The Broken Brain

Another great conversation from the Cinequest Film Festival! Rich Ho spent the past 13 years making his movie "Heavens: The Boy and His Robot," a coming of age story centered on bravery, community, and dedication, set in sci-fi world. He talks to us about story telling and how he learned to overcome personal fear and dedicate himself to a project. The making of this film is a story of goals, follow through, and Rich's relationship with his children. Please visit www.CHIRLA.org to support the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, our highlighted charity for the month of March.

Grief is a complex thing, and can be difficult to approach with children. Dr Korie Leigh is one of the nation's leading experts on childhood grief & pediatric palliative care, a consultant to the Sesame Street Workshop, and the author of the new book "When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief." Today she shares principles to help children through the most difficult times, whether they are coping with loss or suffering from serious illness of their own. Follow her work and check out the book: www.korieleighphd.com The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Rights for Immigrants. Go to www.chirla.org to support & share this important nonprofit.

What is with the stereotype of the Irish Cop? I have seen this in fiction, when I was young it seemed like half of fictional law enforcement were Irish. In the real world Irish culture has a strong present in the culture of modern day policing. Where did it come from? This week's dive into cultural history is a story of immigration, discrimination, brutal capatilism leading to mass corruption, and how an immigrant group can be pressured into infighting with other immigrants. For Patrons of the show (who get the second half) there is also a touching story of modern Irish advocacy and referrals to Irish American Groups advancing rights of immigrants today. Here are links to the organizations mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPwq0sGkji-/ (Story of the Grapefruit Ladies) https://www.irishamericandems.org/ (Irish American Democrats) https://www.aaidnet.org/ (African American Irish Immigration) https://aoh.com/ (Ancient Order of Hibernians) https://ciic-usa.org/member-centers/ (Coalition of Irish American Center) AND of course our highlighted charity this month: www.chirla.org, the Coalition fo rHuman Immigrant Rights

Cinequest Fim Festival is in full swing, which means interviews with Indie Artists! Today we discuss the film "Plan C," with writer/director Scott Cavalheiro, and star Claire Cavalheiro. Plan C is a heist movie focused on doing the wrong things for what feel like the right reasons: helping family. The highlighted charity this month is CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org åç

What information to we use to diagnose and deduce what is going on in a situation? What is a useful or less-useful way of going about this? The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA. Go to www.chirla.org to learn about and support this wonderful nonprofit working to support and protect the rights of immigrants.

The Isolation Helmet was an inventive, and quite odd, treatment device for mental health. Today we revisit this former episode of Thursday Thistory, with one important difference: Everyone gets the FULL episode! Try to control your excitement! Usually these history lessons are only available in full to Patreon donors, but everyone gets this one. The highlighted nonprofit this month is CHIRLA: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Go to www.CHIRLA.org to learn more and support this amazing and important organization.

Jonny Durgan is the writer & director of the new short film "G.S.W." now making the film festival circuit. This powerful film looks at a unique aspect of a school shooting, seen through the experience of a pair of EMTs near the site. Follow the process of this film, including a trailer and it's eventual general release, at www.youtube.com/@gsw_film The Broken Brain's highlighted charity this month is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org

Today's dive into history of psychology focuses on a modern pioneer in therapy: Dr Joy Harden Bradford. She is the founder of Therapy For Black Girls, a platform for education, advocacy, and mental health treatment focused on the needs of Black women and girls. Her foundational work is based on overcoming obstacles such as bias, medical discrimination, and stigma of seeking out therapy. You can follow her work at www.therapyforblackgirls.com This is a sample of this Thursday Thistory, a weekly dive into psychology, available in full to supporting patrons of the show. Consider supporting the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain

Dr Joseph Luftman is a Physician specializing in Sports and Family Medicine. After suffering a massive heart attack, often called a widowmaker level attack, he began to focus on reducing elements of stress and burnout through mindfulness, recognizing stress buildup, contemplation, and how sound can be useful in finding calm amidst chaos. Follow his work at www.saturationofsound.com and read his new book: The Widowmaker's Gift This month our highlighted nonprofit is The Lavender Rights Project. Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.com to support this organization, helping Black Trans individuals with the challenges they face in society.

With the recent passing of Rev. JesseJackson, many have been concerned at the lack of celebration and respect being shown by the current administration, including lack of official direction to fly flags at half-mast, and Mike Johnson's flat refusal to consider Jackson's potential for interment in the Capital Rotunda. Lack of respect or outright erasure of civil rights can contribute to advocacy burnout, or stress from the current political climate. Along with many other forms of action, openly celebrating causes or individuals is a form of self-care. Today I want to share a brief story about Jackson's skill as a diplomat and negotiator, and how he used these talents to successfully aid in the release of hostages on the international stage. Please go check out www.lavenderproject.org, our highlighted nonprofit for this month, to support this wonderful organization helping Black Trans Americans. Share, support, and celebrate their important work.

