Unlock the truth about modern mental health—why nearly all psychiatric diagnoses are scientifically meaningless and how the system is big business, not care. Dr. John Read exposes the flaws in DSM diagnoses, the influence of pharmaceutical money, and the harm of treatments like ECT and antidepressants. If you're tired of quick fixes and want real understanding, this episode offers practical insights into trauma, social factors, and safer, evidence-based approaches to well-being. Perfect for those questioning the status quo, seeking genuine help, or interested in transforming mental health care. Tune in to discover how to reclaim agency over your mental health and challenge the dominant, profit-driven system.

Key Takeaways:

• Diagnoses and Understanding: Recognising the scientific flaws in psychiatric labels and focusing on individual experiences for effective care.
• Overdiagnosis and Resources: The impact of expanding diagnostic criteria on resource allocation and personal agency.
• Trauma and Social Factors: The need to acknowledge trauma and social influences in mental health, moving beyond the biomedical model.
• Psychiatric Treatments: Critiquing the use of ECT and advocating for evidence-based, humane alternatives.
• Pharmaceutical Influence: Understanding how drug company funding distorts mental health practices and the importance of transparency.
• Social Connection and Lifestyle: Emphasising social activities and lifestyle changes as paths to mental health.
• Ethical Treatment and Consent: The importance of informed consent and trauma-informed care in mental health practices.

Resources

Connect with Professor John Read:

X: https://x.com/ReadReadj
International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal 
Hearing Voices Network, England                                                                                                       University of East London

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If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

01:54 The Flaws in Psychiatric Diagnoses

07:03 The Evolution of the DSM

10:10 The Overdiagnosis Problem

18:05 The Impact of Labels on Mental Health

24:20 Alternatives to Diagnosis

27:10 The Side Effects of Antidepressants

32:46 Navigating Withdrawal from Antidepressants

37:07 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care

43:39 The Controversy of ECT

51:19 The Role of Placebo in Treatment

55:47 The Future of Mental Health Care

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This week on Mojo Monday, Carly shares practical tips to help you tackle feelings of overwhelm. She explains how our language can either exacerbate or alleviate stress, and suggests reframing our thoughts to create a sense of structure and control. Carly also introduces the Pomodoro technique, a time-blocking method that combines focused work with regular movement breaks to boost productivity and energy. By implementing these strategies, you'll learn to work effectively alongside your emotions, rather than getting caught up in them. 

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In this episode, Dr. John Osborne, a renowned preventative cardiologist, joins me to discuss the intricacies of heart health. We delve into heart anatomy, common cardiovascular issues, and the role of cholesterol and plaque in heart disease. Dr. Osborne explains the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and highlights the advantages of advanced imaging techniques like cardiac CT. The conversation also covers valve disorders, treatment options, and the future of cardiology with AI and advanced imaging.

Key Takeaways:

• We literally have the cure for heart disease.
• We don't look for the cancer early.
• Waiting for symptoms is detrimental to health.
• Chest pain is a late indicator of heart disease.
• Stage 4 cancer is akin to late-stage heart disease.
• Early detection can save lives.
• Proactive healthcare is essential.
• Medical research has advanced significantly.
• Awareness of symptoms is crucial.
• Preventative measures can lead to better outcomes.

Resources

Social Handles:

• Website: https://clearcardio.com/
• Facebook: Clear Cardio
• Instagram: Clear Cardio
• YouTube: ClearCardio YouTube

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

03:01  Understanding Heart Anatomy and Common Issues

06:01  The Limitations of Traditional Cardiac Testing

09:04  The Evolution of Cardiac Imaging Technology

11:50  The Role of Cardiac CT in Modern Medicine

15:02  Comparing Cardiac CT and Other Imaging Techniques

18:04  Leaky Valves and Their Implications

21:06  Pathological vs. Physiological Heart Changes in Athletes

28:24  Understanding Aortic Valve Issues

31:01  The Importance of Proactive Health Checks

33:03  Aortic Aneurysms and Their Risks

35:33  The Role of Plaque in Heart Disease

42:01  Cholesterol: A Poor Indicator of Heart Health

49:10  The Future of Preventive Cardiology

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Today, I examine the implication for human health of a recent research paper titled: Effects of Exercise Training on Mitochondrial and Capillary Growth in Human Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.

Here is the link to the paper.

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How do we accept ourselves without giving up on growth? In this Mojo Monday episode, Carly talks about why acceptance isn’t resignation, how purpose shows up through action, and how self-compassion creates space for meaningful change.

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In a twist from the normal Saturday interview, Carly takes the reins and interviews Paul on the concept of Hardiness. Topics discussed:

• The difference between Hardiness and resilience
• Why Paul had Hardiness as a topic for his PHD and book
• The 4 C’s of psychological hardiness
• Physiological hardiness and how  it interacts with psychology
• Can people learn to be hardier?
• Developing hardy kids

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In this episode, Carly explores the concept of anxiety and how we can approach it in a new way. She discusses the idea that anxiety isn't something to be eliminated, but rather a natural response to uncertainty and responsibility. Carly dives into the work of psychologist Rollo May, who saw anxiety as a signal that something matters. She explains how attentional control can help us break the cycle of anxiety and reconnect with life.

Carly Taylor is a counsellor and mindset coach with a Master of Counselling. Trained in Japanese Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and a member of the Australian Counselling Association, she helps people develop practical tools to live purposeful, engaged lives.

To find out more about Carly, visit www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.au.
Follow her on Instagram: carly_taylor_coaching

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This is a repeat episode from a couple of years ago, because it was absolutely brilliant.

In this conversation, Dr Stuart Shanker discusses his journey in understanding self-regulation and stress through the lens of neuroscience. He explains the intersection of neuroscience and human behaviour, exploring concepts like the interbrain, homeostasis, and the impact of stress on emotional regulation and development.

Key Takeaways:

• Stress and Human Behaviour: Understanding how stress affects human behaviour and the importance of self-regulation in managing stress effectively.
• Neuroscience Insights: Insights into the limbic system and midbrain, and their roles in emotional regulation and stress response.
• Global Knowledge Dissemination: The importance of spreading knowledge about stress and self-regulation both in Canada and globally.
• Homeostasis and Stress: The concept of homeostasis and how excessive stress can lead to imbalance in the body's systems.
• Practical Applications: Practical strategies for self-regulation that can improve mental and physical well-being.

Resources

MEHRIT Centre

Self-Reg GLOBAL

Website: https://self-reg.ca/

Stuart  is the author of the Self-Reg trilogy: Calm, Alert and Learning: Classroom Strategies for Self-Regulation (Pearson 2012), Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life (Penguin 2016); Reframed: Self-Reg for a Just Society (UofT Press 2020), and with Susan Hopkins, Self-Reg Schools: A Handbook for Educators (Pearson 2019).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartshanker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StuartShankerSelfReg/

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

03:41 Stuart Shanker's Journey and the Merit Centre

09:23 The Evolution of Neuroscience and Human Behaviour

17:33 Understanding the Interbrain and Its Role

25:25 Homeostasis and Its Impact on Behaviour

27:54 Understanding Homeostatic Imbalance

33:15 Self-Regulation vs. Self-Control

35:18 Recognising Stress in Children

38:27 The Importance of Calmness

42:27 Allostatic Overload and Its Implications

48: 54 Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Self-Regulation

57:52 The Role of Exercise in Self-Regulation

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