In this solo episode, Mike dives deep into the world of drugs, addiction, and the culture surrounding them. From brain chemistry to Hollywood glamorization, this conversation unpacks the science, psychology, and real-life consequences of substance use.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• 🎯 Addiction & the Brain — how dopamine, memory, stress, and reinforcement learning wire us to crave.

• 🧠 Behavioral Traps — conditioning, cognitive biases, and why relapse is so common.

• 💊 Drug Categories — opioids, depressants, stimulants, psychedelics — the highs, the risks, and the myths.

• 🔥 Teen Drug Trends — Delta-8, THC-P, kratom, vapes, energy drinks, and what makes them so appealing (and dangerous).

• ⚠️ Nitazenes & Prescription Misuse — fentanyl’s “evil cousin” and the rise of ADHD stimulant misuse.

• 👨‍👩‍👦 Personal Story — Mike’s family history with addiction and why he left counseling for education.

• 🎬 Hollywood & Music — how culture glamorizes drugs and the tragic reality behind the curtain.

• 🍻 Alcohol & Party Culture — why alcohol is the most underestimated drug for teens and college students.

Key Message:
Addiction isn’t about weakness — it’s about biology, psychology, and culture colliding. With the right information, we can replace stigma with understanding and help people make informed choices.

👉 If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Stay curious, protect your brain, and take care of yourself.

Brain Blossoms – Episode 1: Anxiety Unlocked
In this debut mini-episode of Brain Blossoms—the quick, 5–7 minute sibling podcast to Planting Thoughts—Mike breaks down anxiety in a way that’s relatable, research-backed, and even a little funny. From flat tires to racing thoughts, you’ll learn what anxiety really is, how it hijacks your brain, and why your nervous system sometimes acts like a drama queen. Backed by cutting-edge studies, Mike explores mindfulness, CBT, breathing techniques, and even virtual reality therapy as tools for calmer thinking.Perfect for curious minds who want fast, science-based insights without the jargon.

#psychology #podcast #anxiety #relaxation #plantingthoughts

Summary

In this episode of Planting Thoughts, the host delves into the intriguing world of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and its psychological implications. The conversation explores the science behind ASMR, its effects on relaxation and mood, and the contrasting phenomenon of misophonia, where certain sounds trigger negative emotional responses. The discussion also touches on the cultural significance of ASMR, its applications in coping with overstimulation, and related sensory experiences like frisson and flow states. The episode concludes with a reflection on the fascinating complexities of sensory psychology and its impact on our daily lives.

Takeaways

• ASMR is a real phenomenon that can induce relaxation and improve mood.
• The science behind ASMR involves measurable brain and body changes.
• Not everyone experiences ASMR; individual differences in brain connectivity play a role.
• Misophonia is a condition where certain sounds trigger intense negative emotions.
• ASMR can be used as a coping mechanism for overstimulation in daily life.
• The popularity of ASMR content on platforms like YouTube reflects its cultural significance.
• ASMR and frisson are related but distinct sensory experiences.
• Personality traits like openness and neuroticism may influence ASMR sensitivity.
• ASMR can help with sleep, but over-reliance may lead to negative consequences.
• The exploration of sensory psychology reveals the complexities of human perception and emotional response.

Sound bites

"ASMR is more relaxing than nature clips."

"ASMR helps with stress, sleep, and mood."

"ASMR has cousins, for example frisson."

Keywords

ASMR, Misophonia, psychology, relaxation, sensory experience, brain science, emotional response, sound sensitivity, mental health, popular culture

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to ASMR and Misophonia

00:46 Understanding ASMR: Science and Sensation

04:54 The Psychological Effects of ASMR

08:21 ASMR in Popular Culture and Its Uses

10:20 The Dark Side of ASMR: Risks and Misophonia

12:49 Exploring Related Sensory Phenomena

15:02 Conclusion: The Fascinating World of Sensory Psychology

16:52 Borough

In this episode of Planting Thoughts, Mike and Manon tackle one of the most universal struggles of modern life—overthinking. Why does your brain replay conversations on loop? Why do “what if” scenarios hijack your sleep? And most importantly—how do you stop?

