Best Fandom Psychology Podcasts (2025)

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How Teen Wolf Won Hearts—and Lost Its Pack 55:39

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1d ago55:39

55:39

Send us a text Fans don’t just watch; they build. This week we trace how Teen Wolf lit up the internet with sharp humor, pulpy lore, and explosive chemistry—then fumbled the bag by turning on the very community that made the show a phenomenon. We talk through the early magic: Stiles as the stealth lead, Derek as the reluctant anchor, hunters with s…

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#070 - Sport Psychology with Dr. Alex Auerbach 49:51

4d ago49:51

49:51

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with performance psychologist Dr. Alex Auerbach about sport psychology and his new book, Called to Greatness: Your Personal Playbook for the Pursuit of Excellence They discuss the essential elements of preparing for high-stakes competition, how to embody a mindset rooted in confidence and focus,…

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From Monster-of-the-Week to Fandom Juggernaut: Supernatural’s 15-Season Evolution 50:08

8d ago50:08

50:08

Send us a text Two writers who love fandom and hate sloppy endings sit down to unpack how Supernatural morphed from a gritty monster-of-the-week into a 15-season cultural juggernaut. We talk about why the Winchesters became comfort TV, how the show’s self-aware humor and meta episodes (hello, The French Mistake and Fan Fiction) built trust, and the…

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How to Make Better Choices (with Barry Schwartz) 40:48

11d ago40:48

40:48

Every choice you make shapes your wellbeing - and the bigger the decision, the greater the impact. So when it comes to life-changing questions like where to live, who to marry, or which career to pursue, how can you tell if you’re making the best decision for your long-term happiness? Economists might argue that you should weigh up every single opt…

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Turning Fandom Obsession Into Million-Dollar Success 24:14

15d ago24:14

24:14

Send us a text Have you ever wondered how some authors create such passionate fan bases that readers literally buy everything they release—sometimes multiple times? Welcome to the world of fandom architecture, where understanding the psychology behind superfans can transform your writing career. In this inaugural episode of Feral Fandoms Podcast, h…

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Twilight, Ship Wars, and Why Cringe Wins 30:29

15d ago30:29

30:29

Send us a text Remember the first time you picked a side and meant it? Twilight wasn’t just a teen vampire romance—it was a portable universe that made you choose a tribe, memorize the quotes, and plan midnight screenings with friends who laughed at the same lines you did. We revisit that spark and unpack how a “cringe” classic evolved into a cozy,…

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K-pop's Hidden Magic Transforms Fans into Devoted Followers 37:53

15d ago37:53

37:53

Send us a text Step into the electrifying world of K-pop Demon Hunters with us as we unpack Netflix's record-breaking animated phenomenon that's captivated audiences worldwide. This surprising hit has maintained its #1 position longer than any other Netflix offering – and for good reason. We explore why this film resonates so deeply across generati…

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Take a Three-Day Weekend Without Losing Any Pay (with Juliet Schor) 55:51

18d ago55:51

55:51

Many of us toil for long hours - and even take work home at the end of the day. That's bad for us in so many ways - but extensive research shows that it just doesn't have to be this way. Many of us could work a four-day week and still get everything done. Economist Juliet Schor has studied every kind of business - from breweries to ad agencies - an…

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115: The Art & Visionary World-Building of Jack Kirby (Finishing The 'Four Color Grimoire') 2:53:08

18d ago2:53:08

2:53:08

This week on Black Hoodie Alchemy, we're rounding home-plate and reading the second half of my friend and colleague Eric Millar's work, The Four Color Grimoire! And this has everything to do with the legendary and still somewhat-unsung legacy of Jack Kirby - the King of Comics! But overall, it has the most to do with the art of nerd-fandom world-bu…

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The Feral Fandoms Trailer 1:34

20d ago1:34

1:34

Send us a text Welcome to The Feral Fandoms Podcast where fandom chaos meets author survival. Hosted by 7-figure author + cult-brand strategist Onley James and her chaos-wrangling cohost Shannon Ezzell, each week we break down iconic fandoms (from Twilight to K-pop Demon Hunters to Supernatural) and uncover what makes people obsessed. We’ll drag fa…

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How to Spend Your Time and Money Better (with Nobel Prize Winner Richard Thaler) 48:48

25d ago48:48

48:48

We all behave irrationally. We pay for expensive gym memberships and only go once. We spend windfall cash on things we'd never buy with our salaries. We plan to do nice things in the distant future, but don't actually write them down in our calendars. These things can be bad for our happiness, so why do we do them? Economist Richard Thaler won a No…

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114: Self-Actualizing Through Nerd Fandoms & The 'Four Color Grimoire' 1:45:27

25d ago1:45:27

1:45:27

Welcome back to Black Hoodie Alchemy, folks! This time around, I have a solo episode diving deeply into something that has really saved me over my medical recovery this year: my nerd fandoms. And I do it all with the help of my friend and colleague, Eric Millar's beautifully written book: The Four Color Grimoire, taking the time to read the first f…

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Eat Like the People Who Live Happily to 100 (with Dan Buettner) 39:21

1M ago39:21

39:21

Your eating habits could be cutting years off the end of your life. But there's a simple solution - eat like the people who live happily and healthily into their 80s, 90s and beyond. Dan Buettner studies the inhabitants of so-called "Blue Zones" - where people live long lives. Food and eating culture seem to play an important role this longevity. D…

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#069 - Revenge with James Kimmel, Jr. 1:03:27

1M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with lawyer and author James Kimmel, Jr. about the science of revenge and his new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It. They discuss why the desire for revenge is nearly universal, the psychological forces that drive it, how it can m…

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Why Having the Courage to Defy Makes us Happier (with Dr Sunita Sah) 39:53

1M ago39:53

39:53

We all go along with things we don't want to do... or worse, things that make us feel uncomfortable or morally uneasy. We comply for lots of reasons. We don't want to make trouble, or upset our friends, our bosses or people in authority. But Dr Sunita Sah says we should be more ready to defy. Defy: the Power of No in a World That Demands Yes is one…

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113: Video Games in Art, Psychology & Esoterica (feat. Joe Rupe of 'Lighting the Void') 2:02:57

1M ago2:02:57

2:02:57

Welcome back to Black Hoodie Alchemy! This week my good friend, recurring guest and host of 'Lighting the Void' joins me, the great Joe Rupe! While we take our usual analytical eye to today's topic, we also kick back and have a bit of fun as we talk about a topic that is really all about having fun: video games! From the art of programming, to the …

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Stop Caring What Other People Think of You (Bruce Hood on 10% Happier with Dan Harris) 1:08:23

2M ago1:08:23

1:08:23

Bruce Hood was a mentor of Dr Laurie early in her academic career and now teaches a course on happiness based on her famous Yale class. Hear him discuss his top tips on 10% Happier with Dan Harris. Find out more about Dan Harris and 10% Happier at https://www.danharris.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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112: Practical Mental Health in Spirituality, Philosophy & Esoterica (feat. Joe Rupe of 'Lighting the Void') 2:06:15

2M ago2:06:15

2:06:15

Welcome back to Black Hoodie Alchemy, folks! My head was jumbled, my body was in a lot of pain, and I wasn't really sure what my next move was after this near-death experience at the beginning of the year -- so I took a bit of a longer, unexpected, and unannounced break. Some of it was out of frustration, a lot of it was out of total exhaustion, an…

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“Can You Train Your Mind to Be Happier?” (with Dr Tal Ben-Shahar) 1:27:14

2M ago1:27:14

1:27:14

How do you train your mind to be happier? That was the question posed to Dr Laurie by Dr Tal Ben-Shahar at a live webinar for his Happiness Studies Academy. Tal is a leading expert in positive psychology and co-founded the academy to share his knowledge online with students from around the world. Dr Laurie is just one of the scientists he invited t…

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#068 - Sports Fandom with Dr. Daniel Wann 57:13

2M ago57:13

57:13

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with professor of psychology Dr. Daniel Wann about the psychology of sports fans. They discuss why people are drawn to sports, how identifying with a team can shape your identity, the personal and social benefits of fandom, how team identification changes the way you think, and the creative ways…

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"Human Minds Are Stupid!" (with Rich Roll) 2:22:45

2M ago2:22:45

2:22:45

On his podcast, Rich Roll seeks to give his listeners the knowledge to unleash their best selves. He invited Dr Laurie on his show to explain the science-backed "rewirements" she recommends to make us happier. The wide-ranging interview covers lots of topics - but tackles the tricky question of why the human mind often encourages us to do things th…

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Ep. XIX - C-3PO 1:29:03

2M ago1:29:03

1:29:03

In this thought-provoking episode of Mind the Force, host James Abbate teams up with guest host, Lindsay Riso, an industrial engineer and lifelong Star Wars fan, for a deep dive into the legacy of C-3PO. They explore his origins as a creation of young Anakin Skywalker, his service alongside Padmé Amidala, and his pivotal role in the Rebellion and R…

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The Joy of Not Being Dead (with Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic) 1:07:35

2M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Dr Laurie often uses the teachings of the ancient Stoic philosophers to help her through daily life - so she was invited on Ryan Holiday's hit show The Daily Stoic to discuss what she's learned. Ryan started off asking Dr Laurie's thoughts on death and the importance of seeing life as finite - but never fear, the conversation wasn't at all depressi…

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#067 - Relationship Conflict with Dr. Isabelle Morley 58:59

3M ago58:59

58:59

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with clinical psychologist & couples coach Dr. Isabelle Morley about intimate relationship conflict and her new book, They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship. They discuss what healthy relationship conflict actually looks like, th…

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Anyone Can Play, Anyone Can Win (Cornholing with Michelle Hastie Thompson) 32:59

3M ago32:59

32:59

How do you put your life back together after your home and your neighborhood's been destroyed in a wildfire? By tossing beanbags at a hole? That's what Michelle Hastie Thompson did. Michelle ("Cornhole Meesh") loves the backyard game of cornholing - and uses it to help her relax, share time with her loved ones, and meet new people. So what can corn…

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The Jimi Hendrix of the Cello (with Joshua Roman) 39:07

3M ago39:07

39:07

Joshua Roman has been playing the cello everyday since he was three - but then on a concert tour he caught Covid. The illness wouldn't go away and sapped his ability to play the music he loves at the level he was used to. How can things like music help us feel better during tough times? And what can tough times teach us about appreciating and reapp…

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"Birds Are Like My Afternoon Martini" (Birding with Lili Taylor) 32:15

4M ago32:15

32:15

Lili Taylor loves her acting career - but the emotional intensity of her work and the constant travel can take its toll. But Lili has found a way to relax and unwind - watching birds. As Lili explains in her new book Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing - if we stop to listen to birdsong or pause to watch their busy daily lives - we g…

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How Good Manners Made Me Happier (with Etiquette Expert William Hanson) 41:38

4M ago41:38

41:38

You might think etiquette is outdated. Who really needs a dinner with nice napkins and four different forks? Etiquette expert William Hanson disagrees. By observing good manners we show others we respect and care about them - deepening our bonds. William (author of Just Good Manners and host of the podcast Help I Sexted My Boss) explains the origin…

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#066 - Leaving Religion with Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren 49:20

4M ago49:20

49:20

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with psychology professor Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren about the topic of leaving religion and his new book, Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion. They discuss why people leave religion, what it feels like when personal beliefs no longer match religious teachings, what parts of religion stay w…

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Ep. XVIII - Pregnancy in Star Wars 1:05:31

4M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

In episode XVIII of Mind the Force, Kristine and James explore what it means to be a mother in a galaxy full of war, prophecy, and rebellion! In this deeply personal and reflective episode, we explore the powerful — and often overlooked — stories of pregnancy and motherhood in the Star Wars universe. From Shmi Skywalker’s mysterious and isolating d…

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How Dogs Changed my Life (with The Dogist) 35:29

4M ago35:29

35:29

We all have our own ways of coping - especially when things get tough. So for the next few shows we're going to talking to people with interesting coping strategies. And we start with Elias Weiss Friedman, aka The Dogist. Throughout his life, Elias has found comfort in dogs. And when he got fired from his job, dogs came to the rescue again - they h…

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The Two Words That Saved Mel Robbins (From A Slight Change of Plans) 37:30

4M ago37:30

37:30

We’re bringing you an episode of A Slight Change of Plans hosted by Dr. Maya Shankar - the behavioral scientist who also happens to be a former student of Dr Laurie. Maya sits down with bestselling author and popular podcast host Mel Robbins to talk about letting go of perfectionism and people pleasing, and how to cope when you lose control of a si…

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How Smartphones Changed Childhood (And What to do About it) 39:52

5M ago39:52

39:52

The happiness of young people has taken a big hit since the advent of the smartphone - and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that there is a direct link. He warns that allowing children easy access to the internet and social media adversely impacts their sleep, their self-esteem and even how their brains develop. Jonathan explains the dange…

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How to Think Like a Child (with David Yeager) 35:06

5M ago35:06

35:06

Why do kids do disruptive, annoying or maddening things? Usually when children behave badly, the first thing adults do is yell at them, tell them they're bad and dole out punishments. Developmental psychologist David Yeager says that's the wrong approach. Instead parents need work out why their child made bad decisions in the first place. David is …

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#065 - Trauma & PTSD with Dr. Patricia Resick 45:56

5M ago45:56

45:56

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with professor of psychiatry & trauma expert, Dr. Patricia Resick. They discuss the difference between trauma and ordinary negative events, the defining features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), how our thoughts can keep us stuck in distress, and what helps people truly heal. For more o…

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How to Tackle Bad Behaviour (with Dr Becky Kennedy) 45:35

5M ago45:35

45:35

Clinical psychologist Dr Becky Kennedy thinks every child is “good inside” even when they’re behaving badly. So to tackle tantrums or rule-breaking, she argues that parents must set clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour, but also seek to understand why their children are misbehaving. If a child is acting "badly" because they are disappointed, s…

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Is a "Viking" Childhood a Happier Childhood (with Helen Russell)? 38:56

5M ago38:56

38:56

Nordic countries are known to be happy - so should we all raise our children like the Scandinavians do? British parent Helen Russell moved to Denmark and was shocked that Danish children play outside in all weathers; are given sharp tools and they're shown how to light matches. In her book The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Rais…

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111: Son of Sam, Satanic Cults & 'The Ultimate Evil' 2:26:26

5M ago2:26:26

2:26:26

For this episode of Black Hoodie Alchemy, I'm finally covering a topic I have teased here and there since the beginning of the whole show-run! At last, I am covering the sprawling, Charlie-Kelly-in-the-mailroom-style conspiracy theory that suggests that David Berkowitz did not act alone in the Son of Sam Murders of NYC. But make no mistake, this fr…

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Ep. XVII - Jango Fett 2:01:01

5M ago2:01:01

2:01:01

In Episode XVII of Mind the Force, we explore the legacy of Jango Fett—Mandalorian, bounty hunter, and father. Often seen as cold and ruthless, Jango’s story reveals a deeper truth about identity, intentionality, and what it means to pass something on. We examine his choice to raise Boba as an unaltered clone, not as a soldier, but as a son shaped …

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How Not to Repeat Your Parents' Mistakes (with Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach) 37:53

6M ago37:53

37:53

Parents are never perfect - but their mistakes can have a lasting impact on their children. We all carry with us ideas and attitudes planted in us during childhood - and they're not always very helpful for leading a happy life. How can we unlearn some of these things and also prevent ourselves from passing them on if we have kids? Glennon Doyle and…

