The NewsWorthy — Special Edition: Find the Fun in 2026
Host: Erica Mandy
Guest: Dr. Lauren Cook (Clinical psychologist, consultant, speaker, and author of Generation Anxiety)
Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special Saturday edition, host Erica Mandy and guest Dr. Lauren Cook explore why traditional New Year's resolutions often fail and how shifting focus to intentional, joy-filled goals for 2026 can boost well-being and resilience. Packed with practical psychological tips, the episode offers an encouraging, actionable roadmap to starting the new year with less pressure, more fun, and an improved relationship to change, anxiety, and self-care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why New Year's Resolutions Often Fail

• Unrealistic Expectations: Many people “stockpile” goals and put immense pressure on themselves at the start of January.
  • Quote “...It's a lot of pressure and it's not necessarily realistic. And dare I say, I think a lot of these resolutions are missing the fun factor.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [01:30]
• Missing the 'Fun Factor': Strict self-improvement can lack motivation because it’s not enjoyable.
  • “We are wired to seek out dopamine. And if our goals are just nothing but like strict self-improvement where there's no fun involved, we're not going to be very motivated...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [01:53]
• ‘Quitters Day’ Phenomenon: Most resolutions are abandoned within weeks.

2. Rethinking Productivity and Burnout

• American Productivity Culture: The relentless focus on maximization leads to stress and shutdown.
  • “Our culture really highlights productivity... But often it seems that is actually doing the opposite of what we want.” — Erica Mandy [02:19]
• Intentional Relaxation Is a Goal: Dr. Cook urges listeners to schedule family, fun, and rest first, letting work fill the gaps.
  • “...Plan your family gatherings, plan your vacations, and let the work fall all around in the gaps...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [03:05]
  • Memorable moment: Urging listeners to prioritize downtime in their 2026 calendars.

3. Making Change Feel Doable—Even Fun

• Assessing Energy and Fulfillment: Examine whether daily work and activities truly “fill your cup.”
  • “Time is the most valuable commodity. Are we spending it in a way that feels fulfilling to us?” — Dr. Lauren Cook [03:56]
• Overcoming Overwhelm:
  • Do a time audit (e.g., social media use) and reallocate hours to meaningful rest or hobbies.
  • Start with small, hands-on activities (cooking class, kayaking, painting) that naturally pull you out of mindless scrolling.
  • “We have lost the ability to be bored... maybe you want to try a cooking class this year.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [04:22]

4. From Burnout to Gentle Engagement

• Rest & Activity Cycle: Movement—even 20 minutes a day—can “reset” body and brain.
  • “There's a lot of research that just 20 minutes a day is like a facial for our brains.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [05:36]

5. A Behavioral Approach to Starting Fresh

• Action Over Rumination:
  • Take actual steps, however small, rather than only visualizing or planning.
    • “...A hundred times more important is that you actually take the action to follow through on it.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [07:22]
• Balance Discomfort with Enjoyment:
  • Change is inherently uncomfortable; counterbalance this with fun elements.

6. Reflecting on the Previous Year Productively

• Focus on Value-based Reflection, Not Regret:
  • “...Give ourselves credit for what we did do... ask, what did I say yes to that felt more out of obligation or guilt?” — Dr. Lauren Cook [09:13]
• Avoiding People-Pleaser Burnout: Be mindful of filling the calendar with others’ needs over your own joy.

7. First Steps Toward a Joyful 2026

• Put Fun on the Calendar First:
  • “...When we have things to look forward to, oh my gosh, that's like candy for our brains.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [10:15]
• Chunking Goals for Sustainability:
  • Break fun setups or planning into tiny, manageable pieces.
  • “We call it chunking... make it as small of a piece as possible.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [10:57]

8. Anxiety in Millennials and Gen Z

• Why Focus on Younger Generations?:
  • Social media and a tumultuous world have amplified stressors.
  • "I would argue that our social skills are like a muscle, that if we're not using them... they atrophy." — Dr. Lauren Cook [12:34]
• Riding the Waves Metaphor (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy):
  • Accepting inner challenges rather than fighting them fosters resilience.
    • “...It's this idea of accepting and saying, you know what, I do feel anxious and that's okay.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [13:11]
  • Her personal example: overcoming emetophobia so she could become a parent.

9. Personal Growth and Openness in 2026

• Authenticity over Perfection:
  • “I really believe in being a human first and sharing. Look, I live with this too.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [15:12]
• Intention for the Year:
  • Explicitly planning for more fun and meaningful connections in both personal and professional life.

10. Uplifting Final Thoughts for Listeners

• “Don't fear the challenge. Don't fear the discomfort. It means you are growing. And you know what? We can handle a lot more than we give ourselves credit for... Remind yourself, no, I'm resilient. I have tremendous grit, I can get through hard things and I deserve to have a really full, fulfilling, and fun year ahead.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [17:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On resolutions: “If our goals are just nothing but like strict self improvement where there's no fun involved, we're not going to be very motivated to continue...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [01:53]
• On prioritizing fun: “Plan your family gatherings, plan your vacations, and let the work fall all around in the gaps...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [03:05]
• On incremental change: “Behaviorally, what steps can you take this year? Mindset is great. Think about it. But a hundred times more important is that you actually take the action...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [07:22]
• On acceptance: “It's this idea of accepting and saying, you know what, I do feel anxious and that's okay.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [13:11]
• Personal pride: “I've never felt more proud of myself since I've become a mom.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [15:06]
• On planning for fun: “That's like candy for our brains. It's really exciting for us.” — Dr. Lauren Cook [10:15]
• Empowering advice: “Remind yourself, no, I'm resilient. I have tremendous grit, I can get through hard things...” — Dr. Lauren Cook [17:00]

Key Timestamps

• [01:30] Why resolutions fail and dopamine/fun factor
• [03:05] Plan fun and rest before work, shifting schedule priorities
• [04:22] Overcoming discomfort with rest and boredom
• [05:36] Physical activity resets for the anxious/burnt out
• [07:22] Behavior vs. visualization in making change
• [09:13] Reflecting on the past year without regret
• [10:15] Scheduling fun, chunking goals
• [12:34] Anxiety in Gen Z/Millennials—social skills as a muscle
• [13:11] Acceptance and commitment: "Riding the waves"
• [15:12] Therapist authenticity, modeling openness
• [17:00] Final empowering message: Don't fear growth

Closing

This episode encourages a joy-first, practical approach to the new year, grounded in both psychological theory (behaviorism, ACT) and lived experience. Both Dr. Cook and Erica Mandy advocate being intentional about fun and connection, taking small, actionable steps, and accepting discomfort as a path to growth—offering listeners a hopeful, less pressured start to 2026.