SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

Summer is here and Season Two of SuperPsyched is a rap! I will be taking a brief break and, in all likelihood, return in late July or early August. To cap season two, I thought I would give a tip of the hat to one of the greatest TV shows in recent history: This Is Us. As a psychologist, I was taken by the show because so much of a human experience was captured in just six seasons. Please note: if you haven't seen the show, there are no spoilers here. All you will hear is a psychological analysis of this superb show as well as why you should consider watching it! Later this summer, I will be excited to begin Season Three and I promise some great episodes coming your way!

A few months ago, my family and I plus about 20,000 other people went to see a live comedy event. What made it so unusual was that none of the 20,000 of us had our smart devices available. Instead, those devices were locked away in magnetic pouches required by the venue. The result? We, and everyone we talked to, agreed that the tech-free show was a superior experience. Simply put, we connected better with the comedian—who we had paid to see—and felt less distracted by cameras and the lights of the smart devices we had not paid to see. On the drive home I decided to get in touch with the CEO of the company to have a conversation about the psychology behind the product. That CEO, who is named Graham Dugoni, was happy to meet and gave a great interview as you’ll hear. His company called Yondr (https://www.overyondr.com/) has been gaining popularity at live events with both the attendees and artists. It’s even being used successfully at schools to the benefit of teachers and students. Yondr’s motto, “Be here now,” is on-point and may even be a tip of the hat to the brilliant thinking of Ram Dass. Graham is very philosophical and thoughtful and we talk about how he came up with the idea for Yondr as well as the costs that unwanted technology has had on our attention spans. So, listen in as Graham and I have a lively conversation about our attention and how to temporarily shut down unwanted technology.

The human brain is the most complex structure known in the entire universe. Yet, despite its incredible power, its capacity declines with the passage of time. What can we do to keep our brains in tip-top shape as we age? Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do! And a lot of it is quite simple, as you will hear in this interview with a true expert, Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne.  Susan is a professor of psychology at University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is one of the pioneers in the study of adult aging and the author of multiple psychology textbooks used in colleges and graduate schools around the globe.  Susan shares methods for keeping our brains in shape using various approaches, including our diet, exercise, games, and even how to orient our thoughts. So, join Susan and me as we talk about user-friendly ways to keep your brain healthy and strong.

Research indicates that the biggest predictor of happiness—at least for most of us—is the quality of our relationships. And yet, so much of how we’re wired can get in the way of good relationships. Things like pride and stubbornness. When we lean on those, we may erroneously conclude that we should be harsh and teach our partner a lesson. Spoiler alert: you'll hear from the expert on this episode that harshness is never a good idea even though it may feel right or even vindicating. So, since these skills are not taught in schools, how do we go beyond our knee-jerk responses and thrive as a couple? Fortunately, I know just the guy to ask! Terry Real (https://terryreal.com/) is an internationally known psychotherapist and a best-selling author who has written some of the most important books contributing to the field of individual and couples psychotherapy. His latest book is called Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. Consistent with his incredible work, Terry brilliantly cuts to the core of how our brains work and shows how we can better use those brains in our relationships. Lori Gottlieb, Esther Perel, and even Bruce Springsteen (who wrote the foreword) love this book and I believe you will too.  And I’m confident you’ll be captivated listening to Terry who is a superior storyteller and the embodiment of kindness, wisdom, and strength. So, listen in as Terry and I talk about how to get past the stumbling blocks and how to find our way back to US. Book Link: https://amzn.to/3N2RjCD This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).

Have you ever had such a great conversation that you simply had to have more time? Silly question, I know! We've all had that. One of mine recently was with my guest Lori Gottlieb during her superb interview for episode 104 about 8 weeks ago. After we spoke, I said, “There’s so much more I’d like to ask you!” Fortunately, she was game, so later that same afternoon, we recorded this episode! As you’ll hear, she shares about how she and her colleague, Guy Winch, created their stellar podcast, Dear Therapists, as well as more about her well-cultivated thoughts on therapy. And, a brief refresher on Lori: she has a thriving psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles. She’s authored multiple books including, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, which has sold over one million copies. In addition, her TED talk is magnificent and has millions of views. And she has a TV show in the works! I can’t say enough about Lori, and I hope you’ll listen to both episodes. You’ll see why she has been such an international sensation. So, listen in on a bit more from a psychotherapy thought leader, Lori Gottlieb, on this PS edition! Book Link: https://amzn.to/3P2OJiG This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).

Heartbreak is a painful part of life. When we’re in it, it can be all-consuming, exhausting, and overwhelming. And to be sure, the skill to attend to it is not typically taught in school. But what is heartbreak and how does it affect us? Why does the heart actually hurt when we’re in it? And what can be done to fix a heart that’s broken? Fortunately, I know just the guy to ask, and his name happens to be Guy! Dr. Guy Winch (https://www.guywinch.com/) is an internationally renowned psychologist, the author of multiple superb TED talks, and the co-host of a podcast called Dear Therapists with his brilliant colleague and fellow SuperPsyched guest, Lori Gottlieb. He’s also the bestselling author of several books, including How to Fix a Broken Heart. I loved this book as have thought leaders like Esther Perel, who said the book was, "Well researched and deeply practical. How to Fix a Broken Heart provides the validation, comfort, and hope anyone who is heartbroken desperately needs." So, listen in as Guy and I talk about How to Fix a Broken Heart. Book link: https://amzn.to/3X5rA19 This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).

