The Broken Brain

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.com/support. Thanks for listening!

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 please download the free gift of a simple one-shot tabletop game "A Bunch of Santas," at www.dwighthurst.com/santa You can click the picture of Santa hats to get the pdf of the game rules and character sheets. 

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 Psychology and skill-building. With background in Physical Training and Psychotherapy, they share their wisdom with me today about non-restrictive eating, positive self-regard, and healthy acceptance.  Enjoy your holiday and be emotionally and mentally healthy! You deserve it!  You can learn more about Kwint and Gina's work at www.thegreateru.com

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 "Fat Wreck," a deep dive into the pivotal Punk Music label Fat Wreck Chords. Please consider supporting or participating in the podcast by going to www.dwighthurst.com/support. Lots of love to all of you Brainiacs, with an extra dose of love to you patrons of the show. 

Valerie Probstfeld is a Nurse Practitioner, Author, and Host of the podcast "To Mom is To Love." Her specialty is working with issues of motherhood, including Post-Partum depression, health management, self-care, fertility, and much more.  Follow her work by listening to her podcast and follow her on Instagram @valerie_probstfeld The Broken Brain is made possible by your support. Check out www.dwighthurst.com/support to see all the ways you can help with the show.

The pursuit of external validation, titles, or wealth can contribute to problems such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and relationship stress. It can even get in the way of achieving the goals that drove us in the first place.  Nick Jonsson joins the show to discuss how achievement can mask pain. As an athlete & corporate leader, Nick found himself crashing into addiction and depression. In recovery now, he helps others assess how chasing accomplishment at all cost can affect mental health. Follow Nick's work at www.nickjonsson.comFollow Nick's work at www.nickjonsson.com The Broken Brain is supported by you wonderful listeners. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/support to get involved

Loki Season 2 recently became available, and you know what that means! Dwight & Sharon are back to talk about the psychological elements of this run of episodes about our favorite God of Mischief. This episode focuses on breaking toxic patterns, failing better, and figuring out which hard decisions are the right ones to make. Through her experience in government, as Manitoba's Health Minister, Sharon offers some special insight into making balanced decisions for the needs of others.  If you would like to support the show and find cool free and bonus patron materials check out www.dwighthurst.com/support, or simply share this episode with a friend or two. 

Anton Wormon, @anton.injapan on Instagram, has gained a huge following online from his videos chronicling his experience renovating his home in Japan, in a place largely without renovation culture. His new book "Free Houses in Japan," tells his story of immigrating from Sweden and creating  a home in a new community.  Anton's story is an example of turning a dream into a goal, pursuing that goal and taking a task that is entirely new and making something beautiful. Consider supporting the Broken Brain by going to www.dwighthurst.com/support. For Patreon members this week enjoy a new episode of The Broken Chat, talking about AI, Ahsoka, and of course a little about podcasting. 

Comedian Paul Morissey joins the show today to discuss the importance of laughter, comedy, and the ways we connect through humor. He also shares his own philosophy of living and working as an artist.  Among Paul's professional appearances are his work on Dry Bar Comedy, The Late Show with David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, and headlining the 4th of July Armed Forces Entertainment Tour for US Troops in Iraq.  This episode is cohosted by London Smith, Actor, Podcaster, Comedian, MD, and creator of the Jock Doc Podcast. 

The use of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment has been studies for many years. Modern use of Ketamine, explored in past episodes, has become common enough to be evaluated as a best practice treatment and is beginning to gain ground with insurance reimbursement. The use of MDMA and Psilocybin mushrooms in treatment of Depression, PTSD, and other disorders is showing fascinating results in research.  Chris Tittle is a psychotherapist in Sisters Oregon, and is educated and certified in the use of psychedelics in mental health management. He joins the program to discuss current theories, research, and training for mental health clinicians in this area.  Follow Chris' work and private telehealth practice at https://motivatedmentalperformance.com/  --- Follow the Broken Brain on Facebook and Twitter @breakabrain, or on IG @brainiacsahoy. If you want to help keep the virtual lights on, check out www.dwighthurst.com/support 

What will it be like when I walk into my first session of Eye-Movement-Desensitization-Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy? Why would I look for this? How can it help me?  This episode is a theoretical and practical description of how EMDR is conducted, what issues it addresses, and what you should expect from this powerful technique in healing from trauma.  Kathleen Brennan is a trauma-informed psychotherapist who practices EMDR Therapy in Nashville Tennessee. She is a frequent guest on The Broken Brian. You can follow her work at www.kathleenrbrennan.com Consider becoming a patron of the arts by helping The Broken Brain! Check out options at www.dwighthurst.com/support 

Karly Beaumont returns to the show to discuss the ins and outs of working in the Nonprofit field. We discuss how nonprofit organizations identify, address and solve problems, tips about working in a challenging field, and the way that Karly brings her talent for filmmaking and podcasting to help in her specific work. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about how nonprofit agencies work, those already working in the sector, or those interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit or human services work.  Karly is the founder of the Core Temp Arts network of podcasts, the network that includes The Broken Brain. She is also the host of "That Pop This Life" and "Talking Shondaland," which you can follow at www.coretemptarts.com.

