186. The Psychology of Hope: Moving Forward Through Uncertainty with Dr. Matthew Gallagher
Dec 03, 2025
Most people think hope is just wishing for the best. It’s not. Today we explore the real psychology behind hope — how it works, why it matters, and how it can guide you through fear, failure, and uncertainty. We break down the evidence-based tools that help people set better goals, persevere through obstacles, and recover after trauma. A transformative episode for anyone navigating change or uncertainty. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or low on motivation, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.
Dr. Matthew Gallagher is a professor of Clinical Psychology at the Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics at the University of Houston. He is one of the leading researchers of the psychology of hope. His research interests include: Transdiagnostic treatments (e.g. the Unified Protocol) for PTSD and anxiety disorders, mechanisms of change of empirically supported treatments, and how positive thinking (e.g., hope, optimism, self-efficacy) promotes well-being and provides resilience to PTSD and other anxiety disorders. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Chapters:
00:00:58 - Defining Hope
00:16:07 - Understanding Hope as a Virtue
00:17:30 - Different Conceptualizations of Hope
00:28:47 - Encouraging Active Pursuit of Goals
00:33:05 - Limitations of Viewing Hope Through Goals
00:37:51 - Hope, Trauma, and Recovery
00:51:14 - Incorporating Faith and Spirituality in Hope
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The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance.