Insights with Dick Goldberg: Recent Episodes
Insights with Dick Goldberg
Dick’s guest, Prasanta Verma, the author of Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging, discusses loneliness in America. In 2023, the Surgeon General declared loneliness a national epidemic and compared its health impact to the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
There is a 50/50 chance you met your current partner online dating. It’s the new world of dating but some level of deception is common. Why do some people deceive? What is catfishing? How do you navigate around these issues?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Catalina Toma is a Professor of Communication Science at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research helps people understand and communicate via technology, particularly online dating, social networking sites and AI.
There are celebrities and online influencers who have thousands, sometimes millions of followers and fans. These people often feel they know the celebrity and may believe they are connected to them personally. This is called a parasocial relationship. It is a one-way relationship and it is widespread in our culture. How does this happen? How does it affect the fan? How does it feel to be on the other side as the one being followed?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Gayle S. Stever is Professor of Social and Behavioral Science at Empire State University of New York and has written three books on parasocial relationships.
We all face serious setbacks, scary challenges or losses. What if we could not only handle these situations with skill and resilience but also adapt and grow to improve ourselves when life throws us these left curves?
Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice for over 45 years. He is also Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work.
Some therapists are finding that exploring a client’s creativity and artistic expression can lead to better mental health and self awareness. This expression can be via poetry, music, painting or simply journaling their feelings.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist and also the author of Alchemy of Blood, a collection of contemporary poems that focus on a variety of topics, including relationships, social and political trends, nature and psychology.
Dick’s guest, Denise Hanson, is the Founder and Executive Director of Root 2 Rise, a non-profit organization that actually pays a stipend and gives class credit to teens on the verge of dropping out by having them help elementary school kids do better in school.
The CDC reports 40% of high school students have persistent sadness or hopelessness. About 20% have seriously considered suicide and 9% have attempted it. These bleak numbers are significantly worse than 25 years ago. How can these troubled teens be better helped?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Steven Stein, a licensed psychologist and founder of North Star Adolescent Day Treatment Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Nearly one out of five adults aged 25 to 34 in America currently live with their parents. And 46% of adults aged 18 to 35 have left home and at some point moved back. Why is this happening and how does this affect all involved?
Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.
Is American men’s mental health worse than American women’s? Men commit suicide 3 1/2 times more frequently. Men are less likely to seek treatment for addiction or mental health disorders like depression. Do these things relate to the fact that life expectancy of men is 5.8 years less than women?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim Hollis is a Jungian psychoanalyst and the author of twenty books, including Under Saturn’s Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men.
What really leads to happiness? Who is happiest and why?
Dick’s guest, Rebecca Warner is Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of New Hampshire. She is also the author of several books and research papers on the subject of happiness.
What are the tough questions you and your partner need to explore before you commit long term?
Dick’s guest is Michael Reddin, a Licensed Professional Counselor at Madison Psychiatric Associates in Madison, Wisconsin.
Adult children sometimes cut off their parents by refusing contact. As many as 25% of adults have been estranged from at least one of their parents. A mild form of this estrangement is a rupture that is short term and perhaps less profound. What are the leading causes and what can be done to heal them?
Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.
Is the old fashioned newspaper at risk of dying? Recently, after losses of $100 million, The Washington Post fired 1/3 of its staff. Is this future of all newspapers? What is hurting this institution? Is there a path to newspapers surviving?
Dick’s guest, Paul Fanlund is Publisher and President of The Cap Times in Madison, Wisconsin. He has been in this business as a reporter, editor, columnist and executive for 50 years.
Dr. Lee Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Author of Forgetting and Forgotten: Dementia and the Right to Die, shares with Dick his experiences and all he learned about dementia while taking care of his wife during her ten year battle with this all too common disease.
In Germany in 1938, Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, was sanctioned by the Nazi government. Synagogues and Jewish businesses were burned, 91 Jews were murdered and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. By the end of World War II, six million Jews were exterminated in these camps. In these years, what was the response to the atrocities by the government, by the media and by religious organizations in the United States? What lessons learned in the past can be applied to our deeply conflict-ridden world today?
Dick’s guest, Ofer Ashkenazi is a Professor of History and the Director of the Koebner-Minerva Center for German History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has written numerous books and articles on German history and Jewish life under Nazism. He is currently a visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Nearly two million dogs in the U.S. are tasked with being more than just cute and cuddly. These dogs are Emotional Support Dogs. Some of these animals have a even more challenging role of being a Psychiatric Service Dog. How useful in healing are they? Who can best benefit from their support?
Dick’s guest, Jane Miller is a licensed psychotherapist and LISW. She is the founder of Healing Companions and author of Healing Companions: Ordinary Dogs and Their Extraordinary Power to Transform Lives.
Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track?
Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops on life management, time management and finding your life purpose.
About one in eleven Americans will suffer sometime in their life from disordered eating. Treating eating disorders can be extensive, arduous and very expensive, ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. What are the problematic disordered eating patterns and how can they best be treated?
Dick’s guest, Carolyn Karroll is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Maryland. She is the co-author of Eating Disorders Group Therapy and writes an ongoing blog on PsychologyToday.com.
