In this returning conversation, we welcome back Ann de Passos, leadership consultant, coach, and facilitator who specializes in nervous system–informed leadership. Drawing on 15+ years across charity, corporate, and social enterprise sectors, Ann guides leaders and teams to operate from clarity, relational intelligence, and embodied resilience.

We take a deep dive into the nervous system and Polyvagal Theory to answer a simple but powerful question: How do we learn to be human? Ann explains why understanding the body’s wiring is the essential first step to changing how we lead, communicate, and respond under pressure. Topics include:

The basics of Polyvagal Theory and why the nervous system shapes behavior at work

Somatic practices leaders can use to reduce burnout and recover faster from stress

Systems thinking + emotional intelligence: designing cultures that sustain people and performance

Practical tools for strengthening team connection, psychological safety, and values-led decision making

If you’re a leader, manager, coach, or anyone who wants to lead from steadiness instead of reactivity, this episode offers grounded science, practical exercises, and real-world strategies to build healthier, high-performing organisations.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this deep, mythic conversation, we welcome Brant Elwood, author of Gods, Heroes and Groups: Relational Dynamics through Mythic Archetypes and an MA in social-organizational psychology. Brant blends mythopoetic lineage with practical organizational insight to reveal the unconscious dynamics that govern how groups behave — in communities, workplaces, and treatment settings.

We explore:

How mythic archetypes (gods, heroes, tricksters) show up in group roles and organizational life

Rites of passage work with young men during the pandemic and what that revealed about leadership, belonging, and responsibility

The group unconscious — patterns we enact without awareness and how they shape decision-making, conflict, and culture

Practical ways leaders and community members can be mindful of their roles so they don’t unconsciously repeat damaging patterns

Why integrating mythic thinking helps organizations surface the undiscussed and rediscover healthier relational dynamics

This episode is for leaders, therapists, organizational consultants, and anyone curious about the hidden stories that run our groups. Brant’s approach offers a poetic but practical map for recognizing the forces that shape group life — and for acting with conscious intention instead of falling into unconscious roles.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this timely episode, Dr. Chloe Carmichael — clinical psychologist, USA Today bestselling author of Nervous Energy, and longtime educator — returns to Noggin Notes to explore why free speech matters in therapeutic settings and how self-censorship can damage both therapists and clients.

We dig into the practical and ethical stakes: how open dialogue supports accurate diagnosis, trust, and psychological growth; how fear of controversy or professional consequences leads clinicians to self-censor; and the downstream mental-health costs when people (therapists or clients) silence honest thought and feeling. Dr. Chloe draws on clinical experience, research, and her work teaching clinicians to explain why courageous, curious conversation is often central to healing — and how constricted speech can worsen anxiety, shame, and isolation.

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone seeking therapy, this conversation is an urgent, compassionate case for protecting honest speech in the therapy room — and for noticing how self-silencing affects mental health in everyday life.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this thought-provoking episode, we talk with Dr. Hannah Spier, Norwegian psychiatrist and creator of Psychobabble—a hybrid podcast and publication that challenges flawed psychology and exposes the therapists and cultural trends harming mental health.

Dr. Spier, who trained in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy at the University of Zurich, takes a critical look at how psychiatry has become dominated by ideological influences, often leaving behind the real needs of patients—both men and women.

We explore:

How psychiatry has been shaped by feminist and postmodern ideas

Why these cultural shifts affect the way men and women experience therapy

The overlooked challenges of women in modern psychiatry

The current crisis in boys and masculinity, and why balance in mental health care matters

How Psychobabble is reframing the conversation about integrity, tradition, and truth in psychiatry

With features in The Federalist, Commentary Magazine, The American Spectator, and Mad in America, Dr. Spier is becoming a leading voice in pushing back against the cultural and ideological capture of psychiatry—offering a grounded, values-driven approach to care.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Rachel Haack, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, mother of five daughters, and passionate advocate for women navigating the second half of life.

Together, we take a deep dive into the unique struggles women face during this stage—challenges that are often overlooked or minimized in mainstream discussions.

