Affect Alchemy

Lindsay Liben
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Everyone struggles, but why do some people flounder while others galvanize their suffering into golden opportunities that make their lives stronger and richer? Our podcast peeks into the minds our inspiring guests to reveal how they find resilience and optimism to overcome personal, parenting or professional challenges. Integrating my psychotherapeutic perspective, we explore the mindsets and motivations of our fascinating friends to celebrate how they alchemized affective adversity into golden triumphs.

  1. MAR 9

    Mothers Deserve More with Laura Sandoval-Sweeney

    If you have ever thought, why does mothering this feel so much harder than everyone said it would?! If you are the mom who looks composed, capable, and grateful and still feels anxious, overwhelmed, or not quite yourself, you need to hear this conversation. In this episode, I’m joined by Lara Sandoval Sweeney, a maternal mental health psychotherapist based in Austin who works with high functioning mothers navigating postpartum anxiety, depression, perfectionism, intrusive thoughts, and the relentless pressure to hold it all together. Lara brings both clinical expertise and lived experience after moving through her own postpartum anxiety and realizing she was not failing at motherhood. She was experiencing something common and treatable. We break down what PMADs actually are and why normalizing them is powerful and urgent. We talk about what real treatment looks like, not just coping tips, but meaningful therapeutic work that helps mothers feel like themselves again. We get specific about how partners can show up in ways that truly lighten the load. Laura gives brilliant tips on how to create a new mom self care practice and find community connection in the 4th trimester. You're not going to want to miss it. If you are in the thick of new motherhood, supporting someone who is, or still carrying questions from your own early postpartum days, this episode will validate you and mobilize you. Mothers deserve more than survival mode. Support is available. Healing is possible. And no one has to muscle through alone.

    45 min

  2. FEB 13

    Vanquishing Perfectionism with Sam Laura Brown

    You don't have to be organized, high-achieving, or even aware of it. Perfectionism could still be the thing sabotaging your life and keeping you stuck. In this episode of Affect Alchemy, I speak with perfectionism coach Sam Laura Brown and she breaks down the truth about what perfectionism actually looks like (hint: it has nothing to do with being neat and organized) and why so many people are suffering without even knowing there's a name for it. If you've ever felt like your own worst enemy, this one's for you.

    46 min

  3. JAN 20

    Alchemizing Friction into Flow with Lindsay Liben (me!)

    Think happiness is just luck? Think again. Turns out, you have way more control than you realize. In this episode, I sit down with myself to dive into the three pathways to genuine, lasting happiness—and spoiler alert: it's not about chasing the next promotion or perfect relationship. I'll share why your brain is designed to keep you stuck on a "hedonic treadmill," how a simple breathing exercise can pull you out of fight-or-flight mode, and the surprising link between self-compassion and better relationships. If you're ready to stop letting anxiety run the show and start building real emotional reserves, hit play.

    38 min

  4. 12/21/2025

    Honoring your Vulnerability with Molly Martin LMSW

    Today we are sitting down with Molly Martin, a Columbia University educated therapist whose work brings the body, emotions, and relationships into the heart of healing. We will talk about her path from academic training at Columbia to becoming a deeply somatic and attachment based clinician, and how that evolution shaped the way she works with trauma, anxiety, OCD, and relationships. Molly is advanced trained in Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and Emotionally Focused Therapy, and I think you’ll find it especially meaningful right now, especially when stress runs high and many people are craving steadiness, grounding, and a more compassionate way to be with themselves.

    38 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Alchemizing trauma and anxiety into emotional strength with Debbie Missud

    Ever feel like even though you’re doing everything “right,” anxiety and stress feels like they are running the show? In my conversation with Debbie Missud, we get into why that happens and how trauma responses can quietly hide inside achievement. Debbie explains why high achieving women in their 20s and 30s constantly feel activated, and why living in New York only amplifies it. We unpack why old beliefs stick around long after you think you’ve outgrown them, and how to finally start noticing the patterns that keep you stuck. You’ll come away with practical ways to interrupt mental spirals, settle your nervous system, and create space to breathe. We dive into why shifting your mental states feels so hard, and offer insights for emotional relief, understanding, and a clearer connection with your authentic self. It’s the kind of conversation that feels like the support you wish you had years ago.

    44 min

  6. 10/02/2025

    Alchemizing Hope and Connection with Erin Bulcao of MyBeautifulBlunder

    This week on Affect Alchemy, Erin Bulcao of @myBeautifulBlunder shares her heartfelt story of navigating a fertility journey with honesty, courage, and hope. In honor of October as October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Erin offers a beautiful reminder that embracing imperfection, prioritizing self-care, and speaking truthfully about the hardest moments can create space for healing and connection. Her message is one of resilience, compassion, and optimism that will resonate with anyone who has faced challenges on the path to building a family. Erin can be found at mybeautifulblunder.com and on Instagram at MyBeautifulBlunder

    43 min

  7. 09/17/2025

    Alchemizing Connection and Care in Therapy with Jaclyn Einstein

    This week on Affect Alchemy, I sit down with Jaclyn Einstein, founder of Einstein Psychotherapy Group. Jaclyn’s work focuses on fertility, substance treatment, mood, and anxiety disorders, and together we explore what really happens in psychotherapy. In this conversation, Jaclyn shares how therapy unfolds behind the scenes, the misconceptions many people carry about the process, and the ways it can support healing and growth during some of life’s most challenging moments. It’s a thoughtful and illuminating look at the transformative power of therapy, and the heart of the work with Jaclyn and Einstein Psychotherapy.

    54 min

  8. 08/01/2025

    Alchemizing Digestive Health with Jessica Lebovits, RD

    In this episode of Affect Alchemy, I’m joined by Jessica Lebovits, a New York City–based registered dietitian who specializes in digestive health and celiac disease. Drawing from both clinical expertise and her own experience living with celiac, Jessica offers a compassionate and nuanced look at what it really takes to treat and live well with this condition. We explore how nutrition impacts fertility, the importance of flexibility over rigidity in dietary treatment, and how to build a life that feels not just manageable—but truly flourishing. Whether you're navigating a diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this conversation is full of insight, empowerment, and practical guidance.

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Everyone struggles, but why do some people flounder while others galvanize their suffering into golden opportunities that make their lives stronger and richer? Our podcast peeks into the minds our inspiring guests to reveal how they find resilience and optimism to overcome personal, parenting or professional challenges. Integrating my psychotherapeutic perspective, we explore the mindsets and motivations of our fascinating friends to celebrate how they alchemized affective adversity into golden triumphs.

Information

  • Creator
    Lindsay Liben
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Affect Alchemy