A chaplain in a retirement community is part spiritual advisor, part counselor, part crisis responder and part sage on life’s tough subjects.
Dick’s guests are Nicole Espe, who has served as a parish pastor as well as a hospital night chaplain and Jessica McCarty whose capstone project explored loneliness in the aging population and the role of spirituality. Both join Dick to discuss what they have learned while currently serving the population as ordained chaplains at Oakwood Village Retirement Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Nicole Espe
Jessica McCarty
Half of students in public schools in the United States are low income. Also half are minorities. What are the challenges and what are the solutions to better educate these kids?
Dick’s guest, Art Rainwater retired in 2008 after 10 years as Superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, Wisconsin. He is currently Clinical Professor of Education Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dick’s guest, Douglas Smith, was a social worker, a policy insider at the Texas capitol and a father when untreated mental illness and addiction led him to rob a bank and land in prison for nearly six years. He is now flourishing as a social worker helping people develop leadership skills. His recent book is The Path of Rocks & Thorns: Leadership Lessons From a Prison Cell.
There are currently about 2,000,000 people incarcerated in the United States. Some say this system of justice is thoroughly unjust, costly and needlessly punishes instead of rehabilitates. What can be done to improve or even fix this system?
Dick’s guest, Diane Endres-Ballweg is a business owner, philanthropist and author who recently attended the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard, leading her to co-found the Madison Justice Team to bring together agencies, groups and individuals to work on reforming the criminal justice system.
A recent Gallup poll found that only 32% of American workers feel engaged in their jobs. How can employers best motivate their workers, particularly in the non-profit sector, to feel engaged and fulfilled?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Melinda Weisberg holds a Doctorate in Management, Masters Degree in Education, (with an emphasis in adult education and organizational development) and undergraduate degrees in Public Relations and Economics. She is currently a part-time professor at Edgewood College.
Since 2006, there have been over 600 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in more than 3,000 murders. Why these large numbers? Who are these mass shooters? How can we intelligently address this issue?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in mass and individual trauma.
Dick’s guests, divorce attorney Allan Koritzinsky and psychologist Dr. Kenneth Waldron share 5 myths about marriage and the 7 essential ingredients of a successful marriage from their book “The Road to Marital Success is Unpaved.”
Dr. Kenneth Waldron
Allan Koritzinsky
There are currently somewhere between 11 and 18 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. These are people with no legal rights to be living in this country. Should they be expelled immediately? If so, how? Is the Trump administration executing these deportations within the law?
Dick’s guest, Grant Sovern is an immigration attorney with Quarles law firm in Wisconsin. He is the National Co-Chair of the Immigration and Mobility Practice Group and is also president of the board of the Community Immigration Law Center.
The majority of Americans either have parents or are themselves aged 65 or older, making them candidates for retirement communities. Who is a good fit? What are the benefits and drawbacks? And what can we learn about life from retirement communities?
Dick’s guests are Jan Hamilton-Crawford, President & CEO of Oakwood Village and Tim Conroy, Executive Director of Capitol Lakes Retirement Community, both located in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jan Hamilton-Crawford
Tim Conroy
Suicide in America is on a steady longterm rise. Over 49,000 people took their own lives in 2023. Why is this? What can be done to prevent suicide when someone you know may be at risk?
Dick’s guest, Tom Butero is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and has devoted the last 50 years to the study of suicide and suicide prevention. He has just published the book “I Don’t Want to Die: A New Look at Suicide Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention.”
Of the over 2 million Americans behind bars, about 100,000 didn’t do it. They are innocent. The Innocence Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School is on the cutting edge of helping to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, including Steven Avery.
Dick’s guest is Keith Findley, law professor and co-founder and co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project. He is also the past president of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of 68 Innocence Projects around the world.
The hospital chaplain brings comfort to patients and their families in ways medical staff is not equipped to do. How impactful can hospital chaplains be and what do they need to bring to this role to be effective?
Dick’s guest, Chaplain and Minister Andy Karlson is Manager of Spiritual Services for UW Health Hospital and also a Unitarian Universalist Minister affiliated with First Unitarian Society of Madison.
In our highly polarized country, most of us might avoid conversations with people who have opposing political views. How can you have a civil dialogue when these conversations might sometimes be unavoidable? Is there a way these conversations can even be productive?
Dick’s guest, Jacob Winkler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Group Psychotherapist who specializes in communication.
What can be so objectionable about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? It is a framework used in schools and organizations to create environments in which all individuals feel valued, respected and supported regardless of race, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Can it actually be discriminatory as described by President Trump and the Supreme Court?
Dick’s guest, Wes Sparkman is Director of the Grigsby Office For Equity & Inclusion for Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Ken Robbins, adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and past Medical Director of Psychiatry at Mendota Mental Health Institute, explains what determines an outcome of not guilty by reason of insanity and what treatment follows.
Every community has its share of accidents, tragedies and suffering. Imagine an agency that is tasked with looking after a whole community and all the responding agencies to help facilitate a reduction in accidents, hospitalizations and overdoses.
