The Get Optimal Network

In this episode, Dr. Justin Tausig EdD LMHC,  a Sport and Performance Consultant, interviews professional boxer Dashaun "TooSweet" Johns @TeamTooSweet. 

What is enjoyment? Well, it's not about ‘fun', it's not about vices. Enjoyment is more akin to contentment. In a city and world where we work too much, how can we find the time to enjoy life? How do you and your partner cultivate a relationship where your interests are shared, enjoyed, and experienced together for a less unhappy….more….enjoyable life? Listen in as we talk about something vital to a good life: "supersizing" our time on earth to include awesome, meaningful stuff. Bills can wait.  I loved this discussion because we can all relate. We all know someone (even ourselves) who say ‘no' to pure, good enjoyment, and ‘yes' to work. Here, we offer you permission to stop that! Go do something!

  While anxiety is inextricably linked with being alive, it manifests differently for everyone. Sanaa and Dr. Fritz discuss the definition of anxiety and what the process is for alleviating certain types of anxiety. How do you define anxiety? Is it an emotion or a physical pain or something else? What do you do after you figure it out? 

Relationships are important to our happiness and health. At the same time, relationships cause great pain and problems for many people. Three therapists explain why relationships are important and what a healthy and meaningful relationship may look and feel like.

Entering a new year, many people feel a need to make change in their lives. Yet, the majority find themselves “off the track” half way through the year. In this episode, we discuss how change be effectively achieved through the cultivation of mindfulness as well as if and how we can help our significant others make change. Lastly, we explain how therapy could be an avenue for making sustainable change.

This week focuses on mindfulness. A clear definition of mindfulness is provided together with useful examples as to how individuals can practice mindfulness daily. The benefits of mindfulness, which include strengthened relationship and greater happiness, are elaborated throughout this discussion.

5/16/13 - During this hour we are joined by Mr. Ron Artest Sr. and Jennifer Edwards of The Artest Foundation to talk about "at risk" youth and what their organization is doing to address this issue.  

5/9/2013 - Dr. Fritz and Melissa talk with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jeanne Rollins (liveonethegive.com) about Overfunctioning in Relationships. Are YOU doing so much in your relationships, that no one else has to? Do you have good kids but they just aren't very helpful? We'll discuss this and being a "greedy giver"

5/2/2013 - Potentially traumatic events , or are highly distressing life events that involve actual or threatened death or serious injury and that potentially may result in serious psychological harm are very common. The most common response to traumatic events are a relatively stable pattern of healthy functioning coupled with the enduring capacity for positive emotion and generative experiences a.k.a. Resilience. Resilience is the common response. During this hour we talk about trauma and resilience.

4/25/2013 - Pregnancy and childbirth are among the most natural things in the world, conception is something that does not necessarily come easily for a great many people. Infertility has been estimated to affect some 15% of all couples in the western world who are trying to conceive. During this hour we talk with Scott Brown of California Cryobank about fertility and options for those who choose to use  a sperm donor. Check out his documentary Kids of 5114. This short film provides extraordinary insight into the lives of people who are born from donors.

Episode 78 - 4/18/13 - Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population). 25% of children 13-18 have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment. During this episode we talk about some of the most effective non medical treatments.

Episode 77 - 4/11/13 - At some point we all can experience minor frustrations and irritations that can lead to anger if left unchecked. During this episode we distinguish between anger and rage. We also explore what can be done to effectively vent our emotions before they become toxic and volatile.

Episode 76 - 4/4/13 - Dr. Fritz and Melissa are talking about BOILING FROG SYNDROME.  No...it's not a formal clinical syndrome. It refers to a tendency to stay in a bad situation much longer than one should. 

Episode 75 - 3/28/13 - Dr. Fritz Galette and Melissa are talking with Bloods Gang Member-Turned-Activist Jason Davis and Haitian Comic Tanael Joachim about their experiences growing up and the impact on their mental health and life outlook. Jason talks about how he uses his ongoing affiliation with gangs to steer impressionable youth towards education and Tanael incorporates his life experiences into his comedy routine.

Episode 74 - 3/21/13 - Are you aware of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease? Did you know that snoring and sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health? Dr. Fritz and Melissa are talking about heart health with cardiologist Dr. Edward Bernaski and Dr. Sy Han from New York Cardiovascular Associates (www.nycva.org).  Listen in as we talk about signs and symptoms, risk factors, and ways you can collaborate with your physician to get the best medical care.

