Did you buy a lottery ticket this week? Did you contribute to the major league sports office pool? Gambling is an accepted part of our culture, but how do you know when a trip to the casino stops being fun and becomes a problem? Listen as Allison Henning, LCSW, LCAS breaks down gambling and helps us understand the nuances of this common pastime. Where’s the line between recreation and addiction and how to help someone who has crossed it? To read the transcript, or learn more, please visit the of...
Sep 23, 2021•24 min
Do you know someone who believes in QAnon? Are you afraid of QAnon? Have you been wondering where it comes from and what it even means? Join us as today’s guest explains how seemingly normal, intelligent, sane people believe in lizard people, pedophile cabals, and micro-chipped trackers delivered via vaccines. Want to learn more? Visit the official episode page here . Guest Bio Sophia Moskalenko is a social and clinical psychologist studying mass identity and conspiracy theories at the Georgia S...
Sep 16, 2021•29 min
Today's guest, Gregory Zarian, is an Emmy-nominated actor with starring roles in TV and movies, most recently "Westworld." Join us as he shares his insecurities working in a cut-throat industry, struggles with sobriety, and history of being bullied as a child. A candid look at the human side of celebrity, he reminds us that even “rich and famous” Hollywood celebrities can struggle with mental illness, addiction, and trauma. Read the transcript or learn more on the official episode page . Guest i...
Sep 09, 2021•25 min
Menstruation is one of those topics that has long been surrounded by misunderstanding and stigma. Join us as Dr. Sara C. Flowers tells us why. Listen in as she explains how this common biological function can affect one’s mood and mental health, while sharing personal experiences of her own. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here . Guest Bio Sara C. Flowers , DrPH, MPH, became Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America ...
Sep 02, 2021•29 min
In this episode, television producer Joel Relampagos discusses the intersectionality of his identities — Asian American, former addict, and gay man — and how the wave of hate crimes against Asian people has impacted him and his community. We discuss his latest project, which was developed to stop Asian hate, titled “ Recipe for Change ,” featuring interviews with luminaries Michelle Kwan, BD Wong, and Lisa Ling. Joel was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to America on his 6th birthday....
Aug 26, 2021•24 min
According to Prentis Hemphill, "Healing justice is active intervention in which we transform the lived experience of Blackness in our world." But it’s important to understand what those words mean. Today’s guest, Yolo Akili Robinson, the executive director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective), explains how his organization utilizes healing justice to engage with marginalized communities. Yolo explains why he advocates for discussions surrounding mental health and mental illness...
Aug 19, 2021•29 min
We commonly hear things like “We only use 10% of our brains” and “The brain is divided into the emotional right brain and our rational left brain.” But is that true, or just myths passed down as facts from generation to generation? Our brains make us who we are, but science knows surprisingly little about arguably the most important organ we have. Join us as today’s guest, neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, explains what’s fact and fiction when it comes to our gray matter, and delves into wha...
Aug 12, 2021•21 min
What do you picture when you think of someone who has anorexia? Today’s guest shares her journey with anorexia, from her sickest points, her diagnosis and treatment, and what life is like now that she is in recovery. She tells us how society’s limited understanding of eating disorders contributes to the care of those most in need being ignored. Anorexia survivor and mental health advocate Alex Carroll shares her firsthand experiences of her recovery journey. She candidly talks about what it was ...
Aug 05, 2021•30 min
Dr. Phil McGraw is one of the most prominent mental health advocates in America. In today’s episode, our host Gabe Howard and Dr. Phil discuss transitioning out of pandemic mode and into post-pandemic mode, all while taking into account that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Topics like vaccination, distrust of doctors, and the politicized nature of COVID-19 are all examined. With many of us struggling to understand the mental health toll of the past 18 months, it can be overwhelming to transition...
Jul 29, 2021•29 min
Pop culture tells us that great sex is a natural talent — you either have it or you don’t — and that sex just happens naturally, with zero effort. Today’s guest explodes those myths and tells us that for most people, learning to enjoy having sex takes lots of practice and some trial-and-error. For most people, having and loving sex comes easily, but they’re not in the majority. Great sex is an ongoing exploration, not a singular, fixed destination. And everyone’s sex life changes over time. To l...