Dick’s guest, Cheryl Wittke has spent the last 25 years as the Executive Director of Safe Communities.
There are far too many children in the U.S. who are raised without a father in their lives. This could lead to dropping out of school, struggling with mental health issues or getting caught up in the criminal justice system.
Dick’s guest, Bruce Carter, has dedicated his life to helping this population. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Obama for helping and mentoring over 500,000 children.
25% of the U.S. population is currently 65 years of age or older. What are the important things to understand about aging? What are the positives about getting older?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Alexis Eastman is a practicing geriatrician at UW Health Geriatrics Clinics and Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.
The life expectancy for Americans has gone down due to deaths from drug use and overdoses, killing more people than suicide or accidents. What are the recent changes in drug use and treatment?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Michael Miller, a psychiatrist and past President and Board Chair of the American Society of Addiction Medicine as well as a current clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Addiction Fellowship Program.
There is a stereotype most people accept that men are smarter and more skilled at managing and investing money than women. Is this true?
Dick’s guest, Grace Trewartha is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School who worked in corporate finance for 25 years followed by a successful stint as a financial planner. Grace is the founder of Live Beneath Your Means LLC which provides financial coaching.
Who is authentic? How do they become so? Is being a phony the opposite? What are the benefits of being authentic to the person, their friends and colleagues as they become more authentic?
Dick’s guest is Barbara Hummel who has led workshops for 12 years for the Center for Courage & Renewal. She is also the former director of the Madison Area Quality Improvement Network, which helped businesses and organizations improve their quality and systems thinking.
The internet is an integral part of our everyday lives. Yet the key question is how has the internet affected us psychologically both in positive and negative ways.
Dick’s guest, Morton Ann Gernsbacher is Vilas Research Professor and the Sir Frederic C. Bartlett Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track?
Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops on life management, time management and finding your life purpose.
Is there a specific profile for a school shooter? Why do they do it? What can be done to diminish the likelihood of these school shooting massacres in the future?
Dick’s guest, forensic psychologist, prolific author on predators and sex offenders and consultant to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Dr. Anna Salter, shares thoughts from her recent presentation on school shooters.
“What’s different now is that access to information for making bombs is so readily available on the Internet,” Salter said. “Also, it’s easy to get access to more and more powerful weapons, (so) the body count is going up.”
For more information on this topic or Dr. Anna Salter, please visitwww.annasalter.com
(Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
There has been a growing acceptance of the use of psychedelics to treat depression, anxiety and PTSD when traditional therapies provide no improvements. What is hype and what is real?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Matthew Banks is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Affiliate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin.
The pain of having a toxic parent doesn’t end when you grow up. What is a toxic parent? How can the adult child end or reduce the suffering a toxic parent can inflict?
Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Madison, Wisconsin.
What is spiritual intelligence? Can having it along with high intellectual and emotional intelligence mean you are living up to your full potential?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Janet Schwartz is the author of Authentic Intelligence: How to Use Your Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Gifts to Create the Life and World You Want.
The #MeToo movement took off after the investigation and prosecution of Harvey Weinstein and with it the reaction to sexual violence and harassment changed dramatically.
Dick’s guest, Dana Pellebon is the Director of RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.
Men tend to be less open and expressive about their feelings than women. That can sometimes create a challenge in their marriage. When men are depressed that can add additional stress on their relationship.
Dick’s guest, Steven Blank is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.
One of the most important contributing factors for the quality of relationships and good mental health is good social skills.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Chris Segrin, is a Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Arizona whose specialty is interpersonal relationships and mental health.
Should you hire previously incarcerated people? Employers may be missing out on valued staff as there are over 2 million previously incarcerated Americans. Yet, there are reasons to be careful and cautious.
Dick’s guest, Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director of Just Dane which helps individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system.
The quality of our relationships with family and close friends may be the biggest contributor to contentment but how important is the quality of social ties with people not part of the family and close friends group?
Dick’s guest is award-winning journalist Melinda Blau, who has written several books on the importance of quality relationships including “Consequential Strangers.”
Can you be spiritual if you are not religious? Is spirituality possible if you are an atheist? What is spirituality and how can it enhance your life?
Dick’s guest, Elizabeth Schrimpf, is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. She at times will use the aspect of spirituality in her practice and in her personal life.
The newer career of intimacy coordinator was created to help ensure the well being of actors during sex scenes in theater, films and television. What does coordinating intimacy actually mean? How is it done?
Dick’s guest, Simone LaPierre has a background in choreography, acting, directing and producing. She has recently become an intimacy coordinator on sets as well as being a family therapist.
Is American men’s mental health worse than American women’s? Men commit suicide 3 1/2 time more frequently. Men are less likely to seek treatment for addiction or mental health disorders like depression. Do these things relate to the fact that life expectancy of men is 5.8 years less than women?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim Hollis is a Jungian psychoanalyst and the author of twenty books, including Under Saturn’s Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men.
Dick’s guest, therapist and author Faust Ruggerio, discusses the most important tips on achieving optimum mental health from his book “The Fix Yourself Handbook.”
Are there any differences between men and women on how they budget, save, spend and invest their money? Is there anything unique women need to learn about managing their finances?
