Best Get Your Wit Together Podcasts (2025)

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28: The System for Getting Out of Feast-or-Famine Finances with Geily Romero 24:13

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1d ago24:13

24:13

If your finances feel like a rollercoaster, it’s time to stop screaming and start steering. You’re not alone if your business bank account swings from dopamine highs to devastating lows. One month you're flush with client payments, the next you’re wondering if Stripe has ghosted you. The feast or famine cycle is a real (and exhausting) part of entr…

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The Psychology of Honor: Reclaiming a Lost Virtue in an Age of Image and Convenience 25:27

3d ago25:27

25:27

We rarely hear the word honor anymore. It sounds outdated—like something from another era. But behind that old-fashioned sound lies a living psychological structure: the alignment between who we believe ourselves to be and how we actually live. In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the modern meaning of honor—not as m…

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Featuring: Julia Gets Wise with Ruth Reichl 59:19

9d ago59:19

59:19

Because Thanksgiving is basically Ruth Reichl season (the holy trinity of food, family, and feelings) we’re serving you a special episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' lovely conversation with her from Season 1 of Wiser Than Me. On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia gets enlightened by 77-year-old food writer, magazine editor, and author Ruth Reichl. F…

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The Hidden Anxiety of Thanksgiving: Why Togetherness Doesn’t Always Feel Like Connection 23:19

10d ago23:19

23:19

Thanksgiving looks like connection from the outside—the full table, the smell of sage and pie, the laughter that fills a familiar room. But beneath the warmth, many people feel a quiet unease they can’t quite name. In this expanded Thanksgiving episode of The Psychology of Us, RJ Starr explores the hidden anxiety behind togetherness: the deep fatig…

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27: The System for Being a Thank-You Person 7:16

11d ago7:16

7:16

Have you ever written a heartfelt thank you card and then watched it hibernate in your junk drawer until spring? In today’s episode, I’m sharing simple systems for expressing gratitude and becoming a thank-you person just in time for Thanksgiving. From handwritten notes to real-time compliments and even thank-you pizzas (with a lesson on paper plat…

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Listen Now: Keeping Families Together in Oklahoma 24:55

11d ago24:55

24:55

Welcome to Bright Spots - a new series from Lemonada that offers bite-sized stories of community impact that will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful about what is possible. Today, we’re turning our attention to the foster care system. In Oklahoma, the Office of Family Representation ensures every parent dealing with a child welfare case has acc…

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26: The System for Finding Free Fun with Sarah Von Bargen 29:18

16d ago29:18

29:18

Ever feel like fun and free are mutually exclusive? Sarah Von Bargen is here to show you that’s totally not the case. In this episode of System for Everything, she joins us to unpack how we can spend our time, money, and energy more intentionally so we live a life we love without becoming broke or exhausted. In this Episode: Why free activities oft…

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The Psychology of Manifestation: When Belief Feels Like Magic 23:56

17d ago23:56

23:56

People often speak about manifestation as if it’s magic—think the law of attraction, divine timing, or the universe conspiring to deliver what we desire. But what’s really happening when a thought seems to become reality? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the psychological mechanics that make belief feel spiritual…

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25: The System for Getting in the Room with Angelica Pompy 32:10

23d ago32:10

32:10

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like no one sees you—let alone remembers you? In today's episode, I'm joined by powerhouse business coach, speaker and marketing strategist Angelica Pompy, who helps creative women build profitable businesses with confidence and clarity. Listen in as we dig into how to “get in the room,” not just physically…

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The Psychology of the Commons: Why Some People Care When No One’s Watching 24:34

24d ago24:34

24:34

Why do some people care for the spaces we share while others act as if they exist outside of them? You see it everywhere—the neighbor who breaks down their boxes, the driver who stays within the limit on an empty road, the employee who feels a quiet duty to leave things better than they found them. And then there are the others: the ones who walk a…

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Listen Now: Julia Gets Wise with Jane Curtin 59:35

24d ago59:35

59:35

Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting h…

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24: The System for Tricking Yourself Into Believing You’re Qualified 30:11

30d ago30:11

30:11

Ever feel like you don’t belong at the table you built? You’re not alone. I’m talking to Katie Mast, a seasoned creative‑entrepreneur turned community‑builder with big, blunt truths about imposter syndrome. Katie worked in the wedding, events and creative industries, and worked with industry platforms, so she knows what it’s like to be both visible…

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The Psychology of Having an Opinion: Why We Care How Other People Live 21:19

1M ago21:19

21:19

It began as a light moment in class on Halloween morning. Students were chatting about their plans—costumes, haunted houses, parties—when one young woman casually said she always puts up her Christmas tree that night. She doesn’t do anything for Halloween, so every October 31st, she decorates for Christmas instead. Her classmates immediately reacte…

