Living Your Best Life With Suzanne Wachtel

Suzanne Wachtel LCSW
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Suzanne is an experienced mental health professional with expertise in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University and is a licensed certified social worker who provides both individual and group therapy to clients of all ages. Suzanne has authored three books on topics like grief, parenting, and personal empowerment, and she leads workshops on self-awareness, relationships, and healing.

  1. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Loving An Adult With Mental Illness

    In this special introductory episode of Living Your Best Life with Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, Suzanne introduces a new mini-series, “Loving an Adult with Mental Illness,” dedicated to the complex and often emotional experience of loving someone who struggles with their mental health. When someone we love is living with mental illness, we may find ourselves navigating a world of worry, confusion, helplessness, guilt, and unanswered questions. We want to help, but we may not know how. We want to offer support, but we may struggle with where to draw the line. And sometimes, despite our best intentions, we can lose ourselves while trying to help someone else. Suzanne opens the door to an honest and compassionate conversation about the challenges families and loved ones face, reminding listeners that caring for someone does not mean having all the answers, fixing every problem, or sacrificing their own well-being. Throughout this series, she will explore the importance of boundaries, communication, self-care, acceptance, and learning how to support someone without losing yourself in the process. This first episode is an invitation to feel less alone, let go of the expectation that you must have everything figured out, and begin exploring what it means to love someone through their struggles while honoring your own needs. Because you can love someone deeply, offer compassion and support, and still take care of yourself. Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please know that help is available. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage you to reach out to a licensed mental health professional or qualified healthcare provider for guidance and support. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in immediate danger, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for an immediate emergency. Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    Loving An Adult With Mental Illness

  2. Oct 16

    Are You Altruistic?

    In this thought-provoking episode of Living Your Best Life, titled “Are You Altruistic?”, Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores what it really means to put others first. Is altruism simply being kind and generous, or is there more to it? Suzanne looks at the motivations behind our giving and invites listeners to consider whether we help others because we genuinely want to, because we feel responsible, or because we are looking for appreciation, acceptance, or validation. Suzanne also explores the important balance between caring for others and caring for ourselves. Being generous with our time, energy, compassion, and resources can be deeply rewarding—but giving too much can leave us depleted or resentful. With her signature warmth and insight, Suzanne encourages listeners to examine their own patterns of giving and ask: Can I be there for others without abandoning myself? This episode is an invitation to embrace generosity while remembering that healthy giving includes knowing when to give—and when to give yourself permission to receive. Reflection Questions When you help others, are you doing it because you genuinely want to—or because you feel you should?Have you ever given so much of your time, energy, or attention to others that you neglected your own needs? What did you learn from that experience?What would healthy generosity look like for you if you could give freely without expecting anything in return? Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    Are You Altruistic?

  3. Oct 9

    GRIEF!

    In this special reboot of the original Living Your Best Life episode “Grief,” Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, takes another compassionate look at one of life’s most universal and deeply personal experiences. Suzanne revisits the many faces of grief and explores how our understanding of loss can change as we grow and move through different chapters of life. She discusses the reality that grief isn't limited to the death of a loved one. We can grieve relationships, friendships, dreams, opportunities, our health, familiar routines, or versions of ourselves that we've had to leave behind. Suzanne reminds listeners that there is no timetable or single “right” way to grieve—and that healing doesn't necessarily mean forgetting or moving on. Sometimes it means learning how to carry the loss while continuing to live fully. With warmth, honesty, and compassion, this reboot offers both a fresh perspective for longtime listeners and a meaningful introduction for those hearing Suzanne's message for the first time. It is an invitation to honor what we've lost, give ourselves permission to feel, and trust that even in the presence of grief, there can eventually be room for hope, connection, and joy. Reflection Questions What loss in your life has changed you in ways you may not have fully recognized at the time?Do you give yourself permission to grieve in your own way, or do you sometimes feel you “should” be further along?How might you honor someone, something, or a chapter you’ve lost while still allowing yourself to experience joy and move forward? Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    GRIEF!

  4. Oct 2

    Acceptance & Letting Go

    In this thoughtful episode of Living Your Best Life, titled “Acceptance and Letting Go,” Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores the powerful connection between accepting what we cannot change and finding the freedom to let go. She discusses how holding onto past hurts, disappointments, relationships, expectations, or the way we wish things should have been can keep us emotionally stuck and prevent us from fully experiencing the present. Suzanne reminds listeners that acceptance doesn't mean approving of something, giving up, or saying that what happened was okay. Instead, it means acknowledging reality as it is so we can stop fighting what we cannot control and begin deciding what comes next. With warmth, compassion, and practical insight, Suzanne encourages listeners to release the need to control every outcome, make peace with what cannot be changed, and create room for new possibilities. Sometimes letting go isn't about losing something—it's about making space for something new. Reflection Questions What is something in your life that you may be holding onto that you cannot change or control?What would acceptance look like for you—not necessarily approving of what happened, but acknowledging that it happened?What might you have more room for in your life if you allowed yourself to let go of something from the past? Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    Acceptance & Letting Go

