Psych Up Live: Recent Episodes
Dr. Suzanne B. Phillips
Psych Up Live turns up your psychological perspective on life issues. With a wide variety of guests, Host Suzanne Phillips passes forward the latest in books, findings, and information relevant to your life and the world you live in. She explores topics as varied as family relationships, binge eating and violence on campus. In a conversational style, Suzanne and her guests translate the latest in psychology to exemplify ways of coping with child rearing, divorce, medical diagnosis, campus violence and social anxiety. She engages her guests with questions, often voicing her own thoughts or sharing related stories. What is particularly exciting about Psych Up Live is the opportunity for you to call in with your own stories, questions and opinions. Psych Up Live captures your attention as it considers life issues that will intrigue and inform you each Thursday at 11 AM Pacific Time, 2PM Eastern Time on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.
Violence against women is a global health issue. The threats women face today are unapparelled and more dangerous than ever before. When you add the toxic cocktail of technology and social media the danger increases. In this show, former Deputy Sheriff, Joy Farrow and Tech Engineer and trauma survivor Laura Frombach will discuss how women can avoid being victims of violence on many levels. They will discuss and exemplify how women can develop “A Safety Intuition for Defensive Living”, become “ Persuasion Proof,” “ Take a safe walk or a run,” Be aware of “Online Dating – Red Flags,” Travel “Solo and Safe,” handle “The SOS Situation,” and more. What you hear may increase your anxiety but it will empower you in many ways. Women and everyone who loves them should hear this show.
The Divorce rate in the US among middle-aged and older adults has doubled over the past two decades. This rise is significant given that half of the married population is aged 50 and older. On today’s show we are going to consider the impact of this trend toward later life divorce on children be they teens or adults. Our guest experts are Dr. Carol Hughes and Bruce Fredenburg, LMFT who will be discussing their important new book HOME WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce. The book is as informative as it is emotionally stirring. It draws upon years of clinical work to consider how parents and children deal with the good, the bad and the emotionally complicated impact of The Graying of Divorce.
We witness world-wide devastation from War, Natural Disasters, Empidemics, Violence, Social and Racial Injustice. We are Victims, Bystanders and Responders often struggling to cope, wanting to help but not certain what to do or how to sustain. In this show you are going to hear of the steps taken by Gaea Logan, British-American psychoanalyst and Group therapist with a dream to train and support caregivers in Ukraine. She will be discussing the important the program she set up as the USA Executive Director of International Institute for Trauma Studies in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. What Gaea Logan offers is valuable for everyone to hear as she maintains that caregivers need to pass-forward the very skills and emotional survival strategies they use to keep on caring. She recognizes that when parents and caregivers have the means to remain calm in adversity, they are able to support their own and their child or patient’s nervous system. It is the benefit of co-regulation. It’s applicability is life-saving. Listen in -You will take away something important from this
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew returns to Psych Up Live to answer the question, “Why Do We Fall For Conspiracy Theories? In addressing this question he also addresses the issue of why we hang on to conspiracy theories once we believe them. In his interesting response, Dr. Mc Andrew considers whether certain factors make us more susceptible to embracing conspiracy theories. He proposes that in reality most of us can fall for the “ right” conspiracy theory due to certain biases in how we all process information. Once we believe a conspiracy theory, Dr. McAndrew discusses why these beliefs are very difficult to undo. He discusses the impact of many forms of media in often providing a “ false consensus” and “ Exposure Effect” that fuels conspiracy theories. Dr. Mc Andrews describes why conspiracy theories flourish in atmospheres of fear and the consequences of conspiracy theories. You will be intrigued and informed. Listen in.
In this show, Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist, award winning author and media expert returns to Psych-Up Live to discuss her new children’s book “ Sometimes When I‘m Mad.” She invites listeners to understand and respond to anger in children. There have always been outside world and family events that have disrupted families and filtered fear and dysregulation down to children. These past few years of the pandemic, climate disasters and shootings have added additional strain. Dr. Serani will discuss the reason and message of her important of her new book and go on to answer the questions– How do we spot anger in children of different ages? What are the feelings being masked by anger? What about toddlers who tantrum? What about hitting, throwing or breaking things by seemingly angry school age children? Essentially Dr. Serani will help us help our children express anger and release feelings in a constructive way. In many ways, her book, Sometimes When I’m Mad, offers the answers directly to children. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, professional or someone who loves children – You will really enjoy this show. Listen in.
When you want to have a child but it is more difficult than you and your partner expected, it can feel devastating- especially in a world that seems filled with beautiful children, pregnant women and happy couples. It is not an easy time but it can still be a time when your relationship, your search for medical expertise psychological support, and your courage can make a difference. This is a show that will answer some of your questions and inform and support you on your journey. In this show, Dr. Elizabeth Grill, Director of Psychological Services at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, and Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University will be discussing sexual health, the emotional aspects of infertility, IVF treatment, and third-party reproduction. She will be addressing the fears, confusion, grief, relationship sexual issues and questions that need to be asked and answered. She will be fostering resilience as she makes you feel informed about pathways to pursue and issues to face along the family building journey. She will also draw upon examples of weathering the course, facing the roadblocks and staying connected with love and hope.
While we hear the news and read the headlines of Fires, Accidents and Disaster, rarely do we understand the day to day, often hour to hour impact on those who serve as our First Responders. Those who hope at times to get a few hours of sleep before the next call. In this show Jim Burneka Jr., draws upon his powerful and revealing new book, Overcoming Tuesday to bring us into his journey - his commitment, his trauma and its impact on his life. Importantly he shares not only the denial of physical and emotional suffering common to First Responders, he brings us up close and personal to his struggle to recover, heal and unlock his resilience. A seasoned host of his own webcast podcast “APS Radio,” Jim Burneka is someone you will want to hear. Listen In.
Whether you are 8, 18 or 81 years old, there’s a good chance you know what it is like to worry. You may even be someone for whom worry has taken up too much space in your story. This show is going to address worry. Our guest is Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author of many books including the latest book in her children’s series “ Sometimes When I’m Worried.” With that book as our prompt, this show is going to broaden the lens on understanding Worry across the life span. In the discussion with Dr. Serani, we will define worry, and clarify its relationship with anxiety and the physical Fight, Flight, Freeze response to danger. We will discuss and exemplify strategies for addressing worry in adults and Dr. Serani will read and draw upon her new book, Sometimes When I’m Worried to illuminate how worry is experienced and can be addressed in children. You will be informed – Listen in.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew returns to Psych Up Live to answer the question, “Why Do We Fall For Conspiracy Theories? In addressing this question he also addresses the issue of why we hang on to conspiracy theories once we believe them. In his interesting response, Dr. Mc Andrew considers whether certain factors make us more susceptible to embracing conspiracy theories. He proposes that in reality most of us can fall for the “ right” conspiracy theory due to certain biases in how we all process information. Once we believe a conspiracy theory, Dr. McAndrew discusses why these beliefs are very difficult to undo. He discusses the impact of many forms of media in often providing a “ false consensus” and “ Exposure Effect” that fuels conspiracy theories. Dr. Mc Andrews describes why conspiracy theories flourish in atmospheres of fear and the consequences of conspiracy theories. You will be intrigued and informed. Listen in.
There is clear evidence that life can be challenging and at times quite traumatic. Many have faced the horror of war, school shootings, pandemics, a life-threatening diagnosis, racism, hate crimes or the sudden death of loved one. In this show, Dr. Jonathan DePierro, will invite us to recognize that it is not what happens to us; but how we respond to what happens - that matters. Dr Depierro is one of the authors with the late Dr. Steven Southwick and Dr Dennis Charney of the third addition of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges. Drawing upon examples, Dr. Depierro will operationalize and exemplify the power of Optimism, Social Support, Strategies for Facing Fears, Cognitive and Emotional Flexibility and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to add to your resilience.
Since the Columbine massacre, there have been a total of 368 school shootings. Since January,2023 there have already been 30 school shootings that caused deaths and injuries. This show addresses the helplessness, fear, grief and rage so many feel. In this show, Dr. Peter Langman, nationally and internationally renowned expert on School Shootings draws upon his years of experience and publications to discuss his latest book, Warning Signa: Identifying School Shooters Before They Strike. What he invites us to understand is that if students, administrators, teachers, parents and the general public know more about school shooters and the warning signs, they may actually save lives. To this end, Dr. Langman offers us an informed look at school shooters. He corrects and clarifies stereotypes, the gender, the way that guns are acquired, targets, and how shooters plan their attack. Discussing the pathology of school shooters he divides them into three categories and dispels the myths of being bullied or watching too many video games as lethal causes. Importantly he focuses on how a school community can read warning signs through “ leakage” and “attack-related behaviors.” He stresses the importance of taking any threat seriously, the value of anonymous phone report lines and the presence a School Threat Assessment Team. You will be as frightened as you will be informed, and encouraged to recognize that if you see something – say something. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Peter Langman.
There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI’s reveal in terms of a dog’s attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.
In the US an estimated 20 million people have problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. Some seek help, many try to stop on their own terms but can’t, many never stop. In this show, Dr. Geoff Kane, who has helped people understand and cope with substance use disorders for more than 50 years, brings his expertise to Psych Up live to benefit our national and international listeners. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Kane will be drawing upon his experience and his important book, The Two Pillars of Recovery Workbook: What People with Addiction Need to Know and Do for Lasting Sobriety. He will be clarifying the nature of alcoholism and drug addiction, underscoring what makes it so compelling and destructive and discussing the two essential factors that make sobriety and the end of drug addiction possible.
The recent Texas Panhandle fires have burned as much land as thousands of wildfires did in 4 years in the state. The deadliest US wildfire in over a century devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui in August 2023. Flash floods in September 2023 ravaged Northern Libya killing 4,000 people, more than ever recorded. How do we recognize Climate Change and deal with Climate Disasters? In this show, Psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Allured, Co-founder of Climate Psychology Alliance-North America joins us to consider the psychological impact of Climate Change. She will discuss how our human psychology has brought us to climate change and why we tend to deny it. She will clarify how the trauma, disaster and losses from Climate Disasters are different from single event traumas as the loss of a loved one or sexual trauma, and how our understanding of psychology helps us act effectively to tackle the problem, both on a concrete level and in terms of psychological resilience. Dr. Allured will discuss the impact of Climate Disasters on children, as well as clinical methods currently in use to address eco-anxiety, distress and more. Don’t Miss this Show!
Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.
Most people have faced unexpected stressful situations. There are even times, often in midlife, when it seems like the challenges just won’t stop. In this episode, psychologist and author, Dr. Pete Stebbins, using surfing as a metaphor, draws upon his clinical and personal experience to offer strategies for coping and proceeding effectively with life. Whether facing the stress of divorce, illness, bereavement, wedding plans or debt, we are guided to consider how to appraise the problem, understand our personal stress reactions, manage mindset, regulate emotions, and re-set lifestyle and purpose. Dr. Stebbins invites us to develop the skills to successfully surf the waves of life and ride out the Tsunamis.
The Divorce rate in the US among middle-aged and older adults has doubled over the past two decades. This rise is significant given that half of the married population is aged 50 and older. On today’s show we are going to consider the impact of this trend toward later life divorce on children be they teens or adults. Our guest experts are Dr. Carol Huges and Bruce Fredenburg, LMFT who will be discussing their important new book HOME WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce. The book is as informative as it is emotionally stirring. It draws upon years of clinical work to consider how parents and children deal with the good, the bad and the emotionally complicated impact of The Graying of Divorce.
This Show offers a powerful and eye-opening consideration of medical care for marginalized people. Whether from a patient’s perspective or the perspective of those who serve as medical caregivers, you will find Dr. Dean David Schillinger’s TELLTALE HEARTS to be an extraordinary book and Dr. Schillinger to be an extraordinary person. What Dr. Schillinger offers is the gift of his own story in tandem with the unexpected, tragic, impressive and heart-breaking stories of his patients. Both sets of stories offer a glimpse of how industrialized medical systems can be dangerous for patients who are misunderstood, stereotyped and overlooked and for doctors who are struggling with burn-out, bias and at times frustration and despair. What Dr. Schillinger believes, and shares is the power of the patient’s narrative. He exemplifies that when a patient is invited to be known, to tell their story, to be seen and respected– treatment and healing often become possible. Dr. Schillinger’s description of his journey and his relationship with patients who dare to share and be known is medically and socially invaluable.
Dr. Kristin Neff is the recognized pioneer in the field of Self Compassion research and the author of the important book, Self-Compassion-The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. As individuals, families and communities we need to find a way to cope with the stress, fear and uncertainty we face. As you listen to Kristen Neff, you will hear something unexpected and important – the reasons and the research that reveal Self-Compassion as a powerful personal resource for coping and maintaining sustainability in difficult times. Kristin Neff will draw upon examples to share why self-compassion is different than self-pity or self-esteem. She will answer the paradox of why embracing our negative feelings with kindness actually empowers us, why self-compassion expands our comfort with mistakes, and fosters self-esteem as a by-product of functioning despite roadblocks. She will exemplify the use of self-compassion and Mindful Self-Compassion. We need Self-Compassion.
In this show Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue and author of Mutual Rescue, returns to Psych UP Live with an exciting and expansive focus on the power of people-pet rescue and connection. She discusses options for people who cannot actually adopt a pet but want to share in the experience of loving homeless furry friends. Discussing the stories captured in a new set of award winning mini films, Carol considers how mutual rescue addresses trauma, pain, othering, bias, and loneliness. She discusses the neurophysiology of the pet-person connection. With powerful stories she shares an animal’s ability to show us unfiltered affection and loyalty despite the heartbreaks and loss of everyday life and teach us about the courage to embrace any moment of connection. You will love this show.
Violence against women is a global health issue. The threats women face today are unapparelled and more dangerous than ever before. When you add the toxic cocktail of technology and social media the danger increases. In this show, former Deputy Sheriff, Joy Farrow and Tech Engineer and trauma survivor Laura Frombach will discuss how women can avoid being victims of violence on many levels. They will discuss and exemplify how women can develop “A Safety Intuition for Defensive Living”, become “ Persuasion Proof,” “ Take a safe walk or a run,” Be aware of “Online Dating – Red Flags,” Travel “Solo and Safe,” handle “The SOS Situation,” and more. What you hear may increase your anxiety but it will empower you in many ways. Women and everyone who loves them should hear this show.
Many of us know transgender men and women or have become aware through the media of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited both compassion and support by some and discrimination and even violence by others. This episode will clarify myths and give you an insider’s experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband’s transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- Who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier’s story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.
The amount of stress worldwide is at an all-time high. Self-Care and understanding alternative ways of easing pain are important. This show takes a close look at the varied forms of Alternative Medicine from Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic to religious belief, embraced by millions seeking relief for chronic pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia etc. Our guest author, Melanie Warner draws upon her important new book, The Magic Feather Effect: The Science of Alternative Medicine and the Surprising Power of Belief, to invite us into a personal research journey which involves her meeting with clinicians, scientists, and healers world-wide, to answer questions like- Why have these Alternative Medicines become so popular? Why do some people report dramatic relief while others don’t? Can the results be subject to scientific proof? Is it the placebo effect? Do we need to recognize and use the surprising system of self-healing that belongs to us.
In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer’s disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need “to forget” in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don’t I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.
Research shows ( Darkness to Light White Paper on Prevalence) that one in seven girls and one in 25 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. Many by people they know, love and trust. Evidence of abuse is not always obvious and children and adolescents do not report they have been abused for many reasons. Today we are going to lift the silence on childhood sexual abuse to offer an understanding and response to its impact. Toward this goal we are so fortunate to be joined by RICHARD BECK, LCSW, BCD, CGP, FAGPA an experienced psychotherapist with expertise in treating trauma working with individuals, couples and groups. Richard has not only responded to cases of sexual abuse, as a Senior Lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work has taught “ Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse” over twenty-four times. In our discussion today, Richard Beck will be addressing the reasons victims most often don’t report the abuse, the consequences of the Childhood Sexual Abuse on children and adolescents, the signs that might alert caregivers that abuse may have occurred and the rupture of trust and self-blame when a child or teen is victimized by a coach, physician or priest revered by the family.
In the US an estimated 20 million people have problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. Some seek help, many try to stop on their own terms but can’t, many never stop. In this show, Dr. Geoff Kane, who has helped people understand and cope with substance use disorders for more than 50 years, brings his expertise to Psych Up live to benefit our national and international listeners. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Kane will be drawing upon his experience and his important book, The Two Pillars of Recovery Workbook: What People with Addiction Need to Know and Do for Lasting Sobriety. He will be clarifying the nature of alcoholism and drug addiction, underscoring what makes it so compelling and destructive and discussing the two essential factors that make sobriety and the end of drug addiction possible.
During the pandemic, most people were grateful for the courage of medical workers. We have heard about the physical demands and emotional burnout they suffered; but far less about moral injury. In this episode, Dr. Keith Corl, an emergency and critical care physician offers a personal and professional understanding of moral injury of physicians, both before and during COVID-19. Dr. Corl defines moral injury and compares it with burnout and PTSD. Drawing upon examples, he considers the complexity of medical care overseen by a business model and discusses how it compromises the physician-patient relationship. As an associate of Moral Injury of Healthcare, a non-profit organization promoting public awareness and clinician support, he describes the importance of insuring sustainability in committed physicians in view of their risks of caring. He shares personal ways that promotes patient connection and care, both for himself and his medical students and staff.
In this show Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue and author of Mutual Rescue, returns to Psych UP Live with an exciting and expansive focus on the power of people-pet rescue and connection. Discussing the stories captured in a new set of award winning mini films, Carol considers how mutual rescue addresses trauma, pain, othering, bias, and loneliness. She discusses the neurophysiology of the pet-person connection and describes options for people who cannot actually adopt a pet but want to share in the experience of loving homeless furry friends. As she will share, an animal’s ability to show us unfiltered affection and loyalty despite the heartbreaks and loss of everyday life, teaches us so much about the courage to embrace each moment of connection. You will love this show.
In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear about divorce. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two or twenty years, and whether it comes by choice, betrayal or mutual despair. As described in her book, Without This Ring, Abby Rodman does not advocate for divorce: but when there is no choice, she advocates for women to know they are not alone, to believe in themselves and to identify the feelings and dynamics that can be addressed with help on many levels. She will not be speaking about finding someone new. She will be speaking about the power of first finding you. Everyone will benefit from this show.
In this show Dr. Dawn Buse, Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Montefiore Headache Center and Associate Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine draws upon her extensive experience to discuss living well with migraine. She demystifies migraine and shares important treatment possibilities. Drawing upon her recent research, she addresses what has often been overlooked, the impact of migraine on a family. She offers strategies for managing migraine and living well as a parent and/or spouse with this chronic suffering. Her shared expertise will benefit the many people who cope with migraine and the families who love them.
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Both professionally and in the public eye, this disorder has been associated with females. In reality, 25% of those suffering are males; but as a group, they have been overlooked, misdiagnosed or misinformed. In this episode, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, Psychologist, Eating Disorder Expert, Clinician and author discusses his groundbreaking book, Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in Males. In the discussion with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Wooldridge addresses the symptoms, causes and unique issues particular to males who control their eating with dangerous consequences. He considers the impact of media on male body image, the role of bullying, and the anxiety about relationships and sexuality. In his discussion of causes and treatment, Dr. Wooldridge offers professionals, parents and males an integrative model that accounts for bio-behavioral, family system, medical, psychodynamic and spiritual factors.
In a manner that is personal, specific, at times funny and underscored with thirty years of writing and talking about sex, Tracey Cox invites us to age-proof our sex lives. Drawing upon her 17th and newest book, Great Sex Starts at 50, Tracey invites listeners, across gender and sexual orientation to consider that an understanding of the reality of body changes from hormone depletion, sensitivity, dryness, erectile difficulties etc. are inevitable and need not be a stop sign to sexual connection and intimacy. She discusses the six truths about sex that will never change regardless of age; four steps that will revolutionize your sex life; the challenges of menopause; what to do or say if you haven’t had sex in a number of years with your partner; the differences in sexual desire between men and women; the stages in a couple’s relationship from lust to love; being over fifty, single and sexual and the Media Misperceptions of Sex that impact all of us. Listen in.
Someone has finally found a way to address opioid misuse and addiction among people with chronic pain. In this show, Dr. Eric Garland, the world’s leading expert on the use of mind-body therapies to treat opioid misuse for pain will discuss the recently proven effectiveness of “MORE” – “Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement.” Dr. Garland will define opioid use disorder (OUD), its relationship to chronic pain and what makes opioids so addictive. He will discuss the treatment components of “MORE” ‘the differences between this and other treatments and the research design used to test this treatment model. In the second segment Dr. Garland will invite the audience to hear and feel what it would be like to be in a Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement Group. In the back and forth with Host Dr. Phillips, he will consider why the group format matters and why he believes a significant number of those who received this treatment to reduced their opioid use without being specifically directed to do so. Given the danger of Opioid Use Disorder, the number of people suffering, the importance of these findings and the need for available effective treatment, this becomes a show everyone needs to hear.
When you want to have a child but it is more difficult than you and your partner expected, it can feel devastating especially in a world that seems filled with beautiful children, pregnant women and happy couples. It is not an easy time but it can still be a time when your relationship, your search for medical expertise and psychological support, and your courage can make a difference. This is a show that will answer some of your questions and inform and support you on your journey. In this show, Dr. Elizabeth Grill, Director of Psychological Services at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, and Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University will be discussing sexual health, the emotional aspects of infertility, IVF treatment, and third-party reproduction. She will be addressing the fears, confusion, grief, relationship sexual issues and questions that need to be asked and answered. She will be fostering resilience as she makes you feel informed about pathways to pursue and issues to face along the family building journey. She will also draw upon examples of weathering the course, facing the roadblocks and staying connected with love and hope.
The recent Texas Panhandle fires have burned as much land as thousands of wildfires did in 4 years in the state. The deadliest US wildfire in over a century devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui in August 2023. Flash floods in September 2023 ravaged Northern Libya killing 4,000 people, more than ever recorded. How do we recognize Climate Change and deal with Climate Disasters? In this show, Psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Allured, Co-founder of Climate Psychology Alliance-North America joins us to consider the psychological impact of Climate Change. She will discuss how our human psychology has brought us to climate change and why we tend to deny it. She will clarify how the trauma, disaster and losses from Climate Disasters are different from single event traumas as the loss of a loved one or sexual trauma, and how our understanding of psychology helps us act effectively to tackle the problem, both on a concrete level and in terms of psychological resilience. Dr. Allured will discuss the impact of Climate Disasters on children, as well as clinical methods currently in use to address eco-anxiety, distress and more. Don’t Miss this Show!
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston draws upon her new book, Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower, and her experience speaking to academic audiences and businesses like Microsoft and Amazon to teach us how to give feedback, even negative feedback, in a way that turns it into a productive conversation. She considers why 80% of managers feel they are saying the right things; but less than 20% of employees feel appreciated. She asks why men are evaluated on work skills while women are often judged on their personality. Dr. Huston identifies and exemplifies the three types of feedback as Appreciation, Coaching and Evaluation and asks us to discern what an employee wants and needs. She discusses how and why to use praise and urges us to side with the employee rather than the problem. She reminds us that if people feel threatened their brains go into lockdown. Inherent in her message of what makes feedback powerful is the principle -“ Listen as if your job depends on it.”
In this show we take a close look at the meaning, causes, prevalence and prevention of Bullying. The reality of bullying spans nations and we are joined in this show by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, A Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in School- Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Vaillancourt has researched and written on the causes and prevention of Bullying and will be discussing the social and psychological dynamics that foster bullying, the gender differences in bullying behavior, the explicit and implicit powers of the bully and the likely targets. We will be asking Dr. Vaillancourt what can be done about school bullying. Is it really possible to change the social climate of a school? What makes a program successful for the early grades? Is it too late to intervene with High School Students? What about Cyberbullying which expands the bully’s reach beyond the school and leaves the victim feeling there is no safe place? Who are the Bystanders? Who are the Upstanders? What are the keys to Bully Prevention. Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Pauline Boss, esteemed scientist practitioner who coined the term 'Ambiguous Loss,' discusses the meaning of Ambiguous Loss and how it differs from other losses. Drawing upon powerful examples, Dr. Boss discusses physical ambiguous loss and psychological ambiguous loss due to dementia from disease, brain injury etc. She clarifies that Ambiguous Loss is not a result of pathology, but rather the ambiguity of the circumstances of loss. Using examples like the families of 9-11 she describes the understandable impact on a family when a parent is gone but loss cannot be substantiated. With the aim of building resilience rather than pathologizing, Dr. Boss discusses the Psychological Family, the Family Narrative and the ability to engage Dialectical Thinking - 'my husband is both absent and present in our hearts and minds.' Dr. Boss references Victor Frankel’s Importance Of Finding Meaning, Adjusting Mastery Up Or Down and discovering 'New Hope' by risking change.
In this show, Stacy Nakell, author of the new and important book, Treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: An Integrative Psychodynamic Approach, provides answers with compassion, theoretical understanding and clinical examples from 20 years of professional experience. Stacy considers the who, what and why of the people who suffer with these behaviors and what happens when they receive help. Using pseudonyms with the permission of former patients, Stacy Nakell draws upon real stories of those who have worked with her to address Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. She discusses how working together, she and her patients trace the life events and steps that led to the start of their Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the struggle to understand the use of this behavior, the development of new regulation skills and the success of slowly giving up what was once as soothing as it was painful. Stacy speaks from a place of personal experience, use of a powerful methodology and an investment in patients that has truly helped them. This show will be informative to those suffering, the professionals who care for them and the families who love them.
At a time when people across the globe are facing stress from illness, violence, burnout, war, political contention, climate changes and more, psychotherapist Jake Eagle LPC, and physician, Michal Amster MD bring us their book, The Power of Awe and a remarkable fifteen second three-step process that maximizes changes in mind and body that improve health and wellness. You may have felt awe staring up at a star-filled night, visiting the Grand Canyon or holding a newborn. You will learn how to capitalize on everyday events that stir awe when combined with a simple breathing technique. Listen in as you hear Jake Eagle share his journey with Michael Amster, their unexpected findings supported by research at UC Berkley, and the step-by-step method to stress reduction you can use.
In a post #MeToo era, many men want to take a step away from toxic masculinity, which perpetuates domination and aggression and consciously and unconsciously pressures men to behave in a certain way. A central theme of moving away from Toxic Masculinity is Sexual Consent- whether at a fraternity party or on the fifth date. The question of consent is one of concern for many men because they are uncertain about how to ask for it. They fear doing something wrong or wonder if it means giving up on impromptu much less gratifying sexual connection. This show provides the answers. In it, Dr. Eric FitzMedrud draws upon his new and important book, The Better Man: A Guide to Stronger Relationships and Hotter Sex to address the issues around sexual connection without drawing upon toxic masculinity. Eric’s goal is to help men navigate sexual relationships with respect by giving them the skills to be better lovers, partners and humans. Everyone who wants a relationship with mutually satisfying sexual connection will benefit from his expertise. Listen In.
There is clear evidence that life can be challenging and at times quite traumatic. Many have faced the horror of war, school shootings, pandemics, a life-threatening diagnosis, racism, hate crimes or the sudden death of loved one. In this show, Dr. Jonathan DePierro, will invite us to recognize that it is not what happens to us; but how we respond to what happens - that matters. Dr Depierro is one of the authors with the late Dr. Steven Southwick and Dr Dennis Charney of the third addition of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges. Drawing upon examples, Dr. Depierro will operationalize and exemplify the power of Optimism, Social Support, Strategies for Facing Fears, Cognitive and Emotional Flexibility and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to add to your resilience.
Since the Columbine massacre, there have been a total of 368 school shootings. Since January,2023 there have already been 30 school shootings that caused deaths and injuries. This show addresses the helplessness, fear, grief and rage so many feel. In this show, Dr. Peter Langman, nationally and internationally renowned expert on School Shootings draws upon his years of experience and publications to discuss his latest book, Warning Signa: Identifying School Shooters Before They Strike. What he invites us to understand is that if students, administrators, teachers, parents and the general public know more about school shooters and the warning signs, they may actually save lives. To this end, Dr. Langman offers us an informed look at school shooters. He corrects and clarifies stereotypes, the gender, the way that guns are acquired, targets, and how shooters plan their attack. Discussing the pathology of school shooters he divides them into three categories and dispels the myths of being bullied or watching too many video games as lethal causes. Importantly he focuses on how a school community can read warning signs through “ leakage” and “attack-related behaviors.” He stresses the importance of taking any threat seriously, the value of anonymous phone report lines and the presence a School Threat Assessment Team. You will be as frightened as you will be informed, and encouraged to recognize that if you see something – say something. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Peter Langman.
Violence against women is a global health issue. The threats women face today are unapparelled and more dangerous than ever before. When you add the toxic cocktail of technology and social media the danger increases. In this show, former Deputy Sheriff, Joy Farrow and Tech Engineer and trauma survivor Laura Frombach will discuss how women can avoid being victims of violence on many levels. They will discuss and exemplify how women can develop “A Safety Intuition for Defensive Living”, become “ Persuasion Proof,” “ Take a safe walk or a run,” Be aware of “Online Dating – Red Flags,” Travel “Solo and Safe,” handle “The SOS Situation,” and more. What you hear may increase your anxiety but it will empower you in many ways. Women and everyone who loves them should hear this show.
Have you ever been dismissed because you were considered too young, or ignored because you were deemed too old? If so, you have experienced Ageism, stereotyping and discrimination based on age. In this show, author activist, Ashton Applewhite will raise our consciousness about age discrimination with research, humor and personal references. Drawing upon her acclaimed book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, her powerful discussion and examples will make it clear “that chronological age is an increasingly unreliable benchmark of pretty much anything about a person.” You will wonder how you missed the degree of age bias we tolerate and the myths about age we perpetuate in our culture. You will recognize that demeaning stereotypes about age threaten the best of us at any age. Don't miss this!
In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her new and comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for health-care professionals as for seniors who don’t understand why they are suffering. She will answer questions like: What Is Geriatric Depression? Isn’t Depression a normal part of aging? Why is it so often missed or dismissed? What are the steps for proper assessment? What are the treatment options? Are depressed seniors a suicide risk? Adding to this, Dr. Serani considers the power of “conscious aging” as an asset to physical and emotional well-being. This is an important show for all.
At a time when people across the globe are facing stress from illness, violence, burnout, war, political contention, climate changes and more, psychotherapist Jake Eagle LPC, and physician, Michal Amster MD bring us their book, The Power of Awe and a remarkable fifteen second three-step process that maximizes changes in mind and body that improve health and wellness. You may have felt awe staring up at a star-filled night, visiting the Grand Canyon or holding a newborn. You will learn how to capitalize on everyday events that stir awe when combined with a simple breathing technique. Listen in as you hear Jake Eagle share his journey with Michael Amster, their unexpected findings supported by research at UC Berkley, and the step-by-step method to stress reduction you can use.
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
Whether you are loving your single life or can’t imagine choosing to live alone, you need to hear this powerful and revealing podcast. In it, Dr. Bella DePaulo, America’s foremost thinker and writer on “the single experience,” shares the experience of single people around the world who have chosen and embrace their single lives. Drawing upon social science studies of thousands of people and the responses of people who have written to her, she delineates the experiences, lifestyle and choices of those who identify as “ Single at Heart.” Dr. Bella DePaulo speaks to the stereotype that assumes that being single is not by choice but by default or defeat. She considers solitude, friendships, having kids, Intimacy and more from the perspective of those Single at Heart, those considering living as a single and those allies and friends who support them. This is a show that dares to ask people to consider how they want to live their best selves – Don’t Miss it.
Few of us have been spared relationships with emotional predators – The neighbor who wanted to share everything only to spread rumors; the boss who praised your work, asked for late hours and then promoted someone else; the fiancé who had a lover at college; the coach you trusted who made inappropriate advances. In this show, psychotherapist, mediator, custody evaluator and retired attorney, Steven Wolhandler, JD,MA,LPC draws upon his years of dealing with emotional predators and protecting their victims to pass on to us important insights and strategies. Referencing his book, Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers and Manipulators Hidden Among Us, he defines the qualities and behaviors of the Emotional Predator and offers 5 important and effective steps for protecting ourselves. His discussion is as valuable a guide to knowing and empowering ourselves as it is to disempowering predators.
In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer’s disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need “to forget” in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don’t I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.
Whether you are newly married, a middle aged couple, the identified In-Laws or the bewildered Out-Laws of an expanded family, you need to hear this show. In it, psychologist and author Dr. Geoffrey Greif draws upon his new and acclaimed book written with Dr. Michael Woolley, “ In-law Relationships: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, and Sons.” Dr. Greif shares research using interviews and surveys with a total of 1,500 people to illuminate why some in-laws connect and others clash and even crash. He considers the impact of interfaith, interracial, gay and lesbian couples on in-law relationships. He examines the validity of the negative cultural stereotype of mothers-in-law and reports what mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law say. He considers what happens that is different in the relationships between male in-laws and overall offers important strategies for improving any in-law relationship.
In this show, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, expert in gender research and clinical work, offers parents and professionals an insider understanding of Gender Expansive Children -The little boy who insists he is a girl, the teen who identifies as non-binary – both male and female. Dr. Ehrensaft, the author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made, clarifies the difference between gender and assigned sex at birth and explains how threads of nature, nurture and culture weave for each of us a Gender Web. Using examples, she describes a Gender Affirmative Model in which she maintains that children will reveal their authentic gender self- if we listen to what they are telling us in their behavior and words. She discusses that it is often not the gender confusion as much as the gender rejection that leaves children unsupported, unhappy and less confident.
