Mind Tricks Radio

In today's Distortion of the Day, I explore the concept of Gaslighting,  a psychological tactic used to manipulate someone into questioning their reality, perceptions, and memories. Learn how to identify genuine gaslighting, recognize its harmful psychological impacts, and understand why accurately using the term matters in both relationships and broader conversations. Distortions of the Day! are...

In this unique episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I conduct a thought-provoking AI-generated interview with the legendary Dr. Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Using artificial intelligence to recreate Dr. Ellis’s voice and insights, this conversation delves into the principles of REBT, the power of rational thinking, and the importance of challenging irrational bel...

In this special episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with the legendary Carl Rogers—well, an AI-generated version of him! Using cutting-edge technology, we recreate a fictional interview with one of psychology’s most influential figures, exploring his revolutionary ideas on person-centered therapy, empathy, and self-actualization. Dr. Rogers' legacy reshaped...

Today, I had a lively conversation with my friend, colleague, and guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston the cognitive distortion known as Hindsight Bias. We explored why things seem so obvious in retrospect and how our brains trick us into believing we ‘knew it all along.’ From history to everyday decisions, we unpack how hindsight bias shapes our thinking—and how to spot it before it leads us astray! T...

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the great psychologists and thinkers of the 20th century -- Dr. B. F. Skinner, the father of radical behaviorism. Dr. Skinner discusses his groundbreaking work on operant conditioning, reinforcement, and how behavioral principles shape everything from education to therapy to society itself. We explore his controversial views on free will, his utopian...

Today I met up with my friend and colleague Dr. Tyler Ralston and had a fun and casual discussion  on the concept of Psychological Flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing situations, shift perspectives, and stay aligned with personal values even in the face of discomfort or challenge. It’s a core skill in mental resilience, helping people respond to stress, uncer...

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Pessimistic Bias. Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 minutes where I introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Thanks for tuning in!

I enjoyed a fascinating and lively conversation with well renowned psychologist, Dr. Carl Jung. Today we discussed basic principles in the theories Dr. Jung has developed over the years, including the meaning of dreams, archetypes, and the collective unconscious.  Dr. Jung discussed how his own life path has helped him develop his influential theories, including his religious upbringing, his early...

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Emotional Reasoning. Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 minutes where I introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Thanks for tuning in!

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Personalization. Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 minutes where I introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Thanks for tuning in!

I enjoyed a lively conversation today with Dr. Andrea Bonior, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and faculty member of Georgetown University. Dr. Bonior spoke with me today about nurturing adult friendships, and the importance of friendships to both physical and emotional health and well-being.  She talked about many aspects of friendships, including: picking and maintaining the right friends for yo...

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Mind Reading. Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 minutes where I introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Thanks for tuning in!

I enjoyed a lively conversation with Dr Michelle P. Maidenberg, a psychotherapist in private practice in Harrison, NY. I interviewed Dr. Maidenberg about her new book, “Ace Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want.”  This book is packed with all sorts of meaningful explanations and pointers about Core Values, Growth Mindset, Radical Self-Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment....

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Overgeneralization. Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 minutes where I introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Thanks for tuning in!    

I enjoyed a fun conversation with Dr. Dianne Grande, a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in the western suburbs of Chicago. We talked about the ways in which people take too much responsibility for others as Caretakers, Enablers, and Rescuers. Dr. Grande talks about how people get into unhealthy dynamics with others that are marked by dependency, resentment, and helplessness, and ways in w...

In today's Distortion of the Day!, I talk about Jumping to Conclusions. The reason why Jumping to Conclusions can be such a problem is it can cause you to make rash or wrong decisions based on a lack of accurate information.  Thanks for tuning in!  

I enjoyed having the opportunity today to "pick the brain" of Dr. Martin Hsia, a  Clinical Psychologist and expert in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We talked in-depth about many forms of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors commonly encountered with OCD. Dr. Hsia provides many examples of what differentiates "normal" thinking and behavior from OCD symptoms. Dr. Hsia is the Clinical D...

In today's episode of Distortion of the Day!, I discuss Black and White Thinking, also known as All Or Nothing Thinking or Absolute Thinking. When you engage in Black and White thinking, you approach things from an extreme point of view. Either something is all good or all bad. A person either’s got your back, or you cant count on them. A situation is either totally awesome or totally screwed. And...

I enjoyed catching up with Dr. Avrum Weiss about the reason why couples have the same argument again and again and again and ....  Dr. Weiss was a guest on MIND TRICKS RADIO Episode 31 where he spoke about his important and thought provoking, best-selling book, Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fear of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships.  In today's episode, we discussed the reasons why men a...

I'm super excited to release my first episode of Distortion of the Day! These episodes will run under 10 minutes and I will introduce psychological concepts in a fun, practical, useful way. Today's episode explains Catastrophic Thinking, or Catastrophizing. This is a common cognitive error where you tend to focus on the worst case scenario in the absence of logic or data to support your fear. I ho...

In this episode I discuss a helpful therapeutic topic called Core Irrational Beliefs (CIB). CIB's typically stem from the experiences a child has growing up with learning from his or her family of origin, messages from the media, interactions with peers, and from trauma. CIB's significantly shape the way we view the world around us and about our roles and relationships.  I like to conceptualize CI...

Today I met with Dr. Kimberly Quinn, a professor of Cognitive Psychology at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Dr. Quinn teaches and speaks on topics of Positive Psychology.  Today we talked about becoming a "Limitless Person," who is someone that taps into their authentic self, is true to their values, and isn't afraid to create the life for themselves that they want and deserve. Limitless...

Today I decided to try something different and recorded my first solo episode of Mind Tricks Radio.  While I am eclectic in my approach to clinical psychology, meaning I draw from many different modalities when I work with patients, I find that cognitive therapy techniques can be extremely helpful to the therapeutic process. This episode may be helpful if you're new to cognitive therapy and would...

Today's episode of Mind Tricks Radio is an unusual one. I interviewed Dr. Tyler Ralston about his firsthand experience witnessing the rampage of Tyke the Elephant through the streets of Honolulu on August 20, 1994.  During a performance by Circus International, an African Bush Elephant named Tyke mauled her trainer and then charged out of the event at the Neal Blaisdell Center and rampaged through...

After taking a break from podcasting for five months, I'm excited to launch the next season of MIND TRICKS RADIO!  This podcast series explores contemporary themes in psychology, where I interview innovative clinicians, researchers, and thinkers in the field. In today's interview,  I met with Clinical Psychologist Bernard Golden and spoke with him about Passive-Aggression and the Silent Treatment....