Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist and certified executive coach based in San Jose, California. He specializes in supporting high-achieving individuals such as tech executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes in areas like stress reduction, relationship challenges, and enhancing happiness. In addition to his private practice, he is an engaging speaker and the host of the award-winning podcast Super Psyched, featuring thought leaders across various domains. He has also authored books like Live the Life You Love, which emphasize the power of connection and emotional wellbeing.

Dr. Dorsay brings over 20,000 hours of individual therapy experience and has spoken at renowned institutions such as Microsoft and LinkedIn. His work spans multiple domains, including delivering TEDx talks on topics such as men’s emotions and forming adult friendships. He combines his deep clinical expertise with a global perspective, shaped by experiences living abroad and working with diverse populations.

He is known for his commitment to emotional transparency, the science of human connection, and encouraging meaningful, fulfilling lives. Dr. Dorsay’s professional and personal experiences, including parenting and international immersion, heavily inform his practice and insights on wellbeing.

Dr. Dorsay's interest in psychology began when he was 13 years old at summer camp, where he expressed his desire to become a psychologist. He was receiving therapy at the time and admired the transformation he experienced through Dr. Gordon Cohen’s guidance. Despite early challenges with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia, Dr. Dorsay found strength and inspiration in his therapist’s impact and decided to pursue psychology in college, also developing an interest in Asian Studies that led him to live in Japan.

His journey was not linear. After struggling in graduate school, he left to work in the corporate world, where he gained useful skills but felt unfulfilled. It was only after encouragement from his psychologist wife and close friend that he decided to return to grad school later in life, juggling family, work, and education. He went on to work with gang-affiliated youth for his postdoc and never looked back, fully embracing the life he once thought was out of reach.

Through perseverance and support from loved ones, Dr. Dorsay reignited his dream. His story underscores the importance of following one’s passion, even when it requires sacrifice and delayed gratification. He compares his return to the field to a dog finally getting its long-awaited walk—pure joy and deep commitment.

Dr. Dorsay emphasizes two key traits in finding and benefitting from mentorship: humility and hunger. He explains that mentors offer invaluable guidance and can be transformative for a mentee’s growth, but mentees must be open to feedback and eager to learn. He encourages approaching potential mentors with an offer to help rather than asking for mentorship outright—bringing value first can create organic, mutually beneficial relationships.

He shares personal stories of mentorship, including his profound connection with Dr. Alan Greenberger, who initially thought Dr. Dorsay’s proposal was absurd but ended up becoming one of his closest friends and guides. His dedication to this relationship, even turning down a U2 concert to complete a project for Greenberger, reflects the deep respect he had for his mentor. In both corporate and academic settings, mentors helped him uncover hidden talents, such as his gift for communication.

Mentorship, according to Dr. Dorsay, is reciprocal. Mentors benefit from being challenged and gaining new insights, just as mentees grow through experience and feedback. He believes authentic mentor-protégé relationships can be life-changing, but only for those who are truly coachable and willing to embrace vulnerability.

Despite the vast external differences between gang members and tech executives, Dr. Dorsay explains that core psychological issues like shame, trauma, and emotional repression are surprisingly universal. Both groups, for example, often lack healthy father figures, struggle with expressing feelings, and deal with unresolved inner pain. Therapy helps make the unconscious conscious, allowing individuals to confront the hidden beliefs that may be sabotaging their lives.

He recounts a moment working with gang-affiliated youth, where a conversation about safe sex led to a powerful realization among the group about their absent fathers. This reflects the concept from Carl Jung that "until you make the unconscious conscious, it will drive you and you’ll call it fate." Dr. Dorsay applies this same principle to his executive clients, helping them examine their inner worlds despite outward success.

Tools like increasing emotional vocabulary, confronting alexithymia (the inability to describe feelings), and creating a safe space for vulnerability are key. Whether it’s a teen or a CEO, the limbic system responds similarly to emotional triggers. His mission is to help people, regardless of background, remove the “rock in their shoe” that’s been hurting them for years but hasn’t been acknowledged.

Dr. Dorsay views artificial intelligence as a double-edged sword, comparing its ethical development to the battle between Jedi and Sith from Star Wars. He acknowledges AI’s potential to greatly benefit society—enhancing human experiences and freeing us to be more emotionally present—but stresses that this depends entirely on who is guiding its growth. Just as a scalpel can either heal or harm, AI’s impact will reflect the intentions of its creators and users.

He warns that if AI is shepherded by unethical or harmful forces, it could become a tool for manipulation, exploitation, or dehumanization. The technology itself is neutral—it’s the application that determines its moral weight. This makes it imperative for well-informed, value-driven individuals to be at the forefront of AI development. In his words, people like the interviewers—who are “good people”—must become highly literate and responsible AI practitioners.

Dr. Dorsay underscores that AI cannot replicate essential human qualities like love, empathy, and genuine emotional connection. As such, he sees emotional intelligence as a critical skill in an AI-integrated world. It’s not just about being tech-savvy; it’s about preserving our humanity as we adopt powerful tools. For society to benefit, we must prioritize ethics and emotional literacy alongside innovation.

Dr. Dorsay emphasizes the need for real-life connection in an increasingly digital age. While social media offers a form of communication, he believes it provides the “NutraSweet” version of real connection—satisfying in the moment but lacking lasting nourishment. He argues that people need in-person interactions, nature, and community to feel whole and truly seen.

