The Social Exchange

Psychologist Dr. Rick Barnett and Zach Rhoads discuss the psychedelic movement. They touch on: - How psychedelics work in therapy and in general use - Drug safety - Medicalization versus Legalization (or decriminalization) of psychedelics - "Drug exceptionalism" (as coined by Dr. Carl Hart) - Vermont stakeholders - Personal experience with drug use - The meaning of addiction - Demystific...

Today’s guest is Dr. Christopher Chabris. We talked about his new book (with Daniel Simons), “Nobody’s Fool.” Chris is a cognitive scientist. His research in this field focuses on attention, decision-making, collective intelligence, cognitive ability, and behavioral genetics. Outside of the his academic community, he is a known chess master, and best known for his book (written with Daniel Simons)...

Welcome to episode 82! I t's been a while (sorry!) Today I spoke with Sarah Ward M.S., CCC/SLP and Co-Director of Cognitive Connections, LLP. We discussed strategies that she has developed-- for both children and adults-- to sharpen their executive functioning skills to enhance learning and life. Examples of the skills that Sarah works with people to enhance: planning and organization  concentrati...

Welcome to episode 81! Today I spoke with journalist, podcaster, and author David McRaney about his new book, "How Minds Change". We discussed his interviews with and research on cult members, conspiracy theorists, and political activists, from Westboro Baptist Church picketers to LGBTQ campaigners in California – that ultimately challenges us to question our own motives and beliefs. In an age of...

Nathan Maynard is a student voice advocate and author of The Washington Post best-selling book, "Hacking School Discipline" about proactive and restorative practice (as opposed to reactive and punitive) in schools. Nathan previously worked as an administrator at Purdue Polytechnic High School in Indianapolis, as the Dean of Culture. He also is the Co-Founder of BehaviorFlip, a restorative behavior...

In this episode, Dr. Mark Goulston explains the best way to get through to absolutely ANYONE, in a way that enables them to open up about their deepest concerns. Mark Goulston is a Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches executive coach and author or co-author of nine books with his book, “Just Listen,” being translated into 28 languages and becoming the top book on listening in the world. He hosts the hig...

I presented an expert testimony in an Oklahoma legislative meeting.    The session was held due to opposition of new statewide opioid prescribing limitations.    You can see the full hearing here https://okhouse.gov/Video/Default.aspx?fbclid=IwAR11cWEcwm6J4-vDbClEJ2IyQMCb7_lTZCgKC1tts0E7g37vpIEcbW9H1wU     - - - - - - - - - -    ***SUPPORT THE SOCIAL EXCHANGE*** Donate to PayPal:  https://paypal.m...

In this interview, Stanton Peele discusses his memoir, "A Scientific Life on the Edge: My Lonely Quest to Change How We See Addiction." More importantly, Peele recounts his life story, both in this interview and in his memoir. Beginning with his General Theory of Addiction that he put forth in his 1975 book "Love and Addiction", followed by a discussion of his career as an outsider in mainstream a...

Today's guest is Shaun Shelly -- back for a second conversation. We discuss the so-called "Opioid Crisis", why that concept needs to be re-framed, and how we can go about doing so. **More about Shaun: Shaun is dedicated to the understanding of drug use, the rights of people who use drugs, and effective drug policy. He is the Policy, Advocacy and Human Rights Manager for TB/HIV Care in South Africa...

Zach Rhoads speaks with Maia Szalavitz about her new book, "Undoing Drugs", which traces the history of Harm Reduction from the movement's genesis to the way it affects mainstream thoughts, beliefs, policies, and behavior.

Dr. Erec Smith is a professor of rhetoric and composition at York College and former Chair of the York YWCA Racial and Social Justice Committee. Today, he and I talk about racism in America, and what he believes are the best ways to make this country a fair, diverse, and thriving one. Smith appreciates much of the sentiment behind Critical Race Theory (CRT) and anti-racism curriculum, but believes...

Todd is a documentary film maker and his most recent film, "The Last Stop" is today's conversation topic. The Last Stop is a film about the Élan School, which was a controversial school / treatment facility for so-called juvenile delinquents which existed in the deep woods of Maine. That’s ExisTED, past-tense, because the Élan school was closed down in 2011 due to allegations of abuse which dated...

