Ofosu used to beat himself up for having frequent intrusive thoughts, especially during meditation. He and Leah discuss tools they've learned to treat themselves with kindness when these types of thoughts arise — and how meditation can help.

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

In continued celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, psychologist Todd Kashdan joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss how the people we surround ourselves with affect our mental health — both positively and negatively.

About Todd Kashdan
A professor of psychology and the director of the Well-Being Laboratory at George Mason University, Todd is a leading expert on the psychology of well-being, curiosity, mental flexibility, and social relationships. And he's passionate about translating science into practical tips to help improve our everyday lives. Todd's latest book, The Art of Insubordination, is now available through all major retailers.

Leah really doesn't like it when people call her "nice." She and Ofosu unpack the hidden cost of being agreeable and discuss ways to support their mental health with more honesty and authenticity.

And, as you may know, Leah and Ofosu are also the meditation coaches on Balance, a top-rated meditation and sleep app. In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Balance team is giving away two lifetime memberships to the award-winning app. Follow @balance on Instagram for more details, which will be posted on Tuesday, May 3.

Comedian Justin Silver joins Ofosu and Leah to talk about how telling jokes about his anxiety has helped him manage it and to share some insightful tools the rest of us can use to turn our own anxieties into sources of strength.

You can further explore mental wellness with Ofosu and Leah on the Balance app, where they're the meditation coaches. Learn more at www.balanceapp.com, and all new members can enjoy a free first year.

About Justin:
Justin Silver is a New York City-based stand up comedian, author, and dog expert. He's the former host of CBS' Dogs in the City and founder of the non-profit Funny For Fido, where the country's top comedians perform to raise money for dog shelters. You can check out more of his work by following him on Instagram @iamjustinsilver or on his website iamjustinsilver.com 

Ofosu reflects on a moment (caught on tape!) where he was able to say goodbye to a protective persona he'd had for a long time. Then, he and Leah discuss the psychology behind these types of alter egos.

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

New research suggests that taking fewer photos can lead to stronger memories. So Ofosu and Leah put it to the test, resisting the urge to take a photo during a moment when they normally would have. Then, they compare notes to see if it really made a difference.

You can further explore mental wellness with Ofosu and Leah on the Balance app, where they're the meditation coaches. Learn more at www.balanceapp.com, and all new members can enjoy a free first year.

Ofosu and Leah chat with former United Nations emergency responder Nadine McNeil about how to stop burnout before it starts, even during high-stress situations.

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

About Nadine:
While working as an emergency responder for the United Nations, Nadine helped people recover from natural disasters like the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. She now uses those skills as a coach, yoga instructor, storyteller, and humanitarian. You can learn more about her work, and how you can get coached by her, at https://www.universalempress.com/   

Ofosu and Leah discuss challenges they've encountered in their own meditation journeys and share tips for how to overcome them.

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

Ofosu and Leah discuss three tips that can help you manage brain fog—that all-too-familiar feeling of confusion, disorganization, or just a general lack of focus.

Tell us what other topics you'd like to hear on the show by emailing us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com

Ofosu and Leah try a research-backed technique that can help in moments of decision paralysis. By using it to listen to both your mind and body, you can more confidently know when to say "yes.”

Tell us what other topics you'd like to hear on the show by emailing us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com 

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss why so many of us have perfectionistic tendencies. She explains how giving ourselves permission to fail can actually lead to more success.

Tell us what other topics you'd like to hear on the show by emailing us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com

Many of us change parts of who we are to better fit into different spaces, but there's real power in representing your true self. Ofosu and Leah talk with performance psychology coach Faheem Mujahid about how he's learned to embrace that power of representation as a Black man in the mental wellness space.

See more of what Faheem is up to on Instagram @faheemamujahid. Or check out his work on his website, seeballthinkball.com. 

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card in our survey at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

In honor of Black History Month, psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Stewart joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss how she is working to make therapy better for Black patients — and what her experiences can teach us about building a more inclusive world.

