Mind Tricks Radio

Episode 15: Chocolate on the Mind!, with Dr. Nat Bletter

After a nearly one year hiatus from Mind Tricks, I've started a new series of episodes with lively and informative guests on topics related to psychology.

Episode 15 is particularly tasty, as I interview Ethnobotanist and Chocolatier, Dr. Nat Bletter, who discusses his love for medicinal plants, and in particular, the psychoactive properties of plants.  Dr. Bletter talks about chemical complexities of chocolate and his Hawaii based company Madre Chocolate.  He then discussed psychoactive properties of other plants that are commonly used as mood enhancers, anxiolytics, and cognitive boosters.

As an experienced gardener, grower, grafter along with his enthusiasm for enjoying the outdoors, exploring exotic fruits, and cultivating local food to enjoy all the flavors of life, this has led him to start Natty by Nature (http://www.nattybynature.net) for edible landscaping, foraging, and cooking on O’ahu and his YouTube channel on medicinal and edible plants.

 

 

Episode 14: Red Flags in Abusive Relationships, with Dr. Tyler Ralston

Interview with Dr. Tyler Ralston, a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Ralston returned to speak with me about how to identify red flags in abusive relationships, and how to avoid starting a relationship with an abusive partner. Dr. Ralston is a co-author of Treating PTSD in Battered Women, a step-by-step manual for therapists and counselors.

Episode 13: Positive Psychology -- On Optimism and Pessimism, with Dr. Adam Dorsay

A conversation with Dr. Adam Dorsay, Clinical Psychologist in San Jose, California.  We talked about Positive Psychology, and the concepts of Learned Helplessness, Optimism, and Pessimism and how they may affect a person's ability to grow and find fulfillment in his or her life.

Episode 12: Teens and Sleep, with Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom

Interview with Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Wahlstrom has researched teens and sleep for 23 years, and has generated overwhelming findings on the profound health benefits of later school start times for teenagers. Based on Dr. Wahlstrom's work, the need for later school start times has been endorsed by organizations such as the American Pediatric Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychological association. As a result, hundreds of school districts around the country, and internationally, have changed their start times for teenagers.

Episode 11: Perfectionism, with Dr. Liza Wacker

Interview with Dr. Liza Wacker, Clinical Psychologist in Hawaii.  Dr. Wacker spoke with me about Perfectionism -- how to identify perfectionism and understand how it gets in the way of achieving happiness and fulfillment. She gives great examples of ways to shift perfectionistic thinking and engage in behaviors that promote healthy striving.

Episode 10: Love in the Time of Coronavirus, a conversation with Dr. Adam Dorsay

A conversation with Dr. Adam Dorsay, Clinical Psychologist in San Jose, California.  We talk about the psychological and emotional distress that many are feeling around the current COVID-19 crisis, and offer suggestions on positive and helpful ways to cope and even grow from this experience. This episode is dedicated in memory of Larry Kaplan.

Episode 9: Psychological Defense Mechanisms, with Dr. Sarah Sarkis

Interview with Dr. Sarah Sarkis, Clinical Psychologist in Hawaii.  Dr. Sarkis returned to speak with me me about psychological defense mechanisms we employ as a means of protecting ourselves from deeply uncomfortable feelings. She calls defense mechanisms the mind's personal homeland security system.  

Episode 8. Love, Attachment, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), with Dr. Cindy Goodness Zane

Interview with Dr. Cindy Goodness Zane, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Honolulu who specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples, families and individuals. Dr. Zane spoke with me about love, attachment and her work with Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Episode 7. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness, with Dr. Akihiko Masuda

Interview with Dr. Akihiko Masuda, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Dr. Masuda spoke with me about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness.

For more information about this episode, please visit my Blog at Dr. Akihiko Masuda.

Episode 6. Parenting Styles: From Hyper-Scheduling to Unscheduling, with Dr. Jeffrey Stern

Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Stern, Clinical Child Psychologist in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Dr. Stern spoke with me about parenting styles ranging from hyper-scheduling to unscheduling.

For more information about this episode, please visit my Blog at Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Stern.