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When was the first time you ever saw an adult magazine? Jeff and Alex share their personal firsts.Then we jump into a relational psychology listener question, or we should say "set of calculated questions that resemble a test", which we suspect was submitted by Teal Swan. This deep conversation on favorite things results in some surprisingly "big dog" action. More listener questions this week3:08 - Jeff Personal Story10:36 - Alex Personal Story 19:11 - Question 1 - (Probably from Teal Swan) 34:22 - Question: 2 - Help! I fell in love whilst in an open relationship. 50:01 - Question 3 - I need top tips on how to go LOW contact with a family member.Thank you all!Got a question for Jeff and Alex? Record Your Question for Problem Solved: https://www.therapyjeff.com/podcastKeep up with Alex at https://alexandramoskovichpsychotherapy.comJeff's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapyjeffJeff's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapyjeffListen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comSponsors:Go to https://www.zocdoc.com/SOLVED to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.DISCLAIMER: The insights shared in this podcast are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be seen as a substitute for professional therapy. The guidance is general in nature, and does not equate to the personalized care provided by a licensed therapist. The callers are not therapy clients.
The law is out of date on topics regarding how the mind works and how much social influence can sway people to do and believe things that are not common sense. Dr. Cutler has done cutting edge work in forensics and law enforcement analysis. He serves at Fielding Graduate University as both a Professor and Program Director. Social Psychology is one of the pillars of the Mental Health profession. In our current world, so many people are being influenced to believe things that are utterly absurd and follow leaders who are unqualified and even pathological. One especially important area of his work is testifying in courts about false confessions made in police interrogations. Cutler has held research grants from the National Science Foundation of the United States and the Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada. He has worked on many publications, including Editor and Author of The APA Handbook of Forensic Psychology, the Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law, Reform of Eyewitness Identification Procedures, Conviction of the Innocent: Lessons from Psychological Research, and five other books. Come learn about important social psychology principles that will help us navigate the complexities of 2025. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ut2S8KpSRrC-4lcH4dEYHvO7CGAVtvSm/view Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is your teen glued to their screen this summer? Do you know the difference between typical teen behavior and true digital distress? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jennifer Zu Marga, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, joins Colleen O'Grady to talk about the growing issue of digital distress—the emotional strain and anxiety caused by excessive screen use. Together, they explore how screens are impacting teens' mental health, from sleep issues to depression and even self-harm. Dr. Zu Marga shares how her clinical work has evolved as digital habits have become a root cause of many emotional and behavioral issues in teens. The conversation dives deep into how the pandemic escalated screen dependency, how to spot signs of distress, and why setting boundaries around technology use is more critical than ever—especially during summer. Jennifer Zumarraga, MD is a specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at El Camino Health in California. She has over a decade of experience working with children and adolescents of all ages. Dr. Zumarraga began her career in research at the National Institute of Mental Health, focusing on youth with ADHD. She went on to complete her training at the University of Rochester and the University of Southern California. Three Key Takeaways: Excessive screen time affects the basics: Sleep, nutrition, mood, and social interaction often suffer when teens are glued to their devices. Look for changes like irritability, withdrawal, or academic decline. Limits are necessary—and hard: Teens often push back when you try to cut screen time. But consistency, clear boundaries, and calm conversations (held when everyone is regulated) can help establish healthier habits. Help teens reclaim their summer: Work with your teen to create a list of 30–50 non-digital activities, develop a daily structure, and encourage real-world social connections. This effort now can prevent more serious mental health issues later. Learn more at: https://www.getcare.elcaminohealth.org/providers/jennifer-zumarraga-md-1518987601-1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do you find yourself more susceptible to sexual temptation while traveling? Jake Kastleman helps you prepare to for the challenges of trips, vacations, and other disruptions to your daily routine—especially during the summer. You'll get tips on setting healthy expectations, creating structure while letting go of perfectionism, and preventing relapse.Jake Kastleman is a porn addiction recovery coach and the founder of No More Desire. He holds a degree in Psychology from Utah Valley University. Now over 10 years sober from porn, Jake coaches men one-on-one across the world using a multi-dimensional approach rooted in neuroscience, psychology, parts work, emotional mindfulness, and spiritual growth. His work helps men not just quit porn, but overcome the root causes of cravings and reclaim their purpose and connection to what matters most.Learn more and connect with Jake:No More Desire (Intensive Porn Addiction Recovery)The 8 Keys to Lose Your Desire for Porn (Free Workshop)10 Quick Mental Techniques to Stop Porn Cravings (Free eBook)Support the showTake the Husband Material Journey... Step 1: Listen to this podcast or watch on YouTube Step 2: Join the private Husband Material Community Step 3: Take the free mini-course: How To Outgrow Porn Step 4: Try the all-in-one program: Husband Material Academy Thanks for listening!
Lauren Henry Brehm joined the podcast to discuss her book The French Court: Essays from One Family's Legacy of Mental Illness and her journey through mental health, family trauma, and personal transformation.Opened up about her grandmother's undiagnosed OCD and its generational impactShared her own suicide attempt and living with Autism Spectrum DisorderReflected on her divorce after 29 years of marriageDescribed her experience in the psychiatric ER and ongoing therapyDiscussed psychiatric medications: Cymbalta, Buspar, Lamictal, TrazodoneMemorable quotes:“I don't want to escape my life, I just don't want it to hurt so much.”“A smile is the shortest distance between two people.”“I learned that I have something to offer everyone.”Purchase Book: https://tinyurl.com/French-Court Thrive With Leo Coaching: If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:In the US: Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386Outside the US:International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.
I interviewed 60 Brits to debunk one of psychology's greatest myths. Priming is one of the best-known biases in behavioural science. Kahneman mentions it 35 times in his best-selling book Thinking Fast and Slow. And yet, I'm not convinced it really works. In five separate experiments, I tested it. Does priming work, or is it a myth? The studies: Authenticity study: https://ibb.co/5W14DM2N Creativity study: https://ibb.co/FbxxNMDf Guilty study: https://ibb.co/XrTLXrY4 Anchoring + priming study: https://ibb.co/99LLw7G9 Reading time study: https://ibb.co/LDYc18yF --- Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ Learn more about Voxpopme: https://www.voxpopme.com/ --- Sources: Bargh, J. A., Chen, M., & Burrows, L. (1996). Automaticity of social behavior: Direct effects of trait construct and stereotype activation on action. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(2), 230–244. Chernev, A. (2011). Semantic anchoring in sequential evaluations of vices and virtues. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(5), 761–774. Doyen, S., Klein, O., Pichon, C. L., & Cleeremans, A. (2012). Behavioral priming: It's all in the mind, but whose mind? PLoS ONE, 7(1), e29081. Fitzsimons, G. J., Chartrand, T. L., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2008). Automatic effects of brand exposure on motivated behavior: How Apple makes you “think different”. Journal of Consumer Research, 35(1), 21–35. Goldsmith, K., Cho, E., & Dhar, R. (2012). Priming creativity: The effects of subliminal priming on creative problem solving. In Z. Gürhan-Canli, C. Otnes, & R. Zhu (Eds.), Advances in Consumer Research (Vol. 40, pp. 472–473). Association for Consumer Research. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Kahneman, D. (2012, September 26). A letter to the priming research community [Open email].
This is a Fan Fav episode. From housewife to building a billion-dollar business and now empowering women everywhere, I'm Lisa Bilyeu—and I know firsthand how powerfully our beliefs about beauty, worth, and confidence shape every part of our lives. In this deeply inspiring episode of Women of Impact, I sit down with my dear friend and extraordinary boudoir photographer Lindsey Hahn. After walking away from the glitzy Hollywood photography scene, Lindsey dedicated her career to helping real women unearth their confidence, see their own beauty, and truly embrace self-love—inside and out. We dig into what's really behind the images that make women feel powerful, why only 4% of women consider themselves beautiful, and how you can transform your mindset, your self-talk, and even your own scars into the foundation of unshakable self-worth. This episode is packed with practical tips, raw stories, and permission to finally see yourself—flaws and all—with new eyes. SHOWNOTES From glam celebrity shoots to soul-centered photography: Lindsey's journey to purpose (00:00:38) Why Lindsey walked away from a “dream job” that felt hollow inside (00:01:33) Real stories behind boudoir: How intention and vulnerability unlock transformation (00:06:32) Only 4% of women feel beautiful—what Lindsey does to change that stat for her clients (00:06:03) Power poses, self-talk, and the “mirror effect”: Psychology behind feeling beautiful (00:08:41) Healing after trauma: How photography, affirmations, and safe spaces build self-esteem (00:15:12) Lindsey's experience with scars, health crises, and why she now sees them as her strength (00:20:23) Motherhood and body image: How Lindsey plans to teach her daughter self-love (00:25:07) The radical impact of seeing yourself through new eyes—and the daily rituals that help (00:28:10) Lindsey's soon-to-launch women's retreats: Combining mindfulness, movement, and photography for total transformation (00:31:28) FOLLOW LINDSEY HAHN: Website: https://lindseyhahn.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/lindseyhahnphoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news. This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events. Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience. Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle. Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
#368> Sponsored by the Men's Division of Sara Schenirer.They will help you figure out your yeshiva credits, financial aid, and help you choose a degree program that leads to a successful career.They offer degrees in Accounting, Business, ABA, Psychology, Health Science, Pre-Med, Paralegal, Special Education, and Social Work. All degrees are offered through their prestigious partner colleges and their student support is first-rate.Applications are open now for the fall semester. Visit their website www.sarasch.com, call 917-209-8204, or email rpelberg@sarasch.com to connect with a helpful advisor today.> Sponsored by The Torah of Tomorrow: One Song, a Hebrew-English edition of a selection of Rav Kook's teachings. To purchase, use code CHATTER for 15% off at https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-torah-of-tomorrow/?sld=seforimchatter> To purchase "The Dybbuk: Its Origins and History": https://amzn.to/4e9rKNe> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1> To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show
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Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news. This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events. Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience. Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle. Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
In today's episode I dive into one of the most triggering parenting challenges: backtalk. From eye rolls to attitude, I'm sharing 10 practical, research-backed ways to respond to backtalk without damaging your connection with your child. From toddlers asserting independence to teens testing boundaries, I'll share developmentally informed approaches to help you regulate your response, set respectful limits, and foster more effective communication. Let's turn those moments of sass into opportunities for teaching respect and emotional regulation—for both of you.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Rylee & Cru: Visit ryleeandcru.com/raisinggoodhumans and use code HUMANS for 20% off your first orderBobbie: Bobbie is offering an additional 10% off on your purchase with the code:humans. Visit www.hibobbie.com to find the Bobbie formula that fits your journey.Active Skin Repair: Visit https://www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:HUMANS.Venmo: Visit Venmo.me/debit to learn more and sign up todayBeam: For a limited time, you can get UP TO 35% off plus 2 FREE gifts when you go to shopbeam.com/HUMANS and use code HUMANS at checkoutWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop a huge outdoor selectionPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As a developmental pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Ross serves patients who are autistic and neurodivergent and their families, but her work goes well beyond direct clinical care. She believes in having an impact on community understanding, support and inclusion for all people with neurodevelopmental differences. Barry, Dave and Wendy discuss many of her initiatives in the community and at Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, and the types of supports that truly improve quality of life for neurodivergent and autistic children and adults, and their families.Learn more on our website!