In her new and important book “ Never Say Never- Never Say Always,” Susan Warner invites us to take the journey no one wants to take, but too many have faced. Susan takes us from a family love story to the devastating losses of a son and a spouse within 6 months. She puts words to the insider story of traumatic loss in a way that will touches anyone who has suffered loss. As you will hear in daily details, relationships with family and friends, tears in a closet, emptiness in a house, the difficulty of eating alone, the enduring presence of her son and spouse and the question of ever loving again– she lets us in. Susan shares a journey to acceptance, pushing on and not being defined by societal norms. It is a journey of self-discovery, self-actualization and ultimately working to live her best life. This is a show about loss, possibility and love.
Violence against women is a global health issue. The threats women face today are unapparelled and more dangerous than ever before. When you add the toxic cocktail of technology and social media the danger increases. In this show, former Deputy Sheriff, Joy Farrow and Tech Engineer and trauma survivor Laura Frombach will discuss how women can avoid being victims of violence on many levels. They will discuss and exemplify how women can develop “A Safety Intuition for Defensive Living”, become “ Persuasion Proof,” “ Take a safe walk or a run,” Be aware of “Online Dating – Red Flags,” Travel “Solo and Safe,” handle “The SOS Situation,” and more. What you hear may increase your anxiety but it will empower you in many ways. Women and everyone who loves them should hear this show.
It's Halloween!! In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind “creeped out” the “agent detection mechanism” tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the “ sensed presence” of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew returns to Psych Up Live to answer the question, “Why Do We Fall For Conspiracy Theories? In addressing this question he also addresses the issue of why we hang on to conspiracy theories once we believe them. In his interesting response, Dr. Mc Andrew considers whether certain factors make us more susceptible to embracing conspiracy theories. He proposes that in reality most of us can fall for the “ right” conspiracy theory due to certain biases in how we all process information. Once we believe a conspiracy theory, Dr. McAndrew discusses why these beliefs are very difficult to undo. He discusses the impact of many forms of media in often providing a “ false consensus” and “ Exposure Effect” that fuels conspiracy theories. Dr. Mc Andrews describes why conspiracy theories flourish in atmospheres of fear and the consequences of conspiracy theories. You will be intrigued and informed. Listen in.
If you are in a relationship, you have to hear this episode. It will be as enjoyable as it will be strikingly helpful to you and your partner. According to psychotherapist and author, Keith Wilson, if you are in a real relationship and you haven’t had a conflict yet – you haven’t been paying attention. As Keith describes, violence is the avoidance of conflict. Being able to work through clashes as a couple, offers great potential. With anecdote, metaphor and examples, Keith draws upon 30 years of practice with couples to discuss the steps for regulating conflict. He will invite you to turn off the alarm in your head that scans partner disconnection, know where and how to ask the right questions – be it about an affair or getting up for the kids. He will clarify how to give and get feedback, avoid the four fouls that contaminate any conflict and turn conflict into really knowing, trusting and loving each other. Listen in.
How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.
In a post #MeToo era, many men want to take a step away from toxic masculinity, which perpetuates domination and aggression and consciously and unconsciously pressures men to behave in a certain way. A central theme of moving away from Toxic Masculinity is Sexual Consent- whether at a fraternity party or on the fifth date. The question of consent is one of concern for many men because they are uncertain about how to ask for it. They fear doing something wrong or wonder if it means giving up on impromptu much less gratifying sexual connection. This show provides the answers. In it, Dr. Eric FitzMedrud draws upon his new and important book, The Better Man: A Guide to Stronger Relationships and Hotter Sex to address the issues around sexual connection without drawing upon toxic masculinity. Eric’s goal is to help men navigate sexual relationships with respect by giving them the skills to be better lovers, partners and humans. Everyone who wants a relationship with mutually satisfying sexual connection will benefit from his expertise. Listen In.
Since the Columbine massacre, there have been a total of 368 school shootings. Since January,2023 there have already been 30 school shootings that caused deaths and injuries. This show addresses the helplessness, fear, grief and rage so many feel. In this show, Dr. Peter Langman, nationally and internationally renowned expert on School Shootings draws upon his years of experience and publications to discuss his latest book, Warning Signa: Identifying School Shooters Before They Strike. What he invites us to understand is that if students, administrators, teachers, parents and the general public know more about school shooters and the warning signs, they may actually save lives. To this end, Dr. Langman offers us an informed look at school shooters. He corrects and clarifies stereotypes, the gender, the way that guns are acquired, targets, and how shooters plan their attack. Discussing the pathology of school shooters he divides them into three categories and dispels the myths of being bullied or watching too many video games as lethal causes. Importantly he focuses on how a school community can read warning signs through “ leakage” and “attack-related behaviors.” He stresses the importance of taking any threat seriously, the value of anonymous phone report lines and the presence a School Threat Assessment Team. You will be as frightened as you will be informed, and encouraged to recognize that if you see something – say something. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Peter Langman.
The issue and need for racial diversity among police officers reflects an attempt to ease growing tensions that have emerged in the wake of racialized police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement. Underlying the question of whether officer racial diversity improves community-police relations is the question - How do Black Officers feel? How do they balance Blue Culture and Black Lives Matter? In this show, Sociologist and Professor, Dr. Kayla Preito-Hodge offers some answers. She draws upon recent findings from her important research “ Behind the Badge and the Veil: Black Police Officers in the Era of Black Lives Matter.” Her findings suggest that Black Officers possess a double consciousness that enables them to view and experience the world through both a radicalized and occupational lens. She is joined by Dr. Kalfani Turè, a black man, former police officer, and Senior Fellow in the Urban Ethnography Project at Yale Universities. Dr Ture will add a unique prospective on matters of race, place, and urban law enforcement. Listen in to a very important show.
Many people face unspeakable loss of a family member or witness the suffering and loss of a loved one with the wounds of war. They wonder how they will go on. In this show you will hear the personal stories of four people who have faced such loss and taken on survival missions that translate heartache into help and hope for others. You will hear from Mary Fetchet Co-founder of the Voices of 9/11 whose outreach to others in the aftermath of losing her son on 9/11has touched many worldwide; Rogerlyn Cipriano Esq., founder of Angels for Warriors whose concern for her veteran brother’s anguish and pain became translated into an important mission for veterans, particularly pro bono legal help; and Dr. William and Bev Feigelman, mental health professionals who in the aftermath of losing their son to suicide co-authored Devastating Losses: How Parents Cope with the Death of a Child to Suicide or Drugs and became spokesmen and clinicians to prevent suicide and respond to family survivors.
In this show Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue and author of Mutual Rescue, returns to Psych UP Live with an exciting and expansive focus on the power of people-pet rescue and connection. Discussing the stories captured in a new set of award winning mini films, Carol considers how mutual rescue addresses trauma, pain, othering, bias, and loneliness. She discusses the neurophysiology of the pet-person connection and describes options for people who cannot actually adopt a pet but want to share in the experience of loving homeless furry friends. As she will share, an animal’s ability to show us unfiltered affection and loyalty despite the heartbreaks and loss of everyday life, teaches us so much about the courage to embrace each moment of connection. You will love this show.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston draws upon her new book, Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower, and her experience speaking to academic audiences and businesses like Microsoft and Amazon to teach us how to give feedback, even negative feedback, in a way that turns it into a productive conversation. She considers why 80% of managers feel they are saying the right things; but less than 20% of employees feel appreciated. She asks why men are evaluated on work skills while women are often judged on their personality. Dr. Huston identifies and exemplifies the three types of feedback as Appreciation, Coaching and Evaluation and asks us to discern what an employee wants and needs. She discusses how and why to use praise and urges us to side with the employee rather than the problem. She reminds us that if people feel threatened their brains go into lockdown. Inherent in her message of what makes feedback powerful is the principle -“ Listen as if your job depends on it.”
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstrates the power of self-compassion to enhance self-knowledge and motivation and describes and exemplifies its use of self-kindness, human connection and mindfulness to offset self-criticism and the trap of self-loathing. To hear Kristin Neff, is to receive an insider’s understanding of a powerful resource for coping, healing and growing in every day life. Self- Compassion is within our grasp.
In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer’s disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need “to forget” in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don’t I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.
Whether you are 8, 18 or 81 years old, there’s a good chance you know what it is like to worry. You may even be someone for whom worry has taken up too much space in your story. This show is going to address worry. Our guest is Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author of many books including the latest book in her children’s series “ Sometimes When I’m Worried.” With that book as our prompt, this show is going to broaden the lens on understanding Worry across the life span. In the discussion with Dr. Serani, we will define worry, and clarify its relationship with anxiety and the physical Fight, Flight, Freeze response to danger. We will discuss and exemplify strategies for addressing worry in adults and Dr. Serani will read and draw upon her new book, Sometimes When I’m Worried to illuminate how worry is experienced and can be addressed in children. You will be informed – Listen in.
In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned and influential authors, artists and community leaders who believe language and literature are essential tools for creating a better society.They will describe their inaugural event “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. You will hear what happens when a gun advocate and a victim of gun violence tell each other's story. The Story Exchange is emotionally powerful and invites consideration of Empathy in Action.It is particularly important given a landscape of national and international strife. The goal is to use the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues. Listen in.
In this episode Dr. Gillihan will discuss his new book, Retrain the Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 weeks. Dr. Gillihan will clarify the way in which thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to play a role in actually increasing anxiety and depression; but, how people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression can take steps to bring about changes. Be it panic attacks, fear of flying, or self-defeating procrastination, he will point out examples from this 7 week program that guide us to reconsider our behaviors, identify and reduce negative thought patterns, and understand and regulate feelings. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips he will consider the role of acceptance in reducing both anxiety and depression. Listen in, call in and write in with questions to radiohostphillips@gmail.com
In this show, Ross Rosenberg LCPC,CADC,CSAT psychotherapist, sexual addiction expert and author will discuss aspects of his book,The Human Magnet Syndrome: Why We Love People Who Hurt Us. He will discuss how and why co-dependent personalities and pathological narcissists are irresistibly attracted to each other. He will use this as a backdrop for discussing the dynamics of Co-dependency Addiction. He will describe the euphoria, desperation and withdrawal associated with this addiction, his model for understanding Codependency Addiction and his treatment strategies to address it.
Whether you are the CEO of a nationally known firm, the Chief of a medical team, the Lead Coach of little leagues, the person responsible for a local food pantry or a parent trying to keep the house, the kids and your job on track – You will find the insights and guidance in Rachel Rider’s Book, Who You are is How You Lead – invaluable. In a voice that combines well- earned attunement from Executive Coaching Training , Contemplative Studies, Training in Somatic Experiencing, Polarity Therapy and an extensive business background, Rachel helps any leader to understand that the relationship they have with themselves is key to success. She demonstrates with examples that when leaders stay in touch with their inner drives and understand their responses they start to succeed in their leadership and productivity. In interesting examples she asks – Why is “ No, ” always the first response? How do you read the room and collect data? How does your self-reflection help you? Are you hearing what isn’t being said in the room? As you listen to Rachel’s personal and professional examples you will learn the keys to transformative leadership.
At a time when people across the globe are facing stress from illness, violence, burnout, war, political contention, climate changes and more, psychotherapist Jake Eagle LPC, and physician, Michal Amster MD bring us their book, The Power of Awe and a remarkable fifteen second three-step process that maximizes changes in mind and body that improve health and wellness. You may have felt awe staring up at a star-filled night, visiting the Grand Canyon or holding a newborn. You will learn how to capitalize on everyday events that stir awe when combined with a simple breathing technique. Listen in as you hear Jake Eagle share his journey with Michael Amster, their unexpected findings supported by research at UC Berkley, and the step-by-step method to stress reduction you can use.
In this show, psychologist and renowned author, Dr. Deborah Serani returns to Psych Up Live to invite a new and close-up look at Boredom. Dr. Serani will be discussing the psychological meaning and impact of boredom and will consider what boredom feels like for adults and children. She will address the importance of boredom as a signal of being unable to engage in a satisfying way with the world for a number of reasons and will consider how adults can help themselves and their children redirect feelings to deal with boredom. Dr. Serani will illuminate this discussion by the introduction and reading of her beautiful new children’s book “ Sometimes When I’m Bored,” which includes a valuable Guide for “ Helping Children Through Boredom.” Listen in to this interesting and important show.
In this show, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, expert in gender research and clinical work, offers parents and professionals an insider understanding of Gender Expansive Children -The little boy who insists he is a girl, the teen who identifies as non-binary – both male and female. The author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Ehrensaft clarifies the difference between gender and assigned sex at birth and explains how threads of nature, nurture and culture weave for each of us a Gender Web. Using examples, she describes a Gender Affirmative Model in which she maintains that children will reveal their authentic gender self if we listen to what they are telling us in their behavior and words. She discusses that it is often not the gender confusion as much as the gender rejection that leaves children unsupported, unhappy and less confident.
In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Everyone will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.
Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people age 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9% have make an attempt to take their lives, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Why is this happening? What can parents do? How can parents learn more about preventive strategies? In this show you will hear some answers from a true expert, Dr. Cheryl Green, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the author of Heal Your Daughter: How Lifestyle Psychiatry Can Save Her from Depression, Cutting and Suicidal Thoughts. With clarity and compassion, Dr. Green addresses reasons for the mental health crisis with teens and why it is disproportionally high for teen girls. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Green describes Lifestyle Psychiatry and how aspects of lifestyle like a teen’s diet, lack of exercise and sleep problems compromise mental health and can be addressed from a family as well as a teen’s perspective. She offers suggestions for parents and answers difficult questions like “Why would a teen cut herself? She underscores the warning signs of suicidal thinking and considers how a parent can respond. Overall, Dr. Green recognizes how complicated this culture has become for teens and parents. Central to her message is supporting and informing parents and accepting and helping teens. Don’t miss this important show..
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
In this episode, Anthony Almojera, FDNY EMS Lieutenant and author of Riding the Lightening: A Year In The Life Of A New York City Paramedic gives us an insider’s look at some of the darkest days New York City has ever known. Anthony Almojera illuminates the reality that the pandemic caught the city off guard- residents, government officials, doctors, school teachers and between mid-March and late April 2020, killed between 17,000 and 21,000 New Yorkers. In his personal and powerful discussion, you will learn how Anthony Almojera and Teams of paramedics and EMT’s answered thousands of calls and stepped into the unknown to care for strangers who went from healthy to very sick to dying in hours. They faced a pandemic that mystified and killed. Witnessing death after death including the loss of co-workers, Anthony shares the physical and emotional trauma that paramedics faced. You will be moved, startled, impressed and grateful for these brave Emergency Medical Responders
How much do you depend on your intuition and how much do you trust it? In this show psychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew will define and offer a close look at what intuition is, how we develop it and why we need it. He will invite you to consider those situations where intuition will lead you astray by exemplifying common errors like “Hindsight Bias” or “the Power of the Particular.” He will consider whether there are gender differences in the use of intuition and the role of intuition in responding to misinformation. Importantly he will take on the question and value of making use of what famous Economist, Dan Kahneman calls “ Thinking Fast and Slow” – the use of both intuition and collected data – facts. Dr. McAndrew never fails at offering a wealth of knowledge in an interesting way. Listen in.
Jane Baker, author of the book, Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, will share the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self, his sense of being trapped in the wrong body, and the therapy and treatment he seeks in the process of becoming a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her daughter wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members.
In this episode, Gaea Logan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights, brings her expertise and experience to Psych Up Live. Drawing upon her training of humanitarian workers across the globe, she invites listeners to build resilience in the face of traumatic life events by strengthening their capacity for self-regulation and building protective internal factors that reduce burnout. She redefines trauma, offers the latest neurobiological findings on trauma’s impact on body, brain and mind and invites us to examine our “ window of tolerance” for stressful life events. Drawing upon her online training, The Portable Calm, she discusses and demonstrates skills to become more self-regulated, mindful, grounded and compassionate. Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist or friend, Gaea believes that central to your resilience and effectiveness is developing your own capacity to reset, regulate and find calm.
In this show we take a close look at the meaning, causes, prevalence and prevention of Bullying. The reality of bullying spans nations and we are joined in this show by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, A Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in School- Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Vaillancourt has researched and written on the causes and prevention of Bullying and will be discussing the social and psychological dynamics that foster bullying, the gender differences in bullying behavior, the explicit and implicit powers of the bully and the likely targets. We will be asking Dr. Vaillancourt what can be done about school bullying. Is it really possible to change the social climate of a school? What makes a program successful for the early grades? Is it too late to intervene with High School Students? What about Cyberbullying which expands the bully’s reach beyond the school and leaves the victim feeling there is no safe place? Who are the Bystanders? Who are the Upstanders? What are the keys to Bully Prevention. Listen in.
The year 2022 was the worst year for School Shootings. There have been three shootings already in 2023. On March 27 2023 there was a School Shooting in Nashville that took the lives of three school children and three school professionals. When does this stop? How can we make a difference? In this show Sara Rogerson, a professor at Albany Law School, the Vice President of Niskayuna School Board in Upstate New York speaks out last year as the aunt and mother in a family whose own members were victims of a school shooting and threats. Here message could not be more relevant. Sara Rogerson discusses how her personal and professional experiences influence her to support and utilize the recent gun control bill and initiate school and community programs to curb gun violence. In the first section of this show she clarifies and discusses the beginning gun reform steps outlined in a bipartisan Gun Law attempted in 2022. She clarifies and exemplifies (SEL) Social, Emotional Learning programs and references research that underscores the importance of SEL in making a school or community safer from bullying, stalking, racism, verbal violence and physical violence-all factors in the history of many school shooters. Given that we are continually faced with alarming headlines of one more shooting. It is worth listening to strategies for change.
The issue and need for racial diversity among police officers reflects an attempt to ease growing tensions that have emerged in the wake of racialized police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement. Underlying the question of whether officer racial diversity improves community-police relations is the question - How do Black Officers feel? How do they balance Blue Culture and Black Lives Matter? In this show, Sociologist and Professor, Dr. Kayla Preito-Hodge offers some answers. She draws upon recent findings from her important research “ Behind the Badge and the Veil: Black Police Officers in the Era of Black Lives Matter.” Her findings suggest that Black Officers possess a double consciousness that enables them to view and experience the world through both a radicalized and occupational lens. She is joined by Dr. Kalfani Turè, a black man, former police officer, and Senior Fellow in the Urban Ethnography Project at Yale Universities. Dr Ture will add a unique prospective on matters of race, place, and urban law enforcement. Listen in to a very important show.
All of us own a life story that reflects a legacy of events we have received from the generations before us and that we will pass on to future generations. In this episode, Elaine Cooper, LCSW, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and author of LET'S ALL HOLD HANDS AND DROP DEAD: Three Generations - One Story, invites us to understand and identify intergenerational trauma, its impact, how we heal and even change the legacy. Drawing upon experience, established research, clinical and group expertise, Elaine Cooper illuminates this topic in a way that will make you reconsider the generational legacy you carry, what it means for your present life, your family, your health, your genetic profile, your strengths, your decisions and the life story you choose to own.You will think about your life differently.
In this show Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue and author of Mutual Rescue, returns to Psych UP Live with an exciting and expansive focus on the power of people-pet rescue and connection. Discussing the stories captured in a new set of award winning mini films, Carol considers how mutual rescue addresses trauma, pain, othering, bias, and loneliness. She discusses the neurophysiology of the pet-person connection and describes options for people who cannot actually adopt a pet but want to share in the experience of loving homeless furry friends. As she will share, an animal’s ability to show us unfiltered affection and loyalty despite the heartbreaks and loss of everyday life, teaches us so much about the courage to embrace each moment of connection. You will love this show.
How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.
The issue and need for racial diversity among police officers reflects an attempt to ease growing tensions that have emerged in the wake of racialized police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement. Underlying the question of whether officer racial diversity improves community-police relations is the question - How do Black Officers feel? How do they balance Blue Culture and Black Lives Matter? In this show, Sociologist and Professor, Dr. Kayla Preito-Hodge offers some answers. She draws upon recent findings from her important research “ Behind the Badge and the Veil: Black Police Officers in the Era of Black Lives Matter.” Her findings suggest that Black Officers possess a double consciousness that enables them to view and experience the world through both a radicalized and occupational lens. She is joined by Dr. Kalfani Turè, a black man, former police officer, and Senior Fellow in the Urban Ethnography Project at Yale Universities. Dr Ture will add a unique prospective on matters of race, place, and urban law enforcement. Listen in to a very important show.
On this show Dr. Sherry Hamby, psychologist and founding editor or the Psychology Of Violence will apply her expertise to building resilience. When people dream of the future, they do not dream about avoiding depression or minimizing pain. People dream about seeking and achieving joy, love, and meaning. In the effort to prevent violence or help survivors, psychology often focuses on red flags, warning signs, and trauma symptoms, overlooking our needs for personal strategies to insure healthy relationships and maximize a meaningful life. Using a new concept called resilience portfolios, Dr. Hamby will discuss evidence-based strategies for individuals and communities to build strengths, promote safety, and secure well-being even in the face of life’s adversity.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Anestis, clinical psychologist, and award winning researcher discusses his powerful book, Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. Dr. Anestis is not advocating for or against gun ownership. What he is advocating for is prevention of firearm suicides. Funded by the Department of Defense through a program known as the Military Suicide Research Consortium, Michael Anestis collected and will share findings like the fact that each year the majority of gun deaths in the US are suicide deaths – more than homicide, mass shootings or terrorism. He will address the lethality of a gun when there is suicidal thinking and consider myths and theories of suicide including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) and the Three Step Theory. Central to his goal, Dr. Anestis will define the use of “means safety” for suicide prevention and the importance of taking a public health approach to firearm suicide prevention.
In this episode, Dr. Ken Carter returns to Psych Up Live to look closer at risk taking and sensation seeking. Is the person who will take a risk in business similar to the person who loves extreme sports? Are risk taking and sensation or thrill seeking different personality traits? Are they inter-related? Do men and women differ in these traits? Are they genetic traits or family fostered dynamics? Is our neurophysiology different when we put ourselves in danger for the thrill of it as opposed to facing unexpected danger? For these and much more about risk taking and sensation seeking—listen in. For preview of Dr. Carter, check out his Youtube.
In this show, psychologist and renowned author, Dr. Deborah Serani returns to Psych Up Live to invite a new and close-up look at Boredom. Dr. Serani will be discussing the psychological meaning and impact of boredom and will consider what boredom feels like for adults and children. She will address the importance of boredom as a signal of being unable to engage in a satisfying way with the world for a number of reasons and will consider how adults can help themselves and their children redirect feelings to deal with boredom. Dr. Serani will illuminate this discussion by the introduction and reading of her beautiful new children’s book “ Sometimes When I’m Bored,” which includes a valuable Guide for “ Helping Children Through Boredom.” Listen in to this interesting and important show.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fact that Bipolar Disorder is no one’s fault. It is genetic. Michael discusses the difficulty with diagnosis and offers clinical ways to confront denial and the fear of losing creative potential. He discusses treatments that involve specific medications as well as various therapies for those suffering and family members. An important focus is his Three-Phase Approach to Bipolar Therapy. Michael Pipich’s goal is acceptance of Bipolar with less stigma and treatment with more success.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been more than 240 mass shootings in 2022 in the United States. A striking 98% of Mass Shooters are men. This show asks the question “WHY?” In a fascinating discussion with social psychologist, Dr. Frank T. McAndrew, he draws upon his research and additional findings on Gender, Aggression and Violence to offer answers. Dr. McAndrew begins with a consideration of the innate aggression even early man needed to survive, establish dominance, to mate and protect offspring. Aggression and dominance has always found ways in cultures to establish pecking orders. Dr. McAndrew distinguishes this with the desperate violence of the mass shooter who rarely holds a place of prominence.. He also distinguishes different motives for Mass Shooters and School Shooters. He underscores that while we account for social factors in Mass Shootings, we often overlook biological factors. He presents a fascinating study that he and colleagues conducted entitled, “ Guns, Testosterone and Aggression” and in the final segment discusses the difference between the way men and women show aggression and the focus on mental illness as a way to disregard other factors like the availability of guns in the tragic violence of Mass Shooters. This is an important show to hear.
In a manner that is personal, specific, at times funny and underscored with thirty years of writing and talking about sex, Tracey Cox invites us to age-proof our sex lives. Drawing upon her 17th and newest book, Great Sex Starts at 50, Tracey invites listeners, across gender and sexual orientation to consider that an understanding of the reality of body changes from hormone depletion, sensitivity, dryness, erectile difficulties etc. are inevitable and need not be a stop sign to sexual connection and intimacy. She discusses the six truths about sex that will never change regardless of age; four steps that will revolutionize your sex life; the challenges of menopause; what to do or say if you haven’t had sex in a number of years with your partner; the differences in sexual desire between men and women; the stages in a couple’s relationship from lust to love; being over fifty, single and sexual and the Media Misperceptions of Sex that impact all of us. Listen in.
This show will turn up your understanding of Holidays and Depression. Dr. Deborah Serani, Psychologist and award winning author of Living with Depression and Depression and Your Child, will discuss what fuels Depression during the Holidays, the distinction between Holiday Depression and Clinical Depression, the unexpected finding that clinical depression may actually drop at the holiday time and much more. Dr. Steven Hanley will consider if there is a gender difference in Holiday Depression and whether men and women respond differently to holiday expectations and events. Christopher Scott Downing, author of Van Gogh in Peppers: A Self-portrait of Male Depression will add his personal perspective on the Holidays. Does he feel differently at the Holidays as compared to the days when he was fighting and denying depression? Does he worry about relapse? All of these guests will then share tips for coping and dealing with the Holidays.
How much do you depend on your intuition and how much do you trust it? In this show psychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew will define and offer a close look at what intuition is, how we develop it and why we need it. He will invite you to consider those situations where intuition will lead you astray by exemplifying common errors like “Hindsight Bias” or “the Power of the Particular.” He will consider whether there are gender differences in the use of intuition and the role of intuition in responding to misinformation. Importantly he will take on the question and value of making use of what famous Economist, Dan Kahneman calls “ Thinking Fast and Slow” – the use of both intuition and collected data – facts. Dr. McAndrew never fails at offering a wealth of knowledge in an interesting way. Listen in.
We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand why something that seems simple can be so powerful.
If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a “little one”- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child’s tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of “ Love and Limits,” exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as “scenes from her own little ones,” Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC’s of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He’s right! Listen in.
On this show you will have the opportunity to learn about Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs for people. Be they children, adults, veterans, or facilities, these dogs give the gift of independence. You will hear about the many programs, volunteers and services of Canine Companions from Executive Director Megan Koester. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of being a puppy raiser. She is raising her 22nd puppy and Josiah Lanning who received Service Dog, Charlice more than 5 years ago, will give you a close and personal look at what a service dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, this is the show to hear. This is an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t miss this show.
Someone has finally found a way to address opioid misuse and addiction among people with chronic pain. In this show, Dr. Eric Garland, the world’s leading expert on the use of mind-body therapies to treat opioid misuse for pain will discuss the recently proven effectiveness of “MORE” – “Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement.” Dr. Garland will define opioid use disorder (OUD), its relationship to chronic pain and what makes opioids so addictive. He will discuss the treatment components of “MORE” ‘the differences between this and other treatments and the research design used to test this treatment model. In the second segment Dr. Garland will invite the audience to hear and feel what it would be like to be in a Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement Group. In the back and forth with Host Dr. Phillips, he will consider why the group format matters and why he believes a significant number of those who received this treatment to reduced their opioid use without being specifically directed to do so. Given the danger of Opioid Use Disorder, the number of people suffering, the importance of these findings and the need for available effective treatment, this becomes a show everyone needs to hear.
“Almost Sunrise” is a compelling documentary which follows two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, both tormented by the scars of moral injury and the accompanying anger and depression years after their return home. Close to the edge of suicide, the two embark on an extraordinary journey – a 2,700 mile walk across the country from Wisconsin to California, in order to reflect on their haunting experiences of war and to ultimately, save themselves. In this episode, we are privileged to have Tom Voss as our guest and to have the opportunity to hear his thoughts and perspectives on moral injury, the aspects of his journey that afforded steps toward remembering, feeling, connecting, self-compassion, connection with nature, breathing and forgiving, across miles and modalities. We will also hear what it meant to return home emotionally, where Tom has come and his on-going mission to help other veterans.
In this show we take a close look at the meaning, causes, prevalence and prevention of Bullying. The reality of bullying spans nations and we are joined in this show by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, A Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in School- Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Vaillancourt has researched and written on the causes and prevention of Bullying and will be discussing the social and psychological dynamics that foster bullying, the gender differences in bullying behavior, the explicit and implicit powers of the bully and the likely targets. We will be asking Dr. Vaillancourt what can be done about school bullying. Is it really possible to change the social climate of a school? What makes a program successful for the early grades? Is it too late to intervene with High School Students? What about Cyberbullying which expands the bully’s reach beyond the school and leaves the victim feeling there is no safe place? Who are the Bystanders? Who are the Upstanders? What are the keys to Bully Prevention. Listen in.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist and the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind “creeped out” the “agent detection mechanism” tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the “ sensed presence” of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.
In this show Dr. Dawn Buse, Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Montefiore Headache Center and Associate Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine draws upon her extensive experience to discuss living well with migraine. She demystifies migraine and shares important treatment possibilities. Drawing upon her recent research, she addresses what has often been overlooked, the impact of migraine on a family. She offers strategies for managing migraine and living well as a parent and/or spouse with this chronic suffering. Her shared expertise will benefit the many people who cope with migraine and the families who love them.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been more than 240 mass shootings in 2022 in the United States. A striking 98% of Mass Shooters are men. This show asks the question “WHY?” In a fascinating discussion with social psychologist, Dr. Frank T. McAndrew, he draws upon his research and additional findings on Gender, Aggression and Violence to offer answers. Dr. McAndrew begins with a consideration of the innate aggression even early man needed to survive, establish dominance, to mate and protect offspring. Aggression and dominance has always found ways in cultures to establish pecking orders. Dr. McAndrew distinguishes this with the desperate violence of the mass shooter who rarely holds a place of prominence.. He also distinguishes different motives for Mass Shooters and School Shooters. He underscores that while we account for social factors in Mass Shootings, we often overlook biological factors. He presents a fascinating study that he and colleagues conducted entitled, “ Guns, Testosterone and Aggression” and in the final segment discusses the difference between the way men and women show aggression and the focus on mental illness as a way to disregard other factors like the availability of guns in the tragic violence of Mass Shooters. This is an important show to hear.
In this show, Stacy Nakell, author of the new and important book, Treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: An Integrative Psychodynamic Approach, provides answers with compassion, theoretical understanding and clinical examples from 20 years of professional experience. Stacy considers the who, what and why of the people who suffer with these behaviors and what happens when they receive help. Using pseudonyms with the permission of former patients, Stacy Nakell draws upon real stories of those who have worked with her to address Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. She discusses how working together, she and her patients trace the life events and steps that led to the start of their Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the struggle to understand the use of this behavior, the development of new regulation skills and the success of slowly giving up what was once as soothing as it was painful. Stacy speaks from a place of personal experience, use of a powerful methodology and an investment in patients that has truly helped them. This show will be informative to those suffering, the professionals who care for them and the families who love them.
It is often hard to believe that Human Trafficking, Forced Labor, and Sexual Trafficking of children, all forms of Modern Slavery, are hiding in plain sight not just somewhere across the globe but right here in the US. Today we are going to face the reality of Human Trafficking and learn about a powerful program, Life Way Network, a Global Movement aimed at ending Sexual Trafficking and reclaiming lives. Our Guest, Marion A.R. Kendell, the Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Network gives us an up close and personal understanding of the reality of Human Trafficking. She helps us understand the needs of the women who seek shelter at the Lifeway Network. She offers a close look at the trauma-informed program that introduces many to safe connection in a community that restores safety, emotional healing and a valued sense of self. It is what they have never had and what we too often we never hear about. Listen in.
It is often hard to believe that Human Trafficking, Forced Labor, and Sexual Trafficking of children, all forms of Modern Slavery, are hiding in plain sight not just somewhere across the globe but right here in the US. Today we are going to face the reality of Human Trafficking and learn about a powerful program, Life Way Network, a Global Movement aimed at ending Sexual Trafficking and reclaiming lives. Our Guest, Marion A.R. Kendell, the Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Network gives us an up close and personal understanding of the reality of Human Trafficking. She helps us understand the needs of the women who seek shelter at the Lifeway Network. She offers a close look at the trauma-informed program that introduces many to safe connection in a community that restores safety, emotional healing and a valued sense of self. It is what they have never had and what we too often we never hear about. Listen in.
In this episode, Gaea Logan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights, brings her expertise and experience to Psych Up Live. Drawing upon her training of humanitarian workers across the globe, she invites listeners to build resilience in the face of traumatic life events by strengthening their capacity for self-regulation and building protective internal factors that reduce burnout. She redefines trauma, offers the latest neurobiological findings on trauma’s impact on body, brain and mind and invites us to examine our “ window of tolerance” for stressful life events. Drawing upon her online training, The Portable Calm, she discusses and demonstrates skills to become more self-regulated, mindful, grounded and compassionate. Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist or friend, Gaea believes that central to your resilience and effectiveness is developing your own capacity to reset, regulate and find calm.
In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstrates the power of self-compassion to enhance self-knowledge and motivation and describes and exemplifies its use of self-kindness, human connection and mindfulness to offset self-criticism and the trap of self-loathing. To hear Kristin Neff, is to receive an insider’s understanding of a powerful resource for coping, healing and growing in every day life. Self- Compassion is within our grasp.
We are in a time of extraordinary loss of loved ones. Worldwide, more than a million people have died from Covid-19. Countless others have died of other causes. With extraordinary loss of loved ones there is extraordinary grief. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore helps us understand and handle our grief. Drawing upon her new book, Grieving is Loving: Compassionate Words for Bearing the Unbearable, Dr. Cacciatore invites us to consider grief as something that can’t be ignored, rushed or diagnosed away as it is the natural reflection of the love we feel for the loss of a loved one. She invites us to recognize that we don’t work to reduce the grief, we own it and increase our capacity to cope. We embrace the here and now, we muster the courage to join with others who can be with us in the dark and we recognize that grief and happiness are not incompatible. Drawing upon extraordinary quotes, stories and reflections, Dr. Cacciatore offers us a path to grieving, loving and living.
