Show Highlights

·       A sit-down conversation with Dr. Michael Mantell-  renowned and esteemed mental health architect and prolific author

·       How we disturb and upset ourselves

·       The key thoughts we use to sweat the small stuff

·       Self-rating is harmful

·       Stress… its negative impact on our lives

 SUMMARY:

We often disturb and upset ourselves not because of events themselves, but because of the way we think about them. When we “sweat the small stuff,” it is usually driven by key thoughts such as demanding perfection, assuming minor problems are catastrophic, or believing that mistakes define our worth. This leads to harmful self-rating, where we judge our entire value as a person based on single outcomes or flaws rather than viewing ourselves as complex and constantly developing individuals. These patterns of thinking fuel stress, which can negatively impact our mental focus, emotional well-being, relationships, and even physical health. By recognizing and challenging these unhelpful thoughts, we can reduce unnecessary stress and respond to life’s challenges in a healthier, more balanced way.

Biography

Dr. Michael Mantell, a renowned and esteemed mental health architect, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and his MS in Clinical Psychology in 1972 from Hahnemann Medical College. He guides clients to disturb themselves less, by identifying, challenging, and restructuring irrational beliefs, helping them build a reliable foundation of rational, flexible thinking, and adopt healthier behaviors and attitudes. His expertise bridges the art and science of mental health, empowering clients to disturb themselves less and construct a mindset that enables them to respond to life’s challenges with resilience, acceptance, and self-compassion.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mantell has held various prestigious positions, including Chief Psychologist for Children's Hospital of San Diego, Chief Psychologist of the San Diego Police Department, and Chief Behavior Science Consultant for the American Council on Exercise. He was a co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Plus Size Certified, Inc. and is a member of the Science Advisory Council of the International Council on Active Aging. In addition, he served as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD Medical School, where he taught the Doctor-Patient Relationship course. He brings a specialty focus on physician wellbeing, physician burnout and elevating the patient experience. He has lectured at Pt. Loma Nazarene University and has provided a yearly 3-day Physician Wellness Studio for the American Society of Hematology. He is an invited guest instructor at Harvard University.

Dr. Mantell is a prolific author with four books to his name, including his recent work, "The Link is What You Think," "Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace," and his iconic 1988 original "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff PS: It’s All Small Stuff" and its 25th Anniversary Edition. Dr Mantell has been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1981, Chair of its Election Committee and Vice-Chair of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee. He was elected to the Board of SAG-AFTRA San Diego in September, 2025. He’s been bringing psychology to the broadcast media for decades including regular appearances on Good Morning, America, Oprah Winfrey and weekly spots on local and nationwide news.

You can follow his free daily “MantellPoints2Ponder” on LinkedIn and Facebook.