Wellness in Today's World

How can we care for ourselves and others without sacrificing one for the other? In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World , Dr. Debra Kawahara speaks with compassion science researcher Dr. Jordan Quaglia about “We-Care,” an approach that reframes self-care and caring for others as interconnected, not competing, priorities. Dr. Quaglia explores how divided approaches to care can contribute to bu...

Menopause is more than a biological transition—it can affect women’s physical health, mental health, relationships, work, identity, and quality of life. In recognition of Menopause Awareness Month, this episode of Wellness in Today’s World features host Dr. Debra Kawahara speaking with Dr. Rebecca Thurston (Associate Dean for Women's Health Research and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, P...

How are digital technologies changing the way we think, move, communicate, and experience our bodies? What responsibility do we have in shaping that relationship? In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World , writer and educator Vanessa Chang explores the intersection of technology, history, and what it means to be human with host Dr. Debra Kawahara. Drawing on her book The Body Digital , Chang e...

Immigration is more than a policy debate; it’s a human experience shaped by family, trauma, resilience, culture, and belonging. As part of Latinx Heritage Month, this episode of Wellness in Today’s World features Dr. Alfonso Mercado, psychologist, researcher, and professor at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He discusses what psychological science can teach us about the mental health cha...

What does it mean to reconnect with yourself when life, relationships, or expectations have caused you to lose touch with who you are? In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World , recorded on-location in Washington, DC, host Dr. Debra Kawahara visits with psychologist, ordained minister, professor, and author Dr. Thema Bryant to explore the importance of reclaiming joy, authenticity, and self-wo...

What if healing from adversity isn’t about returning to who we were before something difficult happened, but learning how to live meaningfully with what has changed? In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World , host Dr. Debra Kawahara sits down with psychiatrist, humanitarian mental health expert, and author of Why We Suffer and How We Heal , Dr. Suzan Song. Recorded on location in Washington, D...

Why do so many people feel that they’re never doing enough? In this thought-provoking episode of Wellness in Today’s World , psychiatrist and Guilt Free author Dr. Jennifer Reid explores with host Dr. Debra Kawahara why guilt can become such a persistent burden, particularly for women. She distinguishes between healthy, adaptive guilt and the excessive guilt driven by unrealistic expectations, per...

Thirty-six years ago this month, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law. In this enlightening episode of Wellness in Today's World , Alliant University Distinguished Professor Dr. Rhoda Olkin shares her personal journey as a clinical psychologist and disability rights advocate. She discusses the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in psychology, the importance of me...

What makes for a truly rich existence? In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World , host Dr. Debra Kawahara sits down with renowned psychologist Dr. Shige Oishi to discuss his groundbreaking concept of psychological richness, the third dimension of a well-lived life alongside happiness and meaning. Drawing from decades of research in positive psychology, Dr. Oishi explains why a fulfilling life...

Just in time for this summer’s major championship sporting events, this episode of Wellness in Today’s World features host Dr. Debra Kawahara in conversation with sports psychologist Dr. Sara Hickmann about the growing mental health pressures facing athletes at every level of competition. Drawing from her experience working with professional teams including the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Clipp...

Author Banning Lyon engages in a profound conversation about his memoir,  The Chair and the Valley , in this episode of  Wellness in Today’s World.  He and Dr. Debra Kawahara explore themes of trauma, healing, and the transformative power of nature. Banning shares his personal journey through hospitalization, the challenges of writing about his experiences, and the importance of agency in therapy....

In this compelling episode of  Wellness in Today’s World , psychotherapist, activist, and author Satsuki Ina reflects on intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, and the power of collective healing, drawing from her lived experience as a child born in a World War II incarceration camp and her decades of clinical and community work. Grounded in her memoir,  The Poet and the Silk Girl , Ina shar...

Dr. Sherry Hamby, author of the new book Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience , joins Dr. Debra Kawahara for this episode of Wellness in Today’s World. Dr. Hamby shares her journey from victimization research to the development of the Resilience Portfolio Model, emphasizing a comprehensive, culturally responsive approach to resilience that goes beyond toughness to encompass meanin...

Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of  Supercommunicators , joins Dr. Debra Kawahara to explore the science behind meaningful communication. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral research, Duhigg explains how communication is not just about words but about connection.  The conversation introduces three types of conversation: practical, emotional, and socia...

As part of Brain Awareness Week, this episode of Wellness in Today's World features Dr. Debra Kawahara engaging with Dr. Duke Han, a clinical neuropsychologist and tenured professor at the University of Southern California, to explore the critical topic of brain health. They discuss the importance of understanding cognitive well-being as we age, the role of mentors in shaping careers, and the...

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this episode of Wellness in Today's World features Dr. Scott Woolley, a Distinguished Professor in Alliant's Marital and Family Therapy program, discussing his journey to becoming a couple and family therapist and the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). He explains the significance of attachment theory in relationships, the various attachm...

In this episode of Wellness in Today's World , Dr. Rosie Phillips Davis shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in Mississippi to becoming a prominent psychologist and the 2019 president of the American Psychological Association. She discusses the profound impact of her early experiences, the importance of education and reading, and her passion for helping others. Dr. Davis e...

In this special college-football-bowl-season episode, Dr. Debra Kawahara sits down with two distinguished guests: Aaron Taylor, former Notre Dame All-American and College Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, CBS Sports analyst, and mental-wellness advocate, and Dr. Ron Stolberg , acclaimed sports psychologist and distinguished professor at the California School of Professional Psychology a...

Get your popcorn ready! In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World, Dr. Danny Wedding joins Dr. Debra Kawahara to discuss the intersection of psychology and cinema, focusing on his book “Movies and Mental Illness.” He shares insights on how films can educate about mental health, the evolution of his book over five editions, and the importance of accurate portrayals of mental illness in media. Th...

In this episode of Wellness in Today's World (recorded Sept. 5, 2025), Dr. Debra Kawahara interviews Dr. Tania Israel, an expert in navigating political divides and LGBTQ advocacy. They discuss the increasing political divisiveness in society, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the emotional impact of polarization. Dr. Israel shares insights on effective dialogue strategies, the imp...

In this deeply personal episode of Wellness in Today’s World , Dr. Debra Kawahara engages with Mara Altman and Kat Alexander, authors of the Audible Original, “Episodes: The True Story of Two Friends & One Diagnosis.” They discuss the profound impact of mental health on friendship, the emotional journey of writing their story, and the healing power of storytelling. The conversation delves into...

In this enlightening episode of Wellness in Today’s World , Dr. Thema Bryant discusses her book “Matters of the Heart” and explores the intersections of psychology, spirituality, and social justice. She emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships, the cost of silence and loneliness, and the role of sacred boundaries in fostering healthy connections. Dr. Bryant advocates for integrating sp...

In this engrossing episode of Wellness in Today’s World , Dr. Debra Kawahara speaks with Ben Yalom about his journey as a psychotherapist, theater maker, and co-author of Hour of the Heart with his father, Irvin D. Yalom. They explore the process of writing the book, the intersection of theater and therapy, and the importance of personal experiences in shaping therapeutic practices. Ben reflects o...

In this engaging Wellness in Today's World conversation, Dr. Travis Bradberry, an Alliant alum and leading expert in emotional intelligence, shares his journey from clinical psychology to becoming a bestselling author and entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the evolution of his work in the fie...

Dr. Debra Kawahara and Dr. Jan Estrellado discuss the significance of raising awareness about minority health, particularly in the context of mental health disparities, in this episode of Wellness in Today;s World . They explore the emotional responses to current socio-political challenges, the importance of culturally responsive mental health care, and strategies for cultivating hope and resilien...