Real Over Ideal

Understanding the Cultural Shift Around Body Image and GLP-1s
 

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and their complex impact on body image, health perceptions, and societal norms. She offers a clear, insightful critique of the trend, emphasizing that health and worth are about much more than body size.

Key Topics:

• The cultural and social media influence on body image and the norm...

If you ever feel crushing doubts about yourself- especially in circumstances that baffle you, this episode is for you.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Personal Reflection and Practical GuideIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin candidly shares her ongoing battle with imposter syndrome while creating content about it. Her honest narrative serves as both a personal case study and a guide for listeners grappling with similar doubts. Discov...

Overcoming the "What-Ifery": How to Tame Your Brain's Catastrophic Thinking

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin discusses the fascinating phenomenon of "what-ifery" — the mental habit of imagining every potential disaster. She explores how this is a natural but often unhelpful part of human cognition and offers practical, science-backed tools to build resilience against anxiety caused by relentless hypothetical fears.

Main Topics...

Here's a great episode published a little over a year ago that always matters in the summertime.

If you're a person who knows the summertime blues or have a loved one who feels this way-- help is on the way in this updated episode.

Click here to get in touch

Thanks for listening!

Please share the show with anyone who may enjoy it. We'd love it if you'd leave us a 5 star review wherever you're listening- it helps listeners find the sho...

Uncover and Rewrite Your Emotional Homeowners Association Rules

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores how subconscious "rules"—much like HOA bylaws—govern our emotions and behaviors, often causing stress and guilt. She offers practical strategies to identify outdated or unhelpful rules and update them to better serve our current lives.

Key Topics:

• The metaphor of emotional HOAs and how they enforce internal rules
• H...

Embracing Imposter Syndrome: A Personal Reflection with Vanessa Gorelkin

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin openly shares her recent struggles with procrastination and imposter syndrome, providing a candid behind-the-scenes look at confronting self-doubt. It’s a relatable deep dive into understanding and managing imposter feelings, especially for high-achievers and those navigating new challenges.Key Topics

• The personal batt...

Understanding the Bounce Back Tax: Why High-Functioning Days Leave You Drained

Ever had a day where everything seems to go perfectly, only to crash the next morning? This episode breaks down the concept of the "bounce back tax" — the invisible toll your body and brain pay after high-energy days — and offers practical strategies to manage it without guilt or burnout.

Main Topics Covered: 

• The science behind effort ...

Understanding and Navigating Mental Health Relapses with Vanessa Gorelkin.

In this episode, your host, Vanessa Gorelkin, a licensed occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, discusses the often misunderstood nature of mental health relapses. She shares her personal journey with depression, explains why relapse is a common part of recovery, and provides practical strategies to cope and prevent shame during setbacks.

Main Top...

Struggling with household tasks due to overwhelm or ADHD? Vanessa Gorelkin shares a compassionate, step-by-step body doubling approach to help you initiate and complete chores with less stress. This episode offers practical exercises to tackle cleaning, laundry, and dishes in manageable blocks, emphasizing progress over perfection.

Key Topics:

• The concept of body doubling and its benefits for neurodivergent brains
• Why tasks pile u...

Embracing Visibility: Overcoming Fear of Being Perceived

What is the fear of being perceived?

Discover practical ways to navigate the universal fear of being perceived in a world obsessed with visibility. 

Vanessa Gorelkin explores this fear and why it intensifies, especially in the digital age and post-pandemic, and offers actionable strategies to build confidence and authenticity.

Main Topics:

• The emotional experience behind ...

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin dives into the science behind the second wind phenomenon and how understanding your circadian rhythms can help you harness your natural energy peaks. Learn practical strategies to create earlier moments of safety and unclench your nervous system for increased daytime productivity.

• The biological basis of the second wind and circadian rhythms
• How and why your brain experiences a surge of energy la...

In this episode, host Vanessa Gorelkin describes how doubt can be harnessed to create a powerful path towards reaching our most important goals.

As a follow up to the Motivation episode: learn about a technique that is used to help people with addiction, weight management, exercise goals and much more, called Motivational Interviewing.

This episode provides some starting instruction in this powerful process so that you can experience...

Title: Unpacking Internal Family Systems: Benefits, Critiques, and Practical InsightsIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the therapeutic model of Internal Family Systems (IFS), sharing her personal experiences, scientific findings, common critiques, anda practical exercise. Whether you're a practitioner, client, or simply curious about this approach, you'll find valuable insights into how IFS can support healing and self-und...

How to Truly Handle a Panic Attack--

Practical Neuroscience-Based Strategies

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin debunks common misconceptions about panic attacks and anxiety, sharing evidence-based techniques rooted in neuroscience. If you've struggled with ineffective calming methods online, this guide provides clear, practical advice for interrupting and managing panic in the real world.

Key Topics:

• The fundamental difference betw...

The Tiny Moments That Make a Big Difference: The Chihuahua Effect

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores how simple acts of kindness and moments of silliness can create ripple effects of joy and connection. She shares personal stories, emphasizes the importance of small gestures, and offers practical ways to spread positivity daily. It's a reminder that sometimes, the tiniest actions have the most profound impact on both others ...

Embracing Good Enough: Redefining Self-Worth and Self-Compassion

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the pervasive pressure to be perfect and the transformative power of embracing "good enough." She shares insights from scientific research, stories of iconic figures like Whitney Houston, and practical strategies to cultivate self-compassion and resilience.

Key Topics:

• The cultural myth of perfection and the quest for unachi...

Rethinking Motivation: How to Make Change Without Waiting for Feelings to Align

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Garelkin challenges the myth that motivation is the secret to lasting change. Instead, she provides practical strategies rooted in behavioral science for acting without feeling motivated, emphasizing that structure, habits, and environment are the real drivers of progress.

Main insights include:

• Motivation is...

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Thanks for listening!

Please share the show with anyone who may enjoy it. We'd love it if you'd leave us a 5 star review wherever you're listening- it helps listeners find the show and we read every review.

If you'd like to submit an "Untangle This" question, a comment, or an episode idea-- Email us:

realoveridealpod@gmail.com

Vanessa is available to consult professionally with individual clients. If you'd li...

The Power of Reaching Out: Why Support in Moments of Need Matters

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the importance of reaching out for support between therapy sessions, debunking common fears and highlighting research-backed benefits. Whether you’re hesitant to bother your therapist or unsure when to seek help, this episode offers reassurance and practical insights to normalize support-seeking as a vital part of menta...