Recommended episodes: Secret #20: There is No Normal with Dr. Steven C. HayesSecret #47: Living a Meaningful Life with Jenna LeJeuneSecret #30: Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill When life feels too heavy, should we fight our thoughts or learn to carry them? In this grounded, compassionate conversation, clinical psychologist and author Ben Sedley joins Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry to explore how to hold painful thoughts and emotions without being crushed by them. Ben shares practical...

You’ll also love… Secret #30: Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill .Secret #22: Perfectionism with Dr. Z Join hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry as they explore the surprising truth behind the booming self-help industry with psychologist and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) expert Dr. Joe Oliver. Despite the $13 billion self-help market, anxiety, depression, and loneliness are skyrocketing. What gives? In this deeply honest and often humorous conversation, the trio unpacks h...

Are you ready to unravel the hidden psychology of moral outrage and discover practical tools for turning intense conflict into genuine understanding? In this eye-opening episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets, social psychologist and author Dr. Kurt Gray joins the hosts to reveal how our sense of right and wrong shapes everything from social media disputes to personal relationships and political division. Together, we unpack why humans are so deeply wired for moral outrage, the evolutionary f...

Living with food allergies brings a daily struggle of anxiety, uncertainty, and real risk—but it also offers powerful lessons about courage, resilience, and managing fear. In this revealing episode, we’re joined by Tamara Hubbard, a licensed clinical professional counselor and leading expert on the psychological impact of food allergies. Tamara draws on her personal journey and professional expertise to uncover how constant vigilance around food can shape families, fuel anxiety, and lead to b...

What happens when connection feels both necessary and terrifying? In this intimate episode, Dr. James Cordova explores how warmth, authenticity, and mindful space shape human relationships. With wisdom from Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington, you'll hear how vulnerability, presence, and self-compassion create space for healing — whether in therapy, family life, or personal growth. Topics Discussed in this episode: The Connection Paradox in RelationshipsEmotional Safety and VulnerabilityP...

We often treat anger like a villain, but what if it’s simply trying to tell us something important? In this episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets, Dr. Russell Kolts, clinical psychologist and compassion-focused therapy pioneer, joins hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry to reimagine our relationship with anger. He shares powerful insights into how anger is often a response to threat, helplessness, or dismissal, not simply aggression. Together, they explore how to stop demonizing anger, ho...

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Steven C. Hayes challenges the idea that mental health care should follow rigid, one-size-fits-all models. He explores why our obsession with efficiency, like the standard “8 session” treatment plan, can miss the mark and even harm those it is meant to help. Instead, Steven invites us to sit with uncertainty, discomfort, and even panic, recognizing that true healing is rarely linear. If you have ever felt like therapy or support systems were trying ...

It’s never been a more promising yet complicated time to raise boys, as shifting stereotypes and societal pressures redefine what it means to grow up male. In this lively and insightful roundtable, host Emma Waddington is joined by leading experts including adolescent nurse Ana Waddington, parenting author Jennifer Fink, clinical psychologist Emily Edlynn, and men’s health counselor Nike Oruh to rethink boyhood in today’s world. They dig deep into how traditional norms both help and hinder bo...

Are you struggling with how much to help—or how much to back off—when it comes to your child’s motivation, schoolwork, and screen time? Dive into this insight-packed episode as leading neuropsychologist Dr. William Stixrud and tutoring expert Ned Johnson reveal game-changing research on autonomy-supportive parenting, fostering resilience, and why letting kids solve their own problems builds lifelong confidence. Hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington join Stixrud and Johnson to unpack the sci...

Navigating difficult conversations at home, work, or in our polarized world can feel overwhelming—but what if building conflict resilience is the key to deeper connection and transformative growth? In this eye-opening episode, hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry dive into the science and art of facing conflict head-on with nationally recognized conflict resolution expert Bob Bordone and behavioral neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas, co-authors of the groundbreaking book Conflict Resilience. Dis...