Rachel shares her insights on:

The emotional and relational challenges of women in their second half of life

How women balance supporting families, communities, and themselves

Strategies for navigating conflict between parents and adult children with compassion and skill

Why strengthening relationships is the key to resilience and fulfillment

With honesty, optimism, and warmth, Rachel highlights both the struggles and the strengths of women in midlife and beyond.

Whether you’re a woman living this reality, a family member, or a professional supporting others, this episode shines a much-needed light on a vital stage of life that deserves more attention and care.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Mark L. Ruffalo, M.S.W., D.Psa., a leading psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and professor of psychiatry at the University of Central Florida and Tufts University School of Medicine. With years of clinical experience in the psychoanalytic treatment of schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and other severe mental health conditions, Mark brings a depth of understanding rarely seen in today’s therapy landscape.

Together, we explore the pendulum swing of psychiatry and psychotherapy—from depth-oriented, long-term psychoanalysis to surface-level symptom management and back again. Mark shares his insights into:

The forgotten depths of the human psyche that modern therapy often overlooks

Why schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder require more than quick-fix interventions

The history and future of psychotherapy in a medicalized mental health system

How psychoanalysis still offers profound tools for healing and understanding human suffering

If you’re a therapist, clinician, or simply curious about the intersection of psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and human depth, this episode will challenge the way you think about mental health.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

On today’s show, we sit down with Jonathan Cogburn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Abilene, Texas, whose work bridges deep compassion with practical solutions. Jonathan currently serves in an education support agency, coaching school counselors in small and remote districts to navigate complex student needs—especially when community resources are scarce. He also trains school staff to identify and support students experiencing homelessness, bringing awareness and actionable strategies to a critical yet often overlooked issue.

With a diverse background spanning private clinical practice, suicide crisis intervention, community mental health case management, and hospice chaplaincy, Jonathan brings a rich, systems-based perspective to understanding human relationships. In this episode, we explore how Systems Theory applies to families and family structures, unpack the challenges facing homeless youth, and discuss the interconnected nature of mental health, education, and community support.

Follow Jonathan on X: @cognoggin

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this bold and thought-provoking episode of Noggin Notes, Jake speaks with Suzannah Alexander, a writer, reformer, and former counseling student who made waves by stepping away from graduate school after facing ideological coercion in her program.

Suzannah opens up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating a counseling program that conflicted with her values—and how that experience inspired her to take action. Today, she collaborates with lawmakers, policy organizations, and advocacy groups to reform counseling education and licensure. Her mission: to restore integrity, transparency, and true academic freedom in a profession that is increasingly shaped by political ideology.

They explore:

Why Suzannah left her graduate counseling program

How accreditation bodies and training institutions shape what future therapists are taught

The risks of compelled speech and ideological conformity in mental health education

What real reform could look like—and how we can get there

Suzannah’s work has been featured in Minding the Campus, cited in policy reforms, and is gaining momentum among those concerned about the direction of mental health education.

Whether you’re a student, therapist, educator, or simply curious about the future of mental health care, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Find Suzannah’s writing and advocacy at diogenesinexile.com and follow her on X https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this compelling episode of Noggin Notes, Jake sits down with Giff Lasta, a marriage coach and advocate for healthy masculinity, to explore what it means to be a man in today’s world—and how we’ve drifted from that foundation.

Giff opens up about the importance of restoring masculinity through grounded manhood, not dominance or suppression, but through guidance, integrity, and responsibility—especially within relationships, marriage, and fatherhood.

Together, they discuss:

This episode is a powerful call for men, partners, and parents to return to a more intentional, supportive, and meaningful model of manhood.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this insightful episode of Noggin Notes, Jake is joined by John D. Haltigan, a researcher and expert in developmental psychology and attachment theory. With a rich academic background and years of published research, John Haltigan breaks down the science of attachment how we form bonds, why we connect the way we do, and what it means for our mental health and relationships.

Together, they explore the different attachment styles, how early childhood experiences shape the way we relate to others, and the impact of attachment patterns on adult relationships, parenting, and even workplace dynamics.

Whether you're curious about your own relationship patterns or want a deeper understanding of human connection, this episode is packed with research-based insights you can apply in everyday life.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at [email protected] / [email protected]

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes.