Professor Kuhn utilizes his expertise as a cognitive psychologist to deepen our understanding of the psychological processes that operate when we observe magic. We discuss the power and persuasiveness of misdirection and what's called the 'magician's force'. These are both techniques designed to distract for the purpose of disguise. In addition to being used for entertainment, these maneuvers need to be understood as they can be part of legal and political manipulation.

We begin by describing severely afflicted patients for whom the use of medications is a vital part of their overall treatment. We then discuss individuals for whom medications can address psychological 'stuckness' that is not otherwise life-threatening. These are patients who are struggling with impulsiveness and ruminations that have led them to be withdrawn from a full life of interests, intimacy, and pleasures. 

We begin with recounting the etymology of the word placebo and then describe two dramatic instances where 'mind over matter' determines the body's physical responses. Joe elucidates the impact of culture and setting on the psychology of the subject and then the impact of their psychology on neuro-biologic mechanisms. His research emphasizes the power of the provider-patient relationship, and we discuss this similarity with the psychotherapeutic relationship.

We discuss the history of sadness and depression - how they are seen as similar and different from each other throughout history and across cultures. Professor Sadowsky is wary of reductionism in understanding the origins of depression and values both biologic and psychoanalytic treatment approaches. We consider the concept of "chemical imbalance." We discuss famous individuals who have struggled with depression and how they demonstrate that one can live a vital life alongside this terrible...

We begin by describing what emotional attunement is and how we 'know it when we see it.' We are most familiar with it in the creative and athletic arts but in fact we have access to it in our daily lives. Ted and Ashley break it down for us and describe the four pillars that they see as constituting rich interpersonal attunement. We also discuss what the autistic spectrum is and how its various presentations reflect neurodiversity.

Dr. Gerbarg brings her psychiatric and psychoanalytic training to her work as an integrative psychiatrist with a special focus on breathing techniques. We begin by reviewing the anatomical connections between the lungs, the vagus nerve, and the brain. The balance between the enervating sympathetic system and the calming parasympathetic system can be powerfully influenced by different breathing practices.

We begin by outlining the nature of chronic pain - how pervasive it is and its association with depression, sleep disorders, obesity, and smoking. We also referenced its link to childhood traumatic events. We review the challenges of finding physicians with expertise in both the medical and the emotional aspects of living with chronic pain.

We begin our conversation by outlining the differences between collecting, clutter, and hoarding. Stelios describes the hoarder's fortress of material items that parallels their emotional defenses that keep them from experiencing internal vulnerability and loss. He sees the goal of treatment as helping individuals transform from an intolerable to a tolerable interplay with the world and with others.

Dr. Waldinger is a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst and a Zen teacher and priest. We begin by distinguishing between an Eastern and Western way of approaching the mind. Dr. Waldinger describes his journey of becoming both a Zen Priest and a Zen instructor and the differing tasks involved with each. He compares his psychodynamic approach with his Zen approach to individuals who are suffering.

We begin by discussing the centrality of the newborn's experience of attachment and how that connection comes to serve as a foundation for all later attachments. Attachment includes managing separations and Erica describes the parents' vital function of recognizing the ruptures in their infant's sense of safe attachment. She makes common-sense and wise recommendations for how one can facilitate the repair of these ruptures.

We begin by describing the syndrome of secondary amenorrhea, also known as hypothalamic amenorrhea, and discuss the associated observable symptoms which include intensive exercise and caloric restriction. Dr. Spadazzi is quick to emphasize that while these symptoms are an important aspect of the biology of this condition, they can easily distract one from recognizing the underlying psychological difficulties that commonly coexist.

 We discuss Andy's early experience of pregnancy and the unsettled feelings that she first noticed at that time. After the premature birth of her daughter, she became hyper-focused on her milestones and confused her child's progress with her own self-esteem, to the detriment of both. Over time she began observing that her own inner experiences were less related to her daughter but rather were connected to her own childhood situations.

We begin with an overview of the microbiome especially as it functions as part of our immune system. From there we discuss the connection between the gut and the brain and how each influences the other. We consider the complex and serious condition that is depression which has many causes and many treatments.

We discuss the emotional context into which every child is born. Dr. Szajnberg and his colleagues' research followed 76 individuals from birth to age 30. They collected and studied films of mother-infant feedings along with later careful interviews and testing throughout the children's lives. They learned that there are elements of parental caretaking that dependably increase the likelihood of the child's favorable development.

We discuss the generic nature of the term 'psychotherapy' - how it refers to a large number of different clinical encounters. We focus on the unique properties of dynamic psychotherapy, a treatment that focuses on the repetitive relationship patterns that have limited the lives of those seeking new opportunities. Attention is given to how these maladaptive patterns get unknowingly replayed in the setting with the therapist.

We review the genetic, medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors that increase the likelihood of someone suffering from memory loss. Dr. Isaacson describes his successful efforts at intervening in these areas leading to improvements in his patients' cognitive functioning. Careful history taking, cognitive evaluation, and detailed laboratory testing point the way towards individualized recommendations in contrast to a one size fits all model.

We discuss the phases of love that we go through in life which mature over time through our emotional growth. It is not only time that impacts our growing to be able to both love and receive love - it is also our environment which inevitably confronts us with opportunities and tragedies. Juliet Rosenfeld shares with us her journey of love as she went through the challenges of dealing with her husband's terminal diagnosis and its impact on each of them and on their relationship

We discuss the history of plant medicines over the millennium as well as the recent research into their medical benefits that took place in the 1950s and 60s. We review the current studies on the role of psychedelic therapies with cancer related anxieties, severe depression, addictions and PTSD as well as with eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive conditions.

We discuss the paradigm shift that is taking place throughout medicine in appreciating the central role that the microbiome plays in many diseases. We learn about the development of the infant's microbiome at birth and the biologic synchronicity with the mother through breastfeeding. Dr. Callaghan shares with us her research on the impact of early adversity on the later development of dysbiosis in the gut and its related anxiety and depression.