Self-Care. Taking Back Control and More with Teri Chilcoat

Self-Care. Taking Back Control and More with Teri Chilcoat

From Productive Joy by Dr. Christie McMullen

June 5, 2026 · 6 min · Season 1 · Episode 290

About this episode

Dr. Christie McMullen discusses self-care and empowerment with HR expert Teri Chilcoat, focusing on reclaiming personal power in toxic environments.

In this Productive Joy recap, Dr. Christie highlights guest Teri Chilcoat, an HR expert and author of Surviving the Toxic Workplace: From an HR Insider: How to Reclaim Your Power, Peace, and Happiness. Christie shares that the book’s eight chapters emphasize “self” themes—self-awareness, self-control, self-care, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment—framing toxic workplace survival as taking ownership of how you show up in the environment. She challenges a victim mentality, noting that people often give away their power and rely on hope instead of choosing action. Christie applies the message beyond work to toxic relationships, friendships, food, or self-talk, and encourages shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” and “I choose to,” especially heading into summer. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:36 Self Power Over Toxicity 02:12 Take Control This Summer 03:26 Stop Assuming Ask Questions 04:07 Reach Out for Coaching 04:48 Final Self Empowerment 05:03 Thanks and Call to Action

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Christie McMullen

Guest: Teri Chilcoat

Topics covered

  • self-care
  • toxic workplace
  • self-empowerment
  • personal growth
  • mental health

Keywords

  • self-awareness
  • self-control
  • self-acceptance
  • toxic relationships
  • personal empowerment

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Surviving the Toxic Workplace: From an HR Insider: How to Reclaim Your Power, Peace, and Happiness

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