Jul 22, 2021•30 min
Celebrities, politicians, and bosses are constantly being referred to as narcissists. But what does that really mean? Is there an official medical definition of a “narcissist” or is it just a random insult hurled at people we dislike? Today’s guest has spent decades working with narcissists and those who are recovering from them. She explains narcissistic personality disorder and answers vital questions like whether this is an actual psychological disorder and, if so, how it’s diagnosed and trea...
Jul 15, 2021•27 min
Motivational interviewing is a common phrase these days, but what is it? Is it only for counselors, or can anyone use it? And if anyone can use it, how? Today’s guest has trained thousands of people in motivational interviewing techniques. Join us as she explains how motivational interviewing is really just a simple set of conversational practices that can help you at home and at work. To learn more -- or to read the transcript -- please visit our official episode page . Guest Bio Dr. Liz Barnet...
Jul 08, 2021•25 min
Disparities in mental healthcare are well-known in the U.S., with different populations having more or less access to care. Today’s guest, Wilma Mae Basta, is looking to resolve some of those disparities by targeting women of color with her website and pro bono counseling service. In this episode she breaks down the need for culturally competent mental health services, explains barriers to treatment for women of color, and helps us understand that while diversity is important, it needs to be mor...
Jul 01, 2021•27 min
Are you familiar with the concept of “gender affirming care” in medical treatment? What about the unique mental health needs of this community? Do you know what all the letters in LGBTQIA+ stand for? Join us as today’s guest, from the Sierra Tucson Treatment Center, explains these concepts and helps us better understand — and provide better mental health care to — members of the LGBTQIA+ population. To learn more or to read the transcript, visit the official episode page . Guest Bio David Cato, ...
Jun 24, 2021•26 min
We all get married fantasizing the happily ever after — after all, we found “the one.” But studies have shown that up to 50% of married people will have an affair, which begs the questions: Why are so many people cheating on their spouses? And how can you stay out of that statistic? Today’s guest explains how to “affair-proof” your relationship. To read the transcript or learn more, please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Steven Ing, MFT , had a seriously messed up childhood… Like, mob...
Jun 17, 2021•29 min
The risk of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is almost 4 times higher than for youth who don't identify as LGBTQ+. If that surprises you, the cause of the increase will be even more shocking. Today we talk with Dr. Amy Green from The Trevor Project as she reveals the findings of the 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health and discusses what we, as a society, can do to reduce the risk of LGBTQ+ youth suicide. Learn more and/or read the transcript on our official episode page . Guest Bio Dr. ...
Jun 10, 2021•29 min
What exactly is open adoption? Is it psychologically healthy for the child and adoptive parents? Are there lingering fears, like the birth parents will come back to "steal" away the child? Today's guest, Dawn Friedman, an expert on adoption, breaks down the research, shares her experiences, and addresses the fears biological parents often have. Learn more and/or read the transcript by visiting the official episode page . Guest Bio Dawn Friedman , MSEd, is the owner of YouAreNotYouMother.com , a ...
Jun 03, 2021•29 min
Plastic surgeon, Dr. James C. Marotta has repeatedly heard patients, particularly women, express shame and guilt about wanting to change their appearance. They second-guess themselves and worry about seeming superficial or vain. Listen in as he explains why you should never feel bad about wanting to look how you choose. Learn more and/or read the transcript on the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. James C. Marotta is a dual board certified facial plastic surgeon. He attended Columbia Universi...
May 27, 2021•26 min
What are your goals in your marriage? Are you trying to make sure everything’s fair and that you and your spouse are contributing equally to the relationship? Today’s guests explain why that could be a recipe for failure. Dr. Nate Klemp and Kaley Klemp are married researchers and relationship experts who have developed the 80/80 method of managing marriages and relationships. Listen as they explain how their method can lead to more closeness and a better connection. Learn more and/or read the tr...
May 20, 2021•29 min
Do you know what a peer clubhouse is? What about a member’s only clubhouse for people living with mental illness? These types of clubhouses have existed since 1949 and there are over 200 in the United States alone. Join us as we chat with Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the CEO of the oldest clubhouse in America, Fountain House. Dr. Vasan tells us the theories behind the clubhouse model, the importance of respect in our communities, and what kind of results Fountain House has been able to achieve. To learn mo...
