PsycHope Self-Help Podcast

When hearts are heavy and the hard updates never seem to stop, self-care can start to feel optional, or even selfish. In this episode, we explore why self-care is a basic human requirement, especially now, and how it protects your peace and capacity to live in alignment with your values. We also share a handful of micro self-care practices you can try right away, including things like news consumption boundaries and bloomscrolling....

Happy New Year, and welcome back to a PsycHope tradition! In this episode, Dr. Jennifer McManus shares a values guided approach to New Year’s resolutions, created for anyone who loves the fresh start energy of a new year, but often struggles to get started, or anyone who wants a more meaningful way to set personal goals any time of year.

You will learn what values are, why they matter from a psychology perspective, and how values-ba...

The holidays can be magical and emotionally complex at the same time. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer McManus shares the core themes behind this year’s 12 Days of Holiday Stress Relief: Curated Restorative Practices Collection. You’ll hear about the kinds of holiday stress the collection is designed to support, such as extra demands on your time, difficult family dynamics, mental load, and grief. You’ll also get a sneak listen into s...

This year’s annual gratitude episode takes us onto a slightly different path, one that goes many layers deeper into a more reflective, meaning-making approach to gratitude. Tune in for a gentle, science-informed exploration for a season that can feel complicated. 

Important timestamp markers

11:07: Personal example with discussion of siblings.

14:53: Guidance on how to trace your own Roots of Gratitude

Sign up for the 2025 12 Days...

Summer might seem like the most carefree season of the year, but from the heat to disrupted routines and workplace demands, it can come with its own kind of stress. In this episode, we’ll explore how your body’s natural DOSE chemicals—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins—can support your mental and emotional well-being all summer long.

Plus, grab your free DOSE Reflect & Respond Checklist and DOSE of Summer Inspiration ...

Spring is a season of renewal, but for ambitious women juggling careers, family, and personal growth, it also brings unique stressors. In this episode, we’re back with our popular DOSE framework—exploring how your brain’s feel-good chemicals (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins) can help you manage stress around spring holidays, work pressures, spring cleaning, and more. You’ll find gentle, practical ways to boost your mood, ...

In this milestone 50th episode of the PsycHope Self-Help Podcast, we honor International Women's Day 2025 with a special focus on this year's theme: Accelerate Action. Host Dr. Jennifer McManus reflects on the importance of rapidly advancing gender equity, emphasizing the crucial link between women's mental health and systemic barriers. She highlights current statistics, including the gender parity timeline and equal...

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer McManus is sharing a gentle preview of the key themes that emerged from the PsycHope Self Love Audio Summit without giving too much away! You’ll hear about the meaningful insights on self-talk, mindfulness, boundaries, and self-compassion—and why you’ll want to hear these summit interviews for yourself.

Listen in for a sneak peek and then join the summit to explore these topics in depth: psychope.com/lo...

Discover how self-compassion and your brain’s natural chemistry work together to support your well-being. In this episode, we’re exploring the DOSE chemicals—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins—through the lens of self-compassion, uncovering how they enhance motivation, connection, resilience, and stress relief. You’ll hear about simple, science-backed ways to activate these feel-good chemicals and bring more kindness, wa...

Winter can feel long and heavy at times, but there are simple ways to bring more calm, warmth, and balance into your days. In this episode, we’re returning to the DOSE chemicals—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins—this time to help you relax, boost your mood, and ease stress during these colder months. Whether you love winter or you’re just getting through it, you’ll find refreshing outdoor activities and cozy indoor idea...

In this episode, we explore how to leverage the power of your brain’s DOSE hormones—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins—to set yourself up for success with your New Year’s Resolutions. Learn how these “happy chemicals” can keep you motivated, connected, and on track as you work toward your goals.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free Ground to Set Them, Motivate to Get Them workbook, updated for 2025, at PsycHope.com/20...

Discover how to bring joy, calm, and connection into your holiday season with the DOSE chemicals: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. In this episode, we explore festive, stress-relieving activities that naturally boost these happy hormones, from cozy traditions to playful winter adventures. Learn how to create meaningful moments that nurture your well-being and make the holidays truly special.

Get your DOSE of Holiday In...

The holiday season is here and with it comes unique challenges many of us face this time of year. In this episode, we’re unwrapping themes from the 2nd Annual 12 Days of Holiday Stress Relief Audio Summit! Dr. Jennifer McManus shares the most common struggles discussed by this year’s guest experts—topics like difficult family dynamics and the illusion of perfection.

This episode also highlights themes that emerged for holiday stress...

In this episode of the PsycHope Self-Help Podcast, Dr. Jennifer McManus explores how to tap into gratitude when life feels tough. With 2024 being a challenging year for many, practicing gratitude may seem impossible. Dr. McManus shares science-backed strategies to help cultivate gratitude, even in hard times, and addresses the pressure of “should” feelings during the holidays.

Need more help navigating the holiday season “shoulds”? ...

On this episode, you’ll discover how Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE) can help you reduce stress and improve well-being. Learn healthy ways to boost these happy hormones while avoiding unhealthy coping strategies. Download your free DOSE Reflect and Respond Checklist and Dose of Fall Inspiration Worksheet that accompany this episode at psychope.com/dose.

Self-Help Resources

Head to psychope.com for all of our com...

Learn all about the meaningful themes that emerged during the interviews for the Self-Care Road Trip Audio Summit. Details on registering for the summit so you can hear the exclusive interviews are available at https://www.psychope.com/roadtrip

Self-Help Resources

Head to psychope.com for all of our complimentary self-care and stress relief resources like insight quizzes, worksheets, workbooks, and more. You can also find self-help ...

On this episode, we explore the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. We also provide some self-care tips on staying connected to nature as the cooler months arrive.

Want to keep the relaxed summer energy going? Then, sign up for the Self-Care Road Trip Audio Summit right here: https://www.psychope.com/roadtrip

Self-Help Resources

Head to psychope.com for all of our complimentary self-care and stress relief re...

Tune in to our latest summer vibe type of episode. Today we’ll explore a variety of science-backed mental health benefits we can get from taking a vacation. Plus, we’ll look at how you can still harness some of this vacation goodness even if you’re not planning a dream trip somewhere any time soon. We’ll also consider how crucial paid time off from work is for employees, but also how vacations are good for the companies who employe...

After a brief hiatus, the podcast is back with a psychodynamic analysis of the Barbie movie! At the time this episode will be going live, it will be right around the one-year anniversary of when the Barbie movie premiered in the US, which was July 21st, 2023. Tune in to hear this psychologist’s analysis of the Barbie Movie. It might not be what you think! 

Self-Help Resources

Head to psychope.com for all of our complimentary se...