Life's Dirty Little Secrets Podcast

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry are joined by Dr. Russell Kolts, a clinical psychologist and professor at Eastern Washington University. They discuss the complexities of masculinity and anger in today's society.

Dr. Kolts shares insights on how societal expectations shape male behavior, the challenges men face in expressing emotions, and the importance of creating safe spaces...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington delve into the transformative power of compassion and human connection in healthcare. Joined by pediatric nurse and humanitarian Becky Platt, who recently completed a mission in Gaza with Save the Children, they explore the profound impact of empathy in high-pressure medical environments.

The discussion spans heart-wrenching stories of young pa...

In this episode, we are joined by special guests Christopher Michaelson & Jennifer Tosti-Kharas. As co-authors of "Is Your Work Worth It? How to Think About Meaningful Work," they provide a compelling examination of how to find purpose and value in one's career.

The episode explores the privilege of questioning the worthiness of work and the generational shifts in work perception. From Christopher’s poignant reflections on his g...

In this episode of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry talk to Carina Simmons, a consultant clinical psychologist from Barts National Health Service Trust, Royal London Hospital. Carina discusses the complexities surrounding youth interpersonal violence, the impact of social media, and the challenges faced by youth in managing emotions and mental health.

Emphasizing a holistic approach, Carina highli...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry welcome back Dr. Yael Schonbrun, PhD, a clinical psychologist, writer, and faculty member at Brown University. Dr. Schonbrun discusses the surprising benefits of disagreements, emphasizing how differences can nourish relationships, foster growth, and help individuals thrive.

She explains the importance of mindset shifts, the role of conflict in...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry welcome Tiffany Rochester, a clinical psychologist and co-parenting coach.

Tiffany discusses the importance of separating well, providing evidence-based, compassionate, and collaborative solutions as alternatives to litigation. She highlights the need for strategic planning, conflict resolution skills, and effective communication to foster bett...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry welcome Tiffany Rochester, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Co Parenting Companion.

Tiffany discusses her work in providing separated families with evidence-based, compassionate, and collaborative solutions as an alternative to litigation. She dives deep into the challenges and solutions for co-parenting, emphasizing psychological flex...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington talk with Dr. Emily Edlin, a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families.

They explore the question of whether parents truly make a significant difference in their children's lives. The conversation delves into parenting pressures, the influence of genetics versus parental involvement, and the impact of different parenting style...

In this episode of 'Life's Dirty Little Secrets,' hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington engage in an insightful conversation with Dr. Aprilia West, a renowned psychologist, executive coach, and author, about the concept of 'choicefulness.' West, with over 20 years of experience working with various individuals and organizations, delves into how our power lies in our moments of choice.

She explains how default reactions can limit o...

Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry host the wrap-up episode, celebrating the end of season two. They reflect on various discussions from the season, including self-discovery, personal growth, relationships, equity, social justice, and mental health.

The wrap-up includes highlights from various episodes, featuring topics such as challenging societal norms, the importance of self-regulation in neurodivergent individuals, and the comple...

In this episode of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, special guest Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist and host of the "Wise Effort" podcast, joins hosts Chris McCurry and Emma Waddington to delve into the concept of "Wise Effort."

As the discussion unfolds, Dr. Hill offers actionable advice, introducing three steps to embrace wise effort: get curious, open up, and choose wisely. She delves into the balance required to manage energy ...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest, Dr. Robyn Walser. Robyn, a renowned clinical psychologist and expert in acceptance and commitment therapy, shares her profound insights on the complex topic of narcissism and its impact on relationships and communities.

From the deep-seated insecurities that drive narcissistic behavior to the emotional toll it can take on those entangled in such relationships, Robyn sheds light on the...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Dr. Jonathan Caspi, an internationally recognized sibling expert and family therapist. Dr. Caspi dives deep into the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships, shedding light on the complexities of sibling conflict, comparisons, and the ever-present vying for parental attention.

As we engage with Dr. Caspi in a thought-provoking conversation that touches on how sibling comparisons an...

In this thought-provoking episode, we are joined by the insightful guest, Jennifer Kemp, a clinical psychologist who specializes in neurodivergence with a focus on autism and ADHD. Jennifer delves deep into the world of neurodivergent adults, especially undiagnosed women, and highlights the transformative power of accepting and embracing one's neurodivergent identity.

From discussing the critical importance of reliable resources to ...

In today’s revealing episode, we welcome Dr. Amy Beddows, a leading expert with a Ph.D. focused on victim-blaming within the context of sexual violence. Providing a compelling exploration of this societal phenomenon, Dr. Beddows dissects the multifaceted layers of victim guilt and its profound implications on survivors.

Venturing deep into the grim reality where predators often escape accountability, our guest exposes the strenuous ...

In this episode of Life's Dirty Little Secrets, we delve into the multifaceted concept of "Sisu" with our esteemed guest, Dr. Elisabet Lahti, the founder of Sisu Lab and an educator devoutly studying this Finnish philosophy. Dr. Lahti unravels the threads of extraordinary determination encapsulated in Sisu, a reserve of power each of us harbors for life's most challenging moments.

Embarking on a journey through the psyche, this disc...

In this episode, we welcome the insightful Katie Palmer, a renowned educational consultant and parenting coach, who dives deep into the controversial and emotional topic of parental favoritism. Katie invites listeners to explore the reluctant admittance of having a 'favorite child' and the potential psychological impact this taboo subject can have on family dynamics.

This episode peels back the layers on the challenging issue of fai...

In this enlightening Life's Dirty Little Secrets episode hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry delve deep with the Buddhist philosopher, Stephen Batchelor on navigating ethical dilemmas in a world bound by societal norms. In this episode, Stephen challenges listeners to find courage and clarity in uncertainty, and to embrace radical self-acceptance as a means to thoughtful, compassionate living.

Touching on the need for like-minde...

Join hosts Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry, alongside esteemed guest Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona (affectionately known as Dr. Z), as they delve deep into the intricate maze of perfectionism. Together, they unravel the complexities that drive our relentless pursuit of flawlessness and the hidden costs it entails.

Dr. Z opens the discussion by dissecting the motivations behind perfectionistic tendencies, from a profound care for one's w...