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23: The System for Getting Involved in Your Community 28:04

1M ago28:04

28:04

What if the key to transforming your city was simply showing up? For many of us, local politics and civic engagement can feel like a world reserved for career politicians, polished extroverts, or people with endless free time. But what if I told you that you could make a meaningful impact in your community without quitting your day job or becoming …

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Becoming Real: The Psychology of Selfhood in an Imitative Age 21:47

1M ago21:47

21:47

We live in a time when being “authentic” has become its own kind of performance. In this lecture, Professor RJ Starr explores how the modern self is shaped by imitation, validation, and attention — and what psychology reveals about the struggle to feel real in a performative age. Drawing on theories of individuation, emotional development, and iden…

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22: The System for Guilt-Free Business Spending with Michelle Taylor 24:14

1M ago24:14

24:14

If you've ever hovered over the "Buy Now" button with a pit in your stomach and a credit card in hand, this episode is for you. In this episode, I sat down with my personal financial advisor, Michelle Taylor who founded Women in Wealth, to talk about the messy, emotional side of business spending. From $997 unopened courses to aspirational hires we…

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The Psychology of Restraint: The Quiet Strength Within 23:37

1M ago23:37

23:37

In a world that rewards immediacy, restraint has become an endangered virtue. Every platform encourages reaction, every moment invites commentary, and silence has started to feel like weakness. But what if the real measure of strength isn’t in how quickly we express ourselves, but in how deliberately we hold back? In The Psychology of Restraint: Th…

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21: The System for Guardrailing Your Day (When Your Brain Won’t Do It for You) with Christi Johnson 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

What if your calendar wasn’t just for managing time, but for protecting your energy? In this episode, I sit down with Christi Johnson, business strategist, podcaster, and founder of the Dream Biz Lab. She helps creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs build businesses rooted in joy, sustainability, and brain-friendly systems. Christi shares how hi…

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The Psychology of Self-Righteousness 21:10

2M ago21:10

21:10

Self-righteousness is one of those habits of mind that can feel powerful in the moment but quietly corrodes everything around it. The conviction that one’s own perspective is morally superior doesn’t just close doors to dialogue, it hardens people against growth and turns everyday disagreements into battles for dominance. This episode takes a close…

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20: The System for Building a Brand That Actually Feels Like You with Dakota Hersey 26:02

2M ago26:02

26:02

If your brand colors (or messaging) don’t spark joy, it’s time for a reboot. This week on System for Everything, I’m joined by Dakota Hersey, founder of More Than Creative. After growing a successful photography business, she’s back to her first love—helping small business owners market and sell their talents authentically. Dakota doesn’t just desi…

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Mean World Syndrome: The Psychology of Fearful Perception 15:01

2M ago15:01

15:01

Mean world syndrome is the belief that the world is more dangerous than it is, shaped by fear-saturated media. In this episode, Professor RJ Starr explains the psychology behind this distortion: cultivation theory, availability bias, negativity bias, and the slide into hypervigilance and mistrust. Professor RJ Starr traces the path from television …

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19: The System for Writing the Book You Actually Want to Write with Jamie Varon 51:09

2M ago51:09

51:09

What if your most honest, messy self is your greatest writing superpower? In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Varon, bestselling author, essayist, and creative force, to crack open what it really takes to write the book that only you can write. Jamie has built a body of work that’s at once personal and deeply resonant—from her viral essays to be…

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The Psychology of Interruptions: Power, Anxiety, and Disregard in Everyday Talk 25:52

2M ago25:52

25:52

Interruptions might seem like small conversational slip-ups, but they reveal far more than we think. In this episode, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the psychology of interruptions: how they function as power moves, how they arise from anxiety, and how cultural and relational contexts shape their meaning. From political debates to family dinners, cutti…

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18: The System for Surviving Success with Juliana Tomlinson 27:17

2M ago27:17

27:17

If you're hustling so hard that your soul has taken a backseat, you’re going to want to hear this. Today I’m talking with Juliana Tomlinson, a wedding photographer, speaker, and business coach, who had one of the most successful years of her life professionally, yet the hardest emotionally. She booked her dream weddings, launched big programs, but …

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The Psychology of Dehumanization and Moral Disengagement 26:11

2M ago26:11

26:11

Why do ordinary people justify cruelty they would otherwise condemn? In this episode, Professor RJ Starr examines the psychology of dehumanization and moral disengagement—the processes that strip others of empathy and silence our conscience. Drawing on social psychology, history, and modern life, Starr explores how propaganda, language, humor, and …

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SPECIAL EDITION: Psychology of the Current Cultural Chaos 19:00

