Podcasts about reopening

Ken has been the President and CEO of America's Thrift Stores since November of 2013 when he stepped off of the board to assume this role. He spent his first 4 years building the team (21 of ATS's Top 25 leaders came from outside) putting in scalable systems and processes (Net Suite, Dundas BI tool, Day Force HCMS, Speed Rail Processing system), improving operations and cleaning up the balance sheet. All to prepare for accelerating growth.  Today, America's Thrift Stores (ATS) is America's premier thrift retailer in the Southeast, with 24 stores on track to deliver over $80 million in revenue and $10 million of sustaining EBIDTA in 2021 at a 66% gross margin and $12 million EBITDA run rate.  In the last 24 months, during the pandemic, ATS has added 7 new stores to its base of 17. Prior to the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, ATS's business was already incredibly healthy, growing total topline sales for 12 straight quarters and same store sales for 11 straight quarters.  Reopening in June 2020, ATS emerged equally strong, with 4 back-to-back quarters of comp store sales growth, including an historic Q1 where both comp store sales and Total Sales hit record-breaking levels. Sustaining EBITDA is expected to be over $14 million in 2022 and will more than double over next 5 years as the company continues to grow comp store sales, opens 3-5 new stores annually and enters the rapidly accelerating on-line thrift space.  Prior to joining America's Thrift Stores, Ken a mentor, advisor and coach to small and mid-size company CEO's as an Operating Partner with Alpine Investors LLC stretching across industries from Online Education to Online Retail Lighting & Design to Retail Furniture to Used Cars to Retail Thrift.  In this role he coached CEO's and their leadership teams on helping them build and drive their growth strategies and sales & marketing execution. He also stepped into interim leadership roles and helped with sourcing and due diligence on potential new acquisition candidates.  Ken Sobaski has been a visionary, strategic President & CEO with a history of significantly accelerating growth and inspiring teamwork on businesses across multiple different industries: consumer food, online e-commerce, recreational products and giftware. He has over 30 years of experience at blue chip marketing driven companies like Kraft, General Mills, Pillsbury, Polaris and Capella Education Company, where he grew brands like Orville Redenbacher, Green Giant, Wheaties, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and Polaris.  Ken's distinction is his ability to lead his teams to achieve significant levels of growth not reached before. Here are a few examples: At Pillsbury he took a $600mm refrigerated baked goods business that was flat or declining for 5 years and added $120mm in revenue in year 1 and built a pipeline of new products that grew $270mm of incremental revenue over 3 years At Green Giant he successfully launched Create-a-Meal, a $150mm new frozen vegetable meal starter business, achieving record shares in frozen vegetables, moving to #1 position in category in 12 months On Orville Redenbacher he reversed 49-months of declines with 12 months of double-digit volume gains. At Polaris he grew revenue +34% in just over 3 years by focusing/improving marketing execution and upgrading the dealer network At Capella Education Company (online consumer education company) he took growth from +15% per year to +25% per year, adding $120mm in revenue in under 3 years Ken has served on the boards of The Minnesota Diabetes Association, The Twin Cities United Way and The Council on Aging – Orange County.  Ken holds a BA in Economics & Urban Studies from St. Olaf College and an MBA in Marketing & Strategy from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University   

Reopening of international border delayed, Federal budget date announced in preparation for election and millions found laundered through poker machines. Welcome to News with The Sydney Morning Herald, your daily news briefing from the newspaper in Sydney everyone turns to. Drawing from the best journalism in the country, News with The Sydney Morning Herald brings you the most important local, national and world politics, business, sport and entertainment news of the day directly from Australia's most authoritative newsroom. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Black Friday is back with a vengeance… but not in the way most shoppers would want. The fears of supply chain interruptions and chip shortages have come to pass, and it's impacting our holiday shopping in a big way with huge delays and lack of availability on popular items. We share our firsthand experience, with things like laptops and even couches not expected to show up for months. How long can we expect these shortages and delays to let? And even if they were fixed today, how long would it take for the supply chain to be caught up? And, if you still haven't completed your holiday shopping… what's your best bet? We discuss it all!Plus, we as a country waited months (or longer) for society to open back up so we could get back to our normal lives. Yet more and more, we see violence, arguments, disturbing attacks, and much more at public venues meant for fun and relaxation. What's the reason for the Return to Anarchy taking over the Return to Normal? And how are we managing to enjoy our favorite places while ensuring we're safe?Then, how timely and impactful events the week of Thanksgiving made us even more thankful for what we already have. It's an all new Catchup! Join the discussion!Follow us:FacebookInstagramYouTubeOfficial WebsiteEmail us: TheCatchupCast@Gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.nosignalrocks.com/the-catchup-podcast/)

In this week's episode of The Boxoffice Podcast, Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Shawn Robbins discuss weekend box office numbers and predictions for the Thanksgiving weekend's new titles.In this week's Indie Focus feature, Rebecca and Daniel present some of the key insights from Boxoffice LIVE Sessions' State of the Art House webinar, featuring expertise from Paul Serwitz (President and COO, Landmark Theatres), Tori Baker (President & CEO, Salt Lake Film Society), Dylan Skolnick (Co-Director, Cinema Arts Centre), Barbara Twist (Director of Partnerships, Vidiots Foundation), and Barak Epstein (President, Aviation Cinemas / Texas Theatre).Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 Episode Resources: FULL VIDEO: Boxoffice LIVE Sessions - State of the Art House 2021 Thanksgiving Box Office Forecast: Will Holiday Moviegoers Feast On Encanto, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci, and Resident Evil?   Cinematic Enchantment: Disney Reunites with Lin-Manual Miranda for Animated Musical Encanto   Interview with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Writer-Director Johannes Roberts Ryusuke Hamaguchi on Adapting Haruki Murakami's Drive My Car   Weekend Box Office Recap: Ghostbusters: Afterlife Opens to $44M  Interview with Ghostbusters: Afterlife Director Jason Reitman No Time to Die Becomes Top Studio Title of 2020-2021 at the Global Box Office This Week on the Box Office Podcast: L.A.'s Iconic Vidiots Plans Its Return In Late 2021 This Week on The Boxoffice Podcast: Sundance at the Art House with The Texas Theatre Paul Serwitz on the Reopening of NYC Cinemas Art Houses Fight On: Salt Lake Film Society Launches @homeArts What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 03:42 Ghostbusters Afterlife opens to $44M domestically 06:12 King Richard debuts at $5.7M 08:17 No Time to Die remains theatrically exclusive 11:16 Latest weekend box office titles 14:28 What to expect during the Thanksgiving weekend? 15:18 Expectations for House of Gucci 18:30 Resident Evil: Welcome to the Raccoon City 21:15 Arthouse theaters stay innovative throughout the pandemic 23:12 Drivers that lead audiences back into theaters 26:25 Title availability compromises the theatrical business 29:00 Netflix and Amazon's pull on high quality films 31:13 Streaming is a way to gauge what content works 35:00 Marketing arthouses make for a title 37:47 Streamers are not targeting box office numbers 42:39 Creating a welcoming atmosphere for different communities 44:58 There's still a great need to diversify the audience

Gregory Wrightstone, is a geologist and the Executive Director of the CO2 Coalition in Arlington Virginia. He is bestselling author of Inconvenient Facts: The Science that Al Gore doesn't want you to know. Biden's Short-Sighted Petroleum Reserve Decision, Manchin's Call for Keystone Reopening

South Auckland's vaccination drive is now to get people to go back for their second vaccination, as the country prepares to enter the traffic light protection framework. There are still thousands of Aucklanders in the city's south who are lagging behind the recommended three-week spacing between Covid-19 doses. Manukau Ward Councillor Efeso Collins told Morning Report he's still proud of the vaccination efforts on the ground so far. [audio_play] "That's the only defence we have available to us the minute we start to open up, so I'm really proud of the efforts on the ground." Pasifika GP Network chair Api Talemaitoga said they are now at the hard end of the campaign and now they're looking at people who can't easily access vaccination. "It's easy to talk about getting vaccinations with people like us who might have a car or could take an hour out to go and get vaccinated. But what if you're a 24/7 carer looking after someone with inability to just get out and access one of those vaccinations? "We're asking people to really reach out and support each other and get that first and or second jab into people's arms."

