Ep150- What's So Great About Being Nice? with Dr Joe Burgo

 

Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts, clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and author, Joseph Burgo, Ph.D.

 

As part of his training as a psychotherapist, Joseph Burgo spent more than 13 years in therapy and psychoanalysis. His struggle to come to terms with the "reality of being" led to a major shift in his perspective, both personally and professionally.

 

Joe explains, "Western culture gives us so many messages about the correct way to feel, but not much guidance about how to cope with the ways we actually do feel. Self-help books often promise to teach us how we can overcome or transcend certain undesirable feelings. Spiritual practices seem to offer an alternative to the long, hard work of psychological and emotional growth. It seems as if we are all trying to avoid our difficult and "ugly" emotions entirely."

 

On today's show, Joe will explain how our quest to be "nice" or perfect is not only impossible, but is also not the way to find happiness. He'll also share insights from his upcoming book Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defence Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives (coming 2013), explaining how we can find greater peace when we accept the many indelible ways our childhood has shaped us.

 

Tune in and join Lynn and Joseph and find out how appreciating the full spectrum of human emotions can help us discover realistic ways to change our lives.