Psych Up Live

We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism, the secrets the narcissist hides even from self and the parenting styles that may set the stage for narcissism. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Burgo will also discuss how to cope with a narcissist in a way that preserves your choice to engage or disengage. Be prepared to be informed.

How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons people give for what connects them with their siblings and what has pulled them apart. Adding his clinical understanding, Dr. Greif considers that sibling relationships are as complicated as they are important. Most are neither all good nor all bad.They carry with them the impact of parents, birth order, personality, gender, money issues, rivalries, great care and much more. As you will hear, sibling relationships are complex: but there are ways to better understand and even improve them.

If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a “little one”- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child’s tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of “ Love and Limits,” exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as “scenes from her own little ones,” Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC’s of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He’s right! Listen in.

This year we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, an unspeakable event that took the lives of 2.996 people and caused the death of another four thousand from 9/11 related illness. We are privileged to have as our guest, Mary Fetchet the Founding Director of Voices Center for Resilience, formerly known as Voices of September 11, which she set up when she lost her son Brad on 9/11. In this episode, Mary Fetchet discusses how her unique background as the mother of a victim, and an experienced clinical social worker, influenced her approach to providing long-term support services for those impacted by 9/11 and other tragedies worldwide. She shares her vision and the actualization of the memorial site at ground zero and the memory project. She discusses her recognition of the need for Victims Compensation, her partnership with professionals across the globe, and her unexpected involvement in public policy and legislation. What you hear from Mary Fetchet is her commitment to leave no stone unturned in pursuing services for victims of any natural disaster or man-made atrocity. Accordingly, you will hear about The Voices Center's use of online conferences and programs to provide a community for those grieving anywhere. You will also learn about the live and virtual program, to be offered this 20th Anniversary Year.You can access program information at VoicesCenter.org.

In this episode Dr. Scott Small, esteemed neurologist and neuroscientist known for his work in Alzheimer's disease, discusses his important new book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. In a culture inundated with information and worried about aging and forgetting, this is an extraordinary contribution. In a conversational style, Dr. Small offers the neuroscience of forgetting in a way that is as informative as it is startling. Drawing upon fascinating examples and personal history, he illuminates the reasons that we need "to forget" in order to think flexibly, prioritize, make decisions, be creative, address traumatic memories and remember what is needed. Toward this end he will consider: Why don't I want a photographic memory? What part of the brain turns up or turns down memory and forgetting? What is the role of sleep in forgetting? What role does forgetting play in addressing trauma and PTSD? What is the difference between cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease? Listen in to an extraordinary guest.

As anxiety escalates in face of a resurgence of Covid-19 fueled by variants, tension builds between those who recognize the vaccine as a lifesaving answer and those who view it as an invasive healthcare intervention. Beyond the media coverage, family relationships are frayed with members who can't talk about their positions and are anxious, angry and estranged in the midst of a pandemic. Can there even be a discussion when people are so polarized? In this show, guest expert Dr. Mena Mirhom, Columbia University Psychiatrist, invites us to draw upon psychological science to approach this difficult divide. He offers five ways to approach an antivaxxer's hesitancy that recognize evidence is not enough, the context must be understood, there are places of agreement, and validating strengths matter as does respectful inquiry into the beliefs of the Antivaxxer. As Dr. Mirhorm will make clear, there is reason to find a way to bridge the divide – " We are all in this together."

Despite the incredible access to information and opportunities available to teens in this culture, it is a difficult time for most. In the past year, teens have contended with a pandemic that has disrupted their school, sports and peer activities. Despite social media connections many struggled. When we add the physical and emotional changes of teens to life's continual challenges, it makes sense to help our teens build resilience. That is just what Cheryl Bradshaw offers in her important book, The Resilience Workbook For Teens. She provides teens with an evidenced-based tool that is personal, engaging and thought provoking. Drawing upon her teaching and clinical training, she clearly knows how to speak to teens and invites participation in a fast-paced way with activities that address five goals: Adapting to Change, Overcoming Anxiety, Finding Your Strength, Keeping Perspective, and Staying Focused. She helps them to embrace self and bounce back from adversity.

There is little question that when a person suffers the death of their dog, the loss is excruciating. Why? In this episode, Dr. Frank McAndrew, evolutionary and social psychologist, draws upon his personal experience as well as cultural dictates and scientific research to illuminate our extraordinary relationship with dogs and the impact of their loss. In his discussion, he considers the unique interspecies bond with dogs and draws upon the work of Anthropologist Brian Hare who developed the "Domestication Hypothesis." Dr. McAndrew considers what MRI's reveal in terms of a dog's attunement to facial expression and gestures as well as research on the misnaming slips we make between dogs and family members. Socially and psychologically he underscores what is emotionally lost when a person loses their dog. This is a powerful and personal show that will touch many.

This show is for men and everyone who loves them. In it, psychotherapist, James Hawes draws upon his years of clinical experience with men and his book, The Secret Lives of Men: Ten Keys to Unlock the Mystery, to discuss the social and cultural norms that keep men trapped with feelings like unvoiced hurt, sadness, fear and shame. In his presentation he considers topics like: Feelings as a Foreign Language, Vulnerability Masked as Anger, Sex as Intimacy and Performance as the Source of Self Esteem. As you will hear in his examples and strategies for therapeutic change, James Hawes has a personal and powerful respect for men's capacity to expand their emotional well-being. Listen in.

This episode offers an insider look at Sex Trafficking as the backdrop for an important discussion of the unrecognized traumatic events that are carried by the vast majority of children and adults who become the victims of Sex Trafficking. As a survivor and a mental health professional, Savannah Sanders draws upon her life and book, Sex Trafficking Prevention: A Trauma Informed Approach for Parents and Professionals to advocate for a trauma-informed approach to prevention and healing. She invites parents and professionals to recognize the signs of suffering and vulnerability often obscured by behavioral problems and symptoms. She identifies why and how certain children from every culture and socio-economic level become targets who are groomed and trapped in “The Life.” She discusses the myths, stereotypes and realities of Sex Trafficking and offers parents and professionals valuable tools for prevention and intervention. This show is alarming and crucial to hear.