Regardless, of gender, age, or political persuasion, we all fall for fake news. Not You? Listen in as MIT trained science writer, Matthew Hutson, discusses how and why we are all increasingly susceptible to believing misinformation. Drawing upon his recent article in Psychology Today, “How Memory Became Weaponized,” Matthew Hutson discusses the flaws of human memory, our evolutionary tendency to believe what we see, and the attack on our memories with algorithms used by marketers, trolls, or anyone with an agenda they want believed. He discusses the many ways that our memories are assaulted by factors like the speed of information dissemination, the purposeful mixing of fake news with real news, or the repetition of false headlines or images which capitalize on our tendency to believe what we see and remember what we believe. Importantly, he shares strategies to “fend off fakery.” Frightening and fascinating. Listen in.
In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear when we learn someone is getting a divorce or has been divorced. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two years or twenty, and whether it comes by choice, betrayal or mutual despair. As described in her book, Without This Ring, Abby Rodman does not advocate for divorce: but when there is no choice, she advocates for women to know they are not alone, to believe in themselves and to identify the feelings and dynamics that can be addressed with help on many levels. She will not be speaking about finding someone new. She will be speaking about the power of first finding you. Both women and men will benefit from this show.
Whether addressing campus sexual violence or other forms of power-based violence like partner abuse, bullying, stalking, etc. the national and internationally used program, Green Dot, etc. moves us from awareness to action. In this episode, Jessey Lyons, Associate Director of Green Dot turns our attention to reducing campus sexual violence. She recognizes that “It is not that people don’t care—they don’t know what to do.” Accordingly, she discusses training, tools and strategies that we can use on or off campus to make prevention and intervention possible. She is joined by college senior, Juliette Verrengia who shares her insights and experience as part of the team that has implemented The Green Dot at Connecticut College. We are aware. Now we need action.
In this show, our guest Boaz Feldman will be calling in from Geneva Switzerland with great interest in connecting to our listeners. Much as the title suggests, Boaz Feldman’s passion is the integration of knowledge from many sources for personal growth, humanitarian outreach, clinical training and intervention across borders. He will speak about his experience as a Buddhist Monk and what contemplative practice brings to humanitarian work and clinical work. He will discuss his development of NeuroSystemics which recognizes the integration of body-mind regulation, healthy relational attachment and embodied community processes. He will consider the role of compassion training for couples, reasons and remedies for unrecognized burnout, self-development through selfless service and his integration of many of these dimensions in the Care Training Program he offers. Listen in. It will be a special experience.
Nationally and Internationally people are exposed to violence on a daily basis. We read about it in the paper. We see it in the images of violence on TV and the internet and too many people have been personally exposed to or have suffered from some form of violence in their own lives. This show addresses the prevention of violence. Experts, Dr. Sherry Hamby and Dr. Victoria Banyard draw upon their new book, Strength Prevention for Violence and Public Health Problems, to look closely at attempts to curb violence and its impact. As Professors and recognized researchers who have dedicated their careers to the study of violence, traumatization, victimization, resilience, and prevention, they discuss why some prevention methods work but others, particularly regarding interpersonal violence, need another model. They will look closely and share examples of why some attempts to motivate young people backfire and why approaches that offer strength building, succeed. They will consider the difference and overlap of resilience and prevention and discuss the value of building a Prevention Portfolio Model to address violence. They discuss new and unexpected methods of prevention including gamification, nudges, and looking beyond the specific problem to broader infrastructure and personal choices. This is a very important show for all.
There is no end to the reality of traumatic events suffered world-wide, be they man-made atrocity or natural disaster. What about the children caught in the midst of such suffering? That is the focus of today’s show. Our guest is Jonathan E. Wilson who will be calling in from Tokyo to describe OperationSafe , a worldwide program he created with his wife, psychologist Rie Wilson in 2008. The program has proven to prevent mental health concerns and foster resilience in children in the aftermath community-wide trauma. Jonathan will be discussing the rationale, principles and program components of OperationSafe which has been used across 158 camps in five countries in the aftermath of disasters from 20o8 to the present. Importantly he will be sharing his recent experience of offering this important intervention in a program with refugee children from the Ukraine. You will be informed and inspired by Jonathan Wilson and the way he offers the gifts of safety, calm, efficacy, connection and hope to children and their communities. Listen in.
Few of us have been spared relationships with emotional predators – The neighbor who wanted to share everything only to spread rumors; the boss who praised your work, asked for late hours and then promoted someone else; the fiancé who had a lover at college; the coach you trusted who made inappropriate advances. In this show, psychotherapist, mediator, custody evaluator and retired attorney, Steven Wolhandler, JD,MA,LPC draws upon his years of dealing with emotional predators and protecting their victims to pass on to us important insights and strategies. Referencing his book, Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers and Manipulators Hidden Among Us, he defines the qualities and behaviors of the Emotional Predator and offers 5 important and effective steps for protecting ourselves. His discussion is as valuable a guide to knowing and empowering ourselves as to disempowering predators.
In the first 185 days of 2022 there have been 11 mass shootings per week. When does this stop? How can we make a difference? Our guest is Sara Rogerson, a professor at Albany Law School, the Vice President of Niskayuna School Board in Upstate New York and the aunt and mother in a family whose own members were victims of a school shooting and threats. Sara Rogerson will be discussing how her personal and professional experiences influence her to support and utilize the recent gun control bill and initiate school and community programs to curb gun violence. In the first section of this show she clarifies and discusses the beginning gun reform steps outlined in the recent bipartisan Gun Law. She clarifies and exemplifies (SEL) Social, Emotional Learning programs and references research that underscores the importance of SEL in making a school or community safer from bullying, stalking, racism, verbal violence and physical violence-all factors in the history of many school shooters. We are faced everyday with alarming headlines of one more shooting. It is worth listening to strategies for change.
In today’s high speed internet world, teens are merely a few clicks away from free access to streaming porn. A Nationally Representative Youth Internet Safety Survey found that the likelihood of a teen or preteen accessing pornography intentionally rose from 8% in 2000 to 13% in 2010. Twenty-five percent of 18-24 year old’s report porn as their most helpful source of information about how to have sex. In this Episode Dr. Emily Rothman, Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, and author of the upcoming new book, Pornography and Public Health, brings us a well-researched and measured view of the need for “Porn Literacy” for kids and for parents. The issue is not Pornography. The issue is the negative view of sex as violent, misogynistic and without consent that porn portrays. What Dr. Rothman will discuss in terms of “Porn Literacy” for teens is how and why to think critically about pornography as something quite different from sexual relating and sexual intimacy. She will expand her discussion to “Porn Literacy” for parents by answering question that parents pose like, “What do I say if my teen son is regularly viewing porn?” “What do I say to my nine year old daughter when porn appears on her screen?” Whether you are a parent or interested in helping today’s youngsters develop a healthy and loving perspective of sex, this is an important show.
We are all aware through movies, series and the sensational lives of celebrities of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited compassion and support by some and critique, violence and political rejection by others. This episode will clarify the myths and give you an insider’s experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband’s transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier’s story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.
In this episode, Dr. Pauline Boss, esteemed scientist practitioner who coined the term 'Ambiguous Loss,' discusses the meaning of Ambiguous Loss and how it differs from other losses. Drawing upon powerful examples, Dr. Boss discusses physical ambiguous loss and psychological ambiguous loss due to dementia from disease, brain injury etc. She clarifies that Ambiguous Loss is not a result of pathology, but rather the ambiguity of the circumstances of loss. Using examples like the families of 9-11 she describes the understandable impact on a family when a parent is gone but loss cannot be substantiated. With the aim of building resilience rather than pathologizing, Dr. Boss discusses the Psychological Family, the Family Narrative and the ability to engage Dialectical Thinking - 'my husband is both absent and present in our hearts and minds.' Dr. Boss references Victor Frankel’s Importance Of Finding Meaning, Adjusting Mastery Up Or Down and discovering 'New Hope' by risking change.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been more than 240 mass shootings in 2022 in the United States. A striking 98% of Mass Shooters are men. This show asks the question “WHY?” In a fascinating discussion with social psychologist, Dr. Frank T. McAndrew, he draws upon his research and additional findings on Gender, Aggression and Violence to offer answers. Dr. McAndrew begins with a consideration of the innate aggression even early man needed to survive, establish dominance, to mate and protect offspring. Aggression and dominance has always found ways in cultures to establish pecking orders. Dr. McAndrew distinguishes this with the desperate violence of the mass shooter who rarely holds a place of prominence.. He also distinguishes different motives for Mass Shooters and School Shooters. He underscores that while we account for social factors in Mass Shootings, we often overlook biological factors. He presents a fascinating study that he and colleagues conducted entitled, “ Guns, Testosterone and Aggression” and in the final segment discusses the difference between the way men and women show aggression and the focus on mental illness as a way to disregard other factors like the availability of guns in the tragic violence of Mass Shooters. This is an important show to hear.
Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.
In this show, Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of the new book, “Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too” shares her story and the countless stories of others who reveal the powerful impact of adopted pets and their owners upon each other. From Parkland HS students, who lost friends in the horrific school shooting, but found the presence and adoption of dogs to be the bridges from terror and loss to love and comfort, to couples improving their relationships, to people helped with physical illness, addiction recovery or finding a purpose in life – adopting a dog is a gift that keeps on giving, even to others beyond the pet and owner. Importantly, Carol underscores stories with research science which verifies and expands what people are reporting, even tracing how it is that wolves and wildcats came to be the dogs that love to sleep in our beds and the cats that own our sofas. Listen in and prepare to feel a heart tug!
In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer’s disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need “to forget” in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don’t I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.
In this show Host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Award Winning Filmmaker, Therese Shechter who discusses her new and powerful film, “My So-Called Selfish Life.” Spanning over many years this is a paradigm-shifting journey through one of our society’s greatest taboos: Choosing not to become a mother. The film weaves together historical events, medical expertise, and women of different ages and backgrounds who personally and professionally question the biased expectation that women are supposed to have children – regardless of their personal choice. Underscoring the message, the show includes glimpses of the shocking consequence of a “ 60 Minutes” clip of a woman and her husband sharing their decision not to have children with the in-laws and examples of social media “Mommyjacking” to minimize the accomplishments of professional women and idealizations of mothering at the cost of leaving out and stigmatizing women who can’t have children or choose not to have a child. With attention to historical events, medical advances, gender diversity and political sentiment, Therese Shechter invites us to consider her powerful and at times shocking documentary about women and their choice of whether to have a child. Her film is one that people of all genders need to see and are not likely to forget. Listen in to this discussion.
In this episode Dr. Gillihan will discuss his important book, Retrain the Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 weeks. Dr. Gillihan will clarify the way in which thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to play a role in actually increasing anxiety and depression; but, how people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression can take steps to bring about changes. Be it panic attacks, fear of flying, or self-defeating procrastination, he will point out examples from this 7 week program that guide us to reconsider our behaviors, identify and reduce negative thought patterns, and understand and regulate feelings. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips he will consider the role of acceptance in reducing both anxiety and depression. Listen in for some important skills.
How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.
We are often told to reach for our dreams and that the only real risk in life is never trying. This is the story of MJ Marggraff, a woman who decided to reach for her dream. In midlife, this wife and mother of two young children decided to take flying lessons. Her story of becoming a pilot is a story of fear, excitement, guilt, harassment, challenge and joy. It is a story that reveals how reaching for your dream impacts everyone you know and love in different ways. Whether you are a pilot, you love flying or would never board a plane, MJ Marggarff's story will invite you to think differently about flying and reaching for the sky in the journey of your life. Buckle up, consider your dreams and listen in.
If you are in a relationship, you have to hear this episode. It will be as enjoyable as it will be strikingly helpful to you and your partner. According to psychotherapist and author, Keith Wilson, if you are in a real relationship and you haven’t had a conflict yet – you haven’t been paying attention. As Keith describes, violence is the avoidance of conflict. Being able to work through clashes as a couple, offers great potential. With anecdote, metaphor and examples, Keith draws upon 30 years of practice with couples to discuss the steps for regulating conflict. He will invite you to turn off the alarm in your head that scans partner disconnection, know where and how to ask the right questions – be it about an affair or getting up for the kids. He will clarify how to give and get feedback, avoid the four fouls that contaminate any conflict and turn conflict into really knowing, trusting and loving each other. Listen in.
Across time and cultures and against the backdrop of medical, social, economic, political, gender and racial issues, mothers face a lot and give a lot. Whether new mothers, working mothers, single mothers or grandmothers, most could benefit from some of the powerful support and care they offer. This show presents a program that does just that- “Authentic Connections Groups”. In this show, Dr. Suniya Luthar, Executive Director of AC Groups, a nonprofit that fosters resilience and well-being, will describe the Authentic Connections Group program which has been empirically validated several times and featured on national media including on PBS. She will share how groups are set-up, the topics covered, the range of women who have participated and invite you to hear a mini role-play of what a group experience might be. Dr. Luthar is joined by Dr. Jewel Kling a mom and Associate Professor of Medicine, Chair of the Division of Women’s Health Internal Medicine, and Assistant Director of the Women’s Health Center and Associate Chair of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity for the Department of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Kling will speak personally and professionally on women’s needs across the spectrum and the value of her own personal experience as a participant in an Authentic Connections Group . Also joining the discussion is Johanna Callard, another mom and Director of Counseling at Northfield Mt. Hermon Prep School, MA. Johanna Collard will share her clinical perspective on the needs of working mothers and how she, her colleagues and their school community benefited from participating in the Authentic Connection Group program. She references the value of the concept of the Go to person that is part of the Authentic Connections Group program that expands the care and support offered in the group.Whether you are interested personally or professionally in what women who are mothers and caregivers need, or reducing the burnout in your working community-listen in to this show.
Someone has finally found a way to address opioid misuse and addiction among people with chronic pain. In this show, Dr. Eric Garland, the world’s leading expert on the use of mind-body therapies to treat opioid misuse for pain will discuss the recently proven effectiveness of “MORE” – “Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement.” Dr. Garland will define opioid use disorder (OUD), its relationship to chronic pain and what makes opioids so addictive. He will discuss the treatment components of “MORE” ‘the differences between this and other treatments and the research design used to test this treatment model. In the second segment Dr. Garland will invite the audience to hear and feel what it would be like to be in a Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement Group. In the back and forth with Host Dr. Phillips, he will consider why the group format matters and why he believes a significant number of those who received this treatment to reduced their opioid use without being specifically directed to do so. Given the danger of Opioid Use Disorder, the number of people suffering, the importance of these findings and the need for available effective treatment, this becomes a show everyone needs to hear.
In this episode, Samantha Waltz, the author of the powerful book, Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience and three of her wonderful contributing writers, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Gigi Rosenberg, and Emma Kate Tsai will share their personal experiences of being parents or children in stepfamilies. As three of the thirty professional writers who share their blended experience in this book, their voices convey more than the facts or dynamics of stepfamilies. They convey in a personal way the challenges of connection, the promise and pain of children who have lost parents from divorce or death, the fears of rejection and expectations of stepparents and the reasons for laughing, crying and celebrating. As the stories move from the “ Coming Together” of blended families to stories of “Acceptance” they broaden the understanding of stepfamilies and offer guidance, compassion and hope.
In this show, Dr. Greif invites listeners to learn about men and male friendships from the hundreds of men and women he has interviewed. His findings dispel the myth that men don’t need or want friends or that they need wives or girlfriends to find them friends. Dr. Greif describes some consistent patterns that reflect the types of relationships men have across their lifespan. He addresses the questions men themselves have asked and answered about friendship: Do I have have enough close friends? How do you juggle friends with marriage and kids? What is the meaning of friendship? Do I just let go of friends when things stop working out? Dr.Greif will make clear the interesting differences in the way men and women have friendships. This is a show both men and women will find very interesting.
In this show, Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist, award winning author and media expert returns to Psych-Up Live to discuss her new children’s book “ Sometimes When I‘m Mad.” She invites listeners to understand and respond to anger in children. There have always been outside world and family events that have disrupted families and filtered fear and dysregulation down to children. These past few years of the pandemic have added additional strain. Dr. Serani will discuss the reason and message of her important of her new book and go on to answer the questions– How do we spot anger in children of different ages? What are the feelings being masked by anger? What about toddlers who tantrum? What about hitting, throwing or breaking things by seemingly angry school age children? Essentially Dr. Serani will help us help our children express anger and release feelings in a constructive way. In many ways, her book, Sometimes When I’m Mad, offers the answers directly to children. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, professional or someone who loves children – You will really enjoy this show. Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, professor and the author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, offers a new and well researched look at women as decision makers. She addresses the reality of gender dynamics in the workplace like the glass ceiling, the glass cliff and the different consequences of making a mistake for men and women in leadership.She dispels the myths and beliefs about gender differences and decision making with comprehensive research. She proposes that the reason that men and women should both be in the boardroom is that while there are many actual similarities in their decision- making, the real differences would maximize success. Adding to this she offers fascinating studies that reveal the best decision-making strategies for women from testing our use of intuition to resisting the first idea that comes to mind. Listen in, you will be surprised and informed.
Whether you are a seasoned psychoanalyst, group therapist or someone interested in how and why psychoanalysis works and how psychoanalytic thinking has expanded – You have to hear Dr. Robert Grossmark. Drawing upon his new book, The Unobtrusive Relational Analyst, he discusses his work with patients who formerly would be considered unsuitable for psychoanalytic treatment. These are patients in the session or the group often enact the trauma they never had the words to share. Drawing upon case studies, Grossmark exemplifies what it means to companion with a person rather than interpret or invite mutual examination of the analytic process. He describes a process that teeters on the edge of chaos but ultimately makes relatedness and reflective thinking possible. In a powerful way, you will even see and better understand glimpses of yourself and your family on the journey we all take- which at times gets pretty close to chaos!!
In this episode, Ross Rosenberg, psychotherapist and author of The Human Magnet Syndrome: The Co-dependent Narcissist Trap, draws upon his experience and clinical examples to offer an understanding of the difference between love and entrapment in a Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome. He discusses the meaning of codependency and how its traces back to childhood attachment. He considers the role it plays in keeping a person with a self-love deficiency addicted to a pathological narcissist whose charm belies their hidden dependency, dangerous control, lack of empathy and abusive need for the partner. Ross Rosenberg defines and exemplifies the “Gaslighting” used by a Pathological Narcissist to exert mind control on the partner. Importantly, he answers the questions so often asked: Why do people fall in love with Pathological Narcissists? Why do they stay and even defend these abusive partners? Can they end this type of addictive relationship?
Gary Wilson died this year. This Encore is a tribute to Gary and his work to understand the impact of porn. Gary Wilson was presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of the book,Your Brain on Porn. In this show he addressed the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Some will disagree, most will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
If you are someone who struggles with falling asleep or staying asleep – you are not alone. An estimated 164 million Americans (68%) reported struggling with sleep at least once per week. In this show, Dr.Courtney Bancroft, Yale-trained, licensed psychologist specializing in all-natural, evidence-based insomnia treatment, offers some answers. Dr. Bancroft clarifies the nature and patterns of sleep, discusses the reality and myths associated with insomnia, and helps us to examine factors that may keep us from sleeping. She offers strategies for improved sleep hygiene and exemplifies the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with a case example. If you or someone you know suffers with insomnia or sleep difficulties– Listen in.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner. Our guest, Betty Hafner is one of those who suffered. A teacher, counselor, and author, Betty will draw upon her beautiful but terrifying book, Not Exactly Love: A Memoir. She will give us the insider’s view of the dark and complex trap of Domestic Violence. You will hear about bruises on her wedding day, necessary denial, frozen fear, cycles of love and abuse, the reason people can’t leave, the shame and excuses, the split off professional life, the isolation, the echoes of historical roots, self-doubt, police, therapy and incremental steps of self-protection, self-esteem and a way out. Betty Hafner’s memoir reads with the power and suspense of fiction; but it is painfully true. Whether you are male or female, have suffered from domestic or intimate partner violence or tried to help someone who has, you will want to hear this show.
Whether you are newly married, a middle aged couple, the identified In-Laws or the bewildered Out-Laws of an expanded family, you need to hear this show. In it, psychologist and author Dr. Geoffrey Greif draws upon his new and acclaimed book written with Dr. Michael Woolley, “ In-law Relationships: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, and Sons.” Dr. Greif shares research using interviews and surveys with a total of 1,500 people to illuminate why some in-laws connect and others clash and even crash. He considers the impact of interfaith, interracial, gay and lesbian couples on in-law relationships. He examines the validity of the negative cultural stereotype of mothers-in-law and reports what mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law say. He considers what happens that is different in the relationships between male in-laws and overall offers important strategies for improving any in-law relationship.
In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the world is grieving. Families are suffering the traumatic loss of loved ones. Medical professionals grieve for patients they felt responsible to heal. First Responders, caregivers, teachers, adults and children carry the grief of a world of people lost suddenly to an unknown virus. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore’s personal and professional understanding of how to “bear the unbearable,” of how to open a space to process, integrate and deeply honor our grief, is a gift. Drawing upon her unique and powerful book, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, her own experience of loss and decades of supporting individuals, families and communities, she invites a new meaning and experience of grief. She invites you to recognize grief as a natural process that unfolds in your own way and in your own time, restoring and illuminating your love and humanity. We need this show.
In this show Dr. Elisha Goldstein returns to Psych Up Live to describe, discuss and exemplify aspects of his important new program “ Uncover the Power Within”. Dr. Elisha Goldstein will share the personal journey that brings him to his tireless work of empowering people to understand the causes of depression, anxiety and unhappiness. In this episode he uncovers the battle between surviving and really living. He shares the ingredients that help us adapt practices to relax the nervous system, combat distraction, and heal self-image. He offers an understanding of the power of connection between people to enhance the use of mindfulness, the gift of self-compassion and much more. If you find Elisha very easy to hear and understand, it is because his message is both informative and always underscored with kindness and compassion. Listen in.
This show gives you the opportunity to have an insider’s view of Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs who give the gift of independence to children and adults. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of raising 22 puppies and Josiah Lanning who at the time of this show had Charlice, his Service Dog for more than 5 years, shares what this wonderful dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, listen in and be prepared to be emotionally touched.
It goes without saying that this is a stressful as well as special Holiday time of the year. For millions of divorced parents there are additional challenges they face, as they try to make the holidays a success, while splitting custody of the children. In this show, Jeffrey Scott Steiner Executive Director of the Dads’ Resource Center and Central Administrator for the Pennsylvania Greater Father Family Involvement Campaign draws upon his experience to offer strategies and tips that co-parents can use to make the holiday as well as the coming year more fruitful and constructive for everyone. From planning together, dealing with the different needs of tots and teens and the different realities of parents who are recently divorced as opposed to those who divorced for years, he will offer examples and suggestions. The issues of value conflicts over gifts will be considered as well as the recognition that modeling flexibility and cooperation may be the most important gift of all. Many of have been touched by divorce and done very well. – Listen in.
Nationally and Internationally people are exposed to violence on a daily basis. We read about it in the paper. We see it in the images of violence on TV and the internet and too many people have been personally exposed to or have suffered from some form of violence in their own lives. This show addresses the prevention of violence. Experts, Dr. Sherry Hamby and Dr. Victoria Banyard draw upon their new book, Strength Prevention for Violence and Public Health Problems, to look closely at attempts to curb violence and its impact. As Professors and recognized researchers who have dedicated their careers to the study of violence, traumatization, victimization, resilience, and prevention, they discuss why some prevention methods work but others, particularly regarding interpersonal violence, need another model. They will look closely and share examples of why some attempts to motivate young people backfire and why approaches that offer strength building, succeed. They will consider the difference and overlap of resilience and prevention and discuss the value of building a Prevention Portfolio Model to address violence. They discuss new and unexpected methods of prevention including gamification, nudges, and looking beyond the specific problem to broader infrastructure and personal choices. This is a very important show for all.
When I listened to this podcast again in the context of the stress so many are facing – I thought this is a holiday gift. In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. He has faced many of the challenges we have all struggled with from illness to lose of loved ones. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
In a complex culture with non-stop invitations to do and have more, parents often wonder how to raise grateful kids. In this show, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, clinical psychologist, child expert and author of The Tantrum Survival Guide, offers parents some answers. She invites parents to consider their own definitions and expressions of gratitude and the messages they bring from their own childhood. She validates the common feelings of parental joy in giving and the fear of spoiling. She reminds us to consider expectations of request and signs of gratitude in children in terms of the child’s age and what can get triggered in parent and child when extended family are present at Holiday Times. She discusses parents feeling guilty about giving and the difference when giving also involves playing or spending time with your child or teen. She invites parents to consider gratitude as a way of being in life that is felt, observed, and shared in routines and rituals with children all year round. Among the wonderful things you give to your children – Listen in for some ideas on the Gift of Gratitude.
In this show, Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of the new book, “Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too” shares her story and the countless stories of others who reveal the powerful impact of adopted pets and their owners upon each other. From Parkland HS students, who lost friends in the horrific school shooting, but found the presence and adoption of dogs to be the bridges from terror and loss to love and comfort, to couples improving their relationships, to people helped with physical illness, addiction recovery or finding a purpose in life – adopting a dog is a gift that keeps on giving, even to others beyond the pet and owner. Importantly, Carol underscores stories with research science which verifies and expands what people are reporting, even tracing how it is that wolves and wildcats came to be the dogs that love to sleep in our beds and the cats that own our sofas. Listen in and prepare to feel a heart tug!
In this show noted journalist, Rachel Hills, author of The Sex Myth: The Gap Between our Fantasies and Reality, invites us to look more closely at the invisible norms and unspoken assumptions that shape the way we think about sex today. Drawing upon six years' research, including interviews with women and men across three continents, she gives us an unexpected look at reality and a re-consideration of the meaning of sexual freedom. Don’t miss this show.
In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for health-care professionals, family members as well as seniors who don’t understand why they are suffering. She will answer questions like: What Is Geriatric Depression? Isn’t Depression a normal part of aging? Why is it so often missed or dismissed? What are the steps for proper assessment? What are the treatment options? Are depressed seniors a suicide risk? Adding to this, Dr. Serani considers the power of “conscious aging” as an asset to physical and emotional well-being. This is an important show for all.
Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.
Few of us have been spared relationships with emotional predators – The neighbor who wanted to share everything only to spread rumors; the boss who praised your work, asked for late hours and then promoted someone else; the fiancé who had a lover at college; the coach you trusted who made inappropriate advances. In this show, psychotherapist, mediator, custody evaluator and retired attorney, Steven Wolhandler, JD,MA,LPC draws upon his years of dealing with emotional predators and protecting their victims to pass on to us important insights and strategies. Referencing his book, Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers and Manipulators Hidden Among Us, he defines the qualities and behaviors of the Emotional Predator and offers 5 important and effective steps for protecting ourselves. His discussion is as valuable a guide to knowing and empowering ourselves as to disempowering predators.
In a manner that is personal, specific, at times funny and underscored with thirty years of writing and talking about sex, Tracey Cox invites us to age-proof our sex lives. Drawing upon her 17th and newest book, Great Sex Starts at 50, Tracey invites listeners, across gender and sexual orientation to consider that an understanding of the reality of body changes from hormone depletion, sensitivity, dryness, erectile difficulties etc. are inevitable and need not be a stop sign to sexual connection and intimacy. She discusses the six truths about sex that will never change regardless of age; four steps that will revolutionize your sex life; the challenges of menopause; what to do or say if you haven’t had sex in a number of years with your partner; the differences in sexual desire between men and women; the stages in a couple’s relationship from lust to love; being over fifty, single and sexual and the Media Misperceptions of Sex that impact all of us. Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston draws upon her new book, Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower, and her experience speaking to academic audiences and businesses like Microsoft and Amazon to teach us how to give feedback, even negative feedback, in a way that turns it into a productive conversation. She considers why 80% of managers feel they are saying the right things; but less than 20% of employees feel appreciated. She asks why men are evaluated on work skills while women are often judged on their personality. Dr. Huston identifies and exemplifies the three types of feedback as Appreciation, Coaching and Evaluation and asks us to discern what an employee wants and needs. She discusses how and why to use praise and urges us to side with the employee rather than the problem. She reminds us that if people feel threatened their brains go into lockdown. Inherent in her message of what makes feedback powerful is the principle -“ Listen as if your job depends on it.”
If you are in a relationship, you have to hear this episode. It will be as enjoyable as it will be strikingly helpful to you and your partner. According to psychotherapist and author, Keith Wilson, if you are in a real relationship and you haven’t had a conflict yet – you haven’t been paying attention. As Keith describes, violence is the avoidance of conflict. Being able to work through clashes as a couple, offers great potential. With anecdote, metaphor and examples, Keith draws upon 30 years of practice with couples to discuss the steps for regulating conflict. He will invite you to turn off the alarm in your head that scans partner disconnection, know where and how to ask the right questions – be it about an affair or getting up for the kids. He will clarify how to give and get feedback, avoid the four fouls that contaminate any conflict and turn conflict into really knowing, trusting and loving each other. Listen in.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.
If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a “little one”- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child’s tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of “ Love and Limits,” exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as “scenes from her own little ones,” Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC’s of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He’s right! Listen in.
This year we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, an unspeakable event that took the lives of 2.996 people and caused the death of another four thousand from 9/11 related illness. We are privileged to have as our guest, Mary Fetchet the Founding Director of Voices Center for Resilience, formerly known as Voices of September 11, which she set up when she lost her son Brad on 9/11. In this episode, Mary Fetchet discusses how her unique background as the mother of a victim, and an experienced clinical social worker, influenced her approach to providing long-term support services for those impacted by 9/11 and other tragedies worldwide. She shares her vision and the actualization of the memorial site at ground zero and the memory project. She discusses her recognition of the need for Victims Compensation, her partnership with professionals across the globe, and her unexpected involvement in public policy and legislation. What you hear from Mary Fetchet is her commitment to leave no stone unturned in pursuing services for victims of any natural disaster or man-made atrocity. Accordingly, you will hear about The Voices Center’s use of online conferences and programs to provide a community for those grieving anywhere. You will also learn about the live and virtual program, to be offered this 20th Anniversary Year.You can access program information at VoicesCenter.org.
In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer’s disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need “to forget” in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don’t I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.
As anxiety escalates in face of a resurgence of Covid-19 fueled by variants, tension builds between those who recognize the vaccine as a lifesaving answer and those who view it as an invasive healthcare intervention. Beyond the media coverage, family relationships are frayed with members who can’t talk about their positions and are anxious, angry and estranged in the midst of a pandemic. Can there even be a discussion when people are so polarized? In this show, guest expert Dr. Mena Mirhom, Columbia University Psychiatrist, invites us to draw upon psychological science to approach this difficult divide. He offers five ways to approach an antivaxxer’s hesitancy that recognize evidence is not enough, the context must be understood, there are places of agreement, and validating strengths matter as does respectful inquiry into the beliefs of the Antivaxxer. As Dr. Mirhorm will make clear, there is reason to find a way to bridge the divide – “ We are all in this together.”
Despite the incredible access to information and opportunities available to teens in this culture, it is a difficult time for most. In the past year, teens have contended with a pandemic that has disrupted their school, sports and peer activities. Despite social media connections many struggled. When we add the physical and emotional changes of teens to life's continual challenges, it makes sense to help our teens build resilience. That is just what Cheryl Bradshaw offers in her important book, The Resilience Workbook For Teens. She provides teens with an evidenced-based tool that is personal, engaging and thought provoking. Drawing upon her teaching and clinical training, she clearly knows how to speak to teens and invites participation in a fast-paced way with activities that address five goals: Adapting to Change, Overcoming Anxiety, Finding Your Strength, Keeping Perspective, and Staying Focused. She helps them to embrace self and bounce back from adversity.
There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the “Domestication Hypothesis.” Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI’s reveal in terms of a dog’s attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.
This show is for men and everyone who loves them. In it, psychotherapist, James Hawes draws upon his years of clinical experience with men and his book, The Secret Lives of Men: Ten Keys to Unlock the Mystery, to discuss the social and cultural norms that keep men trapped with feelings like unvoiced hurt, sadness, fear and shame. In his presentation he considers topics like: Feelings as a Foreign Language, Vulnerability Masked as Anger, Sex as Intimacy and Performance as the Source of Self Esteem. As you will hear in his examples and strategies for therapeutic change, James Hawes has a personal and powerful respect for men’s capacity to expand their emotional well-being. Listen in.
This episode offers an insider look at Sex Trafficking as the backdrop for an important discussion of the unrecognized traumatic events that are carried by the vast majority of children and adults who become the victims of Sex Trafficking. As a survivor and a mental health professional, Savannah Sanders draws upon her life and book, Sex Trafficking Prevention: A Trauma Informed Approach for Parents and Professionals to advocate for a trauma-informed approach to prevention and healing. She invites parents and professionals to recognize the signs of suffering and vulnerability often obscured by behavioral problems and symptoms. She identifies why and how certain children from every culture and socio-economic level become targets who are groomed and trapped in “The Life.” She discusses the myths, stereotypes and realities of Sex Trafficking and offers parents and professionals valuable tools for prevention and intervention. This show is alarming and crucial to hear.
Regardless, of gender, age, or political persuasion, we all fall for fake news. Not You? Listen in as MIT trained science writer, Matthew Hutson, discusses how and why we are all increasingly susceptible to believing misinformation. Drawing upon his recent article in Psychology Today, “How Memory Became Weaponized,” Matthew Hutson discusses the flaws of human memory, our evolutionary tendency to believe what we see, and the attack on our memories with algorithms used by marketers, trolls, or anyone with an agenda they want believed. He discusses the many ways that our memories are assaulted by factors like the speed of information dissemination, the purposeful mixing of fake news with real news, or the repetition of false headlines or images which capitalize on our tendency to believe what we see and remember what we believe. Importantly, he shares strategies to “fend off fakery.” Frightening and fascinating. Listen in and Call in.
