{"podcast":{"title":"The Dr. Leaf Show","slug":"the-dr-leaf-show-439288","podcast_index_feed_id":439288,"rss_url":"https://rss.introcast.io:443/1334767397/anchor.fm/s/236705fc/podcast/rss","website_url":"https://drleaf.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/8705d012-d087-11f0-95a1-77eb84342f73/image/0e8eed49c0c099e6596f6678eefc6110.jpeg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Dr. Caroline Leaf","episode_count":720,"summary":"Hi! I’m Dr. Caroline Leaf. I’m a cognitive neuroscientist, author, & mental health expert. Whether you are struggling in your personal life or simply want to learn how to understand and use your mind to live your best life, this podcast will provide you with practical & scientific tips and tools to help you take back control over your mental, emotional, and physical health. Visit: https://drleaf.com*DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your personal physician if you have any personal medical questions. For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+DLS@yapmedia.com","last_synced_at":"2026-07-08T18:19:33.997340+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dr-leaf-show-439288"},"episode":{"title":"You Might Be the Toxic One — Here’s How to Fix It in 5 Steps","slug":"you-might-be-the-toxic-one-here-s-how-to-fix-it-in-5-steps","published_at":"2026-03-25T16:29:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dr-leaf-show-439288/you-might-be-the-toxic-one-here-s-how-to-fix-it-in-5-steps","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dr-leaf-show-439288","url":"https://prefix.up.audio/s/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/YAP7234951196.mp3?updated=1774436363","audio_url":"https://prefix.up.audio/s/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/YAP7234951196.mp3?updated=1774436363","summary":"Most people believe they’re less harmful than the average person.But research tells a very different story. The small things — short replies, subtle defensiveness, dismissive reactions — are often the behaviors that quietly damage relationships over time. And the hardest part? Most people don’t see it in themselves. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down why toxic behavior doesn’t begin with bad intentions — it begins with an unresolved thought. Using neuroscience and mind-brain research, she explains the hidden internal sequence that drives your reactions: Signal → Trigger → Thought → Meaning → Action Once you see this pattern, you can finally change it. You’ll learn how to identify the exact moment your reactions are formed, uncover the thought behind your behavior, and take intentional steps to rewire patterns that others experience as “toxic” — even when you don’t mean them that way. 🔬 What you’ll learn: Why the gap between intention and impact is where toxic patterns live How confirmation bias blinds you to your own behavior The real reason you become defensive, dismissive, or reactive How to identify the one thought driving your reaction A 5-step framework to change patterns and improve your relationships 🧩 Resources & Support: Explore tools to help you apply what you learn in this episode: Dr. Leaf’s research-backed resources & coaching: drleaf.com Neurocycle® App — track your emotional warning signals and retrain thought patterns Books & courses to help you manage your mind and transform your habits 1:1 Coaching with Dr. Leaf https://drleaf.com/coaching-1-1 💬 What pattern did you recognize in yourself while listening?Awareness is the first step toward change. Sponsors making this show possible: BETTERHELP: Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Sign…","meta_description":"Most people believe they’re less harmful than the average person.But research tells a very different story. The small things — short replies, subtle defen…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2541,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-dr-leaf-show-439288/episodes/you-might-be-the-toxic-one-here-s-how-to-fix-it-in-5-steps/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dr-leaf-show-439288/you-might-be-the-toxic-one-here-s-how-to-fix-it-in-5-steps.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}