This Monday's Mental Tip is focused on a few ideas for dealing with Manic or Hypomanic episodes for those of us with Bipolar, Bipolar II, or some serious bouts of impulsivity with ADHD. Plan to listen or join the 3rd annual Broken Brain Live Feed for Opiate Overdose Awareness. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for details.…

WARNING this episode is about suicide, although it is not graphic. This is the first 7 minutes of this week's dive into mental health history for the Patreon members. In 2003 subway companies around the world installed blue LED lights in their terminals, based on the belief that it has a calming influence, and will discourage suicidal individuals f…

The percentage of young people dealing with anxiety and depression is at an all time high. Teenagers deal with massive physiological & psychological development, major educational goals, and complicated social experiences. Social media, economic shifts, and societal complexity add elements new too many parents. Kevin Baker is a Certified Life Coach…

Monday Mental Tip! Some ideas about looking for therapy or supportive psychological help when funding is an obstacle.

Thursday weekly Thistory lessons appear in the Patrons-only podcast feed, and the rest of y'all get the first 5 minutes of the episode here on the main feed. Today's history dive is looking into the burnout of those in nonprofit, human services, education, and healthcare. Some general history of burnout itself, its labelling and research, and apply…

WARNING: This episode contains a true story of child abuse, murder, and suicide, told by a member of the family within which it happened. Please listen with caution and awareness of your own mental health needs. Brianna Benjamin is no stranger to The Broken Brain Podcast. Bri & Chris Revill frequently help out with live events, guest on episodes, a…

This week's quick mental health tip is all about the word normal, a tricky word to say, to ourselves and others, due to its tricky set of definitions. A look into the power of terminology on our psychological health.

A sample of this week's Patrons-Only feature, looking at the psychology of humor and jokes, and also the history of why Slipping on a Banana Peel is so super funny...or once was?

Jason Shier is a Psychotherapist who specializes in somatic technique and internal emotional processes. He uses individually focused treatment, moving away from pathology or problem-based healthcare. Join us for our discussion of inner healing, modern therapy, and the pros and cons of diagnostic labels and programmatic approaches. The Charity of Fo…

The Monday Mental Tip this week is focused on the use of gratitude to improve relationships and psychological health.

Writing a Trauma Narrative is an important part of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is also something that is not a part of many modern trauma therapies. When did the Trauma Narrative become a thing, and why is it considered by some to be old-fashioned? What are the pros and cons of writing a narrative, or CBT for Trauma? Learn the a…

Medical Child Abuse is defined as a caregiver purposefully making falsified or exaggerated claims of symptoms in their child, resulting in harmful or inappropriate medical treatment. Often referred to as Munchausen By Proxy Syndrome, this abuse is underreported and extremely dangerous to the child. Andrea Dunlop is the host of the podcast "Nobody S…

Monday Mental Tip: Standing up for things we believe in is a form of self-care!

Albert Ellis was a pioneer in the field of therapy, genius, and frankly kind of a weirdo. His techniques live on in modern therapy, mostly in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, even though his philosophy was considered somewhat of an alternative approach to CBT when he developed them. He was also a blunt, direct, often abrasive man who struggled interpe…

Andy Hogan is an Author, Counselor, Advocate, and Musician specializing in Bipolar Disorder. He recently released a musical album related to his most recent book "Love For Mental Illness: How To REACH, Help, and Heal." As 2 guys with Bipolar Disorder, Andy and I had a good time talking about his approach and his music to break down this serious hea…

Monday is the day for a quick Mental Health Tip from The Broken Brain Podcast! Today's tip is related to conflict based communication, an idea for generating healthy questions to defuse the anger. Please remember the charity of focus for June: www.outnebraska.org, a nonprofit proving advocacy and community education to make life safer for LGBTQA+ c…

This is a 3 minute sample of this week's Patreon episode, a look into the history of naming Bipolar Disorder. In 1980 the name of Manic-Depressive Disorder was officially changed to Bipolar Disorder. Why did they do that? Was it good, bad, or just something that happened? This week's Thistory History dive is a look into the practice of changing dia…

Greg Wooley is a poet, sobriety advocate, and the cofounder of Florida Recovery Schools of Central Florida. The Recovery High School model creates an educational environment focused on support for teens with addiction problems. Greg and I were able to discuss Harm Reduction, fundraising, nonprofit management, and the damaging stigma still associate…

Monday is Oneday to get a Mental Health Tip! If you don't plan time for self-care needs, they will happen anyway. The difference is that they will happen once we crash and will be surrounded by same. For the month of June The Broken Brain is encouraging you to support and share OutNebraska, an organization helping make Nebraska a safer & healthier …

This week's dive into Mental Health History profiles Magnus Hirschfeld, German Sexologist, Physician, and LGBTQA+ advocate from the early twentieth century. He established the first Gender Affirming clinic and Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation research institute, which was destroyed by Hitler's regime in the 1930s. The weekly Thursday Thistory e…

"Bastards of Soul," is a documentary about loss, music, the creative process, and healing. Filmaker Paul Levatino was creating footage for the band at the height of their rise in popularity. At that time the band's frontman and lead singer, Chadwick Murray, had tragic and sudden health problems which claimed his life. This story is one of tragedy &…

Monday is Oneday to get a Mental Health Tip! Sleep is vital to healthy functioning! How do we get it? For the month of June The Broken Brain is encouraging you to support and share OutNebraska, an organization helping make Nebraska a safer and healthier place for Queer people: www.outnebraska.org

If you are a long time listener of the podcast you know (and love) Chris Revill. From social work to podcasting, Chris and his show, Let's Chat With Chris Revill, have been pillars in the indie podcast community. He also cohosts one of The Broken Brain's Patreon shows: The Broken Chat. Chris is ending his long running podcast and getting involved i…

This is the first 2 minutes of this week's dive into mental health history, specially produced weekly for the Patreons. From 1980-2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DMS) included 5 areas that clinicians were required to address in every clinical assessment, separated into 5 Horizontal Roman-numerated rows. These 5 Axis were considered to …

Todd Baratz is a Psychotherapist specializing in relationships, sex, and changing unhealthy patterns. He is also the author of the new book: How To Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind, which releases today! He joins us to share insights into reframing the effects of trauma and how that impacts our relationships. For June, The Broken Brain is high…

Monday is Oneday to get a Mental Health Tip! When you feel overwhelmed to the point where you can't focus on work, here is a little trick to try. For the month of June The Broken Brain is encouraging you to support and share OutNebraska, an organization helping make Nebraska a safer and healthier place for Queer people: www.outnebraska.org…

This is the first 5 minutes of this week's Thursday Thistory, all about the history of Non-Directive Play Therapy, developed by Virginia Axline in the 1940s, as she applied principles of Rogerian Therapy to work with very young children. To hear the entire episode and all of the weekly Mental Health History lessons, check out www.dwighthurst.com/su…

Dr. David McMillan is a clinical psychologist and author who specializes in interpersonal dynamics in relationships and communities. In particular he focuses on the ways that people heal or harm their relationships by the way we open ourselves to our partners or neighbors. He describes how principles of Newtonian psychics & Einstein's theories abou…

Your 2 minute sample of this week's Patreon bonus: Liminality is the space between one role and another, the journey in a dramatic transition, our coming of age, and many other events. This Thursday Thistory dives into the history of this term & concept, how it impacts our rituals, the role it plays in our personal psychology. Thursday Thistory is …

Yasmine Cheyenne is an author and speaker, with a powerful and innovative approach to self-help. The New York Times has called her "The Sister Friend we all need." She is here to tell her story of finding hope in times of crushing stress, even when things didn't seem to turn around for a long long time, as shared in her new book: Wisdom Of The Path…

This is the first 2 minutes of this weeks dive into the History of Psycholgy, all about Eugene Francois Vidocq, adventurer, criminal, detective, and the inspiration for Victor Hugo to create the characters Inspector Javert AND Jean Valjean. Go to www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to subscribe. All new Patreon members joining in May 2024 will have 50% of …

Nicole Murray and Paige Henderson are the writers and stars of the short film "3 Easy Steps," all about ADHD, Self-Rejection, Internal pain, and our tendency to look for quick and easy cures, and how those can backfire. The protagonist tries to personify the part of herself she does not like and kill them. But what if it doesn't want to die? Follow…

Ever wonder about the title of Sociopath? When was it first used? Is it a real diagnosis? Is it different than the term Psychopath, or are they interchangeable? This is the entire Thursday Thistory episode for May Patreon members get weekly dives into the history of psychology, uploaded monthly to the main feed. To sign up for bonus materials like …

Jeff Krasno is a health & wellness expert, who found that in his middle age he was suffering from health problems and neglect of his own well-being. He fought for his physiological & Psychological health, applying what he taught to himself. He is here today to talk about the benefits of Eustress, healthy stress, and how follow-through can be a chal…

Sharon Blady joins the episode to celebrate May the Fourth, Star Wars Day! We discuss the impact that Star Wars has had upon the culture, share some of our most impactful Star Wars Memories, and read some memories from friends kind enough to share.

