Category

Psychology

Non Fiction, Psychology, Relationships, Self-help, Social Issues

Jun 10: You’d Never Join a Cult, Right? Daniella Mestyanek Young Says”You’re probably already in a cult. You just don’t know it…”

Why We Hand Our Power to High-Control Groups & How To Get It Back

The Culting of America: What Makes a Cult and Why We Love Them with Daniella Mestyanek Young

Today’s guest is a leading expert on group-think, high-control situations, corporate cultures, clubs, and some of the most insidious cults in America. She says, you might want to look at some of the organizations and people you associate with, before it’s too late.

Last time we spoke with Daniella Mestyanek Young it was about Uncultured, Daniella’s escape from the insidious Children of God cult. Today we explore some of the insights in her latest book, The Culting of America: What Makes A Cult & Why We Love Them.

We look at the difference between cults, groups, and clubs. Discuss a couple of well-known organizations and corporations that meet the 10 criteria shared by all cults. We unpack what makes cults dangerous. How to recognize the signs of high-control groups before it’s too late. And why, and how, we get sucked into them.

Meet Daniella Mestyanek Young

Daniella Mestyanek Young is a cult survivor, U.S. Army veteran, Harvard-trained organizational psychologist, and the author of two books about high-control groups—her critically- acclaimed memoir Uncultured. And her latest, The Culting of America. Born into the Children of God—the infamous sex cult known for weaponizing religion, sexuality, and isolation—Daniella escaped at 15, only to join another high-control institution: the United States Army. She became one of the first women to serve on an integrated ground combat team in Army history, while working as an intelligence officer who studied terrorists for a living. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, identity, group psychology, and coercive control.

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Creativity, Inspirational, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Self-help

Jun 03: You’re so close. The finish line’s in sight. Then you stop. Stall. Self-sabotage. Sound familiar?

A Deeper Dive Into Reaching The Final 8th with Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals with Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

If you’ve ever stopped working toward a goal you swore you wanted – a promotion, relationship, creative dream – right before it became reality, returning guest Bridgit Dengel Gaspard says: You’re not weak. You’re not broken. You’re definitely not self-destructive. You’re simply human … and not every part of you wants what you think you want.

Picking up where our last conversation ended, we drill down into Bridgit’s groundbreaking work with inner selves, exploring what it really takes to cross the finish line.

We unpack more neuroscience behind inner selves. What happens in your brain when different “parts” of you pull in different directions. How culture impacts you. How to turn your inner critic into an ally – it’s not your enemy; it’s a protector in a bad disguise.

We explore why we stay too long in jobs, relationships, and situations that no longer serve us. Inner dynamics that keep us stuck. And The Final 8th – that last stretch between where you are and where you want to be, and why it’s often the most psychologically loaded terrain of the entire journey

Meet Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

A psychotherapist, voice dialog coach, author, and founder of the NY Voice Dialogue Institute, Bridgit Dengel Gaspard has led workshops for Omega Institute, New York Open Center, and many other organizations. She’s a former performer and comic, and as therapist and voice dialogue expert, specializes in overcoming creativity blocks. The foreword to The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals is written by the original creators of voice dialogue, Hal and Sidra Stone.

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Non Fiction, Psychology, Social Issues

Mar 25: The Culting of America with Daniella Mestyanek Young

What Makes a Cult & Why We Love Them

The Culting of America: What Makes a Cult and Why We Love Them with Daniella Mestyanek Young

You’re probably in a cult. You just don’t know it yet.”

Last time we spoke with Daniella Mestyanek Young it was about Uncultured and Daniella’s escape from the insidious Children of God cult. But not all cult-like situations are the same (think corporations, groups, organizations, clubs) and recognizing you’re in a high-control situation is half the battle.

Today we discuss Daniella’s new book, The Culting of America: What Makes A Cult & Why We Love Them. We share what makes cults dangerous, how to recognize the signs of high-control before it’s too late, and why we get sucked into them.

We explore the difference between cults, groups, and fan clubs. And look at a couple of well-known organizations fitting the “10 criteria framework” of all cults. Daniella’s driving force in her work: Why do we give ourselves over to groups — and how do we get our power back?

Meet Daniella Mestyanek Young

Daniella Mestyanek Young is a cult survivor, U.S. Army veteran, Harvard-trained organizational psychologist, and the author of two books about high-control groups—her critically- acclaimed memoir Uncultured. And her latest, The Culting of America. Born into the Children of God—the infamous sex cult known for weaponizing religion, sexuality, and isolation—Daniella escaped at fifteen, only to join another high-control institution: the United States Army. She became one of the first women to serve on an integrated ground combat team in Army history, while working as an intelligence officer who studied terrorists for a living. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, identity, group psychology, and coercive control.

