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Stress is part of life—but burnout doesn’t have to be. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how Cognitive Appraisal Theory can help you shift the way you think about stress. Instead of letting challenges drain you, you’ll learn how to reframe situations, strengthen your mindset, and turn stress into a tool for growth.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or leader, this episode will give you practical strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, and protect your energy—without losing your edge.

🎧 Tune in to discover:

• Why stress isn’t always the enemy
• The psychology behind how we appraise challenges
• Simple reframing techniques to reduce overwhelm
• How to prevent burnout before it starts

If you’ve ever felt like stress is running your life, this conversation will help you take back control.

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Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

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Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or fake. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind authentic relationship building through the lens of Social Capital Theory. You’ll learn why genuine connections matter more than surface-level interactions, how trust and reciprocity fuel opportunity, and practical strategies for creating a network that feels real and supportive.

Whether you’re in high school, college, or just starting your career, this episode will help you shift your mindset from “networking events” to building meaningful communities that grow with you.

What You’ll Learn:

• The psychology of Social Capital Theory and how it applies to real life.
• Why authenticity beats “selling yourself.”
• Practical steps to connect with mentors, peers, and future colleagues.
• How to build a network that supports your goals—without losing yourself.

Support the show

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

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Struggling to make new habits stick? You’re not alone. In Episode 29 of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind habit formation—and why most attempts to change fail. Using insights from behavioral psychology, the habit loop, and cognitive science, you’ll learn practical strategies to design habits that actually last.

We’ll break down:

• The habit loop (cue, routine, reward) and why it drives automatic behaviors.
• Why habits often fail—spoiler: willpower isn’t enough.
• The psychology of operant conditioning and temporal discounting (why Netflix beats studying every time).
• Evidence-based tools like habit stacking, environment design, and implementation intentions that make habits easier to adopt.

Whether you’re a college student trying to build a study routine, a young professional struggling with consistency, or simply someone who wants to stop procrastinating—this episode gives you science-backed tools to take control of your habits and your future.

Support the show

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

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Do you ever feel like you don’t deserve your success—that you’ve just been lucky and it’s only a matter of time before others “find you out”? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we dive deep into impostor syndrome—why it happens, how it’s fueled by cognitive distortions, and what you can do to build real self-efficacy and confidence.

Drawing from psychological research by Clance & Imes, Albert Bandura, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), we’ll unpack the hidden thought patterns that cause high-achievers, students, and early-career professionals to feel like frauds. You’ll learn:

• How distorted thinking sabotages your confidence.
• Why self-efficacy is the antidote to impostor syndrome.
• Practical strategies to reframe your success and stop discounting your achievements.
• Actionable tools to silence self-doubt and lead with clarity.

Whether you’re a college student, recent graduate, or young professional, this episode gives you the science-backed insights to turn impostor thoughts into growth opportunities.

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

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Starting your career can feel exciting—and overwhelming. In this first episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology of career transitions and what it really takes to move from student life into the professional world. Drawing on Schlossberg’s Transition Theory and practical strategies, we’ll break down why change feels so hard, how identity shifts shape early career experiences, and the coping tools that help young professionals find their footing.

Whether you’re a college student stepping into your first job, or an early-career professional navigating uncertainty, this episode gives you the psychological insight and practical steps to thrive in your next chapter.

👉 Key Takeaways:

• Why career transitions trigger stress (and how to reframe it).
• The “in-between” identity of moving from student to professional.
• Schlossberg’s 4 S’s framework (Situation, Self, Support, Strategies) explained with real-world applications.
• Practical ways to build resilience and confidence during big changes.

If you’re at a crossroads in your career—or mentoring someone who is—this episode is your roadmap to navigating the unknown with clarity and confidence.

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

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Now that you know what culture is, let’s talk about how to shape it. In Part 2 of our two-part series on team culture, we move from awareness to action. You’ll learn how to assess your current culture using practical tools, get actionable steps to shift a toxic environment, and discover the critical importance of diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety in building a resilient, high-performing team. We’ll also share real-world examples and research-backed insights that leaders can use to transform team dynamics—starting today.

References:

Brown, B. (2018). *Dare to lead: Brave work. Tough conversations. Whole hearts*. Random House.

Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2011). *Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: Based on the competing values framework* (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Edmondson, A. C. (2019). *The fearless organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth*. Wiley.

Laloux, F. (2014). *Reinventing organizations: A guide to creating organizations inspired by the next stage of human consciousness*. Nelson Parker.

Schein, E. H. (2010). *Organizational culture and leadership* (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

Send us a text

Culture isn’t just what’s written on the walls—it’s what happens in the hallways. In this first episode of our two-part series, we dive into the psychology behind team culture and why it’s one of the most critical factors influencing success—or failure—in the workplace. You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle and not-so-subtle signals of a thriving vs. toxic environment, explore Edgar Schein’s model of organizational culture, and uncover how leadership plays a defining role in shaping it all. Whether you’re building culture from the ground up or reassessing what your team stands for, this episode lays the foundation.

References:

Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2011). *Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: Based on the competing values framework* (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Goleman, D. (2006). *Social intelligence: The new science of human relationships*. Bantam Books.

Schein, E. H. (2010). *Organizational culture and leadership* (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Watkins, M. D. (2013). *The first 90 days: Proven strategies for getting up to speed faster and smarter*. Harvard Business Review Press.

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

Send us a text

In this episode of Psych Leadership, we dive into the powerful psychological principles behind mentorship and why great mentors focus on developing the whole person—not just their resume. Drawing from leadership theory, organizational psychology, and real-world experience, we explore how effective mentoring fosters resilience, emotional intelligence, and long-term growth. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to mentoring, this conversation offers practical insights on how to build trust, empower mentees, and create a lasting impact.

References:

Baker, V. L., Lunsford, L. G., & Pifer, M. J. (2019). Patching up the “leaking leadership pipeline”: Fostering mid-career faculty succession management. Research in Higher Education, 60(6), 823–843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-018-9528-9

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Goleman, D. (2006). Emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds.). Harvard University Press.

Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today

Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.

Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org