The Broken Brain

Dr. Shari Corbitt is the founder and director of Awakenings Treatment Center , and an expert in Eating Disorders, Chronic Pain, and Complex Trauma.  In our discussion she shared information about the frustrations, misunderstandings, and lack of compassion that many run into when dealing with chronic pain.  She also taught me a lot about the hope, thriving, and support that can (and should) be ther...

This is a rerun episode from several years ago. I am re-releasing it due to the outbreak of Opioid and Fentanyl overdoses that is currently happening within the drug-using population. More to come on that.  NOTE : this episode focuses on a Harm-Reduction approach, including positive statements regarding the use of opiate-blockers and Suboxone. Jamilia is a specialist in that area. Jamelia Hand ret...

Tim Pickett is a Physician's Assistant (PA-C) in the State of Utah. He is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, a founding team member of utahmarijuana.org and one of the hosts of the Utah in the Weeds Podcast. He is an advocate and educator for safe, research based Medical Marijuana use. He writes and speaks in order to de-stigmatize prescription of Cannabis. We discuss pros, cons, risk...

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder is a diagnosis that was created to help treatment of children in order to differentiate between non-cycling mood instability (especially anger) and Bipolar Disoder.  This is another Quadruple D episode, Deep Dives Delving into Diagnosis. I'll review the diagnostic criteria and talk a little about this diagnosis, added for the first time to the DSM 5, the curr...

This is a rerun of a classic episode and partnership episode of the Broken Brain. Right before the release of the MonkeyTraps book and podcast, Steve Hauptman appeared on the Broken Brain to talk about the desire for Control, and how it plays into our own addictive processes.  Check out the book Monkeytraps, and listen to the first several chapters for no charge on the MonkeyTraps Podcast, availab...

About 10 minutes of updates and stuff. I haven't talked about the goals of the program or who I even am for quite a while. A few minutes talking about: What are the goals of this show? Why is it called The Broken Brain? What's coming up? I'd love to hear from you. Check in with me @breakabrain on the Twitter. Join the new mental health, trauma and addiction group I started on Facebook: IIOP  https...

New recurring feature for the podcast: Quintuple D! D's Deep Dive into Dope Diagnoses or DDDDD Today we dive into Major Depressive Disorder, starting a series of deep dives into Depressive Disorders. Although there is no such diagnosis of simple depression, there are many disorders representing the different types of depression. This episode focuses on the most commonly diagnosed, Major Depressive...

This is a rerun episode of the Podcast from 2015, when I spoke to addiction specialists Rev-Kev Coughlin and Ron Siegel about addictive gambling. There is a fascinating dynamic behind non-substance addictions, also known as "process addiction," one that can often be downplayed to our own detriment.   

The animated film Song of the Sea is super cool. That's good enough reason to talk about it, but it also effectively showcases the effects of complicated grief and loss. And who better to have this conversation with than Podcaster, Pop Culture Expert, and founder of the Core Temp Arts Podcast Network, Karly Beaumont. Focusing on a dual story that intertwines real life and a fairy tale, this story...

The history of how we diagnose psychological issues is long, interesting, and several kinds of messed up. We begin to take that apart today. I was joined for this conversation by Tehya Fencik (TK), creator & host of "For The Love Of History Podcast." As a historian, TK found incredible information about therapeutic communities in the early 1900s.  "The Statistical Manual for Use of Institutions fo...

Photographer and author Antonio Johnson is on the podcast today to talk about his book, You Next: Reflections in Black Barber Shops , a beautiful photography book profiling the culture of Black Barber Shops and the role they play in the development and identity of Black men. These shops fill the  community center, a space of belonging, a center of wellness, and more. This is a fascinating look at...

Sharon Blady returns to the podcast! This time we are discussing Marvel's new TV series The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, and the heavy elements of psychological development woven into that series. We discuss Trauma, amends work, recovery, trust, generational distress, racism...what don't we talk about? Give it a listen and find out! The go to www.speak-up.co to learn more about Sharon's work in me...

