Gregg Krech, an expert in a form of Japanese psychology called Morita Therapy, discusses how to think differently about the role of emotions in mental health and the surprising power of taking action to improve things like anxiety, procrastination, and depression.Show NotesThe relationship between feeling and actionMorita therapyFeeling-centered vs purpose-centered lifestyleCoexisting with unpleasant feelings without acting on them Cultural difference in our understanding of emotionsAcceptance of emotionsContent of emotions vs your relationship with your emotions Zen meditation and the nature of emotionsWorking on feelings vs accepting themAcceptance, attachment, and sufferingNon-resistanceSelf-focused attentionIatrogenics in psychotherapyPerformance anxietyThe Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy GallweySoren KierkegaardAnxiety and intelligenceProcrastinationMichael Singer and The Untethered SoulYou can learn more about Gregg and his work here:Thirty Thousand Days (website)The To-Do Institute (website)The Art of Taking Action (book)Get the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Neuroscience researcher and author Brian Pennie reflects on his 15-year addiction to heroin and how he managed to not only survive those harrowing years but to come out of it and build a life he loves.Show NotesAnxiety and addiction"The opposite of addiction is connection." Johann HariAwareness is the opposite of addictionAwareness by Anthony DeMeloStorytelling and “the grand self-deception”The relationship between self-awareness, self-belief, and self-deceptionWhere does self-belief come from?The importance of friendship and vulnerabilitySurrender and peace of mindRelational Frame Theory and the connection between language and emotionThe relationship between addiction and values (or the lack of values)Curiosity as the key to recovery and thrivingPositive addictionsTransforming desireSurviving vs thrivingBrian’s Dr. Dolittle StoryThe importance of playfulness and humorYou can learn more about Brian and his work here:WebsiteBonus Time (Book)Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn | MediumGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Dr. Randy Paterson guides us through the ins and outs of assertive communication, explaining why it's essential for healthy, happy relationships in work, love, and life.Show NotesWhat is assertiveness?Common misconceptions about assertivenessThe 4 styles of communicationThe benefits of becoming more assertiveThe barriers to being assertive: the stress barrier; the social barrier; the belief barrierWhy it’s so hard to ask for what you really wantDemanding what we want vs informing people of what we wantDESO scriptsWhy it’s hard to say no to what you don’t wantHow to handle confrontation wellStrategies for constructive confrontation, especially how to find common groundAre we responsible for other people’s feelings?Beyond assertive communication: taking responsibility for your own lifeYou can learn more about Randy and his work here:Personal Website YouTube ChannelThe Assertiveness Workbook (book)How to Be Miserable (book)How to Be Miserable in Your 20s (book)Get the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Nick and Daniel trade off describing their favorite myths and misconceptions about insomnia and sleep.Show Notes:Does everyone need 8 hours of sleep per night?Should I go to bed at the same time every night?The crucial difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepyIf I’m not getting 8 hours of sleep, am I at risk for major health issues?Do I need to avoid blue light before bed?Do things cause insomnia or beliefs about things? See also: Nick's Complete Guide to InsomniaThe problem with sleep hygieneSleep is more about what you don’t do than what you do.Sleep effort and the perfect metaphor for insomniaIs it important to get an even number of sleep cycles?Beware the Sleep Hygiene Industrial ComplexIf I have a big day coming up, should I get into bed early?Can I pay off my long-term sleep debt?How important is it to understand what caused my insomnia?Triggering factors vs maintaining factors in insomniaInsomnia and threat-monitoringIs insomnia even a sleep disorder?Does sleep quality deteriorate with age?Should I avoid exercise in the evenings?Intention is everything when it comes to sleep.You can follow Daniel Erichsen online in the following places:PodcastYouTubeTwitterGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Nick and Traci separate myth from reality on the topic of hypnosis and discuss what clinical hypnosis can actually be useful for.Show Notes:Common misconceptions about hypnosisWhat is hypnosis, exactly?Hypnosis vs Positive Visualization, Flow, and MindfulnessWhat does hypnosis actually feel like?What is a hypnotic trance? Everyday trancesFor Love of the GameSuggestibilityHypnosis and healthy behavior changeWhat is hypnosis especially useful for?Hypnosis for smoking cessationNick’s unconscious self-hypnotic inductionsHypnobirthingSelf-hypnosisHolly Forester-Miller — Surgery video (a bit graphic!)Self-hypnosis for confidence and public speakingAmerican Society of Clinical HypnosisTraci Stein’s self-hypnosis audio programsYou can follow Traci online here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagramInsight Timer AppGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Nick and Tom discuss different ways of thinking about addiction and why it matters for tackling one of the world's most important challenges.Show Notes:Common misconceptions about addictionThe 3 fundamental addictive behaviorsAre addicts fundamentally different than non-addicts?Is addiction a habit?Addiction, loss of control, and the gun-to-the-head testHow important is self-control and willpower in overcoming addiction?Cravings, Urge Surfing (Alan Marlatt), and ConfidenceTransforming desireAddiction as a relationship, not a thing (Stanton Peele, Love and Addiction)Should we legalize and/or decriminalize recreational drugs?The world’s first self-help books (Nichomachean Ethics)Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies professionally vetted self-help booksAddictive personalitiesPositive addictionsSlips vs relapses and why the distinction mattersThe opposite of addiction is connection (John Hari)St. John’s College How to help someone who’s struggling with addictionSmart RecoveryBeyond AddictionPractical RecoveryYou can follow Tom and learn more about his work here:WebsiteBook: Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming AddictionsGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Nick and Daron discuss what mindfulness is exactly and how to incorporate more mindfulness into your own life (without sitting on a yoga mat repeating a mantra for hours).Show Notes:What is mindfulness?The trappings of mindfulnessMindfulness as exercise for your attentionMindfulness vs mindfulness meditationFormal vs ordinary mindfulnessMindfulness as attention managementGiuseppe's Italian restaurant Columbus OhioAre mindfulness apps overrated?Daron’s personal mindfulness practiceShinzen Young Daron's approach to attentional cross-trainingObstacles to starting a mindfulness practiceThe two muscles of mindfulness“Mindfulness is a no-lose game that feels like a no-win game.”The spiritual aspects of mindfulnessYou can follow Daron Larson here:WebsiteTwitterGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →