Compassion in a T-Shirt

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by Douglas Smith, Professor of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Director of the Center for Prevention Research and Development, and a long-standing member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

Doug and I explore his 2025 book Motivational Interviewing with Families, which re-imagines how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be applied when working with couples, parents and children, and wider family systems. Rather than treating MI as something done with one person while others observe, Doug invites us to think systemically, relationally, and comp...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by psychologists, writers, and podcasters Emma Waddington and Chris McCurry, the voices behind the podcast Life’s Little Secrets.

Emma and Chris and I talk about how they first met and began working together, what drew them into collaboration, and how a shared curiosity about the inner lives of humans led to the creation of Life’s Little Secrets. We explore the cost of hiding our thoughts and feelings, the relief that can come from being heard, and the role compassion plays in helping us live with v...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by Rob Brockman, clinical psychologist, Schema Therapy practitioner, supervisor, and trainer.

This is not a beginner’s introduction to Schema Therapy. Instead, Rob and I take a deeper, more nuanced look at how Schema Therapy understands the mind through modes — the vulnerable, angry, detached, critical, and healthy states we move in and out of — and why differentiating these experiences matters clinically.

Rob unpacks how modes show up in the therapy room through behaviour, thoughts, felt sense, and motivation, and why understanding the function of anger, a...

In this returning conversation on Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m delighted to welcome back Dr Hayley D Quinn for a thoughtful and very grounded exploration of self-neglect, burnout, and what it really means to live with compassion.

Hayley is a former clinical psychologist, wellbeing coach, author, and host of the Welcome to Self® podcast. She’s also the past president of Compassionate Mind Australia, and her work sits at the heart of compassion science translated into everyday life.

We centre the conversation around Hayley’s upcoming book, From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A Compassionate Guide to Crea...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by Professor Ross G. White — clinical psychologist, researcher, and author of The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive. Together, we explore what it really means to live well in high-pressure, high-performance cultures, and why psychological flexibility may be one of the most important skills for thriving rather than burning out.

Ross and I begin by unpacking the hidden costs of high achievement — including perfectionism, relentless striving, and shame-based self-criticism — alongside the genuine rewards that keep us pushing forward. From there, we explore...

In the final guest interview of 2025, I’m joined by someone whose work has profoundly shaped the way we think about compassion, connection, and healing in groups: Dr Derek Griner, Clinical Professor and Associate Training Director in Counseling Psychology at Brigham Young University.

Derek is one of the leading voices in developing Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for groups, co-authoring the CFT Participant Workbook and Clinician Guide, contributing major research and book chapters, and recently developing a new process-oriented CFT group approach alongside Professor Paul Gilbert during his sabbatical in the UK.

In this conversation, Derek an...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by someone whose work I’ve admired from afar for a very long time – Dr Robyn D. Walser.

Robyn is a clinical psychologist, Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Director of Research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services, and on staff at the National Center for PTSD at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. She is internationally recognised for her work in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma, moral injury, and values-based living, and is co-author of influential ACT texts such as Lea...

Have you ever felt torn between a part of you that wants to change and a part that absolutely doesn’t? Or felt “held hostage” by a critical inner voice telling you what you should be doing? In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with my dear friend and motivational interviewing trainer, Patrick Berthiaume, to explore ambivalence, discord, and how compassion can transform both our relationships and our inner lives.

Patrick is a French Canadian from Montreal with a background in sexology, who spent years working at the coalface of human suffering – alongside people e...

Join me on Compassion in a T-Shirt as I sit down with clinical psychologist, author, and CFT pioneer Dr Mary Welford for a rich and surprising conversation about self-criticism — what it is, why we do it, and the unexpected functions it serves.

Mary reflects on her early journey into Compassion Focused Therapy, including the profound influence of Professor Paul Gilbert’s work on shame and self-criticism, and her experiences during the formative years of the Compassionate Mind Foundation. We explore the challenges she faced in clinical practice, the breakthroughs that shaped her approach, and how CFT evolved into...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Sydney-based psychotherapist Megan Buys to explore the rich and evolving world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Megan recently published a landmark paper, Exploring the Evidence for Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Scoping Review of Current Research, Gaps, and Future Directions, in Clinical Psychologist—the first comprehensive synthesis of the IFS evidence base.

We talk about what drew her to IFS, the model’s theoretical foundations, and the central role of compassion and the “Self” in helping clients understand, relate to, and heal their internal systems...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Michelle Becker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, international teacher, and co-founder of the Wise Compassion Program. Michelle shares her remarkable journey from certified public accountant to compassion-focused therapist, and how that path led her to create the groundbreaking Compassion for Couples program.

