They met at church. Broke up over text. Ten years later, Elon Musk tweeted her.
In this wildly entertaining episode, EMMY-winner Dr. Tom reunites with former flame Aubrey Strobel — entrepreneur, communications strategist, and Bitcoin/AI expert — for a no-filter conversation about dating disasters, confidence, crypto, and the surreal moment her mom slid into Elon Musk’s DMs.
In this episode:
• 💔 The “Church Breakup” story you won’t believe
• 🚀 How a tweet from Elon Musk went viral (and why her mom deserves credit)
• 🧠 From Bitcoin to AI — why Aubrey bet on herself when no one else did
• 😂 Reuniting with your ex on a podcast (what could go wrong?)
• 🤖 AI, loneliness & why bots can’t replace real connection
• 💪 Confidence vs. rejection: how to steer your own ship after a breakup
👉 If you’ve ever laughed through heartbreak or wondered what happens when faith, fate and Elon Musk collide — this episode is your sign to hit play.
Host: Dr. Tom | @RejectionRehab (IG / TikTok / YouTube) | @TomFlaherty (IG)
Guest: Aubrey Strobel | @aubreystrobel | theobservation.co | halcyonpartners.co
Watch here:
#RejectionRehab #AubreyStrobel #ElonMusk #Bitcoin #Crypto #AI #Confidence #DatingStories #FunnyPodcast #OvercomeRejection #Mindset #Resilience #Faith #Reunited
What do you do when life says “no” twice—first by birth, then by rulebook?
Born with a double above-knee congenital amputation, Richard Whitehead MBE grew up hearing limits. Later, Paralympic classification blocked him from competing in the marathon—his signature distance. Instead of quitting, he switched to the 200m, won double Paralympic gold (London 2012 & Rio 2016) and silver (Tokyo 2020), and still came back to the roads to break the double-amputee marathon world record—most recently 2:41 at age 49.
In this episode with EMMY-winner Dr. Tom, Richard turns rejection into a playbook for lasting confidence—anchored by his unforgettable idea of “the 27th mile”: the part after the finish line where you turn effort into power, meaning, and momentum.
In this episode:
• ♿️ Disability as resource: shifting from “hindrance” to fuel
• 🛑 Rejection by classification → how he reinvented as a sprinter
• 🥇 Double Paralympic gold & the mindset behind switching from 26.2 to 200m
• 🚆 “The pain train”: what it takes to chase a world record at 49
• 🧠 Confidence that lasts: team, patience, and living in the moment
• 🤝 Volunteering & inclusion: why showing up changes you (and the world)
• 🏁 The 27th mile: how to convert wins & losses into everyday confidence
👉 If you’ve ever felt sidelined by circumstance or told “you can’t,” Richard’s story is your invitation to reframe, retool, and run your 27th mile.
Host: Dr. Tom | @RejectionRehab (IG / TikTok / YouTube) | @TomFlaherty (IG)
Guest: Richard Whitehead MBE | @richard_whitehead_mbe | richardwhiteheadmbe.com
Watch here:
YouTube | Instagram
#RejectionRehab #RichardWhitehead #Paralympics #Confidence #OvercomeRejection #Resilience #Mindset #Inclusion #AdaptiveAthlete #27thMile #London2012 #Rio2016 #Tokyo2020
What happens after you reach the top — then lose everything in an instant?
Irish National Cycling Champion Imogen Cotter sits down with EMMY winner Dr. Tom to tell the remarkable story of hitting the peak of her cycling career when a van traveling 60 kph struck her head-on during training. The crash shattered bones — and life as she knew it. But before that, she’d already turned rejection into triumph: after being left off the Irish team in 2018, she moved to Belgium, trained like a machine, and won the Irish National Road Championships.
This is the story of her second comeback — from champion to crash survivor, and from trauma to real confidence.
In this episode:
• 🇮🇪 How being rejected by the Irish track cycling team ignited her rise to National Champion
• 🚴 The near-fatal crash that split her life into a before and after
• 🧠 Living with PTSD and using EMDR therapy to heal
• 💬 Why she chose not to confront the driver who hit her
• 💡 How she’s redefining confidence beyond medals and performance
👉 If you’ve ever faced rejection, loss, or fear, Imogen’s story proves resilience isn’t built in the spotlight — it’s built in the quiet moments you decide to keep going.
Host: Dr. Tom | @RejectionRehab (IG / TikTok / YouTube) | @TomFlaherty (IG)Guest: Imogen Cotter | @imogencotter | imogencotter.com
#RejectionRehab #ImogenCotter #Confidence #PTSD #Resilience #Cycling #OvercomeRejection #ComebackStory
Rejection hurts—but what if science proved you could soften the blow?In this week’s Rejection Section of the podcast Rejection Rehab, EMMY-winner Dr. Tom unpacks a 2020 study by Erika J. Koch showing how self-compassion—treating yourself like a best friend—can dramatically reduce the emotional sting of rejection and speed up recovery.
