Finding Genius Podcast

Could procrastination play a starring role in anxiety and depression? For David Parker, it definitely did. Tune in to learn how he overcame it, and discover: Why making a to-do list might not be the best way to tackle procrastination What types of procrastination exist and why they exist How tiny accomplishments for David Parker paved the way for an immeasurably improved life Procrastination, anxiety, and depression can form a vicious loop; we feel anxious about getting something done, so we push it off and avoid it, only to feel more anxious and even depressed about having procrastinated in the first place. When putting a line through even one task on the longest, most concise to-do list feels impossible, it may be a sign that we’ve taken the wrong approach. Since childhood, David Parker suffered from severe anxiety and depression, and found no relief in multiple psychotherapists and antidepressants. Day after day, the strongest allure was anything and everything that could pull him away from what he actually needed to do. “Everything looked like it was 10 miles away…everything was bleak, distant, unachievable,” says Parker. But eventually, he embarked on a journey of intense introspection. This brought him to the realization that his tendency to procrastinate was making him miserable. And this realization led him to create the J.O.T. Method, which entails jotting down Just One Thing on the “to-do” list, and actually doing it. Parker explains this method in detail, and explains who it can help the most. Tune in to learn more, and be sure to check out his book, The More You Do the Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination and Live a Happier Life. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

In 1966, a random genetic mutation led to the birth of Prune, a hairless kitten that would ultimately lead to birth of many, many more of its kind. Tune in for a unique episode on Sphynx cats, and discover: What to know about the fatal heart disease called HCM, why Sphynx cats are particularly prone to developing it, and how to screen and/or test for it Why a higher metabolism can actually be connected to higher rates of obesity in Sphynx cats Whether a Sphynx cat is actually a hypoallergenic solution for those with a cat allergy Common and quirky behaviors of Sphynx cats Many would say that the certified veterinary technician (CVT) is the veterinary equivalent of the registered nurse (RN); both are tasked with the majority of hands-on patient care, both need good bedside manner, and both can offer insights that a doctor might not. Since 2013, Kelsey Nightingale, CVT has fulfilled just that role in small animal general practice. She’s also an excellent source on all things Sphynx—the breed of cat that’s perhaps best known for its hairlessness. But there are so many other things that owners should know about them, at least one of which is a matter of life and death. Tune in to learn about the prevalence, detection, and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hygiene tips, common personality traits, and more. Visit https://tica.org/ and https://cfa.org/ to learn more, and find information about a new genetic test for HCM in Sphynx cats at https://cvm.ncsu.edu/nc-state-vet-hospital/small-animal/genetics/submit-dna-testing/. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Diyar Talbayev, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the Tulane School of Science and Engineering and an experienced condensed matter physicist. His current research involves the optical and electronic properties of complex materials. He has a keen interest in high-speed spectroscopy as well as solid state physics. Click on play to learn: How an electron is probed for research purposes. What role laser pulses play in the study of electrons. How the uncertainty principle affects current research on light interaction with matter. Research in the Femtosecond & Terahertz Spectroscopy Laboratory focuses on observing and identifying activities inside electrons. The studies encompass magnetism, electricity, insulators, and super conductivity, and possible uses in semi-conductor chips and magnet materials for the purpose of data storage. Researchers are gathering data on laser-pulse experiments to determine effects of electron behaviors. As light interacts with matter, it changes in a specific manner in which some colors are absorbed. By shining a stream of laser pulses on the surface of a material the changes can in colorization can be observed. Some colors are absorbed; some wavelengths are scattered.  Dr. Talbayev is presently working on a research project titled “Optical super oscillations in time domain; ‘seeing’ through opaque matter and wavelength conversion without nonlinearity. He is investigating the physics behind magnetism and how the interactions between electrons in a material establish its magnetic and electronic properties. To learn more visit:  Website: https://sites.google.com/site/femtothz

Why has the spectrum of bipolar disorder symptoms been separated for so long? With a new understanding of the reciprocity of manic and depressive episodes, treatments can be honed to better help patients. Listen in to learn: When the medical world realized manic depression was not one-sided Which drugs can benefit bipolar mood disorders How whole grains and olive oil may be beneficial Chris Aiken, M.D., the Director at the Mood Treatment Center, shares his work helping advance the world of bipolar disorder research to help patients find a state of normality. Bipolar disorder has long been misunderstood by researchers and physicians, leading to ineffective treatment and a misunderstanding between patients and therapists. However, through a combination of refined therapy and a more comprehensive understanding, patients can find a method of treatment that works for them. While there are plenty of pharmaceutical solutions for mood disorders, there are many holistic alternatives as well. For example, by changing the microbiome in the body, there have been promising results for patients who choose to change their diet. To learn more, visit https://psycheducation.org. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