Bill Handel talks about what we learned from the testimony in the trial over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. California ranks low for college debt, but students continue to struggle. California has a new battle plan against environmental injustice, and the nation is watching. And companies are facing a dilemma when it comes to reopening their offices - attempt to return to 'normal' or take a new approach?

[2:06] Jathursan v. U.S. Att'y Gen., No. 20-10003 (11th Cir. Nov. 17, 2021)asylum; failed asylum seeker; pattern or practice of persecution; failure to give reasoned consideration; issue exhaustion; CAT; Elam People's Democratic Party (EPDP); Sri Lanka [8:30] Matter of A. Valenzuela, 28 I&N Dec. 418 (BIA 2021)aggravated felony crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); violent force; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); violence against property; carjacking in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 215(a) [16:02] De Carvalho v. Garland, No. 20-1711 (1st Cir. Nov. 17, 2021)possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute in violation of Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 94C § 32A(a); particularly serious crime; Matter of Y-L-; presumptions; CAT; police officers; Matter of R-A-F- and de novo review;  Cape Verde [24:02] Maradia v. Garland, No. 20-60714 (5th Cir. Nov. 17, 2021) Order to Show Cause; in absentia motion to reopen; Niz-Chavez; Pereira [29:03] Goulart v. Garland, No. 19-72007 (9th Cir. Nov. 18, 2021)equitable tolling; change in law; motion to reconsider; fiery concurrences and dissents*Sponsors and friends of the podcast!Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.www.kktplaw.com/Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.Docketwisewww.docketwise.com/immigration-review"Modern immigration software & case management"*Want to become a patron of Immigration Review? Check out our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/immigrationreview *CONTACT INFORMATIONEmail: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: "Immigration Review Podcast" or @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreview*About your host: https://www.kktplaw.com/attorney/gregg-kevin-a/*More episodes at: https://www.kktplaw.com/immigration-review-podcast/*Featured in the top 15 of Immigration Podcast in the U.S.! https://blog.feedspot.com/immigration_podcasts/DISCLAIMER: Immigration Review® is a podcast made available for educational purposes only. It does not provide specific legal advice. Rather, the Immigration Review® podcast offers general information and insights regarding recent immigration cases from publicly available sources. By accessing and listening to the podcast, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the podcast host. The Immigration Review® podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. MUSIC CREDITS: "Loopster," "Bass Vibes," "Chill Wave," and "Funk Game Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/immigrationreview)

5PM - Hanna Scott: KIRO Radio holds a grand reopening for their FEMA site // Self defense in Seattle // Your Letters + Letter of the Day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of #GlobalPrint, ThePrint's Senior Consulting Editor Jyoti Malhotra explains the significance of the reopening of the Kartarpar Sahib corridor that connects Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab with the shrine in Narowal district in Pakistan, built in memory of the Sikh guru Guru Nanak in the 16th century.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/global-print/allowing-indian-wheat-for-afghanistan-reopening-kartarpur-is-peace-on-pakistan-mind/767241/

Aucklanders will be free to leave the city on December 15, provided they're fully vaccinated, or have had a negative test within 72 hours of leaving. Taupō Mayor David Trewavas talks to Lisa Owen.  

School is back in session for Auckland children who haven't been in a classroom for three months. From new entrants to Year 10 - 200,000 are allowed back. Reporter Jean Bell was outside Mt Eden Normal School which has 667 pupils. She spoke to Corin Dann.

Whangārei's mayor concedes Tai Tokerau wont make the 90 percent double vaccination target by the time the government makes its decision on moving to the new Covid traffic light system. Sheryl Mai talks to Lisa Owen.  

Waikato will drop back to alert level 2 at 11:59pm Tuesday, despite new cases popping up in the region. And the government's announced the booster dose will be available from the end of the month, for those who had their second dose more than six months ago. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson talks to Lisa Owen.  

The Prime Minster's hinting the whole country could move to the Covid traffic light system ahead of the 90 percent double dose vaccine targets being met by individual regions. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz talks to Lisa Owen.  

*تحذير: هذه الحلقة تحتوي على أصوات قد تكون مزعجة. مهما كان نوع موسيقاك المفضلة: روك، راب، تراب، كلاسيكي، أو غيرها، تخيل أن تستمع إليها لساعات مطولة ومتواصلة. 60 ساعة مثلًا. هل ستظل تصنفها على أنها موسيقاك المفضلة؟ استخدمت عدة دول وأجهزة أمنية واستخباراتية حول العالم الصوت كوسيلة لتعذيب السجناء وإرغامهم على الاعتراف. نتعرف أكثر في هذه الحلقة من «معلوم» على الجانب المظلم من الصوت. هذه الحلقة من بحث وكتابة بشر النجار، وتحرير عمر فارس، ومونتاج محمود أبو ندى، وتدقيق تالا مراغه، وتقديم سلام قطناني. في بودكاست «معلوم» تُبسّط سلام قطناني العلوم للإجابة على أسئلة هامّة عن أنفسنا والعالم والكون. بودكاست «معلوم» من إنتاج «صوت». صوت على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي: تويتر: twitter.com/sowt إنستجرام: instagram.com/sowtpodcasts فيسبوك: facebook.com/SowtPodcasts للانضمام إلى عضويّة صوت بلس sowt.com/plus المصادر: - DEATH WHISTLE. 2013 January;Youtube. - Wyer SC. Crafting the Ancient: Instruments and Pre-Columbian Music for a Modern Audience. 2014. - Kramarz A. Sounds of War: What Brought the Walls of Jericho Down? Greek and Roman Musical Studies 2019;7(2):250-269. - Lienhard J. The Engines of Our Ingenuity: STURZKAMPFFLUGZEUG. . Accessed August, 2021. - English L. The sound of fear: From long range protester-deterring acoustic devices to military drones. 2016; . Accessed August, 2021. - The Washington Post. As Sonic Boom Sounds, Nicaraguan Blasts Flights. 1984 Nov 11. - Leach J. Psychological factors in exceptional, extreme and torturous environments. Extreme physiology & medicine 2016;5:7. - Brauer J. How can music be torturous? Music in Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Music & Politics 2016;10(1). - Papaeti A. Music, torture, testimony: Reopening the case of the Greek Junta (1967–1974). the world of music 2013:67-89. - Chornik K. Memories of Music in Political Detention in Chile Under Pinochet. null 2018;27(2):157-173. - Cusick SG. You are in a place that is out of the world...”: Music in the Detention Camps of the “Global War on Terror. Journal of the Society for American Music 2008;2(1):1-26. - Allen S. Leave no marks: Enhanced interrogation techniques and the risk of criminality. : Physicians for Human Rights; 2007. - The Guardian. Welcome to 'the disco'. . Accessed August, 2021. - Reynolds P. Internment report led to fury . BBC 2005 Jan. Support the show: https://www.sowt.com/plus