We explore how compassion can transform relationships — from understanding the three-circle model of emotion regulation developed by Paul Gilbert, to practical dyadic exercises that help couples connect more deeply and respond to conflict with care. Michelle offers heartfelt insights and powerful examples of...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Audra Horney, a licensed psychologist from Arizona, USA, who specialises in men’s mental health. Audra brings a refreshing mix of humour, honesty, and deep compassion to her work, helping men feel that therapy is a place where they truly belong.

We explore how to make therapy relevant, comfortable, and safe for men — and what happens when men start to connect with their emotions rather than avoid them. Audra shares her journey into specialising in men’s mental health, how she builds trust through authenticity, and why laughter can be suc...

What if healing emotional pain could start with the simple act of tapping? 

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Carol Look, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and pioneering EFT Master, for an inspiring conversation about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), psychotherapy, and gratitude. Carol shares her journey from traditional psychotherapy to discovering the transformative power of EFT. 

We talk about The Yes Code and her new book Yes, Thank You, and how tapping combined with gratitude can help release emotional blocks, address self-sabotage, and bring about profound healing. Together we...

What if compassion, not punishment, was at the heart of how we respond to drug use?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, Dr. Stan Steindl welcomes Dee-Dee Stout, a renowned counselor, educator, and leading advocate for harm reduction. Dee-Dee discusses her groundbreaking book Coming to Harm Reduction Kicking and Screaming, which shares powerful stories of people who use drugs and the families who support them.

This conversation explores harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and the role of compassion, empathy, and respect in treatment. We look at the future of harm reduction, challenge myths and...

Is your empathy helping you—or wearing you down?

If you’re in a helping profession, this conversation will speak to your heart and your nervous system.

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, Dr. Stan Steindl speaks with Tanya Cooper, a Melbourne-based clinical psychologist, Motivational Interviewing trainer, and longtime member of MINT. With over 25 years of experience, Tanya offers profound insights into the emotional cost of care work and how to sustain compassion without burning out.

Drawing from her personal journey during Melbourne’s intense lockdowns and the work of thinkers like J...

What if parenting wasn’t just about raising children—but also about becoming more human yourself?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I speak with Shevonne Hunt—presenter, producer, writer, and longtime champion of human stories. Shevonne shares her journey from radio and Kinderling Conversation to creating the podcast A Better World Blueprint, a show that offers hope, insight, and inspiration in a time when the world can feel overwhelming.

We talk about the emotional challenges of parenting, the role of compassion in family and community life, and what she’s learned from years of...

What does it take to have a truly compassionate conversation—one that heals, connects, and even bridges deep divides?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Stephen Andrew—a seasoned therapist, trainer, storyteller, and the warm, wise voice behind the podcast Conversations in Compassion. Based in Portland, Maine, Stephen has spent decades working with people experiencing addiction, mental illness, and trauma, and he brings a deeply compassionate lens to everything he does.

Together, we explore what makes a conversation truly compassionate—from the inner skills we cultiv...

What if the greatest act of courage in a group is creating the psychological safety for all to have a voice?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Majella Greene—social worker, therapist, trainer, and thought leader in psychological safety. We explore what it really means to create spaces where people can show up authentically, speak openly, and feel safe enough to take risks, make mistakes, and connect with others.

From the impact of power dynamics to the importance of cultural humility, Majella shares powerful insights into what makes safety no...

What does it really mean to teach mindfulness with integrity, compassion, and care?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Professor Rebecca Crane — a true pioneer in the field of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and director of the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University. Together, we explore the heart of MBCT: where it came from, what makes it distinctive, and how it continues to evolve in response to the complex challenges of our times.

From the subtle art of teacher embodiment, to supporting inclusivity and social justice in...

Can we hold people accountable and meet them with compassion?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with my friend and colleague Ken McMaster, a social worker, trainer, author, and founder of HMA in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ken has spent over four decades working at the frontline of domestic and family violence intervention, and brings a wealth of insight into how people change — and what it takes to truly support that change.

We explore the complex relationship between compassion and accountability, the role of shame and trauma in ha...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr Warren Ward and clinical nutritionist and recovery coach Lexi Crouch—co-authors of the new book Renourish, a compassionate, three-phase guide to eating disorder recovery.

Together, they explore the brain, body, and soul of recovery:

. Dr Ward unpacks the neuroscience of brain starvation, the cultural roots of the eating disorder epidemic, and the importance of full renourishment.