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Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology

Jan 07: Upping Your Game When It Matters Most with Dr. Dana Sinclair

Performance psychologist helps identify your performance style for work, home, and winning in life.

Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most with performance psychologist and author Dr. Dana Sinclair

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! And, as always, thank you for joining us.

Today, we’re not talking about new year’s resolutions – which most of us have abandoned by January 15th anyway. But we are talking about about how you can learn to step up your performance, with Dr. Dana Sinclair – her book, Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most.

Dr. Sinclair says ” … motivation is overrated”, and we’ll find out why. We discuss how to identify our individual performance style, and the importance of planning. And we bust some of the most common myths and lousy advice.

Why is daydreaming important? Why does character beat out talent? How do you develop helpful habits and routines? How do they differ from superstitious rituals? And how do you overcome the fear of failure, and stop self-sabotaging We share all of that, too.

Meet Dr. Dana Sinclair

Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most is a 2024 Globe & Mail Bestseller, and still going strong. Author, Dr. Dana Sinclair, is a registered psychologist, specializing in performance psychology for more than two decades. A founder and partner of Human Performance International, Dr. Sinclair is a former athlete, and as a psychologist, has partnered with elite athletes to help them achieve peak performance in professional football, hockey, baseball, and basketball. She is a clinical assistant professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and also works with surgeons and high-level medical and corporate organizations.

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Non Fiction, Professional Development, Psychology, Relationships, Self-help

Dec 31: Love Without Landmines: Kelli Miller’s Proven Hacks for Happier, Healthier Relationships

More love, less stress in 2026 with Love Hacks

Love Hacks with author Kelli Miller

Whether you want to strengthen a new romance, or deepen a long-term partnership, today’s guest offers tools you can start using today to create a more connected, fulfilling love life.

Author and psychologist, Kelli Miller, takes a deep dive into the 15 most common couples’ issues in Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues.

We discuss how to course correct some of those 15 issues, including cultural differences, our beliefs and the way we were raised, deep-rooted anger, the painful grief of infidelity, and of course, effective communication.

Kelli also shares thoughts around what she terms the four cornerstones of a solid partnership And when it’s time to quit trying and move on.

Meet Kelli Miller

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW, is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, and television/radio host. She is a three-time award-winning writer, with her most recent book, Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues, offering practical tools for navigating everyday relationship challenges. Kelli’s expertise has been quoted in various publications including Oprah Magazine, Authority Magazine, Wellness Magazine, The Georgetown Current, The Northwest Current, Now It’s Your Turn Mom!, and more. Kelli is also an advisor for Cognitive Leap’s app for ADHD as well as a spokesperson for Brillia.

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Arts, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology

Sep 24: Amy Herman, Fixed: The Fine Art of Problem Solving

“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Amy Herman with Fixed: The Fine Art of Problem Solving

Sometimes, solving a problem really is as simple as changing your perception, and Amy Herman helps facilitate those paradigm shifts in her book Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving.

Using art forms, from paintings and sculptures to mixed media and photography, Amy shares how learning to view something differently helps shake up our default way of thinking – whether we’re making everyday or major decisions.

Amy also provides insight into what the FBI, NATO, the State Department, Interpol, Scotland Yard, and many other organizations and their leaders use to solve their most difficult problems. 

Meet Amy E. Herman

Amy E. Herman developed The Art of Perception, Inc., in 2000 to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills while she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City. Herman adapted the program for a wide range of professionals, including the New York City Police Department, FBI, French National Police, Department of Defense, Interpol, State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, military, and intelligence community.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Psychology, Self-help

May 14: Is Your Teen Depressed? Dr. Meredith Gansner Shares Important Insights for Parents

Teen Depression Gone Viral: Why Kids Are More Vulnerable Than Ever & How You Can Protect Your Child’s Health & Happiness

Teen Depression Gone Viral with author Dr. Meredith E. Gansner

Dr. Meredith Gansner says an episode of depression is not typically identified by one symptom, but by multiple risk factors – and that’s what we explore today, along with busting common myths around teen depression.

How do I know if my teen is just being a brat (aren’t they supposed to be?) versus sliding into a depressed state? How do I approach a teen who won’t talk to me about anything, let alone their feelings? How is digital media affecting them? How can I monitor my kid without invading their privacy?

And, since suicide is the second leading cause of death in 10-34 year olds, how can I detect early warning signs and intervene?

