How to Be a Decent Human When Someone Is Not Decent to You With Dr. Joseph Ciarrochi

On The Wise Effort show, Diana Hill talks with Dr. Joseph Ciarrochi, a researcher in process-based therapy and ACT, about self-righteous anger and how to stay honest and kind when others aren’t. They explore the psychology of getting “hijacked” in conflict, describing outrage and being right as an addiction (experiential attachment) distinct from experiential avoidance, with different intervention implications. Using examples like a conflict with neighbors, online outrage, and relationship fights, they discuss wise distance, not adding fuel to the fire, asserting boundaries when effective, and directing core human yearnings (competence, connection, purpose, meaning, orientation, and feeling) toward what truly satisfies rather than empty status pursuits.

Related Resources:

About Joseph Ciarrochi:

Professor Joseph Ciarrochi is among the top one percent most cited scientists in the world for his work on the development and promotion of well-being.

He focuses on psychological flexibility — what he terms 'flexible strength' — a cluster of skills that can promote personal growth, vitality, and valued action. Related skills include emotional intelligence, mindfulness, psychological flexibility, nonattachment, grit, equanimity, willpower, and emotion regulation.

Joseph is a research professor whose work on well-being and peak performance is grounded in the best available science.

Connect With Diana

Thank you for listening to Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill!

Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.

Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.

Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Next
Next

The Atlas of Emotions With Eve Ekman