender. This Father's Day week, Dr. Judy Ho reclaims the term and unpacks what paternal attachment wounds actually are, how they shape adult...
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Life after graduation: The psychology of failure to launch — and how to actually get unstuck
559. The diploma is in hand. Now what? For millions of new graduates — and the parents watching from the sidelines — what comes next isn't a launch. It's a stall. This week, Dr. Judy Ho unpacks the psychology of 'failure to launch': what it actually is, why it's happening more than ever, and why...
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The comparison trap: Why your brain ranks everything — and how to make it stop
559. You scroll past a photo of someone's vacation, someone's promotion, someone's body — and something in you quietly deflates. That's not weakness. That's your brain doing exactly what it evolved to do. This week, Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the neuroscience of social comparison — why we do it, why...
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Stressflation: What economic anxiety does to your brain — and what to do about it
557. Financial stress isn't just about money — it's rewiring your brain. A new term is capturing what 83% of Americans are living right now: stressflation. This week, Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the neuroscience of economic anxiety, why financial stress makes you literally less capable of solving the...
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You keep calling everyone a narcissist: What it means vs. just being toxic
556. "Narcissist" has become one of the most overused words in pop psychology — applied to anyone selfish, difficult, or emotionally unavailable. This week, Dr. Judy Ho brings her clinical and forensic lens to provide a science-backed take on narcissism. We look at what it actually is, what it...
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What Bieberchella teaches us about our own views on healing
555. When Justin Bieber confronted his past on the Coachella 2026 stage, it did more than just go viral—it acted as a mirror for our own needs. This week, Dr. Judy Ho explores what our reactions to "healing moments" reveal about our own complex emotions. We get into the science-backed difference...
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Why you can't stop people-pleasing (and it's not because you're too nice)
554. This week, Dr. Ho reveals that people-pleasing isn't a personality trait—it’s a survival strategy. If you constantly say "yes" while feeling a quiet sense of self-betrayal, you’re likely stuck in the fawn response, a nervous system reflex designed to keep you safe by keeping others happy.…
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Why you keep getting in your own way: A guide to stopping self-sabotage
553. Ever wonder why you stall out just when things are going well? It’s not laziness—it’s your brain’s ancient survival system misfiring. This week, neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the science of self-sabotage. You’ll learn: The L.I.F.E. Factors: The four core reasons we hold ourselves...
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Is this all there is? Turning your existential dread into a clear path forward
552. Have you ever felt a sudden wave of dread and wondered, "Is this it?" If you’re wrestling with big questions about your purpose, you aren’t broken—you’re experiencing a universal part of being human. In this episode, Dr. Judy Ho explains that existential anxiety isn't a malfunction; it's a...
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Passing the baton: Introducing our newest host, Dr. Judy Ho
551. In this special "passing of the baton" episode, founding host Dr. Ellen Hendriksen welcomes the newest voice of Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Judy Ho. Dr. Ho is a triple board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University, and the author of "Stop...
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Meet Dr. Judy Ho | Official Trailer
Meet Dr. Judy Ho, your new host of Savvy Psychologist! A clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, tenured professor, and published author, Dr. Ho brings an evidence-based, judgment-free approach to everyday mental health, pop culture, and true crime through a forensic psychology lens. First…
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5 Psychological secrets of adulting (Reissue)
242. Whether your graduation is coming up this spring or twenty years behind you, we all have moments when we wonder if we’re cut out for this adulthood thing. This week, based on the questions of many college seniors over many graduations, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen brings you the 5...
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How to stop feeling inadequate (Reissue)
300. Every human feels inadequate sometimes. Whether the whispers of “You’re not good enough” come from someone in your life or from inside your own head, these seven tips will help you feel more self-assured. Find Dr. Jade Wu here. Have a mental health question? Email us at...
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How to make friends as an adult (Reissue)
Almost everybody struggles with it. But no one talks about it. What is it? How to discreetly sniff your own armpits in public? How not to buy the free sample after you just ate three of them? Not quite; it’s the mysterious process of making friends as an adult. This week, in a twist on the usual...