Trauma sucks. And, to varying degrees, we’ve all experienced it. Research shows that its effects can impact and disturb developmental phases of life. Studies of transgenerational trauma show that trauma can even have negative consequences for future generations of people who aren't even born yet. What is trauma? How does it impact our lives? What can we learn from its impact? And how can we heal trauma and perhaps become even stronger afterward? Fortunately, I know just the guy to ask! Dr. Frank Anderson (https://www.frankandersonmd.com/) is a Harvard educated physician who is known across the globe for his brilliant contributions to the study and treatment of trauma and PTSD. He is one of the most important teachers and contributors to the development of Internal Family Systems, a state-of-the-art treatment for trauma, eating disorders, and many other conditions. He is also the author of a book I loved called Transcending Trauma. I am not alone in my love for this book or Frank’s work. Luminaries like Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk said, “This is a wonderful book that should be read by anyone who wants to lay down the burdens of past trauma and those who seek to accompany them on this journey.” As you will hear, Frank is a total delight, full of levity, brilliance, and kindness.  He walks the talk and he has benefited personally from the same therapy he provides as have countless numbers of people. So, listen in as Frank and I have an info-packed, fun—yes, fun—and unfiltered conversation about Transcending Trauma. Transcending Trauma book link: https://amzn.to/43Clrf2 This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).

Sigmund Freud once said, “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.” Whether or not you agree, love and work are certainly a big deal. On any given day, much of what crosses our minds falls under the headings of love and/or work. And that’s why I’m so excited to speak with my guest, Eric Barker (https://www.bakadesuyo.com/), who is a thought leader and an expert on the topics of love and work. Eric consumes vast quantities of research, interviews top thinkers in various fields, and writes beautifully about his findings. He has over 300,000 regular subscribers to his Barking Up the Wrong Tree newsletter largely dedicated to answering: what does it take to succeed in love and work? His second book drops this week, and it is called Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships is (Mostly) Wrong.  Like all of Eric’s work, his new book is thought-provoking and well-researched. I’ve been a fan of Eric’s for years; I love his books and newsletter as do prominent thought leaders like Daniel Pink and David Epstein. Eric puts conventional wisdom to the test but employing science and answers questions like: Does love really conquer all? Can you judge a book by its cover? Is a friend in need truly a friend indeed? (And what does that actually mean?) So, listen in as Eric and I examine, what it takes to connect, be a good friend, to love well, and to play well with others. Book Link: https://amzn.to/3qLHXDC This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).

Last September, I read a brilliant piece in TIME Magazine by an inspired high school sophomore. The title was It’s Time For Boys To Talk About Emotional Health. I read it with my teenage sons, and it resonated deeply. It certainly makes sense that the article hit because, while children can take instruction and feedback from grownups, research suggests that there are instances when they listen more deeply to the voices of their peers. In over 100 episodes of SuperPsyched, all my guests have been adults. I decided it was time to change that when I invited the brilliant author of that article, 16-year-old Zach Gottlieb (https://talkwithzachofficial.com/), to join me. As you’ll hear, Zach took action to assist his peers with his phone: he created a flourishing Instagram community and a website—both called Talk With Zach. Through these efforts, Zach is actively helping teens engage other teens and talk about real things, taking the stigma out of mental health, and providing relief by sharing various useful resources to teenagers who feel overwhelmed. I seriously wish Zach and Talk With Zach was around when I was in high school! So, listen in, as Zach and I talk about what is happening today with teens and ways we can all help out. TIME article: https://time.com/6094333/boys-emotional-health/

Puzzles have a long history and are loved by millions of people worldwide. The New York Times crossword alone attracts 20 million people daily. And puzzles come in multiple forms: jigsaws, mazes, manipulable objects like Rubik’s Cubes, and even puzzles that require teams like escape rooms and scavenger hunts. Why do we love puzzles? Can they make us smarter? If so, how? Can they improve our mental or physical well-being? And might there even be a case for them making us better people? These and so many other questions will be answered by my most delightful guest, journalist, lecturer, and, my friend, New York Times best-selling author, AJ Jacobs (https://ajjacobs.com/)! AJ captured my attention nearly 20 years ago when I read his first major book, The Know-it-All, in which he put himself through one of his many self-imposed challenges.  That time he read the entire 33,000-page Encyclopedia Britannica in one year and wrote about his insights. Subsequently, as a human guinea pig, he has put himself through many experiments including one in which he lived according to the rules of the bible outlined in The Year of Living Biblically.  As a result of these experiments, he has become one of the most curious, open-minded, and creative thinkers I have ever met. What’s more, he has the gift being able to write intellectually stimulating and simultaneously hilarious material!  His latest book just dropped and is called The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life. I absolutely loved it!  In it, AJ went deep into more than a dozen different types of puzzles learning their history, and writing about the challenges and insights he encountered. AJ has been consistently lauded by literary critics, thought leaders, comedians, and people from all walks of life. Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, described her experience reading the book in words that resonated with me, saying “Even though I’ve never attempted the New York Times crossword puzzle or solved the Rubik’s Cube, I couldn’t put down The Puzzler.” This is AJ's second visit to the SuperPsyched podcast, and I am over-the-moon delighted to host him and for you, my listener, to be the beneficiary of this extraordinary man’s heart and brain. So, listen in as AJ and I have a lively conversation about becoming smarter and, possibly, better people through puzzling. Get The Puzzler here: https://amzn.to/45YXy2S This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).