In this episode: 🧠 The 3 studies that prove kindness > criticism when facing rejection 🛡️ How self-compassion acts as emotional armor 📈 Why self-compassion stabilizes mood and self-esteem through highs and lows ✍️ The “write-to-your-friend” exercise that can boost resilience in under a minute 💬 Dr. Tom’s own story of failing his first med-school exams and learning to speak to himself like a friend
👉 If you’ve ever felt crushed by a “no,” this episode will teach you the science-backed way to bounce back faster and stronger.
Host: Dr. Tom — @RejectionRehab (IG/TikTok/YouTube) @TomFlaherty (IG) https://youtube.com/@rejectionrehab?si=oJdN8cIE7Z_dVPLo
What if 10 seconds of courage could change your life? EMMY winner Dr. Tom sits down with Gregory Benedikt—ex–private equity turned life & leadership coach + TEDx speaker—who shares how “Finance Greg” walked away from a soul-numbing job, slid his number across the table on a café receipt (in front of two people) to the woman who later became the love of his life, and did a 100-Day Rejection Challenge that led to pool-jumping, door-knocking, and even a USPS “mustache discount.” Dr. Tom digs into Gregory’s Bold Action formula: define your identity, design your dream life, then take 10 seconds of terrifying action.
In this episode:
🚪 Day-1 door knock: asking a stranger to go for a walk (and what that fear taught him)
🏊 The neighbor’s pool jump (and 350k+ views that fueled the challenge)
📬 The USPS “great mustache” discount (creative asks = surprising yeses)
☕ The café number slide—how bold action led to meeting the woman of his dreams
🧭 Identity → Dream design → Daily bold acts (how confidence is built)
⏱️ The Terrifying 10-Second Rule…
👉 If career dread, dating fear, or regret is stalking you—this one’s your nudge.
Host: Dr. Tom — @RejectionRehab (IG/TikTok/YouTube) @TomFlaherty (IG) https://youtube.com/@rejectionrehab?si=oJdN8cIE7Z_dVPLo
Guest: Gregory Benedikt — https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/ @gregoryrussellbenedikt (IG)
What do writing a book, chasing speaking gigs, and approaching women at bars all have in common? For Brett Eaton — high performance coach and bestselling author of Uncomfortable Either Way — the answer is rejection reps. In this episode, EMMY winner Dr. Tom sits down with Brett who shares how two years of “red-lined” book edits, speaking to empty rooms, and even getting shot down by women for his man-bun built the confidence he has today. We also dive into how a devastating breakup set the stage for meeting his dream wife (yes, it started on a coaching call!), Solidcore founder Anne Mahlum.
In this episode:
📝 The two-year grind (and endless red lines) of writing a bestselling book
🎤 How speaking to 5 people prepared him for thousands
💇 The hilarious story of getting rejected for his man-bun
💔 Why a breakup became the best setup for finding his wife
🔑 Why confidence comes from authenticity, not faking it
👉 If you’ve ever faced heartbreak, career setbacks, or those awkward “not interested” moments, you’re not going to want to miss this one!
Host: Dr. Tom — @RejectionRehab (IG/TikTok/YouTube) @TomFlaherty (IG)
When life breaks you—literally and emotionally—how do you put yourself back together?
In this Rejection Rehab episode, EMMY winner Dr. Tom sits down with Isabel MV—ex-investment banker turned VC specialist and creator of the podcast And Just Like That, We Found Therapy—who hit rock bottom after breaking her leg and a brutal breakup. She explains how self-rejection crept in (“I’m not good enough”), the moment she drew a line, and the concrete moves that rebuilt her confidence:
Naming self-rejection and dropping the victim script
Setting boundaries (in love and at work)
Choosing space to heal, journaling, and returning to the rituals that make you you
Launching a show that reframes Sex and the City storylines through real relationship psychology
If you’ve ever lost yourself in a relationship—or to someone’s criticism—this conversation is a roadmap from people-pleasing to self-respect.
Follow Isabel: @wefoundtherapypod (IG/TikTok/YouTube) • Substack: We Found Therapy.
Host: Dr. Tom — @RejectionRehab (IG/TikTok/YouTube) @TomFlaherty (IG)
Why does heartbreak feel like a gut punch — or even worse than a broken bone? In his first solo episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY winning producer Dr. Tom breaks down a landmark 2011 University of Michigan study that proves rejection doesn’t just “hurt your feelings” — it literally lights up the same pain circuits in your brain as physical injury.
In this 5-minute Rejection Section episode, you’ll learn:
How fMRI scans revealed heartbreak activates the same brain regions as touching a hot stove.
