Compassion in a T-Shirt
A podcast exploring the science and practice of compassion. Offers clear and practical advice on how to cultivate compassion and self-compassion from experts in the field. Life can be difficult, and this podcast is designed to help. Compassion in a T-Shirt has featured guests including Professor Paul Gilbert, Professor Terri Moyers, Professor James Doty, Deirdre Fay, Dr Chris Germer, Dr Kristin Neff, Dr Marcela Matos, Dr James Kirby, and more.
How Nutrition Shapes Mental Health & Compassion | Jennefer D’Aubyn

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt,' I explore the intersection of psychology and nutrition with Jennifer D'Aubyn, an experienced psychological therapist and nutritional therapist. We discuss Jen's journey in integrating psychotherapy and nutritional therapy, the psychology behind eating habits, and her research on nutritional interventions for long COVID. We dive into the role of diet in emotional well-being, the impact of food choices on mental health, and how nutrition can be an act of self-compassion. Jen shares practical advice and insights on how therapists can incorporate nutritional awareness into their practice to better support their clients...
Understanding Depression and Compassion Focused Therapy | Gregoris Simos

Depression can be very painful. We can feel exhausted and helpless, withdraw, and lose connection with others. In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Gregoris Simos discusses depression, understanding intense moods, and exploring effective treatments, particularly through Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
About Dr. Gregoris Simos:
Dr. Gregoris Simos, MD, is a professor of psychopathology at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece. He is an internationally respected psychiatrist and a recognized authority in contemporary psychotherapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
In 2022, Dr. Simos, along...
Bringing Compassion to Life with Chairwork | James Hackley

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt,' I speak with Dr. James Hackley, a clinical psychologist at the University of Manchester, about compassion focused chair work. We delve into Dr. Hackley's research on using chair work to help people with depression connect with their compassionate selves and navigate self-criticism. Key points include the social mentality theory, CFT's multi-modal approach, and practical steps for implementing chair work in therapy. The conversation highlights the assessment and intervention potential of chair work, alongside client experiences that reveal the deeply transformative impact of this technique.
TIME STAMPS:
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Redefining business with compassion | Bruno Cignacco (Must know principles and practices)

[This episode with Bruno Cignacco is from a YouTube episode aired on 19 July 2024.]
Love makes business better?? Yes! Not sentimental love, but humanistic love and compassion can aid in employee health and well-being, nurture collaboration with competitors, develop better relationships with investors and suppliers, and increase efficiency, productivity and the bottom line.
Here is a conversation with Dr. Bruno R. Cignacco, a pioneer in compassionate business practices.
Bruno is an esteemed international business consultant, TEDx speaker, lecturer, and best-selling author. With over 30 years of experience, he has advised and trained hundreds of companies...
Transforming leadership: Bringing compassion into corporate culture | Laura Berland & Evan Harrel

[This episode with Laura Berland and Evan Harrel is from a YouTube episode aired on 12 July 2024.]
How can I be a strong leader, and a compassionate one? How can I compassionately motivate people to work towards shared goals? How can I bring courage, curiosity and love into my leadership roles? How can I have the difficult conversations, but also stay true to my values around compassion and treating others the right way?
Laura Berland and Evan Harrel are Founder and COO respectively of The Center for Compassionate Leadership in New York State. They bring the...
What's behind shame? An innocent wish to be loved | Chris Germer

[This episode with Dr Chris Germer is from a YouTube episode aired on 16 February 2024.]
“A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.”
Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. He co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Kristin Neff in 2010 and MSC has since been taught to over 250,000 people worldwide. They co-authored two books on MSC, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program.
Chris spends most of his time...
Why Do We Fear Compassion? Insights from Attachment Theory | Deanna Varley

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T Shirt,' I have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Deanna Varley, a rising star in the field of compassion research. We discuss her journey and groundbreaking meta-analysis on the fascinating interplay between attachment styles and fears of compassion. Dr. Varley explains attachment theory, detailing its origins and various attachment styles and their impacts on our relationships and mental health. We then delve into the nuances of her research findings, discussing how different attachment styles correlate with the fears of self-compassion, receiving compassion, and giving compassion. Whether you're a professional, a student...
Why compassion matters and how it works | James Kirby

[This episode with Dr James Kirby is from a YouTube episode aired on 25 November 2022. It is released here as a podcast to compliment the episode with Dr Emiliana Simon-Thomas, which discussed the science of compassion, released last Friday (17 January 2025).]
Dr James Kirby is the co-director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He studies the effectiveness of Compassion Focused Therapy interventions in helping with the self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also works as a clinical psychologist in private practice. This is his first book.
TARGETED...
Cultivate compassion and find happiness | Emiliana Simon-Thomas (science-backed strategies)

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt', I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, a leading expert in the neuroscience and psychology of compassion. Dr. Simon-Thomas discusses her extensive research at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, where she examines the biological, psychological, and social facets of compassion. With insights on how compassion improves our health, happiness, and relationships, we delve into discussions on empathy, the evolutionary origins of compassion, and practical strategies to cultivate compassion in our daily lives. Don't miss our conversation about her contributions to the Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science and the Science of...
How to approach your perfectionism with compassion | Michaela Thomas

“I’m not going to take your ambition away, I’m just going to help you not drown in it.”
Michaela Thomas is a UK-based Clinical Psychologist and couples therapist with over fifteen years' experience. She established and runs The Thomas Connection, and has recently published a couples and compassion book called "The Lasting Connection". Michaela's special interests lie in Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, perfectionism and couples relationships.
Time Stamps:
2.24 Tell us a little bit about yourself, your work, your life.
5.05 Perfectionism: I must be perfect; self-criticism: I'm never go...