Burnout - Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA

Synopsis: Sometimes, even after a stressful situation is over, our bodies hold onto the stress itself. In order to manage this and avoid burnout, we need ways of 'completing the stress cycle'. The authors (sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski) offer a number of strategies to complete the stress cycle, including exercise, social connection, laughter, and rest. 

Good Inside - Becky Kennedy, PhD

Synopsis: Parenting becomes a whole lot easier when you remember that both you, and your child, are fundamentally 'good inside'. One of Dr. Kennedy's favorite sayings is, "you're a good kid having a hard time". With specific practical tips on everything from separation anxiety to whining to food, the thesis of this book is that kids' difficult behavior can be better understood and managed by understanding the emotions happening on the inside. Dr. Kennedy draws on attachment theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to illustrate the importance of raising kids who are in tune with their inner experience. 

Hunt, Gather, Parent - Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD

Synopsis: The author, an NPR correspondent, travels around the world to understand parenting practices from different cultures. In many non-Western cultures, children are taught from a young age to be helpers in the family. By putting trust in kids and giving them age-appropriate responsibilities in the household, they develop skills and confidence that help them as they grow. 

The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt

Synopsis: Haidt describes the history and consequences of the "great rewiring of childhood", with the proliferation of screen-based media. While I have not always agreed with Haidt's other sociological takes, the one he lays out in this book feels spot-on. He offers several straightforward suggestions for parents to mitigate the negative effects of what he calls a "screen-based childhood", alongside ways of providing children with a "play-based childhood". 

Laziness Does Not Exist - Devon Price, PhD

Synopsis: Devon Price argues that there is no such thing as laziness. Rather, what we call 'laziness' is the signal from our body and mind that it's time to slow down. Befriending the parts of ourselves that signal the need to rest is a powerful antidote to hustle culture and overwork.

Since reading this book, I have all but eliminated the word 'lazy' from my vocabulary. 'Laziness' as a concept carries a lot of shame, and is not useful in describing an internal experience.

The Power of Discord - Ed Tronick, PhD & Claudia Gold, MD

Synopsis: Based in attachment research, The Power of Discord argues that rupture and repair are essential parts of any relationship. Even more powerfully, the process of repairing after a disconnection or rupture actually makes relationships (and the people in those relationships) stronger and more resilient. This has implications both for parenting and for how we connect with each other as adults.

No Bad Parts - Richard Schwartz

Synopsis: For people interested in an introduction to IFS (Internal Systems Therapy), No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz, the creator of IFS, is an accessible introduction to the theory of parts holding burdens. It offers a number of exercises you can do on your own to get to know your various parts. I also recommend the audiobook of this, because the exercises can easily be done by closing your eyes and listening. 

Huberman Lab - Andrew Huberman

Dr. Huberman is a neuroscientist  who is great at synthesizing technical research findings in ways that can be applied to daily life. 

This episode on dopamine is particularly helpful in understanding the process of addiction, and more generally, why too much of a good thing sometimes makes us feel worse instead of better. 

Dear Therapists - Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

The co-hosts conduct a one-time therapy session with a client and provide advice at the end. 

This episode is a favorite - it does a great job of describing the importance of experiencing anger, and the useful function that anger can serve.