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ex-FBI Chief SHOCKED by Travis Decker's Psychology: 'The Warning Signs Every Mother Missed' In his most candid interview yet, former FBI Behavioral Analysis Chief Robin Dreeke admits even he was shocked by the psychological complexity of Travis Decker - the father who murdered his three daughters during a routine custody visit. Now, as authorities close in near Highway 97, Dreeke urgently shares what every mother needs to know about the warning signs we all missed. The dual diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and military PTSD created what Dreeke calls "a psychological time bomb." BPD sufferers have 40 times higher suicide risk, but when combined with combat trauma and custody loss, the result was catastrophic. Dreeke walks through the missed opportunities for intervention: the court's failure to recognize homelessness as a critical risk factor, the significance of "off-grid" isolation periods, and why weekend visitation without overnight stays wasn't enough protection. Most shocking: Decker's calculated preparation. His Google searches about relocating to Canada weren't escape fantasies - they were part of what Dreeke identifies as "terminal planning." The 72-hour window before the murders showed classic pre-familicide behavior that trained professionals should have caught. But this isn't about blame - it's about prevention. Dreeke provides his FBI framework for threat assessment that mothers can use immediately. Learn why certain word choices in texts signal escalation, which behaviors indicate someone has "nothing left to lose," and when supervised visitation becomes non-negotiable. As Dreeke emphasizes: "Your gut instinct plus behavioral science equals saved lives." Hashtags: #TravisDecker #RobinDreeke #FBIanalysis #PsychologyOfMurder #BorderlinePersonality #PTSD #FamilicideWarnings #BehavioralRedFlags #CustodyDanger #MothersIntuition #CrimePsychology #MentalHealthCrisis #PreventionSavesLives #DeckerManhunt #TrueCrimePsychology #ChildProtection #DangerousExPartner #WarningSignsMissed #FBIprofiling #SaveOurChildren Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Cem Kansu is the Chief Product Officer at Duolingo, where he leads product strategy for over 90 million monthly active learners. Since joining Duolingo, Cem has played a pivotal role in driving record user engagement, revenue growth, and product innovation, including the launch of Duolingo Math and the wildly successful Duolingo Music. Under his leadership, the company has consistently ranked as the #1 education app globally. In Today's Episode We Discuss: 04:12 – Cem's Origin Story: From Google Ads to Saving Duolingo's Business 06:45 – “Mini CEO” Myth: Why PMs Need to Ditch the Ego 08:55 – The Truth About Design Speed and Pixel Perfection 11:30 – The INSANE Story Behind Duolingo's Viral Chess Launch 14:42 – Why Smaller Teams Are the Future of Product 17:20 – Duolingo's AI Playbook: How They're Building 10x Faster 20:05 – Will Engineers Even Exist in 5 Years? Cem Gets Real 26:10 – Do AI Tools Have ANY Defensibility? Cem Doesn't Hold Back 29:00 – Why Duolingo Took So Long to Monetize (And What They Learned) 33:05 – Cem on Killing Ads, Tasteful Monetization, and Investor Doubt 38:30 – The Secret to Duolingo's Paywall Strategy (And What Not to Do) 42:05 – Cem's Weirdest Retention Hack? A Single Emoji… 46:25 – The Crazy Science Behind Push Notifications at Duolingo 50:00 – In-App Purchases Done Right: GEMS, Freeze, and the Psychology of Value 53:15 – Why Cem Thinks Daily Retention Is the King Metric 55:10 – The ONE Product Feature That Changed Duolingo Forever 57:45 – Will Duolingo Become the Disney of Gen Z? 01:00:00 – Dating on Duolingo?! Cem Reacts to Harry's Craziest Product Ideas 01:03:45 – Cem's Biggest Product Mistakes — And What He'd Kill Tomorrow 01:12:00 – The One Thing Every PM Must Do to Survive the AI Wave 01:14:00 – Duolingo in 20 Years: Cem's Wildest Vision Yet
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
Ex-FBI Chief SHOCKED by Travis Decker's Psychology: 'The Warning Signs Every Mother Missed' In his most candid interview yet, former FBI Behavioral Analysis Chief Robin Dreeke admits even he was shocked by the psychological complexity of Travis Decker - the father who murdered his three daughters during a routine custody visit. Now, as authorities close in near Highway 97, Dreeke urgently shares what every mother needs to know about the warning signs we all missed. The dual diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and military PTSD created what Dreeke calls "a psychological time bomb." BPD sufferers have 40 times higher suicide risk, but when combined with combat trauma and custody loss, the result was catastrophic. Dreeke walks through the missed opportunities for intervention: the court's failure to recognize homelessness as a critical risk factor, the significance of "off-grid" isolation periods, and why weekend visitation without overnight stays wasn't enough protection. Most shocking: Decker's calculated preparation. His Google searches about relocating to Canada weren't escape fantasies - they were part of what Dreeke identifies as "terminal planning." The 72-hour window before the murders showed classic pre-familicide behavior that trained professionals should have caught. But this isn't about blame - it's about prevention. Dreeke provides his FBI framework for threat assessment that mothers can use immediately. Learn why certain word choices in texts signal escalation, which behaviors indicate someone has "nothing left to lose," and when supervised visitation becomes non-negotiable. As Dreeke emphasizes: "Your gut instinct plus behavioral science equals saved lives." Hashtags: #TravisDecker #RobinDreeke #FBIanalysis #PsychologyOfMurder #BorderlinePersonality #PTSD #FamilicideWarnings #BehavioralRedFlags #CustodyDanger #MothersIntuition #CrimePsychology #MentalHealthCrisis #PreventionSavesLives #DeckerManhunt #TrueCrimePsychology #ChildProtection #DangerousExPartner #WarningSignsMissed #FBIprofiling #SaveOurChildren Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
“I just want what’s best for them.”That’s what every loving parent says. But sometimes, in our desperation to protect our kids from failure—or secure their success—we push too hard, and it backfires. In this conversation with psychologist and parenting expert Professor Wendy Grolnick, we explore the hidden costs of being a pushy parent and how to guide our children in healthier, more empowering ways. Drawing on decades of research and her landmark book The Psychology of Parental Control, Wendy shares practical, compassionate strategies that help parents avoid power struggles and build confident, capable kids.
Show Notes: Why do people believe in God, or reject Him altogether? In this compelling episode, Dr. Jay Medenwaldt shares his intellectual and spiritual journey from atheism to belief. A social psychologist with a PhD from Baylor and a current professor at Northwestern College, Jay approached religion from a purely academic lens, interested in why people believed in things he once viewed as clearly false. But, in an effort to avoid confirmation bias and stay true to his role as a researcher, Jay began examining both sides of the argument. To his surprise, the rational and historical case for Christianity was stronger than he expected. Guest Bio: Dr. Jay Medenwaldt, a former Air Force behavioral scientist with nine years of service, including teaching psychology courses at the Air Force Academy and conducting research. Dr. Medenwaldt holds a doctorate in social psychology from Baylor University, with a focus on the psychology of religion and virtue. He also earned a Master of Divinity in apologetics, ethics, and biblical studies, as well as a Master's in psychological sciences. His research has been published in prominent journals, including The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion and Current Opinion in Psychology. Resources Mentioned: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig Concepts: Confirmation Bias, Cosmological Argument, Teleological Argument Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: info@exskeptic.org
Are you someone who experiences a period of good weeks followed by bad weeks? Maybe you've heard yourself thinking, "I've been so good, I can afford it." This is an unhelpful thought that we hear pretty regularly from our clients and it's something we call "The Overconfidence Trap". Someone usually falls into this trap when they are doing well with their eating and health behaviors and feeling successful, only to be thrown off their game. Join us for this episode as we share how the overconfidence trap can show up in your journey to becoming a confident, sensible eater. Through careful observation and gradual reinforcement of your successful habits, you can maintain progress without falling into overconfidence. 00:00 Introduction to James' Predictable Rhythm01:34 Understanding the Habit Tracker04:51 Identifying the Overconfidence Trap05:56 Practical Steps to Avoid the Overconfidence Trap07:32 Gradual Progress and Baby Steps10:16 Conclusion and Additional SupportConnect with Georgie and the Confident Eaters Coaches: WebsiteFacebookInstagramHave you ever thought, "I know what to do, I just need to consistently do it"? Who hasn't? Sometimes we need accountability. Sometimes we need specific strategies, new tools, or a bit of help. If you are want help to become a confident, sensible eater with 1:1 personalized attention, sign up at ConfidentEaters.com.
Do you feel as though you’re living in a constant whirlwind of deadlines, drama, and endless tasks, yet secretly feel a thrill from the chaos? This episode unpacks the question, ‘are we addicted to chaos?’ and why our brains might actually be drawn to this tumultuous state. We dive into the neurochemical rewards that hook us, how this plays out in our relationships and careers, and the hidden costs of living in perpetual overwhelm. We look at the deeper psychological roots and learn actionable steps to cultivate intentional calm amidst life's inevitable pressures. Things we discuss:• Why dopamine and adrenaline make chaos feel rewarding• The draw of novelty, intensity, and seeking stimulation• How chaos manifests in our lives• The hidden costs of chronic chaos• Psychological roots of our addiction to chaos• Actionable strategies to reclaim calm and redefine productivity in your twenties If your life feels like a constant fire drill, or you suspect you secretly thrive on the last-minute rush, this episode is for you. Listen to my NEW PODCAST, Mantra: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=b6ad5d555c1940e0 Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegFollow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcastFor business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP HERE , take a video of you showing your space and talking about your space, then send it to me through facebook messenger. If selected, I will help you declutter your space for free! Hi Guys! If you've ever looked around your home and thought, “Why can't I just clean this up?”—this episode is for you. In this honest and deeply validating episode, we explore the surprising connection between clutter, low self-worth, and shame. You'll learn how chronic messiness isn't a sign of laziness, but often a reflection of how you see yourself—and how that perception can keep you stuck in a loop of avoidance, overwhelm, and guilt. We also dive into the research behind the shame-avoidance cycle, the nervous system's response to clutter, and why traditional organizing tips don't work when your self-worth is under attack. You'll walk away with practical, science-backed tools to break free from the mental and emotional clutter—and start creating a space that reflects the version of you that's healing and growing. XO, Amber Please join us in the free facebook group: Join the free Declutter Your Chaos Community here
Subscribe in a reader Check out my product recommendations for Narcissist Abuse Survivors! – https://www.amazon.com/shop/tracymalone *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Listen to my podcasts anytime by subscribing with your favorite provider! The post Through the Lens of Narcissistic Abuse and Control: Understanding Estrangement | Bree Bonchay appeared first on Narcissist Abuse Support.
Our most popular and listened to guest for over a decade! Join Christine Louis de Canonville for a discussion about her newest book, The Ghost in the Machine: Unmasking the Hidden Psychology of Narcissistic Abuse. This will be done as a series for this podcast and also for Christine's YouTube channel. Today we go in depth about Narcissistic Mothers and their Daughters. .Christine Louis de Canonville, B.A. (Hons) Theology & Psychology, MIACP, MSIACP, CMH, CHyp, MPNLP. Christine is a recently retired psychotherapist and clinical supervisor living in Dublin, Ireland. She is also an author, a professional trainer, and international speaker, a lecturer, workshop facilitator and was an external examiner. She worked in the area of mental health and trauma recovery for over 35 years, providing psychotherapy to children and adults for a range of life issues, including Addictive Behaviours, Anxiety, Anger, and Relational Issues. For 5 years, she worked in the Trauma Unit of St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital under the watchful eye of the eminent Professor Ivor Browne. In 1995 she set-up her own private clinical practice where she now specialises in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery.www.narcissisticbehavior.netBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Teri M. Brown. Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M. Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity. Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to. Teri graduated from UNC Greensboro with a multitude of degrees – majors in Elementary Education and Psychology and minors in Math and Sociology – she just couldn't settle on one thing! While homeschooling her four children, she began her writing career by focusing on small businesses, writing articles, blog posts, and website content. During this time, Teri published five nonfiction self-help books dealing with real estate and finance, receiving "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, finalist in the USA Best Books Awards for How To Open and Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorate, and Real Estate Staging Business and for 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now, and Honorable Mention in Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award for Private Mortgage Investing. In 2017, after finally getting out of an emotionally abusive 14-year marriage, Teri began dabbling in fiction, a lifelong dream. Upon winning the First Annual Anita Bloom Ornoff Award for Inspirational Short Story for a piece about her grandfather, she began writing in earnest, and published her debut novel in 2022, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, a historical fiction set in Ukraine. Her second novel published in 2023, An Enemy Like Me, takes place during WWII. Her latest novel, Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, a generational story about Appalachian healers came out in January 2024. In June 2024, her short story, The Youngest Lighthouse Keeper, came out in the anthology Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women. Her latest book, 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure (Feb 2025), is an inspirational look at the life lessons she learned riding across the United States on a tandem bicycle. In April, her first children's book, Little Lola and Her Big Dream launched. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others – especially youth and women who are having trouble discovering their worth. To find out more about Teri, you can check out her website at https://terimbrown.com/.
