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A Mind of Her Own

A Mind of Her Own

Written by: Jennifer Reid MD
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A Mind of Her Own is a science-backed podcast dedicated to women's mental health, hosted by Dr. Jennifer Reid, MD, a Columbia and UCLA-trained psychiatrist, award-winning educator at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Dr. Reid sits down with clinicians, researchers, and writers to explore topics that matter: invisible labor, reproductive mental health, physician burnout, guilt, identity, and the forces that shape how women seek care and how they thrive. Now available for CME credit!

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Episodes
  • Freedom and Fearlessness After Menopause

    Freedom and Fearlessness After Menopause
    Oct 1 2026
    What if the years after menopause aren’t something to dread, but a life stage evolution built on purpose? Dr. Jennifer Reid, MD sits down with anthropologist Michael Gurven, PhD author of Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer, to explore why humans are one of the few species that keep thriving long after they stop reproducing. Even among hunter-gatherers, as much as a third of adult life is post-reproductive, and as Dr. Gurven puts it, “Evolution doesn’t make mistakes like that.” Drawing on two decades with the Tsimane and Ache in South America, he shares a surprise: when he asked women about menopause, they didn’t talk about symptoms. They talked about freedom. Long-standing taboos lifted, and women stepped into public life more boldly, speaking up in community meetings where, as he says, “people listen to them.”So how do we age well? Listen in for a hopeful look at what the second half of life is actually for, and how we can embrace the freedom of our later years (hint: community and social connections are crucial). ***Want to build community while lessening your guilt? Start your own Guilt Free Group here. (jenniferremd.com/guilt-free)Connect with your host, Jennifer Reid, MDDr. Jennifer Reid is a physician, the host of A Mind of Her Own, and the author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations — available at major retailers.🌐 Website: jenniferreidmd.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow A Mind of Her Own and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts — it makes a huge difference in helping other people find the show! 🎙️About Today’s GuestDr. Michael Gurven, PhD is a Distinguished Professor in Integrative Anthropological Sciences @ the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has conducted fieldwork for two decades with South American indigenous populations, and his work takes an evolutionary perspective on behavior, health, physiology and psychology. He’s the author of the recent book, Seven Decades, How We Evolved to Live Longer (Princeton University Press, 2025).🎙️ Some Exciting News!A Mind of Her Own has recently joined the Learn At Pinnacle app, so if you work in health care, you can receive FREE CE credit just for listening! (This includes Category 1 AMA CME credit and many others.)Download the free app at the link above or at: https://learnatpinnacle.com/educationThanks for checking out A Mind of Her Own! I would be honored if you shared this episode with someone in your life.Seeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Dial 988 for mental health crisis supportSAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Disclaimer:The views expressed on this podcast reflect those of the host and guests, and are not associated with any organization or academic site. Also, AI may have been used to create the transcript and notes, based only on the specific discussion of the host and guest and reviewed for accuracy.The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call 988 for mental health emergencies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amindofherown.substack.com
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    43 mins
  • “We Can Only Regulate Feelings that We’re Willing to Acknowledge.”

    “We Can Only Regulate Feelings that We’re Willing to Acknowledge.”
    Sep 15 2026
    “I’m only as insecure as the parts of myself I leave in the shadows.” - Marisa G. Franco, PhDWelcome to A Mind of Her Own! I’m Jennifer Reid, MD, a psychiatrist and the author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Today I’m joined by Dr. Marisa G Franco, psychologist, professor at the University of Maryland and author of the New York Times bestselling book, Platonic. Her latest book, Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment, arrives September 15th, 2026.Key Ideas1. Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem. Self-worth means treating your internal world, especially your feelings, as if it matters. It has two parts: sensitivity (noticing how you feel) and responsiveness (doing something about it).2. Two Kinds of “High Self-Esteem”. Research shows people who report high self-esteem split into two very different groups: one is defensive, hostile, and takes feelings out on others; the other is compassionate, accountable, and has smooth relationships. The difference isn’t whether they feel insecure; it’s whether they can acknowledge it.3. “Secure-ish,” not Secure. Franco pushes back on treating “secure attachment” as a fixed, all-or-nothing identity to perform. True security is being honest about when you’re anxious, avoidant, or want to withdraw, not hiding those parts.4. Memories are the Database of Self-Esteem. Because memories don’t just record the past but predict the future, people with a history of neglect or harm may unconsciously expect rejection, so they resist fully internalizing love or praise, since believing in it now would make the eventual “fall” feel worse.“Tenderly tell the truth of your insecurities first to yourself and then to those who love you.” —Marisa G. Franco, PhDThanks for reading and listening to A Mind of Her Own! Subscribe (always free) to receive new posts and share my work.***Want to build community while lessening your guilt? Start your own Guilt Free Group here. (jenniferremd.com/guilt-free)Connect with your host, Jennifer Reid, MDDr. Jennifer Reid is a physician, the host of A Mind of Her Own, and the author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations — available at major retailers.🌐 Website: jenniferreidmd.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow A Mind of Her Own and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts — it makes a huge difference in helping other people find the show! 🎙️🎙️ Some Exciting News!A Mind of Her Own has recently joined the Learn At Pinnacle app, so if you work in health care, you can receive FREE CE credit just for listening! (This includes Category 1 AMA CME credit and many others.) Download the free app at the link above or at: https://learnatpinnacle.com/educationThanks for checking out A Mind of Her Own! I would be honored if you shared this episode with someone in your life.Seeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Dial 988 for mental health crisis supportSAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Disclaimer:The views expressed on this podcast reflect those of the host and guests, and are not associated with any organization or academic site. Also, AI may have been used to create the transcript and notes, based only on the specific discussion of the host and guest and reviewed for accuracy.The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call 988 for mental health emergencies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amindofherown.substack.com
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    35 mins
  • The Four Furies of Unreasonable Expectations

