The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych Podcast Por Robert Duff Ph.D. arte de portada

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

De: Robert Duff Ph.D.
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 This is a podcast dedicated to answering your questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life WITHOUT psychobabble BS. I am Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, but I'm also a regular dude who legitimately wants to help out. I wrote the best selling books Hardcore Self Help: F**k Depression and Hardcore Self Help: F**K Anxiety. Those are available at http://hardcoreselfhelp.com Hygiene & Healthy Living Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • What's Up With The Podcast?

    What's Up With The Podcast?
    May 20 2025
    In this quick episode, I share what has been going on with the podcast and why I haven't been uploading. The truth is, that I am taking a step back from the show. I explain why and what comes next. Part of the episode is me reading off a post that I wrote, which you can read below. ------ I think it’s time to let go of my podcast. Episode 1 of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast aired on 3/16/2016. Nearly 450 episodes later, I think it might be time to let it go. When I began the show, podcasting wasn’t cool. This was before Huberman Lab and Diary of a CEO. This is before every influencer had their own podcast. I certainly wasn’t one of the first podcasts, but I was in the cohort of podcasters that were influenced by Pat Flynn, Cliff Ravenscraft, and Daniel J. Lewis. Podcasts were the up and coming way to generate an audience and scale your craft. For me, this was a way to bring mental health content to the masses. In 2014, I released my first book, Hardcore Self Help: F**k Anxiety. I wrote this during my pre-doctoral internship at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. The book was written and published in a matter of a couple weeks, driven by my frustrations with the mental health field following my wife’s hospitalization (more about that in my TedX talk). Since the market was not yet saturated with potty-mouth self-help books, it was a hit and quickly became my primary source of income. With the popularity of the book came emails and direct messages asking me questions. As someone who was working toward becoming licensed as a psychologist, it was important that I didn’t give out direct advice to people in a private forum unless I had an established care relationship with the person. That’s when I realized I could make my childhood dreams of having a newspaper advice column come true by starting a podcast. Truthfully, this was not my first foray into podcasting. I tried to start a podcast about the 90s with my friends called The Good Old Days, but that failed to launch. Then I had a podcast that ran for a good while called The Voices Among Us, in which I interviewed unhoused people on the street about their lives. Those experiences meant that I had the tools and knowledge necessary to launch the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. And man, has it been great. I have had the opportunity to answer questions about anxiety, relationships, sexuality, school, neuroscience, medications, abusive families, PTSD, depression, bipolar, autism, mushrooms, ketamine, queerness, blackness, multiculturalism, gender identity and so much more. I’ve been able have great conversations with Seth Godin, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, Kati Morton, Gary Bishop, Dr. Anna Yusim, Tiffany Jenkins, Jenn Harris, Dr. Patrick McGrath, Tony Weaver Jr., Dr. Judy Ho, Dr. David Burns, and many others. And yet, as the years of the podcast march on, the interest is waning. I will always have pride for being something of an O.G. in the mental health podcasting space, but as my wife said recently, it’s important to make room for other voices and to not force something that isn’t working. I wouldn’t say the podcast isn’t working, but it certainly isn’t what it once was. At one point in time, I was getting enough listens to garner thousands per month in advertising revenue. These days, I’m lucky if an episode hits 5,000 listens in a month. To be clear, that is still a substantial amount, but for the hours that I put into the podcast, the decline in listenership over time becomes hard to justify at a certain point. Here’s a graph from my podcast hosting platform so you can see what I mean: I worry a bit about coming off as ungrateful or just chasing numbers. Hopefully it’s clear that I am immensely proud of what I’ve been able to do with the podcast and so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have a platform like this. I have a folder in my email with feedback from people that I have answered questions for, and trust me when I say there is no better pick-me-up on a rainy day than reading through some of them. However, ultimately, I need to figure out the best path forward for myself, for my career, and for my family. Unfortunately, a lot of that comes down to income right now. I need to make more money. While I get many benefits from continuing the podcast, it is no longer lucrative, and it takes up a great deal of time and mental space to maintain. As someone who always has my hands in many pies, I need to take a step back every so often to re-evaluate my priorities. To weigh the pros and cons of each facet of my career and life and determine where I should be increasing or decreasing my focus. Between my clinical work as a neuropsychologist and therapist, podcasting, writing books, giving professional talks, and being a presence for my family and loved ones, there isn’t an obvious answer. But there is one that I am begrudgingly starting to admit to myself. I haven’t even made an actual change yet, and I am already starting ...
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    16 m
  • 437: Multicultural Identity, Somatic Healing, and Embodied Code Switching w/ Marcia Bonato Warren