We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card in our survey at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

A simple message from someone special makes Leah's day and inspires her and Ofosu to find more opportunities to spread joy this Valentine's Day and beyond.

We want to know what you think of this show! Please share your thoughts and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card in our survey at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

When Leah recently needed extra support, she didn't quite know how to get it. Psychologist Todd Kashdan joins her and Ofosu to discuss why so many of us struggle to ask for help and what we can do to better support ourselves and our loved ones.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And follow this link to preorder Todd's book: https://bit.ly/3Hqdcbq

Ofosu and Leah get to the bottom of what sometimes causes their anxiety. Then performance psychologist Faheem Mujahid joins to share some tips for working through anxious moments.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And learn more about Faheem’s work at faheemmujahid.com.

Ofosu recently had to recalibrate his perspective after a global headline impacted him directly. He and Leah talk with journalist Wajahat Ali about what it's like when the news hits home and how we can use those experiences to increase our compassion.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And check out Wajahat’s work at wajali.com. His book, Go Back to Where You Came From, is available starting January 25.

Ofosu and Leah celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by sharing some of his most impactful words. They reflect on what we can learn from Dr. King about the power to use our words for good.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. And share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com

Leah shares a moment when scrolling through news headlines triggered stress and overwhelm. Then, journalist Wajahat Ali joins her and Ofosu to discuss tips for staying informed in an emotionally healthy way.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And check out Wajahat’s work at wajali.com. His book, Go Back to Where You Came From, is available starting January 25.

The new year can be an inspiring time to start something new. Ofosu and Leah share their first steps into new hobbies. Then, improv teacher and therapist Jill Eickmann joins to discuss the beginner's mindset and the idea that it's never too late to try new things.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And check out Jill's work at leela-sf.com.

With only a handful of days left in 2021, Ofosu, Leah, and some Well Balanced listeners reflect on what they learned this year to acknowledge their growth and remind themselves what they want to carry with them into 2022.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. And share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com.

Leah opens up about giving tough feedback to her mom. Then, psychologist Todd Kashdan joins her and Ofosu to discuss tips for leaning into difficult conversations.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. Share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And follow this link to preorder Todd's book: https://bit.ly/3Hqdcbq

The way you're anticipating the holidays could affect your actual experience of them. Psychologist Todd Kashdan joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss how strategically looking forward to things can benefit your well-being.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow the show on your favorite podcast app, and share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com.

Additionally, you can check out the article Ofosu and Leah chat about here: https://bit.ly/3EPIEOz.  And you can follow this link to preorder Todd's book: https://bit.ly/3Hqdcbq

Performance psychology coach Faheem Mujahid joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss the importance of letting your body and mind rest without feeling guilty about it.

Learn more about Faheem's work at https://www.faheemmujahid.com/

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. And share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com.

Ofosu shares a moment when his kids didn't do what he asked them to, and then he and Leah discuss how to manage the frustration caused by missed expectations.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. And share your feedback with us at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com.

Ofosu and Leah discuss discuss how to stay present, so you can appreciate the extraordinary moments in each ordinary day. Then, they hear from you, the "Well Balanced" listeners, about the ordinary moments you will never forget.

To stay up to date with "Well Balanced," follow us on your favorite podcast app. And share your feedback at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com.

Ofosu and Leah do an improv exercise with performer and therapist Jill Eickmann and discover how to intentionally tap into humor to cope with frustrating situations.

Share your feedback at wellbalanced@balanceapp.com. And check out Jill's work at leela-sf.com

Balance Meditation Coaches Ofosu and Leah talk with Psychologist Todd Kashdan about how to handle days when you don't feel great and you don't really know why.

Email wellbalanced@balanceapp.com to let us know what you think of this episode. And follow this link to preorder Todd's book: https://bit.ly/3Hqdcbq