CTA Podcast

In this episode of the CTA Podcast, Dr. James Nuzzo joins Dr. Michael Olan for a wide-ranging conversation about science, politics, and the state of academia. Dr. Nuzzo—an exercise scientist and men's health researcher—shares how his work in strength, fitness testing, and historical data led him into deeper questions about health, public policy, and the pressures shaping modern research. They...

Mental health is in the era of AI! In this episode of the CTA Podcast @michael63307   Dewan-Herrick, discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health. Michael is a psychotherapist and host of Attention Bazaar. He shares his journey, starting on  @secondlife to understanding AI's impact on human relationships, particularly through the lens of virtual reality and con...

The End of Art - CTA Co-Director, Christine Sefein Wolk, sits down with Director, Kevin Ray, to discuss the intersection of critical social justice and the arts, particularly focusing on the role of teaching artists. Kevin Ray is a New York City theater director with over 20 years of experience as an Arts Educator. He produced and directed “Unearthly Visitants,” based on ghost stories by Edith Wha...

"What they are modeling is an abuse of power" In this episode CTA Co-Directors Christine Sefein and Michael Olan sit down with Naomi Epps Best. Naomi shares her harrowing experience as a whistleblower during her time at Santa Clara University, where she was subjected to disturbing content in her human sexuality class and was denied accommodations for her privacy and beliefs. Naomi is kno...

Independent socio-cognitive scholar and host of  @Discourse_Lab Anthony Rispo, joins CTA Co-Director, Michael Olan, to delve into the complexities of sociopolitical research, personal political awakenings, and the psychological underpinnings of identity and cognition. They explore the challenges of navigating social identity, cognitive dissonance, and the implications of microaggressions in contem...

This conversation is Part 2 in a greater dialogue between Leslie Elliot Boyce host of the  @theradicalcenter and CTA's own, Christine Sefein Wolk - In this conversation, Christine and Leslie discuss their shared experiences in the world of education, particularly in counseling programs that have been influenced by critical social justice ideologies. They reflect on the challenges they faced a...

This conversation is a Part 1 in a greater dialogue between Leslie Elliot Boyce host of the @theradicalcenter podcast and CTA's own, Christine Sefein Wolk - Hosted here by Dr. Michael Olan. Leslie and Christine recount their experiences in their careers, and the take over of "Wokeism" (Critical Social Justice) in counseling, and psychology more broadly. This episode is part of a two...

On this episode of the CTA Podcast Dr. Susie Bennett, PhD sits down with Dr. Michael Olan, PsyD to discuss her research and insights on male suicide, exploring the cultural narratives that shape men's experiences and the emotional struggles they face. Susie is a researcher at the University of Glasgow. She highlights the importance of understanding men's pain, the barriers to emotional e...

In this episode of the CTA Podcast, Michael and Christine talk with Disruptive Marketer, Georgie Jarmolkiewicz, who shares her personal transformation as a  "radical feminist" to a disruptive marketer working in men's advocacy. The conversation highlights the complexities of gender narratives and the importance of addressing men's issues. The discussion delves into popular cult...

In this episode of the Critical Therapy Antidote (CTA) Podcast, Dr. Michael Olan sits down with George, founder of the "TheTinMen" ( ‪@TheTinMenBlog‬ ) George discusses his journey into men's advocacy, the complexities surrounding issues of male violence, mental health, and the societal perceptions of masculinity. He critiques the feminist movement's historical context and its...

In this powerful conversation, Ute Heggen, author of In The Curated Woods: True Tales from a Grass Widow,  shares her story as a trans widow — opening up about her marriage, family struggles, and the emotional impact of today's gender debates. She dives into how identity, mental health, and cultural shifts affected her life, her children, and her healing journey. Ute offers a personal look at...

In this commanding conversation, Jenny Lindsay, author of Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars, recalls her experience of being HOUNDED at the hands of an ideologically captured art scene. Jenny recounts the intrusion of the "Culture Wars" into mainstream poetry, art and writing, and the impact of saying "no" while staying true to her core beliefs. Jenny is a sensational t...