Dick’s guest, Linda LePay is Director of Personal Finance at the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Strong successful women looking for love are finding it harder to make an appropriate match. Why is this? How can these women find the partner of their dreams?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Sandy To is the Author of China’s Leftover Women and her second book will be a self help guide for highly educated career women to find life partners.
Resilience is adapting to hardships, adversity and tough turns in life. All of us will be faced with these events in our lives. Some are small, some are very significant. Our mental health, our usefulness and the quality of our lives is greatly enhanced by becoming skilled at resilience and recovery.
Dick’s guest is Patricia Clason. A professional speaker since 1975, Patricia has created over 50 workshops, speeches, and
keynote presentations highlighting the skills of Emotional Intelligence. Patricia brings energy, enthusiasm and expertise to her speaking engagements and training sessions – so they’re fun and highly informative. A host for both radio and television interview shows for ten years, plus her extensive background in business and education, Patricia makes strong connections with participants from private, public and non-profit sector organizations, as well as associations. Emotional Intelligence is at the core of all of her work, helping people develop their self awareness and social awareness skills to build collaborative relationships personally and professionally.
Since 2006, there have been over 600 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in more than 3,000 murders. Why these large numbers? Who are these mass shooters? How can we intelligently address this issue?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in mass and individual trauma.
As seen on a Sussex Directories Inc site
In 2019, 13% of adolescents reported having a major depressive episode. That was an increase of 60% in just over a decade. For people 10 to 24, suicide rates increased that same percentage in the same period of time. What is going on with our youth? Is it easily explained by social media and smart phones?
Dick’s guest is Dick’s guest is Jack Gieche, LPC and Clinical Director of Lifestance who has specializes in issues dealing with children, teens and families.
Depression is almost an epidemic. Nearly one in five Americans will experience at least one bout of depression in their lifetime. Are there ways people can help themselves? Can depression be managed without medication?
Dick’s guest, Faust Ruggerio is a therapist and author of “The Fix Yourself depression Handbook.”
What does a happy, healthy relationship look like? How can chasing a “perfect” love end in disappointment?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Carla Marie Manly is a clinical psychologist, lecturer and author. Her latest book is “Joy of Imperfect Love.”
What fears are getting in the way of your best life? How can the fear of public speaking, flying or test-taking be diminished or eliminated?
Dick’s guest, Craig Meriwether is a certified hypnotherapist and mindset coach.
Healthy relationships are essential for good mental health. What are the components to healthy relationships and what’s the number one skill to building those relationships?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Carla Manly, author of Joy from Fear: Create the Life of Your Dreams by Making Fear Your Friend.
Dick’s guest, Stephen P. Jarchow, co-author with Paul Zane Pilzer of the book The New Roaring Twenties: Prosper in Volatile Times discusses the six economic and six social changes that will affect our lives in the next ten years.
Impostor Syndrome (also known as Impostor Phenomenon) is the fear of not being the competent and capable person people believe you to be. How common is this phenomenon? Is there anything that can be done to lessen this fear?
Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of counseling experience.
Dick’s guest, Jarrett Adams was wrongfully convicted for rape at the age of 17. 11 years later he was exonerated. He discusses how he went from “jailhouse lawyer” to real-life lawyer and how he uses his life experience to help exonerate others as well as improve the criminal justice system. Jarrett Adams is also the author of Redeeming Justice: From Defendant to Defender, My Fight for Equity on Both Sides of a Broken System
Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track?
Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops on life management, time management and finding your life purpose.
Gratitude: It can make you happier, healthier and improve your relationships. Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, shares with us how to maintain a successful gratitude practice and how science demonstrates its benefits.
“Gratitude is one of the most significant, contributing factors to our happiness,” Dr. Mirgain said. “It is a simple and … free thing we can do.”
26% of Black men live in poverty. 1 in 5 will be incarcerated at some point in their lives. Black men also experience twice the unemployment rate as white men.
Dick’s guest, Corey Marrioneaux is Founder and President of Black Men Coalition of Dane County an agency in Madison, Wisconsin that helps primarily Black men with employment, housing, education and social support.
There are nearly 2 million people behind bars in the United States. There are also over 6 million family members of the incarcerated additionally affected, creating a huge impact that needs to be addressed.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia is a clinical psychologist and the former warden of the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently the Managing Director of Justice Initiatives for Chicago Beyond, an organization of community leaders helping to support at-risk youth in the Chicago area.
A “death doula” or “spiritual midwife” shares stories of how she helps enhance people’s journeys to the other side.
Dick’s guest is Karin Medall of the Artful Healing Studio.
Can low income defendants get a proper defense today using a public defender? What are the challenges public defenders face?
Dick’s guest is State Public Defender Kelli Thompson for the State of Wisconsin.
Dick’s guest, Ed Wall was a long-serving police officer and former Director of the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections. He shares his insights concerning the problems with our criminal justice system and what changes need to be made to fix them.
Nearly 20% of all 911 calls involve a mentally disturbed person. In the past, all of these calls were responded to by police with little to no mental health training, sometimes ending in tragedy. Recently, there has been a push to create mental health emergency response teams to provide proper support for those in crisis.
