Best Henry Emmons and Aimee Prasek Podcasts (2025)

1
You Are Capable of Radical Change [ep. 209] 18:08

3d ago18:08

18:08

You are capable of radical change. If you aren't convinced that you can create change in your life, take Aimee's story about how her hen became a rooster (seriously, just listen in and it'll make sense). Beyond that chicken talk, this episode is focused on our human potential for change and healing. We'll touch on neuroplasticity, epigenetics, and …

1
When Your Life Passions Become Obsessions (encore) [ep. 208] 16:57

10d ago16:57

16:57

Do you have a passion that drives you? Or maybe you're looking for one? Whatever the case, it's essential to understand the difference between obsessive and harmonious passions. Drawing on the research of Dr. Robert Vallerand, we'll talk about the impact these different types of passions have on our wellbeing. Harmonious passions enhance motivation…

1
Emotional Inertia: Feeling Dull & Disconnected [ep. 207] 22:56

17d ago22:56

22:56

Ever feel like you're stuck in a fog—disconnected, unmotivated, and just… dull? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore emotional inertia—that heavy, stuck feeling that makes it hard to shake off negativity and truly engage with life. We’ll break down how our brains get trapped in these patterns, why rumination keeps us cycling through the sa…

1
Time Poverty & Busyness: Too Busy to Be Well [ep. 206] 30:08

24d ago30:08

30:08

Feel like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it all? That feeling is sometimes called "time poverty." We'll talk more about that and how our perception of time is often distorted by chronic stress. We'll even dig into that buzzy-term "adrenal fatigue" and the importance of finding the sweet spot of stress and busyness. Most of all, w…

1
Rumination: What It Is And How To Break Free From It [ep. 205] 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

In this episode, we dive deep into the pesky world of rumination—the habit of replaying worries, regrets, or anxieties in your mind. Learn the science behind the default mode network (DMN) and understand how it sparks these thought loops. We'll share some personal anecdotes and provide practical strategies to manage rumination, from engaging in foc…

1
Understanding Minor Depression And Low Resilience [ep. 204] 22:04

1M ago22:04

22:04

We'll dive into some key differences between minor depression and low resilience in this episode. We discuss how low resilience can feel similar to minor depression, with symptoms such as exhaustion, lack of motivation, and brain fog. Practical strategies for boosting resilience and lifting your mood are shared, like identifying factors that deplet…

1
Refilling Your Tank and Growing Your Inner Strength [ep. 203] 13:01

2M ago13:01

13:01

Ever feel like your tank is empty or you can't recover after a setback? In this episode, we'll get into our Element of resilience, exploring what can deplete our resilience, how we can refill our tank, and how we can even grow the size of that tank to hold more of that resilience fuel. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever…

1
Do You Push Away The Good Stuff? [ep. 202] 18:49

2M ago18:49

18:49

When you're feeling in a rut or in a bad mood, do you tend to focus on eliminating negative emotions or inviting more positive ones in? If you swing toward the negative, well then welcome to the club! This is a common approach. The problem is that it misses half the picture and doesn't support our resilience. We'll talk about the challenges of lett…

1
Balance, Perfectionism, & Do-Too-Muchism [ep. 201] 23:25

2M ago23:25

23:25

What do balance and perfectionism have in common? Nothing really, but interestingly, we often conflate the two. In this episode, we'll talk more about what balance (or equanimity) is and isn't while we debunk common myths about balance-- particularly as it relates to perfectionism. A key takeaway is that balance is not a static, end state but rathe…

1
Burnout & Stress Relief Meditation [ep. 200] 10:12

2M ago10:12

10:12

Do you feel burned out? If so, you're not alone. This burnout visualization practice can help you identify the stressors that may be contributing to your burnout and also the sources of nourishment that already exist for you. During the meditation, you'll visualize and contrast a relaxed, obligation-free day with a busy workday. By observing bodily…

1
Are You Burned Out or Depressed? (encore) [ep. 199] 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

Do you feel burned out? Or, maybe it feels like depression. Which begs the question, what's the difference between the two? Burnout and depression have a lot of similarities, but also a lot of differences. We'll highlight the nuances between burnout and clinical depression and also touch on the extensive impact of burnout across various forms of la…

1
Unfractured Focus: Mastering the Art of Savoring in a Distracted World [ep. 198] 22:19

3M ago22:19

22:19

Do you feel like your attention is fractured? Maybe you move through the day scattered, only to realize that you missed some good stuff along the way. In this episode, we'll talk about the practice of savoring, a simple skill that can help us regain control of our attention amidst the constant distractions of modern life. If you enjoyed this episod…

1
How Savoring Shifts Your Mood, Mindset, & Behaviors (encore) [ep. 197] 27:17

3M ago27:17

27:17

It's really easy to fall into a deprivation mindset. It's a common message we hear in our lives that can burrow deep into our body and mind, tricking us to believe that there's not enough to go around and we're not enough either. We'll dig into this destructive mindset and how we can weed it out with the help of savoring. If you enjoyed this episod…

1
Zooming Out Meditation: A Guided Meditation for Stress and Anxiety [ep. 196] 12:20

3M ago12:20

12:20

Feeling overwhelmed or even just "meh?" In today's episode, we have a special zooming out meditation to help you find and foster joy, even in challenging times. You'll experience a calming visualization practice, encouraging relaxation and broadened perspectives inspired by the overview effect (we talked about this effect last episode). Enjoy this …

1
Shift Setbacks Into Growth With The Overview Effect [ep. 195] 19:25

3M ago19:25

19:25

Tis the season of failed resolutions and unaccomplished goals. So, how can we turn that bummer and those defeats into growth? Dive deep with us as we explore why many resolutions fail: unrealistic goals and a lack of meaningful connection. Learn about the 'Overview Effect,' a concept borrowed from astronauts who experience profound shifts in perspe…

1
Meditation: Reconnect With Your Inner-Inspiration [ep. 194] 13:31

4M ago13:31

13:31

The science is clear that we humans are wired to tap into something deeper than just the surface layer of our day-to-day activities. It doesn't matter your beliefs, this drive for meaning and purpose is universal. That's why we practice having a conversation with our soul or wisest self in the Joy Lab Program. It's a practice we do every month as w…

1
Getting Out of Burnout with Courage and Soul Work [ep. 193] 22:53

4M ago22:53

22:53

What do courage, inspiration, burnout, and the soul have in common? A lot, actually. We'll dig into the 'Courage Work' framework developed by author and teacher Parker Palmer and how it can help us navigate out of burnout and create space for inspiration and renewal. We'll also get into some important details about the causes of burnout, the import…

1
Awakening Your Connection and Purpose with Inspiration [ep. 192] 28:04

4M ago28:04

28:04

Can inspiration really fuel motivation, connection, and a sense of purpose? The simple answer is yes. Inspiration may seem like a special, rare occurrence, but, it is something that we can prepare for and open up to in a variety of different ways. And that process of preparing for inspiration is surprisingly... well, inspirational. Listen in as we …

1
Don't Get Caught in the Happiness Paradox [ep. 191] 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

The 'Happiness Paradox' describes how the relentless pursuit of happiness can lead to poorer emotional and long-term health outcomes. That's an important paradox to know about when there's so much pressure to just "suck it up" or "put on a happy face." We'll talk about how to avoid this by contrasting happiness with joy (short story: happiness is f…

1
Here's a Resolution that Works [ep. 190] 1:55

5M ago1:55

1:55

How have your New Year's resolutions worked out in the past? If you're the majority of us, then they haven't worked out too well. We've got an idea for you this year... it's a resolution that is empowering and nourishing... one that goes beyond self care and supports your mind and body in big ways. Here it is: Join us for the Joy Lab Program! It's …

1
Our Holiday Wishes for You [ep. 189] 4:28

5M ago4:28

4:28

This episode is our holiday card to you... we're so grateful you're part of this community and have put in the effort to grow from your innate goodness. Helping you nurture your unique gifts, embrace your full self, and grow in an empowering way is why we're here at Joy Lab. We're excited to be with you in 2025! Sources and Notes: More on these upd…

1
Your Two Mental Health Podcasts for 2025 [ep. 188] 4:53

5M ago4:53

4:53

We've got more exciting updates for 2025! First, if you don't already know, Joy Lab is joining the nonprofit Pathways North. Second, we're launching a new podcast next year over at Natural Mental Health... the Natural Mental Health podcast. The new podcast will focus on mental health concerns and lifestyle medicine, covering topics like sleep, nutr…

1
Scarcity Mindset, Decision Making, & Mental Health [ep. 187] 11:43

5M ago11:43

11:43

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're digging into the fallacy of scarcity and its impact on mental health and decision making. Scarcity mentality can make us believe we lack sufficient resources, leading to anxiety, poor cognitive function, and decisions that leave us worse off. We'll talk about how to shift toward practicing sympathetic j…

1
Fallacy of Fairness & Victim Mentality [ep. 186] 22:21

5M ago22:21

22:21

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're digging into a key obstacle of Sympathetic Joy (our element for December). This is important because Sympathetic Joy, or the practice of finding joy in someone else's good fortune or joy, is powerful. It's a quick mood boosting strategy, it can foster a deeper sense of connection and belonging, it can s…

1
A Long, Loving Look At What Really Is (update + encore) [ep. 185] 25:04

6M ago25:04

25:04

In this episode, we'll highlight some exciting updates before we share an encore episode. In the encore episode, we'll dive into the profound power of gratitude and its impact on mental health. We'll mainly focus on the first part of our three-part mindfulness process: see what is, accept what is, and choose wisely. We'll use that process to help e…

1
You're Gonna Love This News... [ep. 184] 8:09

6M ago8:09

8:09

We have really exciting news to share with you all! The Joy Lab podcast and program will be transitioning into a new nonprofit organization called Pathways North, starting January 2025. Despite the move away from the National Mental Health Organization, you won't need to do anything differently. You can still find the pod wherever you've been liste…

1
Reduce Fear and Worry with Gratitude [ep. 183] 18:41

6M ago18:41

18:41

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore how gratitude can be a powerful tool in managing fear and worrying. We'll touch on the evolutionary roots of fear, its impact on our lives, and how nurturing gratitude can lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Most importantly, we'll illustrate how identifying and addressing fear with grat…

1
Envy: Why it surges & what to do when it does [ep. 182] 25:46

6M ago25:46

25:46

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore the complex emotions of envy and gratitude. We'll discuss how practicing gratitude can serve as a powerful antidote to the corrosive effects of envy, and delve into the evolutionary purpose and varieties of envy, including benign and malicious forms. We also take a quick (and hopefully helpful!) de…

1
Seeing More Than Just What's Wrong (the compassion of possibility) [ep. 181] 20:26

7M ago20:26

20:26

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore Dr. Gabor Maté's fifth and final level of compassion: the compassion of possibility. We'll dig into how we can see beyond suffering and dysfunction to recognize the good within ourselves and others. This is a skill we can all practice and get better at. And importantly, this isn't some toxic positi…

1
See, Accept, & Move Beyond Past Pains (the compassion of truth) [ep. 180] 19:22

7M ago19:22

19:22

The poet Rumi shared this wisdom: "Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, Your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom." The poetry of Rumi makes that process sound like a smooth and blissful journey. But, the reality is that the work of being open amidst tough stu…

1
We're All Just Like the Rest of Us, Aren't We? (the compassion of recognition) [ep. 179] 18:03

7M ago18:03

18:03

We're focusing on the third level of compassion, as conceptualized by Dr. Gabor Maté—compassion of recognition. This level emphasizes realizing the shared nature of suffering, highlighting that we are not alone. We'll highlight the 'illusion of separation' and how breaking through it can deepen our connections and ease our struggles. The episode in…

1
The Compassion of Understanding & How to Practice Deep Listening [ep. 178] 20:10

7M ago20:10

20:10

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we'll explore the 'compassion of understanding'—the second level in Dr. Gabor Maté's five levels of compassion. We'll first highlight the power of moving beyond judgment and into curiosity and understanding, using depression as an example. We'll then get into the practice of deep listening, inspired by Thich …

1
Your Ordinary Human Compassion (and what happens when you say something you wish you hadn't said) [ep. 177] 25:55

8M ago25:55

25:55

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're not just defining compassion, but we're really getting into how it shows up in our daily life. We'll start by highlighting the important difference between pain and suffering and then get into how compassion, especially self-compassion, serves as a powerful antidote to ease stress responses. This episod…

1
What Imposter Syndrome Really Is [ep. 176] 24:12

8M ago24:12

24:12

In this episode, we're digging deeper into imposter syndrome. First, a reminder from last episode that you do not have a syndrome if you have these imposter feelings. You are not broken. Further, imposter feelings are not just a problem with self-esteem. This is a common misconception. Self-esteem is actually just a small contributor to these very …

1
Imposter Syndrome Is a Myth [ep. 175] 9:26

8M ago9:26

9:26

Imposter syndrome is a myth. Well, mostly anyway. We'll unpack this concept of imposter syndrome, or rather, imposter phenomenon, emphasizing that the common perception of it as a 'syndrome' is misleading. In this first part of our two-part series, you'll get a historical overview of this phenomenon, which starts with the work of Dr. Pauline Clance…

1
How Can I Love Myself More... And Love Others More Too? [ep. 174] 25:28

8M ago25:28

25:28

Love is a skill that takes daily practice. And if you're feeling a bit out of practice... well, you're not alone. In this episode, we're diving into our Element of love by focusing on the wisdom of James Baldwin as he encourages us all to find light within darkness. We'll talk about the relationship of love and mental health, love as a tool for beh…

1
Practicing the Art of Love [ep. 173] 25:42

9M ago25:42

25:42

We're diving into our Element of love in this episode; those genuine, deep connections that feed every aspect of wellbeing. We'll focus on five key lessons of loving well: loving oneself, seeing the innocence in others, embracing vulnerability, listening deeply, and creating a House of Belonging. Joy Lab and Natural Mental Health are community-supp…

1
Making Space for Flow and Fun (special encore) [ep. 172] 26:44

9M ago26:44

26:44

Too often mental health conversations get stuck in a focus of dysfunction, uncomfortable symptoms, and focusing on "fixing" what feels off. But, mental health is not simply about trying to rid ourselves of things like negative thoughts. So much of mental health has to do with the day-to-day infusion of positive practices. Which leads us into the im…

1
Where's Your Third Place? [ep. 171] 17:23

9M ago17:23

17:23

Do you have a 'Third Place?' If you don't (or don't know what that is), be sure to take some notes for this episode. We'll talk about a Third Place (a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg) as a an accessible, often public space that invites a diversity of folks to gather. In this episode, we'll get into the simple ways we can all deepen our con…

1
Obliger Rebellion: The Pros and Cons [ep. 170] 15:20

9M ago15:20

15:20

Obliger rebellion... it's an intriguing term, right? Gretchen Rubin introduced it in her book, 'The Four Tendencies.' The idea here is that when our external expectations exceed a threshold, then we can become exhausted or rebel. We'll talk about the pros and cons of this phenomenon and how we can listen to our body and make more nourishing, skillf…

1
Saturday Update + Summer Self-Care (SAD, sleep, supplements, and more!) [ep. 169] 18:51

9M ago18:51

18:51

Our self-care needs change with the seasons. That's why we're talking about self-care tips for the summertime in this episode. We'll dig into the concept of reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and offer practical advice on managing summer agitation. We'll also talk about optimizing sleep during longer days, adjusting supplement routines, and …

1
Making Friends & Accepting Support [ep. 168] 12:35

9M ago12:35

12:35

In this episode, we're talking about the power of deep, supportive relationships for overall wellbeing. We highlight the Japanese tradition of Moai, groups of lifelong friends that provide various supports, as an example of fostering meaningful connections. We'll talk a bit about the how-to's of building connections, focusing on the necessity of bo…

1
The Mental Health Benefits of Dad Jokes (seriously) [ep. 167] 8:24

10M ago8:24

8:24

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we're talking about the mental health benefits of dad jokes. We're serious. We'll get into an article by humor researcher Marc Hye-Knudsen, highlighting how dad jokes can build resilience, teach impulse control, and improve emotional regulation in children. So, dads (and all of us), please take care of yourse…

1
The Impact of Anxiety & Depression on Decision Making [ep. 166] 14:13

10M ago14:13

14:13

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about how anxiety and depression can influence our decision-making processes. We hope this becomes a more talked about issue because it's a common struggle. We'll get into how anxiety can narrow our options and make us more risk-averse, while depression can lead to more pessimistic choices and lower e…

1
Three Questions for You... [ep. 165] 1:08

10M ago1:08

1:08

Our goal is to help you build resilience and joy. Our website and podcast exist for that goal. If you use any of those tools, then we want to know what's working, what you want to see more of, and what we can do better. This survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete. Here it is: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/assessments/2148238359 Mo…

1
Stuck In Judgment Or Self-Criticism? Here's How to Break Free [ep. 164] 15:38

10M ago15:38

15:38

Does your mind feel like a constant sea of judgment? Do thoughts popcorn day and night about how you're flawed or how someone else has it all wrong? You're not alone. Those kind of thoughts are common, but they can also be pretty destructive. There's clear evidence that the more we sit in judgment, the higher our risk for depression and anxiety. We…

1
Are You a Short Sleeper? [ep. 163] 11:50

10M ago11:50

11:50

Are four hours of sleep enough to function well? How about six? In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we'll dig into how much sleep most folks need, and the importance of sleep with a focus on 'short sleepers.' We'll laser in on the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on mental health, particularly in late teens and twenties, and explore som…

1
Getting Comfy w/ Not Knowing [ep. 162] 18:15

10M ago18:15

18:15

"I don't know." Do those three words make you feel a bit uncomfortable? Yeah, you're not alone. In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we highlight the concepts of awe and intellectual humility and how they can help us embrace more curiosity, avoid rigid thinking, and help us to stay more connected to the world around us (yes, even amidst politica…

1
Magnesium for Anxiety & Depression [ep. 161] 15:02

10M ago15:02

15:02

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we talk about the use of magnesium for anxiety and depression. There's good evidence to support its use, but it can be confusing. We get into the overall power of magnesium (its importance for nerve and muscle function, gut health, and neurotransmitter production) and why it's vital for mental health, particu…

1
No Need to Hurry, No Need to Sparkle, No Need to Be Anybody But Yourself [ep. 160] 10:54

10M ago10:54

10:54

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we explore a powerful quote by Virginia Woolf: "No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but one’s self." It's radically simple wisdom that can be hard in practice. We'll talk about the societal pressures of striving for greatness and the importance of embracing one's authentic self while a…

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Henry Emmons And Aimee Prasek Podcasts

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