On this episode of AvTalk, the US is once again open to for travel. We sit down with Max Tremaine from Sherpa to learn about the restrictions still in place and what trends his company is seeing as more of the world reopens to travelers. Plus, Boeing and families of Ethiopian 302 crash victims reach … The post AvTalk Episode 137: The grand reopening appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Tori Amos plays live and tells presenter Tom Sutcliffe about going from rock bottom to renewal in her lockdown album conceived on the Cornish coast, Ocean to Ocean. The Courtauld Gallery in London, renowned in particular for its collection of Impressionist art, reopens after a major 3-year refurbishment. Reviewers Waldemar Januszczak and Subhadra Das join Tom to assess the refreshed setting. They'll also be watching new series Dopesick, starring Michael Keaton and Rosario Dawson and directed by Barry Levinson, a drama about the impact of OxyContin on a small mining town in the Eastern US. And Heidi Stephens who liveblogs Strictly Come Dancing for The Guardian joins Front Row to talk about the joy of sharing with an online community and how to get it right – fast. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Sarah Johnson Photo: Tori Amos Photo credit: Desmond Murray

The boys address the big story of the day: Thailand's long-delayed reopening to tourists, at least from certain low-risk countries. Ed begins by recounting the current (at the time of the show) rules for tourists: COVID medical insurance, a negative test within 72 hours of departure, and a negative test after touching down which MAY require a night in a government-approved hotel. Note that the info in this show was accurate at the time of recording, but things change fast - check here for more details. The guys discuss the accuracy of the ‘no quarantine' promotional material before getting into their predictions on the likely success or failure of the endeavor. Both guys agree that it was high time to start selling alcohol again. Ed laments that sales stop at 9 pm and nightlife is not completely open, but baby steps are better than no steps. Certainly, Thai tourism will recover, but will it take 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? Greg and Ed gaze into the Bangkok Podcast crystal ball and make their best estimates. Each guy then makes their own pitch while the near future is probably the best time to visit Thailand, but it all boils down to this: there's no doubt that Thailand is a beautiful country. What makes it sometimes hard to traverse is the buttload of other tourists! So being able to come when you know numbers will be down and the country has been thoroughly cleaned up is the best of both worlds. There just might be some hoops to deal with on your way over... Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

What's Trending: Sawant challenges hiring bonuses offered to new SPD officers, a local college student was one of the eight people dead following the stampede at AstroWorld, and the sports media continues to rag on Aaron Rodgers for lying.  Big Local: Washington welcomes Canadians back across the border, and voters in Mukilteo push back against high density housing.  Orting has a great housing program for the homeless. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Positive news for Pfizer's Covid pill helping stocks climb to new records on Friday, but the real strength was in the reopening trade, with airlines, casinos, and cruise lines all rallying big time. How the traders are playing all these moves. Plus DraftKings ending the day down more than 2% after its earnings report. But one trader says it's too early to fold your hand on the stock.

An unexpected potential treatment for PTSD: psychedelic drugs — will the FDA approve it for widespread medical use? Savannah Guthrie reports. Plus, TODAY Show contributor and co-founder of “Toy Portfolio,” Stephanie Oppenheim, is revealing this holiday season's most popular toys. Also ahead, Savannah and Carson Daly are catching up with Jeff Daniels as “To Kill A Mockingbird” reopens on Broadway.

Non-farm payrolls smash expectations and the reopening stocks playbook is alive and kicking. However, what gives with the 10-year yields and small caps (IWM) decoupling? Also, Jermal highlights option flow in FSLR, BBBY, KHC and QCOM.

Non-farm payrolls smash expectations and the reopening stocks playbook is alive and kicking. However, what gives with the 10-year yields and small caps (IWM) decoupling? Also, Jermal highlights option flow in FSLR, BBBY, KHC and QCOM.

Today's trading seems to be all about the end of the pandemic, with Dr. Scott Gottlieb predicting the it could be over here in the U.S. by January. Reopening stocks are flying high, as pandemic trades get crushed. Is this the first day of the next chapter for markets? We'll debate. Plus, Cinemark is forecasting a bounce back for the box office, but will movie-going ever return to pre-pandemic levels? We'll ask the CEO. And, soaring energy prices have shares of U.S. natural gas giant EQT soaring 60% this year. But will new rules rain on its parade? We'll ask CEO Toby Rice.

Vaccines Rollout for Young San Diegans, Major Upgrade Coming to San Diego International Airport, CBP is Gearing Up for Monday's Reopening, San Diego State Lines Up New Food Options for Next SeasonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Auckland hairdressers are desperate for some reassurance on when they can re-open and clarity on what the new traffic light system will mean for salons. Eleven weeks out of action is taking its toll ..with one salon losing nearly a quarter of a million dollars of business so far. Reporter Louise Ternouth and camera operator Marika Khabazi went to see how salons are faring.  

Cambodia finally announces reopening plans set for the end of November. Thailand reopened this week to fully vaccinated tourists from select countries and Vietnam has more regions getting ready to open possibly in November along with Phu Quoc Island. Clearly there is urgency to get things rolling again with airlines on the verge of bankruptcy and hotels and resorts exhausting their financial resources. Indonesia's key carrier is on the brink of bankruptcy and if the tourism industry doesn't start opening up in Asia more will follow. I will cover off the latest news and reopening plans as well as visit one of my favorite sites in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, Patan's Durbar Square(2018).Support the podcast!Donations: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JohnASaboePatreon:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsWrite A Review:https://tools.applemediaservices.com/podcast/1079513943?country=us

After several months, Victoria's Covid-19 cases finally appear to be falling, dipping below 1000 for the second day in a row, at 941 new infections.

While much of the country is celebrating the return of international travel, it's a different story in Western Australia, where Premier Mark McGowan has refused to set a date for reopening. The indefinite border closure is taking a mounting toll on especially migrant families, who have been separated for nearly two years. - Додека во повеќе делови од земјата се слави враќањето на меѓународните патувања, приказната е поинаква во Западна Австралија, каде што премиерот Марк Мекгован одби да одреди датум за повторно отворање. Личниот данок на затворањето на границите на неодредено време е се поголем, особено за мигрантските семејства, кои се разделени речиси две години.

Part 3 of a 3-part series from Hadar's 2021 Spring Lecture Series with R. Tali Adler. In this episode, Rav Tali dives into the overall picture of what returning and rebuilding will look like in the communal spaces in our lives. What might it look like to return to institutions that we left behind? To the shuls and workplaces and schools? Rav Tali explores the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonian exile and draws comparisons to our experience today. Listen for when she highlights the tru'ah, the shofar call, as a moment of crying and laughing mixed together.