Dick’s guest, Che Stedman, is Assistant Chief of EMS Operations for the Madison Fire Department in Madison, Wisconsin, overseeing the Community Alternative Response Emergency Services program (CARES).
Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency but if help is needed in any other situation you can call 211 from anywhere 24/7.
Dick’s guest, Ed Wall is Director of 211 for United Way Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.
Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency but if help is needed in any other situation you can call 211 from anywhere 24/7.
Dick’s guest, Ed Wall is Director of 211 for United Way Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dr. Lee Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Author of Forgetting and Forgotten: Dementia and the Right to Die, shares with Dick his experiences and all he learned about dementia while taking care of his wife during her ten year battle with this all too common disease.
What is bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression)? How common is it? Can it be cured, treated or controlled? Dick’s guest is Tina Willits. She has a masters degree in social work and currently manages senior living communities and home healthcare for seniors. Tina was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after manic episodes in her […]
How do you know when it’s time to leave an unfulfilling relationship? Is this issue any different for a man than a woman? Dick’s guest, Sandra Wood is a life coach, speaker and co-author of Transforming Your Life.
Can hypnotherapy be a simpler and more effective method to treat some psychological problems? What is the process? Who is a good candidate? Dick’s guest, Dr. John McGrail is a clinical hypnotherapist and the author of The Synthesis Effect: Your Direct Path to Personal Power and Transformation.
Dick’s guest, divorce attorney Allen Koritzinsky and psychologist Dr. Kenneth Waldron share 5 myths about marriage and the 7 essential ingredients of a successful marriage from their book “The Road to Marital Success is Unpaved.”
Other than price, what are the advantages for some of choosing junior college rather than a traditional four year college? Dick’s guest, Turina Bakken, is the provost at Madison College. She has served as vice provost, associate vice president, dean, associate dean, program director and faculty member.
The life expectancy for Americans has gone down due to deaths from drug use and overdoses, killing more people than suicide or accidents. What are the recent changes in drug use and treatment?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Michael Miller, a psychiatrist and past President and Board Chair of the American Society of Addiction Medicine as well as a current clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Addiction Fellowship Program.
What can be done now to stay vital, energetic and young well into old age?
Dick’s guest, George Bentley is a nationally recognized aging-in-place specialist, speaker and author of “How to Die Young…At Any Age”.
As baby boomers become seniors in large numbers, more therapists are trying to respond to their needs. What are these unique issues and how can therapists apply their knowledge and skills to help seniors?
Dick’s guest, Donna Swanson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has 27 years of experience specializing in seniors and their issues.
20% of patients who have been in the intensive care unit suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Why is that the case? Can improving protocols reduce that percentage?
Dick’s guest, Barbara Perkins, LCSW, has over 12 years experience working with patients in large hospitals both during their stays and in aftercare. She is also in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.
Encore: Everyone has some shame. It can diminish our happiness. How do we understand and better deal with our own sense of shame?
Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of counseling experience.
How can restorative justice programs help victims heal and possibly help perpetrators to be less likely to re-offend?
Dick’s guest, Reverend Jerry Hancock is Director of the Prison Ministry Program at First Congregational Church in madison, Wisconsin.
One out of four men in a committed relationship are physically or emotionally abusive. What are the roots for this abuse? How can men be treated to stop the cycle that may have started in their own childhood?
Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of counseling experience.
11% of children in the United States are growing up in a household with an adult addict. These children are three times more likely to be addicts themselves as adults. How can children be protected from the negative consequences of living with an addict?
Dick’s guest is Jack Gieche, LPC who has specialized in issues dealing with addiction, children and families.
Jack Gieche, LPC and Roo
Approximately 20 million Americans struggle with alcohol or drug use disorder. What are the consequences of being the partner of an addict? What are the best strategies to help deal with a loved one’s addiction?
Dick’s guest is Jack Gieche, LPC who has specialized in issues dealing with addiction and families.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett joins Dick to discuss what needs to change for effective policing in the 21st Century.
Encore: Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track?
Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops on life management, time management and finding your life purpose.
Nearly 40% of Americans say they are lonely. Some blame the rise of the internet and social media yet is there a way to use this strategically to help lessen loneliness?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.
Jails are in transformation from holding pens to more humanitarian rehabilitative facilities. As Dane County in Wisconsin embarks on building a new jail, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett discusses with Dick what he sees as wrong with jails today and what they need to do to release safer and more productive inmates back into society.
The pain of having a toxic parent doesn’t end when you grow up. What is a toxic parent? How can the adult child end or reduce the suffering a toxic parent can inflict? Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Madison, Wisconsin.
6.1 million felons are currently denied the right to vote. Some incarcerated, some on parole and others who have served their sentence. What are the pros and cons for granting felons the right to vote? Dick’s guest, Ramiah Whiteside was incarcerated for 25 years. He is now Associate Director and Prison Relational Voter Program Inreach […]
40% of Americans admit to loneliness, even those in long term relationships. For some, that loneliness could be from a fear of intimacy. What are the reasons for this fear and what can be done to overcome it? Dick’s guest is Dr. Avigail Lev, a licensed Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and co-author of two books, including […]
Having a sense of purpose in life has been correlated with better health, better relationships and even longer life. Dick’s guest, Dr. Christine B. Whelan is a professor, lecturer and author of five books, including The Big Picture: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose in Life.
