Brandler Bits: Recent Episodes
Jeffrey M. Brandler, LMFT, CAS, SAP
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Addictions Specialist and Nationally Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, for the past 39 years, I have worked with many people who have successfully made changes in their life. Brandler Bits are tasty morsels that address how people make change. For more information, go to my website www.changeispossible.org
On today’s episode of Brandler Bits, we are going to discuss the need for authentic communication with ourselves and within our relationships. Using Ruiz' agreement "Be impeccable with your words", we discuss why our words matter more than they ever did.
On today’s Brandler Bits, we will talk about the Eagles song “wasted time” and how that applies to relationships. This powerful song about the end of a relationship can teach us many things about healing from breakup and making changes in life.
In the latest edition of "Brandler Bits" learn how "sweaty communications" lead to intimate conversations. In this bit, you will learn 3 ways to improve your intimacy.
Thanks for listening!
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn the difference between a reaction and a response. Learn the strategies for responding and improving your communication skills with important people in your life.
On this end of the year episode of "Brandler Bits", we learn about how the word "until" is actually a word that prevents change. Learn how "until" sets up people to fail in their plans for self improvement. Learn how to make changes in smaller, achievable, measurable and more do able steps
On this edition of Vintage Brandler Bits, we discuss one of my favorite metaphors "The Daily Racing Form". The Daily Racing form teaches us everything we need to know about how to find a partner by looking at past performances and family history. Picking the right "horse" will take us into the winners circle!
In this "Vintage Brandler Bit" we examine the topic of survivors. We pay careful attention to how survive get through life by "making the best of what's around"
This Vintage "Brandler Bits" episode covers self improvement. In order to have better self-care, there are 2 questions that you need to ask yourself.
Learn what these questions are, and how you can use them to feel better about yourself.
In this first "Vintage Brandler Bit" we discuss people's first reactions to starting therapy. Many normal experiences are addressed including anxiety, fear and discomfort. In this episode, I get to share some of my gratitude to being part of the journey towards change.
This is an edited version of a presentation that I made in 2006 at the Morristown, NJ Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. It addressed many issues about dealing with the Holidays and provides excellent coping strategies to make your holiday season the best it can be.
This edition of Brandler Bits is our end of the year episode.
There is an examination of how we have handled 2020 and this episode gives good directions for how to make changes in the upcoming year.
In addition, there are recommendations for attending therapy particularly as Covid continues to spread.
On this edition of Brandler Bits we discuss how relationships have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many relationships have been strained, others have been broken. Learn how to improve your relationship and make it one that can handle the next phases of covid.
On this edition of Brandler Bits, listen to how our resilience has carried us through the many obstacles of 2020. Learn about the 4 strategies that will continue to propel us to better coping as we go forward.
On this edition of Brandler Bits, a contrasting view of 2 "planets"; one that we were used to and one that is new to us. Strategies are addressed in order to help improve our coping.
On this edition of Brandler Bits we address the issues of the next steps in our healing and dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic. Tips and strategies are addressed in order to improve coping during this transition period.
This is a special edition of "Brandler Bits". I was interviewed by the Friends in Recovery Podcast about dealing with fear and anxiety particularly during these difficult times. There are many strategies identified in this interview to help you to feel better.
This is a special edition of "Brandler Bits". This presentation was done for health care workers on May 1, 2020. It addresses the issue of how to deal with anxiety during the pandemic. This episode addresses cognitive, behavioral, and experiential aspects of anxiety, and what strategies can be used for anxiety reduction.
In this edition of Brandler Bits, we introduce a quick and easy anxiety reduction technique. It is as simple as taking a few breaths, and identifying sensory experiences--what you see, what you hear, what you smell, what you touch and what you taste. If you are feeling anxious use this technique and you will be much calmer!
On this episode of Brandler Bits, tips to improve your coping in this pandemic. These are all very straight forward, do able things that we all can do to improve the quality of our lives.
This edition of Brandler Bits is another anxiety reduction technique. This one requires very little time. To utilize this one, you only need to take some deep breaths and find a calm place. By doing these things, you will learn how to change your anxiety and stress to calm and peace.
https://wp.me/p7Ctmg-IE
feel free to share this with anyone who you think might benefit from this.
This episode of Brandler Bits, is an experiential one. You will get to use a progressive relaxation exercise in order to have less anxiety and fear in your life. Find a quiet place, and follow the directions in the exercise. Enjoy!
Here are some tools and coping strategies to deal with the all the anxiety and panic going on in the world.
Do you:
Undo your success?
Don't allow your self to succeed?
Find ways unique to yourself to not get ahead?
Continue to be stuck in this pattern over and over again?
If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then this Brandler Bits is perfect for you. Learn about self-sabotage, and how to stop this self defeating pattern of behavior.
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, we discuss how the possessive word "my" is symptomatic of self centered behavior. Examples of this selfish behavior are given. In addition recommendations for change are offered.
On this episode of Brandler bits, we cover a question that I am frequently asked. "How do you successfully attend therapy"?
Recommendations for goals/and therapist factors are addressed
Happy New Year! In this edition of Brandler Bits we examine the time honored tradition of New Year's Resolutions. We identify why these resolutions do not work and lead to more frustration. We identify the strategies that will make your 2020 a successful year of change.
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn about the phrase "Inconvenient Not Tragic". The phrase give us all some perspective on recognizing the hassles and inconveniences of daily life . By being grateful that these things are NOT tragedies, we can change how we see these issues.
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD). SAD is depression which has seasonal components. Many people in the northeast have symptoms of SAD without having the diagnosis. Identify strategies to improve SAD.
