The Broken Brain™

Bill Combs is the Author of the novel, "The Quantum Gate," (and its upcoming sequel). An adventure story in the spirit of Indiana Jones, Da Vinci Code, Stargate, this novel is a story of trauma and redemption, with riddles, treasure hunting, and mystical elements. He joins the podcast to share this story and his approach to creating realistic characters facing mystical situations, and how people relate to difficulty in real life. Go to www.billcombs.com to follow his work, monitor his ongoing series of novels, and read his free short stories.  Visit www.akshayapatra.org to support and share our charity-of-focus this month. Akshaya Patra is a NGO that delivers hot midday meals to school students in India. 

The second half of the 4th Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day. In this segment of the stream Dwight and Isabel Teran are joined by the Reels of Justice Podcast hosts to discuss addiction, engagement with life, and cultural/societal elements of health. Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Robb Maynard, Ben Haslar, and Dylan Schlender have a vulnerable and open discussion about their own experiences with compulsion, addiction, and alcohol. A great example of openness, community, and support. We will do it again next year! Go to www.akshayapatra.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit agency, providing hot midday meals to children in school in India. 

This is the first half of the Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day, 2025. Join hosts Dwight and Izzie as we look at how Engagement & Avoidance factor into addiction. In Part one we are joined by Chris Revill and Mike Lundsford.  Please support & share our highlighted charity of the month, Akshaya Pahtra, a NGO in India providing hot midday meals to provide incentive and support for children to attend school. Visit www.akshayapatra.org to learn more. 

Monday Mental Health Tip Time, talking about the human tendency to wait to act until we feel sure of success, and what that can cost us in experiences.  Big thank you and shout out to the folks who appeared on and helped the Live Stream for Overdose Awareness yesterday. That audio will be showing up in the feed soon.  Thanks to: Isabel Teran, Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Robb Maynard, Ben Haslar, Dylan Schlender, Mike Lundsford, & Dr Delice Coffey for jumping onto the stream and sharing so openly.   

Tomorrow will be the Broken Brain's 4th annual Live Stream for Overdose Awareness! Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live to WATCH live, on YouTube FB or Linkedin, or you can JOIN the live stream with me! Links and details all at that page. 

Dr Alessandra Seggi is a Professor of Sociology and Crimonology for Villanova University, and Author of the book "Youth and Suicide in American Cinema: Context, Causes, and Consequences." She talks about the ethics and effects of depictions of suicide, the possible positive applications, processing emotions, as well as the risks. With suicide being such a huge risk for youth, this is an important topic for everyone. Go to www.alessandraseggi.com to learn more about her work.  This Sunday (8/31) is the Broken Brain's 4th Annual Live Stream for Overdoes Awareness. Visit www.dwighthurst.com/live for times, links, and ways to join the stream. 

Author, educator, and Behavioral Psychology expert Dr John Demartini is a survivor. Faced with literacy & academic challenges, physical injury, and a period of homelessness as a youth, he learned to overcome obstacles by finding opportunities within struggle. He teaches others how to reframe traumatic events to aid personal development, to "send us ON the way, not be IN the way." Learn more about his work at www.drdemartini.com. Visit www.dwighthurst.com/live to find information and links to the 4th annual Broekn Brain Live Stream for Overdose Awareness, broadcasting 8/31. Watch or JOIN the program anytime during the 5 hour live stream.  And please support Improving Lives, a wonderful nonprofit in Nottingham, UK, that seeks to hep those facing mental health with supports and bridge services for those awaiting treatment. Go to www.improvinglivesnotts.org.uk to follow and support them. 

MJ Renshaw is a breathwork trainer, podcast host, and author of the book "How To Cry." She helps individuals use spirituality, breath, and somatic techniques for emotional regulation and healing. Drawing from her own experiences with Trauma, she shares her experiences of trauma, healing, and learining to help others. Follow her work at www.beingmethod.ca and check out her podcast "The Being Method Podcast."  Make sure to go to www.dwighthurst.com/live to see the details for the 4th annual Broken Brain Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness day on 8/31. AND go to www.improvinglivesnotts.or.uk to support Improving Lives, this month's highlighted charity. 

