Psychobabble with Joe Nucci

Trauma is one of the most talked-about and most misunderstood topics in mental health culture.  In this episode of Psychobabble , Joe Nucci unpacks two very different books on trauma: Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score and George Bonanno’s The End of Trauma . Although both books offer powerful insights into how we process painful experiences, they don’t always agree. One emphasize...

Joe Nucci sits down with Dr. Suzy Welch, professor, author, researcher, and creator of the " Values Bridge " framework, to explore how understanding your unique values, aptitudes, and personality can unlock a more authentic and fulfilling life and career. From Suzy’s days as a crime reporter to becoming a business journalist, launching a methodology at NYU, and grieving the loss of her husband, th...

Can AI actually help us heal? Joe Nucci sits down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Elisha Goldstein to explore the intersection of therapy, technology, and emotional health. From AI-generated therapists to the science of connection and healthspan, they unpack what the future of mental health might look like. Topics include: The promise and pitfalls of AI in therapy Mindfulness—when it hel...

In this provocative episode of Psychobabble , Joe Nucci sits down with Anthony Rispo—Columbia graduate, writer, and rising content creator—to unpack his intellectual evolution from progressive activism to political heterodoxy.  Rispo shares how the events of 2020 triggered a wave of cognitive dissonance, prompting him to explore overlooked voices, challenge academic dogmas, and examine the ps...

In this episode of Psychobabble , we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood topics in modern therapy: the victim mindset. Joe sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman to unpack the psychology of victimhood and the mental health labels that can quietly hold people back. Dr. Kaufman shares powerful insights from his new book Rise Above, and the two discuss:...

Bestselling author and linguist Amanda Montell joins psychotherapist Joe Nucci to unpack the psychology behind our modern-day psychological biases. Topics we cover: Cognitive biases like the Illusory Truth Effect and Confirmation Bias The cult of celebrity How to think more clearly in a world of noise Get Amanda’s bestselling book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality Pre-...

In a powerful interview, relationship expert Dr. Warren Farrell sits down with Joe Nucci to discuss his new book, From Rolemate to Soulmate , which compiles decades of experience researching relationships and training couples counselors. They discuss: Frameworks to help partners grow together The destructive character of rigid gender roles Controlling patterns that hurt connection Whether it’s sho...

Do you actually have trauma? Therapist and capacity expert RaQuel Hopkins and I discuss what our culture gets wrong about common mental health terms and verbs.   Listen in as we discuss trauma, victimhood, and other viral mental health myths. Bonus - Raquel got a sneak preview of my coming book, Psychobabble , and she shares her feedback with you in the clip. For more on Raquel, check ou...

Black women in America. Jim Crow’s South. Solidarity with Jewish communities.  Join me as I have a powerful and timely conversation with singer, activist, and content creator Malynda Hale to discuss all these and more.  In a world that demands binary answers, we discuss how to practically live out nuanced beliefs.  For more on Malynda, check out her Instagram @malyndahale and her we...

Is intuition real? Licensed psychotherapist Joe Nucci sits down with psychic and intuition expert Shoshanna French to discuss the real science behind energy, empathy, emotional boundaries, and, yes, intuition.  From navigating messy family dynamics to sensing when a business deal is off, Shoshanna shares how intuition is a skill anyone can learn. This episode will challenge your beliefs on mi...

Is instant chemistry actually toxic? Licensed psychotherapist Joe Nucci sits down with dating coach and relationship expert Sabrina Zohar to discuss the hidden truth about ‘the spark’ on the latest episode of Psychobabble. Whether you’re single or boo’d up, this conversation will have you questioning if you’re dating for the right reasons. Bring your relationship drama, raw honesty, and a little p...

Licensed psychotherapist Joe Nucci takes on the internet’s favorite label — narcissism — in his latest episode of  Psychobabble . Reflecting on the trend of ex-partners being called narcissists, Joe explores why this might signal personal and societal growth. In this episode, he delves into the balance of individuality and connection in relationships, inspired by the works of Jungian analyst...