Send us a textSummaryIn this episode, Sauce McKenzie reflects on his journey back to podcasting, discusses the Indiana Pacers' playoff performance, critiques the sensationalism in NBA media, and explores the impact of LeBron James on fans. He emphasizes the need for a reset in sports fandom and media representation, while also sharing personal insights on overcoming negativity and hate.Chapters00:00 Welcome Back and Reflections on the Journey00:55 Pacers' Playoff Journey and Fan Expectations02:43 Critique of NBA Media Culture05:10 The Impact of Celebrity on Fan Emotions07:38 The Blurring Lines in Athlete Representation10:30 The Psychology of Hate in Sports Fandom13:04 Personal Growth and Overcoming Negativity15:36 Life Reflections and Moving Forward21:35 Attachment.MP4TakeawaysThe Pacers' playoff journey is significant for fans.Expectations can lead to disappointment but not failure.NBA media has shifted towards sensationalism over journalism.LeBron James evokes strong emotional responses from fans.Hate culture in sports fandom is unhealthy and obsessive.Athletes should be viewed as professionals, not stereotypes.Media representation of athletes has become disrespectful.Personal growth involves overcoming negativity and hate.It's important to focus on love and positivity in life.The podcast aims to provide real and authentic content.Support the show
In this conversation, I sit down with Mike Porteous, triathlon coach and author of the brillliant book 'Beyond Belief' - the art of confidence-centred coaching. Mike's journey from academic to civil servant to failed mountain bike business owner to successful triathlon coach reveals fascinating insights about what really matters in developing both athletes and coaches. We explore Mike's approach to confidence-centred coaching, which places how people feel at the very heart of the coaching process. Rather than focusing purely on performance metrics or development outcomes, Mike argues for a third way that prioritises the subjective experience of both coach and athlete. Three Key Takeaways:Confidence isn't a thing you acquire - it's actually a combination of three feelings: excitement (thrilled anticipation), composure (control over what you can influence whilst being calm about what you can't), and fluency (losing yourself in the moment and finding flow).The best coaches often aren't the best athletes - Mike's own journey from being a mediocre mountain biker to helping athletes achieve extraordinary feats shows that empathy, presence, and the ability to be alongside someone on their journey matters more than technical prowess.Drawing out beats putting in - Rather than instructing athletes what to do, confidence-centred coaching focuses on helping people discover their own solutions through feeling and awareness, creating more resilient and self-reliant performers.This conversation will change how you think about coaching, confidence, and what it really means to help someone reach their potential. Ready to transform your coaching approach? Join 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' learning group by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking the 'join a learning group' button. Let's explore these ideas together and revolutionise how we develop talent.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.
Our guest this week is Peter Gerhardt of Rich Hill Park, NJ who is executive director at EPIC Schools located in Paramus, NJ, author of dozens of publications and books, an internationally recognized Autism expert and outspoken advocate for the disability community.Peter has three degrees from Rutgers University: a BA in Psychology, an EdM in Special Education, and a PhD in Education Psychology and Special Education. He has dedicated his life to researching Autism and serving the disability community. He has developed workshops and given hundreds of presentations domestically and internationally. Some of his publications include: Make it Meaningful: Creating Programs that Matter into Adulthood for Learners with Autism and Related Disorders (2024).Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series (2022).Transition to Adulthood for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Can We Improve Outcomes? (2022) Social Skill and Adaptive Behavior Intervention with Learners with Autism (2013). Peter also served as a consultant for the widely respected documentary In A Different Key (2021) co-producers: Caren Zucker, John Donovan & Ray Conley with music by Wynston Marsalis.Given the scope of Peter's work we decided to split his interview into two parts. This is part #2. Show Links:Phone – (210) 576-0600Email – PGerhardt@epicschool.orgLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-gerhardt-112a4b29/Website - https://www.epicschool.org/Organization for Autism Research (OAR) - https://researchautism.org/Books – - Make it Meaningful: Creating Programs that Matter into Adulthood for Learners with Autism and Related Disorders - Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series - Publication- Transition to Adulthood for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Can We Improve Outcomes?. Movie – https://www.inadifferentkeythemovie.com/Special Fathers Network -SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/ SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/
Declutter Your Chaos - Minimalism, Decluttering, Home Organization
JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP HERE , take a video of you showing your space and talking about your space, then send it to me through facebook messenger. If selected, I will help you declutter your space for free! Hi Guys! If you've ever looked around your home and thought, “Why can't I just clean this up?”—this episode is for you. In this honest and deeply validating episode, we explore the surprising connection between clutter, low self-worth, and shame. You'll learn how chronic messiness isn't a sign of laziness, but often a reflection of how you see yourself—and how that perception can keep you stuck in a loop of avoidance, overwhelm, and guilt. We also dive into the research behind the shame-avoidance cycle, the nervous system's response to clutter, and why traditional organizing tips don't work when your self-worth is under attack. You'll walk away with practical, science-backed tools to break free from the mental and emotional clutter—and start creating a space that reflects the version of you that's healing and growing. XO, Amber Please join us in the free facebook group: Join the free Declutter Your Chaos Community here
True grit? Not the movie or book, but a real live individual. I met Laura Bratton about a month ago and realized that she was a very unique individual. Laura was referred to me by a gentleman who is helping both Laura and me find speaking venue leads through his company. Laura is just ramping up her public speaking career and our mutual colleague, Sam Richter, thought I could be of help. Little did I know at the outset that not only would I gain an excellent podcast guest, but that I would find someone whose life parallelled mine in many ways. Laura Bratton began losing her eyesight at the age of nine years. Like me, she was one of the lucky ones who had parents who made the choice to encourage their daughter and help her live her life to the fullest. And live it she does. Laura attended public school in South Carolina and then went to Arizona State University to secure her bachelor's degree in Psychology. Why ASU? Wait until you hear Laura tell that story. After securing her degree in Psychology she moved to the Princeton School of Divinity where she secured a Master's degree in Divinity. She followed up her Master's work by serving in a chaplaincy program in Ohio for a year. Then, if all that wasn't enough, she became a pastor in the United Methodist Church and took a position in South Carolina. She still works part time as a pastor, but she also has taken some other exciting and positive life turns. As I mentioned earlier, she is now working to build a public speaking career. She also does one-on-one coaching. In 2016 she wrote her first book. Laura shares many poignant and relevant life lessons she has learned over the years. We talk about courage, gratitude and grit. I asked her to define grit which she does. A very interesting and good definition indeed. I often get the opportunity to have guests on this podcast who share life and other lessons with all of us. To me, Laura's insights are as relevant as any I have encountered. I hope you will feel the same after listening to our conversation. Please let me know what you think. You can email me at michaelhi@accessibe.com. About the Guest: At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight. Laura adjusted to her new normal and was able to move forward in life as she graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in psychology. She then was the first blind student to receive her Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude. Ways to connect with Dr. Laura: Link for LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bratton-speaking Website https://www.laurabratton.com/ Link for coaching page on website https://www.laurabratton.com/coaching Link for book on website https://www.laurabratton.com/book Link for speaking page on website https://www.laurabratton.com/speaking About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Well and a gracious hello to you, wherever you happen to be on our planet today, I am your host, Michael Hinkson, and you are listening to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet, and we sort of get to tie several of those together today, because my guest, Laura Bratton happens to be blind, so that brings inclusion into it, and we could talk about diversity all day. The experts really tend to make that a challenge, but we can talk about it ourselves, but Laura is blind, and she's going to tell us about that, and I don't know what else, because that's the unexpected part of this, but we're going to have ourselves a lot of fun for the next hour. She knows that the only rule of the podcast is you got to have fun, and you can't do better than that. So Laura, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here. Laura Bratton ** 02:12 Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. I'm excited. Michael Hingson ** 02:15 Well, this will be some fun, I'm sure, which is, of course, what it's all about. Well, why don't we start by you telling us kind of about the early Laura, growing up and all that, and anything about that that you think we ought to know that'll help us as we go forward. Laura Bratton ** 02:31 So the early Laura was, Michael Hingson ** 02:34 you know, that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But yeah, Laura Bratton ** 02:38 was was fearless. Was involved in so many different activities, and I didn't have any health concerns or vision problems. And then around the age of nine, after the summer, after my second grade school year, my parents started noticing she's just holding books a little bit closer. She's just sitting a little bit closer to the TV than normal, than usually. So my they decided we'll just make a regular pediatric ophthalmology appointment, take her to the doctor, get the doctor to check her out. You know, if you need glasses, that's fine, and we'll just move on with our our summer and prepare for a new school year. So that June, when I had that doctor's appointment, my eyes were dilated. I'd read the the letters on the chart in the room. The doctors had looked in my eyes, and then the doctor just rolled back in his chair and looked at my mom and said, there's a major problem going on, and we need to address this, and I'm going to send you to a retina specialist. There's something major going on with her retinas. So from that appointment that started the rest of the summer and into the fall of just having doctors, different doctors appointments, meeting with specialists, trying to figure out why this 910, year old was all of a sudden having vision problems. Michael Hingson ** 04:20 So yeah, go ahead that, Laura Bratton ** 04:22 yeah. So that started the whole vision loss journey, Michael Hingson ** 04:27 and what was the diagnosis that they finally came up with? Laura Bratton ** 04:31 So they finally came up with a diagnosis of rare retinal onset disease. So it's not genetic. It wasn't like another accident, physical accident that calls the blindness. It's most similar to macular. So what I was losing first was my central vision. I still had all my peripheral vision, so it's very similar to macular, but not. Not quite macular or star guards. What's happens in children? So that's the diagnosis, just rare retinal disease. Michael Hingson ** 05:11 Interesting, and they they didn't have any idea that what caused it. Do they have any better idea today? Or is it just so rare that they don't tend to pay a whole lot of attention. Great Laura Bratton ** 05:23 question, yes and yes. So I've done a lot of genetic testing over the years, and the gene has not been discovered. That is obviously what they are predicting, is that there had to be some kind of gene mutation. But that gene hasn't been discovered. So far, the genes that are identified with vision problems, those have not been the problem for me so far. So the gene, Gene hasn't been discovered. So testing continues, but not exactly sure yet. Michael Hingson ** 05:59 Yeah. So do you have any eyesight left, or is it all gone? Laura Bratton ** 06:04 I don't, so to continue kind of that process of of the the early childhood. So I was diagnosed around nine, but I didn't lose any major vision until I was in middle school. So the end of middle school is when I started to lose a significant part of sight. So I went from very quickly from roller print, large print, to braille, and that was a very quick transition. So basically it was normal print to learning Braille and using Braille and textbooks and Braille and audio books and all that. Then through high school, I will throw more a significant amount of vision. So what I have currently is just very limited light perception, no, what I consider no usable vision, just light perception, Michael Hingson ** 06:55 so you learn braille. So you learn braille in middle school. Then, yes, okay, absolutely. What did you think about that? Because that was certainly a life change for you. How did you deal with all of that? Laura Bratton ** 07:10 How did I do with the process of learning braille or the emotional process? 