Over 30 million people in the USA have a diagnosable eating disorder, with many going undiagnosed, and even more having distorted thoughts about food and body issues. Mallary Tenor Tarpley is the author of the new book "Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery," (RELEASED TODAY!) where she shares information about the genetic influences on eating disorders, how our brain changes both while suffering from ED and while recovering, and the under-discussed grey area between being total symptomatic and in active recovery. This month we are highlighting Improving Lives, a wonderful nonprofit helping those in Nottingham, UK, to receive enhanced mental health services and case management. Go to www.improvinglivesnotts.org.uk 

Holy cow! The upload on Monday didn't work, so this is now a mid-week mental health tip! This episode is setting the stage for the Live Event coming up on 8/31, for International Overdose Awareness Day. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for the sweet details.  Last chance to sign up and have 50% of your Patreon donation each month go the Learning Works of Maine. www.learningworks.me will take you to this wonderful nonprofit helping adults & kids at risk for academic disadvantage. Next episode will have the new charity for August.  

Shai Tubali is a specialist in meditation, mental flexibility, and the modern application of ancient philosophies. He is also the author of the new book: Your Chakra Personality, in which he details ways that people use the philosophy of Chakras in healing. He also shares the dangers of comparison and how to find healthy tension in our lives. Follow his work at www.shaitubali.com Learning Works of Maine is this month's highlighted nonprofit. They focus on meeting the academic needs of adults and children in need. Follow them at: www.learningworks.me. 

Dr Jo-Ann Finkelstein is a Psychologist and Author. Her new book, "Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World," helps parents and young women to face toxic messages about body image, femininity, and sex. Follow her work at www.joannfinkelstein.com.  Our charity of focus this month is Learning Works, a delightful nonprofit aiming to help adults & youth in Maine who are at-risk for academic disadvantage. Learn more about them at www.learningworks.me 

Anxiety magnifies and distorts worries, making them seem even more urgent than they are. One technique to mitigate this is to look at underlying assumptions and expectations about our lives and duties.  The highlighted charity this month on the podcast is Learning Works, a nonprofit dedicated to providing academic assistance to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the educational system. Learn more about their work at www.learningworks.me 

Psychology is primarily a study of understanding why we do things. This is an important part of measuring, predicting, and providing treatment for aspects of behavior. The question of how to accurately study this behavior and how to use it ethically is the work of today's guest.  JonRobert Tartaglione uses social and psychological research to help decison-makers in political movements, nonprofits, and corporations to align their approach in a way that will clearly communicate their goals and values. You can follow his work at www.influence51.com It's a new month, so we have a new charity-of-focus for the show. Learning Work is a nonprofit providing academic and social support for youth and adults in Southern Maine. Go to www.learningworks.me to learn more.  

Dr Steven Lazar is a pediatric neurologist specializing in detection, diagnosis, and management of neurodevelopmental disorders. He is also the Medical Director of Neonatal Developmental Follow-Up Clinics for Texas Children's Hospital, and is here today to teach us about modern understanding and study of ADHD and Autism, and his focus on individualized and strength-based treatment.  With so much misunderstanding and disinformation about ASD & ADHD, Dr Lazar is one of many medical researchers helping to share science-based information. Follow him and his work @smlazarMD on Instagram and BluSky.  Visit www.covenanthousecalifornia.org to support this month's highlighted charity, helping homeless youth in California to find safety and stability. 

Marcia Holt is the CEO & Founder of Because Organization, helping survivors of Trafficking. She returns to the podcast with Dr Bill Cottringer, Clinical Psychologist and Trauma Expert, to discuss the use of Trauma Informed Care, and the importance of this specialty when working with the after-effects of Human Trafficking. Follow their work at www.becauseorganization.org, including the upcoming walk&run fundraising and awareness event in October.  

Another example of the use of TTRPG for emotional and therapeutic applications. This is a live-play session of a mysterious nursing home environment. Players created characters of retired individuals (with sketchy pasts) and gained advantages in their choices through communicating negative emotions, communication, and problem-solving. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/rpg to watch the video of this game, and see more about the use of RPG play in therapy. This game was created using the Green Oaks RPG system, by Roberto De Luca. Go to www.drivethrurpg.com to find and purchase this lovely indie game.

Dr Alan Rozanski is a professor of medicine at Icahn University of MEdicine, teaching cardiology, health psychology, and the importance of cognitive techniques in healthcare. He has developed a 6 stage health model, exercise, muscle care, diet, sleep, emotions, and thinking quality. Follow his work at www.alanrozanski.com.  Go to www.covenanthousecalifornia.org to view and get involved with our monthly charity of focus this month, helping homeless youth in California.

