The Broken Brain

Chris Revill is a swell person, and swell people love Christmas Specials. Sometimes cheesy, often silly, these wonderful moments of holiday recognition have stayed in our hearts and brains, sometimes for decade after decade. Why? That's what we want to figure out. That, and to go on and on about our favorites.  This is one of the three Holiday specials The Broken Brain is offering this year, like three gifts from three wisemen, I found three wise guys to host with me. Enjoy. Thanks for listening in 2016, and I hope you have a very Happy Holiday Season.  

Lee and Dwight are responding to a listener request this week! We are discussing the holidays and the tricky dynamics that come up with family. We talk about response plans for assertive, passive-aggressive, and just downright aggressive family members. We mention coping skills, some involving Adele, and how to respond to that rascal Uncle Bob. 

Returning champion guest Michael Denniston from the War Machine vs War Horse Podcast returns to help me analyze the 2000 film Return to Me, and discuss what it demonstrates about coping with grief and change in life. Mike and I get drippy about romance, loss, dogs, and old men filled with passion in this under-appreciated rom-com about loss, love, and organ donation.   

Ecosexuality? What's that?  Ecosexuality is the study of sexuality and ecology, of course. A fascinating type of synergy, pioonered by researchers, activists, and artists, Ecosexuality is an approach to inclusion, environmentalism, and a different way to appreciate the world. Pioneers in this field include Stefanie Weiss, author of Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets, and Elizabeth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle, who you can find at http://sexecology.org. My guest today is Jennifer Reed, PhD candidate for Sociology at UNLV. She has been studying this fascinating field and is currently writing her dissertaion on this subject. She was kind enough to join me and explain what Ecosexuality is and how it impacts Sociology, Culture, and the way we interact with the Earth. Follow her on Twitter @sociojen. 

Polyvagal Trauma Theory, pioneered by Stephen Porges, is a powerful approach to trauma recovery that takes into account ways that the body stores traumatic emotional experiences.  Brittany Varney, Stacy McKenzie, and Kristal James join us today to conduct a training on this theory and how it applies to trauma recovery.  This episode is a CEU training for the Aspire Group Therapy Practice in Northern Utah. 

YouTube Phenom Kelsey Nimbly rejoins the show to help me discuss some of the psychology behind why we done be hatin' on each other all election long. We also discuss Tribalism, One-Shot Learning, and Confirmation Bias, and how to repair election-traumatized relationships.  Happy Election Day America! Whoever wins, let's try to play nice!

Craig Pomranz has been an entertainer since he was 12. He recently wrote the children's book "Made by Raffi," in which he tells the story of his Godson's experience learning to knit. The reactions, support, and questions brought up by this young boy's new hobby lead to an important and charming story about gender roles, personal identity, self-confidence, and acceptance. We discuss these things and more, including childhood development, parenting, and the fact that Craig is a delightful person. Buy "Made by Raffi," and check out Craig's website by clicking HERE. Also listen to his Song "Different," on YouTube. This episode in being simelcast for this week's episodes of The Broken Brain and Amygdala Magazine Podcasts. 

Happy International Podcast Day Braniacs! A little bit from Dwight today about this wonderful new holiday, and the chance it gives us to take stock of our own passions, hobbies, and interests. Hear 3 (or 4 maybe?) tips for embracing your passions for your mental health, stuff that I have picked up through years of counseling.  You should read Maisha Johnson's article "KEEP JOY ALIVE: PUSUING MY PASSION FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH," and Kelsey (from wearthelabel.com)'s "HOW MY PASSIONS HAVE HELPED MY MENTAL HEALTH," as your new IPD tradition.  The Broken Brain is looking for more listener questions as well for our next #AskATherapist segment, coming soon. email me at dwigthhurst@gmail.com or tweet @breakabrain if you gots any.   

Rachel Grant joins me today to discuss her program for recovery from sexual abuse. A survivor and thriver of her own abuse experience, Rachel has trained and worked to become a highly educated and qualified recovery coach. She opens up with me about her experience, recovery, and the techniques she uses to help people work through the recovery process.  Check out Rachel's program online at: rachelgrantcoaching.com, or click on rachelgrantcoaching.com/checklist to get her free instructions for recovery.

Namaste and Aloha, Candice is back! Candice Christiansen from Namaste Center for Healing returns to the Broken Brain to discuss Accountability, and the role it plays in addiction and mental health recovery.  Hey! Candice also wrote an article about this topic recently, CLICK HERE or go to:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/woe-you-embracing-accountability-your-recovery-candice-christiansen?trk=prof-post   to read it.   

