Psych Up Live

In this show, psychologist and renowned author, Dr. Deborah Serani returns to Psych Up Live to invite a new and close-up look at Boredom. Dr. Serani will be discussing the psychological meaning and impact of boredom and will consider what boredom feels like for adults and children. She will address the importance of boredom as a signal of being unable to engage in a satisfying way with the world for a number of reasons and will consider how adults can help themselves and their children redirect feelings to deal with boredom. Dr. Serani will illuminate this discussion by the introduction and reading of her beautiful new children’s book “ Sometimes When I’m Bored,” which includes a valuable Guide for “ Helping Children Through Boredom.” Listen in to this interesting and important show.

In this show, Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, expert in gender research and clinical work, offers parents and professionals an insider understanding of Gender Expansive Children -The little boy who insists he is a girl, the teen who identifies as non-binary – both male and female. The author of The Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Ehrensaft clarifies the difference between gender and assigned sex at birth and explains how threads of nature, nurture and culture weave for each of us a Gender Web. Using examples, she describes a Gender Affirmative Model in which she maintains that children will reveal their authentic gender self if we listen to what they are telling us in their behavior and words. She discusses that it is often not the gender confusion as much as the gender rejection that leaves children unsupported, unhappy and less confident.

In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Everyone will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.

Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people age 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9% have make an attempt to take their lives, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Why is this happening? What can parents do? How can parents learn more about preventive strategies? In this show you will hear some answers from a true expert, Dr. Cheryl Green, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and the author of Heal Your Daughter: How Lifestyle Psychiatry Can Save Her from Depression, Cutting and Suicidal Thoughts. With clarity and compassion, Dr. Green addresses reasons for the mental health crisis with teens and why it is disproportionally high for teen girls. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Green describes Lifestyle Psychiatry and how aspects of lifestyle like a teen's diet, lack of exercise and sleep problems compromise mental health and can be addressed from a family as well as a teen's perspective. She offers suggestions for parents and answers difficult questions like "Why would a teen cut herself? She underscores the warning signs of suicidal thinking and considers how a parent can respond. Overall, Dr. Green recognizes how complicated this culture has become for teens and parents. Central to her message is supporting and informing parents and accepting and helping teens. Don't miss this important show..

In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship. Don’t miss it.

In this episode, Anthony Almojera, FDNY EMS Lieutenant and author of Riding the Lightening: A Year In The Life Of A New York City Paramedic gives us an insider's look at some of the darkest days New York City has ever known. Anthony Almojera illuminates the reality that the pandemic caught the city off guard- residents, government officials, doctors, school teachers and between mid-March and late April 2020, killed between 17,000 and 21,000 New Yorkers. In his personal and powerful discussion, you will learn how Anthony Almojera and Teams of paramedics and EMT's answered thousands of calls and stepped into the unknown to care for strangers who went from healthy to very sick to dying in hours. They faced a pandemic that mystified and killed. Witnessing death after death including the loss of co-workers, Anthony shares the physical and emotional trauma that paramedics faced. You will be moved, startled, impressed and grateful for these brave Emergency Medical Responders

How much do you depend on your intuition and how much do you trust it? In this show psychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew will define and offer a close look at what intuition is, how we develop it and why we need it. He will invite you to consider those situations where intuition will lead you astray by exemplifying common errors like “Hindsight Bias” or “the Power of the Particular.” He will consider whether there are gender differences in the use of intuition and the role of intuition in responding to misinformation. Importantly he will take on the question and value of making use of what famous Economist, Dan Kahneman calls “ Thinking Fast and Slow” – the use of both intuition and collected data – facts. Dr. McAndrew never fails at offering a wealth of knowledge in an interesting way. Listen in.

Jane Baker, author of Trading Places: When Our Son Became a Daughter, will share the insider experience of parenting her son while he makes the decision to disclose his true self, his sense of being trapped in the wrong body, and the therapy and treatment he seeks in the process of becoming a transgender woman. As the mother of this transgender woman, Jane Baker reveals her own doubts, anguish,and fears. She shares her mission to learn everything to prove her son wrong, the reactions of others and the place of acceptance she and her daughter find in this journey. Joining her is Dr. Antonia Caretto, licensed psychologist and specialist in many areas including Gender Variance and Dysphoria. As a member of the World Professional Association For Transgender Health, Dr. Caretto has worked with parents and teens dealing with transgender issues and will address the physical and psychological aspects of transgender identification and transition for all family members.