In this episode, we unravel the profound cultural shift that has elevated therapy, manifestation, and new-age spirituality to the status of modern-day religions. We'll dive deep into how these practices dominate our lives, filling the void left by the decline of traditional religious faith. From the passionate fervor of social justice movements to the commodified serenity of wellness apps, we explore how these trends mirror religious rituals and beliefs. We dissect the entrenchment of therapy...

Individuals recovering from trauma, neglect, and abuse are often particularly vulnerable to manipulative tactics. Their desire to be liked and accepted can unfortunately make them less adept at recognizing when they are being manipulated. In this episode, we’ll explore not only how to detect these hidden agendas but also how to respond and reclaim your space with integrity and confidence. In part one of this mini-series, we’ll peel back the layers of the most covert strategies used in...

Every year, thousands of young people are forcibly sent to facilities designed to control their behavior. These range from boot camps and behavior modification centers to wilderness therapy and gay conversion programs. Often unregulated and shrouded in secrecy, these institutions promise behavioral correction but deliver trauma and abuse. Join me for a conversation with Nick Taber, a writer and personal development advocate, reveals the dark underbelly of the “Troubled Teen Industry” and his...

Dive into the dark complexities of Aileen Wuornos's life in this thought-provoking installment of our 'Anatomy of Evil' series. This episode transcends the usual true crime sensationalism, offering a deep-dive into the psychological and societal factors that sculpted Wuornos's destiny. In this exploration, I unravel Aileen's turbulent early life, spotlighting the profound impact of her family dynamics—particularly the roles of her absent father and abusive grandfather. We delve into how these...

In this episode, you’ll join me for an interview with author, screenwriter, and activist Rose Cartwright, whose battle with disturbing intrusive thoughts initially led her to a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. However, after rising to fame through a seeming liberation due to her diagnosis, she found herself at a crossroads that led her to drastically rethink healing and mental health. A profoundly transformative moment at a silent meditation retreat during a personal dark night of...

What if I told you that hidden within the fabric of your own body lies a discovery so profound it's shifting the very foundations of health science? Picture a network, integral to our biology, that could reveal the secrets of how our bodies communicate, how they hold onto trauma, and might even unlock new ways to heal longstanding health mysteries. This isn't the realm of science fiction—it's the reality of the Interstitium, a discovery that's reshaping our understanding of the human body....

In this episode, we'll explore the real-life impact of extreme gender roles, social media influence, and how embracing flexibility can break generational trauma cycles. In a world dominated by extreme viewpoints and rigid gender roles, the true complexities of marriage and motherhood are often overshadowed. This episode delves deep into the stories of two women who journeyed through the extremes—one embracing the "girlboss feminism" ideology, only to find its rigidity incompatible with the...

Have you ever wondered why some days feel like a relentless highlight reel of your mistakes? Or why a minor setback can sometimes seem like an insurmountable hurdle? In this episode, I delve into the psychological phenomenon known as 'magnification'—the mind’s tendency to amplify the negative and minimize the positive, skewing our perception of reality. Through a blend of personal insights and ancient wisdom, I explore how this distortion can cloud our judgments and decision-making processes,...

In this episode, we're diving into the covert and damaging world of 'mean girl' behavior, exploring its impact from high school to the workplace. Discover what this very specific form of nonphysical bullying entails—such as exclusion, rumors, and cyberbullying—and how these subtle yet devastating actions can shape our lives. Drawing from a meticulous academic study, we'll translate dense psychological theories into relatable insights, shedding light on why and how this form of bullying...

In this very first episode in my “Anatomy of Evil” series, I delve deep into the complex psychological landscape of Charles Manson, exploring the dark interplay between personality, power, and manipulation. Join me as we peel back the layers of Manson’s early life, examining how his childhood—marked by neglect and manipulation—fostered a personality that thrived on the same chaos and control he experienced. From his formative years in a string of institutions to the formation of the infamous...

↓ Want to unlock ALL my BPD-related episodes? Scroll to the bottom of this post for more info. ↓ Episode Description: This episode was inspired by a viral tweet about rumors swirling regarding Pete Davidson’s alleged (and now completely debunked) 'new relationship' with actress Jenna Ortega, highlighting the paradox of how 'a man with BPD' could possibly do so well with women. The tweet sparked a firestorm of replies that revealed incredibly troubling, deep-seated biases regarding the...

Have you ever wondered about the real risks of antidepressants? Do you feel like the information you're getting from the psychiatric establishment and pharmaceutical companies might not be the whole truth? In this hard-hitting episode, I dive deep into the recent controversy surrounding antidepressant withdrawal, uncovering the layers of misinformation and hidden interests that shape public perception. From the initial backlash to revealing the deep conflicts of interest within the...

