If you’ve ever felt unseen, stuck in your head, or unsure how to truly accept yourself, this episode will change the way you see yourself and others. Dr. Caroline Fleck has coached CEOs and taught at Stanford. She has made it her life’s work to help people turn pain into purpose. But her insights come from more than research - they come from living it. After battling depression, multiple sclerosis, and breast cancer, Dr. Fleck learned that the key to happiness and fulfillment isn’t avoiding pain…it’s transforming it.
This week, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Dr. Fleck to reveal how we can turn pain into purpose, make others feel truly seen, and find validation within ourselves when life gets hard (+ understand the importance of validation). With practical tips, real vulnerability, and profound wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in emotional strength and understanding yourself and your needs.
In this episode:
Why we're wired for validation (and why it's different from praise!).
Tips for self-validation & ways to make others feel seen.
The theory of 'Energy Is Not Created Nor Destroyed'.
Hacks to get out of your own head.
Your guide to being there for others who are going through a difficult time.
Whether you’re struggling to find your place, rebuilding after a setback, or simply trying to understand yourself better, Dr. Fleck’s story and actionable advice will remind you that self-acceptance isn’t weakness, it’s the foundation of real strength.
Shop Mission: Small Bits of Happiness
Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!
Support Us
Follow Dr. Fleck on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with psychologist, Sonja Lyubomirsky. In this episode, Sonja breaks down tangible ways to feel happier daily, how + WHY you should connect with loved ones, and reveals some of her most fascinating research: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5s4N05921PxTTiSYeVwCwf?si=cA4nWAZrQyuPOe3Rvgn7-A
(00:00) Welcome, Dr. Caroline Fleck!
(02:10) Curing Depression?
(05:55) What is DBT?
(07:50) Here's What it Means to Feel 'Seen'
(10:29) Tips For Making Others Feel Seen
(16:37) What If I Don't Feel Seen?
(20:11) Hacks For Self-Validation
(21:57) Copy Dr. Fleck's Nightly Self-Validation Routine
(26:34) Energy Cannot Be Created or Destroyed
(31:08) A Dark Moment That Taught Dr. Fleck a Life Lesson
(33:23) Praise vs External Validation
(35:53) What is the Validation Ladder?
(37:24) Hacks For Getting Out of Your Head
(42:36) Tips For Communicating Your Struggles
(46:55) Why is Acceptance Important?
(49:53) Biggest Lessons Dr. Fleck Teaches to Fortune 500 Companies
(52:23) Blueprint to Supporting Loved Ones Through Tough Times
(55:22) Want To Become A Psychologist? Start HERE
(56:32) You Can Master ANY Random Skill...
(57:53) Dr. Fleck To Her Teenage Self
(58:38) Dr. Fleck's Motivational Quote
(59:17) What Brings Dr. Fleck A Small Bit of Happiness?
(1:00:03) Find Dr. Fleck Here
(1:00:52) Key Takeaways
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.