Trauma Psychiatrist on How to Transform Your Mental Health

Rich Roll

May 11, 2026

Episode description

Dr. Paul Conti is a Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist and author of the new book “What's Going Right.” We discuss the three human drives, the structure of self, boundaries, and the simple goodness principle. READ MORE👉🏼http://bit.ly/richroll987

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00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:45 Symptoms vs. Root Causes in Mental Health
00:03:34 Stigma and Fear of Self-Inquiry
00:06:44 Avoidance and the Power of Compassionate Curiosity
00:09:42 Facing Discomfort and the Path to Solutions
00:13:17 Practical Steps for Self-Inquiry
00:16:45 The Power of Narrative and Negative Bias
00:17:52 Challenging Negative Narratives
00:20:36 Positive Affect vs. Delusion
00:23:36 Five-Part Structure of Self
00:26:53 Interplay of Thought and Behavior
00:30:03 Recursive Loops and Simplification
00:33:43 Sponsor Break
00:37:57 Moving Beyond Pathology: Flourishing Model
00:39:50 The Hidden Human Drive Psychology: Assertion and Pleasure
00:42:46 The Generative Drive: History and Neglect
00:45:18 Modern Life and Downregulation of Generative Drive
00:46:44 Self-Sabotage and Repetition
00:52:41 Setting Boundaries and Overcoming People-Pleasing
00:58:04 Practical Steps for Setting Boundaries
01:04:24 Practices for Self-Discovery
01:09:21 The Value of External Feedback
01:17:30 Self-Awareness as a Double-Edged Sword
01:20:21 Five-Part Function of Self
01:23:13 Making Abstract Concepts Practical
01:26:57 Presence, Mind-Body Connection, and Slowing Down
01:31:04 Fear of Stillness and Self-Reflection
01:32:52 Four Interconnected States of Being
01:36:56 Balancing the Drives
01:39:37 Humility and Gratitude Redefined
01:41:40 Practical Gratitude and Happiness
01:47:15 Role of Faith and Spirituality
01:50:30 Escaping the Hamster Wheel of Never Enough
01:52:36 Drives Out of Balance and Life Satisfaction
01:54:45 Current Trends: Rising Anxiety
01:57:05 Practical Tools for Navigating Division
01:59:43 Identity, Safety, and Defensive Reactions
02:04:05 Digital Technology and Social Fragmentation
02:07:02 Role and Limits of Therapy
02:11:06 Destigmatizing Mental Health
02:13:08 Performative Trauma and Identity
02:15:35 Looksmaxing and Outward Presentation
02:19:49 Encouragement for the Discouraged
02:25:20 Never Too Late for Change
02:27:03 Conclusion & Appreciation

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Hi I'm Rich Roll. I'm a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, author, podcaster, public speaker & wellness evangelist. But mainly I'm a dad of four. If you want to know more, visit my website or check out these two the NY Times articles:
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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Monitor automatic self-talk to reveal unconscious mind

To understand your unconscious mind, pay attention to the narrative you tell yourself during quiet moments, like when you're stopped at a red light.

#self-awareness

#subconscious

Cultivate empowerment and humility to foster gratitude

Instead of forcing a gratitude practice, it should be seen as a natural outcome that arises from a foundation of empowerment, agency, and humility.

#empowerment

#gratitude

Choose Element for optimal hydration with essential electrolytes

The speaker recommends Element, a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix with 500mg of sodium, 100mg of potassium, and 30mg of magnesium per serving.

#electrolyte

#hydration

Transform self-sabotage into healing opportunities

Repeatedly creating negative experiences is often not a compulsion to repeat trauma, but a misguided attempt to 'make things right' from a past wound.

#healing

#trauma

Examine underlying issues instead of just treating mental health symptoms

The field of mental health is very good at treating symptoms, which is like polishing a car's hood instead of looking at the engine underneath.

#mental-health

Understand three fundamental human drives for personal growth

Humans are governed by three drives: assertion (to have an effect), pleasure (to find safety and joy), and the generative drive (to leave the world better).