The Motivation Mindset with Risa Williams

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How can we learn to better navigate and manage the fears that arise in everyday life? Risa Williams speaks with fear expert, biopsychologist, TED Talk speaker, and author Dr. Mary Poffenroth about how to recognize fear as it begins to surface and how to use neuroscience based tools to calm ourselves more effectively in the moment.

They discuss:
-Learning The R.A.I.N. Method for developing an awareness of what fear looks and feels like in our bodies
-The difference between fictional fear and factual fear
-Subtle cues your body might be showing you that you're feeling more fear than you think
-How to recognize what type of fear you're feeling using an easy tool
-Neuro-hacks for calming yourself down in the moment based on evidence-based research that you can practice today!

**Double book giveaway: Win a copy of Dr. Mary Poffenroth's book, BRAVE NEW YOU, and Risa's book, GET STUFF DONE WITHOUT THE STRESS by entering our book giveaway TODAY at:
https://kingsumo.com/g/m44669m/win-a-signed-copy-of-brave-new-you-get-stuff-done-without-the-stress 
Winner will be announced on the March 13th episode of The Motivation Mindset. Good luck!**

Host: Risa Williams, risawilliams.com, @risawilliamstherapy
Guest: Dr. Mary Poffenroth, marypoffenroth.com, @marypoffenroth

Support the show
For info on books, workshops, guests, and future episodes, please visit: risawilliams.com.

*All tools discussed on the show are meant for educational purposes only and not as a replacement for therapy or medical advice.

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Where do couples' tend to get stuck and bogged down in their daily communication with each other? How do we fall into the trap of criticizing and nagging when we actually just want to create positive change and grow together? Risa Williams talks to DBT expert, Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, on validation and communication skills people can use when they're in long term relationships.

They discuss:
-How to use positive reinforcement to influence positive changes in behavior
-Where we tend to get stuck in our requests and demands with others
-Tools to try when direct communication isn't working and accepting things "as is" isn't working either
-How validation is one of the most important tools for developing understanding and awareness of each other
**Congratulations to Jess Fiedler winner of our Double Book Giveaway! Jess will be receiving Dr. Scott Waltman's book, The Stoicism Workbook, and Risa's new planner, The Tiny Wins Journal - thanks to everyone who participated on instagram!**
**Check out Risa's new online self-guided digital class: The Tiny Wins Workshop! It's on patreon now at a discounted price and there are 9 slots available at the early bird price: patreon.com/c/risawilliams. You can also take the class on Skool and at risawilliams.com***
Host: Risa Williams, risawilliams.com, @risawilliamstherapy
Guest: Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, youthandfamilyinstitute.com, @drmarcusrodriguez

Support the show
For info on books, workshops, guests, and future episodes, please visit: risawilliams.com.

*All tools discussed on the show are meant for educational purposes only and not as a replacement for therapy or medical advice.

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Do you tend to fall into the role of "rescuer" in your relationships? Or are you the one who tends to need the rescuing? Risa Williams talks to Dr. Scott Waltman about the ideas of "rescuing" and "people pleasing" and how we can get stuck playing roles that we might want to change in relationships.
They discuss:
-How people can fall into the roles of "rescuer", "persecutor" and "victim" in relationships and the conflicts that can stem from this triangle
-When "people pleasing" crosses a line into playing the role of "chronic rescuing"
-How to meet people where they're at and start to teach them the skills they need to grow 
-Understanding your own circle of control and when you're overextending yourself
-Embracing awareness, balance, and a growth mindset to help create positive changes in your life

***DOUBLE BOOK GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment on our double book giveaway post @risawilliamstherapy to win a copy of Dr. Scott Waltman's book: The Stoicism Workbook and Risa's new book: The Tiny Wins Journal. Winner will be announced on the 2/19 episode of The Motivation Mindset***

Host: Risa Williams, @risawilliamstherapy, risawilliams.com
Guest: Dr. Scott Waltman, @socraticmethodcbt.com, www.newharbinger.com/author/scott-waltman
Support the show
For info on books, workshops, guests, and future episodes, please visit: risawilliams.com.

*All tools discussed on the show are meant for educational purposes only and not as a replacement for therapy or medical advice.

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In this special episode of The Motivation Mindset, Risa shares a tiny sample of her new online workshop, The Tiny Wins Workshop, which is live today! 
What if making progress didn’t have to feel SO stressful and overwhelming?

What if you counted every tiny win from now on and actually allowed yourself to  feel proud of each one?

Risa explains how to:

- Notice your tiny daily wins (even on hard days and slow days)

- Acknowledge each small win and emotionally connect with it

-  Track your tiny wins using a simple and easy system 

- Feel genuinely good about every small step you take

- Practice the feelings you want to feel each week!

If you're feeling inspired after hearing this tiny sample of The Tiny Wins Workshop, head on over to risawilliams.com to take the full course! You can start at any time. Reach out and let us know what you think!
**THIS THURSDAY, January 15th, Risa will be a featured speaker at THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE SUMMIT which features self-help superstars from around the world and you can attend for free by visiting: https://bestyear.krtra.com/t/OIEbYLZn9PXc*** See you there!***

Host: Risa Williams, risawilliams.com, @risawilliamstherapy
Support the show
For info on books, workshops, guests, and future episodes, please visit: risawilliams.com.

*All tools discussed on the show are meant for educational purposes only and not as a replacement for therapy or medical advice.

Send a text
Happy 2026, everyone! If you're listening to this episode, you made it to the new year, and that's a wonderful thing! Risa Williams talks to fellow therapists, Erica Curtis and Darrin Kagele about new tools they're going to try in the new year ahead.

They discuss:
-How the words we're using with ourselves are so important to become mindful of
-Darrin shares a few phrases he tells himself whenever he feels stuck or anxious
-Erica shares a useful tool where you turn a phrase you're saying into a question, which changes our emotional reaction to the phrase
-Risa shares the one journaling prompt she's been using to stretch her imagination and cognitive flexibility
-Other ways you can gently move into the new year ahead while remembering to be kind to yourself along the way!

A great episode to feel more motivated and inspired in 2026... Happy New Year, everyone!

**Risa will be launching her TINY WINS WORKSHOP, a 4 week online class, in January - sign up here to be one of the first to get in: https://www.risawilliams.com/tinywinscourse.html**

Host: Risa Williams, risawilliams.com @risawilliamstherapy
Guest Hosts: Darrin Kagele, darrinkagele.com, and Erica Curtis, therapywitherica.com.

Support the show
For info on books, workshops, guests, and future episodes, please visit: risawilliams.com.

*All tools discussed on the show are meant for educational purposes only and not as a replacement for therapy or medical advice.