. Lexi shares her powerful lived experience of 15 years with anorexia, offering insight, hope, and a deeply personal perspective on recovery.

This co...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, Dr. Stan Steindl sits down with Dr. Chia-Ying Chou, a UCSF-trained psychologist and leading specialist in hoarding and cluttering. Chia-Ying combines Compassion Focused Therapy with years of clinical and research expertise to help people move beyond shame, self-criticism, and avoidance.

Together, we explore:

. What hoarding really is — beyond just “too much stuff.”

. The emotional roots of hoarding, including shame and fear.

. How Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) can build the courage and inner strength needed to face these challenges.

. Practical skills and strate...

What if the most powerful question a leader could ask was: “How can I best be helpful?”

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by Gabriela Jones and Alexandra Thomas, co-authors of the compelling new book Compassion-Focused Leadership. Nominated for HR Book of the Year in Sweden, their work explores how compassion—defined as empathy in action—can transform leadership, organisations, and the humans within them.

Together, we dive into the core principles of compassion-focused leadership, from the evolutionary science of our emotional brains, to the three flows of compassion, to the import...

What does it mean to live a good life—and how do we find our way there, even through pain?

In this deeply thoughtful and delightfully down-to-earth conversation, I’m joined by clinical psychologist, ACT trainer, and author Dr. Jenna LeJeune, co-author of Values in Therapy. 

Together, we explore how reconnecting with our values—those freely chosen ways of being—can guide us toward a life that truly matters.

We talk about:

. What values really are (hint: they’re not just nouns like “family” or “work”)

. Why pain can be a compass, not j...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined once again by Clinical Psychologist, writer, and podcast host Shannon A Swales. Shannon is the founder of Burnout Psychology Support, host of the Midlife Reclaimed podcast, and author of Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back from Burnout.

Shannon first appeared on the channel on 15 July 2023, where she shared her own journey through burnout and recovery. This time, she returns to share her clinical insights and compassionate perspective on helping midlife women navigate burnout, life transitions, and the quiet disconnection so many...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Dr Ashley Seidel Potvin—educator, researcher, and lead author of the truly important book Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities: Leading Together to Address Everyday Suffering in Schools.

Ashley brings such depth and heart to this conversation, drawing on her work at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute and years of collaboration with educators and researchers. We explored what it really takes to shift school culture—from the deeply personal to the systems-level—and how compassion and dignity can be nurtured in even...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined by Dr Inês Trindade from Örebro University in Sweden—an accomplished researcher in compassion, self-compassion, acceptance and commitment therapy, and health psychology.

Together, we explore the psychological toll of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and how self-compassion can act as a protective force against depression, anxiety, and stress. We also discuss the powerful role of shame and stigma in gut-related conditions, and how compassion-based interventions can help people find a new way of relating to themselves and their illness.

Inês shares insight...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Nicola O’Neill — a transformational mindset coach, spiritual teacher, and founder of a unique training program that helps people harness the power of thought to create meaningful, lasting change.

Nicola shares her own personal journey of overcoming significant life challenges — from financial hardship to emotional distress — and how she used practices like mindfulness, gratitude, affirmations, and self-awareness to shift from negativity to possibility.

We explore what it really means to raise our energy, move beyond limiting beliefs, and live with more clarity, confidence, and conn...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Professor Michael Inzlicht from the University of Toronto and the Rotman School of Management to explore a question that feels both inspiring and unsettling: Can a machine be more compassionate than a human?

Michael’s recent study, Third-Party Evaluators Perceive AI as More Compassionate than Expert Humans, found that people consistently rated AI-generated empathic responses as more caring, understanding, and validating than those written by real people — even trained crisis line professionals. That’s remarkable, and it raises big questions about how we relate to each o...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Dr Kate Lucre — a remarkable psychotherapist, group specialist, climber, and author of Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy.

Kate shares how she works with people often labelled “too difficult” or “untreatable”, offering hope and healing to those at the edges of therapeutic opportunity. We talk about how her lifelong love of drama, acting, and rock climbing shaped her uniquely playful and courageous approach to Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP).

Kate walks me through her five-phase group model — from initial assessment all the way to moving on (with a s...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Dr Emma Seppälä—clinical psychologist, researcher, and author of Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power in a Time of Distraction, Uncertainty, and Chaos.

Emma’s work offers such a powerful and timely message: that even in the midst of modern chaos and overwhelm, we can reclaim a deep sense of inner freedom. In our conversation, we explore what it means to live more authentically and with greater presence, and how to overcome the bound state—that sense of being stuck in patterns of self-cri...