Join me for an intimate conversation with Louise Rosager, a celebrated dreamwork teacher and creative coach, who has transformed countless lives by reconnecting people with the potent messages of their subconscious minds. In this enlightening episode, Louise opens up about her own struggles with stage fright and how mysterious synchronicities and dream figures not only guided her through dark times but also deepened her understanding of the profound connection we all share with our dreams and...

Join me for a conversation with Laila Mickelwait, a fearless anti-human-trafficking activist and the author of the newly released book, Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub, a gripping account of her journey to expose and dismantle what she describes as ‘not just a porn site’ but a ‘crime scene.’ Throughout our conversation, which was her very first interview just days before her book was published, Laila sat down with me to share how her years of advocacy led her to uncover the...

Join me for a transformative journey with Dr. Judy Tsafrir, a board-certified psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School faculty member, and a visionary in the field of mental health. A recipient of the 2024 Silver Nautilus Award for her groundbreaking book, "Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness," Dr. Tsafrir brings a unique perspective shaped by her background as the daughter of Holocaust survivors. This deep personal connection to...

Does he actually love you, or is he just tolerating you for as long as it takes him to get what he REALLY wants? It's a jarring question, one that challenges the very foundation of romantic relationships. But it's precisely the kind of provocative statement that modern female dating influencers use to capture the attention of millions. These influencers, with their sharp advice and confident personas, have sparked a resurgence in dating strategies that many thought had been left behind in the...

In this hard-hitting episode, I sit down with Dr. Roger McFillin, a board-certified clinical psychologist, executive director of the Center for Integrated Behavioral Health, and host of the globally popular "Radically Genuine" podcast. Known for his fearless critique of the mainstream mental health system, Dr. McFillin exposes the detrimental consequences of psychiatric diagnoses and drugs, advocating for a deeper understanding of human suffering. Dr. McFillin shares his journey from a...

What if everything we think we know about depression is wrong? What if the very framework we've built around the concept of depression has been shaped, not by the inherent nature of the experience, but by changing cultural narratives and evolving medical perspectives?   In today's episode, we’ll trace depression’s origins back to ancient times, where it was known as melancholia—a term that encompassed a broader and perhaps more human understanding of the experience. Unlike the clinical, often...

In this episode, I sit down with Elisabeth Kristof, an expert in nervous system health and trauma resolution, the founder of Brain-Based Wellness and a co-host of the Trauma Rewired podcast. Elisabeth shares her journey of discovering neurosomatic intelligence, a path sparked by her own experiences with childhood sexual abuse, self-sabotaging behaviors, and toxic relationships. When her life fell apart, she found healing through understanding the brain-body connection and applied neurology....

Why are we so obsessed with looking young, and what does this obsession say about us as a society? From the ads we see on TV and social media to the conversations we have with friends and family, there's a relentless focus on maintaining a youthful appearance. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Why do we place such high value on looking young, and how does this impact our mental health and self-perception? The beauty industry, worth billions of dollars, thrives on this obsession. It...

Join me as I sit down with Dr. Lucy Johnstone, a trailblazing consultant clinical psychologist, author, and co-creator of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF). Dr. Johnstone’s extensive work challenges the conventional biomedical model of mental health, offering an innovative approach that prioritizes understanding human suffering within its broader social, cultural, and political contexts. Dr. Johnstone shares her journey from a young academic inspired by the works of Carl Jung to a...

Borderline personality disorder is often stigmatized, with a significant number of professionals within the industry regarding borderline patients with contempt. As one psychiatrist told anthropologist Tanya Lurhmann, “if you’re talking to a patient and it feels like your internal organs are being turned into hamburger meat, she’s probably borderline.” This harsh and dehumanizing perspective is alarmingly common and contributes to the intense stigma faced by individuals given a diagnosis of...

Join me for a compelling exploration into the intersection of trauma, folklore, and the supernatural with psychotherapist and author Alex Monk. In this episode, we delve into his book, Trauma and the Supernatural in Psychotherapy: Working with the Curse Position in Clinical Practice, which integrates psychoanalytic theory, anthropology, and esoteric philosophy to offer a new perspective on trauma therapy. Alex shares his insights on how traumatic experiences interact with unconscious...

Have you ever felt like everything you once knew is crumbling around you? Or perhaps you're grappling with a profound inner turmoil that seems to defy explanation? You might be experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul—a profound transformation that challenges the very fabric of your identity and existence. Join me as we unravel what a Dark Night of the Soul really is, distinguishing it from ordinary hardships and depression. We'll explore the intense, often terrifying feelings of emptiness and...

Join me for a crucial conversation with Robert Whitaker, the fearless journalist and author whose investigations have profoundly challenged our understanding of mental health care. Robert's seminal works, including Mad In America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and The Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America, and Psychiatry Under the Influence: Institutional Corruption, Social...