How can a small business best utilize social media to get noticed and create customers? Dick’s guest, Spencer X. Smith, is a lecturer and author of ROTOMA: The ROI of Social Media “Top of Mind”.
How can a small business best utilize social media to get noticed and create customers? Dick’s guest, Spencer X. Smith, is a lecturer and author of ROTOMA: The ROI of Social Media “Top of Mind”.
How can a small business best utilize social media to get noticed and create customers? Dick’s guest, Spencer X. Smith, is a lecturer and author of ROTOMA: The ROI of Social Media “Top of Mind”.
Last year, there were nearly 700 mss shootings in the U.S. How might the internet contribute to encouraging this kind of behavior? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Janet McCord, Director of the Master of Science in Thanatology program at Edgewood College, shares healthier ways to deal with death and how other cultures do it better.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Janet McCord, Director of the Master of Science in Thanatology program at Edgewood College, shares healthier ways to deal with death and how other cultures do it better.
How can you flourish in a new vocation or avocation in retirement? Dick’s guest, Nancy Collamer, is a retirement coach, founder of MyLifestyleCareer.com and author of Second Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Retirement.
How can you flourish in a new vocation or avocation in retirement? Dick’s guest, Nancy Collamer, is a retirement coach, founder of MyLifestyleCareer.com and author of Second Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Retirement.
Encore: 1 out of 11 Americans will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime. Does every trauma lead to PTSD? What treatments work best at reducing PTSD symptoms? Dick’s guest is Dr. Chad Wetterneck, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety and posttraumatic stress […]
Encore: What constitutes emotional abuse? What are the most common patterns of subtle emotional abuse? What is the healthy response for a victim of emotional abuse? Dick’s guest is Amber Ault, Ph.D., MSW, a sociologist, teacher, trainer, author and psychotherapist. Her areas of clinical expertise include personality disorders, the treatment of trauma, crisis intervention, and suicide risk […]
Encore: Forgiveness is really for the benefit of the person injured. So many people suffer for many years from their anger at those who hurt them. Dick’s guest, UW professor Dr. Robert Enright is the author of seven books on forgiveness and the founder and director of the International Forgiveness Institute, Inc.
ENCORE: Imagine having six incurable illnesses over 25 years that could each potentially end your life. Retired Professor of Business Ethics at Edgewood College Dr. Denis Collins joins Dick to discuss what he has learned through such an existence and how we can apply that ourselves.
What creates boredom? How can examining this feeling lead to a richer life? Dick’s guest James Danckert is a Cognitive Neuroscientist at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, Director of The Danckert Lab, studying boredom and Author of Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom.
What is the secret to happiness? Why are self love and high self esteem important to be truly happy? How can you improve your relationship with yourself? Dick’s guest, Megan Logan MSW LCSW, is the author of The Self Love Workbook for Women and Be Kind to Yourself.
According to the New York Times, Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is in trouble. Even before COVID, rates of suicide and mental illness had climbed higher than previous generations. Is it a coincidence that Generation Z was born at the same time as the smart phone and the social media explosion? Dick’s guest, […]
Impostor Syndrome (also known as Impostor Phenomenon) is the fear of not being the competent and capable person people believe you to be. How common is this phenomenon? Is there anything that be done to lessen this fear? Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a […]
Procrastination is defined as delaying something knowing there are negative consequences to not doing it right now. Why do people procrastinate? What are the fixes? Dick’s guest is Eric M. Twiggs, author of The Discipline of Now: 12 Practical Principles to Overcome Procrastination.
Between 5 to 7% of American adults live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A surprising effect is their life expectancy is up to 8 1/2 years shorter. Learn the reasons behind this health risk and how to best manage this disorder. Dick’s guest, Mindy Perry LCSW, is the ADHD program director for the SW […]
Why do people attempt suicide? How many are successful? What can we learn from those who survive an attempt? Is our culture causing high suicide rates? Dick’s guest, Jessica Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor at The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy. She developed a behavioral health screening protocol applicable […]
In honor of United Way of Dane County’s 100th anniversary, please enjoy this encore presentation on one of the most innovative of the 1,100 United Way agencies in the United States. How do they decide what is the best use of the money they have? How do they get the community to work together to […]
Imagine choosing to live with a partner who is charming and charismatic yet you find yourself in a toxic relationship. This can happen if your partner has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Dick’s guest Amber Ault is a Ph.D., MSW, clinical sociologist, teacher, trainer and author of The Five Step Exit: The Skills You Need to Leave a […]
What are the tough questions you and your partner need to explore before you commit long term? Dick’s guest is Michael Reddin, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Director at Westside Psychotherapy in Madison, Wisconsin.
One of the paths to happiness is to truly know yourself. The Enneagram Test can be an important tool that helps lead to self discovery. Dick’s guest is Amy Everson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who uses this tool in her practice.
Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track? Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops […]
Most Americans spend close to 1/3 of their waking hours at their job. How many can say they have their dream job? Dick’s guest, Elizabeth Schrimpf, MA, LPC, CCC, is a licensed counselor and nationally certified career counselor and is finishing a book on career happiness in an uncertain world.
Dr. Michael Edelstein, Clinical Psychologist and Author of “Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.”, joins Dick to discuss what he sees as shortcomings with 12 step programs and what he feels is a better alternative.
Co-parenting after the end of a relationship can be a challenging proposition, yet it is possible to do so successfully by avoiding common mistakes. Dick’s guest is Dr. Ken Waldron, a Clinical Psychologist with over 40 years experience working with divorced families. He is also Author of several books, including “The Co-Parenting Workbook.”
Clinical Psychologist and Author, Dr. Carla Marie Manly, joins Dick to discuss tips on how to navigate dating from her latest book, Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly.
How far behind are kids of color in K through 12? What can be done to close the gap? Dick’s guest is Renee Moe, President and CEO of the United Way of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin. This particular branch innovated a process of inviting all the players to the same table to attack social […]
Anger is an emotion experienced by almost everyone and can lead to big trouble. Are we better off eliminating anger from our emotional repertoire? How is that possible to do? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Edelstein is a long practicing psychotherapist and author of the award-winning book “Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.”
The quality of our relationships with family and close friends may be the biggest contributor to contentment but how important is the quality of social ties with people not part of the family and close friends group? Dick’s guest is award-winning journalist Melinda Blau, who has written several books on the importance of quality relationships […]
What is something everybody wants, and if they have it they still want more (and it isn’t money)? Dick’s guest is Ed McCormick, Jr., successful entrepreneur, researcher and author of Happiness Power Secrets published under the pen name of Robert Gill, Jr.
Dick’s guest, psychotherapist and author of the award-winning book “Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking and Change Your Life” Dr. Michael Edelstein, shares his three minute therapy techniques to manage and overcome panic attacks. Bonus content: Dr. Edelstein also discusses his three minute therapy techniques for achieving happiness, overcoming social anxiety and dealing with depression.
How has the role of primary care physicians (PCP) changed over the last 30 years? Has it changed for better or for worse? What should patients know to get the most out of their primary care physician? Dick’s guest, Dr. Randall Haas, is a primary care physician with over 31 years of experience in Madison, […]
Dee and Andy Hall, co-founders of the Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism, use their combined 60 years of journalistic experience to explain the past, present and future of broadcast, internet and print journalism.
The daily racial slights, remarks and insulting behavior that “nice people” inflict on African Americans, usually without even knowing it. Dick’s guests are Everett Mitchell, Director of Community Relations at UW-Madison and Senior Pastor at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church, Annette Miller, Emerging Markets Community Development Manager at Madison Gas & Electric and past […]
What may the guilt-free criminal, the extreme narcissist and the functioning paranoid have in common? Dick’s guests, Dr. Jim McGloin and social worker Lesa Fischer, both of whom have 50 years of combined experience treating personality disorders, provide an outline to understanding this category of mental illness.
BPD is one of the toughest personality disorders to treat. What are the characteristics and treatments for BPD? Dick’s guest is clinical psychologist Dr. James McGloin, who has over 30 years of experience treating personality disorders.
At 25, he committed a murder. At 28, he was on America’s Most Wanted. He was captured and served 25 years in prison. Now a year after his release, he is flourishing. Dick’s guest, Shar-Ron Buie, shares his journey.
Can a white psychotherapist effectively treat black clients? What are the more common errors or even microaggressions that may happen from a lack of cultural awareness? Dick’s guest is psychotherapist Donald Cooper.
What does it feel like to witness racism growing up and yet be passing for white? Dick’s guest Donald Cooper, now 72 and a practicing therapist, shares his experience as not identifying or living as a black man until college.
ENCORE PRESENTATION The pain of having a toxic parent doesn’t end when you grow up. What is a toxic parent? How can the adult child end or reduce the suffering a toxic parent can inflict? Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Madison, Wisconsin.
What are some of the dark sides of fraternity life? Dick’s guest, lawyer David K. Eastlick, was the executive director for an international fraternity for 29 years. He now testifies as an expert in fraternity law and also advocates to end hazing rituals.
Being LGBTQ+ is likely to have negative impacts on your healthcare. What problems remain in the field of healthcare and the ability of this community to access it? Dick’s guest, Dr. Kathy Oriel, M.D., M.S. is a physician specializing in LGBTQ+ healthcare and is the clinical founder of OUT HEALTH INC. in Madison, Wisconsin.
How can you learn to accept the process of death and dying instead of fearing it? Dick’s guest is Katherine Jansen-Byrkit, Psychotherapist, LPC, MPH and author of River to Ocean: Living in the Flow of Wakefulness.
How does the combination of different personality types affect relationships? How can the right and wrong combination of personalties help or hurt your relationship? Dick’s guest, Merrick Rosenberg, is the co-founder of Take Flight Learning and the author of The Chameleon: Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone with a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does.