Why phrases like “hurt feelings” or “broken heart” are more than just metaphors.
How your brain heals rejection pain over time — just like a broken bone.
Rejection isn’t just in your head — it’s in your brain. And understanding the science is the first step to building real resilience.
🎧 Listen now and join Dr. Tom in turning rejection into strength.
#RejectionRehab #RejectionSection #HeartbreakScience #Podcast
Bullied in school, dyslexic, and told to change everything from her body to her genre—British-Chilean singer-songwriter Amber Donoso chose one of the most rejection-heavy careers on earth and didn’t flinch. In this raw, energizing conversation, Amber and host, EMMY winning producer Dr. Tom Flaherty, unpack what it’s really like to hear “no” on repeat—from Paris modeling “weight talks” to music-industry gatekeepers telling her she’s in the “wrong genre”—and why she still refuses to conform.
Amber’s credits include recording at Miami’s Rebel 11 Studios with hitmakers who’ve worked alongside Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Timberlake, her single “Culeteo” hitting No. 1 on BPM White Label’s trending downloads, and performing to millions on Chilean TV.
You’ll hear Amber on:
Being laughed at in class, undiagnosed dyslexia, and early bullying
Paris modeling—and the public “you’re too fat” moment at 18
Why she won’t conform (even if it would make her “bigger”)
Her idol producer who told her after a show she’s “doing it wrong”
Which rejection hurts more: personal or professional?
Keeping confidence when your job is mostly “no”
Rituals that rebuild worth: journaling, meditation, service
Purpose, love, and “God’s rejection is His protection”
Listen if you need: a blueprint for staying authentic, rebuilding self-worth after harsh feedback, and turning rejection into rocket fuel.
What happens when your dream wedding turns into a nightmare—and the man you thought was “forever” cheats before you even walk down the aisle?
In this deeply candid episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY-winning producer Dr. Tom Flaherty sits down with Juliet Mayhew—Aussie-born entrepreneur, philanthropist, mother, and now breakout star of The Real Housewives of London.
Juliet’s story isn’t just glitz and glam: it’s about getting “virtually left at the altar,” rebuilding her self-worth, navigating brutal auditions and reality TV conflict, and discovering how faith, resilience, and community can transform rejection into reinvention.
Juliet shares the raw truth of what it takes to:
Reframe rejection in acting, auditions, and public life
Survive the heartbreak of being virtually left at the altar and say, “I’m too good for this”
Forgive instead of letting bitterness destroy you
Build true confidence not from people-pleasing, but from authenticity
Surround yourself with “tomorrow people” who lift you forward
This isn’t just Juliet’s story—it’s a roadmap for anyone navigating heartbreak, public failure, or the sting of rejection.
What if rejection wasn’t the end — but the lesson you needed?
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY-winning producer Dr. Tom Flaherty sits down with his longtime friend Julian Cihi — a true triple threat (actor, singer, dancer) who’s been seen on Hulu (Only Murders in the Building), Netflix (Gypsy & Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), Amazon (The Tick), HBO (Crashing), The CW (The Outpost), and Broadway (Take Me Out).
Julian shares why actors might be the most rejected professionals on the planet — and how he’s learned to turn constant “no’s” into confidence, growth, and even flow.
You’ll hear about:
Why 90–99% rejection is normal in acting (and how to survive it)
How rejection becomes easier with experience — if you let it
The mindset shift from “I’m not good at this” → “I’m not good at this…yet”
Why “not the right fit” isn’t about your worth
Lessons from mentors like Kenny Leon and David Costabile on handling auditions
Why rejection in love and life feels lighter once you’ve faced it professionally
How positive self-talk keeps your confidence steady through the highs and lows
How to stop forcing things and instead “follow what flows”
The stoic wisdom of Marcus Aurelius: “Love only what falls your way and is fated for you.”
Julian leaves us with his guiding mantra: “I walk with trust. I live in surrender. I follow what flows. And I let life surprise me.”
What would you do if you hit rock bottom—personally and professionally—and you still had to keep a company alive?
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY winning producer Dr. Tom Flaherty sits down with fintech entrepreneur Ted Brown, co-founder and CEO of Digital Onboarding, the company he revived from near bankruptcy—amid a painful divorce—to ultimately raise nearly $60 million and rebuild his life and love.
Ted reveals how true confidence comes from competence—and why before you’re competent in something, it’s not a weakness to admit, “I’m not good at it…yet.”
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Whether you're overcoming heartbreak, financial crisis, or self-doubt, Ted’s journey shows how rejection can be your greatest fuel.
What do you do after getting rejected on Shark Tank? If you're Max Valverde, you go viral with a product called Morninghead, build a company worth $250 million, and then launch a quest to become an Olympian—at age 39.