Many of us personally know transgender men and women or have become aware through the media of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited both compassion and support by some and discrimination and even violence by others. This episode will clarify myths and give you an insider’s experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband’s transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier’s story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.
As we consider how to open the workplace with possible hybrid options, one reality that has received too little attention is the increase in Workplace Harassment during the pandemic year. In this show, Kalpana Kotagal, partner at Cohen Milstein in the Civil Rights and Employment group, will consider recent findings from two surveys which reveal a significant rise of virtual harassment of many people working from home. Ms. Kotagal will consider whether the pandemic played a role in increasing existing harassment in the workplace or added new dangers and demands on employees working remotely. She will discuss the challenges of virtual work, the targets of virtual harassment (women, people of color, LGBTQ and older employees) and what happens when there is no witness and no bystander. Importantly she will offer her expertise in terms of the need for Employers and Human Resource Professionals to consider the ongoing issues of workplace harassment that compromise the safety, equality, mental and physical health of all employees in the office and the virtual workplace.
Are you a sensation seeker? Have you ever wondered why people climb Everest, jump out of planes or ski dangerous unmarked trails? Is eagerness to experience the impact of any street drug or gambling away life savings driven by thrill seeking? In this show Dr. Ken Carter, Emory Psychologist and researcher of sensation thinking, considers these questions and more. He discusses the general components of sensation-seeking including thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, and disinhibition. He looks at gender differences, changes across the lifespan and clarifies the neuroscience behind sensation seeking. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of being a thrill seeker, he will even tell you about an online test to determine how much of a sensation seeker you are. Listen in--You will be intrigued.
In this episode, Dr. Bella DePaulo, social psychologist and author will first draw upon her well recognized book, Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After to consider the cultural myths, negative presumptions and even financial discrimination against people who choose to live alone. Considering that more than half of adult Americans are single, Dr. DePaulo’s goal of raising consciousness regarding “Singlism” and awareness of the actual happiness of many singles is an important one. In this episode, Dr. De Paulo will also discuss her fascinating new book, How We Live Now: Redefining Home and Family in the 21st Century, which considers the creative and often non-nuclear ways that people are finding to live. The message of this show is thinking beyond cultural constraints to notice the different ways, spaces and places that people can choose to live happy lives.
In this show, our guest Boaz Feldman will be calling in from Geneva Switzerland with great interest in connecting to our listeners. Much as the title suggests, Boaz Feldman’s passion is the integration of knowledge from many sources for personal growth, humanitarian outreach, clinical training and intervention across borders. He will speak about his experience as a Buddhist Monk and what contemplative practice brings to humanitarian work and clinical work. He will discuss his development of NeuroSystemics which recognizes the integration of body-mind regulation, healthy relational attachment and embodied community processes. He will consider the role of compassion training for couples, reasons and remedies for unrecognized burnout, self-development through selfless service and his integration of many of these dimensions in the Care Training Program he offers. Listen in. It will be a special experience.
In this show Dr. Elisha Goldstein returns to Psych Up Live to describe, discuss and exemplify aspects of his important new program “ Uncover the Power Within”. Dr. Elisha Goldstein will share the personal journey that brings him to his tireless work of empowering people to understand the causes of depression, anxiety and unhappiness. In this episode he uncovers the battle between surviving and really living. He shares the ingredients that help us adapt practices to relax the nervous system, combat distraction, and heal self-image. He offers an understanding of the power of connection between people to enhance the use of mindfulness, the gift of self-compassion and much more. If you find Elisha very easy to hear and understand, it is because his message is both informative and always underscored with kindness and compassion. Listen in.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist and the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind “creeped out” the “agent detection mechanism” tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the “ sensed presence” of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.
The journey that a transgender teen takes from confusion and fear to acceptance and consolidation of gender identity is often a difficult one for them and their parents. It is one for which understanding and support are invaluable. What information is most helpful for teens? What do parents need to know? What type of parental support is considered by teens to be most valuable? In this show, Dr. Tandy Aye, professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, and a pediatric endocrinologist at the Stanford Children’s Health Pediatric and Adolescent Gender Clinic, joins us to discuss the findings of her important Stanford Study, ”Perceptions of Support Among Transgender and Gender-Expansive Adolescents and their Parents.” The study identifies the type of family support transgender adolescents report as most helpful in their journey. Drawing upon her clinical experience Dr. Aye, sets the stage by clarifying gender identity and the common experiences of a youngster who comes to identify as transgender. She then discusses the rationale for her research, the approach she used and her important findings for both teens and parents. Whether you are a teen, a parent, a grandparent, a professional who works with teens or someone who loves them – listen in.
If you are someone who struggles with falling asleep or staying asleep – you are not alone. An estimated 164 million Americans (68%) reported struggling with sleep at least once per week. In this show, Dr.Courtney Bancroft, Yale-trained, licensed psychologist specializing in all-natural, evidence-based insomnia treatment, offers some answers. Dr. Bancroft clarifies the nature and patterns of sleep, discusses the reality and myths associated with insomnia, and helps us to examine factors that may keep us from sleeping. She offers strategies for improved sleep hygiene and exemplifies the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with a case example. If you or someone you know suffers with insomnia or sleep difficulties– Listen in.
In today’s high speed internet world, teens are merely a few clicks away from free access to streaming porn. A Nationally Representative Youth Internet Safety Survey found that the likelihood of a teen or preteen accessing pornography intentionally rose from 8% in 2000 to 13% in 2010. Twenty-five percent of 18-24 year old’s report porn as their most helpful source of information about how to have sex. In this Episode Dr. Emily Rothman, Professor of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health, and author of the upcoming new book, Pornography and Public Health, brings us a well-researched and measured view of the need for “Porn Literacy” for kids and for parents. The issue is not Pornography. The issue is the negative view of sex as violent, misogynistic and without consent that porn portrays. What Dr. Rothman will discuss in terms of “Porn Literacy” for teens is how and why to think critically about pornography as something quite different from sexual relating and sexual intimacy. She will expand her discussion to “Porn Literacy” for parents by answering question that parents pose like, “What do I say if my teen son is regularly viewing porn?” “What do I say to my nine year old daughter when porn appears on her screen?” Whether you are a parent or interested in helping today’s youngsters develop a healthy and loving perspective of sex, this is an important show.
In this episode, Jonathan Kalin, founder of Party With Consent, discusses his mission of inviting men and women in colleges across the nation to join him in preventing sexual violence. He considers the importance of creating consent and clarifying definitions of masculinity. Michael Paymar, co-founder of A Process of Change for Men Who Batter, author of Violent No More and film producer of With Impunity: Men and Gender Violence, considers the value of men’s voices to counter the cultural messages that enable male domination and violence against women through domestic violence, rape, violent pornography and trafficking. Dr. Erin Casey, Co-director of the Mobilizing Men for Violence Prevention Research Collaborative will discuss the factors that prompt men’s participation in gender-based violence prevention, the risk factors for sexually violent behavior, bystander programs and the need for men to collaborate with women to prevent sexual violence.
Have you ever been dismissed because you were considered too young, or ignored because you were deemed too old? If so, you have experienced Ageism, stereotyping and discrimination based on age. In this show, author activist, Ashton Applewhite will raise our consciousness about age discrimination with research, humor and personal references. Drawing upon her acclaimed book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, her powerful discussion and examples will make it clear “that chronological age is an increasingly unreliable benchmark of pretty much anything about a person.” You will wonder how you missed the degree of age bias we tolerate and the myths about age we perpetuate in our culture. You will recognize that demeaning stereotypes about age threaten the best of us at any age. Don't miss this!
In this show, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, expert in gender research and clinical work, offers parents and professionals an insider understanding of Gender Expansive Children -The little boy who insists he is a girl, the teen who identifies as non-binary – both male and female. The author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Ehrensaft clarifies the difference between gender and assigned sex at birth and explains how threads of nature, nurture and culture weave for each of us a Gender Web. Using examples, she describes a Gender Affirmative Model in which she maintains that children will reveal their authentic gender self if we listen to what they are telling us in their behavior and words.She clarifies the use of blockers to postpone puberty vs Gender Affirmative Hormones for those legally old enough to make a decision. She discusses that it is often not gender confusion as much as the gender rejection that leaves children unsupported, unhappy and less confident. This is a very important and informative episode.
Half of all suicide deaths are caused by firearms, and suicides account for nearly two thirds of all deaths by firearms. We are horrified by the epidemic of gun violence in this country. Suicide comprises a substantial portion of the gun violence. There are times when gun violence to others is followed by suicide. In this show Dr. Michael Anestis, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an Associate Professor of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers University returns to Psych Up Live to discuss the unprecedented surge in firearm purchasing during Covid-19. He shares his research on the degree of suicidal thinking in those making purchases and considers whether there is an overlap with additional reasons for gun purchases like threat perceptions, need for protection, anxiety and uncertainties related to the pandemic, economic hardship, racial tensions, and political divides. He considers with concern the increase in gun purchases and the presence of a gun in relation to theories of suicide. Central to this, is his research and belief in Lethal Means Counseling and the Use of Gun Safety Storage Practices as necessary to curb firearm deaths. Whether you are against guns or own guns –you will value this life saving show.
During this pandemic, most people have been grateful for the courage of medical workers. We have heard about the physical demands and emotional burnout they have suffered; but far less about moral injury. In this episode, Dr. Keith Corl, an emergency and critical care physician offers a personal and professional understanding of moral injury of physicians, both before and during COVID-19. Dr. Corl defines moral injury and compares it with burnout and PTSD. Drawing upon examples, he considers the complexity of medical care overseen by a business model and discusses how it compromises the physician-patient relationship. As an associate of Moral Injury of Healthcare, a non-profit organization promoting public awareness and clinician support, he describes the importance of insuring sustainability in committed physicians in view of their present risks of caring. He shares personal ways that he promotes patient connection and care, both for himself and his medical students and staff.
In celebration of Trans Day of Visibility and with recognition of many like Dr. Rachel Levine, the New Assistant Secretary for Health and the first transgender woman to be Senate confirmed, I encore this powerful story. In this podcast, Jane Baker, author of the book, Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, shares the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self and take steps to become a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her daughter wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members. This is a powerful and personal podcast.
In a manner that is personal, specific, at times funny and underscored with thirty years of writing and talking about sex, Tracey Cox invites us to age-proof our sex lives. Drawing upon her 17th and newest book, Great Sex Starts at 50, Tracey invites listeners, across gender and sexual orientation to consider that an understanding of the reality of body changes from hormone depletion, sensitivity, dryness, erectile difficulties etc. are inevitable and need not be a stop sign to sexual connection and intimacy. She discusses the six truths about sex that will never change regardless of age; four steps that will revolutionize your sex life; the challenges of menopause; what to do or say if you haven’t had sex in a number of years with your partner; the differences in sexual desire between men and women; the stages in a couple’s relationship from lust to love; being over fifty, single and sexual and the Media Misperceptions of Sex that impact all of us. Listen in.
In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear when we learn someone is getting a divorce or has been divorced. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two years or twenty, and whether it comes by choice, betrayal or mutual despair. As described in her book, Without This Ring, Abby Rodman does not advocate for divorce: but when there is no choice, she advocates for women to know they are not alone, to believe in themselves and to identify the feelings and dynamics that can be addressed with help on many levels. She will not be speaking about finding someone new. She will be speaking about the power of first finding you. Both women and men will benefit from this show.
We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand why something that seems simple can be so powerful.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston draws upon her new book, Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower, and her experience speaking to academic audiences and businesses like Microsoft and Amazon to teach us how to give feedback, even negative feedback, in a way that turns it into a productive conversation. She considers why 80% of managers feel they are saying the right things; but less than 20% of employees feel appreciated. She asks why men are evaluated on work skills while women are often judged on their personality. Dr. Huston identifies and exemplifies the three types of feedback as Appreciation, Coaching and Evaluation and asks us to discern what an employee wants and needs. She discusses how and why to use praise and urges us to side with the employee rather than the problem. She reminds us that if people feel threatened their brains go into lockdown. Inherent in her message of what makes feedback powerful is the principle -“ Listen as if your job depends on it.”
The Racial Inequities of the Coronavirus are clear. Three times as many Black and Latino Americans have become infected with the Corona Virus compared to their White Neighbors. Many Black Americans have fears and reluctance to be vaccinated. In this show, Dr. Suzanne Phillips is joined by Dr. Zanthia Wiley, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship at Emory University Hospital Midtown, and Dr. Wiley’s Aunt, Denese Rankin. Together they share a Covid Story of hospitalizations, close calls and Dr. Wiley’s return to Alabama to inform and reassure her family and their community of the safety and urgent need for getting the Covid Vaccine. Dr. Zanthia Wiley will draw upon her expertise to address the understandable fears in Black Communities and will answer questions that everyone has raised when considering the Covid Vaccine. Her message to be vaccinated is clarifying, urgent and life-saving.
In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the world is grieving. Families are suffering the traumatic loss of loved ones. Medical professionals grieve for patients they felt responsible to heal. First Responders, caregivers, teachers, adults and children carry the grief of a world of people lost suddenly to an unknown virus. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore’s personal and professional understanding of how to “bear the unbearable,” of how to open a space to process, integrate and deeply honor our grief, is a gift. Drawing upon her unique and powerful book, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, her own experience of loss and decades of supporting individuals, families and communities, she invites a new meaning and experience of grief. She invites you to recognize grief as a natural process that unfolds in your own way and in your own time, restoring and illuminating your love and humanity. We need this show.
Three marriage experts, Robyn D’Angelo, Heather Sequin and John Harrison join host Suzanne Phillips to share valuable couple strategies. Psychologist Robyn D’Angelo talks about her “ Mastering the Messiness of Couplehood Together Series” and considers how someone would handle an “ anxious partner.” Marriage Therapist Heather Seguin shares her expertise in how to respond to a sex-addicted partner. She defines sex addiction and the type of help needed to heal and repair a marriage. John Harrison, clinical counselor, considers the couple transition from romantic partners to co-parents without losing their bond.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Anestis, clinical psychologist, and award winning researcher discusses his powerful book, Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. Dr. Anestis is not advocating for or against gun ownership. What he is advocating for is prevention of firearm suicides. Funded by the Department of Defense through a program known as the Military Suicide Research Consortium, Michael Anestis collected and will share findings like the fact that each year the majority of gun deaths in the US are suicide deaths – more than homicide, mass shootings or terrorism. He will address the lethality of a gun when there is suicidal thinking and consider myths and theories of suicide including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) and the Three Step Theory. Central to his goal, Dr. Anestis will define the use of “means safety” for suicide prevention and the importance of taking a public health approach to firearm suicide prevention.
Among other things, the pandemic has taken jobs, economic stability, business ventures and the hope of new employment for many. In this episode we address this dilemma. Our Guest, Dr. Joel Evans, a Distinguished Professor of Business Emeritus at Hofstra University, and an expert on career planning and development provides a path to career planning during a pandemic. He offers specific strategies, skills, perspective and preparation for finding employment whether you are a new graduate, a seasoned worker without a job or a person in need of a career switch. Dr. Evans discusses the virtual interview, online resources for networking and skill building, free online job webinars, tools for going forward after losing a job and requirements for jobs in certain fields. Regardless of your experience, job category or education, you will take away valuable information. Listen in and call in.
An eighteen year old is charged with the lethal stabbing of a 17 year old boy, who he believed was dating an x-girlfriend. The typical age range for a gang member is 12–24 years old. Starting with Columbine High School in 1999, the US has seen more than 230 elementary and HS school shootings. In this show, Joseph Kolb, Executive Director for the Southwest Gang Information Center and Instructor in the Criminal Justice Program at Western New Mexico University addresses the causative factors, warning signs and potential solutions for teen violence. Drawing upon his book, Teen Violence in America: How Do We Save Our Children? he invites us to understand the external realities and underlining factors of school shootings, bullying, violent media, and social media exposure. As a parent, educator, and former law officer, he offers strategies for building teen resilience, fostering empowerment, enhancing social awareness, reducing fear, boredom and overcoming obstacles.
Whether you are newly married, a middle aged couple, the identified In-Laws or the bewildered Out-Laws of an expanded family, you need to hear this show. In it, psychologist and author Dr. Geoffrey Greif draws upon his new and acclaimed book written with Dr. Michael Woolley, “ In-law Relationships: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, and Sons.” Dr. Greif shares research using interviews and surveys with a total of 1,500 people to illuminate why some in-laws connect and others clash and even crash. He considers the impact of interfaith, interracial, gay and lesbian couples on in-law relationships. He examines the validity of the negative cultural stereotype of mothers-in-law and reports what mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law say. He considers what happens that is different in the relationships between male in-laws and overall offers important strategies for improving any in-law relationship.
When we consider the definition of shame we often compare it to Guilt. Commonly, it is thought that we feel guilt for something we have done that is unacceptable; but with shame, we feel that we are unacceptable. In this episode Dr. Joe Burgo expands the formal definition of Toxic Shame discussed by John Bradshaw as the result of unspeakable child abuse or the oppressive force of social shame addressed by Brene’ Brown. Drawing upon his new book, Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy and Build True Self-Esteem, Dr. Burgo invites us to consider shame as an entire family of emotions like the pain of unrequited love, the embarrassment of exclusion, the exposure of getting sick at the party or the shame of a disappointed expectation like the college entry rejection or the canceled engagement. Essentially, Dr. Burgo invites us not to be ashamed of shame as it is an aspect of many human feelings. Rather than deny it, Dr. Burgo demonstrates how to use it to build Shame Resilience and Self-Esteem.
In this show Dr. Elisha Goldstein returns to Psych Up Live to describe, discuss and exemplify aspects of his important new program “ Uncover the Power Within”. Dr. Elisha Goldstein will share the personal journey that brings him to his tireless work of empowering people to understand the causes of depression, anxiety and unhappiness. In this episode he uncovers the battle between surviving and really living. He shares the ingredients that help us adapt practices to relax the nervous system, combat distraction, and heal self-image. He offers an understanding of the power of connection between people to enhance the use of mindfulness, the gift of self-compassion and much more. If you find Elisha very easy to hear and understand, it is because his message is both informative and always underscored with kindness and compassion. Listen in.
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In this episode Dr. Andrea Brandt, psychologist and author draws upon her latest book, Mindful Aging: Embracing Your Life After 50 to Find Fulfillment, Purpose, and Joy, to refute the notion of aging as chronic deterioration and decline and invite us to be “ On top of the hill rather than over the hill!” Toward this end, she draws upon research and offers specific strategies for knowing ourselves better, accepting our passions and truths, letting go of regrets and making a plan for bringing our dreams to life. She discusses the use of realistic positivity and guides us through the use of emotional mindfulness. She challenges us to look back in our history for forgotten joys and offers inspiring examples and methods for replacing loss and rethinking limits. You will be as energized as you are inspired by her use of a mind-body-heart connection for well being at any age.
We are in a time of extraordinary loss of loved ones. Worldwide, more than a million people have died from Covid-19. Countless others have died of other causes. With extraordinary loss of loved ones there is extraordinary grief. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore helps us understand and handle our grief. Drawing upon her new book, Grieving is Loving: Compassionate Words for Bearing the Unbearable, Dr. Cacciatore invites us to consider grief as something that can’t be ignored, rushed or diagnosed away as it is the natural reflection of the love we feel for the loss of a loved one. She invites us to recognize that we don’t work to reduce the grief, we own it and increase our capacity to cope. We embrace the here and now, we muster the courage to join with others who can be with us in the dark and we recognize that grief and happiness are not incompatible. Drawing upon extraordinary quotes, stories and reflections, Dr. Cacciatore offers us a path to grieving, loving and living.
In this show, Dr. Juliette McClendon, Research Psychologist in the Women’s Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, draws upon her expertise and research findings to discuss the impact of racism and discrimination on racial/ethnic health disparities. She will consider the role of Systemic Racism in obscuring these disparities, the role of intergenerational racial trauma in mental and physical health and the intersection of gender discrimination and racism on the health of women of Color. She will discuss possible intervention approaches to mitigate the impact of racism-related stress and trauma on the health of people of Color.
Dr. Kristin Neff is the recognized pioneer in the field of Self Compassion research and the author of the important book, Self-Compassion-The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. As individuals, families and communities we need to find a way to cope with the stress, fear and uncertainty we face. As you listen to Kristen Neff, you will hear something unexpected and important – the reasons and the research that reveal Self-Compassion as a powerful personal resource for coping and maintaining sustainability in difficult times. Kristin Neff will draw upon examples to share why self-compassion is different than self-pity or self-esteem. She will answer the paradox of why embracing our negative feelings with kindness actually empowers us, why self-compassion expands our comfort with mistakes, and fosters self-esteem as a by-product of functioning despite roadblocks. She will exemplify the use of self-compassion and Mindful Self-Compassion. We need Self-Compassion.
The amount of stress worldwide is at an all-time high as the Corona Virus spreads. Self-Care and understanding alternative ways of easing pain are important. This show takes a close look at the varied forms of Alternative Medicine from Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic to religious belief, embraced by millions seeking relief for chronic pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia etc. Our guest author, Melanie Warner draws upon her important new book, The Magic Feather Effect: The Science of Alternative Medicine and the Surprising Power of Belief, to invite us into a personal research journey which involves her meeting with clinicians, scientists, and healers world-wide, to answer questions like- Why have these Alternative Medicines become so popular? Why do some people report dramatic relief while others don’t? Can the results be subject to scientific proof? Is it the placebo effect? Do we need to recognize and use the surprising system of self-healing that belongs to us.
In this episode, Ken Page, psychotherapist and author of “Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy” returns to Psych Up Live to tell us about his new Deeper Dating Online site. Ken will describe how his work with countless people in groups and workshops on Deeper Dating inspired him to consider an online site. He will review the story behind the website in terms of the tenets of Deeper Dating like recognizing and honoring our core values; the difference between attractions of deprivation and attractions of inspiration; the Seven Rules of Deeper Dating and more. He will share with you what it means to translate Deeper Dating into a shared online place with others. You will find this to be an informative and very interesting show.
In this podcast, Filmmaker Susan Sipprelle of “Set for Life” and “ Over 50 and Out of Work” comes to Psych Up Live on the Variety Channel of Voice America to discuss her important documentary, “ Soldier On: Life After Deployment.” This feature length documentary chronicles with honesty and humor the challenges that three post-9/11 female veterans face readjusting to civilian life after their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Susan Sipprelle is joined on the show by one of the female veterans featured in the film, Natasha Young. In the back and forth with host, Dr. Suzanne Phillips, Sue Sipprelle will discuss the reason that she chose to make this documentary and the impact of sharing the personal journeys of these veteran women. Veteran Natasha Young offers the personal view of her painful and challenging journey to assimilate back into today’s society and her new mission of working with veterans at home.
In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstrates the power of self-compassion to enhance self-knowledge and motivation and describes and exemplifies its use of self-kindness, human connection and mindfulness to offset self-criticism and the trap of self-loathing. To hear Kristin Neff, is to receive an insider’s understanding of a powerful resource for coping, healing and growing in every day life. Self- Compassion is within our grasp.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist and the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind “creeped out” the “agent detection mechanism” tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the “ sensed presence” of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.
In this episode, author Francesca Beauman draws upon her interesting and well researched book, Matrimony, Inc. to invite us to consider that from Frontier Days, through Wars, Industrialization and Immigration, people have been advertising for love. Replacing matchmaking, personal ads, from a homesteader looking for a wife “ Must have teeth!” to a “ Genteel male seeking a wife,” a woman wanting a husband- “not beyond middle age, perfectly sober,” to profiles on Match.com or swipes on Tinder, the requests may look different but actually reflect many similar themes, cautions, hints and needs. What is different today is the degree of speed, choice and options for everyone. Relevant to the way needs have shaped the personal ads, Francesca will consider dating during the COVID epidemic. We will ask her advice on effective personal ads and online profiles and how to tell if someone you can only meet online through facetime, phone calls or safe distanced meetings might be a worth pursuing.
Four Walls Theater is a grassroots socially responsible theater that produces new plays with diverse artists from around the country. Their upcoming show is the world premiere of “BARS,” a drama by Pravin Wilkins. On Psych Up Live, we are privileged to have an insider look with producer, directors, playwright and cast. We start with Elana Gartner, Founder and Producer and Gina Marie Dropp, the Artistic Director of Four Walls, who discuss the relevance and mission of this virtual theater during COVID and the reason for their choice of “ Bars.” Playwright Pravin Wilkins joins us to discuss his award-winning play in the light of oppressive social issues like the power of prosecutors to shape how laws are applied, to whom, and to what ends. Director Heather Harvey joins us to consider this play with respect to civic engagement at this time, and antiracism in our political engagement. Actress Janan Ashton considers her role as a female activist in personal and broader terms.
In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
We face a time of misinformation and ongoing fear of the COVID-19 Virus which has already taken the lives of 200,000 in the US. Concurrent with that is the fear, provocation and the reality of violence as economic hardship, racial oppression and political division fuel dissent. We are essentially fighting two epidemics. In this show, Dr. Gary Slutkin, epidemiologist recognized for reversing contagious diseases like TB, Cholera and AIDS across the globe and Founder and CEO of Cure Violence, ranked 1st among organizations devoted to reducing violence, addresses the epidemics we are facing. Dr. Slutkin will weigh in on the Corona Virus in terms of his perspective on susceptibility, exposure, incubation, spread, testing, and prevention. Just how safe can we be? He will be asked if we can reduce current violence in this country. Is there a relationship between COVID-19 and Violence? Can the Cure Violence model be applied in the face of systemic racism and political dissent?
In this episode, Samantha Waltz, the author of the powerful book, Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience and three of her wonderful contributing writers, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Gigi Rosenberg, and Emma Kate Tsai will share their personal experiences of being parents or children in stepfamilies. As three of the thirty professional writers who share their blended experience in this book, their voices convey more than the facts or dynamics of stepfamilies. They convey in a personal way the challenges of connection, the promise and pain of children who have lost parents from divorce or death, the fears of rejection and expectations of stepparents and the reasons for laughing, crying and celebrating. As the stories move from the “ Coming Together” of blended families to stories of “Acceptance” they broaden the understanding of stepfamilies and offer guidance, compassion and hope.
This show deals with a dangerous but unknown reality – According to the American Federation of Suicide Prevention, 300 to 400 doctors in the US die by suicide each year. That is more than double the rate of the general population. Why? In this show Corey Feist, JD, health care executive and Co-Founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation brings us up close and personal to the causes and necessary actions for prevention of physician suicide. He will share the story of Dr. Lorna Breen, an experienced ER doctor at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital who worked with COVID-19 patients, contracted COVID, returned to work and ultimately died by suicide. Her story illuminates the dangerous expectations internalized by medical professionals, the understandable reality of burnout, depression, moral injury and the stigma of mental health needs and treatment. He will discuss the exacerbation of this reality by COVID-19 and consider steps for protection and care of those who care for us.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Anestis, clinical psychologist, and award winning researcher discusses his powerful book, Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. Dr. Anestis is not advocating for or against gun ownership. What he is advocating for is prevention of firearm suicides. Funded by the Department of Defense through a program known as the Military Suicide Research Consortium, Michael Anestis collected and will share findings like the fact that each year the majority of gun deaths in the US are suicide deaths – more than homicide, mass shootings or terrorism. He will address the lethality of a gun when there is suicidal thinking and consider myths and theories of suicide including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) and the Three Step Theory. Central to his goal, Dr. Anestis will define the use of “means safety” for suicide prevention and the importance of taking a public health approach to firearm suicide prevention.
We live in a time when an understanding of power and the abuse of power has tremendous importance. In this show, Dr. Dacher Keltner, psychologist, Faculty Director of the Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, and acclaimed researcher, awakens us to The Power Paradox. Drawing upon his latest book, The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence, Dr. Keltner defines power that gives and power that grabs. Citing fascinating studies, he discusses the ways in which a person, be it a teen, a teacher or a world leader, gets power and then faces the Power Paradox - the choice of keeping it or being corrupted by it. As an honored professor, researcher with over 190 publications, consultant on emotions for Facebook, Google, and the Disney Pixar movie, “ Inside Out,” Dr. Keltner’s discussion of the Power Paradox is one we need to hear.
In this episode, Dr. Justin Yopp, psychologist at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital, draws upon his work and co-authored book, The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life, to share the story of young fathers who lose their spouses to terminal illness and must take up the challenge of raising their grieving children. Given men don’t usually seek group help after loss, this is an unusual and emotionally powerful story of a men’s group, “The Single Fathers Due to Cancer Support Group.” Dr. Justin Yopp discusses the collaboration he and his co-leader have with the group, the magnitude of the men’s shared loss, their similar and different stories, the bond they unexpectedly forge, the responses of their children, and their steps to reimagine their lives. Underscoring this window into the group is a clarification of theory relative to bereavement, depression, children’s needs, and post-traumatic growth. You will be incredibly moved and informed by this shared men’s group experience.
As we struggle with the challenge of safely sending children back to school, weighing concern for their social needs while moderating our own anxiety, this episode becomes relevant and important. Sue Badeau, nationally known speaker, writer and consultant for traumatized children brings her perspective of helping children by helping those who care for them. As mother of 22 children with years of expertise with child welfare, the juvenile justice systems, the Council on Adoptable Children, the National and The Child Traumatic Stress Network, she knows the dynamics personally and professionally. She is joined by her daughter, Chelsea Badeau, artist and designer of their new book, Building Bridges of Hope: A Coloring Book For Adults Caring for Children Who have Experienced Trauma. You will hear strategies from research, theory, and clinical experience and tools for bridging hope.
All of us own a life story that reflects a legacy of events we have received from the generations before us and that we will pass on to future generations. In this episode, Elaine Cooper, LCSW, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and author of LET'S ALL HOLD HANDS AND DROP DEAD: Three Generations - One Story, invites us to understand and identify intergenerational trauma and transgenerational trauma, their impact, how we heal and even change the legacy. Drawing upon experience, established research, clinical and group expertise, Elaine Cooper illuminates this topic in a way that will make you reconsider the generational legacy you carry, what it means for your present life, your family, your health, your genetic profile, your strengths, your decisions and the life story you choose to own.You will think about your life differently.
In this episode, Dr. Pauline Boss, esteemed scientist practitioner who coined the term 'Ambiguous Loss,' discusses the meaning of Ambiguous Loss and how it differs from other losses. Drawing upon powerful examples, Dr. Boss discusses physical ambiguous loss and psychological ambiguous loss due to dementia from disease, brain injury etc. She clarifies that Ambiguous Loss is not a result of pathology, but rather the ambiguity of the circumstances of loss. Using examples like the families of 9-11 she describes the understandable impact on a family when a parent is gone but loss cannot be substantiated. With the aim of building resilience rather than pathologizing, Dr. Boss discusses the Psychological Family, the Family Narrative and the ability to engage Dialectical Thinking - 'my husband is both absent and present in our hearts and minds.' Dr. Boss references Victor Frankel’s Importance Of Finding Meaning, Adjusting Mastery Up Or Down and discovering 'New Hope' by risking change.
If you are in a relationship, you have to hear this episode. It will be as enjoyable as it will be strikingly helpful to you and your partner. According to psychotherapist and author, Keith Wilson, if you are in a real relationship and you haven’t had a conflict yet – you haven’t been paying attention. As Keith describes, violence is the avoidance of conflict. Being able to work through clashes as a couple, offers great potential. With anecdote, metaphor and examples, Keith draws upon 30 years of practice with couples to discuss the steps for regulating conflict. He will invite you to turn off the alarm in your head that scans partner disconnection, know where and how to ask the right questions – be it about an affair or getting up for the kids. He will clarify how to give and get feedback, avoid the four fouls that contaminate any conflict and turn conflict into really knowing, trusting and loving each other. Listen in.
During this pandemic, most people have been grateful for the courage of medical workers. We have heard about the physical demands and emotional burnout they have suffered; but far less about moral injury. In this episode, Dr. Keith Corl, an emergency and critical care physician offers a personal and professional understanding of moral injury of physicians, both before and during COVID-19. Dr. Corl defines moral injury and compares it with burnout and PTSD. Drawing upon examples, he considers the complexity of medical care overseen by a business model and discusses how it compromises the physician-patient relationship. As an associate of Moral Injury of Healthcare, a non-profit organization promoting public awareness and clinician support, he describes the importance of insuring sustainability in committed physicians in view of their present risks of caring. He shares personal ways that he promotes patient connection and care, both for himself and his medical students and staff.
In a culture of cyber-attacks, misinformation, political digital trolling, hacked accounts, cyber-staking and revenge porn, this show invites us to consider our online exposure. In this episode, Dr. Sheri Bauman, author of the new book, Political Cyberbullying: Perpetrators and Targets of a New Digital Aggression, looks closely at the digital world we inhabit and the reality of the negativity and dangers we face. She discusses causes of cyber-aggression, the impact of high-status celebrity and political cyber-aggression, the definition and mobilization of trolls, memes, cyberstalking and exploitative dating sites. She addresses how we can continue to benefit from our digital universe without harm. Very Informative show.
If you are human, it is likely that you have hurt and been hurt by others. What may be less likely is knowing how to find a road to reconciliation or addressing the reality that reconciliation may not be instantly possible or possible at all. In this episode, Keith Wilson, licensed mental health counselor draws upon his years of clinical experience and his book, The Road to Reconciliation: A Comprehensive Guide to Peace when Relationships Go Bad, to offer an understanding of the pitfalls and possibilities of reconciliation. With candor and examples, Keith is upfront with the roles engaged in and sometimes shared by offender and victim. He invites recognition of the complexities and the context, lists the steps of reparation and encourages a personal consideration of one’s responsibility. He clarifies apologies, making amends and the victim’s choice to reconcile– all of which become more painful and possible with partners and spouses. You will be intrigued and informed.