07:14 Both, Laura Bratton ** 07:16 they're kind of related, so both, they're very much related. So learning Braille was incredibly difficult because I was trying to learn it at the same time. Use it with textbooks in middle school level material rather than normal development. Of you learn braille and start out, you know, with with simple books, and slowly move up. I try, you know, I had to make that adjustment from learning Braille and then algebra in Braille or Spanish and Braille. So using the Braille was very difficult, but I was because I was forced to to learn it, because I had to, just to stay in school. You didn't really have a choice. As far as the emotional perspective. My first thoughts was just the denial, oh, it's not that bad, oh, it won't be forever. Oh, it's not going to get much worse than this. Just that denial of the reality. And then I can say more, if it just kind of that whole how that whole process unfolded, that's kind of the whole emotional process. It Michael Hingson ** 08:34 certainly was a major change for you, yes, but it sounds like by the time all was said and done, and you did have to immerse yourself, like in learning Braille and so on. So it was an immersive kind of thing. You, You did come through it, and you, you seem to be functioning pretty well today, I would gather Laura Bratton ** 08:55 Yes, because of focusing on the emotional mindset piece. So once that I've sort of began to move out of denial. It was that, okay, well, I can't this is just too hard. And then what I eventually realized and accepted was, yes, it's hard and I can move forward. So just a practical example, is what you were saying about having to be fully immersed in the Braille. Yes, is really hard to jump from learning braille to knowing Braille and algebra. But also choose to move forward. As you said, I choose to immerse myself in this so that I can continue life, yeah, Michael Hingson ** 09:42 and you you have done it. Well, how? How do you view blindness today? Laura Bratton ** 09:49 That is a great question. So today is the balance of acknowledging. Yes, they're difficult moments. Yes, their stressful moments. Moments, and I have the resources to process that. So now, rather than just being a denial or being stuck in that I can't do this, I can say, okay, yes, this is hard. Yes, I am frustrated. Yes, I am overwhelmed in this moment, but also I can move forward with the gifts and purposes that I have in this world and using that as a strength. So for me, it's that acknowledging the rap the reality, but also moving forward with that belief in myself, trust in myself. Michael Hingson ** 10:39 So how long did you at the beginning really grieve and view all this in a negative way? Because it sounds like you've evolved from that today. Laura Bratton ** 10:53 Absolutely. So in my experience, the so I'm going to break the grief and the negative apart, because for me, it was two different experiences. So for me in those middle school, high school days, it was more than negative, and the grief just came along with that. Now even, you know, through college and even now, yes, there are moments that I grieve, but that negativity has turned into the mindset of strength, the mindset of trust, the mindset of okay, I can continue forward Again, living out those purposes, my purpose with those gifts as a source of strength, the source of courage. It's a source of just belief in myself. So my experience now is the mindset of holding both intention, holding space for both when I have those moments that I need to grieve, absolutely, giving myself those space and then at the same time, choosing to move forward with that courage, rather than being stuck in what I was in middle school of that negativity. Does that difference? Does that make us make sense of what I'm trying to separate the two? Michael Hingson ** 12:19 Well, yeah, they overlap, but I understand what you're saying, Where, where and how were your parents in all of this? Laura Bratton ** 12:28 So that was the incredible gift, that that was a deep source of strength, that as that middle school child who was in that negative place of denial and I can't, I can't. That was the source of strength. So immediately, when I was diagnosed, even though I didn't have major vision loss, I was diagnosed in elementary school, they wanted to send me to school for the deaf and blind, and so my parents had to fight to keep me in regular school. Again, I wasn't experiencing major vision loss, but just having minor vision loss, the school said, Okay, you're at a public school and going to a different school. So my parents were a source of strength, because they knowledge what was happening, what was going to happen, but also held me to the same standards. Michael Hingson ** 13:25 And there are some schools, I don't know how much today, but in the past, there were some schools for the blind, and I'm not sure about schools for the deaf and blind, but we'll put them in the same category. But there were some schools that really did have very high standards, and and did do a great job. The Perkins School was one. Tom Sullivan, the actor, went through Perkins and and I know other people who did, but in general, the standards weren't the same, and I had the same issue. I remember my parents. We were in the office of the school principal of Yucca school where I went kindergarten through third grade here in California, okay, and I remember a shouting match between my father and my mother on one side, and Mr. Thompson, the principal on the other. And by the time all was said and done, he decided that it was he was going to acquiesce, because they were not going to let me go to the school for the blind, which would have been like, 400 miles away. Laura Bratton ** 14:38 Okay, okay, so, so you can relate to that experience. Michael Hingson ** 14:42 I can absolutely relate to that experience, and I think that it's for kids one of the most important things to hope comes along that parents deal with blindness in a in a positive way. Yes, and don't view it as something that's going to hold you back. I. 100% Yeah, because if they do, then that creates a much more difficult situation. Yes. So it's it's great that you had some parents who really stood up for you and helped as you went Laura Bratton ** 15:15 Yes, and I was also deeply grateful that they all they held those standards at school, and they also held those standards at home. So they didn't just say, oh, you know, our expectations are lower for you at home, you don't have any more chores. You just kind of do whatever you want, get away with whatever you want. They kept those things standards. I still had chores we just made, you know, the accommodations are adapted if we needed to adapt anything. Yeah, a story that I always, always remember, just like you talking about you vividly remember being in that principal's office. I remember one day my the specific tour was unloading the dishwasher, and I remember thinking, well, oh, I'm not really, I don't really want to unload the dishwasher today. So I just kind of thought, Oh, the blindness will get me out of the situation. So I was like, Mom, I can't unload the dishwasher. I can't see exactly where to put all the silverware in the silverware of her door. And I still, I can still see this in my mind's eye. She was standing in the doorway the kitchen and the hallway, and she just turned around and just said, Laura, unload the dishwasher, put the silverware in the drawer, and just walked away. And that told me she was still holding me to the exact standards. She wasn't saying, Oh, honey, that's okay because of your blindness. Yeah, you don't have to do it. That was such a huge teaching moment for me, because it pulled me I can't use my blindness as an excuse. That was incredible experience and I always think back on and remember, Michael Hingson ** 17:04 yeah, and I remember growing up, there were chores I did, there were chores My brother did, and there were things that we had to do, but we had, and my brother was cited two years older than I, but okay, but we had very supportive parents for both of us. And one of the things that the doctors told my parents when they discovered that I was blind, was that I was going to take all the love that the family had, even for my older sibling. Oh, my parent and my parents said that is just not so, and they worked really hard to make sure that my brother got all the things that that he needed and all the support that he needed as well. Wow. When he was still in high school, I remember they got him a car, and I don't remember when he got it. Maybe, I don't know whether he was already a senior in high school, but he got a car. And, you know, I didn't want a car. I right. I didn't want that, but, you know, that was okay. I would have driven it around if I got one, but, you know, that's okay, but, but parents are such an important part of the process, yes, and they have to be ready to take the leap, yes, that blindness isn't the problem. It's attitudes. That's really, that tend to really be the problem, right? 100% Laura Bratton ** 18:24 and thankfully, thankfully, I had that. I had that experience another, another example that I always think of all the time, still such a vivid memory, is as as a family. We were a big sports family, and loved to go to different sporting events, and so we would always go to high school and college football games. And as I was in those middle school, high school years, those first, early days of experiencing difficult vision loss, where obviously I'm sitting in the sands and can't see the field clearly, rather than my parents saying, Oh, you're just going to stay home. Oh, you're not going with us. To be part of this, my dad are really, literally. Remember my dad saying, Here's a radio. I just put new batteries in. Let's go. So I would just sit there and, you know, with with my family, listening to the game on the radio. And that was such a gift, because, again, they didn't say, is what you're saying about the leap. They didn't say, okay, you can do this anymore. They just figured out a way to adapt so that I was still part. Michael Hingson ** 19:34 Yeah, I've been to a number of baseball games, and the same thing, I've never been I've been to a high school football game, but I've never been to a pro football game, and I've never been to a basketball game, and while I think it would have been fun, I'm a little bit spoiled, and I think that the announcers today aren't as good as the announcers that we used to have, like Dick Enberg doing sports out here, who did. Football chick, Hearn, who did basketball, who could talk as fast as, I mean, he was, he was he taught me how to listen fast. That's great. He he talked as fast as many times books I read talk. He was just incredible. But that's okay. But still, I've been to games, and it is a lot of fun to be able to go and listen. It's even if you're listening on the radio, the point of being at the game is just the sounds and the experience of being at the game and hearing and interacting with all the sounds, because you're not hearing that as much through the radio as you are listening to the fans as they yell, or as the Yes, as the foul balls coming at you. You know, yes 100% Laura Bratton ** 20:50 and just to feel the energy, you know, and your team's doing well, your team's not doing well, just to feel that energy, and there's to also to be there and have that, that fun experience with your family or friends, or you know, whoever you're with, that is such a fun experience. So yes, Michael Hingson ** 21:08 so when you went into high school, did, what did you study? Or what did you do there? Laura Bratton ** 21:15 What were your interests? So in college, when I Michael Hingson ** 21:18 was thinking high school, but you can do college. So Laura Bratton ** 21:21 High School, honestly, I didn't have specific professional interests, because it was just so much focused on the blind surviving and all the surviving, just the New Black, because the blindness was literally happening during high school, right? So my only focus was just survival passing because it was all of my energy was focused on the the learning Braille and just completing the assignments. Fast forward to college. My focus was definitely. My major was psychology. My focus was on psychology. A lot because of my personal experience, because of that experience in high school, and just that that not only that desire from my personal experience, but just using that experience to then help and support others from the mindset of of again, moving through that, that negativity to that, that foundation of grit. So it was definitely focused on psychology to be able to support others from a mindset perspective. Michael Hingson ** 22:36 So how did you bring that into play in college? Laura Bratton ** 22:40 So that was my focus. My My major was psychology, and then I I spent that, those years in college, figuring out specifically what area of psychology I wanted to focus on, which what, what facet of psychology I wanted my focus to be so that was, that was the purpose of the like psychology and taking different classes within psychology to try to figure out where my strengths within that Major Michael Hingson ** 23:16 and what did you discover? Laura Bratton ** 23:20 So what I discovered was I wanted the psychology to the mindset, to support people with to be that holistic perspective of, yes, the psychology, but also the spiritual connection and just our physical well being all connected together, so supporting our healthy mindsets and emotional health was not just psychology. It was the psychology, physical taking care of ourselves and the spiritual taking care of ourselves, all connected, combined together. So that's that's what led me to doing a master of divinity to be able to focus on and learn the spiritual part Michael Hingson ** 24:15 of the mindset. So what part of psychology Did you eventually settle on Laura Bratton ** 24:22 the holistic approach. So rather than just focus on specifically the mindset, focusing on us as a whole, being, supporting us through that mental, physical, spiritual connection that the healing, the empowerment came through, through all of that. So in that masters, what I focus on specifically was chaplaincy, so supporting people specifically I was a hospital chaplain, so focusing on helping people within the hospital setting, when they're there for different physical reasons and. Being able to be that spiritual presence focusing on both the spiritual and the emotional. Michael Hingson ** 25:07 And where did you do your undergraduate study? Laura Bratton ** 25:11 So I did my undergrad at Arizona State, and I was going to say a large reason, but not just a large reason, pretty much the whole reason I chose ASU was for their disability resources. So a major focus that that they emphasize is their disability resources is not a separate part of the university, but it's completely integrated into the university. So what I mean by that example of that is being a psychology major. I still had all the same classes. I was still in all the same classes as all the other psychology students on campus. I just had the accommodations that I needed. So that would be double time all testing or note takers, if I needed note takers in a class. So they did an incredible job, like they had a whole Braille lab that would print Braille books and provide books in PDF format. So the accommodations that I needed as a person who was blind were integrated in to the whole college experience. So that was incredibly powerful for me as a person who had just become blind and didn't know what resources were available. Michael Hingson ** 26:37 Did you have any major challenges and major