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Reducing the Stress of Parenting with Dr Vivek Murthy 34:38

6M ago34:38

34:38

Too many parents feel “exhausted, burned out, and perpetually behind” according to the former US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy. He says more needs to be done to protect parental mental health. Vivek talks to Dr Laurie about his experience as a dad and the loneliness, guilt and shame parents can feel as they struggle with the challenges of raising…

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How to Build Resilience (with Ben Walter from The Unshakeables) 35:23

6M ago35:23

35:23

In a special episode brought to you by Chase for Business, Dr. Laurie joins Ben Walter—CEO of Chase for Business and host of The Unshakeables podcast—to talk about resilience. Dr. Laurie and Ben explore the story of Benjamin Haugh, founder of All Nation Restoration in Austin, Texas. Benjamin had a difficult start in life, and at a young age found h…

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110: Outer-Space in Philosophy & Metaphysics 2:24:17

6M ago2:24:17

2:24:17

Welcome back, folks! This week I'm doing an episode that I feel like I probably should've done a long time ago -- but everything comes in due time, and here it finally is! Two and a half hours hashing out outers-space through the lens of philosophy, alchemy, and metaphysics. Diving into topics like the symbolism of outer-space from ancient to moder…

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Can You Become a "Practical" Optimist? 45:04

6M ago45:04

45:04

There are many benefits to being an optimist - particularly when things go wrong in our lives. But we aren't all naturally optimistic, so can we learn to adopt the best and most positive behaviours of born optimists? Through treating New Yorkers caught up in the 9/11 attacks, psychiatrist Dr Sue Varma developed a concept she calls "practical optimi…

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#064 - Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning with Dr. Joe Pierre 1:02:23

6M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with psychiatrist and author Dr. Joe Pierre about his new book, False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren't True. They discuss how the internet has changed the way we learn and absorb information, how human thinking often diverges from objectiv…

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109: New Age 'Prosperity Gospel' is Mental Illness 1:50:24

6M ago1:50:24

1:50:24

Welcome back -- at long last! Ending another unexpected break, I bring you an unexpected episode just in time for a 4/20-Easter combo, and this should mark the beginning of regular weekly or (at least) bi-weekly episode releases. I've had a lot going in my life recently, most of which has been very trying. It's brought about a lot of change, mostly…

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How to Confront the Things that Suck (Live with John Green) 1:11:42

6M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Author and vlogger John Green looks around the world and sees a lot of things that suck. But rather than giving in to despair, he's trying to develop a sense of hope. He says the most "punk rock" thing to do is tackle our problems head-on. John embraces the motto: "Human beings can be good news!" In a live discussion with Dr Laurie, he explains tha…

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How to be Awesome - With Almost no Effort (with John Green) 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

Best-selling author John Green wants to see less suck in the world and more awesome - and you can help achieve that right now! John's turned his attention to tuberculosis (TB) - a disease that is fixable and yet still kills millions of people. But you can stop that. TB is a disease of poverty - so if you can spare a buck, then you can save lives by…

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How to Stay Hopeful (Live from SXSW with Michelle Obama) 58:25

6M ago58:25

58:25

"What can we do to find hope when times are tough?" That was the question posed to Dr Laurie for a live recording of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson at the 2025 SXSW festival. Dr Laurie explained what science says about retaining hope and how we can act in ways that make us feel better even in bleak times - and the former First Lady shar…

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Why You Should Take a Few Months Off Work (Live from SXSW) 47:39

6M ago47:39

47:39

Sometimes a two-week vacation just isn't enough - we all might need to leave our jobs for three months, six months or even a year. Taking an extended break can be great for our wellbeing - allowing us to recharge our batteries and reassess our priorities. But for most of us taking a sabbatical feels impossible - so live at SXSW Dr Laurie asked the …