This is the final episode in the Still Human series on Through the Mental Lens. In Part 3: Embracing Humanity in an AI World, Chris takes a direct look at artificial intelligence — its power, its pitfalls, and what it means for our creativity and identity.

You’ll hear:

• A personal story of how AI unlocked a long-stalled creative project and why that was both exciting and unsettling
• Why AI can be a powerful co-pilot but a terrible compass
• The hidden cost of skipping the creative struggle with AI “shortcuts”
• Three practical ways to protect your voice and keep the human at the center of your work
• A reflection exercise to help you identify the parts of your life and creativity that should remain fully human

AI can speed us up, but it can’t give us meaning. Holding on to our quirks, reflections, and struggles is what keeps us truly human.

You can also read the companion article, Finding Clarity in a Digital World: How to Stay Human and Sane in the Age of AI at The Mental Lens.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

This episode kicks off a special Still Human series on Through the Mental Lens. In Part 1: Always On — Why Our Brains Feel Fried, Chris shares a personal story of smart devices slowly taking over his home, and his attention. From there, we explore the evolutionary mismatch between our Stone Age brains and today’s nonstop digital demands.

You’ll learn:

• Why constant alerts trigger stress even when they seem harmless
• How “switching costs” drain our focus and energy
• Why feeling scattered isn’t a personal flaw—it’s overload
• A simple reflection exercise to sort real alerts from digital noise

If your brain feels fried, you’re not broken. You’re just carrying more than it was designed to. This episode helps you start reclaiming clarity in an always-on world.

Want more on this? Check out my blog post Finding Clarity In A Digital World: How To Stay Human And Sane In The Age Of AI.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

AI promised to save us time—but are notifications actually making us more anxious instead of more productive? In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, Chris unpacks the “ping parade” of AI-driven alerts and how they quietly shape our focus, emotions, and sense of control. From the promise of productivity to the hidden mental load of constant nudges, we’ll explore when AI helps—and when it doesn't.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we explore one of the most overlooked pillars of mental health—our relationships. While self-care often focuses inward on journaling, meditation, or exercise, true wellbeing is also built in connection with others.

I share why supportive relationships are vital to mental health (backed by decades of research) and break it down into three key pillars: setting healthy boundaries, having deeper conversations, and cultivating community. You’ll hear practical strategies you can apply right away—whether it’s saying no without guilt, asking better questions, or starting small rituals that strengthen connection.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we explore what it really means to advocate for mental health in the workplace — and why it doesn’t require a title, a budget, or an HR mandate.

From breaking stigma through everyday conversations to being a “sign-poster” who connects colleagues with resources, small actions can spark ripple effects that transform workplace culture. We’ll dive into practical tools like micro-initiatives, active listening, and even policy nudges that make support structural, not optional.

You’ll also hear real-world stories — from anonymous “three kind words” programs to walk-and-talk meetings — that prove advocacy is less about grand gestures and more about human connection.

By the end, you’ll see how a single sentence, resource shared, or moment of listening can create workplaces where people don’t just survive, they thrive.

Want more on this? Check out my blog post Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace where I unpack this idea with additional details and resources.

And if you want to take this further, don’t miss the free companion toolkit — packed with scripts, micro-initiatives, and examples you can put into action right away. Sign up for The Mental Lens newsletter, and you’ll get the toolkit delivered right to your inbox.

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

It’s 2 a.m. and you can’t sleep. Instead of calling a friend or waiting weeks for a therapy appointment, you open an app. A friendly chatbot greets you by name and asks, “What’s on your mind?”

For millions of people, this isn’t science fiction, it’s everyday life. AI mental health tools like Woebot, Wysa, and Replika are becoming companions, coaches, and for some, what they actually call their “therapists.”

In this episode, Chris explores the rise of AI in mental health:

• What these tools actually are
• Why people are turning to them—from cost to accessibility to companionship
• The risks, limitations, and ethical questions we can’t ignore
• How AI might fit alongside—not replace—human therapists

Along the way, Chris shares his own story of resisting therapy, why these tools might have helped him start sooner, and what “bridges” like chatbots could mean for the future of mental health.

Because while AI can offer support, empathy still belongs to humans.

Want more on this? Check out my blog post Is AI My Therapist Now? where I unpack this idea with additional details and resources.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

Follow and subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or whever you get your podcasts!

Dive deeper and subscribe to the newsletter at The Mental Lens.
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

Are you stuck in the endless loop of “just one more edit”? You’re not alone. In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, Chris digs into the hidden costs of perfectionism: why it keeps us stuck, how AI can make it worse, and what self-compassion can do to set us free.

From a five-year cookbook that’s still simmering, to lessons learned building a website, Chris shares personal stories, practical tools, and even conversations with his 8-year-old about why the world’s greatest athletes lose — a lot.

You’ll learn how to:

• Spot perfectionism when it’s holding you back
• Reframe your inner critic with self-kindness
• Use simple exercises like the “80% Rule” and “AI Timeboxing” to move forward
• Embrace the mindset of progress, not perfection

Because you deserve to do good work — and feel good about it — without chasing flawless.

Want more on this? Check out my blog post Break Free From Perfectionism: Embrace Self-Kindness And Flourish where I unpack this idea with additional details and resources.

👉 Pre-order my new book, Still Human: Staying Sane, Productive, and Fully You in the Age of AI

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

Follow and subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or whever you get your podcasts!

Dive deeper and subscribe to the newsletter at The Mental Lens.
Free tools | Simple insights | 15% off your first order at The Mental Lens Store |
Zero overwhelm

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.

We live in a world where help is always just a prompt away. From writing emails to filling the silence with a joke from Alexa, Artificial Intelligence has become our ever-present assistant. But what happens when that constant support starts to blur the lines between help and replacement?

In this episode, we explore the emotional side effects of always-on AI. From the comfort it provides, to the quiet erosion of self-trust, to the disappearance of boredom (and why that matters more than you think), we’ll unpack how digital sidekicks are reshaping not just productivity—but our sense of self.

You’ll hear personal stories, surprising research, and practical ways to reclaim your own voice while still enjoying the benefits of AI. Because at the end of the day, the best connection isn’t your Wi-Fi—it’s the one you keep with yourself.

Want more on this? Check out my blog post Is AI Impacting Your Feelings? Surprising Ways Tech Changes Us where I unpack this idea with additional details and resources.

If you are looking for more information on mental health, check out our Mental Health Resources page.

Follow and subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or whever you get your podcasts!

Dive deeper and subscribe to the newsletter at The Mental Lens.
Free tools | Simple insights | 15% off your first order at The Mental Lens Store |
Zero overwhelm

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed professional if you need support.