Episodes

  • The Science of Feeling Safe: A New Guide to Healing Anxiety

    The Science of Feeling Safe: A New Guide to Healing Anxiety
    Jun 3 2025
    For years, Dr. Russell Kennedy tried everything to treat his crippling anxiety – therapy, medication – nothing worked. It wasn’t until he stopped searching in his head and started looking to his body that everything changed. Today, Russell helps others heal by targeting what he calls “background alarm,” a residue of unresolved childhood trauma stored in the body. On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Leah sits down with Russell to explore why traditional treatments for anxiety often fall short, and what it really takes to heal from the inside out. Russell shares the somatic tools and mindset shifts that have helped him and his patients regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with their inner child and break free from the anxiety loop. He also explains why healing starts not with fixing your thoughts but by feeling what’s been buried in your body all along. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Why We Panic: The Evolutionary Roots of Anxiety and How to Copy Today
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    46 mins
  • How I Learned to Work with My Anxiety

    How I Learned to Work with My Anxiety
    May 27 2025
    This week, Leah shares her story of living with and learning to manage her anxiety. Additional Resources: Anxiety and Depression Association of America A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson Anxiety Rx by Dr. Russell Kennedy Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts by Dr. Martin Seif and Dr. Sally Winston The Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner
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    33 mins
  • Why We Panic: The Evolutionary Roots of Anxiety and How to Cope Today

    Why We Panic: The Evolutionary Roots of Anxiety and How to Cope Today
    May 20 2025
    In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Everyday Better is spotlighting some of the most common, yet least understood, mental health challenges. This week, ABC News’ Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman joins Leah to share his personal journey with anxiety and panic attacks – struggles he hid for nearly two decades, even while reporting live on national television. But in 2020, after a career-altering on-air mistake, Matt was forced to confront his panic head-on, or walk away from the job he loved. In his book “No Time to Panic,” Matt explores the science behind anxiety and panic attacks. He explains why humans have panic attacks and how evolution has made anxiety a surprisingly adaptive trait. He also shares the practical tools and mindset shifts that helped him regain control, from breathwork and mindfulness to self-compassion and daily gratitude rituals. Get Matt’s book No Time to Panic here. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Conquer Everyday Anxiety with Dr. Wendy Suzuki
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    48 mins
  • Why Willpower Isn’t Enough (And What Actually Works Instead) with Dr. Anna Lembke

    Why Willpower Isn’t Enough (And What Actually Works Instead) with Dr. Anna Lembke
    May 13 2025
    In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re exploring some of the most common, yet least understood, mental health challenges. This week, Leah speaks with Dr. Anna Lembke, author of “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Anna shares the science behind compulsive overconsumption and explains how the brain’s pleasure-pain balance can lead us into addictive loops — even when it comes to seemingly harmless behaviors. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Finding Beauty in the Everyday with Dacher Keltner
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    55 mins
  • Jewel on Fame, Addiction and the Path to True Happiness

    Jewel on Fame, Addiction and the Path to True Happiness
    May 6 2025
    Here at Everyday Better, we’re always striving to improve our mental health. This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re exploring some of the most common, yet least understood, mental health challenges. This week, Leah’s joined by four-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and mental health advocate Jewel. Before she got famous, Jewel was a homeless teenager battling an addiction to shoplifting – who, despite her circumstances, committed to finding happiness for herself. Today, Jewel shares how that commitment has kept her grounded in the face of fame, protected her from burnout and equipped her with the tools to heal her self-worth. Find information on Jewel’s upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month events here. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Annie Grace’s Guide to Conscious Behavior Change
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    47 mins
  • How to Stop Wasting Your Potential with Historian Rutger Bregman

    How to Stop Wasting Your Potential with Historian Rutger Bregman
    Apr 29 2025
    When it comes time to choose a career, we’re often told to follow our passions and optimize for things like title and salary. But rarely do we pause to consider the impact of our work and whether or not it actually matters. In a world where preventable tragedies occur every day, failing to consider the social impact of our careers is a missed opportunity – and perhaps a moral failing, too. On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, guest host Jessi Hempel talks with historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman about his new book “Moral Ambition: How to Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference.” Rutger introduces his concept of “moral ambition,” which challenges readers to rethink what it means to success. Rutger makes the case that talented, privileged professionals must move beyond aiming for status, wealth and personal achievement and use their skills to address the world’s most pressing problems. Preorder Rutger’s book here. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Finding Your Purpose Through Ikigai with Tim Tamashiro
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    32 mins
  • Warning: This Podcast Will Remind You of Your Mortality

    Warning: This Podcast Will Remind You of Your Mortality
    Apr 22 2025
    After Jodi Wellman’s mother passed away at just 58-years-old, Jodi was left to clean out her apartment. Everywhere she looked, she found remnants of her mother’s unfulfilled dreams: business cards from enterprises that never took off, book manuscripts that were never submitted. The experience forced Jodi to realize that life is painfully short, and it’s up to us to make the most of it. A speaker, author and executive coach, Jodi wants you to think more about death. On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, she shares the essential things we all need to know about death and dying and how we can use our mortality as a motivator to live our lives more fully. Follow Jodi Wellman on LinkedIn and follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn and Instagram. If you liked this episode, your next listen should be this one: How to Make the Most of Your 24 Hours with Researcher Cassie Holmes
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    48 mins
  • Core Values 101: A Step-by-Step Guide for Finding Your Inner Compass

    Core Values 101: A Step-by-Step Guide for Finding Your Inner Compass
    Apr 15 2025
    In this special episode of Everyday Better, Leah walks through one of her favorite personal growth exercises: defining your core values. When you're facing a tough decision and unsure which path to take, a clearly defined set of values can equip you with the clarity and confidence you need to move forward. After explaining her own approach to uncovering what truly matters, Leah revisits some powerful moments from a previous conversation with personal growth educator Amanda Hilton. Together, they discuss prompts for identifying the values that resonate most deeply with you and how to apply them in your own life to make better decisions. Listen to Leah’s full conversation with Amanda Hilton here. Download Brené Brown’s List of Values here.
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    30 mins