issues in terms of dealing with blindness and so on, while you're at ASU, Laura Bratton ** 26:44 not at all. I am so grateful for that, because I wasn't the only person on campus who was blind. I wasn't the first blind person. I certainly wasn't the last so because they had so much experience, it was, it was an incredible, again, empowerment for me, because on the emotional perspective, it taught me, and literally practically showed me, yes, I give me a person with a disability and be integrated into the world, because They they showed me the resources that were available. So I was deeply, deeply grateful for what they taught me. Now, where did you grow up? So I grew up in South Carolina, Michael Hingson ** 27:31 so that is and that's why I wanted to ask that, because we hadn't mentioned that you were from South Carolina before, but that was a major undertaking. Then to go all the way across country to go to ASU, yes. On the other hand, they do have a pretty good football team. Laura Bratton ** 27:49 Just say Right, right, right Michael Hingson ** 27:52 now, my I went to University California, Irvine. I don't even know. I'm sure they must have some sort of a football team today, but they do have a pretty good basketball team, and I haven't heard whether they won the Big West, but I haven't Yeah, but I haven't heard that they did. So I'm afraid that that they may not have until going to march madness. Yeah, but whatever, Laura Bratton ** 28:21 team for March Madness spell your bracket in a different way. Michael Hingson ** 28:25 Well, they've been in the big dance before they got to the Sweet 16 once, which was pretty cool. Wow, that's impressive. Yeah, that was pretty cool. That's so cool. What did your parents think of you going across country Laura Bratton ** 28:42 again? Just like you talked about your parents being that taking that leap, they were incredibly supportive, because they knew ASU would provide the resources that I needed. Because again, in those years as I'm losing a major part of my sight, we didn't know other people who are blind. We didn't know what resources were available. Obviously, my parents reach out to people around us, you know, to connect with people who are blind, to learn about that, but we didn't have a lot of experience with that. So what we knew, and what my parents were excited about was ASU would be a place that I can not only have that college experience, but be taught the resources. And one of the major resources was my disability coordinator, so my disability coordinator, who was in charge of of creating all my accommodations, she was also blind, and that was such a healing experience for me, because she became a mentor. She was blind since birth. She. And so obviously we had different experiences, where I was just newly blind. She had been blind, but still, she was an incredibly powerful resource and mentor of just telling me, teaching me, not just telling me through her words, but living through her actions, you still have a full life like you're you're still a few a full human like you. This life still goes on. So she just modeled that in the way that she lived. So she she was, I'm so grateful for her mentorship, because she was very real. She had minimized blindness. But also she told me and taught me and showed me there's still a full, great life ahead, Michael Hingson ** 30:53 which is really what all of us are trying to get the world to understand. Blindness isn't the end of the world. It's not the problem Laura Bratton ** 31:02 exactly, exactly, she literally modeled that, Michael Hingson ** 31:06 yeah, which was pretty cool. Well, then where did you go to get your Masters of divinity? Laura Bratton ** 31:11 So then I went to get my masters at Princeton Theological Seminary, and that was a completely different experience, because, where as you, was completely set up for people with disabilities in the master's program, they had not had someone come through their program who was blind. So in that experience, I had to advocate and be very, very clear on what my needs were, meaning what the accommodations were that I needed, and then advocate that to the administration, which that wasn't a gift, because ASU had given me the foundation of knowing what I needed, what the accommodations Were then available. And then Princeton gave me the opportunity to become my own advocate, to force me to speak up and say, These are my needs, and these are accommodations I have. With these accommodations, I can be an equal student, so I'm not asking, Hey, give me good grades because I'm blind, but make the accommodation so that I have my books and PDF so I have double time on the test. So that was just as healing and just as powerful, because it gave me the opportunity to advocate and become clear on my needs so that I could communicate those needs. So Michael Hingson ** 32:38 this is part of Princeton in New Jersey. Yes, so you were were in Jersey for a while, huh? Yes, Laura Bratton ** 32:45 I went from sunny weather to Michael Hingson ** 32:50 snowy weather. Well, you had some of that in South Carolina too, though, Laura Bratton ** 32:53 yes, true, but from undergrad, it was quite the change. Michael Hingson ** 32:58 Ah. But the real question is, when you were in New Jersey. Did you get to meet any members of the family? You know what I'm saying, the mob, Oh yes, absolutely being bada. Boom. Come on now, Laura Bratton ** 33:11 definitely, definitely, definitely, absolutely, absolutely, yeah, lot of local restaurants and Oh yes, Michael Hingson ** 33:21 oh yes. When we were building our home in New Jersey, my wife was in a wheelchair her whole life, and we decided that when we went to New Jersey, because I was going to be working in the city New York, we wanted to build a house, because it's cheaper to build an accessible home for somebody in a wheelchair. My wife then it is to buy a house and modify it so we wanted to build. And it turns out that the person who financed the building, we got a mortgage and all that without any difficulty, but we had to get somebody to build the house. And the realtors had people they worked with, the financier. Part of that was from a guy, well, let's just say his main business was, he was in the garbage business, and his last name was, was Pinto. So, you know, let's just say we know where he got his money. You know, Laura Bratton ** 34:18 yes, yes. I had several those experiences too. Yeah, the garbage business seems to be big in Jersey. It Michael Hingson ** 34:25 is big in Jersey, but, but, you know, but they were all, they were all very nice to us good. And so it really worked out well. It did. It all worked out. We had a wonderful home. The only difference between our house and the others around us is we had to include an elevator in the house, okay? Because we couldn't have a ranch style home. There wasn't room, and so we had to have and all the other homes in the development were two story homes, okay, but we had to have an elevator. So that was essentially about a $15,000 An uplift over what the House would have cost otherwise. But right again, you build it in so it's not that huge of a deal, Laura Bratton ** 35:06 right? That's perfect. So all your neighbors are jealous. Michael Hingson ** 35:10 Well, they didn't have the elevator. They didn't come and ride it much. So they didn't ask for their their their bigger challenges were, who's giving the biggest party at Christmas or Halloween? So we didn't participate in that, so we weren't we weren't a problem. 35:28 That's great, Michael Hingson ** 35:30 yeah, so you've talked about grit a couple times, so tell me about grit, because clearly that's important to you, Laura Bratton ** 35:39 yeah? So it's so important to me, because that was a main source of empowerment. So just as I talked about that negativity in the middle school high school, what grit helped me to do is take the overwhelming future that I was so fearful, I was extremely anxious as I looked at the whole picture everything ahead of me. So the grit came in and taught me. Grit is taking it day by day, moment by moment, step by step. So rather than looking at the whole picture and getting overwhelmed, the power of grit taught me all I need to do is trust myself for this next hour. All I need to do is trust in the support that my parents are giving me this next day. So breaking it down into manageable goals was the strength of the grit. So to break it down, rather than the whole future, Michael Hingson ** 36:49 I didn't ask, do you did you have any siblings? Do you have any siblings? Laura Bratton ** 36:53 Yeah, so I have one older brother. Okay, so Michael Hingson ** 36:57 how was he with you being that you were blind. Was he a good older protective brother who never let anybody near his sister? Laura Bratton ** 37:06 He was a good older protective brother in that he did exactly what my parents did in not having different expectations. Yeah, he so he's five years older. So when I'm 14, losing a significant amount of vision, or 15, losing a certain amount of division. He, you know, was 1920 doing great in college. So a perfect example of this connects with the grit he, he taught me, and again, not in word, not so much in words, but again, in those actions of we will figure this out. We don't know the resources that are available. We don't know exactly what the future looks like, but we as a family will figure this out. Me, as your older brother, our parents being our parents, we will figure it out day by day, step by step. And I remember a lot of people would ask my parents, what's her future, and then even ask my brother, what's her future? What's she gonna do? And they would honestly answer, we don't know, but as a family, we'll figure it out, and we'll provide the strength that she needs, and that's what I mean by the grit. So it wasn't, this is her future, and they just, you know, named it for being home with us, right? But it was, I don't know, but day by day, we'll have the grit to figure it out. So I'm glad you asked about my siblings, because that's a perfect example of how that grit came into play and was such a powerful source of strength. Michael Hingson ** 38:54 So what did you do after you got your master's degree? Laura Bratton ** 38:58 So after I got my master's degree, I then did a residency, just like I was talking about the chaplaincy. I did a residency specifically in chaplaincy to to complete that process of being a chaplain. So in that that was a year long process, and in that process, that was an incredible experience, because, again, it taught me, you are a complete human with gifts and talents. You just happen to be blind and need specific accommodations because of the blindness. So what I mean by that is, just as ASU gave me the resources regarding blindness, and just as Princeton gave me the gift to advocate for those resources, the experience in the chaplaincy taught me when I walked into a high. Hospital room and introduced myself as the chaplain on the unit. The patient didn't know, or didn't care how long I had been blind, or how did I make it on the unit? Or how did I know they wanted chaplain? They didn't care. They were just thankful and glad that I was there to serve them and be in that Chaplain role. So it was that's why it was empowering of healing to me, because it taught me not to focus so much on the blindness, but to view myself as that whole person, especially in that professional experience, so I can give endless examples of specifically how that, how, just the patient reaction taught me so much. Michael Hingson ** 40:49 Where did you do your chaplaincy? Laura Bratton ** 40:52 I did it at the Clinton clinic in Ohio. Oh, Michael Hingson ** 40:56 my goodness, you did move around. Now. What got you there? Speaking of snow in the winter, yeah, Laura Bratton ** 41:02 literally, I Yes, I can talk about that. And a lot of experiences there with snow, like effect snow is real. So they were very strong in their chaplaincy program and developing Kaplan's and also their Kaplan Z training was a focus that I wanted that holistic mind, body, spirit. It wasn't just spiritual or wasn't just psychological, it was the holistic experience of a whole person. So how wanting that to be my focus moving forward, that's where I chose to go to be able to focus on that. So again, it was such an incredible source of of healing through just through those patient interactions. Michael Hingson ** 41:58 Well, one of the things that is clear about you is you're not bitter about any of the things that have happened, and that, in reality, you are a person who appreciates and understands the concept of gratitude. Laura Bratton ** 42:11 Yes, yes. And specifically, let me go back to those high school days, and then I'll come back to the chaplain days, the way of the gratitude my focus started was not because I wanted gratitude, not because I chose to woke up, wake up one day and say, Oh, I'm so grateful for this blindness. But it all came through a mentor who said to me in those high school days, Laura, I want you to start writing down three things that you are grateful for each day and every day, I want you to write down three things that you're grateful for. So in my mind, my immediate reaction as a teenager, high schooler, was that's not good advice. I'm not sure you're a good mentor. I'm experiencing a major change in life, permanent life event. I don't know that there's a lot to be grateful for. So in my stubbornness, I said, Okay, I'm going to prove her wrong. So I started to think of the three things each day I was grateful for. And over the weeks that I did this, I then realized what she was teaching me, she was showing me. She wasn't asking me to be grateful for the blindness. She was asking me to recognize the gifts that the support that I had within the blindness. So, for example, the supportive parents, the older brother, who didn't make accommodations, or I mean, did make accommodations. Didn't lower expectations because of the blindness. So fast forward to the chaplaincy. I was incredibly grateful for all those patient experiences, because, again, it taught me to view myself as the whole person, not so hyper focused on the blindness. So one specific example that sticks out and was so clear to me is one day I had a patient request that one to see a chaplain, and I went in to this specific unit, and the so I walked in, my walked into the room, the patient took a look at my guide dog and me, and said, You're blind, like completely with this question or voice. And my thought was, well, I think so. I mean, that was this morning when I woke up, and so I said, Yes. And she said, Okay, then I'll, I'll share honestly with you how I'm doing and what I had learned, what I learned after my visit with her is she would not open up to the doctors, the nurses, the social workers, anyone who walked in the room. When I walked in the room and she didn't feel like she was being judged on her physical appearance, she was willing to open up and honestly share how she was feeling emotionally with her physical diagnosis. So that led that one conversation led to multiple visits where