Part 2 of a 3-part series from Hadar's 2021 Spring Lecture Series with R. Tali Adler. In this episode, Rav Tali delves into the experience of the messy emotions of reuniting with loved ones after the pandemic. Times of extended separation can change the nature of a relationship and Rav Tali offers tools to navigate the changes. Rav Tali makes space in this talk for some of the more difficult emotions.

In the spring of 2021, as many Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and more people began re-entering their social worlds, R. Tali Adler gave Hadar's Spring Lecture Series on the “Torah of Reopening.” In this episode, Rav Tali addresses the oh-so-complicated array of emotions that arise as we explore re-engaging with the world, dealing in particular with “fear before we open the door.” Rav Tali's wisdom will help you reflect and feel inspired and we hope you enjoy this episode.

While much of the country is celebrating the return of international travel, it's a different story in Western Australia, where Premier Mark McGowan has refused to set a date for reopening.

Join Dr. Peter to go way below the surface and find the hidden meanings of obsessions, compulsions and OCD.  Through poetry and quotes, he invites you into the painful, distressing, fearful and misunderstood world of those who suffer from OCD.  He defines obsessions and compulsions, discusses the different types of each, and evaluates two conventional treatments and one alternative treatment for OCD.  Most importantly, he discusses the deepest natural causes of OCD, which are almost always disregarded in conventional treatment, which focuses primarily on the symptoms.   Lead-in OCD is not a disease that bothers; it is a disease that tortures. - Author: J.J. Keeler   “It can look like still waters on the outside while a hurricane is swirling in your mind.” — Marcie Barber Phares  Poetry or word picture (prayer of the scrupulous)  Aditi Apr 2017  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  OCD.  That is what we are addressing today. Here is what OCD is like for Toni Neville -- she says:  “It's like being controlled by a puppeteer. Every time you try and just walk away he pulls you back. Are you sure the stove is off and everything is unplugged? Back up we go. Are you sure your hands are as clean as they can get? Back ya go. Are you sure the doors are securely locked? Back down we go. How many people have touched this object? Wash your hands again.”  Introduction We are together in this great adventure, this podcast, Interior Integration for Catholics, we are journeying together, and I am honored to be able to spend this time with you.   I am Dr. Peter Malinoski, clinical psychologist and passionate Catholic and together, we are taking on the tough topics that matter to you.   We bring the best of psychology and human formation and harmonize it with the perennial truths of the Catholic Faith.    Interior Integration for Catholics is part of our broader outreach, Souls and Hearts bringing the best of psychology grounded in a Catholic worldview to you and the rest of the world through our website soulsandhearts.com  Today, we are getting into obsessions and compulsions -- a really deep dive into what's really going on with these experiences.  I know many of you were expecting me to discuss scrupulosity today -- And you know what?  I was expecting I would be discussing scrupulosity well, but in order to have that discussion of scrupulosity  be well-founded, we really need to get into understanding obsessions and compulsions first.  I have to bring you up to speed on obessions and compulsions before we get into scrupulosity, and there is a lot to know The questions we will be covering about obsessions and compulsions. What are Obsession and Compulsions? Getting into definitions.   Also What are the different types of obsessions and compulsions, the different forms that obsessions and compulsions can take What is the experience of OCD like?  From those who have suffered it.   Who suffers from obsessions and compulsions -- how common are they?  Who is at risk?  Why do obsessions and compulsions start and why do they keep going?  How do we overcome obsessions and compulsions?  How do we resolve them?   What does the secular literature say are the best treatments"  -- Medication and a particular kind of therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention Alternatives   Can we find not just a descriptive diagnosis, but a proscriptive conceptualization that gives a direction for healing, resolving the obsessions and compulsions  Not just symptom management. Definitions  Obsessions  DSM-5: Obsessions are defined by (1) and (2): Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or impulses that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress.  The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).  Not pleasurable   Involuntary My compulsive thoughts aren't even thoughts, they're absolute certainties and obeying them isn't a choice. - Author: Paul Rudnick  To resist a compulsion with willpower alone is to hold back an avalanche by melting the snow with a candle. It just keeps coming and coming and coming. - Author: David Adam   Individual works to neutralize the obsession with another thought or a compulsion.   From the International OCD Foundation:  Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again and feel outside of the person's control. Individuals with OCD do not want to have these thoughts and find them disturbing. In most cases, people with OCD realize that these thoughts don't make any sense.  Obsessions are typically accompanied by intense and uncomfortable feelings such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a feeling that things have to be done in a way that is “just right.” In the context of OCD, obsessions are time consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values.  Common Obsessions  Sources What is OCD? Article by the International OCD Foundation on their website  WebMD article How Do I Know if I Have OCD? By Danny Bonvissuto February 19. 2020  Northpointrecovery.com blog What Types of OCD Are There? Get the Breakdown Here by the Northpoint Staff from May 3, 2019  Article entitled Common Types of OCD: Subtypes, Their Symptoms and the Best Treatment by Patrick Carey dated July 6, 2021 on treatmyocd.com   Contamination Body fluids --- blood, urine, saliva, feces -   I gave my baby niece a serious illness when I held her --  I'm sure I got a disease from using the public restroom.   Germs for communicable diseases -- may be afraid to shake hands, worried about catching gonorrhea  Environmental contaminants -- radiation, asbestos  Household chemicals -- cleaners, solvents  Dirt  If you put the wrong foods in your body, you are contaminated and dirty and your stomach swells. Then the voice says, Why did you do that? Don't you know better? Ugly and wicked, you are disgusting to me. - Author: Bethany Pierce   Losing Control Giving in to an impulse to harm yourself --  I could jump in front of this bus right now.   Fear of acting on an impulse to harm others -- what if I stabbed my child with this knife?  Fear of violent or horrific images in your mind  Fear of shouting out insults or obscenities --  Fear of stealing things   Harm Fear of being responsible for some terrible event (causing a fire at an office building)  Fear of harming others because of not being careful enough (leaving a stick in your yard that fell from a tree in a wind storm that may trip and hurt an neighbor child)   Relationships Doubts about romantic partner -- is she the right one for me?  Is there a better one I am supposed to find?  What if we are not meant to be together, but we wind up marrying each other?  Is my partner faithful?   Unwanted Sexual Thoughts Forbidden or perverse sexual thoughts or images  Sexual obsessions involving children  Obsessions about aggressive sexual behavior toward others   Obsessions related to perfectionism Concern about evenness or exactness   need for things to be in their place Arranging things in a particular way before leaving home   Concern with a need to know or remember  Inability to decide whether to keep or discard things  Fear of losing things  Fear of making a mistake -- may need excessive encouragement from others  Needing to make sure that your action is just right -- I need to start this email over, something is not wright with the wording.   Obsessions about your Sexual Orientation Obsessions about being embarrassed in a public situation Getting a non-communicable disease such as cancer Superstitious ideas such as unlucky numbers or certain colors Religious Obsessions (Scrupulosity) Concern with offending God  Concerns about blasphemy  Concerns about right and wrong, morality.   Compulsions  Definitions  DSM-5 Compulsions are defined by (1) and (2): Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.  The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive.  Most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions.   From the International OCD Foundation Compulsions are the second part of obsessive compulsive disorder. These are repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person uses with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making their obsessions go away. People with OCD realize this is only a temporary solution but without a better way to cope they rely on the compulsion as a temporary escape. Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions. Compulsions are time consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values.   