Savvy Psychologist

557. Financial stress isn't just about money — it's rewiring your brain. A new term is capturing what 83% of Americans are living right now: stressflation. This week, Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the neuroscience of economic anxiety, why financial stress makes you literally less capable of solving the problem, and three evidence-based tools for protecting your mental health when the economic climate feels out of your control.

Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist

More from Dr. Ho on her other channels:

Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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

556. "Narcissist" has become one of the most overused words in pop psychology — applied to anyone selfish, difficult, or emotionally unavailable. This week, Dr. Judy Ho brings her clinical and forensic lens to provide a science-backed take on narcissism. We look at what it actually is, what it isn't, what it looks like in real life and in legal settings, and what to do if you think you're dealing with someone high in narcissistic traits.

Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist

More from Dr. Ho on her other channels:

Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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

555. When Justin Bieber confronted his past on the Coachella 2026 stage, it did more than just go viral—it acted as a mirror for our own needs. This week, Dr. Judy Ho explores what our reactions to "healing moments" reveal about our own complex emotions. We get into the science-backed difference between a public performance and private progress, offering actionable insights into building emotional fitness without the pressure of a "perfect" comeback.

Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist

More from Dr. Ho on her other channels:

Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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

554. This week, Dr. Ho reveals that people-pleasing isn't a personality trait—it’s a survival strategy. If you constantly say "yes" while feeling a quiet sense of self-betrayal, you’re likely stuck in the fawn response, a nervous system reflex designed to keep you safe by keeping others happy.

Dr. Judy breaks down:

• Kindness vs. Compulsion: Why true generosity feels good, but people-pleasing feels like fear.
• The "Social Pain" Connection: How your brain processes rejection exactly like physical injury.
• The High Cost of Silence: Why "keeping the peace" actually destroys intimacy and fuels resentment.

Take Action: Learn three practical tools to break the cycle, including the "Pause Practice" to stop the automatic yes and how to name the specific fears driving your behavior.

Stop performing and start being known.

Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist

More from Dr. Ho on her other channels:

Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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

553. Ever wonder why you stall out just when things are going well? It’s not laziness—it’s your brain’s ancient survival system misfiring. This week, neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho breaks down the science of self-sabotage.

You’ll learn:

• The L.I.F.E. Factors: The four core reasons we hold ourselves back.
• The 6 Thought Triggers: How to spot the mental shortcuts that lead to "misfires."
• 3 Practical Tools: Simple techniques to "rewind the tape" and break the cycle today.

Self-Sabotage Assessment Quiz

Stop being your own worst enemy and start turning insight into action.

Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com

Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologist

More from Dr. Ho on her other channels:

Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.

Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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