3M ago19:00

19:00

In this special edition of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr steps outside the usual episode format to respond to the turbulence of our cultural moment. The constant noise, outrage, and division in public life have left many people feeling powerless, angry, or lost. This episode is not another commentary on the headlines—it is an existential…

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17: The System for Growing Your Email List Without Feeling Spammy with Dawn Richardson 35:18

3M ago35:18

35:18

Ever wondered why you dread building your email list? What if I told you it's not about spam—it’s about showing up with heart, humor, and strategy? In this episode, I chat with Dawn Richardson—the product education manager at Flodesk, former software engineer, wedding photographer, and all‑around tech‑meets‑creative powerhouse. She shares how she h…

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The Psychology of Entitlement: Why Some People Always Feel Owed 22:31

3M ago22:31

22:31

Why do some people act as if the rules should bend for them? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores entitlement as more than arrogance—it’s a worldview that blurs desire and deserving. From childhood overindulgence or neglect to cultural messages that promise constant reward, entitlement takes root when limits are neve…

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16: The System for Living Through September 11th with Dr. Greg Fried 56:02

3M ago56:02

56:02

Some episodes entertain. This one will change you. Dr. Gregory Fried’s story is not just about surviving 9/11—it's about everything that came after. As the Executive Chief Surgeon for the NYPD, he wasn’t just a witness; he was a first responder standing at the very edge of collapse. What he saw, what he carried, and what he still remembers is etche…

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The Psychology of Empathy: Why It Matters More Than You Think 15:52

3M ago15:52

15:52

Empathy is one of those words we hear constantly—be more empathetic, teach children empathy, demand it from leaders. Yet for all the talk, very few people can actually explain what empathy really is. Most confuse it with being nice, polite, or sympathetic. But sympathy says, “I feel bad for you.” Empathy goes further. It’s the ability to step into …

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15: The System for Staying Offline While Running an Online Business with Sarah Erickson 25:33

3M ago25:33

25:33

What if the key to growing your business was actually less time online? That’s exactly what we’re diving into with today’s guest, Sarah Erickson, the intentional brand designer behind Sarah Ann Design. Sarah helps creatives build unforgettable brands without living on Instagram. We chat about the systems she uses to stay mostly offline while still …

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The Need to Be Offended: A Psychological Look at Outrage Culture 21:24

3M ago21:24

21:24

Why does it feel like people are constantly on the hunt for something to be offended by? A passing remark, a careless joke, even the tone of a post can ignite outrage that spreads like wildfire. In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr examines the psychology behind outrage culture and the human need to be offended. Drawing on so…

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14: The System for Keeping It Personal (Even When It’s Prewritten) with Colie James 21:27

3M ago21:27

21:27

When you think of templates, do you picture robotic emails that suck all the personality out of your client experience? In this episode, we're joined by Colie James, a Disney-loving client experience strategist and host of the Business First Creatives podcast. Colie shares why templates get such a bad rap (hint: it’s not the template, it’s how peop…

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Their View, Your Mirror: The Psychology of Envy 19:14

3M ago19:14

19:14

We don’t like to talk about envy. It’s one of those emotions that feels petty, even shameful — something we’d rather deny than admit. Most people will tell you they’re “happy” for someone else, maybe even “inspired” by their success. But behind those polite words, there can be something sharper: a quiet mental inventory of what we don’t have, what …

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13: The System for Navigating Adoption with Caitlin Phillips 30:11

4M ago30:11

30:11

Waiting to adopt is its own kind of emotional limbo—equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking. And if you think you can Google your way through the process? Think again. Adoption comes with more moving parts than most people realize. Even the most organized parents can quickly find themselves overwhelmed. That’s where Caitlin Phillips comes in—a licens…

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I Could, But I’m Not Going To The Quiet Power of Values in Action 27:27

4M ago27:27

27:27

What does it actually mean to live by your values? Not to write them down. Not to say them out loud. But to live them—especially when no one’s watching. Especially when you’re tempted to do otherwise. In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores one of the most powerful forms of agency we rarely talk about: restraint. The ki…

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12: The System for Turning Small Moments Into Big Movements with Akua Konadu 28:50

4M ago28:50

28:50

What do a falling skirt, a Love Island soundbite, and a sick emoji have in common? According to storytelling strategist Akua Konadu: everything. They're stories that make an impact. In this episode, I sit down with Akua—host of the Unbreakable Business Podcast and a master of making micro-moments unforgettable. We talk about how the smallest, most …

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The Psychology of Needing to Be First 18:59

4M ago18:59

18:59

Why does being second feel so uncomfortable? You’re already going fast. The car in front of you is, too. But something in your chest tightens. You feel the pressure to pass, to get ahead—even if it changes nothing about your arrival time. This episode explores that exact moment: the psychological discomfort of not being first. In this episode of Th…

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11: The System for Reframing Your "Flaws" as Superpowers with Molly McCauley 34:48

4M ago34:48

34:48

What if your biggest flaw was actually your best feature? It’s a question Molly McCauley had to ask herself—not just once, but repeatedly—on her journey as a neurodivergent entrepreneur. Molly spent years navigating a system that never quite fit. Once she was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety as an adult, she realized it's time to flip the script. No…

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The Psychology of Sarcasm 17:05

4M ago17:05

17:05

We think of sarcasm as funny. Harmless. Witty. But what if sarcasm is doing more than making people laugh? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, we take a deeper look at sarcasm—not as a personality trait or comedic style, but as a psychological strategy. Why do people use sarcasm in the first place? What are they protecting? And what’s the emot…

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10: The System for Keeping It Together (When Your Job Is to Make It Perfect) with Julian Leaver 16:20

4M ago16:20

16:20

Be the calm in everyone else's chaos. Then cry in your car—like a professional. Right? Just kidding. In this episode, I sit down with Julian Leaver, luxury wedding planner and etiquette expert, to talk about what it really takes to stay grounded in a high-pressure, high-image industry. With decades of experience and a client list that spans from As…

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The Quiet Panic of Being Alive 20:54

4M ago20:54

20:54

You’ve done everything right. You’ve shown up. You’ve taken care of people. You’ve made it through the day. And now, finally, it’s quiet. There’s no immediate crisis pulling at you, no emergency to fix, no one urgently needing your attention. But instead of peace, you feel… off. Not panicked. Not depressed. Just… unmoored. Restless. Like something’…

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9: The System for Turning Marketing Procrastination into a Plan with Tayler Cusick Hollman 26:33

4M ago26:33

26:33

Ever opened your content calendar, sighed dramatically, and closed the tab? Same. For solopreneurs and small business owners, marketing often becomes the thing we push to the bottom of our to-do list. But what if there was a better way? In this episode of The System for Everything, I sat down with Tayler Cusick Hollman, marketing consultant turned …

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Why Jealousy Hits So Hard: The Psychology of Rivalry, Love, and Insecurity 25:01

5M ago25:01

25:01

Jealousy isn't just about insecurity—and it's definitely not just about trust. In this episode, Professor RJ Starr explores the deeper psychology behind romantic jealousy: where it comes from, why it shows up even in healthy relationships, and what it’s really trying to reveal. Drawing from evolutionary biology, attachment theory, and emotional dev…

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8: The System for Understanding Team Temperaments with Ashley Ebert 46:12

5M ago46:12

46:12

Ever wish your team just got each other? What if the secret to a balanced, high-performing crew was hiding in plain sight—like in their temperament? In this episode of the System for Everything podcast, I talk with Ashley Ebert, a powerhouse in the wedding industry and the founder of The Abundance Group. After scaling her own wedding planning compa…

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Let Them Tell the Story: Aging, Memory, and the Right to Re-imagine 23:55

5M ago23:55

23:55

In this intimate episode, Professor RJ Starr explores the deep emotional and psychological importance of storytelling in old age. Why do the elderly revisit and revise their memories? Why do we feel the urge to correct them? And what do we miss when we interrupt someone who’s trying to make meaning of their life? This is an invitation to pause, to …

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7: The System for Maintaining Adult Friendships with Lauren Smart 37:41

5M ago37:41

37:41

Hot tip for maintaining adult friendships: Move to different cities, never ask who texted last, and consider a blood pact. That’s more or less the system Lauren and I have followed for 17 years—and it’s worked. Today, we’re breaking down how. In this episode of The System for Everything, I’m joined by one of my longest-standing friendships: Lauren …

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Beyond the Mirror: The Psychology of Self-Perception, Aging, and Identity 29:54

5M ago29:54

29:54

Why is it that the person we see in the mirror so rarely matches the one we feel ourselves to be on the inside? Why does aging feel like a betrayal of the image we’ve carried for decades? And why do we often hold onto outdated or distorted visions of ourselves, even long after we’ve grown? In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode of The Ps…

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E42 Understanding Neurodivergence: Beyond the Buzzword 1:01:26

5M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Episode Notes Understanding Neurodivergence: Beyond the Buzzword Join us for a powerful conversation with Sierra Grandy—attorney, speaker, and advocate—as we dive deep into what neurodivergence really means beyond the popular buzzword. Sierra brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this essential discussion, sharing her journey f…

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6: The System for Designing a Life You Actually Want 42:47

5M ago42:47

42:47

What if your business could keep running even when life hits pause? In this episode, I sit down with Dahlia Orth, a systems strategist and HoneyBook Pro, who shares how building intentional workflows helped her reclaim her time and design a business that supports her life... not the other way around. We talk about building boundaries you won’t feel…