Psych Up Live

Against a backdrop of ongoing reports of terrorism, violence, physical brutality and sexual assault, Dr. Bob Klein and Vic Schermer ask us to consider the overlooked acts of non-physical violence voiced or displayed in families, schools, the workplace, and relationships. Drawing upon their professional work with individuals and groups and their extensive writing on violence, they discuss the causes and impact of insults, stereotyping, bullying, microaggression and institutional violence that marginalizes and stereotypes others and sanctions covert and overt violence. Crucial to their message is an interesting and important discussion of strategies to recognize and prevent these subtle but violent assaults to a person's sense of self. Most of us have been guilty of non-physical violence, victims of non-physical violence or bystanders of it. The cost to ourselves and others is too great. We can make a difference.

We are all aware through movies, series and the sensational lives of celebrities of the transitions made by transgender men and women. The increased media coverage has invited compassion and support by some and critique, violence and political rejection by others. This episode will clarify the myths and give you an insider's experience of the transgender journey. Guest Kristin Collier will share her personal story of being a young mother with a toddler and infant son who learns that the husband she loves can no longer carry the secret of his gender identification as a woman. She will bring you into the emotional steps of her husband's transition while facing you with the day-to-day details of her own necessary transformation. If your husband is a woman- who are you? Can you love and support the woman he becomes? What do you tell your little boys? How do you meet your needs? Kristin Collier's story of strength, compassion and unexpected answers is one you won't forget.

In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, professor and the author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, offers a new and well researched look at women as decision makers. She addresses the reality of gender dynamics in the workplace like the glass ceiling, the glass cliff and the different consequences of making a mistake for men and women in leadership while dispelling the myths and beliefs about gender differences and decision making with comprehensive research. She proposes that the reason that men and women should both be in the boardroom is that while there are many actual similarities in their decision- making, the real differences that would maximize success. Adding to this she offers fascinating studies that reveal the best decision-making strategies for men and women from testing our use of intuition to resisting the first idea that comes to mind. Listen in, you will be surprised and informed.

In this episode, