Real Over Ideal
Vanessa Gorelkin
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About This Podcast
Function, not perfection.
Hosted by occupational therapist and executive coach Vanessa Gorelkin, Real over Ideal cuts through the noise to bring you practical strategies for life in a stressful world.
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Recent Episodes
Relapse and Recovery
Understanding and Navigating Mental Health Relapses with Vanessa Gorelkin.In this episode, your host, Vanessa Gorelkin, a licensed occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, discusses the…
Life Skills Toolbox: Body Doubling
Struggling with household tasks due to overwhelm or ADHD? Vanessa Gorelkin shares a compassionate, step-by-step body doubling approach to help you initiate and complete chores with less stress. This…
Fear of being Perceived
Embracing Visibility: Overcoming Fear of Being PerceivedWhat is the fear of being perceived?Discover practical ways to navigate the universal fear of being perceived in a world obsessed with…
The Second Wind Phenomenon
In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin dives into the science behind the second wind phenomenon and how understanding your circadian rhythms can help you harness your natural energy peaks. Learn practical…
Doubt as a super power: Motivational Interviewing
In this episode, host Vanessa Gorelkin describes how doubt can be harnessed to create a powerful path towards reaching our most important goals.As a follow up to the Motivation episode: learn about a…
Is Internal Family Systems Bullsh*t ?
Title: Unpacking Internal Family Systems: Benefits, Critiques, and Practical InsightsIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the therapeutic model of Internal Family Systems (IFS), sharing her…
How to Handle a Panic Attack like a boss
How to Truly Handle a Panic Attack--Practical Neuroscience-Based StrategiesIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin debunks common misconceptions about panic attacks and anxiety, sharing evidence-based…
The Chihuaha Effect
The Tiny Moments That Make a Big Difference: The Chihuahua EffectIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores how simple acts of kindness and moments of silliness can create ripple effects of joy and…
The Self-Esteem Episode
Embracing Good Enough: Redefining Self-Worth and Self-CompassionIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the pervasive pressure to be perfect and the transformative power of embracing "good…
The Motivation Secret
Rethinking Motivation: How to Make Change Without Waiting for Feelings to AlignIn this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Garelkin challenges the myth that motivation is the secret to lasting…
Body positivity or dangerous trend? Part 2 with Pam Moore
Click here to get in touch Thanks for listening!Please share the show with anyone who may enjoy it. We'd love it if you'd leave us a 5 star review wherever you're listening- it helps listeners find…
Texts to a Therapist: Volume I
The Power of Reaching Out: Why Support in Moments of Need MattersIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the importance of reaching out for support between therapy sessions, debunking common fears…
ADHD Tool Kit: The Nightwatchman Hypothesis
Exploring the Night Watchman Hypothesis and Human Sleep PatternsIn this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa delves into the intriguing science behind why some people naturally wake at night and how…
Good Bodies—with Pam Moore
Content warning:Discussions of weight loss, disordered eating, obesity (medical term vs. medical slur) and body image, body positivity narratives.The word ‘fat’ -is used as a neutral descriptor when…
Remember when the world shut down?
In this episode of Real Over Ideal, host Vanessa Gorelkin delves into the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as we mark its six-year anniversary.Through a blend of personal anecdotes and expert…
Understanding Disappointment: Neuroscience & Resilience
Have you ever felt the sting of a disappointment? Welcome to being a human being.In this episode of Real Over Ideal- Vanessa Gorelkin talks about the brain science of disappointment and how to manage…
The Ultimate Deep Dive into Apple TV's Severance (and Plur1bus): with Allen Stare
Exploring Severance and Beyond: A Deep Dive with Allen StareIn this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin and Allen Stare, creator of the acclaimed Severed: The Ultimate Severance Podcast and host of the brand…
ADHD Toolkit: The Default Mode Network
SummaryIn this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the Default Mode Network (DMN) of the brain, its role in neurodivergence, and how it influences rumination and creativity. She…
The Secret Sabotage of Perfection
In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the subtle ways perfectionism sabotages our efforts and shares practical strategies to shift from perfection-driven habits to more…
Taboos: Coping with Pet Grief with Diana Magallon Romero
Vanessa and Diana share a frank discussion of pet grief, with a few laughs because life allows us a range of emotions. Diana and Vanessa delve into the complex emotions surrounding pet grief and the…
Frequently Asked Questions
Real Over Ideal has published 60 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Education, Health & Fitness.
Real Over Ideal is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 13m.
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