The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: Resolutions
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: January 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura discusses the topic of New Year's resolutions, questioning their effectiveness and offering a new, more positive perspective on self-improvement. Drawing from a recent essay by two psychiatrists, she explores how focusing on one’s existing positive traits—and enhancing them—can lead to more sustainable happiness and well-being. The episode is rich with Dr. Laura’s personal reflections, practical advice, and her characteristic warmth and humor, making it an uplifting guide for those seeking real, lasting change in the new year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Laura’s Reflections on Fitness and Aging

• [01:01] Dr. Laura opens by sharing her challenging previous day, recounting her intense workout routine, radio program duties, and a lengthy pickleball lesson.
  • She humorously reflects on her own mortality:

    "If that didn’t kill me, I’m in very good shape. If today didn’t do me in, I’m good to go."
    (Dr. Laura, 02:31)

  • She notes turning 77 soon, joking about being "immortal with wrinkles."
  • Emphasizes the importance of looking at life with positivity, framing this attitude as a bridge to the day's main discussion.

Critique of Traditional New Year’s Resolutions

• [03:45] Dr. Laura shares her skepticism about traditional resolutions:

  "I don’t believe in them. And by halfway through January, you’re not doing whatever it is you said you were going to be doing."
  (Dr. Laura, 03:58)

• She argues that New Year’s resolutions often become sources of self-criticism, disappointment, and are especially problematic for children and young adults in today’s climate.

Youth Mental Health and Societal Pressures

• [04:21] Drawing on a study by Drs. Eugene Bereson and Steve Schlossman, Dr. Laura outlines the mental health challenges facing young people today:
  • Depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, substance abuse, and suicide rates are rising.
  • Stressors include climate change anxiety, school shootings, social media dangers, economic uncertainty, and overscheduling.
  • Parents and caregivers need to be “bastions of hope,” modeling positivity and resilience.
  • Dr. Laura emphasizes that adults too often fall into the same negative cycles that affect kids.

A Radical Rethink: Positive Resolutions

• [07:13] The core of the episode introduces a compelling shift in perspective, inspired by the aforementioned essay:

  "How about we look at resolutions in an entirely different way? Let’s turn the whole thing on its head... What if we take note of our already achieved positive traits and focus on making them better?"
  (Dr. Laura, 07:19)

Examples of Positive, Self-Affirming Resolutions:

• "I will take greater pleasure in my spouse, my children, my parents, my friends."
• "I will increase my already good level of caring for others."
• "I will emphasize my gratitude for the blessings in my life."
• "I will spend more time and more energy on the things that make me happy."

Dr. Laura elaborates on these:

• Instead of striving for new goals as a form of self-flagellation, double down on what is already good about yourself.
• Happiness is described as “a drippy situation—when you’re happy, it drips over and moisturizes and nourishes other people.”
  (Dr. Laura, 09:55)

The Power of Expressing Appreciation

• [09:37] Dr. Laura shares a personal anecdote about calling a dear friend to thank her for her positive impact on her life:

  "Knowing you as a friend and your expertise has improved my life immeasurably. How about we share stuff like that? This is not very complicated."
  (Dr. Laura, 09:52)

Communication Tips: Replacing “But” with “And”

• [11:09] A listener story is recounted about shutting down her husband when he used the word “but” after giving a compliment.
• Dr. Laura explains:

  "That ‘but’ dismisses everything that came before and you can hear it in the person’s voice... Dump the word ‘but’ because it’s easily misunderstood, and put ‘and’."
  (Dr. Laura, 12:02)

She encourages more thoughtful, affirming language within relationships.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On survival and aging:

  "If that didn’t kill me, I’m in very good shape. If today didn’t do me in, I’m good to go. So I’m thinking, now I’m immortal. Immortal doesn’t mean you don’t get wrinkles. Unfortunately, you’re immortal with wrinkles."
  (Dr. Laura, 02:31)

• On the new approach to resolutions:

  "We’re just going to do more of what we know is good, just more of it, of what we know is good."
  (Dr. Laura, 09:27)

• The advice on language within relationships:

  "Dump the word ‘but’ because it’s easily misunderstood and put ‘and’."
  (Dr. Laura, 12:06)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Dr. Laura’s personal story about a tough day/a sense of gratitude with age | | 03:45 | Critique of traditional resolutions | | 04:21 | Youth mental health epidemic and societal pressures | | 07:13 | Introducing positive, self-affirming resolutions | | 09:37 | Example of expressing gratitude to a friend | | 11:09 | The “but” vs. “and” in relationship communication |

Conclusion & Takeaways

Dr. Laura delivers an uplifting message about embracing what is already good in ourselves and in our lives. By focusing on enhancing our positive traits and expressing more gratitude and kindness, we secure deeper connections and a more hopeful, nourishing environment for ourselves and those around us. Her advice to swap “but” for “and” in communication serves as a simple yet profound tool for healthier relationships.

The episode is infused with Dr. Laura’s signature wit and compassion, leaving listeners with actionable ways to reshape their habits and communications throughout the year—not just in January.

For more advice, daily therapy, and engaging discussions, listen to the podcast at drlaura.com, SiriusXM app, or your favorite platform.