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…

You've heard of the Placebo Effect, which is the tendency to experience improvement in disease or complication because we expect it to get better. But do you know about the Nocebo effect? Turns out we also experience negative side effects and health problems more often when we expect them. This psychological dynamic has implications for counseling,…

Welcome to Thursday This-story, a dive into the history of mental health practices. This is a new feature for the podcast, appearing once a month on the main feed, and every Thursday on the Patrons Only Bonus Materials. Today's Thistory lesson is a look into the history of the mental health crisis or suicide help line. A practice since the 1950s, t…

Sharon & Dwight are focused on "The Marvels" today, discussing issues like relationship repair, hope, self-image, and what it's like when your concept of someone is nudged one way or another.

A long overdue return to the topic of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Kelly Tuttle is an advocate, expert, and author who joins the podcast to give guidance about life with TBI, including her own story of recovery and acceptance. You can read more in her book "After The Crash." Check out the ever evolving resources and materials at www.dwighthurst.co…

Please be aware, this episode deals with issues related to a case of murder-suicide. Audrey Laura White is an expert in grief, loss, and major life trauma. She shares her story about coping with extreme loss due to violence, as well as the myths, research, and reality of healing through grief over the loss of loved ones. Visit www.dwighthurst.com t…

Brian Bachand is a friend of the show from way back. He is a specialist in motivation, making difficult decisions, creating plans, and aspects of how human beings experience change. He is also active in nonprofit, charity, and fundraising work with many different organizations. In addition he's a cool guy and a great person who uplifts those around…

Selwyn Jones is a Community advocate and the Uncle of George Floyd. Liz Darden is a City Councilwoman in Harrison, Arkansas, called by some "the most racist town in America." They are the founders of the Nonprofit Organization Hope929, organized to help promote racial equality and community opportunities to disenfranchised individuals. They join to…

Mel Schwartz is a Psychotherapist who applies principles of Quantum Physics in his practice. Examining dynamics of matter and energy has helped Mel to develop techniques for anxiety reduction, healing from trauma, and much more. To learn more about Mel's work visit melschwartz.com Learn about how you can support the Broken Brain: www.dwighthurst.co…

Sharon Blady was kind enough to stop on by the virtual studio to record an episode about Santa, the myth, the legend, and why people do what they do with this tradition. Including a peek into (surprise) the world of Marvel Comics...in which Santa uses his powers as a powerful mutant to help and protect children. Wow. If you like RPG play then pleas…

Holiday times are a time of food, folks, and fun. They can also be times triggering for body issues, food concerns, and Eating Disorders. Some of these feelings make us unhappy, and at a certain level can even be life-threatening. Kwint & Gina Kemp are the cofounders of The Greator You, a coaching service for all aspects of health based in Positive…

This episode is for all you Podcast lovers and/or Podcasters out there. Shaun Michael Colon is an independent filmmaker, creator and director of the documentary "Age of Audio," now in post production. This documentary looks into the phenomenon of podcasting, the role it plays in our world, and what the future might hold. Shaun's past work include "…