I encored this episode because if offers a striking example of the power of radical empathy to address differences, bias, projections and stereotypes. In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned authors, artists and community leaders who use the story exchange across the globe to build empathy and connection with tens of thousands of students in classrooms and communities.. An important expansion of this project, particularly relevant given national and international strife, is “Empathy Into Action,” a campaign that uses the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues with radical empathy. You will hear how it unfolds in “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. You will be moved and startled by what you hear.
Whether faced with unforeseeable life circumstances, economic hardship, physical or emotional distress, many people wish that they could re-invent or re-define themselves. Could they dare consider a new line of work, a different relationship, a less addictive way of regulating stress, or a less passive response to controlling others? In this episode, Anita K, author of the book, Behaving Bravely: How to Mindshift Life’s Challenges, draws upon her own life, her work as a life coach in the competitive HR world and a wide range of recognized practices for mind and body to address ways to make difficult changes possible. What makes her approach appealing is her bridge from Reflective Practices like Meditation, mindfulness, visualization, affirmations etc. to action plans. Recognizing how difficult this can be, Anita captures the steps in the acronym BRAVE. She discusses and exemplifies how an achievable plan incorporates beliefs, readiness, alignment of steps, vision and engagement.
Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, loss of loved ones, school and business shut-downs and social protest, many adults are stressed. Little ones are also stressed and be it from what they feel in those around them or for completely different reasons, sometimes they are sad. What can parents do? In this episode, Psychologist and esteemed author, Dr. Deborah Serani returns to Psych Up Live with a new children’s book, Sometimes When I’m Sad. Beautifully illustrated, it offers the feelings and behaviors of being sad in the words of a little boy. As you will hear in Dr. Serani’s discussion and reading of sections, it gives both parent and child a valuable way to express and address sadness. Providing further guidance, Dr. Serani will be discussing: How to spot sadness in a child, ways to reduce sadness and when to seek professional help. She will also address and explain the unique value of bibliotherapy.
In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist and the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind “creeped out” the “agent detection mechanism” tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the “ sensed presence” of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.
In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the world is grieving. Families are suffering the traumatic loss of loved ones. Medical professionals grieve for patients they felt responsible to heal. First Responders, caregivers, teachers, adults and children carry the grief of a world of people lost suddenly to an unknown virus. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore’s personal and professional understanding of how to “bear the unbearable,” of how to open a space to process, integrate and deeply honor our grief, is a gift. Drawing upon her unique and powerful book, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, her own experience of loss and decades of supporting individuals, families and communities, she invites a new meaning and experience of grief. She invites you to recognize grief as a natural process that unfolds in your own way and in your own time, restoring and illuminating your love and humanity. We need this show.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner. Our guest, Betty Hafner is one of those who suffered. A teacher, counselor, and author, Betty will draw upon her beautiful but terrifying book, Not Exactly Love: A Memoir. She will give us the insider’s view of the dark and complex trap of Domestic Violence. You will hear about bruises on her wedding day, necessary denial, frozen fear, cycles of love and abuse, the reason people can’t leave, the shame and excuses, the split off professional life, the isolation, the echoes of historical roots, self-doubt, police, therapy and incremental steps of self-protection, self-esteem and a way out. Betty Hafner’s memoir reads with the power and suspense of fiction; but it is painfully true. Whether you are male or female, have suffered from domestic or intimate partner violence or tried to help someone who has, you will want to hear this show.
While the choice of using marijuana is personal and legalization is likely moving forward, Alex Berenson, former New York Times reporter, invites you to consider this question with your children- How dangerous is today’s marijuana? Drawing upon research, he clarifies that unlike the marijuana smoked in the 1970’s with a 2% level of THC, the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, today the level of THC is 25%. Underscoring this potency, Berenson untangles the THC in marijuana with the relatively small amount of CBD, the non-intoxicating extract of cannabis, used to treat medical problems. Many assume that recreational marijuana is safe and benign because of the medical association. The findings are quite the contrary. Berenson reports mental illness and violence as possible reactions from smoking marijuana-with increasing use increasing the risk. Whatever your opinion– for the sake of your children, listen in.
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In face of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the teens are home and the college kids have returned. The nest is full and challenges to clash and opportunities for connection keep unfolding. In this episode, Dr. John Duffy, clinical psychologist, best-selling author, parenting and relationship expert, addresses the issues many are facing: How do parents cope with their kids’ emotional reactions, day-to-day needs, their own jobs and their own relationship? How do teens cope when rites of passage have been canceled and being with peers happens only online? Can college kids psychologically go home again? How do they connect with family while maintaining their emerging victories of independence? What are the expectations, the realities and the memories to take away as individuals and family members face this unimaginable event in their lives?
In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fact that Bipolar Disorder is no one’s fault. It is genetic. Michael discusses the difficulty with diagnosis and offers clinical ways to confront denial and the fear of losing creative potential. He discusses treatments that involve specific medications as well as various therapies for those suffering and family members. An important focus is his Three-Phase Approach to Bipolar Therapy. Michael Pipich’s goal is acceptance of Bipolar with less stigma and treatment with more success.
In this show, Dr.Rebecca Hershberg, author of The Tantrum Survival Guide, returns to Psych Up live to consider ways to foster resilience in children during Covid-19. She answers the questions that parents have been holding – How will my children remember this time in their lives? Will it be experienced as traumatic? What do I say when my 6 year old asks if Grandpa will die or when will we have play dates again? How can I juggle my job, the kids, the pets and decontaminating the mail? How do I answer questions I don’t have answers for? Listen in. Rebecca will be drawing upon her expertise as a psychologist as well as her day to day life with her own little ones. She will to offer you ways to realize and utilize the power of your parent-child connection. You will be informed, reassured and invited to find the moments of laughter we all need.
In this show, host Dr. Suzanne Phillips joins her colleagues, Drs. Molyn Leszcz and Craig Haen, from the American Group Psychotherapy Association to support resilience and foster stress reduction in medical and mental health professionals facing the Corona Pandemic. The world watches with gratitude as medical health professionals work tirelessly to care for Covid patients despite supply shortages, fatigue, and fear of infection. New and existing patients turn to Mental Health Professionals to help contain fear, loss, and dysregulation in the face of an invisible and lethal threat. Drawing upon years of hospital experience and research in the aftermath of the SARS Epidemic, Dr. Molyn Leszcz discusses the principles, connections, coping strategies, physical and psychological safety that fuel resilience in Medical Professionals. Dr. Craig Haen considers both the strain and strategies for sustaining resilience in mental health professionals available to the emotional needs of patients.
In this episode Dr. Frank Sileo, award winning children’s author and psychologist, identifies common childhood challenges and feelings and discusses the power of stories to address them. He considers fears, stress, self-confidence, making mistakes, friends, gossip, being different and separation from parents. He demonstrates in the books he writes like, Sally Sore Loser; Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town; Bug Bites and Campfires: A Story for Kids about Homesickness; A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, etc. what research has found about the power of books to develop empathy and coping skills. He shares an understanding of how reading takes children out of their world to another place where they see the world through another’s eyes. When that story is shared with a parent, teacher or another child, it is an intimate experience of shared imagination. If you love children and you love stories, listen in to learn how valuable the joy of reading can be.
The amount of stress worldwide is at an all-time high as the Corona Virus spreads. Self-Care and understanding alternative ways of easing pain are important. This show takes a close look at the varied forms of Alternative Medicine from Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic to religious belief, embraced by millions seeking relief for chronic pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia etc. Our guest author, Melanie Warner draws upon her important new book, The Magic Feather Effect: The Science of Alternative Medicine and the Surprising Power of Belief, to invite us into a personal research journey which involves her meeting with clinicians, scientists, and healers world-wide, to answer questions like- Why have these Alternative Medicines become so popular? Why do some people report dramatic relief while others don’t? Can the results be subject to scientific proof? Is it the placebo effect? Do we need to recognize and use the surprising system of self-healing that belongs to us.
In this show, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, expert in gender research and clinical work, offers parents and professionals an insider understanding of Gender Expansive Children -The little boy who insists he is a girl, the teen who identifies as non-binary – both male and female. The author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Ehrensaft clarifies the difference between gender and assigned sex at birth and explains how threads of nature, nurture and culture weave for each of us a Gender Web. Using examples, she describes a Gender Affirmative Model in which she maintains that children will reveal their authentic gender self if we listen to what they are telling us in their behavior and words. She discusses that it is often not the gender confusion as much as the gender rejection that leaves children unsupported, unhappy and less confident.
In this show Dr. Dawn Buse, Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Montefiore Headache Center and Associate Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine draws upon her extensive experience to discuss living well with migraine. She demystifies migraine and shares important treatment possibilities. Drawing upon her recent research, she addresses what has often been overlooked, the impact of migraine on a family. She offers strategies for managing migraine and living well as a parent and/or spouse with this chronic suffering. Her shared expertise will benefit the many people who cope with migraine and the families who love them.
We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand why something that seems simple can be so powerful.
This episode offers an insider look at Sex Trafficking as the backdrop for an important discussion of the unrecognized traumatic events that are carried by the vast majority of children and adults who become the victims of Sex Trafficking. As a survivor and a mental health professional, Savannah Sanders draws upon her life and book, Sex Trafficking Prevention: A Trauma Informed Approach for Parents and Professionals to advocate for a trauma-informed approach to prevention and healing. She invites parents and professionals to recognize the signs of suffering and vulnerability often obscured by behavioral problems and symptoms. She identifies why and how certain children from every culture and socio-economic level become targets who are groomed and trapped in “The Life.” She discusses the myths, stereotypes and realities of Sex Trafficking and offers parents and professionals valuable tools for prevention and intervention. This show is alarming and crucial to hear.
In a culture of teen cyberbullying, claims of fake news, political digital trolling, hacked accounts, cyber-staking and revenge porn, this show invites us to consider our online exposure. In this episode, Dr. Sheri Bauman, author of the new book, Political Cyberbullying: Perpetrators and Targets of a New Digital Aggression, looks closely at the digital world we inhabit and the reality of the negativity and dangers we face. She discusses causes of cyber-aggression, the impact of high-status celebrity and political cyber-aggression, the definition and mobilization of trolls, memes, cyberstalking and exploitative dating sites. She addresses how we can continue to benefit from our digital universe without harm. Very Informative show.
In this episode, Ross Rosenberg, psychotherapist and author of The Human Magnet Syndrome: The Co-dependent Narcissist Trap, draws upon his experience and clinical examples to offer an understanding of the difference between love and entrapment in a Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome. He discusses the meaning of codependency and how its traces back to childhood attachment. He considers the role it plays in keeping a person with a self-love deficiency addicted to a pathological narcissist whose charm belies their hidden dependency, dangerous control, lack of empathy and abusive need for the partner. Ross Rosenberg defines and exemplifies the “Gaslighting” used by a Pathological Narcissist to exert mind control on the partner. Importantly, he answers the questions so often asked: Why do people fall in love with Pathological Narcissists? Why do they stay and even defend these abusive partners? Can they end this type of addictive relationship?
While this is a culture in which most kids have been exposed to images of sexuality in social media, series, advertisements and even porn from early ages, most teens have difficulty speaking about sex or really understanding how to negotiate anything from changes in their own body to sexual attraction to somebody else. Studies reveal that parents speaking to their children plays an important role in their children’s understanding and sexual decision making but it is not easy for parents to speak to their kids about sex. This show offers some answers. Guests Dr. Andrew Smiler, psychologist and author of “ Dating and Sex: A guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy and Joyce McFadden psychotherapist and author of the groundbreaking book Modern Mothering, reflecting her research with 450 women and her expertise on how girls learn sexuality from their mothers share the challenges and possibilities of the ongoing sex conversation with kids.
In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
Suicide claims the lives of more police officers than violence in the line of duty. The police suicide rate is three times that of the general public. In August 2019 two officers in New York died by suicide a day apart – adding to a toll of 122 that year, the highest toll in the nation in four years. In this show Dr. John Violanti, psychologist, retired 23-year police veteran and now academic researcher brings us up close to the multiple and complex causes of police suicide. Drawing upon the second edition of his important book, Police Suicide: A Blue Epidemic, Dr. Violanti will consider the scope of the problem and the complex interaction of personal, professional, cultural and organizational factors that increase the potential for suicide. He will also discuss organizational recognition of the problem, training and suicide prevention programs. This epidemic impacts everyone.
Have you ever wondered why your efforts at work aren’t generating sales or despite your efforts to lead a volunteer group, the results are less than expected? In this episode, Anne Corley Baum, a Senior Lehigh Executive and the author of “ Small Mistakes, Big Consequences: Develop Your Soft Skills to Help You Succeed,” draws upon her business experience and leadership development programs to offer new perspective and usable “ soft skills” to improve success. She invites us to consider overlooked behavior and characteristics in ourselves and others that shut down trust, collaboration and great results. She presents these in terms of clever character types you will enjoy, remember and receive strategies to handle. Listen in.
Building on an earlier show on Psych Up Live “ Porn on the Brain” with Gary Wilson, this show features Gabe Deem who shares his personal story of Internet Porn Addiction and recovery. As an activist for better sex education, a writer, public speaker and the founder of Reboot Nation, Gabe Deem offers lessons learned and research findings on the physical, neurological and sexual consequences of Internet porn addiction. Recognizing the possibility of rebooting the brain to again be capable and responsive in sexual functioning with a partner, Gabe Deem discusses his creation of RebootNation.org, a free, online community with over 11,000 members, which helps addicts and their partners overcome problems related to porn use. Gabe Deem also shares his concerns with porn’s impact on youth and recommendations for educating parents to speak with young people about Internet porn.
What happens when an esteemed psychologist-psychoanalyst writes a suspense novel? You have a thriller you can’t put down. In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, award winning author of Living with Depression, Depression and Your Child” and Depression in Later Life” returns to Psych Up Live to discuss her award winning psychological suspense novel, The Ninth Session. In this faced paced novel, Dr. Serani brings the reader right into the psychologist’s office, giving access to a treatment process that is as accurate as it is terrifying. Whether you enjoy a good mystery, you are curious about the inside process of psychotherapy or you are a therapist, you will wonder why the psychologist is not concerned by her supervisor’s question, “ Now why do you want to work with this patient?” Treat yourself to the book and even if you haven’t yet read it, listen in as Dr. Serani discusses her reasons for writing this thriller and the story behind the story. Listen in and Call in.
If you are someone who struggles with falling asleep or staying asleep – you are not alone. An estimated 164 million Americans (68%) reported struggling with sleep at least once per week. In this show, Dr.Courtney Bancroft, Yale-trained, licensed psychologist specializing in all-natural, evidence-based insomnia treatment, offers some answers. Dr. Bancroft clarifies the nature and patterns of sleep, discusses the reality and myths associated with insomnia, and helps us to examine factors that may keep us from sleeping. She offers strategies for improved sleep hygiene and exemplifies the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with a case example. If you or someone you know suffers with insomnia or sleep difficulties– Listen in.
On this show host Suzanne Phillips and guest Dr. Andrea Bonior will invite us to consider the best and the worst we have faced in our friendships. We will be talking about how to make friends as well as the problem of what to do when a friend goes from terrific to toxic. We will ask if we have different criteria for friends at different ages and for men and women friends. We will consider if singles have more friends than married folks and whether marriage destroys friendships. We will raise the issue of friends on social media and ask if Facebook Friends are as important as the friends we see in living color. We will invite our listeners to consider when and if they choose their spouse’s friends and identify the most common Friend Blunders.
Against the frenzy of Holiday Shopping with Promotions, Sales, Countdowns, and Pop Up Deals for Only You, this podcast addresses the why and how of shopping addiction. Drs. Jean Petrucelli and Ricardo Rieppi, experienced psychoanalysts with teaching and writing expertise in the field of addiction and compulsion, offer an extraordinary look at shopping addiction. They examine the emotionally charged topic of money and its role in shopping addiction. They consider conscious and unconscious factors, age differences, gender differences, and reasons for needing help and seeking help. Drawing upon case examples they illuminate the needs of the addicted shopper and the goals of treatment. You will be intrigued and informed by this insider look at Shopping Addiction.
When we consider the definition of shame we often compare it to Guilt. Commonly, it is thought that we feel guilt for something we have done that is unacceptable; but with shame, we feel that we are unacceptable. In this episode Dr. Joe Burgo expands the formal definition of Toxic Shame discussed by John Bradshaw as the result of unspeakable child abuse or the oppressive force of social shame addressed by Brene’ Brown. Drawing upon his new book, Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy and Build True Self-Esteem, Dr. Burgo invites us to consider shame as an entire family of emotions like the pain of unrequited love, the embarrassment of exclusion, the exposure of getting sick at the party or the shame of a disappointed expectation like the college entry rejection or the canceled engagement. Essentially, Dr. Burgo invites us not to be ashamed of shame as it is an aspect of many human feelings. Rather than deny it, Dr. Burgo demonstrates how to use it to build Shame Resilience and Self-Esteem.
In this episode, Dr. Pauline Boss, esteemed scientist practitioner who coined the term 'Ambiguous Loss,' discusses the meaning of Ambiguous Loss and how it differs from other losses. Drawing upon powerful examples, Dr. Boss discusses physical ambiguous loss and psychological ambiguous loss due to dementia from disease, brain injury etc. She clarifies that Ambiguous Loss is not a result of pathology, but rather the ambiguity of the circumstances of loss. Using examples like the families of 9-11 she describes the understandable impact on a family when a parent is gone but loss cannot be substantiated. With the aim of building resilience rather than pathologizing, Dr. Boss discusses the Psychological Family, the Family Narrative and the ability to engage Dialectical Thinking - 'my husband is both absent and present in our hearts and minds.' Dr. Boss references Victor Frankel’s Importance Of Finding Meaning, Adjusting Mastery Up Or Down and discovering 'New Hope' by risking change.
In this show, Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of the new book, “Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too” shares her story and the countless stories of others who reveal the powerful impact of adopted pets and their owners upon each other. From Parkland HS students, who lost friends in the horrific school shooting, but found the presence and adoption of dogs to be the bridges from terror and loss to love and comfort, to couples improving their relationships, to people helped with physical illness, addiction recovery or finding a purpose in life – adopting a dog is a gift that keeps on giving, even to others beyond the pet and owner. Importantly, Carol underscores stories with research science which verifies and expands what people are reporting, even tracing how it is that wolves and wildcats came to be the dogs that love to sleep in our beds and the cats that own our sofas. Listen in and prepare to feel a heart tug!
An eighteen year old is charged with the lethal stabbing of a 17 year old boy, who he believed was dating an x-girlfriend. The typical age range for a gang member is 12–24 years old. Starting with Columbine High School in 1999, the US has seen more than 230 elementary and HS school shootings. In this show, Joseph Kolb, Executive Director for the Southwest Gang Information Center and Instructor in the Criminal Justice Program at Western New Mexico University addresses the causative factors, warning signs and potential solutions for teen violence. Drawing upon his book, Teen Violence in America: How Do We Save Our Children? he invites us to understand the external realities and underlining factors of school shootings, bullying, violent media, and social media exposure. As a parent, educator, and former law officer, he offers strategies for building teen resilience, fostering empowerment, enhancing social awareness, reducing fear, boredom and overcoming obstacles.
In this podcast, Filmmaker Susan Sipprelle comes to Psych Up Live to discuss her important documentary, “ Soldier On: Life After Deployment.” This feature length documentary chronicles with honesty and humor the challenges that three post-9/11 female veterans face readjusting to civilian life after their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Susan Sipprelle is joined on the show by one of the female veterans featured in the film, Natasha Young. In the back and forth with host, Dr. Suzanne Phillips, Sue Sipprelle will discuss the reason that she chose to make this documentary and the impact of sharing the personal journeys of these veteran women. Veteran Natasha Young offers the personal view of her painful and challenging journey to assimilate back into today’s society and her new mission of working with veterans at home. She is asked why she chose to be.
In this show, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, MD, visiting professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Kathryn Bowers, Science Journalist, draw upon their new book, Wildhood: The Epic Journey From Adolescence to Adulthood in Humans and Other Animals, to share their five year study of adolescence across species. What they find is as startling as it is important. Adolescents, be they the teens in our homes, or the animals across the globe, reveal striking similarities in their physical and emotional journey from being juveniles to adults. From bottlenose dolphins to red-tailed hawks to humans, adolescents have more in common with one another than with their mature parents or younger siblings. They are in the “ Wildhood” negotiating four core challenges- Safety, Status, Sexuality and Self-Reliance. The behaviors of a naïve penguin, a charismatic hyena, an adventurous humpback whale, and a restless wolf, will sound strikingly similar to human teens.
In the wake of the “Me Too” movement and the upsurge in both feminist and men’s rights activism, traditional masculinity has become the topic of impassioned debate. In this episode psychologist and author, Dr. Andrew Smiler draws upon his new book, Is Masculinity Toxic? A Primer for the 21st Century to discuss all aspects of that question . He examines evolving definitions of masculinity and their changes over decades. He considers, ‘Male Power To Harm,’ dissecting the societal impacts of bullying, rape culture and male morality. He discusses men and interpersonal relationships, male expression of feelings, the sexual objectification of women, and male attitudes toward fatherhood. Most importantly he discusses the ways in which masculinity might adapt to the sweeping changes in gender roles. How would most men today define themselves in terms of masculinity?
In this episode Professor Joel Evans, Patricia Malone, and Dave Berger will share personal glimpses of their diagnosis, treatment and survival from cancer. You will hear about the impact of diagnosis, the role of family and friends. The question of stigma and the response of colleagues. You will hear about the expected and unexpected, the trust in medical teams and the personal factors that each drew upon to keep on going at the roughest of times. These are stories of pain, persistence, fear, gratitude and possibility. These are stories of people who were helped by the wisdom of others who had faced cancer. In this episode, Joel Evans, Patricia Malone and Dave Berger want to pass on their experiences to benefit others. You will not forget them or the resilience they share.
If you are human, it is likely that you have hurt and been hurt by others. What may be less likely is knowing how to find a road to reconciliation or addressing the reality that reconciliation may not be instantly possible or possible at all. In this episode, Keith Wilson, licensed mental health counselor draws upon his years of clinical experience and his book, The Road to Reconciliation: A Comprehensive Guide to Peace when Relationships Go Bad, to offer an understanding of the pitfalls and possibilities of reconciliation. With candor and examples, Keith is upfront with the roles engaged in and sometimes shared by offender and victim. He invites recognition of the complexities and the context, lists the steps of reparation and encourages a personal consideration of one’s responsibility. He clarifies apologies, making amends and the victim’s choice to reconcile– all of which become more painful and possible with partners and spouses. You will be intrigued and informed.
In this Episode Julie Potiker, Mindfulness Expert and author of Life Falls Apart, but You Don’t Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, shares her own experience with depression and credits the power of therapy and her commitment to mindfulness techniques to changing her life. Recognizing that it’s easy to let the stresses of daily life overwhelm and send us into unhelpful thought patterns, Julie’s goal is to empower adults, teens and kids with tools and tips that will improve their mental health. She offers parents strategies to share with the first grader with school anxiety, the teen with FOMO ( Fear of Missing out) or the friend facing workplace bullying. She even addresses ways to cope when teens ignore what you say or partners dismiss use of mindful techniques. For Julie Potiker, practices like Self-Compassion and Loving Kindness are translatable to every age and much as anxiety can spark in a moment, calming and soothing can take its place.
Postpartem Depression is suffered by 20% of women; but it is misunderstood and overlooked by many new mothers who suffer, as well as those who love them. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist, author and renowned expert in Depressive Disorders, clarifies Postpartem Depression in both a professional and personal way. She discusses the causes of Postpartem Depression, the difference in symptoms between “ Baby Blues” and Postpartem Depression and the reasons it is so often overlooked. She addresses the physical and psychological impact on the new mother and draws upon her own experience with Postpartem Depression to underscore the reality of the suffering and the reality that it can be treated. Dr. Serani considers the value of medication, a wide range of evidenced-based treatments and the importance of many holistic approaches. She even considers the impact on the new Dad and the family and ways they can support the new mom. Invaluable Information for all. Listen in.
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
In this episode Wendy L. Patrick JD, author, speaker and trial attorney introduces us to 'The Stealth Predator.' As described in her article in Psychology Today, this predator is one who gets 'over on others' while flying 'under the radar'. Grooming victims, these predators ultimately betray their victim's loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally and sometimes sexually. They are well practiced at engaging in uncharged bad acts. Who are they? Vic Schermer, MA, psychotherapist considers what makes people vulnerable to stealth predators including history of abuse and trauma, need for approval, unmerited trust in others, feelings of shame, guilt, inferiority. How do we protect ourselves? Robert Klein Ph.D., psychologist asks whether there is a 'new normal' in social relations such that we accept and even admire the power of those able to con, manipulate and take advantage for their own gain. Can metoo change this social current?
Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.
Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.
If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a “little one”- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child’s tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of “ Love and Limits,” exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as “scenes from her own little ones,” Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC’s of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He’s right! Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Anestis, clinical psychologist, and award winning researcher discusses his powerful book, Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. Dr. Anestis is not advocating for or against gun ownership. What he is advocating for is prevention of firearm suicides. Funded by the Department of Defense through a program known as the Military Suicide Research Consortium, Michael Anestis collected and will share findings like the fact that each year the majority of gun deaths in the US are suicide deaths – more than homicide, mass shootings or terrorism. He will address the lethality of a gun when there is suicidal thinking and consider myths and theories of suicide including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) and the Three Step Theory. Central to his goal, Dr. Anestis will define the use of “means safety” for suicide prevention and the importance of taking a public health approach to firearm suicide prevention.
Childhood and teen obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the US. In this episode, Dr. Maidenberg draws upon her new book “Free Your Child From Overeating: 53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health” to offer strategies that begin with the recognition of thoughts and feelings in overeating and draw upon, CBT, Mindfulness and Acceptance therapy to address overeating. Recognizing the dynamics of teens and kids, She exemplifies how to motivate youngsters and inform them by identifying emotional eating with acronyms like HALT-Happy, Angry, Anxious, Lonely or Tired) or using the Mindful Chip Exercise or Mind over Muffin technique to invite useful ways to create a space for mindful eating. She focuses on the importance of family changes and underscores the danger of stigmatizing the overeating child as the one with the problem. Throughout she offers a wealth of resources and tools that makes this an invaluable discussion for parents.
This show is a tribute to all singles who would like to be in a relationship but have not yet found the right person. Guest Sara Eckel, author and well known contributor to the popular New York Times Column ‘Modern Love’ draws upon her poignant, funny and important book, It’s Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You’re Single, to debunk the myths that society advances and singles accept for what is deemed as their failure to be coupled up- “ You’re too picky.” “ You don’t really want a relationship.” “ You don’t know love.” In a culture that insists that you can work at getting what you want – being single for many who want a relationship begs the question, What’s wrong with Me?” Drawing upon her own experience, feedback from readers and those she interviewed, Sara Eckel believes that there is a common experience of blame that many singles experience that transcends gender, race or sexual orientation. Her goal is to push back on societal presumptions to make way for what is right about you!
While the choice of using marijuana is personal and legalization is likely moving forward, Alex Berenson, former New York Times reporter, invites you to consider this question with your children- How dangerous is today’s marijuana? Drawing upon research, he clarifies that unlike the marijuana smoked in the 1970’s with a 2% level of THC, the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, today the level of THC is 25%. Underscoring this potency, Berenson untangles the THC in marijuana with the relatively small amount of CBD, the non-intoxicating extract of cannabis, used to treat medical problems. Many assume that recreational marijuana is safe and benign because of the medical association. The findings are quite the contrary. Berenson reports mental illness and violence as possible reactions from smoking marijuana-with increasing use increasing the risk. Whatever your opinion– for the sake of your children, listen in.
In an earlier show on Psych Up Live, Law Professor Sarah Rogerson discussed the legal ramifications of the Immigration Crisis. In this show, Dr. Hawthorne Smith, licensed psychologist and Clinical Director of the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture for over 15 years, discusses the psychological impact of Zero Tolerance on Immigrants. As a clinician providing services for immigrants for many years he knows about the violence they have fled, the impact of detention, the terror of ICE raids, the despair of family separations and the increased perils of today’s asylum process. Dr. Smith will share the inside stories that few understand of the impact of increased xenophobia on immigrants. He will also share the clinical group interventions the Bellevue Program has offered that make hope a possibility. The message here is not to open borders – it is to understand the fear and pain of those truly in need of asylum.
There are few people who have been injured or wronged by another who don’t think about and want to mollify their psychic pain with revenge. In this episode, Dr. Steven Berglas, professor, psychotherapist, research scientist and executive coach invites us to consider “ Taking Revenge – A Better Way.” The author of award winning books, 70 articles and journal reports on cures of self-defeating behavior, Dr. Berglas discusses the personal cost of angry retaliation and the power of redirecting the brain’s reaction to danger. With a wealth of professional experience and powerful examples, Dr. Berglas discusses the ways in which revenge seeking fuels rumination, increased anger, isolation, physical and emotional pain. It traps us and intensifies the original assault. Dr. Berglas demonstrates how to cope with the psychic pain that prompts revenge with a shift of mindset to achievement striving, to the possible, to missions that undue atrocity, to healing and to growth.
Few people want to be called a Gossip” but most people can’t resist hearing a juicy story about a friend, celebrity or co-worker. Why? What is it about learning private information about others that is so irresistible? Why have people been gossiping across decades and across cultures? Is gossip good, bad or necessary? Should we think of gossip as a character flaw or a social skill? In this episode, social psychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew will share the Science of Gossip. In fascinating detail, he will draw upon research to consider everything from the evolutionary need for gossip to successful gossiping, gender differences, celebrity obsession, social skills, destructive possibilities and more. You will understand gossip in a way you have never considered.
Are you a sensation seeker? Have you ever wondered why people climb Everest, jump out of planes or ski dangerous unmarked trails? Is eagerness to experience the impact of any street drug or gambling away life savings driven by thrill seeking? In this show Dr. Ken Carter, Emory Psychologist and researcher of sensation thinking, considers these questions and more. He discusses the general components of sensation-seeking including thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, and disinhibition. He looks at gender differences, changes across the lifespan and clarifies the neuroscience behind sensation seeking. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of being a thrill seeker, he will even tell you about an online test to determine how much of a sensation seeker you are. Listen in--You will be intrigued.
This episode looks closely at today’s adolescent girls. Guests, Dr. Mary Pipher and Sara Pipher Gilliam draw upon their new updated version of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescents Girls, to compare the teenage girls of the 1990’s with the middle though high school girls of today. Using Focus Groups of girls and mothers, interviews with teachers and guidance counselors, the latest research, as well as feedback from today’s girls on the original book, they consider what challenges, needs, perils and joys have changed and what have remained the same. They will answer -How do developmental givens interface with social and cultural changes? What is the impact of social media, school shootings, and sleeping with cell phones? How have the girls of today embraced gender fluidity, racial diversity and the #metoo movement. Overall, they invite us to understand and celebrate the emerging selves and precious gifts of our adolescent girls.
Regardless of political perspective, it is difficult for anyone to grasp the reality or the implications of the Immigration Crisis today. Are there any routes to citizenship? Is a working visa a possibility? Can a person still seek asylum in the US? How many children remain separated from parents? What ever happened to the Dreamers? How many of those in the caravans remain in Mexico? Sarah Rogerson, Clinical Professor of Law at Albany Law School, and Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Albany Law School returns to Psych Up Live to address these questions and many more. She clarifies what has changed in Asylum Seeking and the access to legal representation. She also shares what has been accomplished and what immigrants and immigration attorneys still face.
Whether you are a seasoned psychoanalyst, group therapist or someone interested in how and why psychoanalysis works and how psychoanalytic thinking has expanded – You have to hear Dr. Robert Grossmark. Drawing upon his new book, The Unobtrusive Relational Analyst, he discusses his work with patients who formerly would be considered unsuitable for psychoanalytic treatment. These are patients whose behavior in the session or the group often enact the trauma they never had the words to share. Drawing upon case studies, Grossmark exemplifies what it means to companion with a person rather than interpret or invite mutual examination of the analytic process. He describes a process that teeters on the edge of chaos but ultimately makes relatedness and reflective thinking possible. In a powerful way, you will even see and better understand glimpses of yourself and your family on the journey we all take- which at times gets pretty close to chaos!!
Whether you are a seasoned psychoanalyst, group therapist or someone interested in how and why psychoanalysis works and how psychoanalytic thinking has expanded – You have to hear Dr. Robert Grossmark. Drawing upon his new book, The Unobtrusive Relational Analyst, he discusses his work with patients who formerly would be considered unsuitable for psychoanalytic treatment. These are patients whose behavior in the session or the group often enact the trauma they never had the words to share. Drawing upon case studies, Grossmark exemplifies what it means to companion with a person rather than interpret or invite mutual examination of the analytic process. He describes a process that teeters on the edge of chaos but ultimately makes relatedness and reflective thinking possible. In a powerful way, you will even see and better understand glimpses of yourself and your family on the journey we all take- which at times gets pretty close to chaos!!
When we consider the definition of shame we often compare it to Guilt. Commonly, it is thought that we feel guilt for something we have done that is unacceptable; but with shame, we feel that we are unacceptable. In this episode Dr. Joe Burgo expands the formal definition of Toxic Shame discussed by John Bradshaw as the result of unspeakable child abuse or the oppressive force of social shame addressed by Brene’ Brown. Drawing upon his new book, Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy and Build True Self-Esteem, Dr. Burgo invites us to consider shame as an entire family of emotions like the pain of unrequited love, the embarrassment of exclusion, the exposure of getting sick at the party or the shame of a disappointed expectation like the college entry rejection or the canceled engagement. Essentially, Dr. Burgo invites us not to be ashamed of shame as it is an aspect of many human feelings. Rather than deny it, Dr. Burgo demonstrates how to use it to build Shame Resilience and Self-Esteem.
