
Hosted by Mel Robbins
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, host Mel Robbins is joined by social psychologist Dr. Dolly Chug to discuss why people struggle to change and how to effectively influence others without resorting to endless nagging. The guest explains that the human mind protects itself through two main bodyguards, energy and ego, which make change feel threatening and uncomfortable. Rather than pushing and forcing others, the guest and the host explore the power of pulling people toward growth by modeling change, inviting attempts without judgment, and rewarding progress. They also examine how personal defensiveness and impossibly high standards prevent self-improvement.
Listeners will find value in learning practical frameworks such as the one-to-10 rule for prioritizing conflicts, the heard-hugged-helped-or-high-fived questioning tool, and the distinction between trying to prove oneself as a good person versus striving to be a goodish person who constantly learns. The conversation shifts the focus away from trying to fix difficult people and turns the spotlight inward, offering actionable ways to reduce personal exhaustion and foster genuine, lasting growth in relationships.
Mel Robbins opens the episode, introduces the theme of dealing with people who won’t change, and briefly mentions sponsors.
Mel welcomes Dr. Dolly Chug, outlines her credentials, and previews the research-driven approach to inspiring change in others.
A framework is presented to identify what someone truly needs—whether they want to be heard, hugged, helped, or simply acknowledged—before responding.
Dr. Chug explains the concepts of the energy and ego bodyguards that protect us from change and how they influence behavior.
The conversation explores why knowledge often fails to translate into action, highlighting unconscious habits and the role of the bodyguards.
Dr. Chug demonstrates the Stroop test to illustrate how unlearning creates internal friction, a necessary part of change.
Dr. Chug distinguishes between a static 'good person' identity and a growth-oriented 'goodish person' mindset, encouraging continual improvement.
The hosts discuss three actionable strategies—modeling change, inviting change, and rewarding change—to influence others without forcing them.
Dr. Chug introduces the wait rule, emphasizing the importance of asking if advice is wanted before offering it to respect others’ agency.
The episode concludes with strategies for dealing with challenging personalities, including taking oxygen out of the moment and avoiding defensive reactions.
Explores how adjective‑based feedback can trigger defensiveness and introduces behavior‑focused feedback as a clearer, actionable alternative.
Uses a personal story about a family bunk room to demonstrate how concrete observations and expectations make feedback undeniable.
The Mind's Two Bodyguardsinsight
The guest explains that our minds are protected by two internal bodyguards representing energy and ego, which resist change and protect our habits and identities.
Demonstrating the Stroop test live, the guest shows how unlearning automated reading creates immediate mental friction and discomfort, mirroring what personal change feels like.
Proving Versus Improvinginsight
The guest argues that striving to prove we are good people leads to defensiveness, whereas focusing on continuous improvement fosters actual growth.
The Three Ways To Changestrategy
The guest explains that you cannot force anyone to change, but you can realistically help by modeling change, inviting change, and rewarding change.
Handling Jabbers Without Oxygenstrategy
When dealing with difficult people who make passive-aggressive remarks, do not feed the argument; instead, remove oxygen by calmly calling it out.
Behavior Versus Adjective Feedbackstrategy
Giving feedback using adjectives triggers defensiveness, whereas pointing to specific, observable behaviors makes feedback indisputable and actionable.
Using the One to Ten Rulestrategy
To resolve family friction, use the one-to-10 rule to determine how important an issue actually is to each person before arguing over trivial details.
“The energy bodyguard is trying to preserve my energy. They're trying to make my life as easy as possible.”
“Unlearning is a two-step process because first I've got to let go of the thing I already know how to do. And then I've got to learn the new thing.”
“That we forget that you can't learn from a mistake you're still defending.”
“The wait rule reminds us that when we're talking, especially if we're talking about someone else's problem, we're almost always talking at them.”
“The feedback that's hard to argue with and it's actually easier to act on.”
“I might say, I've noticed that on the slides, there are inconsistencies in the way we refer to the client's business.”
“So you stated the expectation, you gave what you observed in the behavior, and then you described the impact it had.”
“If everything's important, nothing is.”
“I would say that hope and energy lies in growth.”
There’s someone in your life you wish would change. You’ve pushed, reminded, and given advice. You’ve had the same conversation over and over. And somehow, you’re still stuck in the same frustrating cycle of fighting, nagging, lecturing, and hoping they’ll finally do something differently. There is a better way. In today’s conversation, Mel sits down with renowned behavioral scientist and award-winning NYU professor Dr. Dolly Chugh to unpack the surprising science of why people resist change and what really works. You’re going to walk away with some of the most powerful, research-backed tools Dr. Chugh teaches at NYU – tools that will change how you see difficult people, frustrating relationships, and your own ability to influence how others behave. You’ll learn: -The 3 things that really do help when someone you love won’t change -The simple question to ask before giving advice – so it doesn’t backfire -The 4-option question that reveals what someone needs from you in a difficult moment -The relationship tool that keeps small problems from turning into 10-out-of-10 fights -How to tell when “helping” someone is keeping them stuck -The 2 “bodyguards” in your brain that explain why you know better but still don’t do better -Why your brain can fight change even when you desperately want it -The surprising role “unlearning” plays in changing a habit or behavior If you’re exhausted from trying to change someone you love, this conversation will give you a different way forward – starting today – that feels lighter, more hopeful, and extremely doable. Your relationships will never be the same. And neither will you. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked this episode, listen to this one next: How to Become More Confident, Influential, and Communicate Better With #1 Harvard Business Professor Mel also wants to tell you: Try the 23g protein shot I drink every single morning Join 2 million readers loving my weekly newsletter - full of tips, tools, and inspiration The Let Them Theory: read the book everyone’s talking about Watch the episodes on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Follow the show’s Instagram for clips, behind the scenes, and more Find some daily positivity on my TikTok Want zero ads? Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer
13,264 words · 4 speakers
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