I used to take day-planning to the next level: every morning, I would make a list, planning my schedule down to the minute. It wasn’t so much that I needed task reminders; my exhaustive daily lists ensured every moment was planned—and I wouldn’t be caught in a space of unstructured time.
Read MoreAs a therapist and unapologetically anxious individual, I’m always on the lookout for holistic products that quieten the relentless noise of my inner world. And when I come across seemingly effective stuff, I want to spread the gospel. So I’ve rounded up eight gift ideas that may ease your loved one’s anxiety—and in the process, may ease your anxiety about finding a last-minute gift for your loved one.
Read MoreI’ve been following the incredible Megan Bruneau on Instagram for some time now, and am absolutely delighted to introduce you to her on the podcast today!
Read MoreAlthough these days I focus primarily on entrepreneurial mental health, I began my counseling career immersed in the eating disorder recovery world. The prior decade of quietly trying to heal myself from bulimia and anorexia had instilled in me a fervent desire to support others – both directly as as clinician and indirectly as an advocate.
Read MoreI intentionally describe myself as a "writer," not a "therapist" on my Hinge profile. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of what I get to do for a living; however, the dudes who aren't immediately scared off because they think therapists can read minds will inevitably ask how I got into psychology – and I just prefer to save the "wounded healer" monologue for in-person.
Read MoreLast month, I had the pleasure of attending the Global Connections for Women Entrepreneurship Ball at the Harvard Club in Manhattan. The charity event recognized game-changing women leaders, with benefits going toward the GC4W Entrepreneurship Scholarship Fund. With access to the brilliant honorees, I was compelled to ask five of them the best advice they've ever received. Here's what they responded:
Read MoreAs a therapist and executive coach, I frequently speak with badass women encouraged to medicate away their feelings. Ashamed over what they perceive to be "emotional instability," they fear they're "too sensitive" to warrant a seat in the boardroom. They've been told tears don't belong in the workplace. They believe they're frauds the moment they notice anxiety creeping in (and then feel another layer of anxiety telling them to get rid of their anxiety).
Read MoreWith an estimated 67 percent of Americans at least a little anxious about paying the bills, and 58 percent worried they won't have enough money for retirement, it's becoming increasingly clear that being financially well is an integral part of overall wellness. Of course, money management isn't one-size-fits-all, so we're talking to people from all walks of life to find out how they achieved a healthy relationship with their finances. We hope it empowers you to live a life Well Spent.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Failure Factor, Megan sits down with Blue Mercury co-founder and Marla Beck. The CEO of the rapidly-growing luxury beauty retailer shares how the initially Ecommerce company almost ran out of money, sparking the inaugural pivot "from clicks to bricks." Thanks to Beck's perseverance, in 2015 Blue Mercury was acquired by Macy's for $210 million. You won't want to miss Beck's advice on authoritative leadership, secrets to employee retention, why she doesn't endorse "productivity," and the growth-inspiring way she responds to failures and mistakes – both personally and in managing others.
Read MoreAfter a few minutes of speaking with Blue Mercury cofounder and CEO Marla Beck, it's clear why a box of the luxury retailer's most popular product – M-61 Power Glow Peel – is sold every eight seconds. During our interview for The Failure Factor, the mother-of-three reveals how the trailblazing e-commerce company almost failed initially, and Beck and her husband slept on his sister's couch for months to reduce burn while they pivoted to retail.
Read MoreIn 1999, I was thirteen years old and using the internet to talk to boys over the newly released MSN Messenger. Michael Cammarata, also thirteen, was using the internet to make his first million. Introduced to the world of StarCraft by a neighbor, Cammarata began building related websites and programming software – before convincing his older brother (on whom he had "information") to give him two thousand dollars so he could purchase a dedicated server and start a hosting business. Over the next few years, Cammarata moved from hosting to online advertising and had created $85 million in revenue by his mid-twenties. He ultimately settled in the natural space as the cofounder and CEO of Schmidt's Naturals, one of the world’s fastest growing wellness brands.
Read MoreToday on the pod, New York based therapist and coach Megan Bruneau shares her thoughts and experiences on perfectionism and its role in anxiety and depression and also how open a therapist should be about their own mental health difficulties. We also talk about the online world and Instagram and how Megan seeks to share a different message that life is messy and that's ok...running counter to the many people and companies who are using this space to sell idealized and impossible things (find your perfect relationship - lose the weight for good!). Megan wants us to become critical consumers of online content. We discuss compassion based therapies such as Compassionate Mind Therapy and how these can help us in our relationship with ourselves and our emotions. Finally I also sneak in a few questions about how Megan developed her business. We covered a lot of ground today and I hope you enjoy the interview.
Read MoreI think we all wish heartbreak looked like it does in the movies. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Failure Factor, Megan interviews Michael Cammarata: serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder and CEO of Schmidt's Naturals – one of the worlds fastest-growing wellness brands. Despite being told he'd "never amount to anything" after being diagnosed with dyslexia, Michael had made his first million by thirteen years old. Listen in to hear why Michael can't stand "Five Year Plans," the mistake he believes entrepreneurs make that holds them back from opportunities, and the question he urges founders to ask themselves from day one.
Read MoreI have a sterilized version of this story, where I say I’ve just always been fascinated with psychology and helping. I remember a clear conversation with my dad at about seven or eight years old, where I decided I would be a psychologist (after he killed my dreams of being a singer songwriter, artist, and journalist, respectively *sigh*). This version is not untrue, but like most therapists the full story is that my curiosity about the human condition grew out of personal experience with pain.
Read MoreI didn't realize I had insomnia until I was in college, when a friend told me he'd "woke[n] up in the middle of the night" – and that was his whole story. I remember feeling confused – didn't everyone take hours to fall asleep, then wake up in the middle of the night six, seven, thirteen times like I did?
Read MoreDuring a recent emotional rough patch, I found myself craving dance. I've spent years optimizing my mental health and have learned dance is one of the most reliable ways of shifting my mood – particularly when its positive effects aren't negated shortly thereafter with a hangover (because historically for me they've gone hand-in-hand). So knowing 3am tequila shots and a regrettable makeout would probably cancel out the therapeutic benefits of a night of clubbing, I shot a text to a couple of friends asking if they had any recommendations for accessible (daytime, sober) dance workouts in the city. Both returned with the same answer: 305 Fitness.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Failure Factor, Megan talks resilience, sexism, and changing the world with Julie Smolyansky. Julie became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27 in 2002 after the tragic death of her father. Even through her grief, she managed to send the company’s growth trajectory and revenues soaring, while considerably expanding distribution.
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