Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin

Latest Episodes:

314 — Beating Yourself Up? The 10-Second Play That Outsmarts Your Inner Critic May 08, 2026

Show notes

Pre-order a copy of ⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠.

Have you ever rewritten an email five times before hitting send because you keep telling yourself it's not quite right? Or beaten yourself up over something you said and convinced yourself you've ruined everything? That's your inner critic .

We all have one—and while that little voice is meant to protect you, it can easily get in the way of thinking, feeling, and doing your best.

Fortunately, you don't have to silence it. There's a simpler play that takes the power out of that voice almost instantly.

Some of the things I talk about are:

The story of how my inner critic almost talked me out of doing something important this past week
Why your inner critic isn't actually trying to ruin your life (and what's really going on)
The fascinating research on writers with imposter syndrome who became more productive simply by naming the voice in their head
The psychological concept of "self-distancing" and why it helps you make better decisions, regulate emotions, and take action even when you're scared
A 3-step play for naming your inner critic
The critical pitfall to avoid when naming your inner critic
Why the goal isn't to eliminate that voice—it's to stop letting it run your life

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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313 — Tired of People Draining You? The Empathy Rule That Protects Your Energy Without Making You Cold With Dr. D. Ivan Young May 04, 2026

Show notes

The Mental Strength Playbook is out now. Order your copy today.

Do you have someone in your life who only calls when they need something? Maybe it's the relative who always goes from one crisis to the next, the friend who vents for an hour and never asks how you're doing, or the coworker who treats you like their personal therapist.

You care about them but you feel drained by them too. Fortunately, you can show real empathy while also setting boundaries. And this might be the best thing for both you and the other person.

My guest today is Dr. D. Ivan Young, a master certified coach and empathy expert. His new book is Leading from the Heart, and in this conversation he breaks down how to show up for the people you love without losing yourself in the process.

Some of the things we discuss are:

Why "putting on a brave face" is actually a performance — and what it's costing you
The drowning analogy that finally makes the difference between sympathy and empathy make sense
How to call out the elephant in the room before a tense meeting (and why it instantly changes the dynamic)
The "come alongside" rule that can help you start a conversation without triggering a fight
What to say to a friend going through something you've never experienced yourself
Why open-ended questions are more powerful than any advice you could give
The "cupcake and a candle" ritual for when you need to feel your feelings and move on
How to tell if you're empowering someone or quietly enabling them
What to do (and not say) when a neighbor or coworker is grieving
The uncomfortable truth about why the same kind of person keeps showing up in your life

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⁠⁠⁠⁠Leading From the Heart

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312 - Avoiding a Hard Conversation? 3 Plays to Help You Address the Issue Head-On May 01, 2026

Show notes

Pick up a copy of ⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠.

Have you ever rehearsed an uncomfortable conversation in your head over and over again? Maybe you want to ask for a raise, address something that hurt your feelings, or share bad news—but you keep running the words on a loop, hunting for the perfect way to say it.

While we like to practice, rehearsing isn't actually helping. It's worrying in disguise. Today, I'm sharing three plays that work a lot better, so you can stop dreading the conversation and find the courage to actually have it.

Some of the things I talk about are:

The webinar I almost got roped into—and how I finally spoke up after weeks of staying quiet.
Why rehearsing a conversation in advance often backfires and keeps you stuck.
How "Flip the Script" stops your brain from treating the worst-case scenario like a prediction.
Why generic affirmations like "you'll do great" don't work—and what to use instead.
How to create a statement that works for you when the pressure is on.
The play that takes the hardest part of a tough conversation and moves it to your prep phase.
What to do when you've waited too long to raise an issue and it feels too late to speak up.
Why you don't have to feel 100% ready to walk into the room.

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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311 — The Science of How Your Spaces Shape Your Mind (and How to Make Them Work for You) with UVA Behavioral Scientist Leidy Klotz Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Pre-order ⁠⁠⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠⁠⁠ now and get access to pre-order bonuses!

What if cleaning your kitchen counter could actually help with depression? What if rearranging your living room could improve your relationships? Or moving your fruit bowl could make you healthier? We tend to think change is all about what's happening inside us — our mindset, our habits, our willpower. But what if the secret to a better life isn't just about what you do, but where you do it?

My guest today is Leidy Klotz, a professor at the University of Virginia, behavioral scientist, and author of the fascinating new book In a Good Place. Leidy explains that every human has three basic psychological needs — agency, growth, and connection — and once you understand them, you can intentionally design your spaces to meet them.

Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:

The 3 basic psychological needs your environment should be giving you — and what to evaluate before you ever look at the kitchen backsplash.
Why a psychologist's prescription for depression might be to organize your kitchen — and the surprising reason it works.
The "Memorial Gym" effect — how you walk past life-changing opportunities every single day without ever noticing them.
Why your sight is so dominant that it's robbing you of the most powerful sensory experiences your space has to offer.
The bizarre way returning to an old space can rewind your habits 11 years in an instant.
Why "screen-free rooms" are the wrong approach — and the simple flip Leidy recommends instead.
The fire extinguisher study that reveals just how much you're missing in your own environment.
The tension between novelty and nostalgia — and how to know when a renovation is actually a mistake.
The story of Josie's Way — a profoundly moving lesson on how physical spaces can carry someone's spirit forward.
The fascinating brain science behind why we describe relationships using the language of space ("close to," "distant from") — and what it reveals about how we connect.

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're working against yourself to build better habits, this conversation will completely change how you think about the rooms you live in.

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310 — Can't Stop Worrying? Why Telling Yourself to Stop Never Works — and the Therapist-Approved Play That Does Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Pre-order The Mental Strength Playbook and get your pre-order bonuses. Get a signed copy at Books & Books delivered to you.

Can't stop replaying that awkward conversation from yesterday? Still anxious about something that might happen next week? If your brain keeps dragging you back to the same worries over and over, telling yourself to "just stop thinking about it" isn't going to work.

In fact, research shows trying to suppress thoughts makes the worry come back even harder. But there's a science-backed play that can contain your worrying to a small window of time, and it works fast. Today, I'm walking you through exactly how to run it.

Some of the things I talk about are:

Why your brain treats unresolved problems like threats — and keeps sounding the alarm even when there's nothing you can do
The "white bear effect" and why suppressing a worry guarantees it comes back stronger
How worrying can cut your productivity in half
The 5-step formula for scheduling time to worry — and why it works within days, not weeks
How I used this exact play to manage my own anxiety about an issue I faced just this week
The difference between problem-solving and worrying — and why confusing the two keeps you stuck
Three mistakes that will make this play backfire
Why giving your brain permission to worry is more powerful than trying to shut it down

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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309 — Feel Left Out a Lot? The Neuroscience of Exclusion — and the Daily Habit That Builds Secure Relationships with Columbia Neuroscientist Dr. Amir Levine Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Want more plays to choose from? Pre-order ⁠⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠⁠ before April 28th and get exclusive bonuses delivered instantly — including a mental strength audit and the book's introduction.

Have you ever wondered why an unanswered text can send you into a spiral? Or why you keep having the same fight with your partner over and over again? It might be your attachment style. And the good news is, you can actually rewire your brain to feel more secure in your relationships.

My guest today is Dr. Amir Levine, psychiatrist, molecular neuroscientist, and the bestselling author of Attached. He's back with a brand new book called Secure, where he shares how the small, everyday moments of connection can change your brain on a molecular level.

Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:

Why you can be securely attached to one person in your life and anxiously attached to another — and what that reveals about you.
The "cyberball effect" and the surprising reason your brain reacts to being left off a group text the same way it reacts to physical pain.
The shocking experiment that proved exclusion hurts even when the people excluding you aren't good people.
The 5 pillars of a secure connection — and the simple acronym (CARP) you can use to evaluate every relationship in your life.
Why even a nod from a stranger in an elevator matters more to your brain than you think.
The "CARP intervention" — what to do when someone in your life isn't showing up for you.
Why you don't need years of therapy or a massive breakthrough to become more secure.
The fascinating science of why some people are wired for closeness and others aren't — and what a microscopic worm can teach us about it.
How to "reshuffle your social media" (the people in your life, not the apps) to create a secure bubble around yourself.
The reason recalling childhood memories in a secure environment can actually edit those memories — and heal them.

If you've ever felt like you're too needy, too distant, or just bad at relationships, this conversation will change how you think about connection — and give you the tools to start feeling more secure today.

LInks & Resources

Secure

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308 — Pause. Pick. Play. The Formula for Getting Through Any Hard Moment Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Want more plays to choose from? Pre-order ⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠ before April 28th and get exclusive bonuses delivered instantly — including a mental strength audit and the book's introduction.

Imagine being a therapist from small-town Maine who has never spoken in front of more than 20 people — and suddenly finding yourself backstage at a massive conference, about to share a stage with Gary Vee. That's exactly what happened to me.

And instead of running for the exit, I ran a play. Here's what that means — and how you can run a play to solve any situation or uncomfortable emotional experience you find yourself in.