For his latest podcast episode of Psychobabble, licensed psychotherapist Joe Nucci reacts to the new movie The Substance . He explores themes from the film, such as the difference between self-esteem and self-respect, the harmful side of the body positivity movement, our obsession with beauty, Ozempic and diet culture, and the chase for perfectionism in our FaceTuned and Instagram-conscious world....

Licensed psychotherapist Joe Nucci sits down with politico Abby Skeans for his latest podcast episode of Psychobabble. They discuss the psychology of forgiveness after the election, extending grace, the rupture and repair process, cancel consciousness, and the value of disagreement, among other topics weighing heavily on our hearts and in our divided nation right now. Please note - this episode wa...

Gaslighting. Narcissism. ADHD. 6 signs you're neurodivergent. Are you autistic? These are just some of the mental health buzzwords popping up all over your feed these days. Is it real? Or are we seeing the start of a mental health industrial complex? Joe Nucci is a psychotherapist seeing his industry devolve into psychobabble right in front of his eyes. Join Joe as he speaks to experts in his fiel...

Joe talks to Michelle May, a psychotherapist, author, and expert in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). ISTDP is highly tailored to the client, and, as Michelle tells Joe, is about "getting to things as quickly as your (the client's) body can tolerate." The therapist relates to their client based on the client's emotional capacity, moment by moment. Joe discusses his own theoretica...

Joe interviews Dr. Denise McCain-Tharnstrom, a former litigator with a background in public policy and philanthropy, about how a technological app she helped develop is able to able to pull off an incredible feat. The app connects people who are unhoused or otherwise have insecure resources to the services and support they need. (And no, the fact that it’s an app is not a barrier; you’ll learn why...

Should you tell your boss if you are struggling with a mental health concern? When Joe was in graduate school he wrote his capstone on this very topic, exploring issues such as stigma, disclosure, and accommodations for disability. Employment lawyer Tyler Allen speaks to Joe about the legal aspects of the very tricky central question of this episode. It's one that's relevant to many who want to su...

Joe and his guest Jeff Guenther (@therapyjeff) dive deep into dating and relationships. As the author of a forthcoming book titled Big Dating Energy (and a podcast of the same name) Jeff Guenther has, after 20 years of practicing therapy, some great insights into relationships. In this episode, Joe and Jeff don't stick solely to the predictable terms (like "attachment," or "codependence") but expl...

In a profession where most therapists are women, what do two therapists who identify as men talk about when they get together? In this timely and light-hearted conversation, Trey Tucker sits down with Joe Nucci to talk about their personal reasons for becoming therapists, what it's like navigating clinical work in a largely feminine sphere, the importance of choosing to be vulnerable, and how they...

Do you have to be an alcoholic for drinking be affecting your mental health? Can you engage in hedomism without it affecting your mental health? How can one be "sober-curious" amongst social pressures? These are just some of the questions that Joe and Amanda White discuss on this latest episode. Joe also shares about his relationship to substances on his mental health journey. Hosted on Acast. See...

What does free speech have to do with mental health? Joe interviews Greg Lukianoff, CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and author of numerous books including The Coddling of the American Mind and The Cancelling of the American Mind. Please note this episode was recorded prior to campus protests in the United States.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Nancy McWilliams is a legend in the field of mental health. Joe and Nancy discuss a few mental health buzzwords ("abuse," "psychotic," "schizophrenic") that, through overuse and misuse, have lost their meaning. They also discuss whether "mommy issues" or "daddy issues" are real, if/how Nancy and Joe are able to turn off their therapist brains when hanging out with friends, and exciting development...

Clinical psychologist and researcher Darby Saxbe, of the University of Southern California recently penned a fascinating New York Times op-ed Op Ed called "This is Not How to Help a Depressed Teenager." Like Joe, she has concerns about the pathologizing of normal problems of living that so many people in our culture do these days--particulary teenagers, who are highly tuned into the people around...

Can psychoanalysis and psychological development actually be chronicled in a Disney Movie about an adventuring princess? Hear Joe’s take. If you have not seen the movie, you’ll want to see it after listening to this episode. And if you’ve seen it before, you’re probably going to want to see it again.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.