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY-winning producer and doctor Tom Flaherty sits down with Max Valverde, serial entrepreneur, creator of Dad Bod Goes Pro, and host of parenting podcast, Milkless. Max shares his rejection-to-redemption story: from public TV humiliation to co-founding FareHarbor (acquired by Booking.com for $250 million), to becoming one of the top skimo (ski mountaineering) athletes in the U.S., and ultimately landing a role as an NBC commentator for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Max’s hilarious and humbling Shark Tank rejection story
How he turned a side hustle (Morninghead) into a full-time entrepreneurial path
The behind-the-scenes journey of building and selling a $250M company
Why he trained for the Olympics in his 40s—and what he learned when he quit
How to handle rejection, find internal drive, and design a life you actually love
This episode is about more than just success—it’s about building confidence, failing forward, never letting rejection get you down, and living life on your own terms.
What does it take to break the record for fastest woman to climb the highest peaks in the world in each continent—while battling personal doubts, relationship setbacks, rejections, and fears? In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY award winning producer and doctor Tom Flaherty sits down with Annabelle Bond OBE, who shares her extraordinary journey of overcoming both physical and emotional barriers. From scaling Mount Everest to shattering world records, Annabelle tells the remarkable story of how she used physical challenges as healing for relationship setbacks, finding the confidence to keep climbing—literally and figuratively.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
The mindset that helped Annabelle break the world record for climbing the seven summits
How she overcame a fear of heights to summit Everest and other extreme peaks
How she overcame relationship setbacks by turning to physical challenges for healing
Life lessons learned from ultra-endurance challenges, mountaineering, and facing rejection head-on
The power of self-belief and why rejection doesn’t have to define you
Whether you’re navigating career setbacks, personal rejections, or just looking for inspiration to keep going, Annabelle’s story will show you how to build lasting confidence and never stop reaching for your dreams.
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY award-winning doctor and host Tom Flaherty sits down with Jim Lubinski, former professional ice hockey player and triathlete, and head triathlon coach at Tower 26. Jim's story is a masterclass in using rejection as a springboard for success. From getting cut from multiple teams to overcoming crushing setbacks, Jim turned every "no" into a stepping stone that led him to become a professional in two sports.
Jim shares how embracing rejection, staying true to his passions, and learning from failure helped him build unshakable confidence, resilience, and a hugely successful career. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone seeking to turn setbacks into strength, Jim's story will show you how to keep pushing forward, turning rejection into motivation, and ultimately achieving your dreams—no matter the setbacks.
Why does rejection hurt so much? And more importantly — how do we retrain our brains so it doesn’t hold us back?
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, Emmy Award-winning producer and host Dr. Tom Flaherty sits down with Dr. Alok Patel, a Stanford pediatrician, media personality, and renowned health communicator, to explore what actually happens in your brain when you’re rejected — and how to rewire it for unshakable confidence.
As a pediatrician, Dr. Patel has a unique window into how confidence, fear, and self-worth are wired into our brains from an early age — and how those neural patterns shape our adult lives. From the classroom to the clinic to the national stage, he’s spent years translating science into real-life tools that help people navigate rejection, failure, and fear of being seen.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Whether you're navigating breakups, job interviews, creative pursuits, or just trying to put yourself out there, this episode is your neuroscience-backed guide to bouncing back better.
Rejection Rehab is the podcast that helps you turn fear of rejection into unshakable confidence. Every week, doctor and Emmy Award-winning producer Tom Flaherty interviews people who’ve faced failure, heartbreak, and closed doors — and turned those moments into rocket fuel. Because you might be just one “no” away from your dream life.
How do you turn rejection into a $300 million empire? In the very first episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY award winning host Tom Flaherty sits down with Anne Mahlum — founder of [solidcore] and renowned entrepreneur — to reveal how overcoming rejection became her ultimate superpower.
Anne and Tom dive deep into why so many people today — especially young men and women — struggle with confidence, fear of failure, and hearing “no.” They break down how social media changes our self-worth, how to build true resilience, and why rejection is actually the key to personal and professional growth.
Anne shares raw stories from childhood rejection to building [solidcore] and selling it for $300 million. From dating and workplace self-esteem to the hidden psychology of rejection, you’ll get real talk and practical strategies you can use right now.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to handle rejection and bounce back stronger
How to build unshakeable self-confidence
How to train yourself to take bigger risks and unlock opportunity
Packed with honest stories, actionable tips, and plenty of banter, this episode is your starting point to rehab your relationship with rejection — and live boldly.
This is Rejection Rehab - the podcast about overcoming the fear of rejection and building lasting confidence.
In this short teaser, host Tom Flaherty shares what the show is all about and why your next “no” might be the turning point you’ve been waiting for.
New episodes coming soon.
