Episodes 46
Avg. Duration 13m
Activity Highly Active
Since May 2025
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
99%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

Contact & Outreach

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

Remember when the world shut down?

Mar 05, 2026 14m

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

Feb 26, 2026 15m

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

Feb 19, 2026 1h

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

Feb 12, 2026 14m

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

Feb 05, 2026 14m

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

Jan 29, 2026 19m

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…

Yin and Yang: Balance for Neurodivergents and Normals

Jan 22, 2026 14m

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, host Vanessa Gorelkin explores the concepts of yin and yang as they relate to self-care, balance, and personal growth. She discusses the importance of recognizing…

To Mask or Not to Mask: that is the question (for neurodivergent people)

Jan 15, 2026 14m

SummaryIn this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the complex topic of masking neurodivergent traits. She discusses the pros and cons of masking, its impact on mental health, and…

Taboos: Bringing Grief into the conversation with Diana Magallón Romero

Jan 08, 2026 16m

In this episode, Vanessa Gorelkin and guest, Diana Magallon Romero, Licensed Clinical Counselor, delve into the complex topic of grief, exploring its many facets and surprise- grief goes way beyond…

The Comfort and Danger of Denial

Jan 01, 2026 14m

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the concept of denial as a psychological defense mechanism. She discusses how denial can provide temporary comfort but ultimately leads…

Loneliness- A self care guide

Dec 25, 2025 10m

It's the holiday season, and it's a time when people feel many things. Sometimes it's not all cheer or all good.This time of year can be hard on people because of stress, loneliness or real life…

Save the crash out: DBT is here

Dec 18, 2025 12m

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin delves into the intricacies of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), exploring its unique approach and why it often gets misunderstood. She…

About the time I recorded with Kate Moryoussef of ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast

Dec 11, 2025 16m

Hello Listener:If you’re enjoying this show: Please don’t forget to subscribe, rate the podcast and share with friends. Thank you for listening, wherever you are, around the globe.In this episode,…

Chronic Pain and your brain

Dec 04, 2025 13m

In this episode, Vanessa provides real information about how chronic pain makes changes in your brain. She talks about the difficulties of coping with chronic pain and its invisibility to others…

Taylor Swift's 'Eldest Daughter' with Pam Moore

Nov 26, 2025 48m

Happy Thanksgiving, 2025 ! In honor of the day before Thanksgiving being a big travel day in the United States-- we're publishing a day early, in case it's a fun companion for your travels. No matter…

Good Vibes Brain Bank- Bank some Happy

Nov 20, 2025 14m

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin discusses the concept of a 'good vibes brain bank'—a mental space where individuals can deposit their small victories to combat negativity bias…

Borderline Personality Disorder and the Internet Mob

Nov 13, 2025 15m

Join Vanessa Gorelkin as she delves into the complexities of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and the misconceptions surrounding it. In this episode, Vanessa discusses the internet's tendency to…

Accessibility Matters- Shame is so '87

Nov 06, 2025 12m

Hey Listeners — did you catch the title reference? It’s a line from a 1990's movie. Think you know it? Email me at [email protected] with your guess — or if you just can’t stand the suspense…

Are We Doomed?

Oct 30, 2025 16m

It's just about Halloween, so that's why you've gotten such a scary title for an episode that hopefully will bring some rationality to the thought that the world and we are simply doomed.In this…

The Breakfast Club, The Barnum Effect and How Not to be a Sucker

Oct 23, 2025 15m

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin explores the themes of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking in the age of social media. Using the iconic film The Breakfast Club…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Real Over Ideal have?

Real Over Ideal has published 46 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Education, Health & Fitness.

Is Real Over Ideal still active?

Real Over Ideal is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 13m.

How do I contact Real Over Ideal for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Real Over Ideal, including email and social media links.

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