    The Four Furies of Unreasonable Expectations
    Aug 21 2026
    Hello, and welcome to A Mind of Her Own! I’m Jennifer Reid, a psychiatrist and the author of the book, Guilt Free, Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Today is Episode 4 in my series called Guilt Free, For Real. (Want to catch up? Here are the first three episodes: 1. Solving the Guilt Equation (Finally!) 2. The Guilt Divide: Women, Men and the Emotions We’re Taught to Feel 3. Why Can’t I Ditch this Awful Guilt? )This episode today (corresponding with chapter three in the book, if you are following along), is all about the Four Furies of Unreasonable Expectations. If you’ve listened to prior episodes, and I encourage you to do so (see above)! you know about the Guilt Equation, which is that our guilt is based on our expectations of ourselves minus our perceived reality, meaning minus what we notice ourselves doing, which may not even reflect, in fact often doesn’t reflect, what we’re actually doing. But where do these sky high expectations come from? The Four Furies are:* Constant caretaking: “I feel like it’s selfish to take time for myself instead of being available to the people who need me.”* Hyper-accountability: “I adjust what I say or do to manage other people’s emotional reactions.” * Seeking perfection: “I have trouble resting because I believe I should be trying to improve myself.” * Having it all: “When I succeed in one area (work, parenting, health) I feel like I’m neglecting another.”Understanding these four big categories for expectations allows you to see that you are not alone. These categories exist because so many women have experienced them. But I’m here to tell you that there is a way forward. Recognizing that yes, these are expectations that you’ve been taught and expected to carry, but they don’t have to be the final answer. If you’re saying “should,” someone else is writing your story. When you take control of your expectations, what you want, what you need, and what makes sense for you will create the story you follow. You get to decide what those choices are and rewrite these expectations that you’re working through. In future episodes, you will learn how to adjust each of the Guilt Equation variables, both your expectations and our perceived reality.Guilt doesn’t have to be your full time job. You are already enough.***Want to build community while lessening your guilt? Start your own Guilt Free Group here. (jenniferremd.com/guilt-free)Thanks for reading and listening to A Mind of Her Own! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Connect with your host, Jennifer Reid, MDDr. Jennifer Reid is a physician, the host of A Mind of Her Own, and the author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations — available at major retailers.🌐 Website: jenniferreidmd.com Feeling inspired by this conversation? Start your own Guilt Free Group here!(jenniferremd.com/guilt-free)If you enjoyed this episode, please follow A Mind of Her Own and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts — it makes a huge difference in helping other people find the show! 🎙️🎙️ Some Exciting News!A Mind of Her Own has recently joined the Learn At Pinnacle app, so if you work in health care, you can receive FREE CE credit just for listening!(This includes Category 1 AMA CME credit and many others.)Download the free app at the link above or at: https://learnatpinnacle.com/educationSeeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Dial 988 for mental health crisis supportSAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Disclaimer:The views expressed on this podcast reflect those of the host and guests, and are not associated with any organization or academic site. Also, AI may have been used to create the transcript and notes, based only on the specific discussion of the host and guest and reviewed for accuracy.The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call...
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
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