Welcome to episode 75! Today's guest is Desh Amila. Desh is the founder of "This Is 42"-- a platform for highly regarded educators and content creators such as Coleman Hughes, Michael Shermer, Sam Harris, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and more. He is also the producer of the films "Islam and the Future of Tolerance" (Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz), and more recently, "Better Left Unsaid" which you can find h...

This episode originally aired as an episode of the "LPP PODCAST" which you can find here: https://open.spotify.com/show/66wpvu8aMI8NWYgZvBr5uz   Today's guest is Maia Szalavitz, who co-wrote (With Bruce Perry) "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" and the NYT best-seller, "Unbroken Brain" Her forthcoming book is, "Undoing Drugs" - - - - - - - - - -  Check out previous episodes of the LPP Podcast at th...

Curt Jaimngal is the co-creator (with Desh Amila) of the documentary film, "Better Left Unsaid". The film shines a light salient cultural issues that are difficult to discuss in a balanced way (at least publicly): namely, the radical arms of both left and right wing politics. "Better Left Unsaid" explores leftist social justice theory and how it turned into censorship and orthodoxly, as well as ri...

Today’s guest is Shaun Shelly (see bio below). Shaun is a drug policy educator (to say the least) from South Africa. We discussed a range of topics, including (but not limited to): Drug use The war on drugs Mental health Societal deficits and potential solutions Logical fallacies and cognitive biases First-principles thinking/problem-solving in psychology Therapy and motivational interviewing Educ...

Aaron Burroughs grew up singing gospel music for a black church in Ann Arbor Michigan.  He moved to Verrmont as an adult and started a band (an entire style of music) inspired by his gospel roots as well as his love and admiration for musicians like Prince, Whitney Houston, Parliament and more. Or, you might say he started an entirely new genre of music.  You see, Burroughs took the familiar-to-so...

Brian Cuban tells Zach about his history with addiction, which included drugs and alcohol as well as a dysfunctional relationship with diet, exercise, and body image. Cuban explains that while most people who suffer body dysmorphic disorder are female, most people don't realize just how many men feel shame about their body image---- to the extent that they overcorrect with extreme and unhealthy di...

I interviewed Dr. Carl Hart about his book, "Drug Use For Grown-Ups", when it first hit shelves (Jan. 2021).  This originally appeared on the weekly Life Process Program podcast (LPP is an harm reduction oriented addiction program I work for), but it's worth sharing with you now.  Many of you won't have listened to the original podcast and I think it will bring you value!  At the same time, I want...

Eric White is the creator and host of theEWpodcast. He doesn't podcast just to be a "sage on the stage" but to have valuable conversations with people who interest him and can bring value to a greater audience. He and I have that in common. Eric and I talk about his backstory-- including a bout of depression and recovery from it-- then discuss what it means to find purpose and meaning in life. Fin...

Honoring children-- that's Jeanine Fitzgerald's MO. In this interview, she explains what it takes to be a positive influence in the life of each child-- each person -- that she interacts with. Jeanine's child-first philosophy is evident in all of her work: Her book, "The Dance of Interaction"; her frequent keynote speeches (which she delivers internationally); her work as an educational and family...

Zach speaks with Peter Gray about how American schools are failing kids, and how to reverse the tide! Peter Gray, Ph. D. is a research professor at Boston College, is author of: Free to Learn (Basic Books) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKX5BBG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 8th edition). https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Pete...

Today I spoke with my friend and fellow podcaster, Eric White.  Eric is a deep thinker and a compassionate human-- skills he shares with the world via his podcast, "theEWpodcast".  We talked about Eric's past traumas and how he uses those experiences and memories to build a meaningful life now and into the future.  We also talked about his basis for podcasting in the first place (which he does mos...

Zach speaks with Damon L. Jacobs about harm reduction as it relates to vaping, drugs, PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, and COVID-19. (DAMON'S BIO IS BELOW) - - - - - - - - - -   **ABOUT DAMON L. JACOBS** Damon L. Jacobs is a New York-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a tireless HIV prevention advocate who focuses his work on health, love, and pleasure. Through his...

Biologist, philosopher, author, and Stoic, Dr. Massimo Pigliucci discusses the wisdom behind living a stoic lifestyle. - - - - - - - - - -  Welcome to episode 67! Today, Dr. Massimo Pigliucci tells Zach how he discovered stoicism and why he began practicing. They also discuss the history of stoicism as well as its practical applications, especially in dealing with novel situations like-- well, a g...