What happens when gender stereotypes, economic development, societal expectations and the 5,000 year old technology known as the wheel all converge? You get wheels on the bottom of your suitcase! This is the monthly dive into psychological & cultural history available to all listeners of the show. To hear the weekly bonus history episodes go to www.patreon.com/brokenbrain and become a supporter of the podcast today!

Sean Murphy, AKA Mr Motivation, is an educator and motivational speaker. He has taught students, Scholars as he calls them, at every level from Elementary School to College. As a Veteran and someone who has overcome many obstacles he has developed expertise in motivation, and how we can reframe challenges to help catapult personal development. Learn more about his work at www.mister-motivation.com Our highlighted charity this month is Covenant House California, meeting the needs of homeless youth. Did you know that 1/3 of homeless young people in the US are in California? They certainly do. Go to www.covenanthousecalifornia.org to support this nonprofit. 

It's about time Piglet started pulling his weight on this show. For this week's mental health tip we look at a technique of Cognitive Reframing endorsed by both Winnie the Pooh and David Mamet.  It's a new month, which means we have a new charity-of-focus. Covenant House California is a nonprofit that helps Homeless Youth to find housing and resources. Go to www.covenanthousecalifornia.org to learn more and support this exciting organization. 

George Peabody, known as the Father of American Philanthropy, donated 1/2 of his fortune throughout his life to education, feeding the needy, and fighting poverty. This episode dives into the history of the Peabody Education Fund, the first modern nonprofit started in the USA. There are also some interesting tidbits about earlier charitable groups and the history of nonprofits as well in this one. This is the first 9 minutes of this week's Thursday Thistory, a weekly dive into psychological and cultural history for Patreon Members. Enjoy this sample! To hear each week's History episode go to www.patreon.com/brokenbrain and consider becoming a supporter of the show.

Many people value philosophical & spiritual approaches to trauma recovery, self-improvement, and breaking unhealthy patterns. My guest today is Masati, is the CEO & Founder of Xponential Intelligence Science, dedicated to the study and application of Dimensional Consciousness and shifting focus while suffering. He finds that reframing our emotions and evaluating where we place our attention helps to decrease suffering. Follow his work on https://thexicode.com/.  Grand View For Good is the charity-of-focus this month. Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to learn more.

Rachel Suissa is the writer & director of "Greek Mother's Never Die," a film with dramatic, romantic, and comedic elements which follows Ella, a young Greek American woman who finds that the spirit of her recently deceased mother continues to give her advice and life guidance. Rachel shares how she used her own Greek heritage and experience to tell a story about mother and daughter relationships, acceptance, and coming to a mutual appreciation of each other. Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to support this month's nonprofit, as they seek to increase mental health advocacy and access to care.  

Michael Reddington is a former private investigator and Forensic Interviewer. In his book "The Disciplined Listening Method," he describes lessons learned from conducting Interviews, and his belief that every conversation has hidden meaning and value, and that two people effectively communicating can meet both of their needs, and the role of empathy in motivational conversations. Follow his work at www.michaelreddington.com.  Visit www.grandviewforgood.org to see this month's highlighted charity, an organization advocating for mental health awareness and funding for those who cannot afford psychological treatment.   

Never give up! A little look at a social movement success, as Sesame Street appears to have been saved from cancellation. Each one of us can opt in or out of doing something to help with things we care about, and every contribution helps.  Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to learn more about this month's highlighted nonprofit organization, helping raise community awareness and help access to care for those in need. 

Thursday Thistory! Today we are diving into the history of the classic novel & movie "A Clockwork Orange," and the effect it had on public perceptions of Behavioral Psychology. Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to learn about this month's highlighted nonprofit, working on public awareness of mental health and increasing access to care.   

Dr Charlie Powell helps military veterans dealing with PTSD and the stress of transitioning into civilian life. His experience as a decorated two war veteran and combat physician led him to confront his own Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, as he learned that it could not simply be avoided. This led him to create Healing Heroes (www.healingheroes.com), a docuseries following the experience of six veterans navigating PTSD treatment and its effect on their day-to-day life.  Please visit and support our highlighted charity for this month, Grandview For Good, a nonprofit helping people without means to access treatment, and advocating for greater mental health literacy in our communities. www.grandviewforgood.org 

This week's tip focuses on finding measures for our own emotional & mental health. This can help to get the jump on a depressive, anxious, or other types of episodes that can drag down quality of life, or worse.  Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to check out this month's charity-of-focus, a wonderful organization helping people find access to mental health treatment. 

"The Parts of Him I Kept: The Gifts of My Father's Madness," is a new memoir by Author Natasha Williams. She opens up about living with a father who struggled with Schizophrenia and Psychosis his entire life. It is a story of hope, love, trauma, loss, and a look at the definition of terms like "normal," and "sanity." Natasha describes what she has learned about working with people who are doing their best with difficult limitations.  The charity of focus this month is Grandview For Good, a nonprofit focused on raising awareness for mental health, and funding for those who cannot afford treatment. 

This past week I saw some interviews with Robert and Airyn De Niro, about their relationship and Robert De Niro's reaction to Airyn recently being outed as Trans by paparazzi. This led me to think about lessons I have learned from working with Transgendered People (and parents) about supportive and loving ways to respond to someone when they come out.  The charity-of-focus this month is Grand View for Good, a nonprofit formed to increase mental health awareness and find funding for those who cannot otherwise afford treatment. Go to www.grandviewforgood.org to learn more. 

Dr David Rabin is a MD and OhD specializing in psychedelic-assisted treatment for individuals, particularly individuals with PTSD. He is an expert in MDMA and Ketamine therapies, and joins the show to discuss ongoing research and his observations as a professional working in this arena. Go to www.transcendingbarriersatl.org to support our charity-of-focus this month: TRANScending Barriers Atlanta, helping Black Trans individuals with legal issues. 

How many things do you do simply for love of the activity? Self-Care tip again today, on our weekly Monday Mental Tip! Go to www.transcendingbarriersatl.org to visit this month's highlighted charity: TRANScending Barriers Atlanta, a nonprofit helping Black Trans people with legal issues and advocacy. 

Christin Day is the creator and host of "Recovery On Air," and the Communications Manager for Crossroads, INC, a nonprofit residential treatment center for addiction recovery. Christin is a passionate advocate for those facing addiction, and tells us how event management, interagency collaboration, and (woo-hoo) podcasting is in her work. You can hear Christin's show anywhere you listen to podcasts.  Visit www.transcendingbarriers.org to support the nonprofit of the month here at the Broken Brain. TRANScending Barriers helps Black Trans people 

What makes something addictive, compulsive, or problematic? Here are a couple of ways to rate our comforting behaviors for trouble.  Go to www.transcendingbarriersatl.org for this month's highlighted charity. TRANScending Barriers Atlanta is a wonderful nonprofit helping Black Trans people handle legal issues. 

Lisa Anzaldua is a counselor & author, specializing with couples with an Autistic and non-Autistic partner. This type of partnership can have unique challenges, but these are also opportunities for learning about each other and deepening intimacy.  Visit www.transcendingbarriers.org to see our highlighted charity for April: TRANScending Barriers Atlanta, a nonprofit helping Black Trans people with legal and social issues. 

Welcome to Monday! Today's tip is about self-care, and how to rediscover things that brings us joy.  Visit www.transcendingbarriersatl.org to support this month's charity-of-focus, helping Black Transgender individuals with legal situations and other needs. 

Chelsea Christer is the Writer & Director of "Out For Delivery," a dark comedy that takes on issues of terminal illness, suicide, and end of life care. Although the world is already jaded about these issues, Out For Delivery explores what would it look like to take it one step further.  The highlighted charity for this month is TRANScending Barriers Atlanta, a nonprofit organization assisting Black Transgendered people with advocacy and legal assistance.  www.transcendingbarriersatl.org to learn more.  

Recently a good friend made a great, salient post for Autism Awareness Day, which led me down a path of thinking about what makes good awareness and advocacy. 

The monthly history episode for all listeners! This week we are examining Logotherapy, and finding meaning in suffering. Specifically a story told by Victor Frankl about a moving session with a patient. Go to www.transcendingbarriersatl.org to see this month's highlighted charity, working to help Black Trans people in Atlanta to address their legal needs. 

Mara Einstein is an author, academic, speaker, and marketing expert. In her new book, "Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use The Same Techniques as Cults," discusses how we have moved from attention-based advertising to an economy of anxiety. She reviews the ways in which cults attract and enmesh new members, and how marketing has become increasingly similar.  Follow her work at www.drmaraeinstein.com. 

