Immersion

What Limerence Actually Feels Like: Is It Love or Limerence? 05.07.2026 31min

Part 1 was about the clinical definitions and the "why" behind limerence - this episode is about what it actually feels like to live through it. Limerence is a unique experience with some of the highest highs and lowest lows we can go through. In this episode, we are diving into the lived reality of the limerent mind. We look at how we use art and music to seek solace or feed the obsession, how obstacles keep the fantasy alive, and what happens when we constantly try to "solve" ...

When a Crush Becomes an Obsession: Understanding Limerence & Steps to Heal 28.06.2026 41min

Have you ever found yourself completely consumed by thoughts of someone, to the point where it feels less like a crush and more like an overwhelming, permanent presence in your mind? In this episode, we are doing a deep, nuanced dive into the concept of limerence - a state of profound romantic infatuation, obsessive thoughts, and an intense desire for emotional reciprocation. If you have ever felt trapped by these intense feelings, or wondered why your brain seems to latch onto a specific pe...

Why You Feel Like You’re Never Enough (Contingent Self-Worth) (series part 4) 21.06.2026 33min

Do you ever feel like your value as a person depends entirely on your last achievement, your productivity, or what someone else thinks of you? You’re not alone. This is part 4 in our 10 part series on improving our relationship with ourselves. (See the whole self-worth series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJBR0a3Yz6vsH5TkuPFtd2b7YgbL11OG ) And in this episode we’re diving deep into the concept of contingent (or conditional) self-worth - that exhausting cycle of making ...

How to Build Self-Worth and Stop Seeking External Validation (Part 3 in series) 14.06.2026 29min

The topic of self-worth cuts deeper than self-esteem. That is because self-worth is an internal sense that you are enough, and that you are fundamentally deserving of love and respect. In Part 3 of our "Relationship to Self" series, we are diving deep into the foundations of self-worth. In this episode, we look at: Where are we actually getting validation from?How does toxic shame quietly undermine our value?What do we truly care about versus what are the games we play to feel like we "stac...

Building Self-Esteem: The 6 Pillars 07.06.2026 28min

While self-esteem may seem like an elusive, vague concept, there are practical, everyday actions we can take to build it. In this episode, we explore the actionable frameworks outlined in the classic book, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden. Together, we will dive into all six pillars: living consciously, self-acceptance, self-responsibility, self-assertiveness, living purposefully, and living with integrity. Beyond the theory, we’ll look at real-world examples and the exact ...

The Relationship That Shapes Everything Else | Series on Self-Worth, Validation & Identity (Part 1) 31.05.2026 22min

You likely know how you feel about your relationships with other people - but how do you feel about your relationship with yourself? Whether we realize it or not, our relationship with ourselves influences nearly everything: our relationships, choices, ambitions, and even how we interpret everyday experiences. In this new series, we'll explore that relationship from many angles, including self-esteem and self-worth, validation, comparison, limerence, trauma, self-concept, and more. In this...

The Hidden Personality Trait That Shapes Your Reality: Intuition vs. Sensing 24.05.2026 24min

There’s an often-overlooked personality trait that shapes how you process almost everything you encounter day-to-day. While traits like introversion and extraversion get all the spotlight, this core piece of our psychology is just as crucial to understand. Originally introduced by Carl Jung, the balance between Intuition and Sensing dictates whether you prefer to live in the tangible world of facts or the world of endless possibilities. In this episode, we explore: The Tangible vs. The Possi...

Happiness Is Not the Opposite of Sadness | How to Handle Negative Emotions 16.05.2026 23min

If you’ve ever felt deeply grateful and incredibly sad at the exact same time, you know emotions don't always fit into neat boxes. We often view emotions as a simple spectrum, with happiness on one end and sadness on the other. But our feelings are far more nuanced than that. Instead of living on opposite sides of a continuum, our emotions operate more like individual "knobs" that turn up and down independently. In this episode, we explore how embracing this complexity can enrich our lives, h...

Ending Excess Screen Time (Habits that actually work) 10.05.2026 25min

We’ve all heard the basic advice: turn off notifications, put your phone in grayscale, or just "try harder." But if you’re like me, those tips didn't stick. After years of experimentation and diving into the psychology of habit formation, I’ve finally found a system that is working for me. In this episode (Part 2 of our series on technology), we are moving past the philosophy and getting into more specific action steps. We’re talking about building friction, managing decision fatigue, and fin...

How Culture Changes Your Pursuit of Happiness 12.04.2026 23min

Happiness is a universal human aim, but what we believe makes us happy, and how we define a life well-lived, varies. In Part 10 of our Positive Psychology deep dive, we explore how cultural norms, language, and social safety nets dictate our personal views on flourishing. In this episode, we explore: How cultural norms and language shape the way we express happiness.Why a national safety net changes how we behave day-to-day.The 6-D Model of culture - from uncertainty avoidance to individuali...

