The Dr. Leaf Show

Latest Episodes:

Brain-building: the missing key to optimal mental health + why we don't talk about it often enough, how to brain-build correctly, and how tot make it a sustainable daily habit May 24, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: Brain building is easy, effective and something everyone can and should be doing every day. It is one of the most powerful resilience-building mental health tools out there, and completely underappreciated in the wellness space. In this podcast I explain how to brain-build, and how to make it a daily habit.

Read show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/brain-building-the-missing-key-to-optimal-mental-health-why-we-dont-talk-about-it-often-enough-how-to-brain-build-correctly-how-to-make-it-a-sustainable-daily-habit

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-BiOptimizer’s Cognibiotics:Get up to 40% off your order and free shipping on select packages at cognibiotics.com/drleaf.

-Huzzah, the most delicious, low sugar seltzers: Get up to 20% off your order with the code DRLEAF at https://drinkhuzzah.com.

-OSEA, a female-founded company that creates the best skincare products: Get 10% off your first order with my promo code LEAF at OSEAmalibu.com.

-Ritual (my favorite protein powder and multivitamins): get 10% off during your first 3 months. Just visit https://ritual.com/DRLEAF to add Essential Protein today.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

2:38 Why brain building is one of the most powerful resilience-building mental healthcare tools we have

3:18 Why I brain-build every single day

4:10 The brain is in love with the mind and the mind is in love with the brain

6:00 How brain building helps us detox our mind and build healthy habits

6:30 How brain building strengthens the mind and brain

11:13 What is brain building?

13:50 How brain building can improve our mental and physical wellbeing

17:15, 20:40 The brain is constantly changing, and when we use our mind well we can make sure these changes benefit us

19:00 The brain is designed to learn and grow

19:30 My research on brain building, and why brain building is hopeful

20:45 What are memories?

23:00, 47:00 Using brain building as a healthy distraction or break

28:00 How to brain build

37:50 Brain building and neurogenesis

39:00 How brain building can improve sleep

46:10 How brain building can help you cope when life gets stressful

47:45 Brain building helps harness the power of neuroplasticity, and clean the mind and brain

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A guide to discovering your direction, designing your dream career, and getting unstuck (with former Pentagon counterterrorism professional & world-famous coach Ashley Stahl) May 20, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this episode Ashley and I discuss how to get unstuck, find the career of your dreams, how to cultivate a good relationship with failure and more!

Get Ashley's book here: https://ashleystahl.com/you-turn/

Read the show blog: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-discover-your-direction-design-your-dream-career-get-unstuck-with-former-pentagon-counterterrorism-professional-world-famous-coach-ashley-stahl

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Thrive Market: Go to thrivemarket.com/DRLEAF and you’ll get up to $20 off your first order and a FREE gift!

NED: To get 15% off your first order and free shipping visit helloned.com/drleafor use the code DRLEAF at checkout.

Ancient Nutrition: Go to ancientnutrition.com and use the code DRLEAF at checkout to get up to 20% off your first order!

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

1:27 How Ashley went from counter-terrorism to career coaching

3:20 How 9/11 impacted Ashley’s career path

4:50 The myth of choosing one passion or career path

9:00 Why life, and your career, is a number’s game

10:10 There is no one, quick or easy way to discover your passion—it is a learning process

12:42 Why it can be scary to change your career

14:00 Why you should do what you are, not just what you love

25:00 The power of harnessing and growing your core skill set

30:00 Why the how and the what matters when it comes to pursuing a career

38:00 The power of self-honesty

44:00 How Ashley manages her mental health

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5 review on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you are listening! And don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and family! I love seeing your posts on social media!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why we should all cry more, the mental & physical health benefits of crying + is there a right way to cry? May 17, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk about the neuroscience behind crying and how crying can be very beneficial both mentally and physically, especially when it comes to stress reduction, and more!

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/why-we-should-all-cry-more-the-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-crying-is-there-a-right-way-to-cry

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Best Fiends, a great match 3 puzzle game that helps relieve stress and build your mind! Download Best Fiends today for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

-Daily Harvest: Go to daily-harvest.com and enter promo code DRLEAF to get $25 off your first box!

-Feetures: They are so confident that you’ll love their socks that they’ve also given listeners of Cleaning Up The Mental Mess $10 Off Your First Pair of Feetures when you go to feetures.com/DRLEAF

-NOOM: For your special offer see: noom.com/DRLEAF

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

1:00 Why crying is not a sign of weakness

1:20 Crying is a complex human behavior with a myriad of mental and physical effects

2:11 How our thoughts, emotions and experiences change our brains

3:01 Why we need to express, not suppress, our emotions

3:32 How crying can help us manage toxic thoughts and emotions

3:45 Crying is a signal we need to listen to, which is telling us something is going on in our life

4:33 How crying relieves emotional pressure in the brain and body

10:00 How tears can help us restore balance in the brain and body

12:40 Crying can be both a signal and a validating response

13:42, 29:00 How to use mind management to examine your emotional responses, including crying, and improve your emotional health

15:16 How crying helps us communicate what we feel and what we need

17:30 What happens in your brain and body when you cry

27:40 Crying is a messenger—listen to what it is telling you!