she could move forward in her healing emotionally because she was willing to open up and share and be honest with me as the chaplain. So that was an incredible situation of gratitude, because it taught me, yes, this is hard, yes, this is stressful. Yes, there are moments of being overwhelmed, and also their deep, deep moments that I am incredibly grateful for, that other people who are side sighted don't have that opportunity. Michael Hingson ** 46:36 One of the things that I talk about and think about as life goes on, is we've talked about all the accommodations and the things that you needed to get in order to be able to function. What we and most everyone, takes for granted is it's the same for sighted people. You know, we invented the electric light bulb for sighted people. We invented windows so they can look out. Yes, we invent so many things, and we provide them so that sighted people can function right. And that's why I say, in large part, blindness isn't the problem, because the reality is, we can make accommodations. We can create and do create alternatives to what people who can see right choose, and that's important for, I think, everyone to learn. So what did you do after your year of chaplaincy? Laura Bratton ** 47:39 So after my year of chaplaincy, after that incredible experience of just offering the patient care, I completed the part of the well after assorted in the master's program. But then after that, also completed my ordination in the Methodist Church. So I was appointed. I went to the process the ordination process, and then I was appointed to a local church back here in South Carolina. And again, with my focus on chaplaincy, my focus on patient care, I was appointed to that church for because what they needed most in the pastor the leader, was that emphasis on the pastoral care the mind, body, spirit connection. So as I became pastor, I was able to continue that role of what I was doing in the Kaplan see, of using both my professional experience as well as my personal experience of providing spiritual care to the members. So that was an incredible way. And again, that gratitude, it just I was so grateful that I could use those gifts of pastoral care, of chaplaincy to benefit others, to be a strength to others. Again, is that that whole person that that we Michael Hingson ** 49:13 are now? Are you still doing that today? Or what are you doing Laura Bratton ** 49:16 now? So I'm still I'm still there part time, okay, Michael Hingson ** 49:21 and when you're not there, what are you doing? Laura Bratton ** 49:23 I'm doing professional speaking, and it's all centered around my passion for that again, came when I was at Princeton, when I was doing the focus on chaplaincy, I became so passionate about the speaking to share my personal experience of the change I experienced, and also to empower others as they experience change, so not to be stuck in that. Negativity like we talked about in those middle school, high school days, but rather that everybody, regardless of the situation, could experience change, acknowledge it, and move forward with that balance of grit and gratitude. So that's my deep passion for and the reason for the speaking is to share that grit gratitude, as we all experience change. Michael Hingson ** 50:26 So what made you decide to begin to do public speaking that what? What was the sort of the moment or the the inspiration that brought that about, Laura Bratton ** 50:40 just that deep desire to share the resource that I'd experienced. So as I received so much support from family and community, is I had received that support of learning how to use the grit in the change, and then as I received the sport support of how to use the gratitude in the change, the reason for this, speaking and what made me so passionate, was to be able to empower others to also use this resource. So I didn't just want to say, okay, it worked for me, and so I'll just keep this to myself, but rather to use that as a source and empowerment and say, Hey, this has been really, really difficult, and here's how I can use the difficulty to empower others to support others. Michael Hingson ** 51:31 So how's that working for you? Laura Bratton ** 51:34 Great. I love, love, love supporting others as they go through that change. Because again, it comes back to the blindness. Is not not all we focus on, it's not all we think about, it's not all we talk about, it's not all we do, but being able to use that as a shrink to empower others. So just speaking to different organizations as they're going through change, and working with them speaking on that. How can they specifically apply the grit, the gratitude? How does that? What does that look like, practically, in their organization, in their situation? So I love it, because it takes the most difficult thing that I've been through, and turns it around to empower others. Michael Hingson ** 52:24 What do you think about the concept that so many people talk about regarding public speaking, that, Oh, I couldn't be a public speaker. I don't want to be up in front of people. I'm afraid of it, and it's one of the top fears that we constantly hear people in society have that is being a public speaker. What do you think about that? Laura Bratton ** 52:47 So two, two perspectives have helped me to process that fault, because you're right. People literally say that to me every day. How do you do that? I could never do that. I hear that every single day, all day, and what I've learned is when I focus on, yes, maybe it is the large audience, but focusing on I'm speaking to each person individually, and I'm speaking. I'm not just speaking to them, but I was speaking to serve them, to help again, that empowerment, to provide empowerment. So what I think about that is I don't focus on, oh my gosh. What are they going to think of me? I'm scared up here. Rather to have that mindset of, I'm here to share my life experiences so that they can be served and empowered to continue forward. So just shifting the mindset from fear to support fear to strength, that's that's how I view that concept of I could never do that, or that's my worst fear. Michael Hingson ** 54:01 So a lot of people would say it takes a lot of courage to do what you do, what? How do you define courageous or being courageous? Laura Bratton ** 54:08 Great question. That's a working, work in progress. So far, what I've learned over the years and again, this is a process. Not there wasn't just one moment where I said, Okay, now I'm courageous, and I'm courageous forever, or this is the moment that made me courageous, but how I understand it and how I process it now is for me and my experience courage is accepting and acknowledging the reality and then choosing to move forward with the grit, choosing to move forward with the gratitude. So holding both intention, both can be true, both I can acknowledge. Okay, this is difficult. Cult, and also I can also believe and know. I can have the grit moment by moment by moment. I can have the gratitude moment by moment by moment. So for me, courage is holding both intention the reality and what I mean by both is the reality of the blindness and reality of the frustration of people's faults, judgments. You know all that you can't do this. How can you do that without sight holding all of that at the same time as I have the support I need to move forward? So for me, Courage looks like acknowledging why I'm overwhelmed and then choosing at that same time to move forward with the support that I have. Mm, hmm. So again, that's what I mean by it's not just like one moment that, oh yeah, I'm gonna be courageous now forever, there's certainly a moment so I don't feel courageous, and that's okay. That's part of garbage. Just acknowledging that frustration and also choosing to move forward. So it's doing both it at the same time. Michael Hingson ** 56:10 We live in a world today where there is a lot of change going on, yes, and some for the good, some not for the good, and and all sorts of things. Actually, I was reading an article this morning about Michael Connolly, the mystery writer who, for four decades, has written mystery books. He's lived in Los Angeles. He had a wonderful house, and everything changed when the fires hit and he lost his home and all that. But he continues to to move forward. But what advice would you give? What kinds of things do you say to people who are undergoing change or experiencing change? Laura Bratton ** 56:52 I'm so glad you asked that, because I I didn't mention this in the grit so much of the grit that I experienced. So the advice I would give, or practically, what I do with someone that just what I did right before our we connected, was being being that grit for someone going through change. So in that, for example, in that speaking when I'm speaking to a group about the change they're experiencing, acknowledging, for them to acknowledge, let me be your grit. You might be overwhelmed. You might be incredibly fearful and overwhelmed by the future, by the task in front of you. So let me be the example of grit to to show you that there is support, there is courage, there is that foundation to be able to move forward. So that's my first advice, is just allowing others to be your grit when you don't feel like you had it, because, again, in those high school days and and even now days when I don't feel like I have any grit, any courage, and yet, I'll lean on the courage, the strength, the grit, of those around me so once they acknowledge and allow me to be their grit, and they their support through that change, then allowing them to slowly have that grit for themselves, and again reminding them, it's not an instant process. It's not an instant do these three steps and you'll have grit forever. But it's a continual process of grit and gratitude that leads us through the change, through the difficulty. Michael Hingson ** 58:46 Have you used the technique that that person that you talked about earlier in high school used when she asked you to write down every day three things that you were grateful for? Laura Bratton ** 58:56 Yes, absolutely, and the the funny part of that, what that makes me laugh is a lot of people have the exact same reaction I had when I present it to them. They immediately say, I'm not going to do that. That's no Why would I do that? They immediately think that is a horrible piece of advice. And how can I recommend? And I just, I don't say, Oh, well, just try it anyway. I just say, Well, okay, just try it and see. Just, just prove me wrong. And just like my experience, they try it and then a week or two days like, oh, that actually worked. I didn't think that would so, yeah, I'm so glad you said that, because that happens a lot. People said that is that doesn't make sense. Why are you telling me to be grateful in the midst of this overwhelming situation? So yes, great, great perspective that happens all the time. Michael Hingson ** 59:55 Well, we've been doing this now for about an hour, but before we wrap up, do you. Have any other advice that you want to pass on for people who are dealing with change or fearing change in their lives right now, Laura Bratton ** 1:00:08 the advice would be, take it step by step, moment by moment, rather than trying to navigate through the whole change at one time that's overwhelming, and that that's not the process that is most healing. So to trust in yourself, to trust that grit around you, and then just like, like you were saying, and ask me, and it doesn't seem like it'll work, but try the gratitude, try that three things every day you're grateful for, and just see what happens as you navigate through the change. Yeah. Michael Hingson ** 1:00:52 And it really does work, which is the point? Laura Bratton ** 1:00:54 Which is the point? Right? Right? We don't think it's going to but it, it totally does Michael Hingson ** 1:00:59 well. Laura, I want to thank you for being with us. This has been absolutely wonderful and fun, and I hope that people who listen got and who watch it got a lot out of it. And you, you provided a lot of good expectation setting for people. And you, you've certainly lived a full life. We didn't mention we got us before you we we sign off. You're also an author, Laura Bratton ** 1:01:24 yes. So I wrote harnessing courage again, just like the reason I speak, I was so passionate about taking the grit and the gratitude that I use that was such a source of Empower for me, I wanted to tell my story and tell it through the perspective of grit and gratitude so that other people could also use it as a resource. So the book tells my story of becoming blind and adapting and moving forward, but through the complete expected perspective of the gratitude, how I didn't believe the gratitude would work, how I struggled with thinking, Oh, the gratitude is ridiculous. That's never going to be source of empowerment. Yet it was so. The purpose of the book, my hope, my goal for the book, is that people can read it and take away those resources as they face their own change their own challenges. Michael Hingson ** 1:02:30 And when did you write it? So I wrote Laura Bratton ** 1:02:33 it in it was published in 2016 Okay, so it that that definitely was, was my goal and passion, and that just writing the book was incredibly healing. Was like a great source of strength. Cool, Michael Hingson ** 1:02:50 well, I hope people will get it. Do you do any coaching today or Laura Bratton ** 1:02:54 Yes, so I do coaching as well as the speaking so the the one on one coaching, as people are experiencing difficult, difficult or just navigating through change, I do the one on one coaching as well as the speaking, Michael Hingson ** 1:03:11 which is certainly a good thing that chaplaincy taught you. Yes, 100% Well, thank you again for being here, and I want to thank all of you for being with us today, wherever you are. We would appreciate it. I would definitely appreciate it. If when you can, you go to wherever you're listening to or watching the podcast and give us a five star review. We absolutely value your reviews. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this, and I'm sure Laura would. So you're welcome to email me at Michael, M, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I, at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, love to hear your thoughts. And also, of course, as I said, we'd love your your five star reviews, wherever you're listening. Also, if any of you, Laura, including you, have any thoughts of others who we ought to have on this podcast, we're always looking for more guests, and we really would appreciate it if you'd let anyone know who might be a good guest in your mind, that they can reach out or email me, and I'll reach out, but we really would appreciate that. But again, Laura, I just want to thank you one more time for being here and for taking all this time with us today. Laura Bratton ** 1:04:27 Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for hosting this podcast. Incredibly powerful and we all need to be reminded **Michael Hingson ** 1:04:37 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.
