Think Act Be Podcast

You're probably familiar with "near death experiences." My guest this week is Dr. Sharon Prentice, who describes a related journey called a "shared death experience." This was a new concept for me, as I'm sure it will be for a lot of listeners. It made for a really fascinating discussion as we explored the ways it changed Sharon's understanding of God and what it means to die, and to live.  Get fu...

Psychologist and author Dr. Ross Greene encourages parents to let go of unhelpful parent-imposed solutions when kids aren't meeting our expectations, such as rewards and punishment. His approach focuses instead on solving problems collaboratively with our children, using a straightforward three-step method.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is therapist and OCD specialist Jon Hershfield. Jon is doing an incredible amount of work to improve the lives of those who struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder through his therapy practice, writing, and public talks. In this episode we discussed his excellent new book,  Overcoming Harm OCD: Mindfulness and CBT Tools for Coping with Unwanted Violent Thoughts . Get full ac...

Do you ever feel like you and someone else just aren't hearing each other? My guest this week is Oren Jay Sofer, who is passionate about helping people to improve their relationships through his mindful approach to nonviolent communication. Discover how true presence can help us to listen and express ourselves more effectively.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.subs...

My guest this week is my brother Charlie Gillihan, who will graduate from medical school soon. We explored the slow evolution of medical training in the US, what it takes to become a doctor, the high rates of burnout and suicide among physicians, and what to look for in a great primary care doctor.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is highly acclaimed poet Mary Jo Salter, whom Dan Chiasson described as “one of America’s most accomplished formalists” in the  New York Review of Books . In this conversation we explored the drive to create poetry and its unique effect on our psyches.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Jonni Pollard, who specializes in teaching the art of embodying our true nature to live the most meaningful life possible. In this episode we explored his inspiring vision of our deepest nature, our true purpose, and our capacity for fulfillment.    Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. James Kelley and I discuss the sometimes surprising effects of adversity, or what James calls the "crucible's gift." Life's challenges may offer the opportunity to grow in strength and compassion, ultimately allowing us to become the person we were meant to be.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is psychologist Dr. Mark Powers, who specializes in research on anxiety and PTSD. Mark and I discuss the latest research on treatments for trauma, including EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and exercise, as well as the general principles of effective therapy. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Most new parents will wish at some point that their baby were sleeping more soundly. Thankfully there are proven techniques for helping young children to sleep through the night. My guest this week is psychologist and pediatric sleep specialist Dr. Jodi Mindell, who has done a tremendous amount of work to bring compassionate, science-based sleep guidance to parents who need it. Get full access to...

We usually think of healing as something that comes from the outside—from doctors, medications, supplements, the right diet.... According to integrative psychiatrist Dr. Omid Naim, however, healing comes from within. In this episode Dr. Naim describes an holistic approach that not only integrates many healing traditions like medicine, yoga, and talk therapy, but that seeks to integrate mind, body,...

The rates of conditions like anxiety and depression continue to rise, despite extremely high rates of psychiatric medication use. This week I spoke with Dr. Julia Rucklidge, a pioneer in the field of nutrition and mental health, about the role of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals in treating and preventing common psychological problems.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan a...

Anyone who's played competitive sports knows that the mental game is at least as important as the physical one. My guest this week is clinical and sport psychologist Dr. Mitch Greene, who specializes in helping athletes manage doubts, cultivate courage, improve performance, and reach their goals. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Many people are looking for ways to gain a mental edge. My guest this week is psychologist Dr. Martha Farah; as a brain scientist and pioneer in the field of neuroethics, Martha has thought a lot about ways to enhance our cognitive ability. She shares her insights on the effectiveness of stimulant medications, drugs for Alzheimer's, and direct stimulation of the brain to make healthy brains functi...

My guest this week is Nora Whittaker Jones, a Speech Language Pathologist who is intimately acquainted with the human voice. Nora and I discussed common vocal problems like muscle tension dysphonia and the stress they can cause, especially among professionals like teachers who depend on their voice every day. Nora shared her perspective on how to care for one's voice, and how to find help when nec...

My guest this week is Dr. Bryce Carter, who has a fascinating background as both a highly trained practitioner and instructor of martial arts and a practicing clinical psychologist. We explored the intersection of these two disciplines, including how training in the martial arts can improve our confidence, resilience, emotional equilibrium, and relationships. Get full access to Think Act Be with S...

Financial trading is challenging work, requiring a high degree of focus, discipline, and analytical ability. In this week's episode I spoke with psychologist Dr. Brett Steenbarger, who specializes in the psychology of trading. Brett describes the habits of thought and action—many of them drawn from cognitive behavioral principles—that help traders perform at consistently high levels. Get full acce...

Millions of people are affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD—not just those who have the condition, but their family and other loved ones. My guest this week is psychologist Dr. Belinda Seiger, who specializes in evidence-based treatment of OCD. She describes how OCD affects families, and how effective treatment can improve relationships. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gilli...

Ever wonder what's the right way to live your life? Author August Turak contends that deep down, you already know. In this week's episode we explore the message of his recent book,  Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Life.  August shares his insights on how to move through the fear that prevents us from finding self-transcendence.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gilliha...

Anxiety can be extremely debilitating when it dominates a person's life. My guest this week is Dr. Joel Minden, who specializes in the treatment of all kinds of anxiety and related conditions, from panic and generalized anxiety to social phobia, PTSD, and OCD. Hear from Joel how three powerful approaches can help to loosen the grip of overwhelming emotion.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Set...

Recent research has revealed startlingly high rates of obesity among the men and women who have served our country in the military. In this week's episode, I speak with Palo Alto VA psychologist Dr. Jessica Breland about her latest research on obesity, disordered eating, and military sexual trauma among US veterans—and how she's using social media to spread the word about her findings.  Get full a...

Countless people struggle to see themselves in a positive light, and women face specific challenges to their self-esteem. In this week's episode I talk with licensed professional counselor Megan MacCutcheon about her  Self-Esteem Workbook for Women , including what healthy self-esteem looks like, how it's different from narcissism, and how anyone can take steps toward greater self-love.  Get full...

Major depression is a common condition that can severely limit a person's life. In this week's episode clinical psychologist Dr. Jay Fournier discusses his efforts to better understand the many varieties of depression by studying the brain and behavior—with the goal of maximizing treatment effectiveness. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

All of us at some point will experience the pain of loss and the grief that follows. In this week's episode, author and illustrator Brian Lies discusses his new book,  The Rough Patch , which beautifully captures the complex feelings and behaviors that follow a devastating loss—and the hope that is possible.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Gaslighting is a sinister form of emotional abuse in which a person is made to doubt their own reality. In this episode I speak with Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, a therapist, author, and authority on gaslighting. We explore the ins and outs of this pattern of behavior, including how to recognize it, avoid it, and break free from it. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substac...