Psych Up Live

In this podcast, Filmmaker Susan Sipprelle comes to Psych Up Live to discuss her important documentary, “ Soldier On: Life After Deployment.” This feature length documentary chronicles with honesty and humor the challenges that three post-9/11 female veterans face readjusting to civilian life after their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Susan Sipprelle is joined on the show by one of the female veterans featured in the film, Natasha Young. In the back and forth with host, Dr. Suzanne Phillips, Sue Sipprelle will discuss the reason that she chose to make this documentary and the impact of sharing the personal journeys of these veteran women. Veteran Natasha Young offers the personal view of her painful and challenging journey to assimilate back into today’s society and her new mission of working with veterans at home. She is asked why she chose to be.

In this show, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, MD, visiting professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Kathryn Bowers, Science Journalist, draw upon their new book, Wildhood: The Epic Journey From Adolescence to Adulthood in Humans and Other Animals, to share their five year study of adolescence across species. What they find is as startling as it is important. Adolescents, be they the teens in our homes, or the animals across the globe, reveal striking similarities in their physical and emotional journey from being juveniles to adults. From bottlenose dolphins to red-tailed hawks to humans, adolescents have more in common with one another than with their mature parents or younger siblings. They are in the " Wildhood" negotiating four core challenges- Safety, Status, Sexuality and Self-Reliance. The behaviors of a naïve penguin, a charismatic hyena, an adventurous humpback whale, and a restless wolf, will sound strikingly similar to human teens.

In the wake of the "Me Too" movement and the upsurge in both feminist and men's rights activism, traditional masculinity has become the topic of impassioned debate. In this episode psychologist and author, Dr. Andrew Smiler draws upon his new book, Is Masculinity Toxic? A Primer for the 21st Century to discuss all aspects of that question . He examines evolving definitions of masculinity and their changes over decades. He considers, 'Male Power To Harm,' dissecting the societal impacts of bullying, rape culture and male morality. He discusses men and interpersonal relationships, male expression of feelings, the sexual objectification of women, and male attitudes toward fatherhood. Most importantly he discusses the ways in which masculinity might adapt to the sweeping changes in gender roles. How would most men today define themselves in terms of masculinity?

In this episode Professor Joel Evans, Patricia Malone, and Dave Berger will share personal glimpses of their diagnosis, treatment and survival from cancer. You will hear about the impact of diagnosis, the role of family and friends. The question of stigma and the response of colleagues. You will hear about the expected and unexpected, the trust in medical teams and the personal factors that each drew upon to keep on going at the roughest of times. These are stories of pain, persistence, fear, gratitude and possibility. These are stories of people who were helped by the wisdom of others who had faced cancer. In this episode, Joel Evans, Patricia Malone and Dave Berger want to pass on their experiences to benefit others. You will not forget them or the resilience they share.

If you are human, it is likely that you have hurt and been hurt by others. What may be less likely is knowing how to find a road to reconciliation or addressing the reality that reconciliation may not be instantly possible or possible at all. In this episode, Keith Wilson, licensed mental health counselor draws upon his years of clinical experience and his book, The Road to Reconciliation: A Comprehensive Guide to Peace when Relationships Go Bad, to offer an understanding of the pitfalls and possibilities of reconciliation. With candor and examples, Keith is upfront with the roles engaged in and sometimes shared by offender and victim. He invites recognition of the complexities and the context, lists the steps of reparation and encourages a personal consideration of one's responsibility. He clarifies apologies, making amends and the victim's choice to reconcile– all of which become more painful and possible with partners and spouses. You will be intrigued and informed.

In this Episode Julie Potiker, Mindfulness Expert and author of Life Falls Apart, but You Don't Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, shares her own experience with depression and credits the power of therapy and her commitment to mindfulness techniques to changing her life. Recognizing that it's easy to let the stresses of daily life overwhelm and send us into unhelpful thought patterns, Julie's goal is to empower adults, teens and kids with tools and tips that will improve their mental health. She offers parents strategies to share with the first grader with school anxiety, the teen with FOMO ( Fear of Missing out) or the friend facing workplace bullying. She even addresses ways to cope when teens ignore what you say or partners dismiss use of mindful techniques. For Julie Potiker, practices like Self-Compassion and Loving Kindness are translatable to every age and much as anxiety can spark in a moment, calming and soothing can take its place.

Postpartem Depression is suffered by 20% of women; but it is misunderstood and overlooked by many new mothers who suffer, as well as those who love them. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist, author and renowned expert in Depressive Disorders, clarifies Postpartem Depression in both a professional and personal way. She discusses the causes of Postpartem Depression, the difference in symptoms between “ Baby Blues” and Postpartem Depression and the reasons it is so often overlooked. She addresses the physical and psychological impact on the new mother and draws upon her own experience with Postpartem Depression to underscore the reality of the suffering and the reality that it can be treated. Dr. Serani considers the value of medication, a wide range of evidenced-based treatments and the importance of many holistic approaches. She even considers the impact on the new Dad and the family and ways they can support the new mom. Invaluable Information for all. Listen in.

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 Wendy L. Patrick JD, author, speaker and trial attorney introduces us to 'The Stealth Predator.' As described in her article in Psychology Today, this predator is one who gets 'over on others' while flying 'under the radar'. Grooming victims, these predators ultimately betray their victim's loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally and sometimes sexually. They are well practiced at engaging in uncharged bad acts. Who are they?

Vic Schermer, MA, psychotherapist considers what makes people vulnerable to stealth predators including history of abuse and trauma, need for approval, unmerited trust in others, feelings of shame, guilt, inferiority. How do we protect ourselves?

Robert Klein Ph.D., psychologist asks whether there is a 'new normal' in social relations such that we accept and even admire the power of those able to con, manipulate and take advantage for their own gain. Can metoo change this social current?

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.