PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

In this episode Garth interviews Don Christensen from Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, WA. They discuss the educational and professional journey that led Don from an attempted engineering degree at Stanford to a successful psychology career focusing on teaching and performance enhancement. They discuss Don's early influences, from collegiate golf to motivational psychology, and his transition back to Seattle for graduate studies. Don describes his strategies for integrating authentic assessment and the importance of intrinsic motivation in both academic and athletic settings. The conversation highlights Don's work with aspiring athletes and business leaders, applying mental training principles for peak performance. This episode is packed with insights on education, psychology, sports, and motivational strategies that enhance teaching and learning experiences. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Noland White (Part 2) from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA. They discuss Noland's approach to teaching and the importance of mental health and work-life balance for both students and educators. Noland shares the evolution of his role as a co-author for an intro psych textbook, detailing his journey from attending a focus group to becoming a co-author with Sandra Ciccarelli. Reflecting on his teaching career, he emphasizes the value of continuous learning, the significance of transparent communication with students, and the role of resilience and confidence-building in education. He also touches upon the future of his textbook series and the joys of maintaining a fulfilling career in academia. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this sidebar, Eric describes the upcoming Biennial International Seminar on the Teaching of Psychological Science (BISTOPS), which will be held July 6-10, 2026, in Paris. The organizer is Doug Bernstein (douglas.bernstein@comcast.net) from the University of South Florida. A PDF accompanies this episode, which contains the key details about this opportunity. The deadline to apply for BISTOPS 2026 is January 15, 2026.

In this episode Eric interviews Loretta McGregor (a Part 2 interview) from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Loretta shares insights from her recent tenure as STP President, discussing the challenges and proud moments, including a strategic membership dues increase and launching a high school mentoring program. Loretta also details her new role as Interim Associate Dean at Arkansas State University, explaining her passion for mentoring faculty. The discussion concludes with reflections on late-career transitions, future plans, and the joys of teaching statistics in unique and engaging ways. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Drew Christopher (a Part 2 interview) from Albion College in Albion, MI. The conversation spans various topics, including Drew's career transitions, roles as an editor for the journal 'Teaching of Psychology,' SPSP pre-conference coordinator, and currently as President-Elect of STP. Drew discusses his thought process behind taking on different roles, his eventual rise to STP President, and his strategies for managing career transitions. The discussion also delves into the challenges and changes in the academic landscape, particularly in higher education, and Drew's personal approach to maintaining mental health and work-life balance. They touch on the importance of collegial support, attending conferences, and engaging in meaningful professional interactions. The conversation wraps up with insights into Drew's plans for the future and considerations about retirement. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode, Dr. Robert McEntarffer, a former high school teacher and current college educator, discusses the cognitive offloading potential offered by AI and on those types of thinking it would be wise not to let AI replace. Rob offers a critique of the term artificial “intelligence”, suggesting that “large language model” may be a more appropriate term given that AI doesn't truly understand or derive meaning from text. Rob highlights both the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI in education and the need for a deeper understanding of cognitive processes in learning. References: David, L., Vassena, E., & Bijleveld, E. (2024). The unpleasantness of thinking: A meta-analytic review of the association between mental effort and negative affect. Psychological Bulletin, 150(9), 1070–1093. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000443 Hicks, M. T., Humphries, J., & Slater, J. (2024). ChatGPT is bullshit. Ethics and Information Technology, 26(2), 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-024-09775-5 Theme music was written by Thad Bromstrup

Join veteran educators Dr. Jordan Wagge, Professor and Chair of Psychology at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, and Dr. Alex Swan, Associate Professor of Psychology at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, as they share insights and lessons learned from incorporating AI tools into their professional lives and classrooms. This episode offers valuable perspectives for educators navigating the evolving landscape of AI in education.  Theme music was written by Thad Bromstrup