On this edition of Brandler Bits learn how dedication to work can make you "deadicated". Strategies are identified in order to put more balance into your life and prioritize what is most important.
In this episode of Brandler Bits, we discuss how to deal with difficult people.
Learn about difficult people:
Who they are?
What you can do to handle them better?
What you can learn about yourself from your interactions with them?
In this edition of "Brandler Bits", learn all about the criteria that make up a 5 star relationship. Recommendations for how to improve your relationship is addressed as well.
In this edition of Brandler Bits we discuss the Promises of Change.
It is rather simple to make change, but much harder to keep change. In this episode we discover what are the ingredients that help us to maintain the changes we wish to make. In addition, we address how the "12 Promises" can be utilized for long term happiness and change.
This episode of Brandler Bits, is a special edition. With the new school year upon us, it is timely to address the issue of "Back to School Jitters". With that in mind, listen to this interview. I think it is very practical and useful for any parent who has a child returning to school.
In this edition of Brandler Bits, we address a very emotional topic, "It's not fair".
It is a topic that most people are familiar with. We struggle to understand how bad things can happen to others. We wrestle with our feelings when these things happen. We struggle to understand how to handle our feelings. We wonder how we will get through these situations. Today's episode addresses all of these issues.
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, we address the importance of going on vacations. It is a necessity for self care to unplug from the world and focus on things that are not in our daily routines. Vacations are opportunities to connect and explore. Listen to learn more:
https://wp.me/p7Ctmg-Gt
On this edition of Brandler's Bits we focus on how people use "quick fix bandaids"
to try and solve problems that need to be solved from the inside, not the outside.
Learn strategies to have a better SELF.
The latest edition of Brandler Bits addresses the topic of control:
what we have control over
what we have no control over
what we can influence
how to change
In this episode of "Brandler Bits", we discuss how the fear of making changes gives us comfort and familiarity, but keeps us stuck.Learn some strategies that can help you use facts instead of fears
Here is the unified version of the Anger podcast series. Learn about what anger is and isn't. Learn about how to reduce the anger that you have
This is the 2nd part of a 2 part series of Brandler Bits regarding anger.In today's episode, we discover that although anger is a reasonable, normal, typical feeling, sometimes anger is NOT anger. Learn how other feelings are disguised as anger. In addition, you will learn that the key to your happiness is to identify and deal with the other underlying feelings.
In this first part of a 2 part episode of Brandler Bits, we address the feeling of anger:
What is anger?
How can we explain anger?
How does it occur in the mind and body?
What we can do about it?
In this episode of "Brandler Bits", learn about shame and guilt, two "cousins" who show up often. You will hear about the differences between the healthy and unhealthy aspects of these two feelings. In addition, you will get to identify strategies in order to feel better.
In this edition of Brandler Bits, learn how the things we regret create difficult emotions for us. Regret comes from things we did or said and the things that we wished we said or did. Learn how to "regret proof" your life.
In this edition of Brandler Bits learn about the factors to lead people to be motivated to make changes in their lives. Some of these are supported by research, some of these have occurred through therapeutic experiences. Identify what you need to do in order to start to be motivated to change!
People often minimize the problems they have. Learn how to acknowledge problems and strategies to work on treating those problems
In this 3rd part of a multi part series about fear and anxiety, learn strategies that you can use to improve the quality of your life.
In addition you will get to learn how breathing can reduce anxiety
In this 2nd episode of a multi part Brandler bits, learn how changing your thinking reduces your anxiety
In the world we live in there are lots of people with anxiety. Listen to Part 1 of Brandler Bits to learn more about anxiety and some healthy ways to handle it.
Listen to how a recent concert experience got me thinking about meaningful relationships and the communication patterns we use.
In the latest edition of Brandler Bits, listen to how to make successful changes for the coming year. Listen to how resolutions often fail but setting a specific goal will lead you to improve your quality of life
On this episode of Brandler Bits,
we learn how changing what we see can change misery to gratitude. Gratitude then leads to greatness.
Do you want to live your life in the easiest way possible or do you want it to be your best?
Listen to Brandler bits to find out
In this episode, we examine the most shameful of all addictions, sexual addiction. We will define addiction, identify how addiction impacts family members, and the addicted person. A case example is presented to highlight these issues
On Today’s show we will examine how technology is ruining your relationship- how people are spending too much time with their phones and not each other.
We’re going to talk about phones and relationships and most importantly, how to improve them.
There are many clubs in the world. In a world with many self unaware people, here is a club that you wouldn't want to belong to-- the -100 club with a special section reserved for people with narcissism. Learn about narcissism and how it effects others. Also on the show, a special communication technique called "And Stop"
A discussion of grief with musical examples. Please listen to cuts from Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Ambrosia, George Harrison and learn about what grief is and some tools for dealing with your grief.
This is from an interview from the Stay Happily Married Podcast in which we discuss what communication strategies work to improve your relationships
Today’s show is a combination of 2 of my loves, music and sports. The first “make the best of what’s around” tells us about some very courageous folks who seem to know how to get by and get ahead in spite of major obstacles.
The second tale “the daily racing form” is sage advice if you’re looking to get to winner’s circle in the most important race you’ll ever run.
It’s a holiday gift to my loyal listeners. Now my gift is not one of those traditional holiday food gifts, or seasonal plants, it is something much more significant and useful. This is something that you can use daily and it allows for a calmer, less stressful lifestyle. My gift is relaxation. The progressive relaxation exercise that we are going to do was devised in 1929 by Dr. Edmund Jacobson. This consists of tensing various muscle groups and relaxing them
For you the listener, you get the easy job, pay attention to the tensing and relaxing of muscles, breathing and then relaxing. If this exercise works for you, practice it, and make it part of your healthy routine.