# Check Yourself: Ego Threat, Stress Relief, & Needing to Prove Yourself [270]

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/joy-lab-navigate-depression-anxiety-stress-with-the-science-of-joy-3565440/check-yourself-ego-threat-stress-relief-needing-to-prove-yourself-270
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/joy-lab-navigate-depression-anxiety-stress-with-the-science-of-joy-3565440/check-yourself-ego-threat-stress-relief-needing-to-prove-yourself-270.md
Podcast: [Joy Lab |  navigate depression, anxiety, & stress with the science of joy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/joy-lab-navigate-depression-anxiety-stress-with-the-science-of-joy-3565440)
Published: 2026-06-10T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.joylab.coach/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2149212146
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/f0b7bd/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/joylabpodcast/270._Check_Yourself__Ego_Threat_Stress_Relief__Needing_to_Prove_Yourself.mp3?dest-id=2775224
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Duration seconds: 1307

## Resource

Humility and mental health are more connected than you might think. And if you add self-compassion to the humility-ego mix, then you have a recipe that can support mood, offer stress relief, and give your mind and body a break from constantly trying to defend yourself. We'll dig into all this with the "Check Yourself" step of the humility framework, unpacking ego threat, defensive thinking patterns, and the very human stress response that kicks in when we feel criticized, wrong, or uncertain. Spoiler: the ego is not the villain here. It's more like an overzealous bodyguard, and humility is how you can teach it to stand down. This is Episode 3 of Joy Lab's Element of Humility series, following Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren's framework: know yourself, check yourself, and go beyond yourself. About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek. The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab Program . Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible). Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials: Instagram Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube Sources and Notes for our Element of Humility: Joy Lab Program : Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Episodes in this Humility series: Humility Can Be Stressful... But Worth it for Mental Health [ep. 268] Know Yourself: The Humility Practice That Quiets Rumination and Builds Emotional Resilience [ep. 269] Book: Humble by Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD…

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