What is Gender Affirming Care? It works differently than some people think. Today is Trans Visibility Day, so here is a little rundown of some aspects of this approach that is saving lives and promoting healing at a rate impressive to anyone paying attention. The highlighted charity this month will be TRANScending Barriers Atlanta. Check out this wonderful nonprofit, specializing in helping Black Transgendered Individuals, at www.transcendingbarriersatl.org.  

Amber Willingham writes novels (under the name AL Willingham) focused on the nature of personality, memory, communication, and the illusion of utopia. Her first book, Bliss Creek, tells the story of an amnesiac young women piecing together her life, solving the mystery of who she is. Her latest work, The Petroleum Wars, tells a greater societal story within the same world, looking at how desperation and fighting for resources can bring out problematic choices on a personal and macro level.  Follow her work at www.alwillingham.com.  Remember to check out this month's focus charity, at www.baketheirday.org, a nonprofit bakery in Guam, where they bake birthday cakes for youth in custody. 

Will Crouse is a filmmaker and the creator of the short film "The Coder," which tells the story of a computer programmer in a high-pressure environment who is also coping with intrusive thoughts. Go to www.baketheirday.org for this month's highlighted nonprofit. 

Doug Nielsen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Author, Therapist, Motivational Speaker, and Coach. He is also a good friend, one that I've been meaning to have on the show for a long time. With such an array of roles, Doug tells us how a mental health clinician approaches speaking and coaching, which are related to counseling but have important differences.  Follow Doug's work at www.dougspeaks.com, and check out his book "Take Life By The Helm."  Follow the highlighted charity for March by going to www.baketheirday.org, the website for Bake Their Day, the nonprofit bakery that makes birthday cakes for youth in custody in Guam.

Returning champion Jeff Krasno! Jeff is a great guest and a great guy. Author of the new book "Good Stress," and host of the Commune with Jeff Krasno Podcast, Jeff shares insights into pushing ourselves to get out of our comfort zone in order to have a healthier body-mind connection and greater emotional satisfaction.  Follow his work at www.goodstress.com, and listen to Commune with Jeff Krasno Podcast (after you finished all the episodes of The Broken Brain of course).  Go to www.baketheirday.org to support this month's featured charity, a nonprofit bakery in Guam that provides birthday cakes to youth in custody.

How do you tell the difference between an organization that supports and engages with men's issues and one that promotes various forms of toxic masculinity? With psychological health for boys and men frequently being underdiagnosed and untreated, there is a need to have intelligent conversations about how to address these. Too often though these discussions slide into the dengration of women, or paranoia. Visit www.baketheirday.org to learn more about this month's highlighted charity. 

Ever wonder why fire trucks are red? Or how that interacts with the rods and cones in your eyes? and how Henry Ford didn't color up his cars? No? Well now you can!!!!! In this week's dive into history, we're learning about the ability to see color, what helps and doesn't, and why we continue to do things just because it's what we've done before. The full episode is available only to the super special patrons, but here is the first 5 minutes of this bonus episode

Michael Caven is a Restauranteur, Advocate, Abuse Survivor, and Writer. He is currently writing his memoir about his experiences of coming out as a Gay man in the 1970s and 80s, suffering sexual and emotional abuse, and healing. Michael co-founded Out On Main in Columbus Ohio, the first LGBTQ themed restaurant in the USA. Follow his work at www.michaelcaven.com  In part 2 of this interview Michael focuses on how he worked on community building and giving back through working as a peer counselor in abuse recovery. Go to www.baketheirday.org to check out the highlighted charity for this month. Bake Their Day is a nonprofit bakery in Guam, making birthday cakes for youth in custody.

Michael Caven is a Restauranteur, Advocate, Abuse Survivor, and Writer. He is currently writing his memoir about his experiences of coming out as a Gay man in the 1970s and 80s, suffering sexual and emotional abuse, and healing. Michael co-founded Out On Main in Columbus Ohio, the first LGBTQ themed restaurant in the USA. Follow his work at www.michaelcaven.com In part 1 of this interview Michael focuses on how he escaped  his abuser and beginning of him putting his life together. Go to www.baketheirday.org to check out the highlighted charity for this month. Bake Their Day is a nonprofit bakery in Guam, making birthday cakes for youth in custody.

Monday Mental Health Tip: Shrink your goals to help get started in new behavior, habits, Hobbies, or even Hobbits. But don't shrink Hobbits too much...they're already quite small.    www.baketheirday.org is our highlighted charity this month, providing birthday cakes and a humanizing feeling to youth in custody in Guam.