Episode 73 - 3/14/13 - Dr. Fritz and Melissa are talking with author Terrie Williams about her book Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting

Episode 72 - 3/7/13 - Over the past few weeks we have been keeping the lines open as we talk about racism and racial identity. During this hour we are going continue that discussion and explore how perception and discrimination are part of the normal human experience and how racial discrimination is learned and perpetuated. We are joined by comedian Robin Montague and a number of intelligent and lively callers.

Episode 71: 2/28/13 - Last week we began a discussion on racism that took on a life of it's own as the phone lines lit up with live callers weighing in on the topic. This week, we asked people how they would like their racial identity expressed when someone is referring to them. During the hour we received a record number of callers with some of the best contributions in the program's 70 episode history. Listen to this podcast and ask yourself how would you like people to refer to your racial and ethnic identity. Are you black, white, African American, hispanic......? Is the question even important in this day and age? www.TheDrFritzShow.com

Episode 70 - 2/21/13 - Have you ever been the victim discrimination, exclusion or profiling based on the shade of you skin? What is the impact of racism on psychological well being? What is unconscious racism?  Listen in as live callers share their experiences and thoughts on the topic.

Episode 69 - 2/14/13 - Tune in as we talk about "WHAT IS ROMANTIC"? "Why do we fall in love?" Get expert information from our guest, EK BARBER, writer of Romantic Fiction. Also listen as you hear what Dr Fritz has to say about maintain relationships across the life span.

Episode 68 - 2/7/13 - We are joined by Dr. Harville Hendrix who is known internationally for his work with couples. Over the past four decades,  he and his wife Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. cocreated Imago Relationship Therapy and developed the concept of “conscious partnership.” During this hour, we talk with Dr. Hendrix about Imago Relationship Therapy, a unique healing process for couples, prospective couples, and parents.

Episode 67 - 1/31/13 – What would you do if you were faced with a sudden life threatening catastrophe? You may already know the answer if you endured 9/11, or made it through a natural disaster such as  hurricane Sandy. During this episode, we talk with Keith Josef Adkins the writer and director of a new provocative sci-fi series, “The Abandon”,  that follows a group of African American men and women after a catastrophic alien invasion. We are also joined by Scott Brown of California Cryobank to talk about where science fiction meets life and about what is really possible with today's cryogenic technologies.

Episode 66:  1-24-13 - In the old days, which was not that long a ago, the way we made new friends was natural. We met people, in person, as neighbors, at school or at work. We developed relationships through physical contact and regular engagement in shared activities in the same environment. Technological advances over the past century have allowed us to form and maintain  relationships with a decreasing need to actually be in the same place. During this hour we are going to explore how technology, the Internet, and social media are changing the face of relationships. We are joined by special guest author and entrepreneur Cara Leyba (@ChampagneDiet).

Episode 65: 1/17/13 - What is the difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist? Find out as Dr Fritz and Psychiatrist David Brody talk about diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. We are also joined at the top of the hour by State Senator Marty Golden who will provide us with an update of ongoing hurricane relief efforts taking place in our area.

Episode 64: 1/10/13 - Since the early 1960s, social science researchers have tried to isolate a set of personality traits/characteristics associated with entrepreneurial behavior and success. While the research is far from conclusive, entrepreneurs tend to be inventive, curious, energetic, motivated, conscientious and persistent. During this episode we are joined by entrepreneurs Vlane Carter and Steve Bala, of Action Burger Inc., and Dan La Russa of Limit Break Studios.  Dr Fritz and Melissa talk with them about their experiences in creating and being successful at their respective projects.

Episode 62: 1/8/13 - The Dr Fritz Show is about encouraging stimulating and informative conversation relating to daily life. During this hour we start the conversation with current events and find ourselves talking about texting and the impact social media is having on our lives.

Episode 61:  1/3/13 - With the beginning of the year at hand we reminded of how important it is to care for the mind, body and soul. We are joined by Susan Hofmann of Mission Possible Acupuncture, and Elinor Johnston of The Medical Massage Group for an informative conversation.

Episode 60: “Happy New Year” – 12/27/12 – It's the last program of the year and Dr Fritz and Melissa are reflecting on what was a packed year of awesome guests and topics covered.  We are joined by author, motivational speaker, and comedian Wali Collins.

