Short Wave Short Wave

The science of self-worth (and how to boost yours)

Sep 22, 2026 · 12m

Summary

Psychologist Marissa Franco discusses the science of self-worth and how low self-esteem physically affects the body, particularly through self-verification theory. The episode explores how "open" memories predict future rejection and amplify negative emotions, making it difficult to accept positive experiences or love. Franco explains memory reconsolidation, a technique that allows individuals to update these emotional memories to improve their sense of coherence. By processing unresolved feelings, listeners can break the cycle of unworthiness and become more open to receiving care and supp…

Topics discussed

Intro: The paradox of self-worth Introduction to Marissa Franco's book 'Worth' Physical reactions to positive events and self-verification Sponsorships and transition to interview How low self-esteem amplifies negative emotions Memory consolidation and updating past experiences Defining open vs. closed memories Identifying benign memories for therapy The importance of emotional expression in healing Accepting love and relying on others Emotional outcomes of memory reconsolidation Why addressing self-esteem improves life quality Credits and show notes Closing sponsorships
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