500: Celebrating Rhonda's Triumphant Leadership - and a Sad Goodbye

This landmark 500th episode of the Feeling Good Podcast celebrates the extraordinary tenure of host Dr. Rhonda Barovsky, marking her farewell after a transformative journey with co-host Dr. David Burns and fellow Team CBT leaders Jill Lovett and Matt Mayer. The episode unfolds as a heartfelt tribute, filled with emotional reflections, personal stories, and deep gratitude. Rhonda shares her origin story—moving to California pregnant, starting a new practice, and connecting with David through a chance email that led to her immersion in Team CBT. She recounts how the Tuesday night group sessions, personal work, and mentorship from David and Matt reshaped her as a therapist and person. The guests reciprocate with profound appreciation, highlighting Rhonda’s authenticity, humor, and vulnerability as central to the podcast’s magic. Throughout the episode, the core themes of interpersonal enlightenment, emotional honesty, and the power of connection are explored through moving anecdotes, including a powerful session with a young woman from India and David’s life-changing work with Amir Sabori, a former shepherd turned neurologist. The episode culminates in a celebration of the 'magic' that emerges when therapists and clients engage in raw, empathic dialogue—where healing happens not through technique alone, but through shared humanity. As Rhonda steps down, the podcast passes the baton to Kevin Cornelius, with the team expressing confidence that the spirit of Team CBT and its emotional authenticity will endure.