Common Compulsions in OCD  Sources What is OCD? Article by the International OCD Foundation on their website  WebMD article How Do I Know if I Have OCD? By Danny Bonvissuto February 19. 2020  Northpointrecovery.com blog What Types of OCD Are There? Get the Breakdown Here by the Northpoit Staff from May 3, 2019  Article entitled Common Types of OCD: Subtypes, Their Symptoms and the Best Treatment by Patrick Carey dated July 6, 2021   Washing and Cleaning Washing hands excessively or in a certain way  Excessive showering, bathing, toothbrushing, grooming  Cleaning items or objects excessively   Checking Checking that you did not or will not harm anyone  Checking that you did not or will not harm yourself  Checking that nothing terrible happened  Checking that you did not make a mistake  Checking specific parts of your body   Repeating Re-reading or re-writing   Repeating routine activities Going in and out of doors  Getting up and down from chairs   Repeating body movements Tapping  Touching  Blinking   Repeating activities in multiples Doing things three times, because three is a good, right or safe number   Mental Compulsions Mental review of events to prevent harm (to oneself others, to prevent terrible consequences)  Praying to prevent harm (to oneself others, to prevent terrible consequences)  Counting while performing a task to end on a “good,” “right,” or “safe” number  Cancelling” or “Undoing” (example: replacing a “bad” word with a “good” word to cancel it out)    Putting things in order or arranging things until it “feels right” or are in perfect symmetry Telling asking or confessing to get reassurance Avoiding situations that might trigger your obsessions  Obsessions and Compulsions go together  The vicious cycle of OCD -- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at helpguide.org Obsessive thought  --  I could stab my nephew with this knife.  Anxiety -- that would be a terrible thing to happen, I can't let that happen  Compulsion -- Locking all the knives away, checking to make sure they are all accounted for when your sibling and her family are visiting  Temporary relief -- the knives are all there.  “A physical sensation crawls up my arm as I avoid compulsions. But if I complete it, the world resets itself for a moment like everything will be just fine. But only for a moment.” —  Mardy M. Berlinger Harm Obsession     Compulsion:  Keeping all knives hidden away somewhere What if I killed my nephew and I just can't remember?  Repeatedly going back to check if you ran someone over DSM-5 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:  The obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (e.g., take more than 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.  The obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition.  The disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder   Specify if: With good or fair insight: The individual recognizes that obsessive-compulsive disorder beliefs are definitely or probably not true or that they may or may not be true.  With poor insight:  The individual thinks obsessive-compulsive disorder beliefs are probably true.  With absent insight/delusional beliefs: The individual is completely convinced that obsessive-compulsive disorder beliefs are true. 4%  With Tic disorder up to 30%   What is the experience of OCD Poem By Forti.no   Quotes: “You lose time. You lose entire blocks of your day to obsessive thoughts or actions. I spend so much time finishing songs in my car before I can get out or redoing my entire shower routine because I lost count of how many times I scrubbed my left arm.” — Kelly Hill  “Ever seen ‘Inside Out'? With OCD, it's like Doubt has its own control console.” — Josey Eloy Franco  “Imagine all your worst thoughts as a soundtrack running through your mind 24/7, day after day.” — Adam Walker Cleveland  “Picture standing in a room filled with flies and pouring a bottle of syrup over yourself. The flies constantly swarm about you, buzzing around your head and in your face. You swat and swat, but they keep coming. The flies are like obsessional thoughts — you can't stop them, you just have to fend them off. The swatting is like compulsions — you can't resist the urge to do it, even though you know it won't really keep the flies at bay more than for a brief moment.” — Cheryl Little Sutton  “It's like you have two brains — a rational brain and an irrational brain. And they're constantly fighting.” — Emilie Ford   Who 12 month prevalence is 1.2% with international prevalence rates from 1.1 to 1.8%  NIH Women have a higher prevalence 1.8% than men 0.5%.  Males more affected in childhood.  Lifetime prevalence 2.3%   Risk Factors:  DSM-5  Temperamental Factors Greater internalizing symptoms  Higher negative emotionality  Behavioral inhibition   Environmental Factors Childhood physical abuse  Childhood sexual abuse  Other stressful or traumatic events   Genetic Monozygotic concordance rates --.57  Dizygotic concordance rates .22   Physiological  Dysfunction in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and striatum have been implicated.   Streptococcal infection can precede the development of OCD symptoms in children Therapy  Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) -- Developed originally in the 1970s Stanley Rachman's work a type of behavioral therapy  that exposes the person to situations that provoke their obsessions causing distress, usually anxiety which leads to  the urge to engage in the compulsion  that gives them the temporary relief.   The goal of ERP is to break the cycle of obsessions --> anxiety --> compulsion --> temporary relief.  So you are exposed to you anxiety provoking stimulus, and have the obsession, but you prevent the compulsive response, and you don't get the temporary relief.  Basic premise: As individuals confront their fears and no longer engage in their escape response, they will eventually reduce their anxiety. The goal is to habituate, or get used to the feelings of the obsessions, without having to engage in the compulsive behavior.  This increases the capacity to handle discomfort and anxiety.  Then one is no longer reinforced by the temporary anxiety relief that the compulsion provides.   Patrick Carey writes that: Any behavior that engages with the obsession– e.g. asking for reassurance, avoidance, rumination– reinforces it. By preventing these behaviors, ERP teaches people that they can tolerate their distress without turning to compulsions. It thereby drains obsessions of their power.  Division 12 of the APA   Essence of therapy: Individuals with OCD repeatedly confront the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make them anxious and/or start their obsessions in a systematic fashion, without performing compulsive behaviors that typically serve to reduce anxiety. Through this process, the individual learns that there is nothing to fear and the obsessions no longer cause distress. From the IOCDF :  With ERP, the difference is that when you make the choice to confront your anxiety and obsessions you must also make a commitment to not give in and engage in the compulsive behavior. When you don't do the compulsive behaviors, over time you will actually feel a drop in your anxiety level. This natural drop in anxiety that happens when you stay “exposed” and “prevent” the compulsive “response” is called habituation. Instead, a person is forced to confront their obsessive thoughts relentlessly. The goal is to make the sufferer so accustomed to their obsessions that they no longer feel tempted to engage in soothing compulsions. Types of Exposure -- GoodTherapy.org article Imaginal Exposure: In this type of exposure, a person in therapy is asked to mentally confront the fear or situation by picturing it in one's mind. For example, a person with agoraphobia, a fear of crowded places, might imagine standing in a crowded mall.  In Vivo Exposure: When using this type of exposure, a person is exposed to real-life objects and scenarios. For example, a person with a fear of flying might go to the airport and watch a plane take off.  Virtual Reality Exposure: This type of exposure combines elements of both imaginal and in vivo exposure so that a person is placed in situations that appear real but are actually fabricated. For example, someone who has a fear of heights—acrophobia—might participate in a virtual simulation of climbing down a fire escape.   Steven Pence, and colleagues in a 2010 article in the American Journal of Psychotherapy:  "When exposures go wrong: Troubleshooting guidelines for managing difficult scenarios that arise in Exposure-based treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The present article reviews five issues that occur in therapy but have been minimally discussed in the OCD treatment literature:  1) when clients fail to habituate to their anxiety -- they don't calm down2) when clients misjudge how much anxiety an exposure will actually cause3) when incidental exposures happen in session -- other fears in the fear hierarchy intrude.  4) when mental or covert rituals interfere with treatment -- covert compulsive behaviors5) when clients demonstrate exceptionally high anxiety sensitivity.  Stacey Smith Counseling at stacysmithcounseling.com -- ERP failures Utilizing safety behaviors  Not sitting with the anxiety until it dissipates -- distracting yourself  Not working through all the irrational, unhelpful thoughts  Not practicing often enough.   