32:00 Why there is no right or wrong way to cry

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foods That Reduce Anxiety, Depression & PTSD with Nutritional Psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo May 13, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcastI speak with Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo about the relationship between our diet and mental health, and which foods are best for helping fight anxiety, depression and stress. We also discuss the gut-brain connection, how to treat leaky gut issues, supplements, and more!

Show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/podcast-281-a-scientific-guide-on-foods-that-reduce-anxiety-depression-ptsd-with-nutritional-psychiatrist-dr-uma-naidoo

For more info on Dr. Uma: https://umanaidoomd.com

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Four Sigmatic (my fav coffee!): Get up to 40% off + Free Shipping on select bundles. To claim this deal you MUST go to Foursigmatic.com/DRLEAF.

-Amen Clinics: Visit amenclinics.com/drleaf and use the promo code DRLEAF10 to get 10% off your first evaluation.

-Blinkist app: To get your free week on Blinkist AND 25% off your subscription see:https://www.blinkist.com/nc/partners/cleaning-up-the-mental-mess.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

1:43 What is nutritional psychiatry?

4:38, 6:25 This is your brain on food

5:16 Why we need to be careful of just labeling certain mental health disorders

12:30 The gut-brain romance

16:40 Food & seasonal affective disorder

17:05 Is the Mediterranean diet good for our brains?

20:00 Leaky gut & nutritional psychiatry

27:40 How nutrition can empower you & make you feel more in control of your mental health

29:00 Supplements & mental health

33:20 Dietary fiber, fermented foods & anxiety

38:00 Why we need to be careful of quick-fix solutions

39:00 Insomnia & nutritional psychiatry

41:30 How we can help manage PTSD & ADHD using certain foods

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources.

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trauma bonding, toxic emotional attachment, how to know when to stay and when to go + how to find healing & freedom May 10, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I answer another question from a listener on toxic relationships and trauma bonds. Trauma bonds are chains that link a victim to someone who is dangerous to them within the confines of an exploitive relationship. Divorce, employee relations, child abuse, family and marital systems, domestic violence, kidnapping, exploitation and religious abuse can all be areas of trauma bonding. All these relationships share one thing: “they are situations of incredible intensity or importance where there is an exploitation of trust or power”.

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/trauma-bonding-toxic-emotional-attachment-how-to-know-when-to-stay-when-to-go-how-to-find-healing-freedom

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-BiOptimizers Magnesium: For an exclusive offer for my listeners go to http://www.magbreakthrough.com/leaf and use DRLEAF10 during checkout to save 10% on your order.

-Framebridge (frame your photos, keepsakes or artwork, or send someone the perfect gift!): Go to Framebridge.com and use the promo code DRLEAF to save an additional 15% off your first order.

-MeUndies: Get 15% off your first order and free shipping at meundies.com/DRLEAF.

-PlushCare, a company that makes it easy and simple to find a health professional in your area, which I love, especially with my busy lifestyle! Start your membership today. Go to https://plushcare.com/drleaf/ to start your FREE 30-day trial.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

2:05 What a trauma bond is

4:20 Trauma bonding and exploitation

9:00, 33:40 Gaslighting and other relationship warning signs

11:02, 29:00 Why we can never “fix” someone else

14:00 Why boundaries are so important in a relationship

14:24 Sometimes ending a relationship may be the best thing for both people

19:00 How a trauma bond can impact your health

24:50 How to help someone who doesn’t want to change while putting up boundaries

35:15 Why trauma bonds are so confusing

36:45 How relationships change your mind, brain and bond

44:00 How to use mind management to heal trauma from toxic relationships

51:05 Tips to help heal a trauma bond

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A father’s journey to understand & heal after his child’s suicide + signs someone you know is suicidal and how to help May 06, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I speak with Jason Reid, founder of the Choose Life foundation and creator of Tell My Story, about his own experience as a grieving father, how to get help if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, how to recognize the signs if someone in your life is struggling, what we can do to help our loved ones who are going through a difficult time, and more.

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/a-father-s-journey-to-understand-heal-after-his-child-s-suicide-signs-someone-may-be-suicidal-how-to-help

If you are feeling suicidal, contact the US national suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

The teen suicide prevention hotline in the US is: 1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) between 6-10pm PST. You can also text TEEN to 839863 between 6-9pm PST.

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Athletic Greens: To get one year free supply of vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your order see: athleticgreens.com/LEAF.

-BLUblox: Get up to 15% off your BLUblox products use the code DRLEAF at checkout: Blublox.com.

-NED: Get 15% off your first order and free shipping visit helloned.com/drleaf or use the code DRLEAF at checkout.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

2:02 Jason’s story and why he started the Choose Life foundation

3:50 Why we need to constantly ask our children how they are doing mentally, not just physically

5:30 How the COVID pandemic has changed the mental health landscape

7:40 Why we should learn how to talk to our children about our own struggles and vulnerabilities, not just shield them from what we are going through

11:45 The importance of letting your child know it is okay to be depressed or struggle mentally

15:50 How our experiences are built into the brain and affect us mentally and physically

24:30 How to help your child if they are struggling

39:50 Social media, technology and teen mental health

Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The neuroscience of dreams & nightmares + how to have better dreams & help your children process and understand nightmares May 03, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I answer a listener's question regarding dreams + I share the neuroscience behind dreams and nightmares, how to set yourself up to have more peaceful and calm dreams, and how to help children process and understand nightmares.

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/the-neuroscience-of-dreams-nightmares-how-to-have-better-dreams-help-your-children-process-understand-nightmares

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Ritual (my favorite protein powder & multivitamin): Get 10% off your first 3 months at ritual.com/DRLEAF

-Huzzah (my favorite sparkling probiotic seltzer!): Get 20% off your order at drinkhuzzah.com with code DRLEAF

-Jenni Kayne (where I get lal my clothes, gifts, and home accessories): Get 15% off your first order when you use code DRLEAF at checkout: jennikayne.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How art & poetry can help heal mental health struggles (with Morgan Harper Nichols) Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I speak with artist, poet, storyteller and best-selling author Morgan Harper Nichols about how art and poetry can help us process life and all its challenges, and the beautiful reality of how far each of us have come in our own lives.

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-art-can-help-heal-mental-health-with-morgan-harper-nichols

For more info on Morgan see: https://morganharpernichols.com

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Four Sigmatic: Get up to 40% off + Free Shipping on select bundles. To claim this deal you MUST go to Foursigmatic.com/DRLEAF.

-NED: To get 15% off your first order and free shipping visit helloned.com/drleaf or use the code DRLEAF at checkout.

-LMNT: For a limited time, you can claim a free LMNT Sample Pack—you only have to cover the cost of shipping (which is just $5 for US customers)! Each sample pack includes 7 packets of LMNT (1 of every flavor), and the offer is limited to one time per customer. For more information and to claim your free offer visit: http://drinklmnt.com/Leaf.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

1:22 Why Morgan went from singing and songwriting to visual art, poetry and storytelling

5:10 Why Morgan wrote her book, How Far You Have Come

10:40 Why all our life journeys matter

13:50 The power of listening and engaging with the world around you

15:00 Why you don’t have be productive all the time

28:00 How art can help us process life

35:10 Why we need to give ourselves grace

45:30 How art can help us when we are feeling down

50:30 What to do when you don’t feel inspired or creative

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Strategies to deescalate intense emotions in the moment + tips to help reduce stress and build up cognitive resilience Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

SHOW DESCRIPTION: Stress is a normal part of life. We cannot escape it, but we can learn to manage and live with it. In this podcast I give you 6 tips to help deescalate turbulent emotional situations, reduce stress in the moment and build up your cognitive resilience.

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/stress-busting-tips

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-Amen Clinics: Visit amenclinics.com/drleaf and use the promo code DRLEAF10 to get 10% off your first evaluation.

-InsideTracker: Get up to 25% off their entire store at Insidetracker.com/DRLEAF.

-NOOM: noom.com/DRLEAF

-OSEA: You can try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code DRLEAF at OSEAmalibu.com.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

1:10 How to make stress work for us and not against us

1:40 Why how we perceive stress is important

3:20 Why we need to de-escalate high stress situations

3:45 How to use mind management to deal with toxic stress

8:40 Why touch is so important

22:30 Why we need to express affection

27:10 How pets improve mental health and help us manage toxic stress

34:10 How heat can help us calm down

40:25 How sharing a meal with others improves brain health

46:20 Why helping others is so good for your brain!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources Follow me on social media for daily mental health tips & strategies:

-Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/-

-Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf

-Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to train your child to understand, process & verbalize intense emotions + tips on dealing with parent guilt & how to deal with past parenting mistakes Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com

SHOW DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I speak with clinical psychologist Dr. Rebecca Kennedy about rethinking the way we raise our children, the importance of saying sorry to our kids, why it is never too late to fix the mistakes we make as parents, how to explain our own emotions to our children, and so much more!

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-to-train-your-child-to-understand-process-verbalize-intense-emotions-tips-on-dealing-with-parent-guilt-how-to-deal-with-past-parenting-mistakes

For more info on Dr. Rebecca Kennedy: goodinside.com

Her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside/

Her workshops: learning.goodinside.com

Her podcast, Good Inside with Dr Becky: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/good-inside-with-dr-becky

OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS:

-BiOptimizer’s Cognibiotics: Get up to 49% off your order and free shipping on select packages at cognibiotics.com/drleaf.

-Public Goods: Receive $15 off your first Public Goods order with NO MINIMUM purchase. Just go to https://www.publicgoods.com and use code DRLEAF at checkout.

-Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends today for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

2:00 How to talk to your children about your difficult emotions

8:30 How to talk to teenagers and adult children about what you are going through

13:36 Why we need to say sorry to our children, no matter how old they are

17:30 The importance of teaching our children to think, challenge and question everything

23:30 How to help our children when they are going through a tough time

28:10 How to teach your child about consent and saying no

33:10 Why you need to teach your children about self-care from young

37:45 How to manage and deal with parent guilt

48:05 How to teach your children to validate and trust their own feelings

50:33 Why boundaries are important for empathy