Are you searching for a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and meaning—beyond the confines of organized religion? This powerful episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets dives into the world of modern spirituality, uncovering why so many people crave meaning without religious labels and how spiritual practices can transform resilience, mental health, and even our everyday relationships. Join leading psychologist, author, and ACT trainer Matthieu Villatte as he explores what it really means to ...

Feeling like you don’t truly belong—no matter how hard you try—can leave you lonely, anxious, and questioning your self-worth. In this transformative episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets, we unravel the real nature of belonging: what it means, why we ache for it, and how to find it from the inside out. Hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Meg McElvie, an expert in cognitive behavioral and acceptance and commitment therapies, for a profound conv...

Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue are some of life’s most stubborn challenges—but what if the true cause, and the path to lasting relief, lies not in your body, but in your brain? In this eye-opening episode of Life’s Dirty Little Secrets, we uncover the groundbreaking science of pain with renowned mind-body physician Dr. Howard Schubiner. Learn how cutting-edge neuroscience reveals that most chronic pain and related conditions aren’t the result of structural damage, but are inst...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by modern life, increasingly stressed, isolated, or disconnected from the natural world? This enlightening episode uncovers the hidden crisis at the heart of our well-being—how today’s hyper-connected, fast-paced society is fundamentally at odds with our biological and emotional needs. Join us as we dive deep with entrepreneur, writer, and systems thinker Alex Graybar, founder of the civic tech platform Votr, who champions a bold new philosophy he calls “biological...

Are you caught in the never-ending race for perfection, feeling burned out by hustle culture and the constant pressure to optimize every corner of your life? In this eye-opening episode, we reveal the truth about toxic striving, uncovering why it’s so hard to break free from relentless self-improvement, comparison traps on social media, and the modern epidemic of never feeling “good enough.” Clinical psychologist and intuitive eating counselor Dr. Paula Freedman Diamond joins hosts Emma Waddi...

Grief is an inevitable part of life, but do we truly understand its complex nature and the different ways it affects us? Dive into this enlightening episode as Dr. Ray Owen, a seasoned clinical and health psychologist, unravels the multifaceted world of grief. With over forty years in the National Health Service, Dr. Owen brings unparalleled insights into the universality of grief, its manifestations beyond just sadness, and how cultural nuances affect our grieving process. Explore why grief ...

Achieve more while living joyfully—it's possible! In this insightful episode, Dr. Mary Anderson, a clinical psychologist and author, discusses the transformative concept of being a "Happy High Achiever." Dr. Anderson explores how the relentless pursuit of excellence can often entangle individuals in anxiety and stress and offers cognitive-behavioral strategies to rewrite this paradigm. Listeners will learn to redefine success by focusing on values-based goals rather than perfectionistic outco...

Navigating the turbulent waters of parenting an anxious child might just hold the key to fostering resilience and emotional growth in both parents and kids alike. In this episode, hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry engage in a meaningful dialogue about the reality of anxiety in parenting and how it not only affects parents but also their children. They explore the evolutionary roots of anxiety, emphasizing that it's a natural, baked-in response meant to protect us. By normalizing anxiety...

Uncovering the tree that bends and thrives may just redefine how you approach mental well-being amidst life's storms. In this episode, Dr. Ross White, an acclaimed clinical psychologist, takes us on a journey through the metaphor of a tree that bends during turbulent times, drawing from his extensive work with high-performing individuals and culturally diverse populations. He shares how the Tanzanian proverb, "the wind does not break the tree that bends," serves as an empowering metaphor in h...

Unveil the secret to crafting a fulfilling life even amid turmoil. In this episode, Dr. Jenna LeJeune, a distinguished psychologist, engages in a profound conversation about what truly constitutes a meaningful life. She emphasizes the power of choice, challenging the notion that there is an inherent purpose to discover, and instead advocates for consciously deciding what principles and values we want our lives to embody. The episode also tackles the uncomfortable reality that living authentic...