ERP criticisms  Can be really unpleasant for clients -- repeated exposures to terrifying stimuli -- can there be a better way? Concerns about safety and security   Concerns about flooding with anxiety  Ben Blum: Inside the Revolutionary Treatment That Could Change Psychotherapy Forever  elemental.medium.com July 21, 2020 Robert Fox is haunted by a memory of a germophobic woman with OCD whom he met once while she was hospitalized. As part of her ERP therapy, the therapists took her into the bathroom and had her wipe her hands over the toilet and sink and then rub them through her hair. She wasn't permitted to shower until the next morning.   Concerns about dropout rates.   Dropout rate of 18.7% across 21 ERP studies with 1400 participants Clarissa Ong and colleagues in 2016 article in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders Dropout rate of 10% among youth for ERP in a 2019 meta-analysis by Carly Johnco and her colleagues in the Journal "Depression and Anxiety" 11 randomized trials I'm concerned that it doesn't go deep enough  Not getting to root causes -- staying at the symptom level -- seeing symptoms as nonsensical One thing which I can't stress enough is that OCD is completely nonsensical and will not listen to reason. This is one of the most frightening things about having it. I knew that to anyone I told, there are Salvador Dali paintings that make more sense. - Author: Joe Wells   What is the fear really about.  Let's not just ignore it.  Fear is a response to something. Tracing back layers, going back through grief and anger, all the way to shame.  Shame episodes 37-49.   Doesn't get to any spiritual issues Medication  International OCD Foundation Drugs and dosages High doses are often needed for these drugs to work in most people.   Research suggests that the following doses may be needed:  fluvoxamine (Luvox®) – up to 300 mg/day  fluoxetine (Prozac®) – 40-80 mg/day  sertraline (Zoloft®) – up to 200 mg/day   paroxetine (Paxil®) – 40-60 mg/day   citalopram (Celexa®) – up to 40 mg/day*   clomipramine (Anafranil®) – up to 250 mg/day  escitalopram (Lexapro®) – up to 40 mg/day   venlafaxine (Effexor®) – up to 375 mg/day   How Do These Medications Work?  From the International OCD Foundation.  It remains unclear as to how these particular drugs help OCD. The good news is that after decades of research, we know how to treat patients, even though we do not know exactly why our treatments work. We do know that each of these medications affect a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin is used by the brain as a messenger. If your brain does not have enough serotonin, then the nerves in your brain might not be communicating right. Adding these medications to your body can help boost your serotonin and get your brain back on track.   Discussion of conventional approaches  Medication  I am not a physician -- I'm a psychologist and I don't have prescription privileges I don't give advice on medication choices or on dosages or anything like that.  If you think your medication is helping your OCD, I'm not going to argue with you about that --  I don't want to try to dissuade anyone from taking medication for psychological issues if they think it's helping them.   Here's the thing, though.  So much of your thinking about medication depends on what you see as the cause of the problem It makes sense to take medication if you think the obsessions and compulsions pop up because of chemical imbalances.   You take the medication to restore the chemical balance and reduce the symptoms.  So many of treatments for OCD treat the obsessions and compulsions as meaningless, as irrational, as just the random epiphenomena of consciousness, or just as nonsensical expressions of miswiring in the brain or just the effects of poorly balanced neurochemical in the brain.     And so these approaches, like ERP that and medication that target the obsessions and compulsions for eradication, that seek to vanquish them result in multiple problems  I think that is a major, major mistake.   And here is what I want to emphasize.  Obsessions and Compulsions are symptoms.  They are symptoms.  Obsessions and compulsions, as painful and as debilitating as they are for many people, those obsessions and compulsions are not the primary problem.  They are the effects of the primary problem.  Obsessions and compulsions happen late in the causal chain.  I see meaning in every obsession and in every compulsion.  I see a message in every obsession and compulsion.  A cry for help, a signal of deeper distress.   There are cases in which a psychological problem can be purely or primarily organic -- due to a medical condition -- for example due to head trauma that causes brain damage.  Or a brain tumor on the pituitary gland that disrupts your whole endocrine system, resulting in mood swings. But, Most of the time, though, psychological symptoms have psychological causes.   As a Catholic psychologist, I want to move much further back in the causal chain.  I want to address and resolve the underlying issues that give rise to the obsessions in the first place.   Self Help  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at helpguide.org  Identify your triggers Can help you anticipate your urges  Create a solid mental picture and then make a mental note. Tell yourself, “The window is now closed,” or “I can see that the oven is turned off.”  When the urge to check arises later, you will find it easier to re-label it as “just an obsessive thought.”   Learn to resist OCD compulsions by repeatedly exposing yourself to your OCD triggers, you can learn to resist the urge to complete your compulsive rituals --  exposure and response prevention (ERP)  Build your fear ladder -- working your way up to more and more frightening things.   Resist the urge to do your compulsive behavior The anxiety will fade You're not going to lose control or have a breakdown Practice Challenge Obsessive thoughts Thoughts are just thoughts   Write down obsessive thoughts and compulsions Writing it all down will help you see just how repetitive your obsessions are.  Writing down the same phrase or urge hundreds of times will help it lose its power.  Writing thoughts down is much harder work than simply thinking them, so your obsessive thoughts are likely to disappear sooner.   Challenge your obsessive thoughts. Use your worry period to challenge negative or intrusive thoughts by asking yourself What's the evidence that the thought is true? That it's not true? Have I confused a thought with a fact?   Is there a more positive, realistic way of looking at the situation?  What's the probability that what I'm scared of will actually happen? If the probability is low, what are some more likely outcomes?   Is the thought helpful? How will obsessing about it help me and how will it hurt me?   What would I say to a friend who had this thought?   Create an OCD worry period. Rather than trying to suppress obsessions or compulsions, develop the habit of rescheduling them. Choose one or two 10-minute “worry periods” each day, time you can devote to obsessing.  During your worry period, focus only on negative thoughts or urges. Don't try to correct them. At the end of the worry period, take a few calming breaths, let the obsessive thoughts go, and return to your normal activities. The rest of the day, however, is to be designated free of obsessions.  When thoughts come into your head during the day, write them down and “postpone” them to your worry period.   Create a tape of your OCD obsessions or intrusive thoughts. Focus on one specific thought or obsession and record it to a tape recorder or smartphone.  Recount the obsessive phrase, sentence, or story exactly as it comes into your mind.  Play the tape back to yourself, over and over for a 45-minute period each day, until listening to the obsession no longer causes you to feel highly distressed.   By continuously confronting your worry or obsession you will gradually become less anxious. You can then repeat the exercise for a different obsession.   Reach our for support Stay connected to family and friends.  Join an OCD support group.  Manage Stress Quickly self-soothe and relieve anxiety symptoms by making use of one or more of your physical senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste—or movement. You might try listening to a favorite piece of music, looking at a treasured photo, savoring a cup of tea, or stroking a pet.   Practice relaxation techniques. Mindful meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can help lower your overall stress and tension levels and help you manage your urges. For best results, try practicing a relaxation technique regularly. Lifestyle changes Exercise regularly  Get enough sleep  Avoid alcohol and nicotine   Not sure this is going to work.  Doesn't get to root causes.   IFS as an alternative From Verywellmind.com  What is Internal Family Systems?  By Theodora Blanchfield, August 22, 2021    What Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy? Internal family systems, or IFS, is a type of therapy that believes we are all made up of several parts or sub-personalities. It draws from structural, strategic, narrative, and Bowenian types of family therapy. The founder, Dr. Richard Schwartz, thought of the mind as an inner family and began applying techniques to individuals that he usually used with families.  The underlying concept of this theory is that we all have several parts living within us that fulfill both healthy and unhealthy roles. Life events or trauma, however, can force us out of those healthy roles into extreme roles. The good news is that these internal roles are not static and can change with time and work. The goal of IFS therapy is to achieve balance within the internal system and to differentiate and elevate the self so it can be an effective leader in the system.   