On the latest episode of In Your Head Talk Radio, Dr. Leigh Richardson sat down with Jack Howard, Head of Money Wellness at Ally Financial, for a powerful conversation on the intersection of money, mental health, and behavioral change. They explored how our earliest money experiences shape financial behavior, why financial health is deeply emotional, and what it really takes to build lasting wellness—not just wealth. Jack shared insights from Ally's Money Roots™ program, discussed her work in underserved communities, and offered practical tools for shifting money mindsets and creating equity-driven financial strategies. With experience leading national financial education initiatives and shaping inclusive wellness programs, Jack brings a refreshing voice to the financial health space—one rooted in psychology, access, and authenticity. If you've ever wondered why smart people still make self-defeating money choices, this conversation is for you. It's not about spreadsheets—it's about stories, beliefs, and behavioral rewiring. Now streaming on all major platforms.
The world is way behind on understanding tech and smartphone addiction. In this episode Eddie and Justin discuss how much progress has been made in the 3 years since Dr. Justin released his TEDx talk on the subjuect. Find out what countries are doing to protect their youth, and what states are leading the charge.
System Speak: Dissociative Identity Disorder ( Multiple Personality Disorder )
We read and respond to listener emails, specifically about questions regarding depersonalization and also how memory works.Our website is HERE: System Speak Podcast.You can submit an email to the podcast HERE.You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE. Once you are in, you can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE. Once you are set up, then the website and app work on any device just fine. We have peer support check-in groups, an art group, movie groups, social events, and classes. Additional zoom groups are optional, but only available by joining the groups. Join us! Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Ryan Hawk, former college and pro quarterback, podcast host, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership advisor, joins me on this episode. Ryan speaks for and consults with some of the world's leading brands, including Salesforce, Dodge, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Cancer season invites us to work with emotions, intuition, and nurturing creativity as we shift from the active Gemini energy into a more heart-centered space. The archetype of Cancer offers tools for self-discovery, mental health, and spiritual connection by encouraging us to feel our feelings while maintaining balance between openness and self-protection.Cancer, symbolized by the protective crab, beckons us to explore our emotions, intuition, and subconscious with tender awareness. This water sign carries the energy of the cosmic mother – nurturing, creative, and deeply intuitive. Through a beautiful balance of vulnerability and protection, Cancer teaches us to create sanctuary both in our external environments and within our own hearts.Every archetype carries both gifts and shadows. Cancer's light side offers emotional intelligence, creative nurturing, and intuitive wisdom. Its shadow can manifest as emotional baggage, fear-based protection, or unhealthy attachment to past wounds. The journey isn't about eliminating these shadows but finding harmony between them. We learn to practice discernment rather than fear, allowing our hearts to remain both protected and open.Ready to dive deeper into emotional wisdom and heart-centered living? Subscribe to Your Heart Magic for weekly insights that integrate psychology, spirituality, and practical wisdom to nurture your authentic self. How will you honor the cosmic mother energy this Cancer season?Join us next week for an all-new episode of Your Heart Magic and more psychology, spirituality, storytelling, and heart wisdom.--Your Heart Magic is a space where heart wisdom, spirituality, and psychology meet. Enjoy episodes centered on mental health, spirituality, personal growth, healing, and well-being. Featured as one of the best Heart Energy and Akashic Records Podcasts in 2024 by PlayerFM and Globally Ranked in the top 5% in Listen Notes.Dr. BethAnne Kapansky Wright is a Licensed Psychologist, Spiritual Educator, and Akashic Records Reader. She is the author of Small Pearls Big Wisdom, the Award-Winning Lamentations of the Sea, its sequels, and several books of poetry. A psychologist with a mystic mind, she weaves perspectives from both worlds to offer holistic wisdom.FIND DR. BETHANNE ONLINE:BOOKS- www.bethannekw.com/books FACEBOOK - www.facebook.com/drbethannekw INSTAGRAM - www.instagram.com/dr.bethannekw WEBSITE - www.bethannekw.com CONTACT FORM - www.bethannekw.com/contact
The gang announces some big changes about recording. Also we have questions on staing motivated for self care, getting out of a rut, and surviving a shared custody arrangement. Join our patreon!Listen ad-free, get the show a day early and enjoy the pre-show hang out on the same app you're using RIGHT NOW at www.Patreon.com/Therapy where you can also access our vast library of deep dives, interviews, skill shares, reviews and rants as well as our live discord chat!If you are an Apple user please rate us!If you are a Spotify user, please rate us!Submit a question to the show!Help us reach #1 on Goodpods!Interested in Nick's mental health approach to fitness? Check out www.MentalFitPersonalTraining.comCheck out Dr. Jim's book "Dadvice: 50 Fatherly Life Lessons" at www.DadviceBook.comGrab some swag at our store, www.PodTherapyBaitShop.comPlay Jim's Neurotic Bingo at home while you listen to the show, or don't, I'm not your supervisor.Submit questions to:www.PodTherapy.netPodTherapyGuys@gmail.comFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterResources:Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255.Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255.Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline - (1-800-662-HELP (4357)OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline - 1 (800) 273-TALKU.S. Mental Health Resources Hotline - 211
Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the psychology of discipline and how to cultivate it in your life. We discuss the science behind self-control, practical steps to build discipline, and the importance of mindset. Learn how to connect your goals to your core values, create routines, minimize temptations, and practice self-compassion. Discover how a growth mindset can help you persevere through challenges and achieve your goals. This episode is perfect for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to enhance their self-discipline and achieve greater success.Thank you for spending your valuable time with us. We truly appreciate your attention and support. Stay connected with us everywhere! Click the link below to access all our platforms in one place:https://linktr.ee/yourthoughtlifeRemember, you are enough, you can do it, and you are uniquely equipped to realize your goals. Let's continue this journey together!
Happy Juneteenth! In this special episode of Paging Dr. Chanda, we sit down with activist and musician, Andre Henry, who breaks down activism and liberation psychology. Listen to Dr. Chanda on Thursdays via Revolt Podcast Network Watch Dr. Chanda on Fox Soul, Hulu, & Tubi on Thursdays at 6pm est Catch her on DETV-Channel 28 (Delaware & Surrounding Areas) For Extended Episodes Subscribe to Dr. Chanda's Youtube Paging Dr. Chanda:https://www.youtube.com/@PagingDrChanda Dr. Chanda's Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/paging.dr... Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=644057... #Depression #podcast #mentalhealth #Revolt #foxsoul Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Dr. Canaan: Faith and empathyAffordable housing is more than a real estate challenge; it's a mission to create stability and hope. In today's episode, I had the pleasure of exploring this mission with Dr. Canaan Van Williams, the Fund Manager of ProActive Real Estate Group. His work focuses on Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAA), helping underserved communities secure quality, affordable homes while delivering returns for investors.Dr. Canaan shared his passion for affordable housing through his latest project, Rancho Affordable Living, in Las Vegas. This 23-unit development provides low-income housing at 20–30% below market rates. It prioritizes second-chance housing for people previously evicted, unhoused, or escaping domestic violence. He explained, “Second chance housing is such a huge part of the low-income affordable housing sector. We tend to serve people who are anywhere from 50 to 30 percent AMI or below.”What makes this effort even more compelling is its focus on impact and speed. By revitalizing existing properties, ProActive Real Estate Group avoids the delays associated with subsidies, enabling quicker housing solutions. According to Canaan, “We're able to achieve above market-rate returns because we pass on the cost savings benefits of revitalizing what's existing.”For those who want to get involved, there's exciting news: ProActive Real Estate Group has a live Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) campaign now. This democratizes investment opportunities, allowing non-accredited investors to support affordable housing while earning current income.Canaan brings a unique perspective to this work, drawing from his upbringing in Oakland, California, where his family benefited from affordable housing programs. This personal connection fuels his commitment to creating sustainable communities. “We do everything we can to help our residents,” he shared.Affordable housing projects like Rancho Affordable Living exemplify how mission-driven investments can combine social impact with financial returns. By investing in efforts like this, we can celebrate milestones like Juneteenth not just in words, but in action.tl;dr:Dr. Canaan Van Williams pioneers affordable housing projects like Rancho Affordable Living, offering below-market rents.His work prioritizes second-chance housing, helping underserved people rebuild their lives with dignity.ProActive Real Estate Group's Reg CF campaign allows everyone to invest in impactful housing solutions.Dr. Canaan's faith in God and humanity drives his compassionate approach to building sustainable communities.His advocacy for housing stability showcases the power of love, empathy, and mission-driven leadership.How to Develop Faith and Empathy As a SuperpowerDr. Canaan's superpower is rooted in his faith in God and humanity, coupled with a deep empathy for others. He said, “Our superpower is love. We really practice and demonstrate empathy as much as we possibly can.” This perspective drives his work, enabling him to create housing solutions that prioritize dignity and community for underserved populations. Dr. Canaan's faith inspires him to focus on impact first, trusting that everything else will follow.A compelling example of Dr. Canaan's superpower in action comes from a story about two single mothers in Las Vegas. Both women, homeless and struggling with expired Section 8 vouchers, reached out to him for help. Despite bureaucratic resistance, Canaan advocated on their behalf, convincing the housing office to reinstate their vouchers. His determination and empathy changed their lives, providing them with stable homes for their families.Tips for Developing Faith and Empathy as Strengths:Practice Compassion Daily: Look for opportunities to help others, even in small ways.Advocate Relentlessly: Stand firm for those in need, even when facing resistance.Stay Mission-Focused: Let your values guide your actions, especially in challenging situations.Draw Strength from Faith: Lean into your beliefs to sustain your commitment to doing good.By following Dr. Canaan's example and advice, you can make faith and empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileDr. Canaan Van Williams (he/him):Fund Manager, ProActive Real Estate GroupAbout ProActive Real Estate Group: ProActive Real Estate Group is a mission-driven investment firm specializing in affordable housing that delivers both market-rate returns and measurable social impact. Through the ProActive Impact Fund and “Flight to Safety” strategy, the firm acquires, revitalizes, and manages Class C multifamily, NOAH, and manufactured housing in underserved communities. ProActive's work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizes community uplift without displacement. By combining financial expertise with transparent ESG reporting, ProActive offers investors—ranging from individuals to institutions—ethical, de-risked real estate opportunities that strengthen neighborhoods and generate long-term value.Website: proactiveimpactfund.comOther URL: proactivefunds.sppx.io/otp/RA-CF-2025Biographical Information: Dr. Canaan Van Williams is a seasoned impact investor, fund manager, and social innovator dedicated to transforming underserved communities through sustainable housing solutions. As Fund Manager at ProActive Real Estate Group, he leads investment strategies that generate consistent market-rate returns while delivering measurable social impact. His work focuses on revitalizing Class C and distressed Class B multifamily properties, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH), and manufactured housing to create vibrant, affordable communities—without displacement or gentrification.Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Williams tackles poverty, inequality, and urban sustainability through strategic real estate investments. His projects are backed by transparent reporting, including Morningstar Sustainalytics' ESG ratings, giving investors confidence in both performance and purpose.With a Ph.D. in Psychology and certifications in property and private equity management, Dr. Williams combines human insight with financial acumen. He partners with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, funds, and institutions seeking ethical, de-risked, and socially responsible investment opportunities.Dr. Williams is a trusted leader at the intersection of finance and social change—proving that real estate can be a force for good. Learn more at www.Flight2Safety.com or connect with him at LinkedIn.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-canaan-williams-aa3924bSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Kingscrowd, Just Her Rideshare, and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Join us on June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern for the Superpowers for Good Live Pitch—streaming on e360tv, where purpose-driven founders take the virtual stage to present their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a national audience of investors and changemakers. Selected startups are chosen for their commitment to community, alignment with NC3's Community Capital Principles, and their drive to create real-world impact. Thanks to sponsors DNA and DealMaker, this event is free to watch and amplifies the voices of underrepresented and mission-aligned entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inspiring evening where capital meets purpose—tune in to discover and support the next wave of impact-driven innovation.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on July 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com's monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe
Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how brand betrayal triggers actual psychological pain and revenge-seeking behavior, making betrayed customers far more dangerous than merely dissatisfied ones.Topics covered: [01:00] "Insights into the Experience of Brand Betrayal: From What People Say and What The Brain Reveals"[02:00] When brands don't disappoint but actually betray[03:00] Brand betrayal creates deep psychological loss[05:00] Brain scans reveal betrayal activates pain centers[07:00] How Domino's recovered from brand betrayal To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter. Resources: Reimann, M., MacInnis, D. J., Folkes, V. S., Uhalde, A., & Pol, G. (2018). Insights into the experience of brand betrayal: From what people say and what the brain reveals. Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 3(2), 240–254. https://doi.org/10.1086/697077 Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this episode of Crafting a Meaningful Life, host Mary Crafts engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Julia Henning, a life coach and author, about how to invite ease into our lives. The discussion opens with Mary sharing a personal story about realizing how some people might find reward in making life harder than it needs to be. This revelation ties seamlessly into Julia's expertise and philosophy as captured in her book "It Gets to Be Easy." The dialogue explores how life can be approached with an alignment perspective, allowing individuals to navigate challenges with more grace and less struggle. The episode delves into the core differences between living life easily versus with ease, and how aligning with one's authentic self can lead to profound life changes. Julia elaborates on how ease isn't about eliminating challenges but reshaping our relationship with life's circumstances. Through engaging anecdotes and reflective insights, they explore various modalities and strategies like Water Release Therapy and the concept of infinite timelines to tap into this state of ease. With passion and a deep understanding of human consciousness, Julia guides listeners on finding ease amidst life's inherent chaos. About the Guest: Julia Henning is a certified life coach and author of the book "It Gets to Be Easy: The Art of Authenticity and Other Life Lessons We Skipped." Julia holds a master's degree in psychology and has a diverse background in acting, directing, writing, and immersive theater. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, and now residing in Los Angeles, California, she has spent over a decade helping individuals embrace their authenticity by integrating self-trust and emotional intelligence into their lives. Julia is known for her holistic approach that combines immersive experiences with psychological insights, aimed at helping clients deprogram hustle culture and find ease in their lives. Key Takeaways: Ease is an internal state about aligning with one's authentic self, whereas easy refers to external circumstances that may or may not require effort. The importance of self-trust and emotional intelligence as foundations for living a more fulfilling and easy life. Introducing modalities like Water Release Therapy to help in releasing stored tensions and embracing ease. The idea of integrating consciousness and awareness into daily living to better navigate life's struggles while finding personal meaning. Encouragement to foster authenticity by questioning societal norms and embracing the art of letting, rather than constantly striving to force outcomes. Resources: Julia Henning's Website: iamjuliahenning.com Instagram: @iamjuliahenning Book: "It Gets to Be Easy: The Art of Authenticity and Other Life Lessons We Skipped" available on Amazon. Retreat Information: Details about Julia's Symposium retreat in the Redwood Forest are available on her website. Tune in to uncover how these insights can transform your approach to living a life filled with ease. Join us for more episodes on ensuring life is a meaningful journey as we explore wisdom from transformative leaders.
