Episode 98: Is Your Life Passing You By? The 5% Solution

Episode 97: Is MAGA a Cult?

Episode 96: As the World Burns: How Young People Can Still Hope

In this episode of Off The Couch, host Dr. Greg Cason and producer Bryan Gomez take a deep dive into the “anger economy” that’s fueling so much of today’s public discourse. The episode kicks off with a real-life encounter between an older man and an irate woman, sparking a heartfelt discussion about how anger has not only become normalized—but even profitable—in our society.

Dr. Greg and Bryan explore how social media platforms and political figures tap into outrage because it drives clicks, views, and, ultimately, revenue. Yet, as Dr. Greg points out, anger is a natural emotional response—especially when we feel rules or norms are being violated. The real issue arises when that anger is weaponized to manipulate and divide us.

Together, they remind listeners of the importance of emotional intelligence, especially in a culture that rewards hot takes over thoughtful reflection. By learning to manage our own reactions and choosing calm over chaos, we can reclaim our power and resist being pulled into the vortex of constant outrage.

This episode challenges us to pause, think critically, and consider how our emotions are being influenced. As Bryan says, sometimes the most rebellious act is simply choosing to stay calm.

On the latest episode of "Off The Couch," host Dr. Greg and producer Bryan dive into the complex and controversial overlap between therapy and politics. They explore growing concerns that some therapists may inject their political beliefs into sessions—going so far as to condition treatment on clients rejecting their own views. The conversation references shifts in the American Psychological Association, including its stance on racism as a public health crisis and pressures for therapists to adopt activist roles. Dr. Greg and Bryan raise the question: When does advocacy cross the line into alienation? Drawing from the humanistic philosophy of Carl Rogers, they underscore the therapeutic need for unconditional positive regard—support that doesn’t depend on a client’s politics. While political discussions can be a valid part of therapy, the hosts argue it becomes problematic when therapists impose their personal ideologies. This episode tackles the growing polarization within the therapeutic space and urges mental health professionals to prioritize their clients' needs over their own beliefs. The result? A call to return to a truly supportive, non-judgmental, and inclusive model of therapy.

🎙️ Episode Description: Off The Couch
In this episode, host Dr. Greg Cason, producer Bryan Gomez, and guest Michelle Perkins — financial expert and host of the Money and You podcast — take a deep dive into the evolving meaning of retirement and its impact on mental health and purpose. Gone are the days when retirement meant simply slowing down. Today, many older adults are choosing to keep working, while younger generations feel the pressure of financial insecurity, with two-thirds of millennials lacking retirement savings. This reality sparks anxiety about the future and challenges long-held notions of what it means to retire. Together, the trio explores the emotional side of money management, the shifting job landscape, and the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability. The conversation is a thoughtful reminder that financial wellness isn’t just about numbers — it’s about mindset, purpose, and planning ahead in uncertain times.

In this episode, host Dr. Greg sits down with guest David Bader for an honest and heartfelt discussion about the experiences of LGBTQ parents—particularly from a father’s perspective. David opens up about his personal journey of coming out and raising his son, Daniel, as a solo parent after leaving a marriage in the early 1990s. He reflects on the challenges of being one of the few openly gay fathers at that time, noting that about 35% of LGBTQ parents are men, yet few visible role models or support systems existed for them back then. Together, Dr. Greg and David explore the complexities of parenting, relationships, and how societal perceptions of LGBTQ families have evolved. David shares both the joys and struggles of his journey—from navigating dating as a single dad to raising a child with special needs—while underscoring the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance. Through his story, he highlights how fatherhood deepened his understanding of love and resilience. This conversation offers a powerful look at how family, identity, and love intersect, adding an important voice to the broader dialogue around acceptance, inclusion, and representation in modern family life.

What happens when a teacher turns her classroom into a living lesson on racism? In 1968, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Jane Elliott—an elementary school teacher in Iowa—divided her all-white third graders into “blue eyes” and “brown eyes.” What followed shocked the children, outraged the nation, and became one of the most infamous and influential social exercises in American history.

In this explosive conversation, Jane Elliott joins Off the Couch with Dr. Greg to revisit her groundbreaking “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise, explain why it drew as much fury as praise, and reveal why the lessons from that single classroom are more urgent today than ever before. Is America ready to face the truths she exposed over 50 years ago—or are we still running from them?

 #JaneElliott #BlueEyesBrownEyes #AntiRacism #DiversityEducation #ListenNow #OffTheCouchWithDrGreg #RacismInAmerica #EqualityForAll #EndPrejudice #SocialJustice #HumanRights #InclusionMatters #ConfrontBias #JimmyKimmel

Articles/Resources:

Jane Elliott’s website: https://janeelliott.com/

A Class Divided, Then and Now, Expanded Edition (book) https://bit.ly/AClassDivided-ThenandNow-

VIDEO: Frontline: A Class Divided (1986) https://bit.ly/AClassDivided-fulldocu...

VIDEO: Documentary: The Angry Eye (2001): https://bit.ly/THEANGRYEYE-YouTube

VIDEO: The Oprah Winfrey Show (1992) https://bit.ly/BlueEyes-BrownEyesAnti...

VIDEO: Eye of the Storm (1970) https://bit.ly/EyeoftheStormJaneEllio...

Do the “Eyes” Have It? A Program Evaluation of Jane Elliott's “Blue‐Eyes/Brown‐Eyes” Exercise (2006) https://bit.ly/ProgramEvaluationofJan...

Lesson of a Lifetime https://bit.ly/LessonofaLifetime Jane Elliott in Wikipedia https://bit.ly/JaneElliottWikipedia

A Look at “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes” How Far Have We Come? https://bit.ly/LookatBlueEyes-BrownEy...

Colleges Must Keep Hosting Difficult Speakers https://nyti.ms/42fRR0s

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.



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Episode 90: Dating a Dud 8 Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore

In this episode, host Dr. Greg and producer Bryan explore the Pygmalion effect, the powerful psychological principle that suggests high expectations can foster improved performance in others. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of encouraging individuals to realize their potential, drawing upon both personal experiences and educational practices. They highlight the groundbreaking classroom exercise by educator Jane Elliott, whose “blue-eyed/brown-eyed” experiment demonstrated how arbitrary labels can shape behavior and reinforce socially constructed prejudice. This conversation underscores the lasting impact of expectations in shaping performance, particularly within educational and developmental settings. Dr. Greg and Bryan also contrast the positive outcomes of the Pygmalion effect with the detrimental Golem effect, where low expectations hinder growth and achievement. They stress the importance of treating all individuals with respect, cautioning against the harm caused by negative labeling, while acknowledging the natural biases that exist in human perception. Ultimately, the episode serves as a timely reminder of the power of belief—both in ourselves and in others—and how this belief can be a vital tool in countering prejudice and fostering meaningful growth in society.