12-20-12 During this hour we are joined by Carol Levine who directs the United Hospital Fund's Families and Health Care Project, Gail Hunt the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and Gregory Johnson of Emblem Health.

12-13-12 "What do you expect of customer service? Who deserves a tip?" During this hour we're talking with the "Guru of Gratuity" and author of the wildly popular "Waiter Rant" and "Keep the Change", Steve Dublanica!

12-6-12 - This is the fifth of a seven part series on family careging sponsored by Emblem Health. During this hour we are joined by attorney Robert Freedman and finance expert Adrian Berg about the legal and financial issues in family caregiving.

11/29/12 - What's your favorite childhood book or story? Were you read to as a child? During this hour we examine the importance of reading to children and we are joined by Sean Reed who is working on a children's series that will excite the imaginations of children and inspire them to explore Science and Math. Support Sean by going to the Milo and Bruno Kickstarter page (http://kck.st/U7yV9r).

11/22/12 – Caring for someone who is sick or disabled can take it's toll mentally, physically and spiritually. During this hour we talk with Cynthia Burke and Kate Lamb of Friends in Deed and Rev. Marion Gambardella who is a teacher,Spiritual counselor, Minister and Healing Therapist.

11/15/12 -  We're talking about the continuing Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts with Paddy Tubz our “Man on The Scene” in The Rockaways and Breezy Point, as well as chatting with filmaker/director Tony Osso about his award winning series, “The Devotion Project.”

11/9/12 - This is a special episode sponsored by WWRL and offered in response to the outpouring of calls we have received from those affected by hurricane Sandy, those offering services, and those leading relief efforts. During the program we are joined by State Senator Marty Golden and Senator-Elect James Sanders who provide information on ongoing efforts within their communities.

11/8/12 This is part three of a seven part series sponsored by Emblem Health. During this episode we are talking about emotional aspects of being a family caregiver. We are joined by Catherine Thurston,the Senior Director for Programs at Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) and Rev. Robert Chase, the executive director of Intersections International.

11/1/12 - From October 28th into the 29th, New York City was hit with hurricane Sandy. The bull's-eye locally was the eastern shores of Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, lower Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. At the height of the storm, water surges flooded whole communities, gutted neighborhoods and took the lives of over 40 people in New York Cityalone. In its aftermath, the storm left millions without electrical power and basic services.Traumatizing events like hurricanes can destroy our sense of the world as safe and predictable. It is common for people to feel grief, sadness, shock and anger. These feelings are then later followed by resignation and a resolve to return to normalcy—the need to get back into the routine of daily life, the desire to rebuild homes and neighborhoods, and restore connections among family and friends- ALL OF THESE ARE PART OF A NORMAL PROCESS.The notion of a disrupted routine, especially in the midst of a disaster, can wreak havoc on our psychological and emotionalwell-being. While we are physically rebuilding, we are also desperate to mentally rebuild. We crave our creature comforts; cell phones, internet, commutes to work. For some of us, these things will be restored quickly. For others, it will take time.The scope of loss has varied greatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Some have lost loved ones, others have lost their homes or have had serious damage, some have lost power, or internet and phone service, and others have been inconvenienced. The widespread, varied damage can lead to feelings of guilt, and leave us wondering why we may have been spared, while our neighbor has lost everything. It is important to understand that "normal" is not black or white, especially during disaster recovery. Most disaster survivors are NORMAL PEOPLE responding to an abnormal event and we need to avoid pathologizing or viewing people as sick because of their response to the event. How soon is too soon to begin to get back to normal? Go on with planned events? What is the line between resilience and respect?For more information on how you can help in the relief effort, go to the following websites:NYC 311 - http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/Feeding America - http://feedingamerica.orgNYULocal - http://nyulocal.com/city/2012/11/05/where-to-volunteer-for-sandy-relief-this-week/Disaster Assistance - http://www.disasterassistance.gov/American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org//support/volunteer/interest-form

"Maintaining the physical"- 10/25/12 - Are YOU a Family Caregiver? If you provide regular and unpaid care to a loved one, YOU are a caregiver. We are joined this week by Sheila Warnock author of "Share the Care" and Dr. Robin Finley from the Department of Aging in a conversations that focuses .  This is the second of a seven part series sponsored by Emblem Health focused on caring for the family caregiver.