

PsycHacks
Orion Taraban
Presented by Orion Taraban, Psy.D. PsycHacks provides listeners with a brief, thought-provoking episode several days a week on a variety of psychological topics, inspired by my clinical practice. The intention is for the core idea contained within each episode to inspire listeners to see something about themselves or their world in a slightly different light.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
May 31, 2024 • 11min
Episode 433: How women make it difficult to love them (make it easy to get what you want)
The podcast discusses how successful women make it easy for men to love them, comparing it to businesses making it easy for customers to spend money. It emphasizes simplifying love relationships and avoiding unnecessary obstacles for deeper connections.

May 27, 2024 • 10min
Episode 432: Strike when the iron is cold (the importance of waiting for your moment)
Learn about the importance of waiting for the right moment to address conflicts in relationships and improve communication. Explore strategies for speaking up calmly and handling emotional situations with clarity. Discover how timing plays a crucial role in communication outcomes and get insights on a GRE test prep program offering a discount code for listeners.

4 snips
May 24, 2024 • 11min
Episode 431: Never punish people for doing what you want (the power of shaping)
Explore the power of positive reinforcement and shaping behavior to influence change effectively. Learn how rewarding progress can be more motivating than punishing mistakes. Discover tips on encouraging partner growth and a new GRE test prep program.

May 20, 2024 • 10min
Episode 430: Every woman is two women (exploring the wild west)
Exploring the complexity of a woman's public and bedroom personas, the challenges men face in understanding them. Contrasting assertive public personas with private behaviors, impacting relationships. Delving into conflicting societal expectations shaping women's identities, affecting their relationships.

May 17, 2024 • 11min
Episode 429: Being famous is like being a woman (musings on a haircut)
The podcast explores the unexpected kindness and respect received after gaining fame, drawing parallels between being famous and being a woman. It delves into societal perceptions, gender dynamics in receiving gifts, and the transformative power of recognition.

May 13, 2024 • 11min
Episode 428: The court does not deal in trifles (most things aren't worth your time)
Exploring the importance of prioritizing significant matters over trivial ones, the podcast discusses the value of time and attention, setting boundaries, and prioritizing significance in relationships. Learn how to say 'no' and safeguard your 'golden time' for productivity and self-value.

May 10, 2024 • 11min
Episode 427: How to drop a handkerchief (women initiate relationships)
Empowering women to take the lead in dating by initiating interactions with men using non-verbal cues. The 'come hither stare' is discussed as a subtle way for women to signal interest. Eye contact is highlighted as a powerful tool to attract and start conversations with potential partners.

May 6, 2024 • 16min
Episode 426: The business of suffering (every solution needs a problem)
The podcast discusses the economic incentives behind the rise in mental illness diagnoses, focusing on how drug companies benefit from creating new disorders. It explores the reliance on medication, the inefficacy of mental health interventions in the US, and the controversy surrounding the increase in mental health diagnoses. The implications of lifetime consumption of psychiatric medication are also examined.

May 3, 2024 • 14min
Episode 425: The source of the problem (what people fail to understand about mental illness)
The podcast delves into how mental disorders are viewed as 'things' through reification, challenging the subjectivity of diagnosis. It explores the lack of objective confirmation methods in psychiatry, the complexities of mental illness, and the impact of reification on societal perceptions and individual responsibility.

Apr 29, 2024 • 10min
Episode 424: The gift of nothingness (seeing the everyday miracle)
Exploring the concept of miracles and shifting the standard of comparison to pre-creation nothingness. Discovering the beauty and truth in everyday settings, leading to profound spiritual insights. Discussing the perception of miracles in ordinary occurrences and promoting a GRE test prep program.