In this first episode of the PsychSessions: AI and Education, host Joe Slade speaks with Garth Neufeld, co-founder of the Psych Sessions podcast. They discuss Joe's research and experiences with AI in education, including the use of AI avatars, ChatGPT's voice mode, and the potential for AI workflows as teaching and learning tools. Joe shares his optimistic perspective on integrating AI into education while addressing the ethical and philosophical questions it raises. They also discuss future podcast series directions and the importance of diverse viewpoints on AI's impact on education. Theme music was written by Thad Bromstrup

In this episode Eric interviews Melissa Maffeo from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Melissa shares insights about her freshman seminars on alcohol history, use, and misuse, emphasizing harm reduction over abstinence. The conversation delves into her biopsychology class and creative teaching methods, such as murder mysteries to teach neurobiology. The episode also covers Melissa's career path, her role as an associate teaching professor, and advocacy for teaching-focused faculty. Highlighting her passion for neuroscience and education, Melissa discusses her upcoming book 'Science of the Supernatural' and the Neuroscience Teaching Conference she co-founded. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

Dave talks with Jane Halonen (University of West Florida) and Dana Dunn (Moravian University) about opportunities to choose to do what brings us joy and also allowing opportunities for our more junior colleagues to gain experiences that will help with their career development.  We discuss the frustration of dealing with burdensome and unnecessary processes that can take time away from our teaching. Listen closely for an appearance by Dana's dog, Arno!

Ken Carter (Oxford College of Emory University) and Pat Puccio (Depaul University; retired from the College of DuPage) discuss a range of topics having to do with negotiating late career chapters and retirement. We chat about the different ways that "late career" can be interpreted and different pathways in retirement. We also comment on the need for support for late career and retired psychology faculty, particularly in terms of community connections that may become less accessible after one retires. We also discuss preparing our departments for our retirement versus "disappearing like Yoda."

In this episode, Loretta McGregor (Arkansas State University) and Randy Smith (retired) chat with Dave about knowning when it's time to retire or to make a career change, based on what we personally find rewarding. We reflect on technology-related changes in teaching, especially with regard to writing (ever wonder where "cut and paste" came from?). Randy and Loretta also offer some practical suggestions for earlier career faculty about setting themselves up for a successful late career and retirement.

Dave talks with Suzie Baker (James Madison University) and Drew Christopher (Albion College) about the "late career" label and the changes, as our careers have progressed, in how we decide how to invest our time. We also discuss what aspects of our teaching have stayed the same or changed over time, and how we have adapted (or not) to changes in available technology. We mention some older forms of technology used in teaching, particularly overhead projectors. The discussion concludes with some ideas about resources that would be helpful for educators as they start to plan for retirement.

Stephen Chew of Samford University and Ken Keith, retired from University of San Diego, talk with Dave about factors that go into the decision to retire, what makes a for a healthy department based on their experience as department chairs, and how our teaching has evolved over the years. A theme that emerges is creating environments to support student learning. Ken and Stephen also offer some advice to early career faculty.

Dave talks with Ellen Carpenter of Virginia Commonwealth University and Alan Strathman of the University of Central Missouri about what "late career" means and how we make decisions about what things to take on and when to say no. It is possible to be late career in a broad sense but also be early in the process of taking on different responsibilities. We also chat about our experiences using teaching technology over the years, and how to make decisions both about what technology to use and about improving our teaching in general.

In this episode, Dave talks with Barney Beins, retired from Ithaca College, and Sue Frantz, retired from Highline College and current Executive Director of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology. We discuss how retirement can take different forms, and how the choices we make about how to spend our time relate to our sense of fulfillment. Barney and Sue discuss how they made the decision to retire and how they got involved in a variety of current professional activities. They also offer some thoughts about career choices that will be helpful for earlier-career faculty.

