The Broken Brain

Karly Beaumont, head of the Core Temp Arts Network  of podcasts, podcaster, and pop culture expert, joins me to discuss the dynamics of relationship repair that are presented in the quirky and highly metaphorical movie "The One I Love."   This film depicts a live action visualization of the different parts of our personalities in the process of repairing damaged relationships, and asking ourselves...

Karson Kinikini krushes konfidentiality in khild therapy...that should be crushes confidentiality in child therapy.   Karson is a long time friend and first rate therapist. This recording is him teaching a group of us therapist-types about the importance, complications, ethics, and dynamic of confidentiality between child and their therapist.    This episode is a CEU training given to the Aspire N...

Andrew , from AB Film Review and the Last New Wave Podcasts, joins me to talk about the social and psychological implications of the introduction of a new gaming system. This is NOT a review of the Nintendo Switch, it IS Andrew and I talking about the effects that the presence of gaming have had upon us personally and culture in general. 

Part 2 of my discussion with Mariano & Allegra is here! Avid podcasters and pop culture commentators, they share with me their experience and observations about the existence and psychological impact of racial privilege, and why it is often so hard to discuss. Tune in for the next exciting episode of The Broken Brain, and catch Allegra & Mariano on Core Temp Art's official TV commentary show: TV A...

Dave Hart, host of the Pop Culture Case Study Podcast, returns to The Broken Brain to help me talk about the way that mental health diagnosis are presented in movies. With the new M Night Shyamalan picture "Split," I have had a few requests to address this. This episode is one of those. We talk about depictions of therapy, DID ( Disassociative Identity Disorder) , and the fact that almost all ment...

Kathleen returns to help me talk about how to support your loved ones with traumatic experiences. We discuss the  are the important Do's and Dont's of working with family and friends with a history of trauma, abuse, or PTSD. Be sure to listen to Kathleen's wonderful Podcast On The Blue Couch for talk about trauma, psychology, The Walking Dead, and much more!

Kevin Byrd is a specialist in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy . He runs a DBT program in Carmel, Indiana. He joined me to talk about his background in therapy, working with symptoms of high emotionality, stigma regarding Personality Disorders, and finding hope in the face of serious mental illness.  Check out his website at carmelpsychology.com  

Mike returns to talk more about relationships, particularly those colored by estrangement and difficult problems. To do this, we use the Icelandic film " Rams ," from the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, available on Netflix.  As always, our cover art is up for guesses, which one of these gentlemen is Dwight, and which is Mike?

Mariano & Allegra , fellow Core Temp Podcasters on the CTA network , join me to discuss the dynamics of racism and privilege in the United States.  This is part one of a two-part discussion, and a goal of the show to bring you more information in 2017 about equality, inclusivity, and racial matters. Part two will focus more heavily on the dynamic of privilege, and be released in 1-2 weeks.  Listen...

Non rejoins me to discuss Anxiety, something we both deal with, and a key part to mental health.  A confirmed Joymonger , Non is the cohost of the Joy Sandwich Podcast , and writes does other stuff at subjectplusverb DOT com. You can follow him on twitter @ subjectplusverb .

This is a rerun episode from last year's holiday season. Super special guest Shira Goldberg, host of The Addiction Show  on YouTube came on to discuss tips for remaining sober in the holidays.  Rerunning this for the 2016 holiday, it's been a rough year, but if staying sober is your goal, please please please stay sober this year. Be safe and don't drink, drug, or drive.  Well, you can drive if yo...

Chris Revill is a swell person, and swell people love Christmas Specials. Sometimes cheesy, often silly, these wonderful moments of holiday recognition have stayed in our hearts and brains, sometimes for decade after decade. Why? That's what we want to figure out. That, and to go on and on about our favorites.  This is one of the three Holiday specials The Broken Brain is offering this year, like...

Lee and Dwight are responding to a listener request this week! We are discussing the holidays and the tricky dynamics that come up with family. We talk about response plans for assertive, passive-aggressive, and just downright aggressive family members. We mention coping skills, some involving Adele , and how to respond to that rascal Uncle Bob. 

Returning champion guest Michael Denniston from the War Machine vs War Horse Podcast returns to help me analyze the 2000 film Return to Me, and discuss what it demonstrates about coping with grief and change in life. Mike and I get drippy about romance, loss, dogs, and old men filled with passion in this under-appreciated rom-com about loss, love, and organ donation.   

Ecosexuality ? What's that?  Ecosexuality is the study of sexuality and ecology, of course. A fascinating type of synergy, pioonered by researchers, activists, and artists, Ecosexuality is an approach to inclusion, environmentalism, and a different way to appreciate the world. Pioneers in this field include Stefanie Weiss , author of Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets, and Elizabeth Stephens & A...

Polyvagal Trauma Theory, pioneered by Stephen Porges , is a powerful approach to trauma recovery that takes into account ways that the body stores traumatic emotional experiences.  Brittany Varney, Stacy McKenzie , and Kristal James join us today to conduct a training on this theory and how it applies to trauma recovery.  This episode is a CEU training for the Aspire Group Therapy Practice in Nort...

YouTube Phenom Kelsey Nimbly rejoins the show to help me discuss some of the psychology behind why we done be hatin' on each other all election long. We also discuss Tribalism, One-Shot Learning, and Confirmation Bias, and how to repair election-traumatized relationships.  Happy Election Day America! Whoever wins, let's try to play nice!

Craig Pomranz has been an entertainer since he was 12. He recently wrote the children's book "Made by Raffi," in which he tells the story of his Godson's experience learning to knit. The reactions, support, and questions brought up by this young boy's new hobby lead to an important and charming story about gender roles, personal identity, self-confidence, and acceptance. We discuss these things an...

Happy International Podcast Day Braniacs! A little bit from Dwight today about this wonderful new holiday, and the chance it gives us to take stock of our own passions, hobbies, and interests. Hear 3 (or 4 maybe?) tips for embracing your passions for your mental health, stuff that I have picked up through years of counseling.  You should read Maisha Johnson's article "KEEP JOY ALIVE: PUSUING MY PA...

Rachel Grant joins me today to discuss her program for recovery from sexual abuse. A survivor and thriver of her own abuse experience, Rachel has trained and worked to become a highly educated and qualified recovery coach. She opens up with me about her experience, recovery, and the techniques she uses to help people work through the recovery process.  Check out Rachel's program online at: rachelg...

Namaste and Aloha, Candice is back! Candice Christiansen from Namaste Center for Healing returns to the Broken Brain to discuss Accountability, and the role it plays in addiction and mental health recovery.  Hey! Candice also wrote an article about this topic recently, CLICK HERE or go to:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/woe-you-embracing-accountability-your-recovery-candice-christiansen?trk=prof-po...

Anyone who knows Michael Denniston knows he is a born romantic, helpless in the face of any emotionally laden romantic fiction...well maybe... Whether or not that is true, he did get Married last week! Congrats to Mike and Brittany on their nuptials. To celebrate this The Broken Brain is releasing this episode we recorded earlier this year, all about relationship dynamics as depicted in the 2011 f...

Kelsey Nimbly joins me to discuss Trust, the dynamics of how it is earned, what it represents, and how to get it back once it is lost.  Kelsey is an active YouTuber and a behavioral specialist focused on the use of Brain Science to help with day to day problems. Her channels: " Nimblylife " for adults and " AsPrettyDoes ," for teens, host weekly (sometimes daily, holy cow!) YouTube updates teachin...

You know what's hard? Managing your weight, fitness, and physical health is hard. Whether you need to loose weight, get yourself to eat healthier, or have a dangerous eating disorder, finding a solution isn't easy. Virtually all weight management plans (by themselves) have been demonstrated to be ineffective. Using principles of psychology, addiction recovery, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can...

First of all...I'm not dead, I am very much still alive and a-podcastin'. This mini episode will explain the brief break in the program (the last 2 weeks) and let you know what to expect in the upcoming episodes of The Broken Brain Podcast.  BTW, the show is now a proud member of the Core Temp Arts family of podcasts , check out the website or the FaceBook Group to learn more about this network. ...