Some of the things I talk about are:

The story of my very first big speaking gig — sharing a stage with Gary Vaynerchuk as a therapist from Maine with zero experience on stages like that one.
The "Act As If" play — what it is, why it works, and how cognitive dissonance and behavioral activation explain the science behind it.
Why "Act As If" isn't the same as toxic positivity or fake-it-till-you-make-it.
A completely different situation that called for a completely different play — and how the If/Then Plan saved a 3-hour workshop.
The 3Ps framework — Pause, Pick, Play — and how to use it to find the right play for any situation you face.
How to figure out whether your thinking, your emotions, or your actions need support — because those are three different problems that call for three different plays.
Why an imperfect play you actually run beats a perfect play you never do.

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠206 — Why You're Stronger Than You Think (and How to See Proof of That Today)⁠

⁠⁠232 — 5 Daily Habits To Build Unstoppable Mental StrengthConnect with the Show

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307 — Eco Medicine Doctor: How to Use Nature to Reduce Depression, Kill Anxiety, and Extend Your Life Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Pre-order ⁠⁠⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠⁠⁠ now and get access to pre-order bonuses!

What if the ultimate strategy to calm your brain, fight burnout, and boost your happiness doesn't come from a pharmacy but instead, comes from nature?

Most of us spend our days glued to screens, sitting underneath artificial lights, and spending up to 93% of our time indoors. The "indoor epidemic" may be costing us our mental and physical health. Fortunately, a few simple changes could turn things around.

My guest today is Dr. John La Puma, a board-certified physician, a pioneer in the field of Eco Medicine, and the author of the new book Indoor Epidemic. He has spent years studying how the natural world directly impacts our biology and mental health. Today, he breaks down the fascinating science of nature and shares the actionable steps you can take to heal your mind and body using the great outdoors.

Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:

The number one thing you should do within 60 minutes of waking up to boost your mood and energy.
Why our modern "indoor epidemic" is quietly causing insomnia, brain fog, and chronic inflammation.
The fascinating 1984 hospital study that proved just looking at a tree can speed up physical healing.
The exact "minimum effective dose" of nature you need each week to increase your longevity.
Why watching the sunset acts as a biological safety signal that guarantees deeper, more restorative sleep.
How to get the powerful benefits of "Eco Medicine" even if you live in a concrete jungle.
Simple ways to bring the outdoors inside to lower your cortisol and calm your nervous system.
Why engaging your senses in nature is a highly effective way to ground yourself and build lasting mental strength.

Links & Resources

⁠⁠⁠Indoor Epidemic

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306 — You Don't Need to Feel Strong to Be Strong Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Want to know how to run the plays that will help you stay mentally strong? Pre-order The Mental Strength Playbook.

Have you ever had to show up to do something when you felt like you had nothing to give? Or have you doubted your ability to handle a challenge because you didn’t feel strong enough? Fortunately, you don't have to feel strong to be strong. And today, I'm sharing why.

Some of the things I talk about are:

The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do—and how it redefined my understanding of strength.
Why your feelings of fear, doubt, or anxiety aren’t proof that you’re weak.
The two biggest myths about mental strength—and how they might be holding you back.
A simple 3-step formula—"Pause, Pick, Play"—that can help you take action when you aren't feeling strong.
How to stop running plays that give you short-term relief but make long-term challenges harder.
Why mental strength isn’t about denying pain or glorifying suffering. It’s about taking action, even when it’s hard.
How to identify and run plays that actually move you forward.
A funny update to my "Victory Vault" story that proves rejection isn’t the end of the road.

Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠206 — Why You're Stronger Than You Think (and How to See Proof of That Today)

⁠304 — Got Rejected? Here's the One Thing You Need to Do to Get Your Confidence Back Fast

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305 — How to Make the Biggest Changes With the Smallest Steps With Author Eric Zimmer Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Pre-order ⁠⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠⁠ and get access to exclusive pre-order bonuses!

What if everything you believe about making big changes in your life is wrong? What if rather than a huge transformation, you're better of taking a series of small steps toward a new life?

My guest today is Eric Zimmer, a behavior change expert, host of the award-winning podcast The One You Feed, and author of the new book How a Little Becomes a Lot.

Some of the things we discuss in this episode are:

Eric's story of change and what helped him along the way.
The number one thing you should do when you get off track with your goals.
Why treating change as a character flaw guarantees failure—and how to treat it as a learnable skill instead.
The powerful parable of two wolves and how it dictates your daily choices.
How to use the "80% rule" to extract maximum benefit from your new habits.
Why planning for the exact moments your routine will break is crucial for your success.
How to take action even when the voice of self-doubt is screaming in your ear.
The exact approach to use when there isn't a clear roadmap for improving your mental health.
Why committing to just three minutes of daily practice is far better than aiming for thirty.

Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me.

Links & Resources

⁠⁠How a Little Becomes a Lot

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