Despite the incredible access to information and opportunities available to teens in this culture, it is a difficult time for most. In 2019 alone, there were 46 incidents of gunfire on school grounds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. Fifteen percentage of high school students were electronically bullied in the past year. Add the physical and emotional changes of teens, and it makes sense to help our teens build resilience. That is just what Cheryl Bradshaw offers in latest book, The Resilience Workbook For Teens. She provides teens with an evidenced-based tool that is personal, engaging and thought provoking. Drawing upon her teaching and clinical training, she clearly knows how to speak to teens and invites participation in a fast-paced book with activities that address five goals: Adapting to Change, Overcoming Anxiety, Finding Your Strength, Keeping Perspective, and Staying Focused. She helps them to embrace self and bounce back from adversity.
“Almost Sunrise” is a compelling documentary which follows two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, both tormented by the scars of moral injury and the accompanying anger and depression years after their return home. Close to the edge of suicide, the two embark on an extraordinary journey – a 2,700 mile walk across the country from Wisconsin to California, in order to reflect on their haunting experiences of war and to ultimately, save themselves. In this episode, we are privileged to have Tom Voss as our guest and to have the opportunity to hear his thoughts and perspectives on moral injury, the aspects of his journey that afforded steps toward remembering, feeling, connecting, self-compassion, connection with nature, breathing and forgiving, across miles and modalities. We will also hear what it meant to return home emotionally, where Tom has come and his on-going mission to help other veterans.
If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a “little one”- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child’s tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of “ Love and Limits,” exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as “scenes from her own little ones,” Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC’s of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He’s right! Listen in.
In this show, Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of the new book, “Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too” shares her story and the countless stories of others who reveal the powerful impact of adopted pets and their owners upon each other. From Parkland HS students, who lost friends in the horrific school shooting, but found the presence and adoption of dogs to be the bridges from terror and loss to love and comfort, to couples improving their relationships, to people helped with physical illness, addiction recovery or finding a purpose in life – adopting a dog is a gift that keeps on giving, even to others beyond the pet and owner. Importantly, Carol underscores stories with research science which verifies and expands what people are reporting, even tracing how it is that wolves and wildcats came to be the dogs that love to sleep in our beds and the cats that own our sofas. Listen in and prepare to feel a heart tug!
In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Everyone will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.
In this episode, Wesley C. Davidson and Dr. Jonathan Tobkes M.D. discuss their new and much needed book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know. In the discussion with Host Suzanne Phillips, Wesley C. Davidson, shares her shock on realizing that her son is gay, her denial and the lack of resources available to her as a straight parent of an LGBT child in the 90’s. With her son’s permission and hindsight, she writes the book she needed for other parents. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Wesley Davidson and Dr. Tobkes discuss the denial, guilt, fear, anger, shame, and loss suffered by parents and children on the road to acceptance. They are joined by Dr. Shawnee Dawson, one of the parents interviewed. Dr. Tobkes shares some of the professional advice he provides at the end of each chapter. With respect and compassion, he normalizes feelings, addresses myths, and reduces fear. This is a show that you can’t miss.
Few of us have been spared relationships with emotional predators – The neighbor who wanted to share everything only to spread rumors; the boss who praised your work, asked for late hours and then promoted someone else; the fiancé who had a lover at college; the coach you trusted who made inappropriate advances. In this show, psychotherapist, mediator, custody evaluator and retired attorney, Steven Wolhandler, JD,MA,LPC draws upon his years of dealing with emotional predators and protecting their victims to pass on to us important insights and strategies. Referencing his book, Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers and Manipulators Hidden Among Us, he defines the qualities and behaviors of the Emotional Predator and offers 5 important and effective steps for protecting ourselves. His discussion is as valuable a guide to knowing and empowering ourselves as to disempowering predators.
While the choice of using marijuana is personal and legalization is likely moving forward, Alex Berenson, former New York Times reporter, invites you to consider this question with your children- How dangerous is today’s marijuana? Drawing upon research, he clarifies that unlike the marijuana smoked in the 1970’s with a 2% level of THC, the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, today the level of THC is 25%. Underscoring this potency, Berenson untangles the THC in marijuana with the relatively small amount of CBD, the non-intoxicating extract of cannabis, used to treat medical problems. Many assume that recreational marijuana is safe and benign because of the medical association. The findings are quite the contrary. Berenson reports mental illness and violence as possible reactions from smoking marijuana-with increasing use increasing the risk. Whatever your opinion– for the sake of your children, listen in.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
Miscarriages are more common than most people realize. They can occur in as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Miscarriages are the hidden losses that couples grieve together and come to fear together. In this show, Dr. Lora Shahine, Board Certified Physician in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology, draws upon her years of experience and new book, Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage an Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, to empower those who have suffered a miscarriage with the latest information and guidance. From clarifying the causes of miscarriage, to demystifying tests, recognizing the psychological impact on women as well as men, providing Western and Eastern approaches to minimize the risk of miscarriage and more, Dr. Shahine shares with a personal interest and concern. She makes hope possible.
Regardless, of gender, age, or political persuasion, we all fall for fake news. Not You? Listen in as MIT trained science writer, Matthew Hutson, discusses how and why we are all increasingly susceptible to believing misinformation. Drawing upon his recent article in Psychology Today, “How Memory Became Weaponized,” Matthew Hutson discusses the flaws of human memory, our evolutionary tendency to believe what we see, and the attack on our memories with algorithms used by marketers, trolls, or anyone with an agenda they want believed. He discusses the many ways that our memories are assaulted by factors like the speed of information dissemination, the purposeful mixing of fake news with real news, or the repetition of false headlines or images which capitalize on our tendency to believe what we see and remember what we believe. Importantly, he shares strategies to “fend off fakery.” Frightening and fascinating. Listen in and Call in.
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In this show noted journalist, Rachel Hills, author of The Sex Myth: The Gap Between our Fantasies and Reality, invites us to look more closely at the invisible norms and unspoken assumptions that shape the way we think about sex today. Drawing upon six years' research, including interviews with women and men across three continents, she gives us an unexpected look at reality and a re-consideration of the meaning of sexual freedom. Don’t miss this show.
Jane Baker, author of the book, Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, will share the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self, his sense of being trapped in the wrong body, and the therapy and treatment he seeks in the process of becoming a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her daughter wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members.
In this show, Savannah Sanders M.S., author of Sex Trafficking Prevention: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Parents and Professionals shares her experience of offering a year-long online trauma course with a community of 27 women which became for them a powerful healing journey. Drawing upon her own childhood abuse and experience of being trafficked plus insights gained from her years of advocacy, professional studies and personal therapy, Savannah recognized that being informed about trauma and understanding strategies for healing means being empowered. Being empowered in a community with others makes conquering trauma possible. Listen in as she shares the story of “Conquer Trauma: A Year of Transformation.”
This show is a tribute to all singles who would like to be in a relationship but have not yet found the right person. Guest Sara Eckel, author and well known contributor to the popular New York Times Column ‘Modern Love’ draws upon her poignant, funny and important book, It’s Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You’re Single, to debunk the myths that society advances and singles accept for what is deemed as their failure to be coupled up- “ You’re too picky.” “ You don’t really want a relationship.” “ You don’t know love.” In a culture that insists that you can work at getting what you want – being single for many who want a relationship begs the question, What’s wrong with Me?” Drawing upon her own experience, feedback from readers and those she interviewed, Sara Eckel believes that there is a common experience of blame that many singles experience that transcends gender, race or sexual orientation. Her goal is to push back on societal presumptions to make way for what is right about you!
Postpartem Depression is suffered by 20% of women; but it is misunderstood and overlooked by many new mothers who suffer, as well as those who love them. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist, author and renowned expert in Depressive Disorders, clarifies Postpartem Depression in both a professional and personal way. She discusses the causes of Postpartem Depression, the difference in symptoms between “ Baby Blues” and Postpartem Depression and the reasons it is so often overlooked. She addresses the physical and psychological impact on the new mother and draws upon her own experience with Postpartem Depression to underscore the reality of the suffering and the reality that it can be treated. Dr. Serani considers the value of medication, a wide range of evidenced-based treatments and the importance of many holistic approaches. She even considers the impact on the new Dad and the family and ways they can support the new mom. Invaluable Information for all. Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Anestis, clinical psychologist, and award winning researcher discusses his powerful book, Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. Dr. Anestis is not advocating for or against gun ownership. What he is advocating for is prevention of firearm suicides. Funded by the Department of Defense through a program known as the Military Suicide Research Consortium, Michael Anestis collected and will share findings like the fact that each year the majority of gun deaths in the US are suicide deaths – more than homicide, mass shootings or terrorism. He will address the lethality of a gun when there is suicidal thinking and consider myths and theories of suicide including the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) and the Three Step Theory. Central to his goal, Dr. Anestis will define the use of “means safety” for suicide prevention and the importance of taking a public health approach to firearm suicide prevention.
Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, renowned experts in self-compassion and mindfulness, have just released a new book, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive. The book is a culmination of years of collaboration, research and practical application in the training of thousands of people in Mindfulness Self-Compassion. In this episode, co-author Dr. Christopher Germer, discusses the essence and benefits of Mindful Self-Compassion in a way that makes it useable and effective. He exemplifies the difference and the important connection between mindfulness and self-compassion and the way we can apply Mindful Self-Compassion to daily life. He considers why people tend to be resistant to being self-compassionate and how Mindful Self-Compassion enhances motivation and change. He offers a special focus on the power and use of Mindful Self-Compassion for caregivers across professions, who have compassion for others.
There are few people who have been injured or wronged by another who don’t think about and want to mollify their psychic pain with revenge. In this episode, Dr. Steven Berglas, professor, psychotherapist, research scientist and executive coach invites us to consider “ Taking Revenge – A Better Way.” The author of award winning books, 70 articles and journal reports on cures of self-defeating behavior, Dr. Berglas discusses the personal cost of angry retaliation and the power of redirecting the brain’s reaction to danger. With a wealth of professional experience and powerful examples, Dr. Berglas discusses the ways in which revenge seeking fuels rumination, increased anger, isolation, physical and emotional pain. It traps us and intensifies the original assault. Dr. Berglas demonstrates how to cope with the psychic pain that prompts revenge with a shift of mindset to achievement striving, to the possible, to missions that undue atrocity, to healing and to growth.
In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fact that Bipolar Disorder is no one’s fault. It is genetic. Michael discusses the difficulty with diagnosis and offers clinical ways to confront denial and the fear of losing creative potential. He discusses treatments that involve specific medications as well as various therapies for those suffering and family members. An important focus is his Three-Phase Approach to Bipolar Therapy. Michael Pipich’s goal is acceptance of Bipolar with less stigma and treatment with more success.
Childhood and teen obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the US. In this episode, Dr. Maidenberg draws upon her new book “Free Your Child From Overeating: 53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health” to offer strategies that begin with the recognition of thoughts and feelings in overeating and draw upon, CBT, Mindfulness and Acceptance therapy to address overeating. Recognizing the dynamics of teens and kids, She exemplifies how to motivate youngsters and inform them by identifying emotional eating with acronyms like HALT-Happy, Angry, Anxious, Lonely or Tired) or using the Mindful Chip Exercise or Mind over Muffin technique to invite useful ways to create a space for mindful eating. She focuses on the importance of family changes and underscores the danger of stigmatizing the overeating child as the one with the problem. Throughout she offers a wealth of resources and tools that makes this an invaluable discussion for parents.
On this show you will have the opportunity to learn about Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs for people. Be they children, adults, veterans, or facilities, these dogs give the gift of independence. You will hear about the many programs, volunteers and services of Canine Companions from Executive Director Megan Koester. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of being a puppy raiser. She is raising her 22nd puppy and Josiah Lanning who received Service Dog, Charlice more than 5 years ago, will give you a close and personal look at what a service dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, this is the show to hear. This is an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t miss this show.
We are the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Our stories directly impact how we feel, our behavior and how we treat ourselves and others. Often we relive painful events and add more pain and drama to the story we tell ourselves and others. In this episode, Bruce Van Horn, bestselling author, speaker, leadership coach and cancer conqueror offers us a mini version of his important program, “Re-Story You!” Listen in to the back and forth with Bruce Van Horn and host, Suzanne Phillips to re-consider your story and your ability to change it. Call in and be part of this important discussion at 1-866-472-5788. You are the author of your own story.
In this show noted journalist, Rachel Hills, author of The Sex Myth: The Gap Between our Fantasies and Reality, invites us to look more closely at the invisible norms and unspoken assumptions that shape the way we think about sex today. Drawing upon six years' research, including interviews with women and men across three continents, she gives us an unexpected look at reality and a re-consideration of the meaning of sexual freedom. Don’t miss this show.
In this show Connie Palmer, the Clinical Training Director of Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss, addresses the reality that “Grief doesn’t take a holiday.” Drawing upon her work with children and families who have faced loss, she considers why the holidays are such a tough time for all family members who are grieving. She defines loss, grief and mourning as well as “ Holiday Grief Beliefs.” She discusses how children grieve differently than adults and age appropriate ways to support and help them. She reminds us of the value of developing new rituals as well as practicing old ones and of giving all family members the freedom to feel all of their feelings. She invites us to know that grief is exhausting and unpredictable – members of different ages may need different things and be able to give different things. The show is a gift that will inform and touch your heart.
In this show, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy, invites us to consider how gender role stereotypes may be crippling our love lives. Do we set aside our authenticity when we think about meeting an intimate partner? Do we worry about being too strong or independent as a woman or how sensitive we can be as a man can be without losing the so-called alpha male attractiveness? Do we default to stereotypes or presumptions of what we think others want us to be? Ken Page reminds us of the potency of our authentic self and the steps toward finding and using it. Drawing upon many of the strategies and methods of Deeper Dating he discusses and exemplifies -Identifying Gifts from Insecurities, Mapping Your Zones of Intimacy, Using a Learning Partner, Recognizing Attractions of Inspiration and Deprivation, Using Your Gift Circle and much more.
In this episode, Gaea Logan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights, brings her expertise and experience to Psych Up Live. Drawing upon her training of humanitarian workers across the globe, she invites listeners to build resilience in the face of traumatic life events by strengthening their capacity for self-regulation and building protective internal factors that reduce burnout. She redefines trauma, offers the latest neurobiological findings on trauma’s impact on body, brain and mind and invites us to examine our “ window of tolerance” for stressful life events. Drawing upon her online training, The Portable Calm, she discusses and demonstrates skills to become more self-regulated, mindful, grounded and compassionate. Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist or friend, Gaea believes that central to your resilience and effectiveness is developing your own capacity to reset, regulate and find calm.
“Almost Sunrise” is a compelling documentary which follows two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, both tormented by the scars of moral injury and the accompanying anger and depression years after their return home. Close to the edge of suicide, the two embark on an extraordinary journey – a 2,700 mile walk across the country from Wisconsin to California, in order to reflect on their haunting experiences of war and to ultimately, save themselves. In this episode, we are privileged to have Tom Voss as our guest and to have the opportunity to hear his thoughts and perspectives on moral injury, the aspects of his journey that afforded steps toward remembering, feeling, connecting, self-compassion, connection with nature, breathing and forgiving, across miles and modalities. We will also hear what it meant to return home emotionally, where Tom has come and his on-going mission to help other veterans.
In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned and influential authors, artists and community leaders who believe language and literature are essential tools for creating a better society. They will share the way in which Narrative 4 has built empathy and bridged tens of thousands around the world in classrooms and communities etc., with the key methodology of the story exchange. Particularly important given a landscape of national and international strife, is Colum and Lisa’s description of this year’s mission of “Empathy Into Action,” a campaign that uses the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues. They will describe their inaugural event “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. Listen in and consider the possibilities for radical empathy fostered by Narrative 4.
This episode is about facing a life-threatening illness. It reveals the ups, the downs, the feared, the unexpected and the possibilities for enjoying life. In it, guest Joel Evans draws upon his new book, Surviving Cancer and Embracing Life, (available free), to share his battle with Pancreatic Cancer and the life changes that result. While Joel Evans is a Distinguished Professor with renowned marketing books, translated into many languages, this book is different. In this book and in this show, Joel is your neighbor who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He shares the inside story. He wants you to know what happens, the lessons learned and the efforts to reach for happiness. Personal and powerfully important.
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
The Immigration Crisis continues. Undocumented people are deported, thousands of children remain in detention type settings, families have been separated and in general there is fear and contention over immigration issues. In this show we turn to the expertise of Sarah Rogerson, Clinical Professor of Law at Albany Law School, and Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Albany Law School, whose work has placed her at the intersections of domestic violence, family law, race, gender, international law and immigration law and policy. Professor Rogerson will clarify immigration law, the obstacles to citizenship, the legal situation of detained parents and separated children and options for unaccompanied children. She will clarify Asylum Seeking, the Credible Fear Interview and how and why those seeking help are in need of legal representation. She will also offer a perspective of the impact of the Immigration Crisis on those like herself stepping forward on the frontline.
Is your child playing enough? In this show Dr. Michael Yogman, pediatrician and lead author of, “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children,” discusses why play with parents and peers, is the singular opportunity for promoting the social-emotional, cognitive, language and self-regulation skills associated with developing executive function and a prosocial brain. When play is missing in a child’s life, toxic stress can disrupt brain development. Learning becomes difficult. The opportunity to play in a safe and nurturing relationship is a child’s buffer to life’s adversity. What Dr. Yogman will share with his interesting research findings and important parent-child play strategies are the very things he offers pediatricians as the reasons for them to promote and write prescriptions for play. Given the cultural imperatives to push academic skills from a child’s earliest years, you will find this show enlightening. You’ll want to play with your child.
In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fact that Bipolar Disorder is no one’s fault. It is genetic. Michael discusses the difficulty with diagnosis and offers clinical ways to confront denial and the fear of losing creative potential. He discusses treatments that involve specific medications as well as various therapies for those suffering and family members. An important focus is his Three-Phase Approach to Bipolar Therapy. Michael Pipich’s goal is acceptance of Bipolar with less stigma and treatment with more success.
Bullying impacts millions of children, parents, and individuals in our schools and communities. Given that bullying and being bullied can leave life long scars, we need to address the fear, intimidation shame and abuse of power that fuels bullying. In this episode, Connie Palmer LCSW, teacher, counselor and therapist brings us the Bullies To Buddies Program. Drawing upon this model created by school psychologist, Izzy Kalman, Connie Palmer discusses the rationale and a curriculum for empowering victims with tools to verbally respond to bullies. She discusses the role she has played in coaching children from kindergarten on in a way that changes the bullying dynamic and the negativity and victimization in a school culture. She will demonstrate the technique of defusing the bully in role playing exercises with host, Suzanne Phillips and will address questions like: What about physical threats? What can teachers and parents do? How can we help bullies? Can they ever really be buddies?
Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, renowned experts in self-compassion and mindfulness, have just released a new book, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive. The book is a culmination of years of collaboration, research and practical application in the training of thousands of people in Mindfulness Self-Compassion. In this episode, co-author Dr. Christopher Germer, discusses the essence and benefits of Mindful Self-Compassion in a way that makes it useable and effective. He exemplifies the difference and the important connection between mindfulness and self-compassion and the way we can apply Mindful Self-Compassion to daily life. He considers why people tend to be resistant to being self-compassionate and how Mindful Self-Compassion enhances motivation and change. He offers a special focus on the power and use of Mindful Self-Compassion for caregivers across professions, who have compassion for others.
From the time I heard Dr. Hull discuss his work with children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFS), I wanted all parents to hear him. In this episode, he brings us his passion and expertise. He clarifies diagnosis by demystifying the strengths and difficulties these children have in social, emotional and behavioral areas. He discusses how to approach fears, understand rituals, reduce feelings of terror and maximize use of special interests. Dr. Hull recognizes the mix of love, challenge and concern that parents carry. Reminding them that they are not alone, he offers strategies to foster connection, growth and improved relationships with their children. To hear Dr. Hull discuss his creative use of play with children and adolescents is to understand how he helps parents and children build bridges of connection and growth to each other.
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Both professionally and in the public eye, this disorder has been associated with females. In reality, 25% of those suffering are males; but as a group, they have been overlooked, misdiagnosed or misinformed. In this episode, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, Psychologist, Eating Disorder Expert, Clinician and author discusses his groundbreaking book, Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in Males. In the discussion with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Wooldridge addresses the symptoms, causes and unique issues particular to males who control their eating with dangerous consequences. He considers the impact of media on male body image, the role of bullying, and the anxiety about relationships and sexuality. In his discussion of causes and treatment, Dr. Wooldridge offers professionals, parents and males an integrative model that accounts for bio-behavioral, family system, medical, psychodynamic and spiritual factors.
Most people have faced unexpected stressful situations. There are even times, often in midlife, when it seems like the challenges just won’t stop. In this episode, psychologist and author, Dr. Pete Stebbins, using surfing as a metaphor, draws upon his clinical and personal experience to offer strategies for coping and proceeding effectively with life. Whether facing the stress of divorce, illness, bereavement, wedding plans or debt, we are guided to consider how to appraise the problem, understand our personal stress reactions, manage mindset, regulate emotions, and re-set lifestyle and purpose. Dr. Stebbins invites us to develop the skills to successfully surf the waves of life and ride out the Tsunamis.
In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In a #metoo culture that has given voice to denied sexual abuse and misconduct, and at a time when campus sexual violence continues to be a tragic reality, the importance of giving and understanding sexual consent between people of any age is without question. In this episode Drs. Jason Laker and Erica Boas review and discuss the findings of their “Consent Story” research in which they asked college students about sexual experiences and how they communicate sexual intention, consent or dissent. Drs. Laker and Boas then compare and discuss new research that considers giving and getting sexual consent from members of LGBTQ and Kink groups. The findings are surprising and very important in contributing to thinking about communication that makes sexual consent essential to sexual relating.
Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.
In this episode Wendy L. Patrick JD, author, speaker and trial attorney introduces us to 'The Stealth Predator.' As described in her article in Psychology Today, this predator is one who gets 'over on others' while flying 'under the radar'. Grooming victims, these predators ultimately betray their victim's loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally and sometimes sexually. They are well practiced at engaging in uncharged bad acts. Who are they? Vic Schermer, MA, psychotherapist considers what makes people vulnerable to stealth predators including history of abuse and trauma, need for approval, unmerited trust in others, feelings of shame, guilt, inferiority. How do we protect ourselves? Robert Klein Ph.D., psychologist asks whether there is a 'new normal' in social relations such that we accept and even admire the power of those able to con, manipulate and take advantage for their own gain. Can metoo change this social current?
In this episode, Dr. Ken Carter returns to Psych Up Live to look closer at risk taking and sensation seeking. Is the person who will take a risk in business similar to the person who loves extreme sports? Are risk taking and sensation or thrill seeking different personality traits? Are they inter-related? Do men and women differ in these traits? Are they genetic traits or family fostered dynamics? Is our neurophysiology different when we put ourselves in danger for the thrill of it as opposed to facing unexpected danger? For these and much more about risk taking and sensation seeking—listen in. For preview of Dr. Carter, check out his Youtube.
In this episode, Samantha Waltz, the author of the powerful book, Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience and three of her wonderful contributing writers, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Gigi Rosenberg, and Emma Kate Tsai will share their personal experiences of being parents or children in stepfamilies. As three of the thirty professional writers who share their blended experience in this book, their voices convey more than the facts or dynamics of stepfamilies. They convey in a personal way the challenges of connection, the promise and pain of children who have lost parents from divorce or death, the fears of rejection and expectations of stepparents and the reasons for laughing, crying and celebrating. As the stories move from the “ Coming Together” of blended families to stories of “Acceptance” they broaden the understanding of stepfamilies and offer guidance, compassion and hope.
How can you foster a child’s resilience to handle future adversity? How can you intervene to offset the impact of homeliness, war, migration, domestic violence, etc. on a child’s development? In this episode, Dr. Ann Masten, Regents Professor of Child Development and recognized expert on risk and resilience in children will answer these questions and many more. Drawing upon her recent book, Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development, she will surprise and enrich you with her findings. She will invite you to recognize that resilience is not an extraordinary genetic trait and identify The Short List of factors and adaptational systems that build resilience. In a powerful way you will come to understand the ordinary magic that fosters resilience and changes children’s lives. This show unlocks resilience. It is a gift to adults who care about children and the children who need them.
In this episode, Wendy Williamson and Honora Rose, co-authors of Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder, dispel the myths and offer an up close and personal understanding of surviving and thriving with Bipolar Disorder. They clarify diagnosis and misdiagnosis and answer practical questions: Can anyone get my medication right? Why sleep when you feel so creative? Are drugs and alcohol really a problem? How do you know if you are manic or really in love? Drawing upon their own stories as well as researched information, you will here about periods of depression and mania as well the ways to embrace wellness from minimizing stress to holistic remedies. You will hear about routines and navigating life on a daily level. You will hear about holding on to hope when living feels difficult. According to Dr. Jay Carter, expert on this disorder, Wendy and Honora provide the missing link between the science and treatment of Bipolar Disorder-the practicalities.
In this show, M Gary Neuman will discuss ways of making a marriage all that it can be – even after an affair. In the discussion with Host Dr. Suzanne Phillips, he will offer his perspective of how and why a marriage can be saved. Drawing upon case examples he will share with listeners examples of the Neuman Method, a 10 Session online marriage program that has helped thousands of couples with methods and techniques suited to address the repair, recovery and enhancement of marriages.
While there is an ever increasing number of people who have been identified in this #metoo culture for sexual abuse, harassment or gender violence, we rarely hear what happens once they are dismissed or replaced. Do they seek treatment? Is treatment for sexual offenders available and effective? In this episode Steven Sawyer, licensed clinical social worker, co- author of Group Therapy with Sexual Abusers, and president of the Minnesota chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (MNATSA) will draw upon years of treatment experience, research and assessment of hundreds of sexual offenders to clarify the continuum of sexual offenders and the nature and effectiveness of treatment models. He will consider what would unfold in individual treatment and the healing possibilities of group. He will offer case examples, discuss prevention programs, and consider the role that our culture plays in sexual invitation, dominance, inequities and offense.
We live in a time when an understanding of power and the abuse of power has tremendous importance. In this show, Dr. Dacher Keltner, psychologist, Faculty Director of the Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, and acclaimed researcher, awakens us to The Power Paradox. Drawing upon his latest book, The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence, Dr. Keltner defines power that gives and power that grabs. Citing fascinating studies, he discusses the ways in which a person, be it a teen, a teacher or a world leader, gets power and then faces the Power Paradox - the choice of keeping it or being corrupted by it. As an honored professor, researcher with over 190 publications, consultant on emotions for Facebook, Google, and the Disney Pixar movie, “ Inside Out,” Dr. Keltner’s discussion of the Power Paradox is one we need to hear.
Few people want to be called a Gossip” but most people can’t resist hearing a juicy story about a friend, celebrity or co-worker. Why? What is it about learning private information about others that is so irresistible? Why have people been gossiping across decades and across cultures? Is gossip good, bad or necessary? Should we think of gossip as a character flaw or a social skill? In this episode, social psychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew will share the Science of Gossip. In fascinating detail, he will draw upon research to consider everything from the evolutionary need for gossip to successful gossiping, gender differences, celebrity obsession, social skills, destructive possibilities and more. You will understand gossip in a way you have never considered.
In this episode, Olga Khazan award winning writer for The Atlantic, draws upon her powerful article in the September 2017 Issue, “The Queen Bee in the Corner Office” to discuss why women bully each other in the workplace. Recognizing that this complex issue is as easily dismissed as unreal as it is cast as inevitable, she interviews women across disciplines from law offices to consulting firms to academia. She reports on Pew and Gallop surveys and examines a number of studies including one of 60,000 managers. What she consistently finds is that although there is evidence of positive mentoring and support of women by women bosses, there is a persistent theme of women undermining, sabotaging and mistreating other women in the workplace. Turning to psychologists and researchers, she uncovers a number of dynamics that may prompt this behavior as “ tokenism” “favoritism threat” “system justification” and most importantly the way in which culture and context shape behavior.
In this episode, Ross Rosenberg, psychotherapist and author of The Human Magnet Syndrome: The Co-dependent Narcissist Trap, draws upon his experience and clinical examples to offer an understanding of the difference between love and entrapment in a Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome. He discusses the meaning of codependency and how its traces back to childhood attachment. He considers the role it plays in keeping a person with a self-love deficiency addicted to a pathological narcissist whose charm belies their hidden dependency, dangerous control, lack of empathy and abusive need for the partner. Ross Rosenberg defines and exemplifies the “Gaslighting” used by a Pathological Narcissist to exert mind control on the partner. Importantly, he answers the questions so often asked: Why do people fall in love with Pathological Narcissists? Why do they stay and even defend these abusive partners? Can they end this type of addictive relationship?
According to The National Eating Disorder Association’s Statistics, up to 70 million people worldwide suffer from an eating disorder. In this show, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, psychologist and psychoanalyst will address the underlying dynamics and treatment of eating disorders. Drawing upon his new book, Psychoanalytic Treatment of Eating Disorders: When Words Fail and Bodies Speak, he will discuss important issues for those suffering, their parents and clinicians working with them. Recognizing the importance of integrative treatment that includes everything from expedient symptom reduction to experiential therapies, he highlights the value of a psychoanalytic perspective. Using clinical examples, he shows the importance of recognizing unspoken pain, secret shame, fear of intimacy, difficulty regulating feelings and self-blame in those with eating disorders. He discusses the role of childhood experience, cultural norms, cyber-space connections, and online forums.
All of us own a life story that reflects a legacy of events we have received from the generations before us and that we will pass on to future generations. In this episode, Elaine Cooper, LCSW, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and author of LET'S ALL HOLD HANDS AND DROP DEAD: Three Generations - One Story, invites us to understand and identify intergenerational trauma, its impact, how we heal and even change the legacy. Drawing upon experience, established research, clinical and group expertise, Elaine Cooper illuminates this topic in a way that will make you reconsider the generational legacy you carry, what it means for your present life, your family, your health, your genetic profile, your strengths, your decisions and the life story you choose to own.You will think about your life differently.
In this show, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy, invites us to consider how gender role stereotypes may be crippling our love lives. Do we set aside our authenticity when we think about meeting an intimate partner? Do we worry about being too strong or independent as a woman or how sensitive we can be as a man can be without losing the so-called alpha male attractiveness? Do we default to stereotypes or presumptions of what we think others want us to be? Ken Page reminds us of the potency of our authentic self and the steps toward finding and using it. Drawing upon many of the strategies and methods of Deeper Dating he discusses and exemplifies -Identifying Gifts from Insecurities, Mapping Your Zones of Intimacy, Using a Learning Partner, Recognizing Attractions of Inspiration and Deprivation, Using Your Gift Circle and much more.
Miscarriages are more common than most people realize. They can occur in as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Miscarriages are the hidden losses that couples grieve together and come to fear together. In this show, Dr. Lora Shahine, Board Certified Physician in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology, draws upon her years of experience and new book, Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage an Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, to empower those who have suffered a miscarriage with the latest information and guidance. From clarifying the causes of miscarriage, to demystifying tests, recognizing the psychological impact on women as well as men, providing Western and Eastern approaches to minimize the risk of miscarriage and more, Dr. Shahine shares with a personal interest and concern. She makes hope possible.
There is nothing easy about divorce and despite the statistics, it is a journey that most people don’t want to take. In this episode, Audrey Cade, author of Divorce Matters: Help for Hurting Hearts and Why Divorce is Sometimes the Best Decision, offers a very realistic look at the When, Why and How of Coping with Divorce. With the wisdom of someone who has been through it, this matriarch of a blended family of eight is as clear about the need to take steps to try save your marriage as she is realistic about the anguish of realizing you can’t. Using her own journey as a starting point she addresses what most people facing divorce are rarely prepared to handle. From grieving the loss of a dream, to telling the children, accepting the Facebook gossip, dealing with the nerve-wracking legal maze, spending less time with your kids, forgiving self, to dealing with somebody else’s ex, she offers valuable advice without the sugar coating. Sad, mad, sometimes funny, Audrey Cade will pass on to you her lessons learned.
From the time I heard Dr. Hull discuss his work with children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFS), I wanted all parents to hear him. In this episode, he brings us his passion and expertise. He clarifies diagnosis by demystifying the strengths and difficulties these children have in social, emotional and behavioral areas. He discusses how to approach fears, understand rituals, reduce feelings of terror and maximize use of special interests. Dr. Hull recognizes the mix of love, challenge and concern that parents carry. Reminding them that they are not alone, he offers strategies to foster connection, growth and improved relationships with their children. To hear Dr. Hull discuss his creative use of play with children and adolescents is to understand how he helps parents and children build bridges of connection and growth to each other.
In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstrates the power of self-compassion to enhance self-knowledge and motivation and describes and exemplifies its use of self-kindness, human connection and mindfulness to offset self-criticism and the trap of self-loathing. To hear Kristin Neff, is to receive an insider’s understanding of a powerful resource for coping, healing and growing in every day life. Self- Compassion is within our grasp.
In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, discusses, Two Plus Two: Couples and their Couple Relationships, a book he co-authored with Dr. Kathleen Holtz Deal, which is the first book to explore the meaning of couples’ friendships with other couples. Drawing upon research with 400 couples, Dr. Greif reports on findings and invites listeners to consider whether they are Seekers, Keepers or Nesters? Who are their couple friends? Do their couple friendships impact their relationship in a positive or negative way? Do couple friendships change over the course of a couple’s marriage? How do couples balance the demands on their time with couple friends? What does it mean if a couple mostly has separate friendships? Do men and women value couple friendships in different ways? What happens when a couple’s couple friends break up? This is a very interesting show, which informs and invites self-reflection and couple discussion.
In this episode, guest Sharon Kathryn D’Agostino shares SayItForward.org and the powerful meaning of storytelling. A passionate advocate for the health, safety, education, and empowerment of girls, women & children, Sharon describes that she created SayItForward.org as a place where any woman or girl can share her story of overcoming fears, self-limiting beliefs or cultural norms that have held her back from growth and development. You will hear some of the stories and learn why thousands of girls and women worldwide have shared stories in many languages and continue to benefit from sharing and reading about courage, challenges and hope. This is a place to tell your story without critique or comment. It is a place to own your story and definition of self. These stories of personal empowerment inspire others who face similar challenges in their lives.
