Understanding the Psychology of Perfectionism - Dr Paul Hewitt - #1025
November 27, 2025
1 hr 28 min
1025
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1,023 of 1,112
Episode 1025 · November 27, 2025
Understanding the Psychology of Perfectionism - Dr Paul Hewitt - #1025
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Chris Williamson Episodes Around November 27, 2025
Episode 1,023 of 1,112 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
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Understanding the Psychology of Perfectionism - Dr Paul Hewitt - #1025
Summary
Dr Paul Hewitt is a clinical psychologist, professor, and leading researcher on perfectionism.
Why do so many of us struggle with perfectionism? For some, it started in childhood—but its impact as an adult can be exhausting. So how do you actually break the cycle and get comfortable with things being imperfect?
Expect to learn what they archetypal perfectionist is and how they became themselves, the bevaviour of a perfectionist and how to differentiate between productive and toxic perfectionism, if perfectionism is related to burnout, why having high standards might not be a great thing, how to get out of the perfectionism trap, and much more…
Timestamps:
(0:00) The Traumas That Create Perfectionists
(7:11) Inside Their Minds: An Imperfect Nightmare
(16:30) Will Anything Ever Be Enough?
(27:10) The Three Levels of Perfectionist Hell
(32:51) The Link to Depression
(38:23) The World Sees Through Your Mask
(45:49) Performance Enhancer or Toxic Fuel?
(54:08) The Standards That Kill Healthy Relationships
(59:58) Why Imperfection Feels Like Failure
(01:08:48) The First Steps to Healing
(01:19:00) If You Have a Perfectionist in Your Life...
(01:23:55) Dive Deeper
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