Meet Meredith E. Gansner, M.D.

Teen Depression Gone Viral: Why Kids Are More Vulnerable Than Ever & How You Can Protect Your Child’s Health & Happiness is the result of many years of research, psychiatric practice, and parenting. Meredith E. Gansner, MD, is an attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her award-winning research focuses on adolescent mental health and problematic digital media use.

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Health & Wellness, Psychology, Science, Self-help

Mar 12: The Busy Brain Cure with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Feel helpless to break the work, sleep, work cycle? Dr Romie’s 8 week plan maximizes focus, tames anxiety, & leads to a healthy sleep pattern.

The Busy Brain Cure with author Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Stressors are often misconstrued as a sign of a hectically important life, worn as a badge of honor, but the reality is that chronic stress kills. Dr. Romie Mushtaq discovered that the hard way when she suffered major career burnout, while simultaneously undergoing life-saving surgery.

The irony was not lost on her that, as a neurologist, she should have known better. But her wake-up call set Dr. Romie on a global journey to research and heal the negative impacts of stress responses on our brains, bodies, and teams. The Busy Brain Cure: The Eight Week Plan to Find Focus, Tame Anxiety, & Sleep Again takes an integrated approach to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and live with zest.

Find out why the constantly new trending diets and cleanses should give way to occasionally embracing certain comfort foods to fight stress. We discuss how to overcome the stimulant-sedative cycle, lower your caffeine independence by day and sleep aids at night. And Dr. Romie shares how to heal the root cause of ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia without addictive medications.

About Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Dr. Romie is a board-certified physician, award-winning wellness speaker, and the founder of brainSHIFT. She combines over 20 years of authority in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness to deliver programs and create cultural change. Dr. Romie currently speaks and consults for Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, & global associations. She is also the Chief Wellness Officer (CWO) for Great Wolf Lodge. And was formerly the CWO for Evolution Hospitality, where she scaled a mindfulness & wellness program for over 7,000 employees. Her expertise is featured in the national media, such as NPR, NBC, TED talks, and Forbes.

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Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Self-help

Oct. 16: Feel, Heal & Let That Sh*t Go with Rachel Kaplan

Your Guide to Emotional Resilience and Lasting Self-Love

Feel, Heal, and Let That Sh*t Go with author Rachel Kaplan

We’re living in a cultural time where people are finally okay with talking about feeling their feelings. “But,” says psychotherapist Rachel Kaplan, “too many of us don’t know how.”

Today we share insights from Rachel Kaplan’s new book Feel, Heal & Let That Sh*t Go: Your Guide to Emotional Resilience and Lasting Self-Love. Rachel’s unique approach to self-care and personal transformation? Emotional Potty Training™ (EPT).

We explore what EPT is and how it teaches us to feel our emotions by moving them through our body as nature intended. Rachel shares the difference between Reactive vs. Proactive Emotional Release work. How to rethink conditioning around our self-worth. How to customize our lives. How to deal with shame and fear. And how to check in with ourselves, to avoid backsliding.

Meet Rachel Kaplan, MA, MFT

Rachel Kaplan, author of Feel, Heal & Let That Sh*t Go: Your Guide to Emotional Resilience and Lasting Self-Love, is a licensed psychotherapist with a thriving practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. Creator and host of the Healing Feeling Sh*t Show, she’s studied yoga, meditation, and alternative hands-on healing practices in India and Nepal, earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and trained in cutting-edge trauma modalities such as EMDR.

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Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Non Fiction, Psychology

Jul 03: Sue Van Raes Defines Food & Freedom

Discover Your Personal Recipe to Eat, Think, and Live Well

Food and Freedom with author Sue Van Raes

Sue Van Raes helps break through some of the misinformation and disinformation around our biochemistry, metabolism, and what that really means to us and our health – emotional, mental, and physical.

She says while most people blame food for their weight issues, food is actually a symptom. We discuss why embodied eating is important, and what that means. How aligned action benefits us. Where resistance shows up. How eating with your soul improves your life, and the best ways to overcome food coping skills such as comfort eating, food restriction, and food perfectionism.

Meet Sue Van Raes

The author of Food and Freedom: Discover Your Recipe to Eat, Think, and Live Well, Sue Van Raes is a functional nutritionist, food psychology specialist, and psycho-spiritual practitioner dedicated to helping women (and men) transform the way they eat, think, and live. Her work is featured in numerous publications including People magazine, Chopra, Livestrong, and Reader’s Digest. More about Sue at Boulder Nutrition.

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