Parts:  Separate, independently operating personalities within us, each with own unique prominent needs, roles in our lives, emotions, body sensations, guiding beliefs and assumptions, typical thoughts, intentions, desires, attitudes, impulses, interpersonal style, and world view.  Each part also has an image of God and also its own approach to sexuality.  Robert Falconer calls them insiders.  Robert Fox and Alessio Rizzo  have done the most work with IFS to work with obsessions and compulsions.    Sources IFS and Hope with OCD with Alessio Rizzo and Robert Fox -- Episode 102 of Tammy Sollenberger's podcast The One Inside -- September 17, 2021  Podcast IFS Talks:  Hosts Aníbal Henriques & Tisha Shull  A Talk with Robert Fox on OCD-types -- Robert Fox   February 20, 2021   Robert Fox, IFS therapist with OCD  Ben Blum: Inside the Revolutionary Treatment That Could Change Psychotherapy Forever  elemental.medium.com July 21, 2020 https://elemental.medium.com/inside-the-revolutionary-treatment-that-could-change-psychotherapy-forever-8be035d54770   Robert Fox, a therapist in Woburn, Massachusetts, also wishes more people knew about IFS. Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at age 21 after a lifetime of unusual compulsions, he spent 23 years receiving the standard care: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention (ERP). Neither had much effect, especially ERP, which involved repeatedly exposing himself to things he was anxious about in the hopes of gradually habituating to them. “When you think about it, it's a very painful method of therapy,” he says. Fox discovered IFS in 2008. Before, he had always been encouraged to think of his compulsions as meaningless pathologies. Now, for the first time, they began making sense to him as the behavior of protectors who were trying to manage the underlying shame and fear of exiles. After two particularly powerful unburdenings, his symptoms abated by 95% and stayed that way. “[OCD] used to be almost like kryptonite around my neck when I would have serious flare-ups,” he says. “I feel a lot of freedom and peace and I really owe it to Dick [Schwartz] and the model.” Concerns about ERP  ERP doesn't bring the curiosity -- why did this happen?   Obsessions are not irrational and Compulsions are not meaningless Alessio Rizzo Conventional OCD diagnosis and treatment ERP and medication -- nothing points back to underlying causes. Alessio Rizzo:  Evidence-based approaches for OCD that work -- they work by drawing a manager part into a role of suppressing OCD symptoms  Needing to continue ERP.   Causes:  Fox Repressed anger. -- not a parent who could witness   Intense shame that is dissociated Shame from childhood -- exiled  Shame from the OCD itself.  -- sarcasm from others, especially from his older brother.   “OCD is like having a bully stuck inside your head and nobody else can see it.” — Krissy McDermott   We hide what we are ashamed of -- not easy to treat.   Fox on his treatment:  Right. I didn't see it myself until one day I was out for a walk with my dog Gizmo around my block, walking around the block with him and I had been to all these lectures about shame and I was walking one day and all of a sudden it was like, it just came to me “Holy, Holy, Holy shit. I carry that shame.” And it was like a dark cloud that was overhead and just kind of followed me wherever I went. And it was actually not an awful thing to realize. That's what had been basically walking around on my back for so long. It was this deep shame. In agreement with how central I think shame is to OCD Obsessions and compulsions develop gradually and experiment with different ways of drawing attention away from the intensity of underlying experience.  All happens in silence in the inner world.   An obsession or compulsion distracts us from the pain of an exile.  If I'm worrying about the gas in the lawnmower overflowing and blowing up the house -- takes me away from the shame of feeling inadequate at work.   Needs to be powerful enough to hijack my mind So many layers of protectors  -- takes time Alessio Rizzo Post dated March 3, 2021 entitled "IFS and OCD -- A Comparison Between CBT and IFS for OCD.  https://www.therapywithalessio.com/articles/ifs-and-ocd-how-does-the-ifs-method-work-for-ocd In IFS, we use the language of parts to describe how we function. As a consequence, the OCD is considered a part of the person. This means that, even if the OCD seems quite a strong presence in the client's life, there is much more to a person than OCD.  At this stage CBT and IFS might look similar because CBT also encourages clients to label the anxieties and the intrusive thoughts that form the OCD and not engage with them.  The main difference between CBT and IFS is in how we relate to the OCD part.  One of the foundational elements of IFS is that all parts are welcome, and, therefore, the OCD part is not dismissed or ignored, but it is respected. Respect does not mean that the client will believe the content of intrusive thoughts or that they will follow up on whatever behaviour the OCD wants. IFS gives us a way to make sure that there is enough safety and calm before offering respect to the OCD part. This might take a different amount of attempts depending on the severity of the OCD, and on the strength of the relationship between therapist and client.  Healing OCD with IFS  The main difference between CBT and IFS is in the definition of “cure” of OCD.  CBT therapy has the ultimate goal of empowering the client to overcome OCD thoughts and anxieties by never engaging with them or by using exposure therapy to demonstrate that the OCD fears and obsessions have got no evidence to exist.  IFS believes that healing is the result of the re-organisation of parts so that extreme behaviour is substituted by more functional ways of thinking and acting, and, above all, IFS aims at healing the traumatic events that have led to the development of OCD symptoms.    The result of healing the trauma that fuels OCD is a spontaneous decrease of OCD anxieties and intrusive thoughts and, in my opinion, this form of healing is preferable to the one described by CBT. Using IFS language, the CBT approach aims at creating a new part in the system that is tasked with managing the OCD, while there is no attention paid to discovery and healing of the trauma that is fueling the OCD.Choosing the method that best suits you There is no way of saying what method works best for a person.  Therapy outcomes depend on many factors and not only on the method used. Sometimes the quality of the therapeutic relationship is the biggest healing factor, and it is ultimately up to the client to find the best combination of therapist and method that can best suit them. Colleen West, LMFT LMFT  December 20 post on her website colleenwest.com  Treating OCD with Internal Family Systems Parts Work Just a word about treating OCD with IFS versus Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Treating obsessive and compulsive parts with IFS is diametrically opposed to treating it in the Exposure and Response Prevention, the most commonly recommended approach. IFS treats OCD parts as what they are--managers and fire fighters, they have jobs to do. If you can help the exiles underneath these protectors, there will be less need for the OCD behaviors. (This might be complicated if there are still constant stressors in the client's life, for which they need the protection.)   IFS does work, and I have successfully treated people with full blown OCD who now have about 5% of their original symptoms only during moments of high stress, and they do not consider themselves OCD anymore. These clients have been helped by taking SSRIs as well, which I will say more about below.ERP works to suppress those same protectors that IFS seeks to understand/care for. It does "work", as people get a strategy for the thoughts that are driving them nuts, but the folks I know who have gone through this treatment find they have to do their 'homework' forever or the OCD comes back, and they always feel it threatening. In short, it is stressful, and the fight is never over.For anyone doing ERP, they have to commit fully to that approach, the homework is hours a day, and one cannot be halfhearted about it or it won't work. The good thing about ERP is that it gives people some control, which they strongly desire, because they feel so powerless. Next episode Episode 87, will come out on December 6, 2022 Scrupulosity --  I have such a different take -- Scrupulosity is what happens with perfectionism and OCD get religion.   Spiritual and Psychological elements.   In the last episode we really got into understanding perfectionism.  In this episode, we worked on really getting to know about obsessions and compulsions.  Next episode, we get much more into scrupulosity.  My own battle with scrupulosity.   Remember, you as a listener can call me on my cell any Tuesday or Thursday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.  I've set that time aside for you.  317.567.9594.  (repeat) or email me at crisis@soulsandhearts.com.  Resilient Catholics Community.  Talked a lot about it in episode 84, two episodes ago.  We now have 106 on the waiting list.  Reopening the community on December 1 for those on the waiting list first.  Can learn a lot more about the RCC and you can sign up at soulsandhearts.com/rcc.  We have had heavy demand.  We may have to limit how many we bring in.  I am working to clear time in my calendar to review the Initial Measures Kits and help new members through the onboarding process -- all the individual attention takes time.  I'm also hiring more staff to help.   Pray for me.  Humility.  Childlike trust   Invocations        