Together, the co-hosts dig into the science of anxiety and rumination from multiple perspectives:

• Evolutionary psychology – how an overactive threat system once kept us safe from predators but now flares up over emails and text messages.

• Neuroscience – why the Default Mode Network and amygdala fuel mental spirals.

• Behaviorism & cognitive science – how learned avoidance and distorted thinking patterns keep the loop alive.

• Sociocultural influences – how social media, comparison, and perfectionism amplify worry.

The episode also explores the common personality traits of overthinkers—people-pleasing, oversharing, conflict avoidance, perfectionism—and how these tendencies interact with the science of anxiety. Special attention is given to overthinking in children, with early warning signs and prevention strategies for parents.

To balance the science, Mike and Manon turn to Buddhist philosophy—impermanence, non-attachment, compassion, and mindfulness—as powerful tools for letting go of mental clutter. Along the way, you’ll hear witty banter, relatable confessions, and a guest’s personal story of navigating life as a chronic overthinker.

From practical strategies like journaling, CBT, mindfulness meditation, and worry scheduling, to the timeless wisdom of Eastern philosophy, this episode plants the seeds of self-awareness and equips listeners with tools to step out of the spiral.

Takeaway: Your thoughts are not facts. You can notice them, let them pass, and choose where to place your attention.

Join the millions already listening—follow Planting Thoughts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and share this episode with the fellow overthinkers in your life.

In this deeply personal and research-driven episode, Mike and Manon explore the emotional and psychological realities of living with terminal illness, caring for those facing it, and grieving their loss. Using the lens of psychological research and lived experiences, they unpack the complexity of grief — from the Kübler-Ross model to anticipatory grief, complicated grief, and the Dual Process Model.

Special guest Ruthan shares her story of living with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, offering raw insights into the emotional, spiritual, and practical shifts that come with it. Mike and Manon then turn their focus to astrocytomas and glioblastomas, revealing their devastating impact and the sobering statistics behind these brain cancers.

They also spotlight the fight against childhood cancer — from promising breakthroughs like CAR-T cell therapy and genomic targeting to the urgent need for more funding, as only 4% of the NCI’s budget is allocated to pediatric cancer.

This episode blends science, statistics, and heartfelt storytelling to remind us that ending cancer is about more than curing the disease — it’s about protecting dignity, relationships, and the human spirit.

Topics covered:

• The real-life application and limits of the Kübler-Ross model

• Anticipatory grief and its effects on caregivers

• Complicated grief and attachment theory findings

• Ruthan’s lived experience with stage 4 cancer

• The medical and psychological toll of astrocytomas and glioblastomas

• The urgent fight against pediatric cancer and recent research advances

Listen if you want to:

• Understand the psychology of grief beyond the textbook stages

• Hear powerful first-person accounts of living with terminal illness

• Learn about underfunded but promising areas of cancer research

🎙 “When Fear Goes Viral: From Salem to Satanic Panic”

🎧 Episode Overview

A chilling exploration of mass hysteria, false memory, conformity, and moral panics, told through three historical lenses: the Salem Witch Trials, the 1980s Satanic Panic, and the 1518 Dancing Plague in France. The episode dissects how fear and authority can spiral into collective delusion, injustice, and long-lasting societal trauma.

Salem Witch Trials

• Manon tells a vivid (and partly dramatized) story of Bridget Bishop, the first woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials (hanged, not burned).

• Sets the thematic tone: hysteria, fear, the danger of belief.

• Mass psychogenic illness in Strasbourg, France.

• 400 people danced uncontrollably; some died from exhaustion.

• Linked to religious fear, famine, and mass stress.

• Betty Parris & Abigail Williams trigger panic with strange behavior.

• Use of spectral evidence leads to 200+ accusations and 20 deaths.

• Social tensions between Salem Village (rural, poor, Puritan) and Salem Town (urban, wealthy) explain the deep divisions.

• Families like the Putnams vs. Porters used accusations to gain power.

• Religion, gender roles, and economic stress all contributed.

• Key figures:

  • Tituba’s coerced confession

  • John & Elizabeth Proctor

  • Giles Corey ("More weight")—pressed to death

  • Judge Samuel Sewall later publicly repents.

• Trials ended when the governor’s wife was accused.

• Panic spread to preschools, music, games (D&D), and TV (e.g., Oprah).

• McMartin Preschool case: 41 children, bizarre testimonies, no convictions.

• “Recovered memory therapy” now discredited.

• APA and FBI eventually refuted claims—no evidence of ritual abuse.

• Mass Psychogenic Illness (Mass Hysteria)

• False Memory Syndrome – Elizabeth Loftus's research

• Conformity – Asch line experiments

• Obedience to Authority – Stanley Milgram’s shock experiments

• Groupthink – Irving Janis

• Moral Panic – Stanley Cohen’s theory

• Suggestibility and Fear-Based Behavior – Role of religion, media, and authority

• “This wasn’t just dancing—it was people mentally breaking under pressure.”

• “Spectral evidence... basically the 1692 version of ‘I had a bad dream and now you’re going to jail.’”

• “Psychology hasn’t changed—just the platforms that spread the panic.”

• “Mass hysteria doesn’t always look like witches or demons. Sometimes, it wears the face of someone you trust.”

• Mass hysteria arises from anxiety, fear, and suggestibility.

• Authority figures can unwittingly or purposefully spread misinformation.

• Historical panics may look different today but follow the same psychological patterns.

• Vigilance, skepticism, and education are critical.

“What would you have done? Would you have spoken up… or stayed silent?”

Episode 13 Summary: Persuaded: The Hidden Forces Behind Every ‘Yes’

In this eye-opening episode, Mike and Manon dig into the psychology of influence and why we often say “yes” when we mean “no.” From subtle social cues to full-on memory rewrites, this episode explores how easily our perceptions, beliefs, and even memories can be shaped by those around us.

Highlights:

Classic Conformity StudiesSolomon Asch’s famous line experiment shows how 75% ofpeople conform to group pressure—even when they know the group

Elizabeth Loftus's Work:

Demonstrates how suggestion and phrasing can alter memories-proving memory is not a video camera but a reconstruction.

Cialdini's 6 Principles of Persuasion:

The crew breaks down reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity with modern examples from Costco to Tupperware parties and Nike drops.

Personal Stories:

Mike recounts how a vacuum salesman used nearly every trick in the book on him; Manon shares her husband Connor's brief but charming door-to-door roof sales.Takeaway:Understanding the psychology of persuasion helps you become a more conscious consumer, communicator, and decision-maker. Influence is everywhere—but awareness is your best defense.

In this episode of Planting Thoughts, Mike dives deep into the power of detachment—what it really means, how it’s different from emotional suppression, and why learning to “let them” is one of the most freeing things you can do. Inspired by the viral Let Them Theory, Buddhist philosophy, and psychological research, this episode explores how letting go of control and people-pleasing can lead to healthier relationships, more peace, and a stronger sense of self.

Mike shares a personal story of growth, offers insights from DBT and attachment theory, and unpacks the difference between healthy and harmful detachment.

Highlights include:

• The Let Them Theory and how it rewires emotional control

• What Buddhism teaches us about craving and suffering

• Real psychological studies on detachment and well-being

• Mike’s honest story about a relationship that challenged his identity

• Tools for building self-worth without sacrificing authenticity

Whether you're healing from a breakup, feeling burnt out, or just tired of bending to please others—this one’s for you.

👉 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
New episodes every two weeks!