I'll say this much for President Trump regardless of whatever he eventually decides to do or not do pertaining to U.S. military intervention in Iran. He quickly became the king of psychological warfare.
In this episode, I respond to a viral interview on the *Other People's Lives* podcast where a Black man opens up about his desire for race play — and how he finds it more intense when he feels like his white partners are *actually* racist.As a Black gay man, I had to unpack this — not to judge, but to reflect on how trauma, identity, desire, and race collide in ways that are uncomfortable… but very real. From the psychology of eroticized pain to the legacy of being fetishized, this is one of my most raw and honest episodes yet.
Joel Lambert knows survival isn't just about gear—it's about mindset. As a former Navy SEAL and escape and evasion expert, he's faced life-or-death situations that demand absolute focus. Dr. Phil sits down with Joel to break down the psychology behind fear, decision-making under pressure, and how mental toughness plays a role in everyday life. Joel also shares insights from A Navy SEAL's Bug-In Guide, revealing how to prepare for disaster without losing control. Whether it's a battlefield or personal crisis, survival starts in the mind, and Dr. Phil uncovers how we can all apply these lessons to our own challenges. A big thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this episode happen! Cozy Earth: https://www.CozyEarth.com/PHIL/ | Use code PHIL for up to 40% off! Balance of Nature: Visit: https://balanceofnature.com/ or call 1.800.246.8751 and get this special offer by using Discount Code: “DRPHIL”. Get a FREE Fiber & Spice supplement, plus 35% OFF your first preferred set as a new Preferred Customer, with free shipping and our money-back guarantee. Start your journey with Balance of Nature. Jase Medical: Get emergency antibiotics at https://Jase.com/ & use code PHIL for a discount.
What if the key to unlocking true productivity is letting go of control? Mel Robbins had a mindset shift on her son's prom night when she found herself fussing over details that didn't matter. That's when her daughter grabbed her arm and said, “Let them. Let them run in the rain. Let them eat where they want. Let them.” This moment sparked the creation of her Let Them Theory, a powerful mindset that transforms how we approach control in both business and life. In this episode, Mel shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career and how the Let Them Theory can help entrepreneurs let go of control, take empowered action, and thrive. In this episode, Hala and Mel will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (04:46) How a TEDx Talk Sparked the 5 Second Rule (10:25) Action Over Motivation: The Key to Success (16:19) Leveraging Life's Lessons for Personal Development (26:49) How Thoughtful Actions Drive Business Growth (34:52) Why Your Competitors Should Be Your Allies (38:16) The Let Them Theory: A Powerful Mindset Tool (48:06) Is Control Hardwired in Human Nature? (52:44) The Let Them Theory for Entrepreneurs (56:34) Applying the Let Them Theory in Leadership Mel Robbins is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of The Mel Robbins Podcast, and one of the world's leading experts in mindset, self-improvement, and behavior change. Recognized as a Forbes 50 Over 50 Honoree and one of USA Today's Top 5 Mindset Coaches, her books, including The 5 Second Rule and her latest, The Let Them Theory, have been translated into 50 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. As CEO of 143 Studios, Mel produces award-winning content for top brands like LinkedIn and Audible. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Mel's Book, The Let Them Theory: bit.ly/_LetThemTheory Mel's Book, The 5 Second Rule: bit.ly/_5SecondRule Mel's Podcast, The Mel Robbins Podcast: bit.ly/TMRP-apple Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Manifestation, Time Management, Life Balance, Goal Setting, Goals, Resolutions
Seb and Preston explore the hidden emotional and societal costs of fiat currency, how Bitcoin changes our perception of value, and why money is more than just economics—it's identity. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - The emotional toll of living within a fiat monetary system 10:04 - How Bitcoin changes the way we express values through money 12:55 - The real-life shifts that occur when someone adopts low time preference 15:37 - How hard money can enable authentic altruism and creativity 19:11 - How broken money disrupts psychological growth through Maslow's hierarchy 20:24 - Why fiat incentives fuel fear, narrow focus, and societal disconnection 22:41 - The impact of viable saving on emotional and creative well-being 25:45 - Why fiat may be driving an identity crisis and inauthentic life paths 33:22 - What Bitcoin reveals about curiosity and intellectual integrity 41:05 - How note-taking and integration fuel personal and intellectual growth Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Seb's book: The Hidden Cost of Money. Seb's Blog: Seb Bunney. Related book: Fiat Food. Related Episode: The Hidden Cost of Money (BTC160). Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: SimpleMining Hardblock AnchorWatch Unchained Human Rights Foundation Vanta Indeed Fundrise Onramp Netsuite reMarkable Shopify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
What does it take to rebuild your life after public failure — and bet on yourself again?This week, we sit down with Julie Wainwright — a trailblazing entrepreneur who went from the CEO of Pets.com during the dot-com crash to building The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury resale powerhouse… all in her 50s.Julie was one of only 23 women to ever take a company public — and she did it after facing national scrutiny and setbacks that would have ended most careers. Instead, she started over with clarity, grit, and heart — redefining what leadership and reinvention really look like.In this conversation, Julie shares:How to lead through failure and chaos without losing yourselfWhy reinvention starts with self-honesty, not confidenceThe mindset that helped her scale The RealReal from her kitchen tableHow to use setbacks as fuel — in business, relationships, or lifeThe inner dialogue and frameworks that kept her grounded and growingIf you're navigating a challenge, career pivot, or new season of life — this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom you'll want to carry forward.Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: https://findingmastery.lpages.co/morningmindset!Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and XSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In 1995, Charlie Munger gave a speech called the Psychology of Human Misjudgment, which contains 25 psychological tendencies by humans that can lead to bad decision making & bad outcomes. Today, Alex shares his 13 favorite & provide examples of how they impact your abilities and success as an entrepreneur. Link to the original speech: https://fs.blog/great-talks/psychology-human-misjudgment/ Link to Poor Charlie's Almanack: https://www.amazon.com/Poor-Charlies-Almanack-Charles-Expanded/dp/1578645018 — Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Gusto. Head to www.gusto.com/alex — Check Out Alex's Stuff: • storyarb - https://www.storyarb.com/ • growthpair - https://www.growthpair.com/ • distro - https://youdistro.com/ • X - https://x.com/businessbarista • Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lieberman/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You've been sold a lie: that authenticity means spilling everything and bleeding on everyone. That your pain validates your platform and makes you more mature. This week, Levi Lusko joins us to dismantle that fallacy. He's faced the brutal shock of grief and the hidden ruins of unsurfaced trauma. He's walked through the disillusionment of midlife irrelevance. And he's learned the hard truth: healing doesn't include weaponizing your pain, and authenticity doesn't mean emotional anarchy. In this episode, Levi pulls back the curtain on what happens when grief blindsides you, why trauma must be surfaced before it surfaces on others, and how midlife loss of relevance can become the birthplace of greater purpose. We talk about the toxicity of “authenticity culture”—why sharing pain doesn't always lead to healing, and why containment, resilience, and sacred boundaries are essential. If you've ever bared your struggle and felt worse… if you're deep in grief or navigating a midlife low… this conversation will give you clarity, grace, and a restoration plan. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
After years of battling self-hate, drugs, an eating disorder, and financial struggles, Mimi Bouchard transformed her life through self-improvement and personal development. Now, she is the founder of the multimillion-dollar Activations app, a game-changing tool that helps people shift their energy, rewire their mindset, and instantly step into the life they've always desired. In this episode, Mimi shares how activations help you crush goals, the steps to activate your future self today, and how entrepreneurs can bounce back from setbacks with greater speed. In this episode, Hala and Mimi will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (04:53) How Self-Improvement Transformed Her Life (11:28) Two Steps to Activate Your Future Self Now (17:39) Activations: Shift Your Energy to Achieve Your Goals (33:38) Rewiring Limiting Beliefs for Success (35:58) How Activations Unlock an Abundance Mindset (44:57) Manifestation Hack: Feel Like a Millionaire Instantly (49:16) Bounce Back Rate: Building Resilience in Business (56:18) How Your Environment Fuels Positivity and Growth (59:49) Why Entrepreneurs Must Take Messy Action Mimi Bouchard is the founder and CEO of Activations, a top-rated app that is transforming personal development through powerful, science-backed audio experiences. Trusted by over 100,000 users, Activations offers more than 700 tracks across 16+ categories designed to rewire your mindset, boost productivity, and help you become your best self every day. Mimi is also the author of Activate Your Future Self, a practical guide to becoming the happiest, healthiest, and wealthiest version of you. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Activations App: activations.com/profiting Mimi's Book, Activate Your Future Self: bit.ly/ActivateYourFutureSelf Mimi's Instagram: instagram.com/mimibouchard The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: bit.ly/TheSecret- The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton: bit.ly/The-BiologyofBelief Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Motivation, Time Management, Life Balance, Goal Setting, Resolutions.
Does technology liberate us or enslave us? How do our social interactions affect our sense of self and our emotional health? Listen as author and master teacher Leon Kass and EconTalk's Russ Roberts do a close reading of a few paragraphs of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and explore some of the deepest aspects of our relationships with each other and with our technology.