"The Sign," is an emotional, wonderful penultimate episode of Bluey Season 3. If you're a fan of Bluey (and you should be) then it was an exciting culmination to the preceding storylines, AND a look at healthy principles of acceptance. Karly Beaumont rejoins the show to talk some Bluey. The Broken Brain is Highlighting the YWCA of Nashville as a gr…

"Play Date" is an independent short film currently traveling through the Film Festival circuit, Debuting at the Dallas Film Festival next week. I was able to interview Amberlee Colson & Laura Campbell, The Directors and Stars of this project. The film is an amazing look into the trauma and coping of 2 women a year after their daughters experienced …

This is the first 2 minutes of This Week's Bonus Patreon Post (Thursday Thistory), all about the History of Telehealth & Online Therapy Check out www.patreon.com/brokenbrain or www.dwighthurst.com/support to subscribe for bonus materials!

What happens when larger social issues intersect with our individual lives? We are surrounded by social, environmental, economic, and many other factors that interact with our psychology and the ability to live our lives. Dr Sebastienne Grant is a psychologist who studies the intersections of individual and societal wellbeing, social justice, envir…

Dr Don St John joins the program to discuss his approach to healing from trauma and becoming a whole and healthy self. His treatment strategies include the use of Somatic Techniques to tie the mind and body together for deeper psychological healing. Follow his work at www.pathsofconnection.com --- Consider becoming part of the Broken Brain by suppo…

In the 1960s, Walter J Miller travelled around the USA performing lobotomies for the media and the public, as well as training staff in psychiatric facilities. As the inventor of the Transoptical method of lobotomy, Miller unfortunately caused thousands of people to receive this dangerous, and often very damaging, procedure. This episode is the mon…

You know (and love) Sharon, frequent cohost and All-Things-Marvel Correspondent for The Broken Brain. She is here today to share all about K-pop, her invovlement and interest in this movement, and how it has culturally and politically had an impact in Western culture. As a former politician herself, Sharon understands the nuances of advocacy and ha…

Christopher Morris is the author of the new book "We Are All Made of Scars," which tells the story of the extreme difficulties caused by living with his mother's alcohol addiction, and how this caused pain for him and for her. His story is one of vulnerability, pain, trauma, and healing. ---- If you would like to contribute to the podcast, please s…

Ande Welling is a fantastic therapist and expert in Dance & Movement Therapy. A while back she gave this wonderful training for Mental Health clinicians, and I was lucky enough to rediscover this recording I made of her presentation. ---------- Consider becoming part of the Podcasting action by filling out a survey, contacting directly, or supporti…

Joe Shaeppi is a therapist who uses adventure and adrenaline to amplify trauma recovery. This triggers a type of stress known as Eustress, or healthy stress. He also discusses the use of technology in psychological assessment, and the research behind the heathy aspects of playing video games. Follow his work, or use the free assessment tools on his…

Happy Mario Day! March 10, or MAR10, is a day to remember and celebrate our favorite Italian Plumber, and his expansive squad of characters. This episode focuses on psychological benefits of approaching the world the way we play video games, which some psychologists call the Mario Effect. This episode is a Thursday Thistory, a weekly feature for Pa…

How we feel about ourselves has a powerful effect upon what choices we make, our quality of life, and the relationships we have with others. Our self-to-self relationship can amplify happiness, health, or create obstacles. The way we relate to ourselves is also heavily influenced by experiences and treatment from others. Sheleana Aiyana is an exper…

Tim Lewis is a Psychologist, Author, and Survivor of family violence. When he was 28 his father murdered his mother, and then killed himself. Tim shares the story on the podcast, and in his book "Daddy: A Son's Reckoning with Personal and Collective Trauma in America." Tim has routed the energy from his trauma into studying, educating, and providin…

What makes family? How do we define connection, and what are the actions that separate those that care from those that simply claim to care? Marvel's new series Echo showcases these issues, and much more. Join Sharon and Dwight discussing things like family, relationships, power dynamics, culture, and colonialism. Sharon also shares her experiences…