What causes inflammation in the brain, and how can this affect us as we age? Astrocytes found in the brain may be the key to unlock a better understanding. Press play to learn: Where astrocytes are located in the body How inflammation can cause issues in human bodies as we age The smallest cells astrocytes can be found in Soraya Vallés Marti, a Physiology Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Valencia, Spain, shares her research surrounding astrocytes and the negative impact of inflammation in the body. It has been known that inflammation is a damaging and potentially dangerous state of the tissue in the body. However, it has recently been thought to cause much more damage than initially thought by researchers. While some inflammation in the body can be a sign of healing, chronic and widespread inflammation has been thought to cause neurodegenerative diseases and other complications as sufferers age. While many aspects remain a mystery, studying astrocytes has let researchers gain a greater understanding. To learn more, search for Soraya L. Vallés on Google Scholar. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Seth Dillon had no idea that inquiring about becoming an investor in The Babylon Bee would result in his becoming CEO of the organization that is considered a conservative news satire website. After three years in that role, Dillion shares his thoughts about the ongoing success of The Babylon Bee and future endeavors. Click on play to learn: How satire works. What misconceptions are associated with the Babylon Bee. What impact the Babylon Bee has had in the past year. The Babylon Bee has the look and feel of a traditional news publication. Some media outlets recognize that content on The Babylon Bee is satire. However, the satire is so good, it is sometimes mistaken for fact and passed along as such by unsuspecting readers. According to Dillon, the plausibility of the satire means there is some truth there. In spite of being targeted by social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, popularity of The Babylon Bee continues to grow. New services include an app in IOS and Android and a headline forum that will allow people to suggest headlines. Looking ahead, projects are in the works for expansion in distribution, developing content for a YouTube channel, and creating videos which is a new media for The Babylon Bee. According to Dillon, levity is important in dark times. People seeking some respite from the daily dose of dismal news reports have discovered The Babylon Bee and Not the Bee, a humor-based social network for news, commentary, and entertainment. In effect, The Babylon Bee has become a mental refuge and its popularity continues to grow. To learn more visit: Website: babylonbee.com Twitter: @SethDillon Instagram: @thebabylonbee Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Dr. Steven Hayes, a Foundation Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, has researched language and cognition and is best known for his theories on acceptance, mindfulness, and values. His life’s work has focused on behavioral analysis, the nature of human language, and how these apply to the understanding and lessening of human suffering. Dr. Hayes has developed multiple tools that address psychological problems and solutions. Click on play to learn: How mindfulness, acceptance, and values can improve mental health. How acceptance and commitment therapy support being cognitively and emotionally flexible. What six skills lead to psychological flexibility in dealing with painful thoughts. As someone who has suffered from a panic disorder, Dr. Hayes understands how disabling the condition can become. It took a 40-year journey to learn how to carry the pain of his past. He was able to find a way forward and learned from his experience to become a respected psychology professor and author who is renowned for his work in the treatment of psychological disorders. Dr. Hayes uses the concepts of being open, aware, and actively engaged in the processing of negative feelings. He teaches people how to be open cognitively and emotionally, allowing emotions to come and go. His clients learn how to allocate attention in a flexible, fluid, and voluntary way, in his words; “How to shift, stick, broaden, or narrow” various emotions. Being actively engaged is the third tool for handling problematic feelings. After more than 5,000 studies and eight hundred randomized trials, Dr. Hayes learned what is important in achieving mental health. He reviewed the data and evidence and distilled them down to a small manageable set of skills to help those hindered by negative emotional feelings learn how to control them. These are the tools that develop mindfulness, acceptance, and values and lead to learning how to live life in the best way. To learn more visit: Website: stevenchayes.com Twitter: @StevenCHayes Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

How can the body be better prepared to fight cancer? By combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other therapeutic techniques, various beneficial effects can be found. Listen up to learn: Why early cancer cells are more challenging for the body to detect What therapies can kill cancer cells with the fewest mutations How the mutational burden affects treatment efficacy Dr. Joanne Lysaght, an Associate Professor, and the Immunotherapy Group Lead at Trinity College, shares her most recent work with cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Internal factors broadly impact the body's response to tumors determined by where in the body they are and how the tumor micro-environment presents. Therefore, in combination with other regimented treatments, immunotherapies have been found to be especially effective.  Since the tumor microenvironment is critical to treatment, more research is needed to find a broader method. However, with a concentrated effort on new techniques, the percentage of lasting effective treatment will rise as time goes on. To learn more, vist stjames.ie/cancer/. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

What insight can be gained about humans by examining animals first? If groups of animals are vulnerable to specific factors, chances are, humans may be too. Press play to learn: What increased vulnerability in animals can tell us about humans If animals share behaviors with humans  How other species may be susceptible to breast cancer Barbara Natterson Horowitz, a cardiologist and evolutionary biologist at Harvard Medical School, shares her work examining the natural world and gaining insights into the human experience. Attempting to understand human health without examining that of animals and the planet tends to be relatively ineffective. However, by reviewing how disease and other processes emerge in other species, more can be learned about human vulnerability and how some negatives can be avoided.  By looking for other species that contain unique biology, there may be solutions to problems humans have been unable to solve. In the future, searching for plausible hypotheses is the primary goal of researchers in this field, hopefully leading to a rich source of insights. Visit bnatterson-horowitz.com for more information. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Overeating. Drinking alcohol. Watching mindless TV. Gambling. These are just a few of the ways in which people avoid troubling and painful emotions. As soon as we feel them creeping up, we tend to distract ourselves. It might feel good in the short-term, but what are the long-term costs? Tune in to discover: The difference between immediate and earlier antecedents, and how identifying them can help treat addictions The role of prior trauma and anxiety in substance abuse and behavioral addictions How quickly behavioral changes can follow from new insights and realizations about triggers Whether psychedelic-assisted therapies hold promise for addiction treatment Nicole Cross, PhD is an associate psychologist with Cognitive Behavior Therapy Associates of Denver, where she focuses on helping people who struggle with substance and behavioral addictions, including anorexia, bulimia, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pornography, gambling, and alcohol abuse. “Part of the process is noticing when you have an urge to use those behaviors in order to escape some uncomfortable thought, feeling, or emotion,” says Cross. She explains her approach to treatment, which involves developing the right coping skills for the issue at hand, and understanding why certain behaviors—no matter how detrimental—seem impossible to stop or even decrease. Press play for all the details and learn more at https://cbtdenver.com/.