May 13, 2021•30 min
The Me2/Orchestra was co-founded and is conducted by Juilliard graduate Ronald Braunstein, who lives with bipolar disorder. His orchestra is featured in the new documentary, “Orchestrating Change,” that tells the inspiring story of the only orchestra in the world created by and for people living with mental illness, and those who support them. The mission of Me2/ is to erase mental health stigma one concert at a time and create an environment where acceptance and understanding are both an expect...
May 06, 2021•24 min
After 25 years, Psych Central has received a makeover. Some things are the same, some are new, and some are different. Now that Psych Central’s founder, Dr. John Grohol, has retired from running the website, for the first time in our history, we have a new Editor in Chief. Join us for today’s show as we learn about the new Psych Central and meet our newly minted — and super cool — Editor in Chief, Faye McCray. Listen Now! To learn more, visit the official podcast episode page here . Guest inform...
Apr 29, 2021•23 min
How do families and friends of an atheist or nonbeliever mourn their passing when the majority of our traditions are religion-based? Additionally, can someone build a community without religion — and is it even important to do so? Today’s guest is a “non-theist chaplain.” Join us as we find out what that means as he explains that atheism and ritual are not mutually exclusive. Listen Now! View the transcript and official episode page here . Guest Information D.S. Moss is a recently endorsed Chapl...
Apr 22, 2021•24 min
Most people believe that forensic science is an exact science that can always find the right perpetrator. But is that actually true? Today’s expert explains the reality behind fingerprint analysis, DNA, and other forensic sciences. Professor Brandon L. Garrett shares how a variety of cognitive biases and our basic psychology can cause crime labs to make devastating errors that destroy lives. Not only can innocent people be falsely imprisoned, but the guilty can go free and possibly commit future...
Apr 15, 2021•27 min
At last count, there were over 300 mental health-related apps in the app stores. With this many, how do you choose? How do they differ from each other, and do they actually help? Most importantly, how do we know which ones are safe? On today’s episode, we discuss mental health apps with clinical psychologist, Dr. Nathaan Demers, and digital health marketer, Joe Conrad, who created the mental health app Nod . Together, they explain what it takes to make an effective mental health app and how cons...
Apr 08, 2021•26 min
If you’re an introvert, can you become a leader? Are quiet people capable of leading at all or is a loud, charismatic personality a requirement of leadership? The author of “Quietly Powerful: How Your Quiet Nature Is Your Hidden Leadership Strength,” Megumi Miki, answers these questions and tells us more about introversion and extroversion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 01, 2021•29 min
Many people have heard the phrase “inner child,” but what does that really mean? Today’s guest explains how she has reinterpreted the inner child archetype for the modern reader — delving into how metaphors of the sun child, shadow child, and inner adult will help you improve your life and relationships. Stefanie Stahl is a national board certified psychologist, bestselling author, and one of the most well-known psychotherapists in her home country of Germany. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Mar 25, 2021•22 min
In today’s episode, life coach Mike Bayer from the Dr. Phil show shares his philosophy on how to live authentically. Can one decision really be the key to a better life? What does living authentically even mean? Coach Mike shares exercises from his new book that he’s used with Dr. Phil, J.Lo, and other celebs. Coach Mike’s first book “Best Self” was a runaway success, hitting the New York Times Bestseller list. His newest book is “ONE DECISION: The First Step to a Better Life.” Listen Now Learn ...
Mar 18, 2021•24 min
When it comes to adoption, our understanding of the mental health needs of those involved seems to take a backseat. Concepts such as abandonment and trust issues, as well as acknowledging trauma, often remain unaddressed. Listen as our guest experts, Debbie B. Riley, LCMFT (Center for Adoption Support and Education) and Rita Soronen (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption) help us understand mental health needs for children and adults who have been adopted or are currently in foster care. Learn mor...
Mar 11, 2021•29 min
Police officers are much more likely to die by suicide than they are to be killed in the line of duty. While society works hard to prevent law enforcement fatalities, mental health and suicide often remain overlooked. Constable James Jefferson, a 13-year law enforcement veteran, shares his story of being involved in a fatal shooting and how that experience led him to have untreated PTSD for years. Learn how he believes law enforcement could better protect him and his fellow officers. Learn more ...
Mar 04, 2021•23 min•Season 3Ep. 247
