Preferred Health Magazine sat down with the doctor to discuss her new podcast show and mission to “inspire people to embrace their journeys, navigate change with courage, and design lives filled with purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.” 
  
Preferred Health Magazine:  Throughout your career as a psychologist and health influencer you have blended your clinical practice with work in broadcast news and podcasting. What was your inspiration behind your newest podcast, The Pivot with Dr. Robi Ludwig?
Dr. Robi Ludwig: I was inspired to create 'The Pivot with Dr. Robi Ludwig' to explore life transitions and career shifts, because pivotal moments often serve as powerful catalysts for transformation. While transitions are a natural part of life, they can sometimes feel jolting and unsettling. As a therapist, 
I know one of the keys to navigating life’s challenges is developing resilience. The show is designed to demystify change, provide insights for overcoming fear, and help listeners recognize opportunities for growth within life’s turning points.

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PHM: In your conversations with celebrities and professionals, what common themes do you notice in how people navigate pivotal life changes?
RL: My first-season conversations with celebrities and professionals revealed common threads in navigating major transitions: resilience, openness to possibility, and the ability to redefine one’s goals and legacy. Many guests shared stories of facing fear, embracing setbacks, and finding inspiration through storytelling and connection. Interestingly, what once seemed like an unexpected detour often became a doorway to a new sense of purpose. Many guests discovered their mission in these moments—and used it as a way to inspire and motivate others. 

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PHM: As a professional how has “pivoting” been reflected in your career? 
RL: Hosting The Pivot has prompted me to reflect more deeply on my own life transitions. My personal pivots have encouraged me to approach change proactively and with flexibility, while embracing the understanding that success is never a straight line. In my private practice, I work with patients who initially respond to life’s unexpected shifts with anxiety, depression, or an overly harsh self-criticism. Through the YouTube series, and my clinical work, I aim to showcase that if we can “ride the wave” of transition—even the most unwanted changes—we may find ourselves exactly where we need to be. Humans naturally crave safety and predictability, but this series shows how even challenging moments can ultimately reveal some of life’s most unexpected gifts.

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PHM: Mental health has become more openly discussed in recent years—what do you think has contributed most to that cultural shift?
RL:  I think the growing openness around mental health stems from multiple factors: increased education, advocacy, and honest conversations in media, alongside shifting workplace dynamics and the influence of technology and social media. Together, these changes have made mental health challenges more visible, relatable, and widely accepted as part of the human experience.

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PHM: What are some psychological strategies people can use when they feel “stuck” and are afraid to pivot in their own lives?
RL: When navigating uncertainty, strategies such as managing self-talk, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and practicing self-reflection are essential. It can also be powerful to create a “What’s Next” list or give ourselves permission to pause and attend to emotional needs. If fear feels paralyzing, naming it and taking small, intentional steps forward can be transformative. 
   A useful question to ask is: How can I turn this situation into a successful next chapter for me? This reframing can spark motivation and help us move purposefully into the future.

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PHM: You’ve been recognized for your unique ability to make complex psychology relatable. What advice would you give to people trying to better understand themselves and their relationships?
RL: My greatest professional joy comes from making psychological concepts practical and accessible.

My advice for those seeking greater self-understanding includes sitting with your feelings, and to view emotions as valuable information, cultivating self-awareness, nurturing important relationships, and striving for a healthy work-life balance. I encourage people to check in with themselves regularly, prioritize self-care, and develop constructive communication skills with those around them. Human beings are wired for connection—we thrive when supported by authentic relationships that encourage us to become who we were meant to be.
 

PHM: Looking ahead, what’s next for you—are there any new projects or areas you’re especially excited to explore?
RL: Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be executive producing and hosting the second season of The Pivot in partnership with my sponsors at Signal Relief. In season one, my colleague and friend, Idaho-based entrepreneur Mike Hammond, joined as a special guest, sharing his inspiring approach to success and his belief that positivity and people always come first. One of his companies, Signal Relief, also proudly sponsored the series, which airs on YouTube every Tuesday at 4:00 PM EST.
   Our shared values of creating meaningful impact and helping to alleviate pain make this collaboration especially meaningful. Beyond The Pivot, I’m hard at work on my third book—details are still under wraps, but I can’t wait to share more soon. I also plan to continue my collaborations with leading media outlets like NBC News Now to keep mental health conversations front and center, while pursuing projects that focus on empowerment, resilience, and transformative growth.
   At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to inspire people to embrace their journeys, navigate change with courage, and design lives filled with purpose, meaning, and fulfillment—always with a dash of fun (and some bold fashion) along the way.

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