Rerun from 2019 (new episode also coming out Wednesday)  Lisa Frederiksen is an author, speaker, and expert in the area of Secondhand Drinking, a term she coined to describe the effects of alcohol abuse on those within the support system of those caught in addiction. Lisa discusses the complexity of addiction, the sometimes damaging labels of codependent or enabler, and what to do to protect yours...

Colleen Thomas is an expert in rituals and rites of passage. She even started a podcast about it called Shame Piñata. She talks here about the importance of rituals and rites in our lives, and how creating your own rituals can be a powerful way to heal from trauma, grief, and stress. Colleen was a guest on the Let's Chat Live YouTube show focused on introductions to new podcasts, and I was lucky e...

When a loved one is caught up in addiction, they suffer. So do we. Terms like "enmeshment," "enabling," and "codependent," sometimes serve to shame and confuse more than to help.  Beth Gardner is an expert in helping those who have loved ones deep in addiction. As a life Coach, a champion rower, cancer survivor, and research expert, Beth has built up resources and expertise in helping those who su...

Kristen Lopez is a Film and TV critic, writer, and creator and host of the Ticklish Business Podcast. She joins me on the Broken Brain to discuss the depictions, tropes, and (often) failures of Hollywood in capturing the experience and the depictions of individuals with disabilities on the big screen. 

Hannah Boone & Reed Anderson are comedians and podcasters who work in the medium of mental health related humor, among other funny things they talk about. They join me today to discuss the balance of being funny and sharing their own mental health and trauma. How can you be funny about things that are so serious? When do the jokes land, when do they not, and how does the crowd react? Check out the...

Sharon Blady is the creator of Embrace Your Superpowers & Bulletproof to Stigma, and a passionate advocate for mental health and Trauma Recovery. Last time on the program she shared the concept of reframing mental health 'struggles' into harnessing them as our personal superpowers. This time we discuss the film Captain Marvel and its empowerment and images of recovery.

Abi Perez is a mental health advocate, mediator, and the creator and host of the Friends of Friends AmigosDAmigos Podcast . She joins today to talk about her experiences with mental health within the Mexican-American community, the importance of community, relationships, conflict, self-awareness, and the power of a nonjudgemental attitude. Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain...

This week's episode is an opportunity I had to interview with Bernard Ennis, the host & creator of the Your New Favourite Song Podcast, and of the band The Ennrons. Originally this was a live broadcast on the Let's Chat Live show on YouTube. I am including it in the Broken Brain's feed because Bernard talks about music as a creative outlet, and finding new ways to engage with and find music that y...

2021 looks good when Brian Bachand is a returning guest! Founder of Evolution Evolutio n, Brian returns to teach us about creating plans, navigating change, and deciding when and how to take your next leap into the future. He even gives us a little advice regarding New Years Resolutions...  Brian's suggested charity is ACCES Employment, a foundation assisting immigrants to Canada to find work. Get...

Chris Revill of The Let's Chat Podcast joins the show once again to discuss the Holiday special The Snowy Day, based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats. We review specifically the 2016 adaptation. We have a lot of fun and talk about Holiday plans, relationships, and life in a city environment This episode's charity of focus is Your Local Food Bank. This year the need for food relief is up at least 300...

Britt Nicole is the host and creator of the You Me and PTSD Podcast . Britt is a certified Life and Resilience Coach specializing in working with individuals whose lives have been affected by Combat Trauma. She joins today to discuss her work, her perspective on trauma, and the experiences she has shared with husband, a combat veteran with combat PTSD.  Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.c...

Michael Kaplen is an Attorney who specializes in working with those who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), helping individuals to secure their rights and receive services addressing their injuries. Michael is also the Chair of the New York State TBI Services Coordinating Council, former President of the Brain Injury Association of NY State, and has held a host of other leadership positi...

Brian Bachand is the Founder and CEO of Evolution Evolution, a Global Coaching company focused on professional and personal changes. Brian is no stranger to life's transitions. 13 years ago he had the experience of Coming Out to friends and family, and left his position as a Catholic Priest. Brian joins the show to talk about his story and tips for listeners who may be contemplating major life cha...