The Guilt Free Series: A Conversation with the Author, Jennifer Reid, MD

Family physician and writer Dr. Mara Gordon interviews psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Reid about her new book Guilt Free (releasing January, 27, 2026). The conversation explores why women experience disproportionate guilt, how to distinguish toxic from adaptive guilt, and practical strategies for managing guilt—especially during the holidays.The Guilt EquationDr. Reid breaks down guilt into a simple formula: Guilt = Expectations - Perceived Reality“Guilt is the difference between our expectations of ourselves, which are created by many things, the difference between that and how well we feel like we’re meeting them.”The problem? Women often set impossibly high expectations while minimizing what they’re actually accomplishing.Holiday GuiltDecember amplifies guilt because of:* Cultural expectations about creating “perfect” experiences* Pressure to control others’ emotions* Comparison (social media, consumer-driven ideals)* Ambivalence about events we “should” enjoy“There’s a lot of guilt around the sense of I should be feeling a certain way. I should be making sure others are feeling a certain way around this situation... And these expectations, which as we’ll talk about are such a huge part of guilt, can really explode then.” Thanks for reading A Mind of Her Own! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Find Dr. Reid on Instagram: @jenreidmd, LinkedIn, and YouTubeFind Dr. Gordon on Instagram: Mara Gordon, MD Dr. Gordon on Substack at My Doctor Friend here: Mara Gordon, MD You can also preorder Dr. Reid’s book, Guilt Free! (If you are in the UK, you can order here and here.)Also check out Dr. Reid’s regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a ShrinkThanks for reading A Mind of Her Own! This post is public so feel free to share it.Seeking a mental health provider? Try Psychology TodayNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255Dial 988 for mental health crisis supportSAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.Disclaimer:The views expressed on this podcast reflect those of the host and guests, and are not associated with any organization or academic site. Also, AI may have been used to create the transcript and notes, based only on the specific discussion of the host and guest and reviewed for accuracy.The information and other content provided on this podcast or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this website is for general information purposes only.If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this website, blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services (911) immediately. You can also access the National Suicide Help Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call 988 for mental health emergencies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amindofherown.substack.com