In this episode, Michael and Jaco speak with special guest, Ryan Rogers, author of The Woke Mind. They explore the ideological landscape of psychological education and counseling, and the increasing politicization of the field. Ryan describes his personal experiences in graduate school, highlighting the schism between traditional therapeutic practices and the demands of political activism. The spe...

In this final installment of The Bad Therapy Series Christine, Jaco, and Michael conclude their examination of Abigail Shrier's latest book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. What does real independence look like for our kids? At what point are we over involved in the natural maturation of children? How might parents establish a balanced approach towards parenting? What is the...

In this episode Christine, Jaco, and Michael continue their examination of Abigail Shrier's latest book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. Why are we collecting mental health information from children in school? Can simply asking about features of a child’s life increase distress? Are we highlighting sensitivity over flexible social skills? Are children adequately learning acc...

In this episode Christine, Jaco, and Michael continue their examination of Abigail Shrier's latest book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. Are we forgetting to adequately challenge our kids perceptions? Has a coddling culture run rampant at home and in the therapy office? Has the pendulum of "effective parenting" swung too far? We explore these questions through the...

On this episode Christine, Jaco, and Michael continue their examination of Abigail Shrier's latest book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. Here we delve into Chapters 5 & 6. Are we letting therapy culture run our schools? Are schools letting misbehavior go on in the name of emotional wellbeing? Does therapy culture in schools function as "big brother?" Have schoo...

In this new season Christine, Jaco, and Michael introduce a new series of discussions based on Abigail Shrier's new book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. Many mental health professionals, parents, and concerned citizens have noticed the therapy culture our children are living in. Despite increased access to therapeutic services, and therapeutic language, we have seen a proli...

On this episode Christine, Jaco, and Michael continue their examination of Abigail Shrier's latest book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. Can an increased focus on our emotions be a bad thing? Can affirming the personal narratives of children actually be detrimental to their well-being? Many mental health professionals have expressed concerns that they can be. Although there...

Suzannah Alexander is a volunteer at the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR). In this episode Suzannah recounts her experiences as a student at the University of Tennessee's Clinical Mental Health Counsellor programme. She relates how she was treated for her Buddhist worldview and for being white. We discuss the psychological effects such deliberate misrecognition (gaslighting) h...

"You have to get out of it sometimes. This is the fight of your life, yes. But it also cannot be everything" - Suzannah Suzannah tells the story of how two of her children, her eldest daugther and youngest son, got lured into the gender cult. In 2012, at just 12 years old, her very feminine daughter got sucked into gender ideology online. She relates how the usual struggles of adolescenc...

Camille Kiefel is a 33-year old detransitioner from Oregon. She grew up as a sensitive child when she was warned against dangerous men, and when her childhood friend fell victim to assault at the hands of her own brother. From a very young age, she learnt that the world and the men in it are dangerous for women. Camille relates how difficult adolescence and young adulthood was. She battled general...

"Learn as much as you can an listen to your gut. Don't be dissuaded by family members who challenge you." - Dee Dee adopted both her daughters at only a few days old. Her eldest daughter had severe emotional and developmental challenges due to very early abandonment trauma. She relates how, early on in her teenage years, her daughter was socially awkward and befriended a "quirk...

"Social transition is not a neutral act; once you know what that means, then you know what to do." - Diana Diana's daughter fell victim to the gender cult. She relates how her beautiful, intelligent 12-year old daughter found it difficult to adjust socially, and was involved in a bullying incident that was poorly handled by her school. She relates how the school system failed her da...

"That's what keeps the sadness and the grief and the depression at bay: by doing something" - Charlotte Charlotte is a mother whose son fell victim to gender ideology at college. She relates how her adopted son, who had neurodevelopmental challenges and was emotionally immature, became engrossed in online anime and later fell victim to peer grooming. She tells how a college course a...