Mentally Flexible

My guest today is Dr. Charles Schaeffer aka Dr Chuck. Dr. Chuck is a clinical psychologist and author of the new book, When Panic Happens: Short Circuit Anxiety & Fear in the Moment. Dr. Chuck completed his training at New York University and is in private practice in New York City.  He has over 15 years of experience providing strength-focused, evidence-based  therapy to help individuals overcome sleep, mood, and anxiety disorders to thrive at work and at home. He has been an adjunct clinical faculty member at NYU for over a decade supervising  hundreds of counselors and therapists. His research has focused on masculinity and culture among men and women seeking help inside and outside of the workplace. His work has been quoted and featured in a variety of media, including NBC Health, Vice, Psychology Today, and the Huffington Post.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- How Dr. Chuck got into the field of psychology- How to work with and around stigma mental health stigma- The concept of short-circuiting panic - Integrating different stances towards anxiety- Polyvagal Theory and its use for self-regulation- How people can get stuck in the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system- And the importance of core life patterns like diet and sleep—————————————————————————Dr. Chuck’s website: https://www.drchuckschaeffer.com/When Panic Happens: https://a.co/d/eoUwogC—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truthCheck out my new album, Holding Space! https://open.spotify.com/album/0iOcjZQhmAhYtjjq3CTpwQ?si=nemiLnELTsGGExjfy8B6iw

My guest today is Cory Richards. Cory is an internationally renowned photographer, filmmaker, and author of new memoir, The Color of Everything. He is the first and only American to climb one of the world’s 8000m peaks in winter. His documentation of the climb and aftermath of the experience was made into the award-winning documentary COLD and appeared on the cover of the 125th anniversary issue of National Geographic. Richards is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Photographer Fellow, and a two-time recipient of an Explorers Grant. He has an active speaking career, in which he speaks about conservation, the future of psychology and mental health, leadership, the tenuous line of risk and reward, and vulnerability.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- Unique dynamics involved in writing a memoir - The spectrum of vulnerability and its various functions- How we can get stuck in stories about our trauma or diagnoses- The seduction of fame and success - The point of of life arriving in the present moment- And what it’s like climbing some of the tallest peaks in the world—————————————————————————Cory’s website Cold (documentary): https://www.coryrichards.com/The Color of Everything: https://a.co/d/i36wx4QCold (documentary): https://youtu.be/-OBX25ix4eU?si=SrZxheNjMLr7aDue—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truthCheck out my new album, Holding Space! https://open.spotify.com/album/0iOcjZQhmAhYtjjq3CTpwQ?si=nemiLnELTsGGExjfy8B6iw

My guest today is Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD. Michaeleen is a global health correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk and the author of the New York Times bestseller Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans. Michaeleen has a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Berkeley, California, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Caltech. For the past decade, Doucleff has reported on disease outbreaks and children’s health for NPR. Before that, Doucleff was an editor at the journal Cell, where she wrote about the science behind pop culture. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- Key elements of parenting we have lost in the Western world- Children’s innate capacity for helpfulness and autonomy- How the child world and the adult world has been separated- Ways parent and child interests can be harmoniously integrated- The value of doing less as a parent- And the importance of allowing a child’s authentic interests to be expressed —————————————————————————Michaeleen’s website: https://michaeleendoucleff.com/Hunt, Gather, Parent: https://a.co/d/j0KxJg0—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Willem Kuyken, PhD. Willem is Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Research Centre. He is an author, scientist and teacher.  His work is focused on preventing depression and promoting human flourishing. He has published more than 150 peer reviewed scientific articles and was named by Web of Science as in the top 1% of the most cited scientists in the world in between 2019 and 2023. He is the author of the new book, Mindfulness for Life, which we discuss in this conversation.Some of the other topics we explore in this episode include:- Willem’s background with depression and how eastern wisdom traditions inform his work- How mindfulness can anchor us through difficulties - Ways to reconnect with the body and our full experience- How to mindfully start and end the day- Integrating mindfulness through the macro and micro- And how we can move through life’s transitions with openness and curiosity—————————————————————————Willem’s Oxford website: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/willem-kuykenMindfulness for Life: https://a.co/d/dxM7khy—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Matthieu Villatte, PhD. Matthieu is a psychology trainer and consultant who obtained his doctoral degree in psychology in France, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Nevada under the mentorship of Steven Hayes, PhD.  Matthieu Villatte is the author of numerous books and chapters on mindfulness, acceptance, experiential therapies, and contextual behavioral science, such as the first manual published in French on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mastering the Clinical Conversation: Language as Intervention. He is also a peer-reviewed trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy recognized by the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) and has facilitated hundreds of clinical trainings all over the world. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- The impact of Mastering the Clinical Conversation- What is was like working in Steven Hayes’ lab- Relational Frame Theory (RFT)- Our innate capacity for language at birth- The implications of RFT on human suffering- The inseparable nature of language and consciousness- And how the complexities of clinical work can become more fluid with experience—————————————————————————Matthieu’s website: https://matthieuvillatte.com/Mastering the Clinical Conversation: https://a.co/d/iWduMiA—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Dr. William Miller - Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Miller is a codeveloper of Motivational Interviewing (MI) which has been implemented and researched in an array of settings over the past 4 decades. Dr. Miller’s research has focused particularly on the treatment and prevention of addictions and more broadly on the psychology of change. He is a recipient of two career achievement awards from the American Psychological Association and has published 65 books and over 400 articles and chapters. Dr. Miller’s new book is called 8 Ways to Hope: Charting a Path through Uncertain Times, which we discuss in this episode.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- A bit of Tom’s background with Motivational Interviewing- The many facets of hope- Trust, optimism, and false hope - Some of Dr. Miller’s personal story- Addiction, trauma, and psychedelic-assisted therapy- And the role of meaning and purpose in hope—————————————————————————Dr. Miller’s website: https://williamrmiller.net/8 Ways To Hope: https://a.co/d/cJm9A2E—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/