  5. Sep 25

    What Is Existensialism

    In this thought-provoking episode of Living Your Best Life, titled “What Is Existentialism?”, Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores the fascinating questions at the heart of existentialism: Who are we? Why are we here? What gives our lives meaning? And how much freedom do we really have to create the life we want? Suzanne breaks down existentialism in a relatable and approachable way, exploring themes of choice, responsibility, authenticity, freedom, connection, and the search for meaning. Rather than getting lost in complicated philosophy, she brings these ideas into everyday life and invites listeners to consider how they can take ownership of their choices and live more intentionally. With warmth, curiosity, and her signature practical perspective, Suzanne encourages listeners to embrace life's uncertainty, question the stories they've been told, and consider what truly gives their own lives meaning. This episode is an invitation to think deeply, live authentically, and remember that our lives are not simply something that happens to us—we have a role in creating them. Reflection Questions What gives your life meaning and purpose—and have those things changed throughout different stages of your life?Are there areas of your life where you feel you're making choices based on what you truly want, rather than what others expect of you?If you accepted that you have more freedom to shape your life than you may realize, what is one choice you might make differently? Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    What Is Existensialism

  6. Sep 18

    Believe In The Positive

    In this uplifting episode of Living Your Best Life, Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores the powerful impact of choosing to believe in the positive. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it can be easy to focus on what could go wrong—but what happens when we intentionally shift our attention toward what could go right? Suzanne talks about the connection between our thoughts, our perspective, and the energy we bring into our everyday lives. Believing in the positive doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It means making a conscious choice to look for possibility, opportunity, gratitude, and hope—even when things don’t go exactly as planned. With warmth and practical insight, Suzanne encourages listeners to become more aware of their inner dialogue and to ask themselves: What if I believed something good could happen? Reflection Quetions When life feels uncertain, do you naturally focus on what could go wrong—or what could go right?What positive outcome are you hoping for right now, and what would it mean to truly believe it’s possible?How might your life change if you consciously looked for the good, the possibility, and the opportunity in each day?

    Believe In The Positive

  7. Sep 11

    Not Your Dishes Not Your Sink

    In this candid and relatable episode of Living Your Best Life, titled “Not Your Dishes, Not Your Sink,” Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores the importance of knowing what is—and what isn’t—your responsibility. Using the everyday frustration of dirty dishes and a messy sink as a humorous metaphor, Suzanne talks about how often we take on other people’s problems, responsibilities, emotions, and messes. She encourages listeners to stop automatically fixing, rescuing, or cleaning up after others and instead ask themselves, “Is this really mine to deal with?” Suzanne discusses the connection between boundaries, resentment, and personal responsibility, reminding us that letting other people manage their own responsibilities isn't selfish—it’s healthy. With humor and insight, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: sometimes protecting your peace means leaving the dishes in the sink and letting someone else handle them. Refection Questions What “dishes” are you currently cleaning up in your life that may actually belong to someone else?Why do you feel responsible for fixing, solving, or managing other people’s problems?What would it feel like to step back, set a boundary, and allow someone else to handle their own mess? Want to know more about Suzanne? Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.suzannewachtel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/suzannewachtel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/suzannewachtellcsw

    Not Your Dishes Not Your Sink

  8. Sep 4

    You Get More With Honey...

    In this warm and insightful episode of Living Your Best Life, titled “You Get More with Honey,” Suzanne Wachtel, LCSW, explores the power of kindness, patience, and taking a softer approach in our interactions with others. The old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” reminds us that how we communicate can be just as important as what we say. Suzanne discusses how approaching people with warmth, respect, and compassion can open doors, reduce conflict, and create stronger connections. She also explores the difference between being kind and being a pushover, reminding listeners that you can be both gentle and strong while still maintaining healthy boundaries. With her signature honesty and humor, Suzanne encourages us to consider whether leading with a little more “honey” could make our relationships—and our lives—a whole lot sweeter. Reflection Questions When you're frustrated with someone, do you tend to lead with kindness or react from the emotion of the moment?Can you think of a time when approaching a difficult person with patience and compassion changed the outcome of the situation?How can you be kind and compassionate while still standing up for yourself and maintaining healthy boundaries?

    You Get More With Honey...
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Suzanne is an experienced mental health professional with expertise in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University and is a licensed certified social worker who provides both individual and group therapy to clients of all ages. Suzanne has authored three books on topics like grief, parenting, and personal empowerment, and she leads workshops on self-awareness, relationships, and healing.

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