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Front Row visits Truro to report on the re-opening of the Hall for Cornwall after a 3 year, £26million refurbishment. The new 1300 auditorium complements the granite of the old building, and the Cornish landscape. And the opening show – the world premiere of the Fisherman's Friends musical, of course. We hear from Matt Hemley, News Editor for The Stage, about the ongoing affect of Covid on theatre audiences. Paul McCartney tell us how he wrote Eleanor Rigby. And Nadifa Mohamed joins a group of Front Row listeners for our latest Booker Prize Book Group, discussing her novel The Fortune Men, about a racist miscarriage of justice in Cardiff's Tiger Bay in the 1950s. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Julian May

Content Bite: The joy of falling and staying in love. It's Wednesday. Follow this pattern for Wednesday. ----Thank you for taking the time to listen to God's word. ---- ***Please share this opportunity with your friends and family.***

Tomás Ryan talks to Eamon. Tomás is Associate Professor at the School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, an associate of the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and a founding member of ISAG. The Stand is proudly sponsored by Tesco. Recorded on 26/10/21

Larry Quiggins talks about re-opening his beloved comic shop Bug's Comics (https://bugscomicsandgames.com/). Larry also shares what made him fall in love with comics in the first place and plans for the grand opening October 29th-31st at 1664 Bryan Rd O'Fallon, MO 63368 0:00 SEGMENT 1: Larry Quiggins talks about opening the first Bug's Comics location back in 1990, teaching theatre, selling and collecting toys, opening his latest Bug's Comics location, getting into comics as a kid, partnering with his original employee Tim Spakowski, his favorite Batman stories, and plans for the grand opening during Halloween weekend. 15:43 SEGMENT 2: Larry Quiggins talks about how the pandemic has affected prices for comics and toys and how comic book movies and shows affect prices. 30:38 SEGMENT 3: Larry Quiggins talks about his 50,000+ comic collection, how he sources inventory, and dealing with distributors. 44:02 SEGMENT 4: Larry Quiggins talks about how The Avengers Club discount works for frequent buyers and his favorite current comics to read. Thanks to our sponsors Marcus Theatres (https://www.marcustheatres.com/) and Historic St. Charles, Missouri (https://www.discoverstcharles.com/) Amazon Affiliate Link - http://bit.ly/geektome Buy Me a Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/3Y0D2iaZl Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GeekToMeRadio Website - http://geektomeradio.com/ Podcast - https://anchor.fm/jamesenstall Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GeekToMeRadio/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/geektomeradio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/geektomeradio/ Producer - Joseph Vosevich https://twitter.com/Joey_Vee --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jamesenstall/support

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. US correspondent Jacob Magid and environmental reporter Sue Surkes are on today's podcast, hosted by Jessica Steinberg. Magid discusses the reopening of the US consulate in Jerusalem,  considered the defacto mission to the Palestinians closed by Trump. While Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in May that the US would be reopening its consulate in Jerusalem, little progress has been made, a situation examined by Magid in a recent analysis piece. Magid looks at why Israel didn't sign a joint statement at the United Nations last week expressing concern over Beijing's treatment of its Muslim Uighurs. He also examines a statement by a senior Sudanese diplomat, saying that the military's takeover of that country is not expected to dramatically affect the normalization process with the Jewish state. Surkes talks about Israel's 120-strong delegation to Glasgow climate talks, which she will be joining. She also discusses the highlights of her recent feature about why Israel is taking so long to move ahead with solar power, and the decision by the UAE to distance itself from a controversial plan to channel oil from the Gulf to Europe via an overland pipeline through Israel. Discussed articles include: Dragging out consulate reopening, Biden does Israel a favor, but not himself In effort to placate China, Israel refrains from signing UN statement on Uighurs Sudanese diplomat to Israeli TV: Coup won't dramatically impact normalization Israel sending 120-strong delegation to Glasgow climate talks UAE says nixing pipeline agreement won't damage ties with Israel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: View of the U.S. Consulate General on Agron Street in Central Jerusalem, Israel, March 4, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Bite: Why look far when we can see the end through Jesus? It's Tuesday. Follow this pattern for Tuesday. ----Thank you for taking the time to listen to God's word. ---- ***Please share this opportunity with your friends and family.***

Content Bite: Amid our confusion, God brings us peace. It's Monday. Follow this pattern for Monday. ----Thank you for taking the time to listen to God's word. ---- ***Please share this opportunity with your friends and family.***

As more and more of the country is vaccinated, state and territory governments are starting to outline which restrictions we will lose when we reach very high levels of coverage. Over the weekend, Victoria revealed that when it reaches 90 per cent double dose in a month there will be no density caps, and masks will only be mandatory at certain high-risk settings. But how do we know when is the right time to lift restrictions and what can we learn from countries that have been this way before? Also on today's show: * Surgical masks give me "mascne" so I was going to invest in some 100 per cent silk reusable masks that are less likely to cause breakouts. They have a cotton interior but do you think they'd be effective enough against Delta? * When a zero-COVID state opens up with hopefully high vaccination rates, will it be more vulnerable because there is no natural immunity in the community from infections?