Dave, Garth, and Eric discuss the genesis of the idea for this podcast series and the need in general for late career faculty to be able to connect with others in similar situations. Dave provides a sneak preview of some of the issues that come up across the episodes. The series is intended not just for faculty who are late in their careers, but also for those in early or mid-career (like Garth!) who might benefit from thinking about what their later career may look like.

In this episode Eric interviews Kim Case from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Kim discusses the balance of in-person versus online teaching, the pros and cons, and the human connection often lost in an online format. She shares her experience of a profound teaching stint in Italy and the importance of building genuine relationships in academia. The conversation also delves into the economic and moral complexities of offering expertise for free, especially in DEI work. Kim concludes by discussing academic myths and the importance of questioning long-standing norms in higher education to reduce stress and improve efficiency. Resources: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-28577-001.html https://drkimcase.com/free/ https://drkimcase.com/resources/ [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Loreta Prieto from Iowa State University in Ames, IA. They discuss their experiences in academia, particularly the challenges and rewards of teaching. They cover various educational systems, the importance of community colleges, and the difficulties students face in returning from breaks. Loreto shares stories about his personal and professional journey, including his blue-collar upbringing, his mentors, and his passion for undergraduate education. They also delve into the distinctions between counseling and clinical psychology and reflect on the importance of hard work, mentorship, and commitment in achieving success in academia. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]  

In this episode Garth interviews Coco Ballantyne from New York, NY. A journalist and science writer, Coco shares her journey from teaching high school to coauthoring a highly regarded psychology textbook. She discusses her initial uncertainty about her career path, the importance of teaching reporting skills in journalism school, and how she became involved with the textbook project. Coco highlights the collaborative efforts of her and her coauthors to make psychological concepts engaging and relevant to students through storytelling. The episode also touches on her thoughts on the importance of clear communication, especially in today's polarized world, and her views on the current state of journalism.  [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Jenn Grewe from Utah State University in Logan, UT. Our discussion centers on the significance of finding enjoyment in work to enhance job satisfaction. Jenn emphasizes making conscious efforts to seek out fun and enjoyable activities in everyday life, even as an adult. There is a mention of potentially exploring this topic more deeply in a future podcast. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]    

Tyler Whitmer is an Assistant Athletic Director of Olympic Sports Performance at Boise State University. Tyler was a high school athlete who became intensely interested in sports performance when he had a unique opportunity to train at the Denver Broncos training center. As he transitioned to college, he discovered that he could have a career in this area and eventually accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of Kansas. Tyler discussed how his experiences at KU and at several small universities helped him grow as a person and coach. We discussed how athletics provides a range of experiences that can be both beneficial and potentially harmful for men, depending on the culture and what is modeled for men by coaches and mentors. Tyler mentioned a personal and professional shift that occurred for him during COVID that led him to develop a program called Get Reps. Get Reps is a group focused on helping male athletes consider what it means to be a good man and targeting some skills deficits that he has noticed in the athletes he works with. Finally, we discuss how helping men helps the entire community and some resources for those interested in the intersection between masculinities and athletics. 

Dr. Ronald Levant is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Akron and a former president of the American Psychological Association and the APA's Division 51. Ron discussed his challenges as an adolescent and that his pathway was not one that would have necessarily led him to college and graduate training at some of the world's most prestigious universities. He discussed challenges as an adolescent in school and in his family, including being expelled from one high school. A small circumstance resulted in Ron taking a college admission test and then attending UC Berkeley and later Harvard. Ron discussed some of his contributions, such as his work on normative male alexithymia and his research on fathers. He provided some context for how he developed the idea for the normative male alexithymia hypothesis. Finally, Ron discussed some ideas about how we can move the field forward by addressing several areas, such as men's self-compassion and sense of shame. 

