Conversations with Joan

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Managing Perfectionism Jul 20, 2026

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Perfectionism is something many people strive to achieve. It can drive high standards and motivation. But according to Dr. Greg Chasson, perfectionism does not necessarily equate to excellence. He contends that those who establish such a high standard of rigid ideals for themselves often become paralyzed because they’re afraid that they will make mistakes or fail to meet expectations. He offers practical strategies to manage perfectionism. Dr. Chasson is a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified cognitive-behavioral therapist, and the director of Behavioral Interventions of the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Clinic in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Over the past two decades, Dr. Chasson has provided cognitive-behavioral therapy for clinically severe perfectionism He has authored or co-authored more than 70 scientific publications and is the author of the book, Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.

Loving Yourself from the Inside Jul 13, 2026

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In a world obsessed with trends, filters, and impossible standards, many women are left questioning their worth every time they look in the mirror. But what if beauty was never about fitting into someone else’s mold but instead about embracing who you already are, at every age and every stage of life? David Kibbe talks about style, aging, self-worth, and his philosophy of love-based beauty. David helps women discover their authentic style by embracing who they are rather than chasing trends or unrealistic standards. He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, and PBS. His new book is, David Kibbe's Power of Style.

Eliminating Anxiety and Depression Jul 06, 2026

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Many people today are struggling with anxiety, depression, and burnout. Dr. Greg Hammer contends that there is a path toward personal resilience that can be implemented by anyone, anywhere, in just a few minutes a day. He talks about his GAIN method for self care that he says can improve mental, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Hammer is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, a physician, best-selling author, and mindfulness expert. He is the author of the book, GAIN without Pain: The Happiness Handbook for Health CareProfessionals.

Overcoming Childhood Trauma Jun 29, 2026

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Roughly a quarter of American children experience complex trauma resulting from abuse, neglect, catastrophic illness, or other adversity. Traumatic experiences can initiate emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Dr. Donna Bevan-Lee knows first-hand the devastating impact of childhood trauma. She suffered through years of abuse that had profound and lasting consequences. Dr. Bevan-Lee discusses how we can discharge childhood trauma to develop freedom as an adult. Dr. Bevan-Lee is a psychotherapist whose flagship program, the Legacy Workshop, has helped thousands of survivors and is the basis of the methods in her book, Iron Legacy: Childhood Trauma and Adult Transformation.

Helping Your Body Heal Itself Jun 22, 2026

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The human body is designed to fight disease. And with the right fuel, this hidden power can be amplified. Dr. William Li believes that each of us has an enormous opportunity to take charge of our lives using food to transform our health. He talks about the new science of how the body heals itself. Dr Li is an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself. His groundbreaking work has led to the development of more than 30 new medical treatments and impacts care for more than 70 diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. His TED Talk, Can We Eat to Starve Cancer? has garnered more than 11 million views. Dr. Li has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and the Dr. Oz Show, and he has been featured in USA Today, Time, The Atlantic and O Magazine.

Trauma, Resilience, and Reinvention Jun 15, 2026

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Life has a way of throwing challenges at us — some we expect, and others that completely upend everything we know. How we choose to navigate those moments often defines who we become. Jackie Pflug knows this truth more than most. Jackie survived the 1985 hijacking of EgyptAir Flight 648, an event that forced her to confront trauma, resilience, and reinvention in the deepest sense. Now, with her new book Wake Up, she invites us into her story of courage, healing, and the powerful decision to say yes to life again and again.

Developing A Big League Attitude Jun 08, 2026

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What happens when the place that once inspired you almost becomes the reason you walk away—and how do you turn that moment into a mission instead? Billy Pinckney shares his journey from batboy for the New Jersey Jackals to becoming an author and speaker dedicated to inspiring the next generation. Through his story, Billy reveals how challenges in the game he loved led him to a greater purpose—empowering young people with lessons in resilience, kindness, leadership, and staying true to who they are.

Navigating PTSD Jun 01, 2026

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Fear, trauma, and the instinct to protect ourselves are deeply human experiences, yet conversations around PTSD, self-defense, and the realities of the criminal justice system are often complex and overlooked. Liz Lazarus talks about surviving trauma and empowerment. Liz is the author of the psychological thriller Dawn Before Darkness, a gripping novel inspired by real-life events. Through her storytelling, Liz explores the gaps in the legal system and the strength it takes to protect oneself and one’s family.

When the Odds Are Against You May 26, 2026

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We all have limitations - it’s what you do with them that matters. Jim Abbott was born without a right hand but that did not stop him from fulfilling his dream of becoming a major league baseball pitcher. Jim was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees. He played for 10 seasons and ended his big league playing career in 1999. Jim has worked with The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities. He is the author of the book,Imperfect: An Improbable Life.

Proving A Miracle May 18, 2026

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Healing, faith, and the mysteries of the mind-body connection are questions that challenge both science and belief. Can the human body and spirit recover in ways that defy conventional medicine? What role do faith, prayer, and mindset play in actual physical healing? Dr. Joshua Brown shares his journey from a life-threatening cancer diagnosis to a remarkable recovery that defied conventional scientific explanation. Dr. Brown is a neuroscientist, former director of the graduate program in neuroscience at Indiana University, and internationally recognized expert on higher cognitive function. He is the author of Proving A Miracle: Unlocking the Power of Prayer to Heal.

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