    437: Multicultural Identity, Somatic Healing, and Embodied Code Switching w/ Marcia Bonato Warren
    Apr 18 2025
    In this insightful interview, I’m joined by Marcia Bonato Warren, a trauma-informed body therapist, somatic counselor, interculturalist, and author. Marcia brings over 30 years of experience working with cross-cultural mental health, and she shares a powerful lens on how identity, culture, and trauma intersect in the body. Together, we explore the concept of embodied code switching, how our bodies carry cultural and ancestral imprints, and how healing often involves not just the mind, but movement, sensation, and deep awareness of the self. Marcia discusses her personal journey as a Brazilian and Native American woman navigating multiple cultural worlds—and how her lived experience shaped her professional path and inspired her new book. This episode is a rich blend of personal storytelling, professional insight, and hope for a more connected, empathetic world. Key Discussion Points: Marcia’s multicultural background growing up between Pueblo traditions and Brazilian culture What it means to experience culture somatically when language isn’t accessible The definition and practice of embodied code switching How somatic therapy works and how the body holds trauma, history, and healing Cultural embodiment and the importance of body-based awareness across social, emotional, and environmental realms The internal work of bridging identities that may feel in conflict Intergenerational trauma and healing as a form of cultural resilience Marcia’s new book as a form of protest and empowerment amid sociopolitical turmoil The value of curiosity and reclaiming our sense of wonder Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro to Marcia and her multicultural upbringing 04:30 – Advocating through names and early sense of identity 09:00 – Growing up between cultures and learning through somatic experience 14:00 – Noticing what it feels like to “not belong” in any cultural space 17:00 – The physical experience of fitting in (or not) 20:00 – What is somatic counseling and body-based psychotherapy? 24:00 – Holding multiple identities and forming relationships between them 28:00 – Embodied code switching: definitions and origins 35:00 – Identity, trauma, and resilience in the nervous system 40:00 – Diversity, empathy, and learning across differences 43:30 – Somatics, symbolism, and healing in therapy 47:00 – Marcia’s career in advocacy and transition to therapy 52:00 – Her new book as resistance and hope in a polarized world 58:30 – Book structure, audience, and why it matters now 1:06:00 – Final reflections on curiosity, awareness, and personal power Guest Links: Website: https://www.embodiedculture.com Book Info & Resources: https://www.embodiedcodeswitching.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marciabonatowarren Buy the Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Movement-Identity-Multiculturalism-Awareness-Code-Switching/dp/1839978376 Contact Me: Email: duffthepsych@gmail.com Website: https://duffthepsych.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duffthepsych Instagram: https://instagram.com/duffthepsych If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review, sharing it with a friend, or tagging me on social to let me know your thoughts. And if Marcia’s story resonated with you, I’d love to hear how this conversation landed.
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    1 h y 10 m
  • 436: Facing Horrific Family Trauma & Finding Joy After Divorce

    436: Facing Horrific Family Trauma & Finding Joy After Divorce
    Apr 11 2025

    In this episode, Dr. Duff takes on two powerful listener questions in a raw and compassionate Q&A format.

    The first question comes from a survivor of extensive childhood abuse, religious trauma, and complex family dynamics, who is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to publish a deeply personal memoir. Dr. Duff dives into the emotional, psychological, and ethical layers of this situation, offering validation, insight, and a heartfelt reminder that healing and storytelling can be acts of empowerment.

    The second question comes from a newly single parent facing feelings of loneliness and hopelessness after a recent divorce. After a disappointing family trip, they wonder if happiness is still possible in this new chapter of life. Dr. Duff breaks down the process of emotional adjustment, the importance of realistic expectations, and how small steps can lead to renewed hope and connection.

    As always, this episode is filled with empathy, nuance, and practical encouragement for anyone going through dark or uncertain times.

    Key Discussion Points

    • The complexities of publishing a memoir about trauma and abuse

    • Understanding the impact of complex PTSD and generational trauma

    • Navigating family threats and estrangement with personal boundaries

    • Grieving the loss of an idealized future after divorce

    • Why happiness doesn’t have to look how you thought it would

    • Tips for finding support and resilience as a single parent

    • The value of community, therapy, and chosen family

    Timestamps

    00:00 – Intro and personal update
    03:00 – Content warning for the first question
    04:05 – Listener story: Surviving severe childhood abuse and family rejection
    07:00 – Dr. Duff reflects on complex PTSD and trauma recovery
    08:30 – The power of isolation in abusive systems
    10:00 – Complicated dynamics with the listener’s mother
    11:30 – Should I publish my book about my trauma?
    13:00 – Weighing the risks and benefits of publishing under a pseudonym
    14:30 – Standing in your truth despite family pushback
    15:00 – Listener story: Facing loneliness and doubt after divorce
    16:30 – Grieving the version of life you hoped for
    18:00 – Family disappointment and changing dynamics
    19:30 – The importance of time and realistic expectations
    21:00 – Children often remember things differently than we expect
    22:00 – Challenging fatalistic thoughts about the future
    23:30 – Modeling resilience and authenticity for your kids
    24:30 – Final thoughts and encouragement

    Mentioned in This Episode

    • Episode 130: Complex PTSD – What It Is and How to Recover

    • YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@duffthepsych

    • More mental health content at: https://www.duffthepsych.com

    Submit a Question

    Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Reach out any time:

    📧 Email: duffthepsych@gmail.com
    🌐 Website: duffthepsych.com
    📷 Instagram: instagram.com/duffthepsych
    📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@duffthepsych

    Support the Show

    If you’ve gotten something out of the podcast and haven’t left a review yet, now’s a perfect time—especially if you’re an Apple Podcasts listener. We're close to hitting 1,000 reviews, and every one helps others find the show and supports the mission of accessible mental health content.
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    25 m
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Featured Article: The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal


Mental illnesses are as varied and unique as the people who live with them. Substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and many other conditions all fall under the umbrella of mental illness. But even those who do not have a diagnosable condition may struggle with their mental health from time to time. Mental health podcasts can still be a valuable and reassuring resource for many.

Featured Article The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal
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I really see this as an effective way to help yourself in a very positive way! Thanks!

Good stuff!

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