Against the backdrop of concern with sexual violence on college campuses, Dr. Jason Laker and Dr. Erica Boas discuss their important research on the language of sexual consent among college students. In groundbreaking research on what they term “Consent Stories,” they found that far more prevalent than a hook-up culture was the difficulty of communicating sexual intention and consent or dissent. What Drs. Laker and Boas discuss is what we rarely consider in the communications of intimacy in our adult lives, much less in the understanding we pass on to our children. When is “yes a yes” and when is “no a no?” What about non-verbal communication? What about expectations and misconstrued social norms? In this episode, you will hear about ongoing research that is likely to have a powerful and protective impact in clarifying sexual intent and response in people from teens through adults. Don’t miss this.
We are all aware through movies, series and the sensational lives of celebrities of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited compassion and support by some and critique, violence and political rejection by others. This episode will clarify the myths and give you an insider’s experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband’s transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier’s story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.
While the #metoo culture has rallied women in every work situation, there a many women working in factories, farms, or are employed as caregivers and domestic workers who can’t speak out because their work circumstances leave them invisible and vulnerable. Their need for a livelihood coupled with fear of retaliation is still too much to risk. In this episode you are going to hear from Sheerine Alemzadeh Co-director, Co-founder Healing to Action a non-profit organization building a worker-led movement to end gender violence. This is a movement that recognizes that what these women need is not legal representation; but a sense of empowerment that comes from support and strategies to heal, to connect, and become work leaders. Listen in to hear how Healing to Action has fostered leadership and steps to connect with both labor movements and anti-violence coalitions to make all voices count with men and women who want workplace accountability and change.
In this episode, Gaea Logan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights, brings her expertise and experience to Psych Up Live. Drawing upon her training of humanitarian workers across the globe, she invites listeners to build resilience in the face of traumatic life events by strengthening their capacity for self-regulation and building protective internal factors that reduce burnout. She redefines trauma, offers the latest neurobiological findings on trauma’s impact on body, brain and mind and invites us to examine our “ window of tolerance” for stressful life events. Drawing upon her online training, The Portable Calm, she discusses and demonstrates skills to become more self-regulated, mindful, grounded and compassionate. Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist or friend, Gaea believes that central to your resilience and effectiveness is developing your own capacity to reset, regulate and find calm.
Building on an earlier show on Psych Up Live “ Porn on the Brain” with Gary Wilson, this show features Gabe Deem who shares his personal story of Internet Porn Addiction and recovery. As an activist for better sex education, a writer, public speaker and the founder of Reboot Nation, Gabe Deem offers lessons learned and research findings on the physical, neurological and sexual consequences of Internet porn addiction. Recognizing the possibility of rebooting the brain to again be capable and responsive in sexual functioning with a partner, Gabe Deem discusses his creation of RebootNation.org, a free, online community with over 11,000 members, which helps addicts and their partners overcome problems related to porn use. Gabe Deem also shares his concerns with porn’s impact on youth and recommendations for educating parents to speak with young people about Internet porn.
In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.
In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Everyone will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.
Have you ever been dismissed because you were considered too young, or ignored because you were deemed too old? If so, you have experienced Ageism, stereotyping and discrimination based on age. In this show, author activist, Ashton Applewhite will raise our consciousness about age discrimination with research, humor and personal references. Drawing upon her acclaimed book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, her powerful discussion and examples will make it clear “that chronological age is an increasingly unreliable benchmark of pretty much anything about a person.” You will wonder how you missed the degree of age bias we tolerate and the myths about age we perpetuate in our culture. You will recognize that demeaning stereotypes about age threaten the best of us at any age. Don't miss this!
In this Episode, Dr. John Duffy, the author of the best selling book, The Available Parent: Expert Advice for Raising Successful and Resilient Teens and Tweens, addresses the questions and concerns that parents always ask or are too afraid to ask “Where did we go wrong?” “Why is her goal to torture us?” John Duffy defines and describes the role of an Available Parent in the context of adolescent development. He clarifies the common parent/teen clashes in terms of the physical, social and psychological challenges that make teens as wonderful as they are complicated. With humor and examples he describes what “ Never Works” as well as “What Does Work.” Throughout, he shows parents how to be available is a way changes and improves the parent/teen relationship and fosters the resilience and growth of their teen.
We live in a time when an understanding of power and the abuse of power has tremendous importance. In this show, Dr. Dacher Keltner, psychologist, Faculty Director of the Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, and acclaimed researcher, awakens us to The Power Paradox. Drawing upon his latest book, The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence, Dr. Keltner defines power that gives and power that grabs. Citing fascinating studies, he discusses the ways in which a person, be it a teen, a teacher or a world leader, gets power and then faces the Power Paradox - the choice of keeping it or being corrupted by it. As an honored professor, researcher with over 190 publications, consultant on emotions for Facebook, Google, and the Disney Pixar movie, “ Inside Out,” Dr. Keltner’s discussion of the Power Paradox is one we need to hear.
A wonderful example of the spirit of giving for the Holiday Season is the message of the Hit Broadway Musical “Come From Away.” For this episode, Host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Sue Frost, the producer and Joel Hatch, a cast member of this remarkable show. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the show is based on the events of 9/11 when the US shut down its airspace in response to the terrorist attacks. Thousands of passengers on international flights could not land in the US. They landed in Gandar, Newfoundland and the way they were received is the essence of this story. Producer Sue Frost shares why she produced this unique musical, special moments, the unexpected, and overwelming responses by audiences. Joel Hatch, shares his feelings of being in the cast and the emotional experience of going to Gandar to perform and meet the actual people the cast portrayed. This show pulls you into the kindness of strangers, laughter and musical excitement. You’ll love “Come From Away.”
In this show Dr. Lori Brotto, Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia’s Sexual Health Laboratory discusses the problems of sexual arousal and sexual desire reported by 10 to 40% of women. She clarifies the misconceptions and confusion about female sexual desire, the differences between men and women and why the “Female Viagra Drug” fizzled. She draws upon the psychological interventions she has research for the management of sexual arousal, desire and genital pain and makes it clear that for women the sexual response involves the mind being in sync with the body. She draws upon the strategies in her upcoming self-help book “ Better Sex Through Mindfulness” to discuss the powerful results found when women are guided to use mindfulness to attend to and identify triggers, context and the kind of stimuli that elicits sexual desire and arousal for them.
In this show, Dr. Gary Slutkin world known epidemiologist, senior advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and founder of Cure Violence, the organization ranked 1st among organizations devoted to reducing violence, invites us to recognize Violence as a Contagious Disease. Dr. Slutkin shares his background of reversing contagious diseases like TB and Cholera in Somalia and the AIDS epidemic in over 25 countries in central and East Africa and Uganda. Drawing upon this knowledge, he describes that the study of violence reveals the same exposure, susceptibility, mutation and transmission patterns, as a contagious disease. He then describes the Cure Violence Method, a program working in over 60 communities in 25 cities in the U.S. and on five continents with dramatic results. As he describes, we may have different manifestations of violence from gun shootings to domestic violence; but all are part of the Violence Disease Syndrome, which we are showing can be cured.
In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstrates the power of self-compassion to enhance self-knowledge and motivation and describes and exemplifies its use of self-kindness, human connection and mindfulness to offset self-criticism and the trap of self-loathing. To hear Kristin Neff, is to receive an insider’s understanding of a powerful resource for coping, healing and growing in every day life. Self- Compassion is within our grasp.
On this show you will have the opportunity to learn about Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs for people. Be they children, adults, veterans, or facilities, these dogs give the gift of independence. You will hear about the many programs, volunteers and services of Canine Companions from Executive Director Megan Koester. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of being a puppy raiser. She is raising her 22nd puppy and Josiah Lanning who received Service Dog, Charlice more than 5 years ago, will give you a close and personal look at what a service dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, this is the show to hear. This is an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t miss this show.
In this episode, William Pullen, psychotherapist, author and runner, captures the therapeutic power of movement. Drawing upon his interactive workbook, Running With Mindfulness, he guides listeners in the three simple steps of Dynamic Running Therapy, which he applies not only to running; but to walking, pedaling, hiking, or any form of exercise movement, alone or with a companion. His combination of movement, mindfulness, information and self-inquiry (on stress reduction, decision making, expectations, relationships, anger, depression etc.) with the natural environment, maximizes on the proven benefits of each of these modalities. As you will hear, his approach provides us with a simple, available and powerful therapeutic tool. Joining us from the UK, William Pullen is someone you will want to hear.
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and an expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will discuss his new and important book, Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy. In a culture of easy access to porn, sexual violence on campus and the condemnation of sexual predators, there is both mystification and intimidation for male teens about sexuality and dating. As such, Dr. Smiler addresses the topics and the questions that too often go unanswered: What is sexual consent? What are the differences between dating vs. hooking up? What are the differences between the stereotype of male sexuality as focused only on sex vs. the reality of male sexuality as mostly an aspect of relationships. What Dr. Smiler offers boys is help in determining what sexual activities they are ready for. What he offers parents is the information they need to know when they talk to their sons about dating and sex. Don’t miss this show.
In this show Dr. Dawn Buse, Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Montefiore Headache Center and Associate Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine draws upon her extensive experience to discuss living well with migraine. She demystifies migraine and shares important treatment possibilities. Drawing upon her recent research, she addresses what has often been overlooked, the impact of migraine on a family. She offers strategies for managing migraine and living well as a parent and/or spouse with this chronic suffering. Her shared expertise will benefit the many people who cope with migraine and the families who love them.
If you are someone who struggles with falling asleep or staying asleep – you are not alone. An estimated 164 million Americans (68%) reported struggling with sleep at least once per week. In this show, Dr.Courtney Bancroft, Yale-trained, licensed psychologist specializing in all-natural, evidence-based insomnia treatment, offers some answers. Dr. Bancroft clarifies the nature and patterns of sleep, discusses the reality and myths associated with insomnia, and helps us to examine factors that may keep us from sleeping. She offers strategies for improved sleep hygiene and exemplifies the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with a case example. If you or someone you know suffers with insomnia or sleep difficulties– Listen in.
In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, discusses, Two Plus Two: Couples and their Couple Relationships, a book he co-authored with Dr. Kathleen Holtz Deal, which is the first book to explore the meaning of couples’ friendships with other couples. Drawing upon research with 400 couples, Dr. Greif reports on findings and invites listeners to consider whether they are Seekers, Keepers or Nesters? Who are their couple friends? Do their couple friendships impact their relationship in a positive or negative way? Do couple friendships change over the course of a couple’s marriage? How do couples balance the demands on their time with couple friends? What does it mean if a couple mostly has separate friendships? Do men and women value couple friendships in different ways? What happens when a couple’s couple friends break up? This is a very interesting show, which informs and invites self-reflection and couple discussion.
In this episode Dr. Andrea Brandt, psychologist and author draws upon her latest book, Mindful Aging: Embracing Your Life After 50 to Find Fulfillment, Purpose, and Joy, to refute the notion of aging as chronic deterioration and decline and invite us to be “ On top of the hill rather than over the hill!” Toward this end, she draws upon research and offers specific strategies for knowing ourselves better, accepting our passions and truths, letting go of regrets and making a plan for bringing our dreams to life. She discusses the use of realistic positivity and guides us through the use of emotional mindfulness. She challenges us to look back in our history for forgotten joys and offers inspiring examples and methods for replacing loss and rethinking limits. You will be as energized as you are inspired by her use of a mind-body-heart connection for well being at any age.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner. Our guest, Betty Hafner is one of those who suffered. A teacher, counselor, and author, Betty will draw upon her beautiful but terrifying book, Not Exactly Love: A Memoir. She will give us the insider’s view of the dark and complex trap of Domestic Violence. You will hear about bruises on her wedding day, necessary denial, frozen fear, cycles of love and abuse, the reason people can’t leave, the shame and excuses, the split off professional life, the isolation, the echoes of historical roots, self-doubt, police, therapy and incremental steps of self-protection, self-esteem and a way out. Betty Hafner’s memoir reads with the power and suspense of fiction; but it is painfully true. Whether you are male or female, have suffered from domestic or intimate partner violence or tried to help someone who has, you will want to hear this show.
This episode is special because it is part of a double show. In this show, Host Suzanne Phillips welcomes Sandra Reich, “Host of Straight Talk with Sandra Reich on Voice America” as her guest on Psych Up Live to discuss issues related to Sandra’s bestselling book, Once upon a Time-How Cinderella Grew Up and Became a Happy Empowered Woman, co-authored with Matte Gomez. Later that evening, Dr. Suzanne Phillips appears as the guest on Sandra Reich’s show to continue the conversation with a twist, 'Why do Married Men and Women Have Affairs?' Listen in as these hosts raise the possibilities, realities and challenges women have as they become empowered. How do they manage? How do they relate to the princes in their lives when they need to be loved but not rescued?
An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year. Americans spend $33 billion each year on weight loss products. With all of this effort and money expended, why are so many people unable to lose weight? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Calapai, a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified in family and anti-aging medicine answers that question and many more. Asserting that people are on diet information overload, Dr. Calapai offers listeners expert answers about what is myth and what is sound weight loss advice. He addresses questions like: Can you eat whatever you want if you workout? What is the best way to kick start a diet? Are cleansers the best first step? Does it matter what time you eat? To keep your sugar topped off, should you eat a lot of little meals? Is it really possible to keep weight off once you lose it? This will be an interesting and informative show.
In this show, Dr. Greif invites listeners to learn about men and male friendships from the hundreds of men and women he has interviewed. His findings dispel the myth that men don’t need or want friends or that they need wives or girlfriends to find them friends. Dr. Greif will describe some consistent patterns that reflect the types of relationships men have across their lifespan and address the questions men themselves have asked and answered about friendship: Do I have have enough close friends? How do you juggle friends with marriage and kids? What is the meaning of friendship? Do I just let go of friends when things stop working out? Dr.Greif will make clear the interesting differences in the way men and women have friendships. This is a show both men and women will find very interesting.
The idea for this episode comes from the work of Robyn D’Angelo who is the creator of the recent series “How to Love your Partner-- Mastering the Messiness of Couplehood Together.” In that series, Robyn filmed interviews with herself and 22 love experts on everything from the misunderstood partner to the angry partner. Host Suzanne Phillips was one of those experts. In this Psych Up Live episode, Robyn and two of her experts, Heather Sequin and John Harrison join host Suzanne Phillips to share valuable couple strategies.Robyn begins by sharing the most important couple strategy offered by many of her experts and draws upon her own specialty to discuss effective responses for dealing with the “ anxious partner.” Heather Sequin addresses the question of how to respond to a sex-addicted partner. She defines sex addiction and the type of help needed to heal and repair a marriage.John Harrison considers how couples transition from romantic partners to co-parents without losing their bond.
In this episode Dr. Craig Haen and Dr. Seth Aronson, psychologists, child and adolescent experts and Fellows of the American Group Psychotherapy Association draw upon their clinical experience and their new edited book, The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Group Therapy to offer an understanding of the power of groups for helping and healing children and adolescents. They address the developmental needs that groups offer any child and the curative factors of different therapeutic group models for children and adolescents, whether victims of trauma, adolescents struggling with LGBT issues, or youth with varying common diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorders, depression, and anxiety. Parents, professionals and anyone who loves children will be moved and informed by this insider glimpse of contemporary group techniques that offer children and adolescents another chance of belonging, safe attachment, tools for socializing, self-regulation and a sense of hope
In this episode, Olga Khazan award winning writer for The Atlantic, draws upon her powerful article in the September 2017 Issue, “The Queen Bee in the Corner Office” to discuss why women bully each other in the workplace. Recognizing that this complex issue is as easily dismissed as unreal as it is cast as inevitable, she interviews women across disciplines from law offices to consulting firms to academia. She reports on Pew and Gallop surveys and examines a number of studies including one of 60,000 managers. What she consistently finds is that although there is evidence of positive mentoring and support of women by women bosses, there is a persistent theme of women undermining, sabotaging and mistreating other women in the workplace. Turning to psychologists and researchers, she uncovers a number of dynamics that may prompt this behavior as “ tokenism” “favoritism threat” “system justification” and most importantly the way in which culture and context shape behavior.
In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear when we learn someone is getting a divorce or has been divorced. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two years or twenty, and whether it comes by choice, betrayal or mutual despair. As described in her book, Without This Ring, Abby Rodman does not advocate for divorce: but when there is no choice, she advocates for women to know they are not alone, to believe in themselves and to identify the feelings and dynamics that can be addressed with help on many levels. She will not be speaking about finding someone new. She will be speaking about the power of first finding you. Both women and men will benefit from this show.
In 2015, Rachel Hills, the author of The Sex Myth was a guest on Psych Up Live. Her book has been translated into a devised play opening August 2017 in NY. Central to Rachel Hills’ book was her realization that she was measuring herself by the cultural expectation that we must be sexy, sexually active and skilled in bed to be an adequate human being. With research across 10 countries, she finds this is a myth. The world is not hooking up and she is neither alone nor a loser. In fact, many are trapped by culturally imposed definitions of sexuality. “ The Sex Myth-a Devised Play” expands this with the collective stories of a cast who dare to step beyond the myths. Listen in to a behind-the-scenes interview with director, Hanne Larsen and three cast members-Jennie Runk, an American model, Non Kuramoto, an Asian actor, comedian, feminist and Jari Jones, a black trans multi-faceted artist. Each shares the personal experience of this co-created performance on their definitions of self.
The difficulty conceiving a child can pose physical and psychological challenges for women and men. The goal of this show is to help eliminate any stigma surrounding infertility and to empower women and men to learn about fertility. On this show, Dr. Julie Lamb, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist, author of over 50 peer-reviewed papers, infertility specialist at Pacific NW Fertility in Seattle and clinical faculty at the University of Washington, draws upon her expertise with state of the art technology and exceptional patient care to discuss fertility challenges, choices and possibilities. She will discuss reasons for infertility and treatment options. She will explain and answer the most frequently asked questions associated with procedures like IVF, IUI, etc. She will also address the option of taking charge of reproductive potential by Egg Freezing including-when, why, success rate, cost, personal meaning and rationale. Listen in to be informed.
This episode offers an insider look at Sex Trafficking as the backdrop for an important discussion of the unrecognized traumatic events that are carried by the vast majority of children and adults who become the victims of Sex Trafficking. As a survivor and a mental health professional, Savannah Sanders draws upon her life and book, Sex Trafficking Prevention: A Trauma Informed Approach for Parents and Professionals to advocate for a trauma-informed approach to prevention and healing. She invites parents and professionals to recognize the signs of suffering and vulnerability often obscured by behavioral problems and symptoms. She identifies why and how certain children from every culture and socio-economic level become targets who are groomed and trapped in “The Life.” She discusses the myths, stereotypes and realities of Sex Trafficking and offers parents and professionals valuable tools for prevention and intervention. This show is alarming and crucial to hear.
In this episode, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy invites you to give up the need to be marketable or perfect and to instead identify and embrace your core gifts. He offers the steps from embracing an authentic self to recognizing the difference between attractions of deprivation and attractions of inspiration. Drawing upon his own life and many vivid examples, Ken Page guides you through the seven skills of Deeper Dating and the where and how to bring these skills to the dating world. He then discusses how to build sexual, romantic and emotional intimacy in new healthy relationships. With these in mind, you will think of yourself, dating and the choice of a truly loving relationship in a powerfully new way.
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Both professionally and in the public eye, this disorder has been associated with females. In reality, 25% of those suffering are males; but as a group, they have been overlooked, misdiagnosed or misinformed. In this episode, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, Psychologist, Eating Disorder Expert, Clinician and author discusses his groundbreaking book, Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in Males. In the discussion with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Wooldridge addresses the symptoms, causes and unique issues particular to males who control their eating with dangerous consequences. He considers the impact of media on male body image, the role of bullying, and the anxiety about relationships and sexuality. In his discussion of causes and treatment, Dr. Wooldridge offers professionals, parents and males an integrative model that accounts for bio-behavioral, family system, medical, psychodynamic and spiritual factors.
In this show, Distinguished Professor of Business, Dr. Joel Evans draws upon his expertise in marketing and social media to invite us to reflect on living in a world that has taken leaps and bounds in online connectivity. He invites listeners to consider the rate of connectivity to the internet across countries, age groups, gender, educational and economic levels. He draws upon research to identify how and why we connect and whether we wake up checking our smartphones, benefit from Facebook and are aware of how many times we check our smartphone screens in the course of a day. He considers the impact of wearable devices like fitbits and the connectivity afforded by GPS, Wifi, and Global. With research and data that will surprise you, he considers the benefits and disadvantages of connectivity and offers recommendations for keeping your online connectivity an asset rather than a personal and professional liability.
In this episode Dr. Frank Sileo, award winning children’s author and psychologist, identifies common childhood challenges and feelings and discusses the power of stories to address them. He considers fears, stress, self-confidence, making mistakes, friends, gossip, being different and separation from parents. He demonstrates in the books he writes like, Sally Sore Loser; Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town; Bug Bites and Campfires: A Story for Kids about Homesickness; A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, etc. what research has found about the power of books to develop empathy and coping skills. He shares an understanding of how reading takes children out of their world to another place where they see the world through another’s eyes. When that story is shared with a parent, teacher or another child, it is an intimate experience of shared imagination. If you love children and you love stories, listen in to learn how valuable the joy of reading can be.
We live in a time when an understanding of power and the abuse of power has tremendous importance. In this show, Dr. Dacher Keltner, psychologist, Faculty Director of the Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, and acclaimed researcher, awakens us to The Power Paradox. Drawing upon his latest book, The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence, Dr. Keltner defines power that gives and power that grabs. Citing fascinating studies, he discusses the ways in which a person, be it a teen, a teacher or a world leader, gets power and then faces the Power Paradox - the choice of keeping it or being corrupted by it. As an honored professor, researcher with over 190 publications, consultant on emotions for Facebook, Google, and the Disney Pixar movie, “ Inside Out,” Dr. Keltner’s discussion of the Power Paradox is one we need to hear.
Miscarriages are more common than most people realize. They can occur in as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Miscarriages are the hidden losses that couples grieve together and come to fear together. In this show, Dr. Lora Shahine, Board Certified Physician in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology, draws upon her years of experience and new book, Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage an Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, to empower those who have suffered a miscarriage with the latest information and guidance. From clarifying the causes of miscarriage, to demystifying tests, recognizing the psychological impact on women as well as men, providing Western and Eastern approaches to minimize the risk of miscarriage and more, Dr. Shahine shares with a personal interest and concern. She makes hope possible.
In this episode, Dr. Serani, psychologist, author and depression expert and Dr. Owens, cognitive psychologist with expertise in suicide prevention, discuss the Netflix Series, “13 Reasons Why.” The series tells the fictional story of Hannah Baker, a teen who dies by suicide and leaves behind 13 tapes revealing the 13 reasons she ends her life. The show has caught the interest of teens as well as parents and professionals. Drs. Serani and Owens consider both the benefits and dangers of the series for teens. They recognize the needed attention the series brings to teen suicide; but raise concerns with dramatizations and omissions relative to suicide, depression, mental illness and treatment. They discuss how Hannah and the high school students are depicted, as well as the ways in which school personnel and parents respond in the series. Finally, they suggest ways for parents, teachers and young people to use this series as a starting point for addressing the tragedy of teen suicide.
We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand why something that seems simple can be so powerful.
Against a backdrop of ongoing reports of terrorism, violence, physical brutality and sexual assault, Dr. Bob Klein and Vic Schermer ask us to consider the overlooked acts of non-physical violence voiced or displayed in families, schools, the workplace, and relationships. Drawing upon their professional work with individuals and groups and their extensive writing on violence, they discuss the causes and impact of insults, stereotyping, bullying, microaggression and institutional violence that marginalizes and stereotypes others and sanctions covert and overt violence. Crucial to their message is an interesting and important discussion of strategies to recognize and prevent these subtle but violent assaults to a person’s sense of self. Most of us have been guilty of non-physical violence, victims of non-physical violence or bystanders of it. The cost to ourselves and others is too great. We can make a difference.
We are all aware through movies, series and the sensational lives of celebrities of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited compassion and support by some and critique, violence and political rejection by others. This episode will clarify the myths and give you an insider’s experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband’s transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier’s story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, professor and the author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, offers a new and well researched look at women as decision makers. She addresses the reality of gender dynamics in the workplace like the glass ceiling, the glass cliff and the different consequences of making a mistake for men and women in leadership while dispelling the myths and beliefs about gender differences and decision making with comprehensive research. She proposes that the reason that men and women should both be in the boardroom is that while there are many actual similarities in their decision- making, the real differences that would maximize success. Adding to this she offers fascinating studies that reveal the best decision-making strategies for men and women from testing our use of intuition to resisting the first idea that comes to mind. Listen in, you will be surprised and informed.
In this episode, Dr. Richard Gartner, nationally recognized expert in male sexual abuse draws upon his many books including his two new edited books, Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men:The Trauma of Sexual Abuse AND Healing Sexually Betrayed Men and Boys: Treatment for Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Trauma (in press) to invite understanding and healing of sexually betrayed man and boys. He defines sexual betrayal and abuse and identifies the myths of male sexual abuse. He makes sense of the silence and reasons some boys and men can’t remember and discusses the impact when the abuser is a parent, clergy or revered person. He discusses what brings men to treatment and lists celebrities, athletes, and politicians who have disclosed their sexual abuse and moved forward with life. He invites boys and men to realize that they are not alone- It was never their fault and treatment resources like MaleSurvivor.org are available. His shared experience is a gift to listeners.
In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned and influential authors, artists and community leaders who believe language and literature are essential tools for creating a better society. They will share the way in which Narrative 4 has built empathy and bridged tens of thousands around the world in classrooms and communities etc., with the key methodology of the story exchange. Particularly important given a landscape of national and international strife, is Colum and Lisa’s description of this year’s mission of “Empathy Into Action,” a campaign that uses the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues. They will describe their inaugural event “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. Listen in and consider the possibilities for radical empathy fostered by Narrative 4.
Consider a custody case that involves domestic abuse and children. Is it possible that a protective parent could lose custody of their child to a named abuser? Yes. In this episode, Toby Kleinman, attorney and national expert in child custody, takes on this frightening reality. Drawing upon her soon to be released book, co-authored with Daniel Pollack Domestic Abuse, Child Custody and Visitation: Winning in Court, she offers a close and well informed look at the Family Court System. She illuminates the ‘Great Judicial Fallacy’ and provides specific guidance to lawyers, mental health professionals and battered women facing child custody litigation with an abusive ex-partner. Listeners will hear crucial information for navigating the often-hostile legal terrain faced by battered women trying to protect their children. Finally someone has some answers.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
All of us own a life story that reflects a legacy of events we have received from the generations before us and that we will pass on to future generations. In this episode, Elaine Cooper, LCSW, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and author of LET'S ALL HOLD HANDS AND DROP DEAD: Three Generations - One Story, invites us to understand and identify intergenerational trauma, its impact, how we heal and even change the legacy. Drawing upon experience, established research, clinical and group expertise, Elaine Cooper illuminates this topic in a way that will make you reconsider the generational legacy you carry, what it means for your present life, your family, your health, your genetic profile, your strengths, your decisions and the life story you choose to own.You will think about your life differently.
Have you ever knocked on wood, disliked someone because of his name, or bought an object owned by a famous person? This episode will surprise and inform you. In it, Matthew Hutson, MIT trained science writer, will explain the seven rules of magical thinking and how we use irrational beliefs based upon them to keep us happy, healthy and sane. He will consider the role of superstitions, the Lake Wobegon effect, the fear of being Jinxed, the feeling that things happen for a reason and more. It is a fascinating close-up of the way we, as humans, need to think. Don’t miss it.
There is nothing easy about divorce and despite the statistics, it is a journey that most people don’t want to take. In this episode, Audrey Cade, author of Divorce Matters: Help for Hurting Hearts and Why Divorce is Sometimes the Best Decision, offers a very realistic look at the When, Why and How of Coping with Divorce. With the wisdom of someone who has been through it, this matriarch of a blended family of eight is as clear about the need to take steps to try save your marriage as she is realistic about the anguish of realizing you can’t. Using her own journey as a starting point she addresses what most people facing divorce are rarely prepared to handle. From grieving the loss of a dream, to telling the children, accepting the Facebook gossip, dealing with the nerve-wracking legal maze, spending less time with your kids, forgiving self, to dealing with somebody else’s ex, she offers valuable advice without the sugar coating. Sad, mad, sometimes funny, Audrey Cade will pass on to you her lessons learned.
In this episode, Wesley C. Davidson and Dr. Jonathan Tobkes M.D. discuss their new and much needed book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know. In the discussion with Host Suzanne Phillips, Wesley C. Davidson, shares her shock on realizing that her son is gay, her denial and the lack of resources available to her as a straight parent of an LGBT child in the 90’s. With her son’s permission and hindsight, she writes the book she needed for other parents. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Wesley Davidson and Dr. Tobkes discuss the denial, guilt, fear, anger, shame, and loss suffered by parents and children on the road to acceptance. They are joined by Dr. Shawnee Dawson, one of the parents interviewed. Dr. Tobkes shares some of the professional advice he provides at the end of each chapter. With respect and compassion, he normalizes feelings, addresses myths, and reduces fear. This is a show that you can’t miss.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner. Our guest, Betty Hafner is one of those who suffered. A teacher, counselor, and author, Betty will draw upon her beautiful but terrifying book, Not Exactly Love: A Memoir. She will give us the insider’s view of the dark and complex trap of Domestic Violence. You will hear about bruises on her wedding day, necessary denial, frozen fear, cycles of love and abuse, the reason people can’t leave, the shame and excuses, the split off professional life, the isolation, the echoes of historical roots, self-doubt, police, therapy and incremental steps of self-protection, self-esteem and a way out. Betty Hafner’s memoir reads with the power and suspense of fiction; but it is painfully true. Whether you are male or female, have suffered from domestic or intimate partner violence or tried to help someone who has, you will want to hear this show.
In this episode, Tom Matt, author and acclaimed radio host of Bommer’s Rock on six Michigan radio stations, draws upon his own battle with drugs and alcohol and the personal life changes he has made to pass forward the lesson learned -“It is never too late to change!” From young people who feel stuck to Baby Boomers anxious about life after retirement, he discusses roadblocks and well a ways to redefine and revitalize self. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, he will draw upon examples to address questions like: How do you start? How do you face the roadblocks? What gives you the courage to face your fears and others’ doubts? He informs and inspires.
In this Episode, Dr. John Duffy, the author of the best selling book, The Available Parent: Expert Advice for Raising Successful and Resilient Teens and Tweens, addresses the questions and concerns that parents always ask or are too afraid to ask “Where did we go wrong?” “Why is her goal to torture us?” John Duffy defines and describes the role of an Available Parent in the context of adolescent development. He clarifies the common parent/teen clashes in terms of the physical, social and psychological challenges that make teens as wonderful as they are complicated. With humor and examples he describes what “ Never Works” as well as “What Does Work.” Throughout, he shows parents how to be available is a way that changes and improves the parent/teen relationship and fosters the resilience and growth of their teen.
Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.
In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her new and comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for health-care professionals as for seniors who don’t understand why they are suffering. She will answer questions like: What Is Geriatric Depression? Isn’t Depression a normal part of aging? Why is it so often missed or dismissed? What are the steps for proper assessment? What are the treatment options? Are depressed seniors a suicide risk? Adding to this, Dr. Serani considers the power of “conscious aging” as an asset to physical and emotional well-being. This is an important show for all.
In this episode, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy invites you to give up the need to be marketable or perfect and to instead identify and embrace your core gifts. He offers the steps from embracing an authentic self to recognizing the difference between attractions of deprivation and attractions of inspiration. Drawing upon his own life and many vivid examples, Ken Page guides you through the seven skills of Deeper Dating and the where and how to bring these skills to the dating world. He then discusses how to build sexual, romantic and emotional intimacy in new healthy relationships. With these in mind, you will think of yourself, dating and the choice of a truly loving relationship in a powerfully new way.
In this episode, Dr. Suniya Luthar reports on the findings of a survey study of 2.247 well-educated mothers whose children ranged in age from infants to early adults. Dr. Luthar and her colleague, Dr. Ciciolla wondered if the mothers’ adjustment and wellbeing changed over the course of their child’s development. Their findings are surprising. They find that the moms of children in middle school are the most stressed and report feeling lonely, empty and dissatisfied in their parenting role. Listen in to find out why middle school moms have a more difficult time than moms of infants or teens? Find out what aspects of the mothering role are most stressful during a child’s pre-teen years and what moms can do to prevent and reduce their stress both alone and together.
What does Compulsive Shopping have to do with a trip to Africa to help teens prevent HIV? Quite a bit, as you’ll hear. In this show, Dr. Benson, nationally known expert in the study and treatment of compulsive buying disorder, first helps us recognize and address the compulsive shopping patterns that persist long after holiday shopping is finished. She describes the rationalizations to buy, the warning signs, as well as strategies and treatment programs for change. Dr. Benson then invites us into her experience while working as a counselor at Camp Sizanani in the countryside around Johannesburg, South Africa. Camp Sizanani provides a hundred and thirty teens a week-long camp experience that teaches them critical life skills like information about the changes of puberty and HIV/AIDS prevention with traditional camp activities. In the final segment of the show, April Benson shares not only the reactions of the teens but the personal meaning it offered to her, as well as the shopping challenges she experienced while in Africa.
In this episode Professor Joel Evans, Patricia Malone, and Dave Berger will share personal glimpses of their diagnosis, treatment and survival from cancer. You will hear about the impact of diagnosis, the role of family and friends. The question of stigma and the response of colleagues. You will hear about the expected and unexpected, the trust in medical teams and the personal factors that each drew upon to keep on going at the roughest of times. These are stories of pain, persistence, fear, gratitude and possibility. These are stories of people who were helped by the wisdom of others who had faced cancer. In this episode, Joel Evans, Patricia Malone and Dave Berger want to pass on their experiences to benefit others. You will not forget them or the resilience they share.