He refers to concepts like "forest bathing" and "biophilia" to underscore the importance of connecting with nature, and to "psychological safety," coined by Amy Edmondson, to emphasize the need for nonjudgmental, supportive environments in human relationships. Being physically present with others builds deeper trust and connection—something that can’t be replicated by likes or emojis on a screen. Even small in-person moments, like chatting with a barista or Trader Joe’s cashier, can be deeply fulfilling and create lasting relationships.

He also points out that digital interaction often lacks the nuance and emotional cues of face-to-face connection. While we may think we’re connecting online, it’s usually shallow compared to spontaneous, real-life conversations. In his view, the path to fulfillment lies in showing up with curiosity and vulnerability, not relying on digital proxies for intimacy.

According to Dr. Dorsay, meaningful connections are born from intention, curiosity, and presence, while surface-level interactions—such as social media engagements—are often empty calories. He believes that a connection grounded in authentic interest and spontaneity offers far more depth than the dopamine rush of online likes or superficial validation.

He illustrates that the more curious and informed we are, the more likely we are to form meaningful relationships. When someone mentions something specific, such as living in Seoul or being from a niche neighborhood, genuine curiosity allows for deeper engagement. Being widely read, informed, and emotionally present can open doors to surprising, serendipitous relationships.

Dr. Dorsay shares that sincerity and earnestness are easily detectable—and essential for trust. When people engage with others out of genuine interest rather than transactional motives, the connection resonates more deeply and endures longer. AI may imitate human interaction, but it cannot replicate heartfelt engagement or the sense of being truly understood.

Given the chance to connect with anyone, Dr. Dorsay enthusiastically lists several individuals he’d love to visit, starting with Barack Obama, whom he admires for his intelligence and poise. Historical figures like Abraham Lincoln fascinate him because of their profound thoughtfulness and ability to tackle complex problems with system-two thinking—a concept from behavioral economics that emphasizes deliberate, analytical thought.

He also mentions Oprah Winfrey for her empathy and wisdom, as well as biblical figures like Moses for their historical and spiritual significance. From the modern era, he’d love to meet John Stewart, citing his humor and insight, even humorously adjusting his dinner plans to accommodate Stewart’s vegetarianism.

For Dr. Dorsay, visiting someone’s home represents a deeper dive into their personality, lifestyle, and values. He ties this back to his own experience in Japan, where he initially resisted but ultimately embraced living with a host family—an immersive experience that significantly deepened his cultural empathy and awareness.

Living in Japan was a transformative chapter in Dr. Dorsay’s life. He first stayed with host families and later, while working, lived alone in a small apartment between a garbage and sewage facility—with a beautiful view of Osaka Castle. Despite the seemingly modest and industrial surroundings, he felt enriched and invigorated, likening each day to earning “experience points” that deepened his understanding of life.

He recalls how Japanese culture challenged many of his assumptions, especially about communication and social interaction. For example, he had to learn to embrace silence—something unfamiliar to him as an expressive, high-energy individual raised in a talkative household. In Japan, he discovered that silence could be a sign of comfort and respect, not awkwardness.

These experiences shaped his capacity for empathy and cultural sensitivity, helping him grow as a therapist. He became more attuned to others' ways of living, recognizing that the same scenario could be interpreted differently across cultures. This shift in perspective has served him well in both his personal development and professional practice.

Parenthood has profoundly expanded Dr. Dorsay’s emotional world. He describes it as having your heart living outside your chest—raw, vulnerable, and filled with love. The connection he feels with his sons motivates him to be a better person, both in his personal life and in his career. He sees them as “rockets under his feet,” inspiring him to strive, learn, and live with intention.

His goal as a father isn’t just to provide but to truly understand and support who his children are—not who he wants them to be. He acknowledges that parenting in today’s digital world requires openness to new technologies while maintaining strong core values. He strives to remain attuned to his sons’ evolving realities and maintain deep emotional resonance with them.

One of the most poignant moments he shares is dropping his son off at college, an event he thought he’d handle with composure but instead found overwhelmingly emotional. He describes "ugly crying" in the car, realizing the depth of that parental bond and the bittersweet beauty of seeing your child step into the world. It’s a reminder of how connection—especially with our children—can define and enrich our lives.

Throughout the interview, Dr. Adam Dorsay offers deep, personal, and often humorous reflections on psychology, mentorship, emotional intelligence, and human connection. His journey—from a young teen inspired by therapy to a seasoned psychologist and executive coach—is marked by persistence, introspection, and a clear love for people. He openly shares the challenges and triumphs of switching careers, parenting, living abroad, and engaging with powerful and vulnerable clients alike.

Dr. Dorsay repeatedly emphasizes the universality of the human experience. Whether working with traumatized youth or tech executives, the emotional core remains consistent—issues like shame, loneliness, and the need for meaningful connection transcend social status and life circumstances. His approach blends psychological insight with real-world wisdom, shaped by years of experience and deep curiosity about the human condition.

Above all, he is a passionate advocate for authentic connection in all its forms—mentorship, friendship, family, or even random interactions in line at the store. His message is clear: true fulfillment lies not in perfection or success alone, but in showing up wholeheartedly, staying curious, and being emotionally present—for others and for yourself.