"The shame is not for survivors to carry."

[From the archive, this episode first aired on YouTube on 11 April 2021.]

Dr Lisa McLean is a psychologist in private practice at Ocean Psychology, Sunshine Coast, Australia who provides support to adults across a wide range of mental health and other life concerns. Lisa offers a safe, warm, and compassionate space where clients are empowered to create positive change. Lisa has over twenty years’ experience working across private practice and community-based settings, and has a special interest in working with clients who have been impacted by trauma. Her Ph...

In this special episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Chris Winson, the heart and soul behind the beloved #365DaysOfCompassion initiative.

For over eight years, Chris has cultivated a digital refuge for those drawn to compassion-focused ideas—sharing daily posts, uplifting articles, music, memes, and his beautifully curated monthly reflections. What began as a hashtag on Twitter blossomed into a secure base and gathering place for compassionistas around the world.

As Chris steps back from regular posting, this conversation is both a celebration and a heartfelt thank you. We talk about the or...

Professor Darcy L Harris currently works at Kings University College/Western University in the Department of Thanatology. Darcy does research in Grief, Bereavement, Non-Death Loss and Grief, and Compassion-based approaches in care settings. She has written and taught extensively in the field, and is doing some wonderful initiatives to integrate grief work with compassion focused therapy.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:19 Darcy Harris's Background and Journey

06:18 Understanding Grief Beyond Death

11:32 The Hierarchy of Loss and Social Perceptions

14:14 Personal Stories of Grief and Compassion

21:45 The Role of Com...

In this deeply moving episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I reconnect with my old friend and colleague, Glynn Chambers—a psychologist based in Bendigo, Australia—who shares his raw and personal journey through cancer.

Glynn speaks with honesty, insight, and even humour about his diagnosis, the emotional rollercoaster that followed, and what it means to live with uncertainty. He reflects on how he’s made sense of suffering, the role of vulnerability, and how self-compassion has become both a refuge and a resource. We also talk about his beautifully honest blog, Psych With Cancer, and his podcas...

What if compassion has always been with us—quietly guiding humanity through every age?

In this video essay, I take you on a journey through time, exploring how compassion, kindness, and helpfulness have been understood and expressed by some of the world’s most influential thinkers, spiritual teachers, psychologists, and storytellers.

From Aristotle and Confucius to Julian of Norwich and the Dalai Lama…

From Viktor Frankl and Paul Gilbert to the unexpected wisdom of Paddington Bear…

I’ve tried to weave a thread through it all—a thread of compassion that runs right t...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr Sarah Bowen—clinical psychologist, Associate Professor at Pacific University in Oregon, and one of the co-developers of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP).

I first met Sarah back in 2011 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Centre during an MBRP facilitator training. That experience had a lasting impact on me—deepening my interest in mindfulness, compassion, and their place in addiction recovery. So it was a real joy to reconnect with her for this conversation.

We explore the foundations of MBRP and how...

What happens when a groundbreaking psychological resource is reimagined for the ears and hearts of new mothers?

In this heartfelt episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, Dr. Stan Steindl explores the intersection of psychology, creativity, and compassion with three remarkable women: Michelle Cree, author of The Compassionate Mind Approach to Postnatal Depression; Ashleigh McLellan, the driving force behind its transformation into an audiobook; and Sam Norbury, the voice artist who brings Michelle’s words to life.

Together, they reflect on the journey of adapting the book into an intimate and accessible audio format—offering support, unde...

"I'm trying to help people connect with their caring part, their caring motivation. 'I want to try this because it is going to help me, or help me to be with others,' rather than, 'I need to get rid of my anxiety.'"

Elli Tholouli is a psychologist specializing in compassion focused therapy and compassionate mind training at www.compassioncentre.gr in Athens, Greece. She is an active member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation, as well as the International Center for Compassionate Organizations, and she is a Research Fellow in the Laboratory of Quality Research in...

In this heartfelt and enlightening conversation, I sit down with Dr Michaela Swee—a board-certified clinical psychologist, clinical investigator at McLean Hospital, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Michaela brings together deep scientific insight, clinical wisdom, and a personal story of transformation: from aspiring actress to a leader in trauma-informed, compassion-focused care.

We explore how Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) supports people struggling with shame, self-criticism, and complex PTSD, and how even small practices—like writing a compassionate letter to yourself—can have profound impact. Michaela shares findings from her research, reflections on her therapeutic work, and her pa...