AI Companions That Support Mental Health and Daily Life: Lily Doyle

AI Companions That Support Mental Health and Daily Life: Lily Doyle

Author: Marcylle Combs August 26, 2026 Duration: 30:38

Lily Doyle, founding researcher at Tolan, brings nearly a decade of experience working in mental health with a focus on emotional-behavioral disorders and behavioral intervention settings with youth. Before joining Tolan, Lily was a doctoral researcher and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Lily is instrumental in Tolan’s mission to build a voice-based AI companion that improves its users' overall emotional well-being and encourages people to build healthy relationships in the real world.

She pursued her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University and holds an M.Ed. from the University of Washington. Lily is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been published in peer-reviewed journals and federal practice guides distributed to K-12 educators nationwide.

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us seek ways to feel more grounded and connected, yet the demands of life can often make us feel isolated. Enter Tolan, an innovative AI companion designed not just to chat, but to enhance our daily experiences. Learn how it supports users in achieving personal goals. Lily discusses the innovative AI companion designed to support mental health and daily life. She shares the development of Tolan, ethical considerations in AI, and future visions for AI companions as extensions of ourselves. Tolan acts as a personalized assistant, designed to help users manage stress, challenge themselves, and ultimately improve their daily lives. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, Tolan takes on a more interactive role, engaging with users in meaningful conversations that adapt to their individual needs. As the head of research at Tolan, Lily Doyle emphasizes the importance of creating a companion that truly understands users and helps them feel supported.

Key Topics

  • AI companion development and purpose
  • User research and target audience insights
  • Ethical considerations and guardrails in AI
  • Future visions for AI as extensions of users

Get In Touch With Lily:

This podcast is found on Apple, Spotify, ListenNotes and several other platforms like podscan: podscan_JFOR5zkjagJkxaKbkqouMSYaIFlD6NwR



Hosted by Marcylle Combs, 50% with Marcylle Combs is built on the belief that women's voices and leadership are essential to every conversation. This podcast moves beyond surface-level interviews to explore the full spectrum of a leader's life. In each episode, Marcylle sits down with a woman who is actively shaping her field and community, delving into the real texture of her journey. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that defined her path, the obstacles that reshaped her direction, and the hard-won insights gathered along the way. These are not just success stories; they are honest accounts of professional and personal evolution, offering tangible advice for anyone looking to lead. By focusing on this depth, the podcast creates a platform where the diverse and inspiring narratives of women from various backgrounds, industries, and sectors take center stage. Tuning into this podcast means gaining access to a repository of experience, a source of solidarity, and a clearer understanding of what it means to build a meaningful career and life. It’s where ambition meets reflection, and where listening feels like joining a candid, necessary dialogue about progress and purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

50% with Marcylle Combs: Women in Leadership
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