Dick’s guest, therapist and author Faust Ruggerio, discusses the most important tips on achieving optimum mental health from his book “The Fix Yourself Handbook.”
How are people with poor credit or low income taken advantage of in the marketplace? Dick’s guest is attorney Sara Orr, Clinical Professor and former Director of the Consumer Law Clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Freedom, independence and self-exploration are some of the benefits of being single. How can you hold onto these positives while also being in a committed relationship? Dick’s guests are Diana Gasperoni, LCSW-R and Founder of Be.Well. Psychotherapy Group and Ednisha Saulsbury, LCSW specializing in in couples therapy.
What happens when a woman strikes back and kills her abuser? What can these acts teach us about domestic abuse? Dick’s guest is Dr. Darald Hanusa, a University of Wisconsin-Madison lecturer, practitioner, trainer and expert in domestic violence.
Dick’s guest, clinical psychologist who has specialized in personality disorders for over 40 years, Dr. Jim McGloin, discusses his thoughts and opinions on the behavior of Donald Trump post election. Heather Cox Richardson covers the political aspect of Trump’s behavior in her blog post December 21, 2020.
How can you manage the pain of grief and how can you move through these traumas and losses with growth and understanding? Dick’s guest Edy Nathan, psychologist and grief recovery expert, is the author of Grief: The Dance of Self-Discovery Through Trauma and Loss.
Dick’s guest, Dr. Ken Robbins, adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and past Medical Director of Psychiatry at Mendota Mental Health Institute, explains what determines an outcome of not guilty by reason of insanity and what treatment follows.
Dick’s guest, Founder and CEO of Choose People Kris Boesch, explains why closeness and intimacy between employees leads to a more successful organization and how to achieve it.
Imagine having six incurable illnesses over 25 years that could each potentially end your life. Retired Professor of Business Ethics at Edgewood College Dr. Denis Collins joins Dick to discuss what he has learned through such an existence and how we can apply that ourselves.
What are the three types of cyberbullies? Which is the most dangerous to its victims psychologically? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.
Online bullying is significant in its frequency and the harm it can do to its victims. Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.
How to enrich your life by nourishing your relationship with yourself. Dick’s guest is Kim Olver, Founder and President of Coaching for Excellence and the author of several books including Choosing Me Now: Letting go of what doesn’t work to make room for what does and Secrets of Happy Couples.
What are the true secrets for a happy and fulfilling marriage? Dick’s guest is Kim Olver, Founder and President of Coaching for Excellence and the author of several books including Secrets of Happy Couples.
How can we know when people are lying or how they truly feel about us? Dick’s guest, Dr. Dan Hill, is Founder and President of Sensory Logic and author of Famous Faces Decoded: A Guidebook for Reading Others.
Are payday loans necessarily abusive and destructive ways to get cash? What are the pros and cons of such loans? Dick’s guest Jessica Roulette is a staff attorney at Legal Action Wisconsin.
Do people vote for the policy or the personality of the candidate? Dick’s guest, Merrick Rosenberg is the co-founder of Take Flight Learning and the author of The Chameleon: Life-Changing Wisdom for Anyone with a Personality or Knows Someone Who Does.
Kindness and love are not enough to make a marriage work. Sometimes looking out for number one can lead to a healthier twosome. Dick’s guest is Dr. Larry Larrabee, a psychologist with over 30 years of counseling experience.
Can every job be meaningful and satisfying? How can you find fulfillment in even the most mundane jobs? Dick’s guest is Dr. Denis Collins, Professor of Business Ethics at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
How can we take lessons and benefits from staying at home to improve our relationships and ourselves as we transition to a new normal? Dick’s guest is Katherine Jansen-Byrkit, Psychotherapist, LPC, MPH and author of River to Ocean: Living in the Flow of Wakefulness.
There are some positives to the lockdown. What can we learn that will perhaps help us grow and become better?
Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, is a professional speaker, trainer, coach and author of Claim Your Unlimited Potential.
What the abused need to understand and know for self protection and survival during this crisis.
Dick’s guest, Amber Ault is a Ph.D., MSW, clinical sociologist, teacher, trainer and author of The Five Step Exit.
Dick’s guest is Katherine Jansen-Byrkit, Psychotherapist, LPC, MPH and author of River to Ocean: Living in the Flow of Wakefulness.
The number of suicides in America is growing dramatically and at the epicenter are the 24/7 suicide hotlines. How are those crisis calls handled? What can we learn to better help those around us who are in crisis?
Dick’s guest is Hannah Flanagan, Director of Emergency Services at Journey Mental Health Center in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Can white therapists competently counsel people of color? What steps do they have to take? What lessons do they need to learn? How can we all apply these lessons?
Dick’s guests are Tanya Lettmen-Shue, Chief Clinical Officer and Hannah Flanagan, Clinical Director of Emergency Services and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Journey Mental Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Healthy relationships are essential for good mental health. What are the components to healthy relationships and what’s the number one skill to building those relationships?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Carla Manly, author of Joy from Fear: Create the Life of Your Dreams by Making Fear Your Friend.