In this Episode Dr. Connie Siskowski, founder of the American Association for Caregiving Youth awakens us to the reality that 1.4 million children in this country sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, aging or have disabilities. Isolated, often facing tasks and medical responsibilities that would challenge adults, these children are often invisible to schools and communities. Dr. Siskowski, who was recognized as one of the CNN’s Top Ten Heroes in 2012 offers a powerful answer. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, she shares her personal history and the motivation for developing The American Association for Caregiving Youth, which includes “The Caregiving Youth Project.” She is joined by the professional interdisciplinary team of this project, Dr. Anne Faraone, Kim Fort LMSW and Cara Zimmerman MSW who share their roles in making the lives of child caregivers possible, healthy and hopeful.
In this episode Dr. Craig Haen and Dr. Seth Aronson, psychologists, child and adolescent experts and Fellows of the American Group Psychotherapy Association draw upon their clinical experience and their new edited book, The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Group Therapy to offer an understanding of the power of groups for helping and healing children and adolescents. They address the developmental needs that groups offer any child and the curative factors of different therapeutic group models for children and adolescents, whether victims of trauma, adolescents struggling with LGBT issues, or youth with varying common diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorders, depression, and anxiety. Parents, professionals and anyone who loves children will be moved and informed by this insider glimpse of contemporary group techniques that offer children and adolescents another chance of belonging, safe attachment, tools for socializing, self-regulation and a sense of hope
In this episode Dr. Gillihan will discuss his new book, Retrain the Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 weeks. Dr. Gillihan will clarify the way in which thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to play a role in actually increasing anxiety and depression; but, how people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression can take steps to bring about changes. Be it panic attacks, fear of flying, or self-defeating procrastination, he will point out examples from this 7 week program that guide us to reconsider our behaviors, identify and reduce negative thought patterns, and understand and regulate feelings. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips he will consider the role of acceptance in reducing both anxiety and depression. Listen in, call in and write in with questions to radiohostphillips@gmail.com
In this episode Dr. Gillihan will discuss his new book, Retrain the Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 weeks. Dr. Gillihan will clarify the way in which thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to play a role in actually increasing anxiety and depression; but, how people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression can take steps to bring about changes. Be it panic attacks, fear of flying, or self-defeating procrastination, he will point out examples from this 7 week program that guide us to reconsider our behaviors, identify and reduce negative thought patterns, and understand and regulate feelings. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips he will consider the role of acceptance in reducing both anxiety and depression. Listen in, call in and write in with questions to radiohostphillips@gmail.com
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Both professionally and in the public eye, this disorder has been associated with females. In reality, 25% of those suffering are males; but as a group, they have been overlooked, misdiagnosed or misinformed. In this episode, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, Psychologist, Eating Disorder Expert, Clinician and author discusses his groundbreaking book, Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in Males. In the discussion with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Wooldridge addresses the symptoms, causes and unique issues particular to males who control their eating with dangerous consequences. He considers the impact of media on male body image, the role of bullying, and the anxiety about relationships and sexuality. In his discussion of causes and treatment, Dr. Wooldridge offers professionals, parents and males an integrative model that accounts for bio-behavioral, family system, medical, psychodynamic and spiritual factors.
On this show you will have the opportunity to learn about Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs for people. Be they children, adults, veterans, or facilities, these dogs give the gift of independence. You will hear about the many programs, volunteers and services of Canine Companions from Executive Director Megan Koester. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of being a puppy raiser. She is raising her 22nd puppy and Josiah Lanning who received Service Dog, Charlice more than 5 years ago, will give you a close and personal look at what a service dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, this is the show to hear. This is an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t miss this show.
In this episode, Cheryl Bradshaw, counselor and psychotherapist specializing in teens and young adults discusses her new book, How to Like Yourself: A Teen’s Guide to Quieting Your Inner Critic & Building Lasting Self-Esteem. Cheryl Bradshaw’s approach is one that young adults will find engaging, thought provoking and very helpful. Recognizing that few of us in this highly competitive culture are taught to like ourselves, she identifies the traps, feelings and distortions that keep us from building self-esteem. With a sense of humor and personal connection, she offers interesting strategies to overcome these traps. She addresses our assumption that everyone else seems to have it all; the inner critic that keeps us from believing in ourselves; the power of making mistakes; the reality of attraction and the difference between friends and likes. Listen in as Cheryl Bradshaw offers young adults and those who love them an impressive and accessible way to build self-esteem.
The idea for this episode comes from the work of Robyn D’Angelo who is the creator of the recent series “How to Love your Partner-- Mastering the Messiness of Couplehood Together.” In that series, Robyn filmed interviews with herself and 22 love experts on everything from the misunderstood partner to the angry partner. Host Suzanne Phillips was one of those experts. In this Psych Up Live episode, Robyn and two of her experts, Heather Sequin and John Harrison join host Suzanne Phillips to share valuable couple strategies.Robyn begins by sharing the most important couple strategy offered by many of her experts and draws upon her own specialty to discuss effective responses for dealing with the “ anxious partner.” Heather Sequin addresses the question of how to respond to a sex-addicted partner. She defines sex addiction and the type of help needed to heal and repair a marriage.John Harrison considers how couples transition from romantic partners to co-parents without losing their bond.
On Thursday November 3rd, 11 AM Pacific Time ( 2 PM EST) Filmmaker Susan Sipprelle of “Set for Life” and “ Over 50 and Out of Work” comes to Psych Up Live on the Variety Channel of Voice America to discuss her important new documentary, “ Soldier On: Life After Deployment.” This feature length a href=http://vimeo.com/173083186 documentary/a chronicles with honesty and humor the challenges that three post-9/11 female veterans face readjusting to civilian life after their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Susan Sipprelle is joined on the show by one of the female veterans featured in the film, Natasha Young. In the back and forth with host, Dr. Suzanne Phillips, Sue Sipprelle will discuss the reason that she chose to make this documentary and the impact of sharing the personal journeys of these veteran women. Veteran Natasha Young offers the personal view of her painful and challenging journey to assimilate back into today’s society and her new mission of working with veterans at home. She is asked why she chose to be.
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and an expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will discuss his new and important book, Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy. In a culture of easy access to porn, sexual violence on campus and the condemnation of sexual predators, there is both mystification and intimidation for male teens about sexuality and dating. As such, Dr. Smiler addresses the topics and the questions that too often go unanswered: What is sexual consent? What are the differences between dating vs. hooking up? What are the differences between the stereotype of male sexuality as focused only on sex vs. the reality of male sexuality as mostly an aspect of relationships. What Dr. Smiler offers boys is help in determining what sexual activities they are ready for. What he offers parents is the information they need to know when they talk to their sons about dating and sex. Don’t miss this show.
Have you ever been dismissed because you were considered too young, or ignored because you were deemed too old? If so, you have experienced Ageism, stereotyping and discrimination based on age. In this show, author activist, Ashton Applewhite will raise our consciousness about age discrimination with research, humor and personal references. Drawing upon her acclaimed book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, her powerful discussion and examples will make it clear “that chronological age is an increasingly unreliable benchmark of pretty much anything about a person.” You will wonder how you missed the degree of age bias we tolerate and the myths about age we perpetuate in our culture. You will recognize that demeaning stereotypes about age threaten the best of us at any age. Don't miss this!
In this episode, Dr. Ken Carter returns to Psych Up Live to look closer at risk taking and sensation seeking. Is the person who will take a risk in business similar to the person who loves extreme sports? Are risk taking and sensation or thrill seeking different personality traits? Are they inter-related? Do men and women differ in these traits? Are they genetic traits or family fostered dynamics? Is our neurophysiology different when we put ourselves in danger for the thrill of it as opposed to facing unexpected danger? For these and much more about risk taking and sensation seeking—listen in. For preview of Dr. Carter, check out his Youtube.
We are often told to reach for our dreams and that the only real risk in life is never trying. This is the story of MJ Marggraff, a woman who decided to reach for her dream. In midlife, this wife and mother of two young children decided to take flying lessons. Her story of becoming a pilot is a story of fear, excitement, guilt, harassment, challenge and joy. It is a story that reveals how reaching for your dream impacts everyone you know and love in different ways. Whether you are a pilot, you love flying or would never board a plane, MJ Marggarff's story will invite you to think differently about flying and reaching for the sky in the journey of your life. Buckle up, consider your dreams and listen in.
We are often told to reach for our dreams and that the only real risk in life is never trying. This is the story of MJ Marggraff, a woman who decided to reach for her dream. In midlife, this wife and mother of two young children decided to take flying lessons. Her story of becoming a pilot is a story of fear, excitement, guilt, harassment, challenge and joy. It is a story that reveals how reaching for your dream impacts everyone you know and love in different ways. Whether you are a pilot, you love flying or would never board a plane, MJ Marggarff's story will invite you to think differently about flying and reaching for the sky in the journey of your life. Buckle up, consider your dreams and listen in.
We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
We are the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Our stories directly impact how we feel, our behavior and how we treat ourselves and others. Often we relive painful events and add more pain and drama to the story we tell ourselves and others. In this episode, Bruce Van Horn, bestselling author, speaker, leadership coach and cancer conqueror offers us a mini version of his important program, “Re-Story You!” Listen in to the back and forth with Bruce Van Horn and host, Suzanne Phillips to re-consider your story and your ability to change it. Call in and be part of this important discussion at 1-866-472-5788. You are the author of your own story.
As we approach the 15th Anniversary of 9-11, we are reminded of the countless children who have faced life-threatening circumstances from war, terrorist attack, natural disasters and refugee crisis. In this episode Sue Badeau, nationally known speaker, writer and consultant for traumatized children brings her perspective as a mother of 22 children and years of expertise with child welfare, the juvenile justice systems, the Council on Adoptable Children and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to help children by helping those who care for them. She is joined by her daughter, Chelsea Badeau, the artist and designer of their new book, Building Bridges of Hope: A Coloring Book For Adults Caring for Children Who have Experienced Trauma. You will hear strategies from research, theory, and clinical experience. You will find that with inspiring creativity, this coloring book serves as a training tool, a resource and a bridge of hope for caregivers.
This episode is special because it is part of a double show. In this show, Host Suzanne Phillips welcomes Sandra Reich, “Host of Straight Talk with Sandra Reich on Voice America” as her guest on Psych Up Live to discuss issues related to Sandra’s bestselling book, Once upon a Time-How Cinderella Grew Up and Became a Happy Empowered Woman, co-authored with Matte Gomez. Later that evening, Dr. Suzanne Phillips appears as the guest on Sandra Reich’s show to continue the conversation with a twist, 'Why do Married Men and Women Have Affairs?' Listen in as these hosts raise the possibilities, realities and challenges women have as they become empowered. How do they manage? How do they relate to the princes in their lives when they need to be loved but not rescued?
In this episode, Dr. Bella DePaulo, social psychologist and author will first draw upon her well recognized book, Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After to consider the cultural myths, negative presumptions and even financial discrimination against people who choose to live alone. Considering that more than half of adult Americans are single, Dr. DePaulo’s goal of raising consciousness regarding “Singlism” and awareness of the actual happiness of many singles is an important one. In this episode, Dr. De Paulo will also discuss her fascinating new book, How We Live Now: Redefining Home and Family in the 21st Century, which considers the creative and often non-nuclear ways that people are finding to live. The message of this show is thinking beyond cultural constraints to notice the different ways, spaces and places that people can choose to live happy lives.
How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.
In this show, Ross Rosenberg LCPC,CADC,CSAT psychotherapist, sexual addiction expert and author will discuss aspects of his book,The Human Magnet Syndrome: Why We Love People Who Hurt Us. He will discuss how and why co-dependent personalities and pathological narcissists are irresistibly attracted to each other. He will use this as a backdrop for discussing the dynamics of Co-dependency Addiction. He will describe the euphoria, desperation and withdrawal associated with this addiction, his model for understanding Codependency Addiction and his treatment strategies to address it.
In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear when we learn someone is getting a divorce or has been divorced. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two years or twenty, and whether it comes by choice, betrayal or mutual despair. As described in her book, Without This Ring, Abby Rodman does not advocate for divorce: but when there is no choice, she advocates for women to know they are not alone, to believe in themselves and to identify the feelings and dynamics that can be addressed with help on many levels. She will not be speaking about finding someone new. She will be speaking about the power of first finding you. Both women and men will benefit from this show.
Are you a sensation seeker? Have you ever wondered why people climb Everest, jump out of planes or ski dangerous unmarked trails? Is eagerness to experience the impact of any street drug or gambling away life savings driven by thrill seeking? In this show Dr. Ken Carter, Emory Psychologist and researcher of sensation thinking, considers these questions and more. He discusses the general components of sensation-seeking including thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, and disinhibition. He looks at gender differences, changes across the lifespan and clarifies the neuroscience behind sensation seeking. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of being a thrill seeker, he will even tell you about an online test to determine how much of a sensation seeker you are. Listen in--You will be intrigued.
In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her new and comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for health-care professionals as for seniors who don’t understand why they are suffering. She will answer questions like: What Is Geriatric Depression? Isn’t Depression a normal part of aging? Why is it so often missed or dismissed? What are the steps for proper assessment? What are the treatment options? Are depressed seniors a suicide risk? Adding to this, Dr. Serani considers the power of “conscious aging” as an asset to physical and emotional well-being. This is an important show for all.
In this show, M Gary Neuman will discuss ways of making a marriage all that it can be – even after an affair. In the discussion with Host Dr. Suzanne Phillips, he will offer his perspective of how and why a marriage can be saved. Drawing upon case examples he will share with listeners examples of the Neuman Method, a 10 Session online marriage program that has helped thousands of couples with methods and techniques suited to address the repair, recovery and enhancement of marriages.
In this episode, Samantha Waltz, the author of the powerful book, Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience and three of her wonderful contributing writers, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Gigi Rosenberg, and Emma Kate Tsai will share their personal experiences of being parents or children in stepfamilies. As three of the thirty professional writers who share their blended experience in this book, their voices convey more than the facts or dynamics of stepfamilies. They convey in a personal way the challenges of connection, the promise and pain of children who have lost parents from divorce or death, the fears of rejection and expectations of stepparents and the reasons for laughing, crying and celebrating. As the stories move from the “ Coming Together” of blended families to stories of “Acceptance” they broaden the understanding of stepfamilies and offer guidance, compassion and hope.
How can you foster a child’s resilience to handle future adversity? How can you intervene to offset the impact of homeliness, war, migration, domestic violence, etc. on a child’s development? In this episode, Dr. Ann Masten, Regents Professor of Child Development and recognized expert on risk and resilience in children will answer these questions and many more. Drawing upon her recent book, Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development, she will surprise and enrich you with her findings. She will invite you to recognize that resilience is not an extraordinary genetic trait and identify The Short List of factors and adaptational systems that build resilience. In a powerful way you will come to understand the ordinary magic that fosters resilience and changes children’s lives. This show unlocks resilience. It is a gift to adults who care about children and the children who need them.
Whether addressing campus sexual violence or other forms of power-based violence like partner abuse, bullying, stalking, etc. the national and internationally used program, Green Dot, etc. moves us from awareness to action. In this episode, Jessey Lyons, Associate Director of Green Dot turns our attention to reducing campus sexual violence. She recognizes that “It is not that people don’t care—they don’t know what to do.” Accordingly, she discusses training, tools and strategies that we can use on or off campus to make prevention and intervention possible. She is joined by college senior, Juliette Verrengia who shares her insights and experience as part of the team that has implemented The Green Dot at Connecticut College. We are aware. Now we need action.
In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, professor and the author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, offers a new and well researched look at women as decision makers. She addresses the reality of gender dynamics in the workplace like the glass ceiling, the glass cliff and the different consequences of making a mistake for men and women in leadership while dispelling the myths and beliefs about gender differences and decision making with comprehensive research. She proposes that the reason that men and women should both be in the boardroom is that while there are many actual similarities in their decision- making, the real differences that would maximize success. Adding to this she offers fascinating studies that reveal the best decision-making strategies for men and women from testing our use of intuition to resisting the first idea that comes to mind. Listen in, you will be surprised and informed.
In this Episode Dr. Connie Siskowski, founder of the American Association for Caregiving Youth awakens us to the reality that 1.4 million children in this country sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, aging or have disabilities. Isolated, often facing tasks and medical responsibilities that would challenge adults, these children are often invisible to schools and communities. Dr. Siskowski, who was recognized as one of the CNN’s Top Ten Heroes in 2012 offers a powerful answer. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, she shares her personal history and the motivation for developing The American Association for Caregiving Youth, which includes “The Caregiving Youth Project.” She is joined by the professional interdisciplinary team of this project, Dr. Anne Faraone, Kim Fort LMSW and Cara Zimmerman MSW who share their roles in making the lives of child caregivers possible, healthy and hopeful.
In this episode, Wesley C. Davidson and Dr. Jonathan Tobkes M.D. discuss their new and much needed book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know. In the discussion with Host Suzanne Phillips, Wesley C. Davidson, shares her shock on realizing that her son is gay, her denial and the lack of resources available to her as a straight parent of an LGBT child in the 90’s. With her son’s permission and hindsight, she writes the book she needed for other parents. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Wesley Davidson and Dr. Tobkes discuss the denial, guilt, fear, anger, shame, and loss suffered by parents and children on the road to acceptance. They are joined by Dr. Shawnee Dawson, one of the parents interviewed. Dr. Tobkes shares some of the professional advice he provides at the end of each chapter. With respect and compassion, he normalizes feelings, addresses myths, and reduces fear. This is a show that you can’t miss.
Too often in the aftermath of a traumatic event be it the loss of a child, a natural disaster or the wounds of war, a couple’s relationship becomes the collateral damage of the pain and loss suffered. In this episode, Host Dr. Suzanne B. Phillips will draw upon the book she co-authored with Dr. Dianne Kane, Healing Together: A Couple’s Guide to Coping with Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress to help couples understand that their relationship can either be the locus of pain or an important source of support and recovery. Dr. Phillips will demystify the stress responses associated with trauma, recognize the different ways that men and women react, and introduce the concept of couple psychological first aid. Drawing upon examples, she will discuss why anger and the disruption of sexual intimacy become common dynamics after trauma and the strategies to use to turn painful disconnection into loving connection again. She welcomes listeners to call and join the discussion.
In this episode, Cheryl Bradshaw, counselor and psychotherapist specializing in teens and young adults discusses her new book, How to Like Yourself: A Teen’s Guide to Quieting Your Inner Critic & Building Lasting Self-Esteem. Cheryl Bradshaw’s approach is one that young adults will find engaging, thought provoking and very helpful. Recognizing that few of us in this highly competitive culture are taught to like ourselves, she identifies the traps, feelings and distortions that keep us from building self-esteem. With a sense of humor and personal connection, she offers interesting strategies to overcome these traps. She addresses our assumption that everyone else seems to have it all; the inner critic that keeps us from believing in ourselves; the power of making mistakes; the reality of attraction and the difference between friends and likes. Listen in as Cheryl Bradshaw offers young adults and those who love them an impressive and accessible way to build self-esteem.
We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand why something that seems simple can be so powerful.
Jane Baker, author of the book, Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, will share the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self, his sense of being trapped in the wrong body, and the therapy and treatment he seeks in the process of becoming a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her daughter wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members.
In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.
In this episode Dr. Edward Haas, psychiatrist and author, draws upon his joy of parenting and his expertise in many areas to share his development of Transformative Parenting, which is a book as well as a philosophy used by professionals, parents, and school settings. Dr. Haas will describe the way in which this program captures the potential for mutual growth and connection for both parent and child. Consistent with research and evolving science on the importance of the early bonds and experiences in a child’s first years, he offers rationale,practices and examples that build parent-child attunement, self-mastery, emotional regulation, trust, curiosity, empathy, compassion, joy and more. For Dr. Ed Haas, parenting is a gift and a transformative journey for parent and child. Everyone should hear this show. br Email address: drhaas@transformativeparenting.org br Web site: www.TransformativeParenting.org
In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.
On this show Dr. Sherry Hamby, psychologist and founding editor or the Psychology Of Violence will apply her expertise to building resilience. When people dream of the future, they do not dream about avoiding depression or minimizing pain. People dream about seeking and achieving joy, love, and meaning. In the effort to prevent violence or help survivors, psychology often focuses on red flags, warning signs, and trauma symptoms, overlooking our needs for personal strategies to insure healthy relationships and maximize a meaningful life. Using a new concept called resilience portfolios, Dr. Hamby will discuss evidence-based strategies for individuals and communities to build strengths, promote safety, and secure well-being even in the face of life’s adversity.
In this episode, Dr. Bella DePaulo, social psychologist and author will first draw upon her well recognized book, Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After to consider the cultural myths, negative presumptions and even financial discrimination against people who choose to live alone. Considering that more than half of adult Americans are single, Dr. DePaulo’s goal of raising consciousness regarding “Singlism” and awareness of the actual happiness of many singles is an important one. In this episode, Dr. De Paulo will also discuss her fascinating new book, How We Live Now: Redefining Home and Family in the 21st Century, which considers the creative and often non-nuclear ways that people are finding to live. The message of this show is thinking beyond cultural constraints to notice the different ways, spaces and places that people can choose to live happy lives.
Many of us are aware of the emphasis the corporate world places on having a “ winning” brand. The performers we watch, the cars we drive, the hospitals we choose all have a brand we have come to associate with them. In this episode, Dr. Joel Evans, author and Distinguished Professor of Marketing will clarify the importance of self-branding in our own personal and professional success. Exemplifying with himself and others, he will demonstrate how self-assessment, consideration of how others see us, and changes in our life roles inform our self-brands. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, he will discuss how to translate self-branding into effective resume writing, Interpersonal benefits and re-definitions of self after college, marriage, retirement etc. You will think about yourself in a different way after this show.
After joyous beginnings, many couples find their dreams of perfect love replaced by frustration, criticism, defensiveness and emotional distance. In this episode, Arielle Ford, best-selling author of “The Soulmate Secret,” shares with us the wisdom of her new book, “Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate.” According to Arielle, “It’s one thing to fall in love and get married. It is quite another thing to have a marriage you love.” Getting to that space is the true purpose of “Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate.” In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Arielle will discuss the tools techniques and actionable steps for listeners to move from “annoyed” to “enjoyed” i.e. to make a loving marriage possible again. She will draw upon hundreds of interviews and advice from marriage experts including Harville Hendrix and Marianne Williamson. This show will inform you and invite new thinking and feeling about your relationship.
Whether addressing campus sexual violence or other forms of power-based violence like partner abuse, bullying, stalking, etc. the national and internationally used program, Green Dot, etc. moves us from awareness to action. In this episode, Jessey Lyons, Associate Director of Green Dot turns our attention to reducing campus sexual violence. She recognizes that “It is not that people don’t care—they don’t know what to do.” Accordingly, she discusses training, tools and strategies that we can use on or off campus to make prevention and intervention possible. She is joined by college senior, Juliette Verrengia who shares her insights and experience as part of the team that has implemented The Green Dot at Connecticut College. We are aware. Now we need action.
Against the backdrop of concern with sexual violence on college campuses, Dr. Jason Laker and Dr. Erica Boas discuss their important research on the language of sexual consent among college students. In groundbreaking research on what they term “Consent Stories,” they found that far more prevalent than a hook-up culture was the difficulty of communicating sexual intention and consent or dissent. What Drs. Laker and Boas discuss is what we rarely consider in the communications of intimacy in our adult lives, much less in the understanding we pass on to our children. When is “yes a yes” and when is “no a no?” What about non-verbal communication? What about expectations and misconstrued social norms? In this episode, you will hear about ongoing research that is likely to have a powerful and protective impact in clarifying sexual intent and response in people from teens through adults. Don’t miss this.
Most people have faced unexpected stressful situations. There are even times, often in midlife, when it seems like the challenges just won’t stop. In this episode, psychologist and author, Dr. Pete Stebbins, using surfing as a metaphor, draws upon his clinical and personal experience to offer strategies for coping and proceeding effectively with life. Whether facing the stress of divorce, illness, bereavement, wedding plans or debt, we are guided to consider how to appraise the problem, understand our personal stress reactions, manage mindset, regulate emotions, and re-set lifestyle and purpose. Dr. Stebbins invites us to develop the skills to successfully surf the waves of life and ride out the Tsunamis.
In this episode Professor Joel Evans, Patricia Malone, and Dave Berger will share personal glimpses of their diagnosis, treatment and survival from cancer. You will hear about the impact of diagnosis, the role of family and friends. The question of stigma and the response of colleagues. You will hear about the expected and unexpected, the trust in medical teams and the personal factors that each drew upon to keep on going at the roughest of times. These are stories of pain, persistence, fear, gratitude and possibility. These are stories of people who were helped by the wisdom of others who had faced cancer. In this episode, Joel Evans, Patricia Malone and Dave Berger want to pass on their experiences to benefit others. You will not forget them or the resilience they share.
Are you a sensation seeker? Have you ever wondered why people climb Everest, jump out of planes or ski dangerous unmarked trails? Is eagerness to experience the impact of any street drug or gambling away life savings driven by thrill seeking? In this show Dr. Ken Carter, Emory Psychologist and researcher of sensation thinking, considers these questions and more. He discusses the general components of sensation-seeking including thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, and disinhibition. He looks at gender differences, changes across the lifespan and clarifies the neuroscience behind sensation seeking. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of being a thrill seeker, he will even tell you about an online test to determine how much of a sensation seeker you are. Listen in--You will be intrigued.
In this episode, Jonathan Kalin, founder of Party With Consent, discusses his mission of inviting men and women in colleges across the nation to join him in preventing sexual violence. He considers the importance of creating consent and clarifying definitions of masculinity. Michael Paymar, co-founder of A Process of Change for Men Who Batter, author of Violent No More and film producer of With Impunity: Men and Gender Violence, considers the value of men’s voices to counter the cultural messages that enable male domination and violence against women through domestic violence, rape, violent pornography and trafficking. Dr. Erin Casey, Co-director of the Mobilizing Men for Violence Prevention Research Collaborative will discuss the factors that prompt men’s participation in gender-based violence prevention, the risk factors for sexually violent behavior, bystander programs and the need for men to collaborate with women to prevent sexual violence.
In this episode Cyrus Thomson Kirkpatrick, author of Love and Dating For Shy People and How to Quit Your Job: Escape Soul Crushing Work, Create the Life You Want, and Live Happy brings his personal and professional experience as a lifestyle coach to address love and dating for shy people. What he offers is a warm and very clear focus on the specifics that can make dating a daunting challenge or an interesting opportunity. He takes on everything from definition of self, idealization of others, best places to meet, making a move, conversation deadlocks, flirting, reading non-verbal cues, staying positive while detaching from expectations and much more. Adding to this, Cyrus will invite us to consider how our lifestyle is a critical factor in happiness and romance. He will offer some specific strategies for setting lifestyle changes in motion. Drawing upon his experience, he will invite us to improve lifestyle and relationships.
In this Episode, Rodney Turner and Darren Smith, two of the hosts of the seven-year radio show, “Married Men Don’t Talk” come to Psych Up Live to “ Talk.” In the back and forth with host, Dr. Suzanne Phillips, they will take on some of the many issues that men and women do and don’t talk about: Do men keep women from letting go of an issue? What don’t women understand about men? In mixed company does your partner turn into a stranger? Is your marriage being threatened by an internet flirtation? How do you know when your partner is no longer your confident? Don’t miss “Married Men Want to Talk.”
Jane Baker, author of the book, Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, will share the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self, his sense of being trapped in the wrong body, and the therapy and treatment he seeks in the process of becoming a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her daughter wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members.
In this show, M Gary Neuman will discuss ways of making a marriage all that it can be – even after an affair. In the discussion with Host Dr. Suzanne Phillips, he will offer his perspective of how and why a marriage can be saved. Drawing upon case examples he will share with listeners examples of the Neuman Method, a 10 Session online marriage program that has helped thousands of couples with methods and techniques suited to address the repair, recovery and enhancement of marriages.
In this show, guests Dr. Mark Borg, Dr. Grant Brenner and Daniel Berry invite you to consider whether you are in a marriage or an arrangement to keep you emotionally safe. Drawing upon years of clinical experience, they define an “Irrelationship” and show us how we hide from intimacy by using routines we carry from childhood. They offer strategies for understanding and changing your marriage into a true relationship.
Many people face unspeakable loss of a family member or witness the suffering and loss of a loved one with the wounds of war. They wonder how they will go on. In this show you will hear the personal stories of four people who have faced such loss and taken on survival missions that translate heartache into help and hope for others. You will hear from Mary Fetchet Co-founder of the Voices of 9/11 whose outreach to others in the aftermath of losing her son on 9/11has touched many worldwide; Rogerlyn Cipriano Esq., founder of Angels for Warriors whose concern for her veteran brother’s anguish and pain became translated into an important mission for veterans, particularly pro bono legal help; and Dr. William and Bev Feigelman, mental health professionals who in the aftermath of losing their son to suicide co-authored Devastating Losses: How Parents Cope with the Death of a Child to Suicide or Drugs and became spokesmen and clinicians to prevent suicide and respond to family survivors.
In this show, nationally known psychologist, Dr. April Lane Benson, Ph.D., author of, I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self and To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop will clarify the addiction suffered by those who compulsively shop. She will discuss the causes, gender differences, and the difference between holiday shopping and shopping as a fix to feelings not being handled. Drawing upon her latest research and interventions, she will offer coping strategies that will help all listeners who are shopping this season. She will also discuss her new “Stopping Overshopping Text Messaging Program” and the individual and group treatments that have proven to address the compulsive need to shop. Don’t miss this.
This show will turn up your understanding of Holidays and Depression. Dr. Deborah Serani, Psychologist and award winning author of Living with Depression and Depression and Your Child, will discuss what fuels Depression during the Holidays, the distinction between Holiday Depression and Clinical Depression, the unexpected finding that clinical depression may actually drop at the holiday time and much more. Dr. Steven Hanley will consider if there is a gender difference in Holiday Depression and whether men and women respond differently to holiday expectations and events. Christopher Scott Downing, author of Van Gogh in Peppers: A Self-portrait of Male Depression will add his personal perspective on the Holidays. Does he feel differently at the Holidays as compared to the days when he was fighting and denying depression? Does he worry about relapse? All of these guests will then share tips for coping and dealing with the Holidays.
On this show you will have the opportunity to learn about Canine Companions for Independence. This is the organization that breeds, trains and provides amazing dogs for people. Be they children, adults, veterans, or facilities, these dogs give the gift of independence. You will hear about the many programs, volunteers and services of Canine Companions from Executive Director Megan Koester. Program Manager and Instructor Gwen Dudek will offer a look at the training of these dogs. Puppy raiser, Marty Marlatt will give you the inside story of being a puppy raiser. She is raising her 22nd puppy and Josiah Lanning who received Service Dog, Charlice more than 5 years ago, will give you a close and personal look at what a service dog brings to his life. If you have ever wondered about the dogs with the blue and yellow capes that seem smarter than the rest of us, this is the show to hear. This is an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t miss this show.
In this show noted journalist, Rachel Hills, author of The Sex Myth: The Gap Between our Fantasies and Reality, invites us to look more closely at the invisible norms and unspoken assumptions that shape the way we think about sex today. Drawing upon six years' research, including interviews with women and men across three continents, she gives us an unexpected look at reality and a re-consideration of the meaning of sexual freedom. Don’t miss this show.
In this show, Ross Rosenberg LCPC,CADC,CSAT psychotherapist, sexual addiction expert and author will discuss aspects of his book,The Human Magnet Syndrome: Why We Love People Who Hurt Us. He will discuss how and why co-dependent personalities and pathological narcissists are irresistibly attracted to each other. He will use this as a backdrop for discussing the dynamics of Co-dependency Addiction. He will describe the euphoria, desperation and withdrawal associated with this addiction, his model for understanding Codependency Addiction and his treatment strategies to address it.
In this show, guests Dr. Mark Borg, Dr. Grant Brenner and Daniel Berry invite you to consider whether you are in a marriage or an arrangement to keep you emotionally safe. Drawing upon years of clinical experience, they define an “Irrelationship” and show us how we hide from intimacy by using routines we carry from childhood. They offer strategies for understanding and changing your marriage into a true relationship.
In this show, Dr. Greif invites listeners to learn about men and male friendships from the hundreds of men and women he has interviewed. His findings dispel the myth that men don’t need or want friends or that they need wives or girlfriends to find them friends. Dr. Greif will describe some consistent patterns that reflect the types of relationships men have across their lifespan and address the questions men themselves have asked and answered about friendship: Do I have have enough close friends? How do you juggle friends with marriage and kids? What is the meaning of friendship? Do I just let go of friends when things stop working out? Dr.Greif will make clear the interesting differences in the way men and women have friendships. This is a show both men and women will find very interesting.
On this show host Suzanne Phillips and guest Dr. Andrea Bonior will invite us to consider the best and the worst we have faced in our friendships. We will be talking about how to make friends as well as the problem of what to do when a friend goes from terrific to toxic. We will ask if we have different criteria for friends at different ages and for men and women friends. We will consider if singles have more friends than married folks and whether marriage destroys friendships. We will raise the issue of friends on social media and ask if Facebook Friends are as important as the friends we see in living color. We will invite our listeners to consider when and if they choose their spouse’s friends and identify the most common Friend Blunders.
In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned and influential authors, artists and community leaders who believe language and literature are essential tools for creating a better society. They will share the way in which Narrative 4 has built empathy and bridged tens of thousands around the world in classrooms and communities etc., with the key methodology of the story exchange. Particularly important given a landscape of national and international strife, is Colum and Lisa’s description of this year’s mission of “Empathy Into Action,” a campaign that uses the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues. They will describe their inaugural event “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. Listen in and consider the possibilities for radical empathy fostered by Narrative 4.