Workplace Therapy with Dr. Abby Medcalf

If you’ve been feeling flat, foggy, unmotivated, or just not quite yourself lately, I want you to hear this clearly. It might not be your mindset, your motivation, your relationship or even your stress. It might be that your brain is literally not getting the light it needs to function well. Today we’re talking about light therapy. I’m coming at you with the research, tips, warnings (it’s not for everyone), and specific recommendat...

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I just need better time management,” I want you to understand that your problem isn’t time. You can’t manage time. It moves at the same pace for everyone. What you can manage is your attention, and that’s where things are breaking down.

You’re not scattered because you’re weak. You’re scattered because your brain is overwhelmed by the constant flood of information, notifications, deadlines, conve...

If you’ve been feeling the slow, persistent ache of burnout or the creeping suspicion that your work owns you more than you own your life, you’re not alone. There’s a rising movement in the workplace that’s not laziness and not disengagement. It’s something much more intentional. Career minimalism. People aren’t just burned out. They’re waking up. They’re realizing that work became the main character in a story that was supposed to...

If you're waiting for your manager to notice all the great things you’ve done this year, you might be waiting a long time. Year-end reviews aren’t just performance check-ins, they’re visibility checks. And if you’re not showing up with receipts, strategy, and confidence, you could be leaving money, respect, and future opportunities on the table. In today’s episode, I’ll show you how to advocate for yourself without sounding like a ...

Are you about to drag unresolved drama, resentment, or burnout from this year straight into your fresh new start? Stop right there. Before you haul that baggage into January, I’ve got three powerful questions to help you hit reset, find clarity, and finally break the cycle. This isn’t about pretending everything’s fine; it’s about freeing yourself from the emotional hangover of this past work year. Let’s get you aligned, unburdened...

You’ve probably been told to set SMART goals. Maybe you’ve tried time-blocking, habit stacking, vision boarding... and yet you’re still burned out, overwhelmed, or just plain unmotivated. What if I told you that the most effective way to create goals at work, whether you’re a manager, new hire, or solopreneur, is to start with how you want to feel? That’s right. Before you even write a single to-do, ask: What emotional state do I w...

Are you constantly saying “sorry” at work even when you haven’t done anything wrong? You apologize for speaking up in meetings, for sending a second email, or for simply existing in someone’s path. What feels like being polite or humble might actually be undermining your authority, confidence, and even career growth. Today, we’re digging into why over-apologizing happens (especially for women and people socialized to keep the peace...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Workplace Therapy. Whether you're listening while roasting a turkey or hiding in the bathroom from your in-laws, I’ve got a short and sweet Thanksgiving pep talk to help you find some peace (and maybe even a little joy) this week. Because even if your job feels like a soul-sucking vortex, there are still good things to hold onto. Let’s get into it.

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Full blog and show notes: https:...

If I told you there was one skill that could help you get promoted faster, reduce conflict at work, build stronger relationships with your boss, your team, and your clients (and make you look like an absolute rock star in meetings), you’d want in, right? That skill is communication. But here’s the truth: most people think they’re better communicators than they are. Today, I’m giving you my top five workplace communication tools, di...

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. So why does your office holiday party feel like a social trap wrapped in sparkly paper? One too many drinks, a conversation that goes sideways, or a bad exit strategy, and suddenly you are known as “that person” until the next fiscal year. Today, I am giving you a research-based survival guide to handle your office holiday party like a boss. No shame spirals. No awkward Monda...

Anxiety at work is practically a badge of honor in many high-achieving environments. You’re praised for staying up late to “double check” the deck or constantly monitoring your inbox “just in case.” But here’s the truth: while some anxiety can help you perform better, too much of it will wreck your productivity, your confidence, and your health. So how do you know when your anxiety is helpful and when it’s just running you ragged? ...

If you’re dragging yourself out of bed every morning, fantasizing about quitting your job on the spot, or feeling like you’re failing at work and at life, this episode is for you. Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s about the creeping sense that no matter what you do, it’s never enough.

Today, we’re breaking down exactly why you’re so burnt out (not just the symptoms, but the hidden causes that keep fueling the fire). Y...

We’ve all been told to “set better boundaries” like it’s some magical fix for burnout or bad bosses. But here’s the truth: most people think they’re setting boundaries when they’re really just stating wishes or venting frustrations. Saying “I don’t like being interrupted” isn’t a boundary; it’s a feeling. A real boundary has a clear action and consequence: “If I keep getting interrupted, I’ll leave the meeting and follow up in writ...

Have you ever walked away from a meeting feeling disrespected, but you couldn’t quite explain why? Maybe someone “joked” at your expense, downplayed your concerns, or told you to “relax” when you were being perfectly reasonable. That’s not a personality clash. It might be micro-gaslighting. The research shows that even subtle forms of gaslighting at work can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and a drop in performance and job satisfactio...

You’re not imagining it — your coworker is difficult. In this episode, Dr. Abby Medcalf breaks down the psychology behind toxic workplace behavior and shares 5 research-backed steps to protect your peace, hold boundaries, and stay focused (without losing your mind or your job).

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Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/how-to-deal-with-difficult-people-at-work

Ready to handle dif...