How to Find Purpose: Do We Find or Create Meaning? (Exploring with Sartre and Frankl) 30.03.2026 32min

Do you ever wish you knew what your purpose was? Does your life ever feel void of meaning? In this episode we explore the idea of meaning through the lens of positive psychology, logotherapy, and existentialist philosophy. We learn from Dr. Viktor Frankl and Jean-Paul Sartre as well as from the Oxford Handbook on Positive Psychology. Also in this episode: -- How to recenter when we get off track so that we come back to what matters to us. -- The difference between purpose a...

Relationship Science 101: Why "Minding" is the Secret to Lasting Relationships 15.03.2026 39min

How do we build relationships that actually flourish? In Part 8 of our Positive Psychology series, we’re looking at the science of staying connected through Minding and Active Construction. Whether it’s with friends, family, or partners, we’re moving beyond the honeymoon phase and looking at the intentional work of relating to one another. A large part of this episode is dedicated to the concept of Minding—the ongoing process of knowing and being known by others. We explore how being intenti...

Does Success Lead to Happiness – OR Does Happiness Lead to Success? (Part 7 in Positive Psychology Deep Dive) 08.03.2026 29min

We are 7 episodes into this series and I have a confession: I expected to feel "happier" by now, but the reality of positive psychology is a lot more nuanced. While I’ve definitely picked up some great habits around Grit and finding Flow in my work, I was surprised to find that the best parts of my day weren't the big achievements—they were the simple things, like a cup of tea and a good book before bed. In this episode, we’re finally tackling the "P" in PERMA+ (Positive Feeling States). In ...

How to Master Any Skill Faster (It’s Not 10,000 Hours) 15.02.2026 31min

Is the 10,000-hour rule a myth? We’ve all heard that it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft, but the truth is that not all hours are created equal. In this episode, we dive into the science of peak performance and the current "Gold Standard" of learning: Deliberate Practice. Based on the research of Dr. K. Anders Ericsson, we break down why simply "putting in more time" isn't enough and how you can greatly enhance your learning curve to improve in your field. In this episode, we discuss: ▶...

Flow State: Why Getting "In the Zone" is a Secret to Happiness & High Performance 08.02.2026 34min

What if you could disappear into your tasks and emerge happier, more productive, and less stressed? That "magical" feeling - one you have likely experienced from time to time - is called Flow. And it’s more than just a catchy term thrown around these days; it’s a scientifically backed state of peak performance. In this video, we dive into the groundbreaking research of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeanne Nakamura to uncover why "losing yourself" in a task is one of the 9 key tools for creatin...

How Habits for Health and Vitality Impact Happiness (Positive Psychology Series Part 4) 01.02.2026 35min

How do exercise, sleep, and nutrition actually impact our mood and mental health? You have likely felt the difference between weeks when you are caring for your body versus weeks when those habits fall away. Sometimes, we need to consciously recognize how much better we feel - physically and emotionally - before those healthy habits finally stick. In Part 4 of our Positive Psychology series, we are covering the "Plus" in the PERMA+ model. We’re diving into the science of what happens inside...

Grit, Resilience, and Optimism: How to not quit when things get hard 25.01.2026 37min

Ever feel like you have the talent, but you just can't seem to finish what you start? In this episode, we’re looking at why we "hit the wall" and quit when things get difficult. It’s a dive into the science of Grit, Resilience, and Hope - tools that many believe we are born with, but research proves we can actually build. Using the foundational work of Martin Seligman, Carol Dweck, and Angela Duckworth, we explore the shift from "Learned Helplessness" to "Learned Optimism." This is Part 3 o...

Your Brain Has an Immune System for Sadness: & How to strengthen it 18.01.2026 32min

Why do we recover from heartbreaks, job losses, and injuries faster than we could ever imagine? For example, if you were fired today or left at the altar, how long would you be miserable? You probably guess "months or years." But the science suggests this is not necessarily the case. We often underestimate our ability to heal because we don't realize we have a Psychological Immune System. Just like your body fights infection with a physical immune system, your brain has a built-in mech...

The Happiness Equation: Genetics vs. What You Control (Part 1 in Positive Psychology Deep Dive) 11.01.2026 23min

We spend our whole lives chasing happiness, but we rarely stop to ask: Are we chasing the right things? Or more importantly - do we even have control over how happy we are? Research suggests that while a portion of our happiness is genetic, a significant amount is firmly within our control - if we know which levers to pull. In this episode, we dive into the science of building a happier life. We look at why our brains are notoriously bad at predicting the future (affective forecasting...

The Decision To Have Kids Or Not (Part 2): Regret & Pressure + Action step ideas 04.01.2026 45min

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the decision to be a parent in the modern world, we move from the statistics to the emotional reality. We explore the fear of regret, the definition of legacy, and how to navigate intense societal pressure. Whether you are currently weighing this choice or have already made it, I hope this episode offers you clarity and compassion. In this episode, we cover: The Fear of Regret: How to make the right decision for you by looking through the lens of existential...