The Science of Coping with Stress

What if instead of avoiding stress we actually leaned into it – and built resilience for next time?

In this episode, we speak with Dr. David Creswell, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Carnegie Mellon University, about reframing our relationship with stress. Creswell argues that modern "comfort culture" contributes to rising stress levels because we avoid discomfort that actually builds resilience. He advocates for "equanimity reps" – deliberately engaging with uncomfortable experiences through meditation, exercise, or journaling to train a more resilient brain. His research led to the creation of Equa, an AI-powered meditation app that uses smartphone sensors to track breathing patterns during sessions, providing personalized feedback on mindfulness skill development. Our conversation also explores the future of stress management, emphasizing the role of AI and technology in understanding and improving mental health.

Dr. David Creswell is the William S. Dietrich II Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University. He's also a co-founder of Equa Health.