E. Kitch Childs, PhD, was an influential and tireless advocate for the civil rights of women, Black Americans, and the LGBTQ community. Her work in academics, research, treatment, and advocacy forever changed the world of Psychology and the social landscape of the United States. This is the first half of this week's dive into the history of psychology. The second half is available to all Broken Brain Patrons, over at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain Check out this month's highlighted nonprofit, the Lavender Project, a Feminist, Queer charity benefitting Black Trans people facing practical, emotional, and legal struggles. Go to www.lavenderproject.org to learn more.

Microdosing of mushroom products is prominent on the horizon of healthcare and research. Christian Rasmussen, host of The Amanita Podcast, joins the podcast to discuss the Amanita Muscaria Mushroom, also known as fly agaric. Christian went through his own addiction and mental health struggles, and shares with us the role that Amanita played in his recovery. He has built a career sharing information and growing safe, non-recreational botanical products. Check out his podcast, and learn more about his work at www.amentara.com This month our highlighted charity is The Lavender Project, a Queer led organization helping Black Trans people to meet practical, legal, and emotional needs. Follow them at www.lavenderproject.org

Patreon sample: This week in our history deep dive we are examining the life of Dr Solomon Carter Fuller, credited as the first Black Psychiatrist in the USA. Born of formerly enslaved parents, Dr Fuller grew up to become a psychiatrist, neurologist, and professor at Boston College. His groundbreaking research in the discovery of Alzheimer's disease is still the foundation of much research and treatment today. Go to www.thelavenderproject.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit, providing legal and practical assistance for Black Trans Americans. 50% of donations from Patreon members who join this month will go to The Lavender Project as long as they remain donors. That's why they get 50% more episode today than the general public.

Jane Fischer is a Teacher, Special Educator, Learning Consultant, and the Author of "If You Knew Suzy: Pushing Past the Boundaries of Never." Jane's daughter Suzy was diagnosed at a young age with rare brain abnormalities and Joubert Syndrome. The book tells the story of what types of acceptance, grieving, and hope can exist when a parent and a child have to decide how to respond to a long list of "nevers," and how to help Suzy build her own fulfilling life. Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.org to support this month's highlighted charity, a lovely nonprofit helping Black Trans individuals to thrive through legal help, advocacy, and meeting their health and wellness needs.

It is hard to navigate day-to-day with all of the bullshit going on in the USA right now. How. dowe stay informed, do our part to help, advocate, and avoid burnout, avoidance, or self-destructive coping mechanisms? Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.org to get aware and involved with this month's highlighted nonprofit. Lavender Rights Project helps Black Trans people with community advocacy, increasing safety, and practical needs such as housing.

With Black History month I have been looking into some of the underreported Black pioneers in the field of education and psychology, and was very impressed with the impact of Dr Inez Beverly Prosser. An educator, researcher, psychologist, she is the first Black woman to earn a PhD in the United States, in 1933. Her research into the emotional, cognitive, and psychological effects of segregation on Black children was vital to the Brown v Board of Education case, 20 years after her death. This is the first half of this week's dive into psychological history, available to all. The entire episode each week is available to supporters of the show. Consider lending your support: www.patreon.com/brokenbrain The highlighted charity this month is the Lavender Rights Project, a Black Trans Feminist nonprofit advocating, supporting, and providing legal and housing assistance for Black Transgendered individuals. Get involved at: www.lavenderrightsproject.org

Garrett Wood, Clinical Hypnotherapist and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, joins to talk about the role that hypnotherapy can play in treating burnout, anxiety, chronic pain, and overall health management. He discusses the difference between medically sound, best practice ways hypnosis is used to find solutions to health problems. Check out his practice, Gnosis Therapy, at www.gnosistherapy.com This month the Broken Brain is focused on Stand In Pride, a charity helping connect LGBTQ+ individuals to community and found family after facing abandonment from their support systems when coming out. Learn more and get involved at www.standinpride.org, or download their app to get involved today.

Patreon sample: the first half of the true story of the bungled, ridicolous kidnapping of Frank Sinatr Jr in the sixties, and the role that scrupilosity. grandiosity, and delusion played in this scheme. This month's charity is Stand In Pride, a nonprofit helping LGBTQ+ individuals to establish friends and found family, especially when facing rejection from their family of origin. Go to www.standinpride.org to learn more.

Salima Adelstein is the first woman to become a Murshida, a spiritual guide in the Shadhiliyya Sufi Tradition, the mystical dimension of Islam. She has 35 years guiding people in meditation, spirituality, and using the Shadhiliyya principles. Follow her and her work at www.sufi.net The highlighted charity this month is Stand In Pride, a nonprofit organization helping members of the LGBTQ+ community to build their own support community after facing rejection from friends and family. Go to www.standinpride.org or find their app in your app store to get involved.