Jeff Matsushita is the director of the Engaging Men Project at Boise State University. We initially discussed the origins of Jeff's interest in working with men, which occurred after watching the film Tough Guise as an undergraduate student. He became increasingly interested in men and masculinity and formal work with groups of men. He eventually took a position with the Idaho Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which was quite formative for him. He also has worked with the national group A Call to Men, which similarly works to decrease rates of gender-based violence by engaging men directly. Jeff reflects on mentors who have helped him grow in his work and personally and how his professional work on engaging men has impacted him personally. At the end of the conversation, Jeff provides some helpful guidance on resources for those further interested in the work he discussed of engaging boys in men to decrease gender-based violence.

In this episode Eric interviews Mona Xu from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. Our discussion covers various topics, from mentoring graduate students and the meaningful relationships formed to navigating higher education's political and social climate. Mona shares her journey of coming out as queer and non-binary and the importance of self-care and community care within academia. The conversation also delves into the challenges and future of higher education amid political tensions and demographic shifts. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this holiday message, PsychSessions co-host Garth Neufeld invites listeners to consider support of the podcast by making an end-of-the-year tax-deductible donation at www.psychsessions.org/donations. PsychSessions provides free professional development to psychology instructors all over the world! Thanks for listening!

In this episode Eric interviews Karenna Malavanti from Baylor University in Waco, TX. Karenna discusses issues faced by non-tenure track faculty and her recent presentation with Melissa Maffeo on supporting teaching-focused faculty in higher education. This wide-ranging interview touches on topics such as roles in higher ed, the advocacy needed for non-tenure track positions, Karenna's contributions to Psi Chi, and her background and teaching experiences. This episode delves into the importance of aligning professional work with personal values and the support needed from tenured colleagues to advocate for non-tenure track faculty members. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Ashley Waggoner Denton from the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We discuss Ashley's session on what psychology majors do after graduation, her career course, and teaching challenges with large student groups. Ashley shares her experience as an international student in the U.S. and her work in various service roles, including her involvement with APA's Committee for Associate and Baccalaureate Education (CABE). They also touch on issues related to budget constraints in higher education and the camaraderie within the psychology teaching community. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Garth and Eric spend some time together discussing the current state of the podcast. They discuss future endeavors, including upcoming workshops and an innovative AI series. They delve into the importance of high-quality audio for teaching and accessibility and leveraging AI tools like Suno and Gamma for education. The duo also underscores the value of providing students diverse ways of expressing their knowledge. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the journey of PsychSessions and how their venture has expanded to highlight other educators' voices in psychology. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Eric interviews Deb Briihl from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA. They discuss Deb's longstanding career since 1994, roles at Valdosta State, and her path from coordinating the undergraduate psychology program to teaching various subjects, including a recent flip of her History of Psychology class. Deb shares personal insights about career challenges, the bittersweet aspects of change, and her and her husband's considerations about retirement. They delve into exploring new hobbies, with Deb describing her interest in barbecuing and brewing. The episode closes with a personal anecdote about Deb's “train kiss” tattoo, symbolizing a tender moment with her husband. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

On October 14, 2024, Philip Zimbardo passed away at his home in San Francisco, CA, at the age of 91. He was an emeritus faculty member at Stanford University. We pay tribute here at PsychSessions by re-releasing his interview with Garth, originally released as Episode 050 on January 8, 2019.  Original show notes:  In this episode Garth interviews Philip Zimbardo from Stanford University (emeritus) in Stanford, CA. It's a treat to hear Phil discuss how he became such a passionate teacher, with his upbringing, family values about education, and undergraduate/graduate years (Brooklyn College/Yale University). The interplay of his teaching leading to research (think: shyness work) is fascinating, and just wait until you hear about the grade he earned in introductory psychology, and as always, so much more.

In this episode Garth interviews Wind Goodfriend from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA.  Discussing her personal challenges, such as undiagnosed mental health issues and her keen interest in social justice from an early age, Wind reveals how these experiences shaped her career path. She talks about her contributions to psychology education, including designing courses on the psychology of cults and co-authoring textbooks emphasizing mental health stigma and other socially relevant topics. She also highlights her innovative classroom strategies and views on current educational dynamics. They also touch on her upcoming projects, including a documentary series on cults and a book on the psychology of 'The Handmaid's Tale.' This episode offers insights into the intersections of personal narrative, psychology education, and social change. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

Dr. Krista Fisher is a Young Men's Health Research Fellow with the newly founded Movember Institute of Men's Health. We initially discussed Krista's journey to men's mental health research, which came after a pivot from doing cancer research. She was motivated to work in men's mental health after attending a panel by some of the world's experts in the area, Drs. Zac Seidler and Simon Rice. Since embarking on her doctoral work, Krista has taken a deep dive into the experiences of men's anxiety. She mentioned becoming interested in this after noticing that the work on men's depression had grown substantially, but fairly little was understood about men's anxiety. Her work has resulted in the development of the Resisting, Reckoning, Responding model of men's anxiety. We also chatted about how her work on the profiles of men experiencing anxiety who interacted with emergency services has implications for how we intervene with men in acute distress. 

Dr. Simon Rice is the Global Director of the Movember Men's Health Institute and the founder of the Young Men's Mental Health Research Program and the Elite Athlete Mental Health Research Program at Orygen, the Center for Youth Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia. He is also a Professor and Dame Kate Campbell Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science at the University of Melbourne.  Simon has significantly influenced the men's mental health field, beginning with his foundational research on measuring depression in men. We discussed some of his origins, and I discovered that some serendipitous but pivotal moments influenced the trajectory of his career from high school teacher to eventual leader of a global research institute. I loved learning about some of these what Simon called “sliding door” moments. We also discussed his curious approach to his work and how being curious has allowed Simon to study and research a range of different topics, including his work on athlete mental health. Finally, Simon provides some thoughts on some issues that he believes will be important for the field of men's mental health to address in order to help boys and men. 

In this episode Garth interviews Steven Fein from Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Steve discusses his journey into psychology, his passion for teaching, and his ground-breaking research on audience reactions during presidential debates, as well as stereotypes and prejudice. They also discuss social psychology experiments related to unconscious biases, societal implications of political polarization, and modern research on changing conservative views regarding same-sex marriage and gun control. The importance of social science in public health crises, such as COVID-19, is also highlighted, demonstrating how education and social norms can influence prejudice and public opinion. [Note. Descript AI generated portions of the show notes.]

In this episode Garth interviews Ellen Carpenter from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. The conversation explores various facets of Ellen's professional journey, teaching philosophy, and active role within the STP community. Alongside discussing her career pivot from coaching to academia, Ellen shares insights into innovative teaching methods, the use of AI in education, and the significance of mentorship programs. The episode also delves into her passion for student engagement, administrative roles, and essential psychology curriculum components. Listeners are treated to personal anecdotes, professional achievements, and valuable teaching strategies. [Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this sidebar, Danae Hudson, vice president for membership of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP), outlines the benefits of STP membership and highlights the mentoring program. This program aims to provide career-related assistance to enhance job performance and satisfaction for members at any career stage. The program director, Amy Hunter matches mentees with experienced mentors based on application responses. Members are encouraged to apply by September 16th through the STP website. [Note. Descript AI generated portions of the show notes.] Music:  Life of Riley Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode Eric interviews Mary Pritchard from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. They discuss their long-standing friendship, Mary's career journey, and her dedication to teaching and researching body image and eating disorders. She shares her experiences, from her early struggles with parental expectations to her transition from studying jury deliberation to focusing on body image issues. She also touches on her current responsibilities as Associate Chair, future projects, and the personal fulfillment she finds in her work. The episode wraps up with Mary's reflections on the importance of growth through challenges and the potential future steps in her career. [Note. Portions of these show notes were generated with Descript AI.]

Akash Asif is the director of operations and strategy for the Centre for Suicide Prevention (CSP) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Akash's journey into suicide prevention work began when he suddenly lost a colleague to suicide. This experience opened his eyes to the number of people in his life experiencing mental health concerns, especially suicidality.  Akash was intimately involved in the development of CSP's Buddy Up campaign. Buddy Up is a program specifically designed to help men have genuine conversations about their lives which then allows them to connect and provide support for each other. Our conversation was a great opportunity to “look under the hood” of Buddy Up by allowing Akash to help us understand the development of the title Buddy Up, the decisions around the artwork that is core to the program, and why they integrated certain tools (air fresheners and hard hat stickers) into Buddy Up. We also talked about help-seeking versus help-giving and why these terms are important when thinking about designing an intervention for certain guys. Akash also described some current developments in Buddy Up and why he is excited about the future of the program. 

Dr. Aaron Rochlen is a Clinical Professor and Chair in the Counseling Psychology Program at the University of Texas at Austin. We discussed Aaron's journey to psychology and men's mental health, and I found it interesting that he perceived himself as an average graduate student until he really found his passion. His passion came when he read a paper that proposed some challenges on engaging men in therapy: men are in “double jeopardy.”  We also discussed how his highest impact work came from being curious about some simple questions that came in his research. The first question was why are men's suicide rates so much higher if their rates of depression are considerably lower, when compared with women. The second question was related to some findings that demonstrated women were increasingly earning more than their male partners. Aaron was curious about the impact of this on men and fathers. We also chatted about Aaron's ideas on what we should really call a unique men's depression (masked, masculine, male?) and the challenges on naming interventions designed for men who might be hesitant to engage in help-seeking. We did find some time to talk about his stay-at-home father research, which was cutting edge at the time. In fact it was so cutting edge and applicable to real life that it landed Aaron on NBC's Today Show.  Aaron also teaches a popular course on movies and mental health at UT, so we discussed a few movies and shows that demonstrate depression, including depression in men. In 2007, I saw Aaron give a talk on depression in men with illustrations from the Sopranos pilot episode that was fantastic, so it was great to connect with him on this topic one-on-one. We wrap up with Aaron describing how he indeed “practices what he preaches” via his small practice with men called Walk Therapy Austin. He finds that a therapy that is outdoors and movement-oriented helps men engage in talk therapy. 

Welcome to the first season of Inside Men's Mental Health!  In this podcast, we'll be exploring this thing called masculinity and its impact on men's mental health, relationships, and communities. 