Anyone who knows Michael Denniston knows he is a born romantic, helpless in the face of any emotionally laden romantic fiction...well maybe... Whether or not that is true, he did get Married last week! Congrats to Mike and Brittany on their nuptials. To celebrate this The Broken Brain is releasing this episode we recorded earlier this year, all about relationship dynamics as depicted in the 2011 film "Crazy Stupid Love." We talk about relationships, fidelity, love, masculinity, a little about childhood development, and a whole lot about RyRy Gosling. When he isn't honeymooning, Michael hosts his own podcasts about movies (War Machine vs War Horse, and Original Remake) and is lord and master of the Following Films Podcasting Network.  By the way the picture attached to this episode is of course me and Michael. Vote which one you think is which @breakabrain, #whichiswhich 

Kelsey Nimbly joins me to discuss Trust, the dynamics of how it is earned, what it represents, and how to get it back once it is lost.  Kelsey is an active YouTuber and a behavioral specialist focused on the use of Brain Science to help with day to day problems. Her channels: "Nimblylife" for adults and "AsPrettyDoes," for teens, host weekly (sometimes daily, holy cow!) YouTube updates teaching skills to help her viewers with self-confidence, addiction, relationships, and more. 

You know what's hard? Managing your weight, fitness, and physical health is hard. Whether you need to loose weight, get yourself to eat healthier, or have a dangerous eating disorder, finding a solution isn't easy. Virtually all weight management plans (by themselves) have been demonstrated to be ineffective. Using principles of psychology, addiction recovery, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help with weight and eating related problems, because these approaches look at the underlying causes of the problems.  Kwentin Kemp is a licensed professional counselor and the founder of The Greater U, a program dedicated to effective physical and mental treatment of weight related health problems. He and Chris Tittle join me today to discuss this tricky problem through the lens of mental health.  Also, check out Charles Duhigg's book that we talk about in the discussion, if you want to...

First of all...I'm not dead, I am very much still alive and a-podcastin'. This mini episode will explain the brief break in the program (the last 2 weeks) and let you know what to expect in the upcoming episodes of The Broken Brain Podcast.  BTW, the show is now a proud member of the Core Temp Arts family of podcasts, check out the website or the FaceBook Group to learn more about this network.  See you soon with more cool mental health based programming!

Social Media is a part of our life. We all life at least a little bit online these days.  Karly Beaumont and Cynthia Torres host the Podcast That Pop This Life, a look at Life, Pop Culture, and the Ridiculousness of it all. They talk weekly about internet crazes, modern cultural trends, and how to be a good internet citizen.  Make sure to be a good citizen yourself by listening and sharing this episode today!

Kathleen Brennan lives and practices psychotherapy in Chicago. She is an expert in trauma, a survivor of the nonprofit world, and an excellent podcaster, with her show On The Blue Couch.  Kathleen speaks with me today about the dynamic of Vicarious Trauma, the multiple ways that we can become traumatized through our own or other's exposure. The ACA has defined Vicarious Trauma as "compassion fatigue," or "the cost of caring," and although therapists are primed for this problem, it affects all of us in some way. Give our conversation a listen to learn some of those ways, and what to do about it.  Make sure to subscribe and listen to Kathleen's show as well!

Non Wells is a writer, podcaster, and a confirmed Joymonger. He loves Joy, there are no two ways about it. He even does a podcast where he and his wife talk about Joy.  However, he is no stranger to all emotions, joyful or non-joyful. Non is a well known enthusiast of knowing & accepting yourself for who you are. that's why its no surprise that he is here today to join me in a discussion about Mindfulness.  Mindfulness is a great therapeutic tool to reduce stress, manage expectations, and embrace feelings as you make your way through this dreary-weary world of ours. A big part of modern therapy, especially Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness is a deep well from which Non and I drink deeply, hold it in our cheeks like chipmunks, and then spew the results into your ears through this podcast. 

Mike Denniston returns to the show (from the podcast War Machine vs War Horse) to watch and review a classic tale of family dysfunction, the funny and surprisingly touching Sundance Film Festival winner "Little Miss Sunshine." We use this as a backdrop to discuss triangulation, depression, hopes, fears, and insecurity, all within the family dynamic.   

Joel Manwill is a member of the Aspire Group of Mental Health Professionals, the Group Practice that I am also a part of.  He is also a highly experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapist, working with sensory processing disorder, autistic spectrum disorders, and other health concerns related to sensory processing.  This is a training Joel did for our team of therapists, in which he discusses over and under sensitive disorders, sensory seeking and sensory avoidant behavior. 

What did you do this weekend? Laura Murthum fought against human trafficking...Yeah, I know. I cleaned out my garage. Laura works for the nonprofit group Trucker's Against Traficking (TAT) an organization dedicated to providing training to on-the-road Truckers to help them in the fight against human trafficking. CLICK HERE to check out their website and learn what red flags to look for when you are out in the community as well.   Laura is a dedicated human service professional and a great human person as well, lot's of fun to talk to. Enjoy this interview, and should you want to get involved with stopping problems related to human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at: 1 (888) 373-7888