This week for Monday Mental Health Tip I want to share the use of action as a form of self-care and service, finding ways to support and help during times of political and social injustice, targeting of immigrants and marginalized populations, violation of civil rights, and even public executions. Anxiety can be managed through purposeful action, here are some ideas about funneling the emotional energy into areas that can help these situations, and will more so the more of us that join in. Highlighted charities in this episode include: Immigrant Legal Resource Center: www.ilrc.org National Immigration Law Center: www.NILC.org Transgender Law Center: www.transgenderlawcenter.org

In 1770 a weird and amazing machine known as "The Chess Machine," or "The Mechanical Turk," was created by Civil Servant and Engineer Wolfgang von Kempelen. He claimed it could play chess as an automated machine, and indeed it played and defeated many talented players and well-known people, including Napolean and Benjamin Franklin. This device kicked off the type of thinking that influenced the development of the computer, and probably even AI. Unfortunately it was all a hoax... Thursday Thistory is a look at psychological or cultural history. Half today's episode is available to all listeners, while the other half is only for Patreon members. This month's highlighted charity is Stand in Pride, a nonprofit helping LGBTQ+ individuals find support after facing rejection from family. Go to www.standinpride.org to learn more.

Psychiatrist Joel Gold & Philosopher Ian Gold wrote "Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness," examining the effects of culture and social media on delusions. Cue the creation of Artificial Intelligence, with quickly increasing presence and impact. The brothers teamed up with Award Winning Filmmaker Sean King O'Grady to create the docuseries "Suspicious Minds," interviewing researchers, AI engineers, and individuals who have experienced what is increasingly being called "AI Delusion." This is a fascinating discussion about the relationship with new technology, and how it can impact mental health. Watch Suspicious Minds on Youtube, or find the audio anywhere you find podcasts. Our highlighted charity this month is Stand In Pride, an organization helping LGBTQ+ individuals who have been abandoned by family and friends to find stand-in family for events such as weddings and graduations, and to build found family relationships. Support them by downloading their app, going to www.standinpride.org, and follow founder Dan Blevins on IG @the_zombie_dan

How does technology and culture impact mental health? Today's Monday Mental Health Tip is focused on finding a healthy balance in how we embrace new tech, Particularly AI (more to come on that tomorrow) Our highlighted charity is Stand in Pride, helping LGBTQ+ individuals to discover found family and build new support systems, especially if they have faced rejection in response to coming out. Go to www.standinpride.org to learn more.

Isabel Tehran returns for another Christmas Special, talkign about...a Christmas Special. This year we are focused on Rankin-Bass' "The Year Without A Santa Claus." Along with a BUNCH of other stuff, Christmas Special related and otherwise. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/santa for a free gift, the TTRPG A Bunch Of Santas. Happy Holidays to all!

Being healthy is one of the difficult challenges of being a human person. So PJ Glassey joins us today to help us. A trained physiologist, Glassey shares guidance on physical and cognitive techniques for well ronded health, using tools like cognitive behavioral interventions, gratitude, and meditative practices along with physical exercise. Follow his work at www.xgym.com We are continuing to support the Because Organization this month, supporting survivors of human trafficking to build stable, healthy lives following an exit from trafficking. Support their great work at www.becauseorganization.org

Jessica Baum is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in relationships, particularly the role of attachment. She is also the author of "SAFE: Coming Home to Yourself and Others," a look at building more secure relationships by understanding ours and our partner's patterns of attachment. We are continuing the focus on The Because Organization as our nonprofit of choice for the remainder of this year. Go to www.becauseorganization.org to learn more and support their work with survivors of human trafficking.

Oswald Newbold is a Certified Mediator, specializing in conflict resolution for individuals, groups, and organizations. He has been managing conflict and communication since 2008, when he mediated disputes between incarcerated individuals in the Florida Criminal Justice system, reducing tension and violence within the prisons. Oswald talks today about the mediation process, communication, and social advocacy for rehabilitation. Follow his work at www.oswaldnewbold.com This month we are highlighting The Because Organization, a nonprofit supporting survivors of human trafficking. Get involved in their work: www.becauseorganization.org

Dr Christine Silverstein believes that young people are strong, and that their strength increases the more the believe in themselves. As a Behavioral Health RN, author, and clinical hypnotist she specializes in helping children to find empowerment through healthy self-talk, academics, and strong relationships. Follow her work at www.idealperformance.net and www.drchristinesilverstein.com The Because Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to helping former victims of human trafficking to rebuild their lives, and is the charity of focus this month. You can get involved with their work at www.becauseorganization.org