This is a segment that was pre-recorded for the live event for Opioid Awareness on 8/31, but was not used that day due to a time crunch. You can also view the full video of this interview on the Broken Brain YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/brokenbrainpodcast Ryan Luis Rodriguez, friend of the show, is here to talk about the depiction of addiction in movies, specifically when it is done respectfully or more accurately, to discuss the problematic use of substance abuse in fiction, and share specific movies that deals well with this complex issue. Ryan shares his own feelings with addiction while sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema.  Follow Ryan's podcasts, "One Track Mind" and "The Reels of Justice."

Attachment theory and understanding our own styles of attachment are foundational to mental health, and one of the most important elements of our psychology. At the same time very few people outside the mental health field talk about it, and unfortunately does not come up in treatment circles often enough.  Thais Gibson is a Pastoral Counselor, Therapist, and expert in Attachment Theory. She provides education and techniques for people to understand their own attachment styles, and what to do when an attachment style is insecure from trauma or life experiences. She joins the program today to share her techniques and perspectives.  To learn more about Thais and her work go to: www.personaldevelopmentschool.com. If you would like to support The Broken Brain go to www.dwighthurst.com/support to see the various ways you can help the show.  

Part 2 of our efforts to provide more meaningful diagnostic information for Batman's Rogue Gallery. We dive right into it this time and ask questions like: Is this villain even mentally ill? Are the stories using bias and public perception of mental illness, sometimes in an exploitive way?  What's Arkham's deal anyway?  And more. Christian and Dwight Hurst take a deep dive and consider some lesser talked about goons from the list of Batman's enemies.  Get invovled with the podcast by going to www.dwighthurst.com/support and learning the ways you can help the show to keep the virtual lights on.   

Happy Batman Day! Every September 16th we all (at least those who observe) celebrate the creation of Batman in 1939. Christian Hurst, widely known as Dwight's brother, joins to talk about the use of psychological disorders in the Batman stories. This leads to chatting about the basis of diagnosis, representation of mental illness in media, bias, and a lot of side stepping into other superhero and cultural topics.  Stay tuned for PART 2 for more discussion of your favorite members of Batman's Rogues Gallery, AND check out @brainiacsahoy on Instagram to see more specific diagnosing and treating of these characters as part of the series "Arkham Asylum Internship."  Go to www.dwighthurst.com/support to see all the ways you can support the program on one page! 

It's Batman month on the Broken Brain! Watch for new Batman Mental Health episodes and video clips on social media links. To start us off, this episode is a replay of an episode from June 2022, around the release of the film "The Batman."  Sharon Blady is the perfect CoHost for this episode. We take a look at this representation of Batman, which above all is a story of trying to discover hope in the face of loss, trauma, and pain.  ------- Go to www.dwighthurst.com/support to see various ways to support the show Instagram @brainiacsahoy  Facebook www.facebook.com/breakabrain Twitter/X @breakabrain

This is a Patreon Exclusive episode, released in July on the Patron-Only feed. Become a supporter on Patreon to hear this and other special episodes like this one.  Dalin & Dwight return to talk about the third episode of the Netflix series, and newest iteration of Anne of Green Gables, "Anne With An E." The discussion covers acceptance, trauma, social anxiety, social change, feminism, and more!

Did you love Marvel's miniseries Secret Invasion? Based on online reactions you may not have... BUT that couldn't stop Sharon and Dwight from taking it apart and analyzing the psychological factors of this Comic-Book, Sci-Fi, Spy-Thriller, Character-Study of our old pal Nick Fury. Specifically we found a lot of interesting elements of relationships, betrayal, and surprisingly healthy conflict management among a very unique married couple. Sharon is a recurring guest and friend, certified nerd, mental health advocate, and former Health Minister of Manitoba, CA. Follow her work at www.speak-up.co Support the Broken Brain by joining our Patreon at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain!

A great conversation about parenting, talking to teens, and confronting our own fears and limitations. Sean Donohue brings his knowledge and infectious excitement to the show. Super fun episode! Sean is a coach and educator for all things Parenting and Family. He is also the creator and host of the Sean Donohue Show, a podcast for parents. Follow him on Instagram @the.familycoach or go to www.parentingmodernteens.com.  The Broken Brain's second annual Live event for Opioid Overdose Awareness will be on Thursday 8/31. Watch, listen, and even JOIN the broadcast live. Find links on social media or go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for all the information and links.