Psych & Spirit

What are the things that get in the way of feeling happy? What blocks our happiness? I’ve seen several things in practice with clients and in depression research as well as happiness research, so let’s talk about the top 10, along with a few honorable mentions at the sociocultural level. RELATED CITATIONS FROM THE EPISODE: Allen, A. R. (2022). Meaninglessness, depression and suicidality: A review...

This episode tackles happiness: what it is, what makes up the parts of happiness, how to become happier, and how happiness from within can be subversive or rebellious. Do you deserve to be happy in the face of chaos and suffering? Youtube link for this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSS0jWR7zC8 The official podcast page: https://bridgeviewpsychologicalservic... Interested in the music fe...

What does it mean to engage in spiritual bypassing? How might it stymie growth for the person doing it and how might it affect others? Join me as we discuss choosing the harder but more rewarding path of growth as an alternative to escapism and avoidance that includes healing old emotional wounds, or "unfinished business." REFERENCES: Ahmad, S. S., McLaughlin, M. M., & Weisman de Mamani, A. (2...

What is grief, and what do we grieve in life? Is it just about losing a loved one, or can we grieve change and other types of losses? Join me as I discuss how my own grief process reflects Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' theory of grief, as do other experiences in life. Music featured in this episode: "The Song that Feels So Familiar," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House...

What does it mean to just "survive" vs. actually living a more present and meaningful life? How do we live more and get out of survival mode? Join me as we discuss survival mode and living. Music featured in this episode: "The Song that Feels So Familiar," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). Purchase music from the podcast here: https://www.musicglue.com

I'm kicking off season two of Psych & Spirit with an end-of-the-year reflection! What has the past year been like for you? What lessons have you learned? Life often humbles us so that we can understand ourselves better. Join me as I get personal and share some of my own lessons and ask you questions to reflect on lessons from 2022 and create a clean slate for 2023. Music featured in this episo...

What does this esoteric term in spiritual circles really mean? Why is it so difficult to put into practice? And how can we take steps toward surrender in our lives? Join me as I answer your burning questions about surrender. Music featured in this episode: "The Song that Feels So Familiar," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). Purchase music from the podcast here: https://ww...

Does being outside and enjoying nature improve our mental health and functioning? Join me as I discuss what the research suggests about spending time in nature and provide tips on how to appreciate nature and the outdoors. Music featured in this episode: "Alice in Neptune," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). Purchase music from the podcast here: https://www.musicglue.com R...

What is your life challenge? Many folks have a few specific themes that pervade their lives, specific areas that they experience fear, difficulty, or disillusionment for most of their lives. Join me as I discuss common life challenges and provide tips on how to face those challenges with compassion and courage. Music featured in this episode: "Alice in Neptune," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the...

Is the world unjust AND beautiful? What does it mean to hold two contradictory realities simultaneously and how might that benefit us? Join me as I discuss embracing contradictions in our lives and leaving space for multiple realities. Music featured in this episode: "Sour Grapes," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). Purchase music from the podcast here: https://www.musicgl...

When large-scale tragedies strike, how do we manage the emotions that arise? When progress toward human rights is stymied in our country due to laws passed or reversed, what can we do? What can we do in the short-term and long-term when tragedy strikes us on a cultural scale? Join me as I discuss ways that tragedy affects us and what we can do about it. Music featured in this episode: "The Song Th...

Join me in relaxation for a guided body scan meditation as a bonus addition to the 2-part meditation episodes. The meditation is about 22 minutes long.

What types of meditation are there? How do I start trying to meditate? Join me this week as I discuss the various ways to meditate, share tips on how to start meditating, and offer a guided meditation to help you get started (see the bonus content for this episode). Music featured in this episode: "Sour Grapes," by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). Purchase music from the po...

What are some of the commonly-believed myths about meditation? What are the benefits and risks? Join me as I discuss meditation: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Check out the Youtube Channel for a few meditation resources (will be expanding!):  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5n25rkQY4iSPBysUo0N2w/featured References Afonso, R. F., Kraft, I., Aratanha, M. A., & Kozasa, E. H. (2020). N...

Why are we so addicted to the news media, especially when it’s bad? What does it do to read about so much negativity all the time? How do we detach for our own peace of mind? Find out in this week’s episode. Music from the Episode: "Sour Grapes" by Larissa Seay Dashjian (under the moniker The 8th House). https://www.musicglue.com/the8thhouse/shop References Balzarotti, S., & Cicero, M. R. (201...

Why are extremes a problem for us? Why live a life of moderation and balance? Find out in this week’s episode, where I’ll dive into the areas that we tend to fall into extremes and discuss ways to challenge this. References Virtanen, M., Heikkilä, K., Jokela, M., Ferrie, J. E., Batty, G. D., Vahtera, J., & Kivimäki, M. (2012). Long working hours and coronary heart disease: a systematic review...

Unexpected (and unpleasant) surprises come up in our lives; they can be a catalyst for growth. The famous metaphor of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly encourages us to look more deeply at the sometimes painful and uncomfortable process of transformation for those brave enough to face themselves. Join me in this week’s episode as we dive into uncertainty, change, and transformation.

What does it mean to savor an experience the way we savor food? Does it benefit our mental health to do so? Episode six dives into the definition and benefits of savoring, as well as the nitty gritty of how to boost your savoring skills to enhance your mood (and perhaps increase your happiness!). References Bryant, F. B. (2003). Savoring beliefs inventory (SBI): A scale for measuring beliefs about...

What do people usually fear in life? How do our fears affect us? And what can we do about them? Join me in this week’s episode as I explore the nature of fear and its counterpart, avoidance, as well as providing a framework to stop fear from boxing us in in our lives. ACT Values List: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Values_Checklist_-_Russ_Harris.pdf References American...

What do those goosebumps (frisson) mean when you hear a great song? Can music benefit our well-being? Can music be spiritual? These questions and more are answered in this week's episode of Psych & Spirit. FRISSON MUSIC (MY OWN EXPERIENCE): Weyes Blood - Movies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFtRq6t3jOo Danny Elfman – Ice Dance / The Grand Finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VlFMtlZAs4...

What is the New Year? The calendar New Year coincides with Yule and the winter solstice (in pagan and Wicca traditions). In this brief episode, you'll have the opportunity to reflect on an area you can improve and also learn steps to setting small, realistic, and time-limited goals so that you do not set yourself up to fail with the typical "New Year's resolution." References Cunningham, S. (2004)...

Why do we dream? Is there any deeper meaning to our dreams? In this episode I’ll explore theories of why we dream, talk about how to better recall your dreams, and I’ll provide tips on how to interpret your dreams for your own growth and development. References: Aspy, D. J., Madden, N. A., & Delfabbro, P. (2018). Effects of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and a B complex preparation on dreaming and sl...

An 11-minute guided meditation to encourage self-compassionate thoughts.

Welcome to the podcast! This episode is an introduction to the podcast and then takes a deep dive into self-compassion: what it is, what it isn't, what the research says, and how to become more self-compassionate in your life--starting with the voice in your head. References (For This Episode) Ferrari, M., Hunt, C., Harrysunker, A., Abbott, M. J., Beath, A. P., & Einstein, D. A. (2019). Self-c...