As yet another incredible year comes to a close, the POTC cohosts, Debbie, Jill, Michael, and Emily, gather for the final episode of 2023 in a cozy fireside chat. Kicking off the episode, they reflect on some of the obstacles they faced this past year as well as share some of the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. Looking optimistically into the year to come, they get pumped about their aspirations for 2024 and wrap up the chat with a spirited speed-round. Intrigued to know their holiday season pet peeves, what dirty little secrets they’ve been hiding, and the game-changing buys they’ve made that cost less than a Benjamin?! Make sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode! Happy holidays, off-the-clockers! See you again in the new year!

• The Love of My Life, by Rosie Walsh 
  
• I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy
  
• The Anomaly by Le Tellier
  

Emily (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. She has a BA in English from Smith College, a PhD in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and completed postgraduate training at Stanford and Children’s Hospital Orange County. Emily spent almost ten years working in children’s hospitals before pivoting to private practice, which allowed her to start a writing career. Emily has written her blog, The Art and Science of Mom, since 2017 and a parenting advice column for Parents.com since 2019. Emily’s writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, Scary Mommy, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, and more. She recently added author to her bio with her book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent Confident Children and has a Substack newsletter.

Debbie (she/her) is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University. She is author of the upcoming book ACT for Burnout: Recharge, Reconnect, and Transform Burnout with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. drdebbiesorensen.com.

Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career.

Michael (he/him) is a confidence trainer and social skills coach, based in Vienna, Austria. He’s helping his clients overcome their social anxiety through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and fun exposure exercises. (Though the jury is still out on whether they’re mostly fun for him). He is also a certified therapeutic game master, utilizing the Dungeons&Dragons tabletop roleplaying game to train communication, assertiveness, and teamwork with young adults. Or actually, anyone ready to roll some dice and battle goblins in a supportive group where players want to level up (pun!) their social skills.

• 2. Hygge – Happiness and the Danish Art of Cozy Connection
  
• 218. Off the Clock with Us
  
• 238. Values During Times of Transition (with Us)
  
• 252. Getting the Help You Need, with Us
  
• 262. Hope and Values in Dark Times with Us
  
• 300. Celebrating 300 Episodes with Us
  
• 323. Introducing Our New Cohosts!
  

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