The Broken Brain

Once more unto the MCU breach with Sharon Blady! Dr Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is a wild ride into many psychological elements. Grief, trauma, anger, compulsivity, and decidedly unhealthy coping mechanisms. We also discuss the elements of support (or lack thereof) and Dr Strange's lousy bedside manner.  Stay tuned to the feed for our discussion about Dissociative Identity Disorder & symptom integration in the Marvel series Moon Knight.  Watch the video of this discussion by becoming a Broken Brain patron at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain 

Tehya Nakamura (TK) is the host and creator of the For the Love of History podcast. She returns to The Broken Brain to help break down the information about Abraham Lincoln's experiences with depression, or Melancholy as it was called at the time. It is an interesting look at one of the United States' favorite Presidents, old-timey attitudes about mental health, gender issues in treatment, and little blue pills that were super poisonous.   Go to www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to sign up for bonus materials, including the video of this interview and a special mini episode about "The Suicide's Soliloquy," an anonymous poem about suicidality that may have been written by Lincoln himself.  

Tehya Nakamura (TK) is the host of For The Love of History, a wonderful podcast that shares obscure and exciting historical stories. She joins me to discuss the awkward and weird history of mental health diagnosis.  This is a rerun of a previous Broken Brain, leading the way for TK's appearance on a new episode next week, when we will talk about Abraham Lincoln's history with Depression. 

Psychiatrist and Author Jess Wright appeared on the podcast a few months ago to discuss his work in computer-assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He returns to the show to discuss his new book, "A Stream to Follow," a historical-fiction novel focused on PTSD in the time of WWII. The protagonist of the story is a small town doctor who served as a WWII battlefield medic. Jess discusses his own experience as a Military Psychiatrist, his Father and Uncle's service in WWII, and much more. "A Stream to Follow" is the FIRST book to be featured in the Broken Brain Book club. About a month from now (the release of this episode) we will hold a virtual book club meeting for any listener who is interested in joining. Jess has agreed to join us in that meeting to answer questions and discuss his work. You can find "A Stream To Follow" on Amazon, at your local indie book store, or anywhere you get books. The best place of course is booksandcranniesva.com, where you can order from former guest DeShanta Hairston through h

This episode is a selection of another podcast that is produced by the same people bringing you the Broken Brain. Dwight cohosts and produces a podcast with Clare Waismann and David Livingston of the Waismann Method Rapid Detox and Opiate Treatment Specialists in California. They are discussing healthy ways to cope and avoid substance use triggers during times of high crises like many are facing currently.  Check out Clare and David's podcast: A Podcast to Answer Your Questions on Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health by Waismann Method® Opioid Treatment Specialists and Rapid Detox Center

Dr. Carmine Pariante is a Psychiatrist who studies Treatment Resistant Depression. He is working towards a more specific definition of what constitutes a resistance to treatment interventions, and how to use that information in increasing efficacy in treatment.  Sofia Quaglia is a medical journalist who wrote a piece on Dr. Pariante's work, and joins today to help describe this work, and discuss her goals of highlighting the need for definition in diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.  You can view the video of this interview by becoming a Patron of the show at www.patreon.com/breakabrain. 

Tammie Chang MD is a pediatric oncologist, author, coach, and super swell human being! The USA is facing the highest rate of medical professional burnout ever recorded. We discuss why this may be, what can be done about it, and how to find hope amid the problems.  Dr Chang is an expert and consultant on workplace burnout for physicians and one of the founders of Pink Coat MD, an online space for women physicians. Learn more about her work at tammiechangmd.com  Watch video of all the Broken Brain interviews (and hear bonus episodes as well) by becoming a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain. Also, subscribe to the Dr Erica Harris FaceBook page to see Dr Chang's live Q&A appearance for the Rise Today Inspirational Podcast on April 19.

Music Thanatology is the clinical use of music to aid people who are dying. Tony Pederson, Certified Music Thanatologist and former President of the Music-Thanatology Association International joins me today to share how the use of harp and vocal music in hospital environments helps to humanize the end of life process, sharing some of his musical talent with us in the episode.   Tony is also a faculty member at the Accorda Music Thanatology Institute, you can learn more about Thanatology education at accordaschool.org. Help support the show and get bonus material, including video of this and other episode recordings, at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain. 

Freind of the show and returning guest Sam Led is here to inspire me and you to be ourselves and let that be our guide towards relaxing we are not broken and have all we need to live our life.  An intuitive Life and Inspirational Coach, Sam is also the host & creator of the Fear Less Now podcast. Learn more about his work and his upcoming book at SamLedConsulting.com.

With the recent Anti-Transgender actions taken by the Texas State Government, among other states in the USA, I am excited to welcome Evan Urquhart to the show. A Journalist who writes about issues facing Transgendered youth, Evan is here to share his story and insights for parents, youth, and others. Please listen, share, and get involved in equal rights and protection for the Transgendered individuals in your community.  Follow Evan @e_urq on Twitter to read his work. 

