Are you a therapist or a space holder that likes to think deeply and creatively about bringing healing to more people? Do you want to build trust with your body so that you can live a life that feels aligned and amazing, and help inspire others to do the same? Do you hate small talk - your idea of fun is deep and meaningful talks about living more courageous and connected lives?
If so, then welcome to the Innovative Therapy podcast where we cover topics like psychology, innovative methods for building body trust and healing, Internal Family Systems, weight inclusive approaches, and unlearning the many messages from oppressive systems that lead us away from body trust.
I’m Dr. Shawn Hondorp, clinical psychologist. My goal is to create safe learning environments for those who want to explore innovative approaches to healing, one authentic conversation at a time. 🌈✌🏻✌🏽✌🏿🌳
Hit subscribe and tune in each week for deep talks, inspiration, and get ready for more connection to yourself and others so you can pursue a life of joy and creativity.
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Are you a therapist or a space holder that likes to think deeply and creatively about bringing healing to more people? Do you want to build trust with your body so that you can live a life that feels aligned and amazing, and help inspire others to do the same? Do you hate small talk - your idea of fun is deep and meaningful talks about living more courageous and connected lives?
If so, then welcome to the Innovative Therapy podcast where we cover topics like psychology, innovative methods for building body trust and healing, Internal Family Systems, weight inclusive approaches, and unlearning the many messages from oppressive systems that lead us away from body trust.
I’m Dr. Shawn Hondorp, clinical psychologist. My goal is to create safe learning environments for those who want to explore innovative approaches to healing, one authentic conversation at a time. 🌈✌🏻✌🏽✌🏿🌳
Hit subscribe and tune in each week for deep talks, inspiration, and get ready for more connection to yourself and others so you can pursue a life of joy and creativity.
Redefining Success, Healing Through Business, and Sustainable Online Growth with Melvin Varghese, PhD
The Innovative Therapist
51 minutes 19 seconds
6 months ago
Redefining Success, Healing Through Business, and Sustainable Online Growth with Melvin Varghese, PhD
Episode 147: Redefining Success, Healing Through Business, and Sustainable Online Growth with Melvin Varghese, PhD
What if your business could be a source of healing—not just hustle?
In this episode of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I had the joy of talking with Dr. Melvin Varghese—licensed psychologist, host of the Selling the Couch podcast, and founder of one of the most thoughtful, heart-centered online business communities for therapists.
Melvin is someone I deeply admire—not only because he’s built a wildly successful podcast and sustainable business—but because he’s done it with integrity, intention, and a whole lot of wisdom. We went deep in this honest, funny, and eye-opening conversation about what it really takes to build a business that supports your life (and doesn’t deplete it).
We talked about so much, including:
* Melvin’s journey from group practice to online entrepreneur
* The 4:30 AM recordings that started his podcasting journey
* Burnout, hair loss (!), and what it taught him about sustainability
* The internal work required to charge what you’re worth
* How podcasting helped him reconnect with younger parts of himself
* How he built a business that fits around family, health, and deep work
* AI, creativity, and the future of online business for therapists
* The courage it takes to slow down and trust your own pace
From Private Practice to Podcasting Pioneer
Melvin didn’t jump into online business overnight. After years of juggling group practice, community mental health, and part-time clinical work, a snowstorm in Philly changed everything—he lost 21 client hours in one week and began wondering: Is there another way?
Inspired by mentors like Pat Flynn and driven by a desire for more time freedom, Melvin launched Selling the Couch in 2015 - using an ironing board in his home for some of the early interview episodes. His early episodes were recorded before sunrise and edited by hand between client sessions. Slowly and strategically, he built a podcast that now reaches listeners in over 120 countries and has surpassed 1.8 million downloads.
“I wanted to design a career around my family and health instead of fitting my family and health around a career.”
What Made His Business Work
Unlike many therapists who try to leap into online business and end up burned out (), Melvin took a long-game approach.
He shares how:
* He gradually reduced clinical hours over 5+ years
* He built trust through consistent content before ever selling
* He picked a course topic that had real demand
* He iterated slowly, letting his offers evolve
* He prioritized heart and community over flashy marketing
Healing Old Messages About Worth
We also explored the deeper internal work of entrepreneurship—especially for those of us raised in systems or cultures where “working harder” was equated with worth. As the child of Indian immigrants, Melvin shares how he had to unlearn deeply held messages about laziness, productivity, and success.
“If I wasn’t grinding myself to the bone, I felt like I was dishonoring my parents’ sacrifices.”
Through years of personal therapy, brainspotting, and reflection,
The Innovative Therapist
Are you a therapist or a space holder that likes to think deeply and creatively about bringing healing to more people? Do you want to build trust with your body so that you can live a life that feels aligned and amazing, and help inspire others to do the same? Do you hate small talk - your idea of fun is deep and meaningful talks about living more courageous and connected lives?
If so, then welcome to the Innovative Therapy podcast where we cover topics like psychology, innovative methods for building body trust and healing, Internal Family Systems, weight inclusive approaches, and unlearning the many messages from oppressive systems that lead us away from body trust.
I’m Dr. Shawn Hondorp, clinical psychologist. My goal is to create safe learning environments for those who want to explore innovative approaches to healing, one authentic conversation at a time. 🌈✌🏻✌🏽✌🏿🌳
Hit subscribe and tune in each week for deep talks, inspiration, and get ready for more connection to yourself and others so you can pursue a life of joy and creativity.