In this episode Loretta delivers her Society for the Teaching of Psychology 2024 presidential address at the American Psychological Association meeting in Seattle, WA. She delves into the impostor phenomenon, exploring its definition, origins, and impact on individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups. She debunks the common misconception of referring to it as a syndrome, emphasizing it as a phenomenon without a single cause or classification as a mental disorder. She also explores the research into the connections between the impostor phenomenon, perfectionism, and depression, presenting findings from various studies and scales. Loretta highlights the prevalence of this phenomenon among college students and proposes potential interventions to help those affected cope more effectively, concluding with practical insights and suggestions for future research.   [Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Garth interviewed Joshua Woods from Grandview University in Des Moines, IA. Josh shares his journey from being a struggling student with a rocky academic start to becoming a passionate educator and researcher. They discuss the creation and success of the Intro Psych Coast to Coast conference, which was born out of the pandemic. They delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of teaching introductory psychology, touching on themes such as the importance of authenticity in teaching and the nuanced understanding required when discussing complex topics like racism and correlation. The conversation also highlights Josh's deep ties to Des Moines, his family's involvement in a local dance studio, and his transformative experience studying overseas in England. As Josh prepares to take on a new role and heads into a sabbatical, they explore his vision for the future of psychology education. [Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Garth interviews Paula Hilton from the Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina. Paula discusses her journey and experiences as a high school psychology teacher. She shares insights into the unique aspects of teaching at an independent school, her creative teaching methods, and activities such as the first-day memory icebreaker and the 10K step challenge. Paula reflects on her background, motivation, professional development, and the importance of making psychology relevant to students' lives. She also emphasizes the value of building strong student-teacher relationships and the impact of real-world applications in the classroom. [Note. Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Garth interviews June Gruber from the University of Colorado Boulder. They discuss various aspects of her research focus, which intersects clinical psychology and positive emotions. June shares insights into her Positive Emotion and Psychopathology (PEP) lab, where she explores how positive emotions manifest in psychological disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. The episode covers the methodologies used in her lab, the ethical considerations in research, and her takeaways from years of studying emotions, including the nuanced understanding that pursuing happiness too intensely can be counterproductive. June also shares her inspiring journey from a small town in California to a distinguished academic career, highlighting the importance of mentorship and community support. The conversation wraps up with her involvement in co-authoring introductory psychology textbooks, emphasizing the importance of making psychological science accessible to a broader audience. [Note: Portions of the show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode Garth interviews Carol Tavris, an independent scholar from Los Angeles, CA. Carol recounts her eclectic career, highlighting her transition from academia to writing. She discusses the importance of accurately communicating psychological science to the public, emphasizing empirical evidence while criticizing the tendency of some popular writers to prioritize sensational ideas. She reflects on various topics, including her work on the psychology of anger, her skepticism toward unfounded scientific claims, and the dynamics of cognitive dissonance. The dialogue also covers Tavris's contributions to textbooks, particularly her efforts to incorporate critical thinking and a balanced view of gender and cultural issues in introductory psychology courses. Carol generously shares insights on maintaining scientific integrity amid societal pressures and changing academic landscapes. [Note. Portions of these show notes were generated by Descript AI.]

In this episode of AskPsychSessions, Marianne answers a listener question about teaching your expertise to those from other specialties. Her guests are Dr. Andrew Butler from Washington University in St. Louis and Dr. Kristoffer Romero from the University of Windsor. The conversation covers content selection, assessment options, and skill development. 

Well, the contiguous United States and D.C. Bonus: Take the short form of the NEO and get matched with the state you vibe with. OR use this in class for five one-way ANOVA examples. Blog Post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2016/07/wilsons-americas-mood-map-interactive.html Original Article: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-a0034434.pdf Time Magazine article, featuring the Big Five survey: http://time.com/7612/americas-mood-map-an-interactive-guide-to-the-united-states-of-attitude/

Welcome to the 200th episode of the flagship podcast series PsychSessions: Conversations About Teaching N' Stuff.  In this episode, Garth and special guest host Chris Cardone interview Elliot Aronson from the University of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA. The trio explores Aronson's significant contributions, including the Festinger and Carlsmith experiment and the cognitive dissonance theory. Aronson elaborates on his work like the jigsaw classroom approach to reduce prejudice and applied social psychology experiments targeting health behaviors. Reflecting on changes within academia, Aronson voices concerns over the decline in quality, contrasting it with the 'golden age' of social psychology. He suggests that research opportunities were more favorable in his era and encourages the audience to read his works for deeper insights. This episode is sponsored by:  The Society for the Teaching of Psychology - teachpsych.org Macmillan Learning - macmillanlearningpsychology.com Soomo Learning - soomolearning.com Support PsychSessions! Please donate at psychsessions.org/donate [Descript AI generated portions of the show notes.]

Statistical modeling determined that, someday, a human will be born who can consume 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes. In the mean time, use this data from hot dog eating contests to discuss scales of measurement, create data visualizations, and calculating measures of central tendancy. Original Article: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0096 Link to data: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/suppl/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0096 Blog Post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-only-data-set-youll-ever-need.html

Here at PsychSessions we are saddened to hear of Jerry Rudmann's recent death -- we mourn this tremendous loss, and our hearts go out to his family and his extensive network of friends.  In his honor, we are rebroadcasting his initial PsychSessions interview, which was released as Episode 155 on October 11, 2022.