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5 Signs you're too self-critical (Reissue)
218. Are you harder on yourself than 40-grit sandpaper? Do you feel like you’re falling short, no matter how high you’ve climbed? Are you tough as nails on yourself, but soft as mashed potatoes with others? Welcome to the esteemed yet insecure club of the highly self-critical. Find a transcript…
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How to be happy when the world makes you depressed (Reissue)
228. Hold on to your handbasket! Every day, the headlines push our buttons of alarm, despair, and fury all at once. What’s a thinking, feeling human to do, besides invest in a Hunger Games-style bow and arrow? This week, in an episode that originally ran in January 2019, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen…
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What to do (and not do) when you feel insecure (Reissue)
192. Whatever you call it—self-doubt, insecurity, inadequacy—it’s a universal phenomenon. We can all relate to feeling as insecure as a newly-launched cryptocurrency. Luckily, there is lots we can do. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covers how to feel better about yourself in…
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How to beat winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) (Reissue)
9. When all that’s left of the fa-la-las is rock-hard fruitcake, the winter blahs creep up, settle in, and hang around until spring. In this episode from the very early days of the podcast (2014!), Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 8 tips to deal with the blahs and their more serious cousin, Seasonal...
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The science behind 5 classic happiness clichés (Reissue)
200. In this fan-favorite episode from 2018, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen celebrates her 200th episode by giving us a much-needed makeover using five pieces of classic happiness advice. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Have a mental health question? Email us at [email protected]…
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How to talk with someone intimidating
550. Continuing our two-part series on speaking up at work, this week's episode tackles how to talk with someone intimidating—a boss, professor, or anyone who makes your adrenaline spike. You’ll learn how to recognize dominance signals, mentally humanize scary people, use your own body language…
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How to speak up in a meeting
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...
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How to deal with the midlife crisis (Reissue)
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, Dr. Hendriksen explains why time seems to fly as we get older. Find Dr. Ellen Hendriksen on Substack. Find a transcript here. Have a...
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How to know you did a good job (without asking for approval)
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...
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The sleep rules you don't actually need to follow
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...
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Three truths about self-compassion that made me say, “Oh, now I get it!”
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...
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How to quiet a racing mind: Three daytime habits for nighttime peace
545. Do you close your eyes only for your brain to start spinning with to-do lists and worries? In this episode, sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at why your mind races at night. She looks at three common daytime saboteurs of nighttime peace and offers science-backed methods to help you…
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How to set boundaries when you’re anxious
544. Boundaries, like wide-leg sweatpants and quarter-zips, are trending—but setting them can feel anything but comfy, especially if you’re anxious. This week, we’ll talk about how to set boundaries kindly, handle pushback without folding, and avoid using boundaries as a wall that isolates you.…
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How to nap without ruining your sleep: Finding the sweet spot
543. Napping isn't just for toddlers; it's a performance enhancer. In her first solo episode back, sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu looks at what short naps do for your declarative memory, emotional regulation, and physical speed. She looks at the science behind the afternoon slump and why a...
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How to resist the urge to optimize everything
542. If you’ve ever obsessed over your sleep score, treated self-help like homework, or tried to “maximize” a vacation, you know how easily optimization becomes its own exhausting job. Culture tells us to upgrade everything—habits, productivity, even our emotions—but at a certain point, trying to...
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A blast from the past: Ellen Hendriksen and Jade Wu return
541. Today, we hear from two of our past hosts of the Savvy Psychologist. Dr. Ellen Hendriksen and Dr. Jade Wu. They will tell us what they’ve been up to and set the stage for exciting weeks ahead for the show. While we work to fill the seat of the amazing Dr. Monica Johnson, Drs. Hendriksen and…
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The power of being DUMB to build a good life
540. On her final episode, Dr. Monica Johnson shares a brain dump of quick and dirty tips to help listeners build a life worth living. She looks at the benefits of being DUMB—an acronym covering Decode/Disrupt patterns, Uncomfortable Engagement, Meaning-Making/Mastery, and Belonging. Find a...
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Structural dissociation: Understanding your personality's survival parts
539. Dissociation is a normal human experience, but when it's outside of normal limits, it can be dysregulating. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson and Alexandra Mejia look at the signs of structural dissociation, the importance of building a baseline of coping skills, and the need for...
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How can you walk with grief instead of fighting it, with Hilary Bucell
538. Loss is inevitable, but grief is our emotional response to what is gone. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson and psychotherapist Hilary Bucell look at the differences between grief and depression and discuss various forms of loss, including ambiguous loss (like dementia or divorce) and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Judy Ho explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
QuickAndDirtyTips.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Savvy Psychologist have?
Savvy Psychologist currently has 602 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Savvy Psychologist about?
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Judy Ho explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding. Hosted on Acast. See...
How often does Savvy Psychologist release new episodes?
Savvy Psychologist releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 602 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Savvy Psychologist?
You can listen to Savvy Psychologist 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 Savvy Psychologist?
Savvy Psychologist is created and hosted by QuickAndDirtyTips.com.
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