Today's episode covers avoiding burnout, creativity and creative writing, emotional and legal issues related to immigration, and how doing for others helps us to develop ourselves more effectively than trying to improve for ourselves.  Ivan Infante is an Immigration Lawyer who specializes in helping people to obtain legal permission to remain in the USA and remain together as families and pursue their goals. He is also the author of the Mike Chance Novels, historical crime fiction set in 1930s Los Angelas. In this episode he explains how he uses his creative talents to help in his legal work, and also funds his private practice with his novels.  Follow Ivan on Twitter @EddieMarsAttack to follow his legal work, buy his novels, and see dope pictures of LA in the 1930s.

Dr Jesse Wright is a college professor, researcher, therapist, and psychopharmacologist. He has been a pioneer in the field of technological innovation in the field of mental health treatment, especially with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He joins the show to discuss the history of computer assisted therapy (going back to the 1960s) and how research has been used to refine and design technological tools to support psychological healing.

Josh Wood is the Business Manager for the nonprofit Improving Lives, and The Broken Brain's official correspondent for Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG3 4QA. In this episode we discuss some of the psychological & emotional effects of the COVID pandemic, including recent relaxation of mandatory health regulations in the UK and US, and the reactions people are having too difficult economic times. Above all we are looking for hope and creativity in finding solutions. See the full video of our chat (along with bonus episodes) by becoming a Patron of The Broken Brain at www.Patreon.com/brokenbrain. 

In the 1970s a couple of psychologists (Dr Pauline Rose Clance & Dr Suzanne Imes) coined the term Imposter Syndrome. Then in 2021 Marvel Studios created the TV series Hawkeye.  Many things actually happened between those 2 events. Imposter Syndrome, which is the persistent belief that you are less competent than others perceive you to be. This persistent belief is based on emotions rather than observable evidence. Sharon Blady joins the Podcast to discuss Imposter Syndrome in Hawkeye, and how each character in the show can be used to represent an element of this challenging problem. Become a Patron of the show! www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to become a Brainiac donor and receive bonus materials, including video of this (and other videos). If you aren't able to do a recurring donation at this time, please consider making a one-time donation at buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain.  

Abi Perez returns to the podcast to discuss the cultural and psychological lessons learned form the Disney film Encanto, which Dwight cannot watch or without crying. We discuss how each character addresses an element of PTSD, how relationships can be complicated by fear and misunderstanding, and how actions we take with others can become twisted even when love is the underlying drive.  Listen to Abi's podcast, Friends of Friends AmigosDAmigos   on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Sharon Blady, MCU expert, former Health Minister, and Superhero of the Broken Brain, joins me yet again. This time we are talking some more nuts-and-bolts treatment planning for how to reframe your mental health symptoms into a superpower-weakness framework. You are not broken, just burdened with glorious purpose...I couldn't help it. If you know you know.  Sharon tells us how she developed this paradigm and how to use it to overcome your obstacles and embrace your nature.  Go to https://speak-up.co/ to learn more about Sharon's work in strengths-based psychology. 

What we eat influences our psychological health, even more than we previously thought. Dr Chris Aiken joined me to discuss how certain diets help with the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and other Mood Disorders.  Listen to the intro to learn how to win a copy of "You Next: Reflections in Black Barbershops."  (this is a replay of an episode from 3 years ago) 

International podcast law requires all shows to do an episode on the new SpiderMan movie, and now it's our turn! Sharon Blady, mental health advocate and super hero, is here for it. We talk trauma, healing, and why everyone loves SpiderMan's tendency to try to save everyone, even the villains.  SPOILERS for Spider Man No Way Home abound in this episode. 

For those who marked the beginning of the New Year last week, this is a time for goal setting and getting a jump on organization and self-improvement. So naturally I put off editing and releasing this episode.  Hannah Boone, host & creator of Disordered, is here to discuss some of the dangers of productivity obsession. This episode deals with self-judgement, shame, hope, comparison, and the importance of defining success with a high degree of self-awareness.  The video of this episode and other bonus materials are available at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain  

Writing and directing duo Ian and Eshom Nelms are brothers who tell stories through writing and directing movies.   Their 2020 film "Fatman," tells the story of what it might be like if Santa Claus had to live in the reality of the world, surviving and transcending some of it's less-jolly aspects while maintaining his position as a shaper and teacher of children. IT is a story of redemption, fear, love, violence, and healing.   They join the podcast to discuss where this idea came from and what they accomplished with it.   Enjoy, and Merry Holidays!   The full video recording of this interview is available to Patrons of the show who participate through www.patreon.com/brokenbrain. Join today at the Brainiac level to obtain cool bonus content and be involved in the show.