Unkind Mind: The Neuroscience of Why Women Are So Hard on Themselves—and How to Quiet Your Inner Critic for Good

· New Harbinger Publications
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160
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About this ebook

A cutting-edge, neuroscientific approach to quiet your unkind mind—and cultivate the self-compassion, confidence, and courage you need to thrive.

Is there an unrelenting hypercritical voice inside your head, constantly telling you that you aren’t smart enough, attractive enough, successful enough, or worthy of love? Have you ever asked yourself why this harsh, judgmental voice is so damn ruthless? Negative self-talk is all too common for women. After all, we’re expected to be perfect, look perfect, and “do it all” with a smile. So, how can you stop holding yourself to unreasonable standards, turn the volume down on your unkind mind, and give yourself a little self-love and acceptance instead?

This unflinching guide shines a light on why women are the hardest on themselves, and where this merciless inner critic comes from—an evolutionary mechanism in our brains called the default mode network (DMN). Using powerful and practical skills drawn from cutting-edge neuroscience, you’ll learn how to flip the switch on these toxic self-critical thoughts, move past the “not good enough” mentality standing between you and the happiness you deserve, and supercharge your confidence and self-compassion!

Discover a new outlook on life, as you:

  • Stop comparing yourself to others
  • Quiet negative self-talk for good
  • Reconnect with your kind mind
  • Live with courage and authenticity
A cutting-edge, neuroscientific approach to quiet your unkind mind—and cultivate the self-compassion, confidence, and courage you need to thrive. Is there an unrelenting hypercritical voice inside your head, constantly telling you that you aren’t smart enough, attractive enough, successful enough...

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Ratings and reviews

1 review
Alvin Miller
January 21, 2026
A neuroscientific look at self-doubt, why we gossip, and how it gets turned on ourselves
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About the author

Betsy Holmberg, PhD, is a psychologist and author specializing in overthinking and negative self-talk. She writes for Psychology Today, and has been featured on radio, television, and podcasts. Before that, she ran the mental health service line at McKinsey & Company, and received her PhD from Duke University.
Betsy Holmberg, PhD, is a psychologist and author specializing in overthinking and negative self-talk. She writes for Psychology Today, and has been featured on radio, television, and podcasts. Before that, she ran the mental health service line at McKinsey & Company, and received her PhD from Du...

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