In this gripping and unsettling episode of Planting Thoughts, Mike and Manon take listeners deep into the chilling world of psychopathy—what it is, how it develops, and why it matters.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• The science behind psychopathy: From brain abnormalities in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex to the role of serotonin and dopamine.

• The difference between psychopathy and other disorders like autism, narcissism, and schizophrenia.

• Evolutionary theories explaining psychopathy as a survival strategy.

• Childhood predictors and early interventions, with emphasis on callous-unemotional traits.

• How psychopathy can show up in the boardroom—not just behind bars.

🧠 Chilling Case Studies:

• Dennis Rader (BTK Killer): A suburban dad with a monstrous double life.

• Luis Garavito (La Bestia): One of history's most prolific child murderers.

• Comparison killers: Bundy, Ramirez, Wuornos, and Kemper—what separates psychopathy from psychosis or trauma-driven violence?

😱 Hosts Take the Psychopathy Test:
Mike and Manon share their own results from the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, revealing how close—or far—they are from the clinical threshold. Spoiler: Mike's a little “spicy.”

💡 Final Thoughts:
Psychopathy is not binary—it’s a spectrum. Understanding it helps us navigate crime, leadership, and even our own behaviors with more nuance.

🎥 Available on YouTube & Spotify
Subscribe for new video episodes, and join the conversation: Should we screen for psychopathy in schools or CEOs? Can empathy be engineered?

👉 Next week: The psychology of vaping addiction—why it’s more than just a bad habit.

Mike and Manon welcome listeners to their video debut with a spoiler-filled disclaimer and a preview of the episode's theme: why certain films become part of our emotional DNA. From last week’s tribute to beloved pets to today’s discussion, this episode blends psychology, nostalgia, and storytelling.

From mirror neurons to moral reasoning, the hosts explore how our brains process movies—and why they leave such lasting impressions.

• Neuroscience: Emotional triggers, physiological synchrony, and chemical reactions like dopamine and oxytocin.

• Behavioral & Emotional Psych: Catharsis, conditioning, and parasocial relationships with fictional characters.

• Cognitive Theory: Schema alignment, narrative immersion, and internal resolution.

• Evolutionary Angles: Hero’s journeys as survival stories, and social learning from on-screen role models.

• Social & Cultural Factors: Group identity, generational memory, and pop culture as shared language.

• Individual Differences: How attachment styles, personality traits, and childhood experiences shape our film preferences.

  Mike's Picks

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – A poetic dive into memory, heartbreak, and identity.

2. The Shawshank Redemption – Persistence, hope, and reclaiming freedom in a world built to break you.

3. The Big Lebowski – Absurdity, detachment, and existential humor through the lens of a dude and his rug.

   Manon's Picks

1. Moulin Rouge! – Doomed love, emotional overload, and oxytocin-fueled escapism in a visual fever dream.

2. Interview with the Vampire – Guilt, repression, and eternal existential dread wrapped in a gothic horror.

3. Addams Family Values – Satire, nonconformity, and radical authenticity in the face of cultural erasure.

Each film is unpacked for its psychological resonance—whether it’s identity crisis, attachment theory, memory formation, or radical acceptance.

Despite wildly different genres and tones, all six films share universal psychological roots—resilience, transformation, and the search for meaning. These favorites act as mirrors of the self, reflecting where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Mike and Manon wrap with a warm invitation to join the conversation:

• 💬 What movie lives in your bones?

• 💌 DM your comfort rewatches & character soulmates.

• 👀 Next episode preview: Dive into the mind of a psychopath with true crime stories and clinical insights.

🧠 Segment 1: The Psychology of Movie Love [02:45 – 15:00]

🎞️ Segment 2: Mike & Manon’s Top 3 Films (with Psychological Tie-Ins) [15:00 – 35:00]

🔄 Segment 3: Common Threads & Closing Thoughts [35:00 – 38:00]

📢 Outro & Call to Action [38:00 – 40:00]