PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

In this episode Eric and special guest host Jane Halonen (University of West Florida) interview Tom McGovern, emeritus faculty from Arizona State University. Tom shares his rich and varied experiences, from teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and leading the Geezers Salon to founding a new campus at Arizona State University. He recounts his challenging health journey with Guillain-Ba...

In this Part 2 episode Eric interviews Ho Huynn from Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Ho shares his experiences of moving from Texas to Australia, including the personal and professional motivations behind the move. He discusses the cultural nuances of living in Australia and provides insights into the Australian higher education system compared to the US system. Ho also dive...

In this episode Garth interviews Ebony Glover from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Ebony shares her journey in academia, including postdoctoral work and her love for teaching. They discuss the importance of research in neuroscience, especially concerning sex differences, and how those differences influence both her research and teaching. Ebony emphasizes the significance of active learn...

In this episode Eric interviews Efren Velazquez from the University of North Georgia in Gainsville, GA. Efren reflects on his 13-year journey since graduating from Boise State University. They discuss his career progression, including his promotion to associate professor and imminent consideration for full professorship. The conversation delves into the challenges and self-doubt faced during the t...

In this episode Eric interviews Mitch Handelsman from the University of Colorado Denver, in Denver, CO. They engage in a spirited conversation about various topics, including university mottos and logos, the history of their academic careers, and the impact of AI on teaching and learning. Mitch elaborates on his background, the influence of his family, and his journey through academia. The convers...

In this sidebar episode Eric interviews Malin Lilley (Texas A&M University-Central Texas), Dawn Weatherford (Texas A&M University-San Antonio), and Ho Huynh (Australian National University). They discuss the development and impact of the Psychology Research Experience Preparedness (PREP) program. Designed by three psychology colleagues, PREP aims to equip undergraduates with the knowledge and conf...

In this episode Eric interviews Jon Grahe from the Gaffney Group and Illumin Analytics in a Part 2 interview. They discuss his journey from being a psychology professor to working in sales, particularly in the solar and roofing industries, and now as an advanced funeral planner. Jon shares his experiences of door-to-door sales, the challenges and insights gained, and how his background in psycholo...

In this episode Eric interviews Mary Kite from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Mary shares her recent retirement journey and the factors influencing her decision, including personal loss and the changing landscape of higher education. The discussion delves into the impact of legislative changes on academic freedom and the introduction of AI in education. She reflects on her extensive career,...

In this episode Eric interviews Eric Amsel from Weber State University in Odgen, UT. They discuss the challenges and responsibilities of supporting underprepared students in higher education. Highlighting a case where developmental math and English retention rates were brought from 40% to approximately 60-65%, they emphasize the need for better support systems for students with big dreams who begi...

New to PsychSessions? Everything You Need to Know in Two Minutes

In this episode Garth interviews Regan for a Part 3 interview from Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. They discuss Regan's journey from his early days in Green Bay to his current position at Oregon State University. Regan shares insights on balancing professional and personal life, emphasizing the importance of social support, sleep, and maintaining networks. The conversation also covers hi...

In this episode Garth and special guest host Jane Halonen interviewed Bill Hill, emeritus faculty from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Bill Hill is a distinguished figure in the field of psychology and a key contributor to the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP). He discusses his extensive career at Kennesaw State University, where he wore multiple hats from faculty member to v...

In this Part 2 episode, Garth interviews Bridgette Hard from Duke University in Durham, NC (with special guest host Jane Halonen). Bridgette discusses her journey and experiences as a faculty member and conference organizer at Duke University. She shares insights on the significance of creating a supportive teaching-focused environment, the development of clearer guidelines for evaluating teaching...

Today's exercise is to help you shift out of your busy brain and into your body, using a simple technique called Progressive Muscle Relaxation. If you are noticing that you are ready to end your day, but you are having a difficult time winding down, join me in a brief, 15 minute exercise, to help you move into your wind-down routine. All you need is a comfortable place to lie or sit down.  Intro a...

Today, we are going to lean into a conversation that I have with students around advising time, close to graduation, at the start of a new semester and when students are sitting with a sense of uncertainty about the future. We are going to explore some skills that are rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to help us stop trying to fight or uncertainty and make room for curiosity and movemen...

Today, we are taking a peek into a conversation that I have with students nearly weekly, when they are feeling anxious and scattered. We are going to explore how to use a physical grounding object to help bring us back into the present.  All you need is a small object nearby, then, we will walk through how to use this object to practice mindfulness and reduce anxiety, finally, we will discuss ways...

Today, we are stepping into the theme of conversations that I have with students, particularly at the busy peaks of the semester, when they're working through the night or feeling like they are not doing enough. We are going to practice how to acknowledge the pressure and urgency to do more, while also creating permission to end your day or rest.  All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Whole Student.  Whether you're a student, a sibling of a student, a faculty member, or someone who supports students in any capacity as they navigate uncertainty about the future, fear of failure, homesickness, busybrain, feeling like they've done a "good enough" job for the day, imposter syndrome and feeling like they don't belong, I've been thinking about...

In this sidebar episode Garth and special guest host Sue Frantz interview Linda Woolf from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Linda is a candidate for APA President, and their discussion centers around Linda's extensive history and contributions to the American Psychological Association, her vision for the future, and her motivations for running for the presidency. Linda emphasizes the importanc...

In this episode Eric interviewed Matt Genuchi from Boise State University in Boise, ID. Matt shares his journey from being a French horn player in high school to studying men's mental health, depression, and suicide during his academic career. He delves into the specifics of his research, the influence of mentors at Baylor University, and his impactful moments at the University of Denver. He provi...

Dr. Boysen is a Professor of Psychology at McKendree University and has served on the editorial board of multiple journals on the scholarship of teaching and learning. He is the author of Becoming a Psychology Professor and coauthor of An Evidence-based Guide to College and University Teaching. Guy shares how AI has influenced his work and teaching with the positive hope that educators and student...

David Wiley, PhD is the Chief Academic Officer and cofounder of Lumen Learning, as well as director of the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator at Marshall University. This discussion covers the long-term impacts of AI on educational courseware and how we might all benefit from a change in mindset on the way we teach. Theme music was written by Thad Bromstrup.

Dr. Laura Freberg is a Professor of Psychology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, teaching introductory psychology and behavioral neuroscience. She is an author or co-author of textbooks in introductory psychology, behavioral neuroscience, applied behavioral neuroscience, and research methods. This discussion dives into how her classroom and teaching habits have been infl...

In this episode Garth interviews Dan Ariely from Duke University in Durham, NC. Dan shares insights on motivation, fairness in the workplace, and the importance of subjective measures in understanding human interactions. He elaborates on his work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges he faced, including receiving death threats. He emphasizes the role of empathy and understanding in deali...

In this sidebar episode, guest host Jennifer Grewe chats with Garth Neufeld about ACT 2025 in Minneapolis, MN. Register for ACT 2025 at teachpsych.org .