The Broken Brain

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. ...

Social Media is a part of our life. We all life at least a little bit online these days.  Karly Beaumont and Cynthia Torres host the Podcast That Pop This Life , a look at Life, Pop Culture, and the Ridiculousness of it all. They talk weekly about internet crazes, modern cultural trends, and how to be a good internet citizen.  Make sure to be a good citizen yourself by listening and sharing this e...

Kathleen Brennan lives and practices psychotherapy in Chicago . She is an expert in trauma, a survivor of the nonprofit world, and an excellent podcaster, with her show On The Blue Couch.  Kathleen speaks with me today about the dynamic of Vicarious Trauma , the multiple ways that we can become traumatized through our own or other's exposure. The ACA has defined Vicarious Trauma as "compassion fat...

Non Wells is a writer, podcaster, and a confirmed Joymonger . He loves Joy, there are no two ways about it. He even does a podcast where he and his wife talk about Joy.  However, he is no stranger to all emotions, joyful or non-joyful. Non is a well known enthusiast of knowing & accepting yourself for who you are. that's why its no surprise that he is here today to join me in a discussion about Mi...

Mike Denniston returns to the show (from the podcast War Machine vs War Horse ) to watch and review a classic tale of family dysfunction, the funny and surprisingly touching Sundance Film Festival winner "Little Miss Sunshine." We use this as a backdrop to discuss triangulation, depression, hopes, fears, and insecurity, all within the family dynamic.   

Joel Manwill is a member of the Aspire Group of Mental Health Professionals , the Group Practice that I am also a part of.  He is also a highly experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapist, working with sensory processing disorder, autistic spectrum disorders, and other health concerns related to sensory processing.  This is a training Joel did for our team of therapists, in which he discusses ove...

What did you do this weekend? Laura Murthum fought against human trafficking...Yeah, I know. I cleaned out my garage. Laura works for the nonprofit group Trucker's Against Traficking (TAT) an organization dedicated to providing training to on-the-road Truckers to help them in the fight against human trafficking. CLICK HERE to check out their website and learn what red flags to look for when you ar...

Jeri Young Returns to tell us more about Imposter Syndrome!  Jeri talked about I mposter Phenomenon on a recent episode of The Broken Brain,  this is a recording of her providing more information to a team of therapists, in the Aspire Network. Although she touches on a lot of the same areas, she also goes into how to decrease the anxiety and depression associated with this dynamic, and tells us a...

Happy Father's Day from the Broken Brain!  Dave Hart from Pop Culture Case Study returns to talk with me about being a dude. We discuss the complex psychological issues inherent to being a man in our culture, and our impressions of the psychological impact of the documentary "The Mask You Live In."  by the Representation Project. Check out the documentary on Netflix or Amazon, and follow their Fac...

Bernadette & Andrew Peirce are a wonderful couple who do a movie podcast (the AB Film Review) , and are just fun and cool people. We got together to discuss the dynamic of psychological burnout, a condition that affects physical and mental health, as well as the economy. Andrew has worked in the Veterinary Nursing industry, and Bernie has provided addiction recovery and crisis stabilization servic...

Dave from Pop Culture Case Study rejoins the show to talk addiction recovery, a specialty of his.  We tackle the difficult but vital issue of building (or rebuilding) social support in sobriety maintenance. Addiction has many costs, but a big one is the damage it does to our family and friendship relations. And few things are as helpful to recovery from addiction than a healthy support system. We...

My friend Jeri joins the podcast to discuss Imposter Phenomenon, and the genesis of that term within psychotherapy. Imposter Phenomenon has been used since the 1970s and is a name for a specific type of anxiety and intellectual self-doubt. Jeri Young is a friend, a colleague, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in Mind-Body Bridging, Chronic Pain management, and a bunch of other...

Arianna Jeret (author and relationship expert) & David Hart (Podcaster, Addiction Therapist, and Doctoral Candidate)  join me to answer some of the listener's questions. We talk about online articles that "diagnose" celebrities, watching out for online experts without training (and how to spot real professionals), and getting medical advice for psychological conditions. Specifically we are glad to...

Joe Capozzi is an actor , and is the writer & producer of the short film " Confession ," directed by his wife, Angelique Letizia-Capozzi.   Confession is a 15 minute film telling the story of Joe's experience beginning his recovery from persistent sexual molestation from a Catholic Priest. Joe shares his full story and the story of how he used his artistic skills as a therapeutic outlet and a meth...

Buck Black is the Trucker's Therapist , or at least that is one of his specialties. Buck is a LCSW who provides online and in-person therapy with on-the-road truckers who might otherwise never get to see their therapist . He is also a certified sex therapist and a general practitioner in the community of Lafayette, Indiana . Lucky for me, and you (the listeners), he is also a spirited, energetic,...

Raney Mills Keiley rejoins us after her long sabbatical to field your questions. Mike and I assist by making dumb jokes as she answers your questions about tricky family communication with a needy or controlling parent, and whether or not therapists are emotionally bulletproof enough that we are impervious to freaking out. Plus we fondly recall the time she made us make tinfoil statues of ourselve...