My guest today is Alec Pollard, PhD. Alec is founding director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor emeritus of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in the study and treatment of individuals with anxiety and emotional disorders who refuse or otherwise fail to benefit from evidence-based treatment. Alec has authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications and leads the Family Consultation Team at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- The story behind writing When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment- Different types of recovery avoidance- Creating an intentional action plan for crisis - Versions of accommodation that can arise within family dynamics- The importance of staying connected to valued activity- What it looks like to create a family recovery plan- And how to effectively help loved ones move towards recovery —————————————————————————Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute: https://slbmi.com/When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment: https://a.co/d/cDFJtBu —————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Stephanie Catella, PsyD. Steph is a clinical psychologist with expertise in transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy for trauma, anxiety, and building emotional intelligence. After completing fellowships at the San Francisco VA and University of California San Francisco, she codirected the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinic. In addition to her private practice, she is the author of an FDA approved prescription digital therapeutic for Fibromyalgia, and is a consultant and content creator for innovative mental health and tech companies. Dr. Catella is a coauthor of The Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook which we explore in this episode.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- How Steph got into the field of psychology and mental health- The difference between emotional intelligence and intellectual intelligence- How emotional skills can be hindered in childhood- Tolerating, coping, and accepting emotions- How emotional intelligence impacts our relationships- The importance of emotional intelligence for the therapeutic relationship - People pleasing and passive-aggressive behavior- The concept of “Kid Jobs” within our family dynamics—————————————————————————Dr. Catella’s website: https://drstephcatella.com/Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook: https://a.co/d/05G2iF0q—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

Adam Alter is a Professor of Marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business with an affiliated appointment in the NYU’s Psychology Department. Adam is the New York Times bestselling author of two books: Irresistible (March, 2017), which considers why so many people today are addicted to so many behaviors, from incessant smart phone and internet use to video game playing and online shopping, and Drunk Tank Pink (2013), which investigates how hidden forces in the world around us shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. His latest book, Anatomy of Breakthrough, explores how people get stuck in life and ways to free themselves to thrive. Adam has also written for places like the New York Times, New Yorker, Washington Post, and The Atlantic.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- Adam’s background and how it led to his research interests- How vulnerability creates shared bonds - The different types of “stuckness” and their ubiquitous nature- The heart, head, and habit levels of getting unstuck- The concept of “lifequakes” - Stuckness in our professional lives- The value in holding things lightly and making space for silence - And the trap of “more is better”—————————————————————————Adam’s website: https://adamalterauthor.com/Anatomy of a Breakthrough: https://a.co/d/0e0yJYXtIrresistible: https://a.co/d/07Yf02Q6Drunk Tank Pink: https://a.co/d/05zQPeok—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth

My guest today is Dr. Frank Anderson, MD. Frank is a Harvard Medical School school trained psychiatrist, therapist, speaker, author, and trauma specialist. He has spent the past three decades studying neuroscience and trauma treatment, serving as a leader within the Internal Family Systems therapy model. His latest book is an incredible memoir called, To Be Loved: A Story of Truth, Trauma, and Transformation.Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:- How truth and authenticity guided the writing of Frank’s memoir - How shame can be an indicator of our level of healing- How working on ourselves enriches our ability to support others- The need to unite and integrate the different models of therapy and healing- The transition from being mentored to mentoring others- Frank’s thoughts on the use of social media for teaching and healing - What it means to truly heal a wound- The Three R’s: repeating, repressing, or repairing—————————————————————————Dr. Anderson’s website: https://www.frankandersonmd.com/To Be Loved: https://a.co/d/7jWLggv—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:You can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truth