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The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

The Follow-Up: How to Achieve Practical Optimism

May 18, 2026 · 13m

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About this episode

Practical optimism is not about pretending everything is fine or forcing happy thoughts when life feels hard. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist, and author of Practical Optimism, to break down what it really means to build a hopeful mindset that is grounded in action, not denial. We talk about how optimism differs from toxic positivity, why some people seem to move through hard things with more resilience, and how this way of thinking can be practiced, even if it does not come naturally. In this episode, we cover: What practical optimism actually is How it differs from toxic positivity and pessimism Whether…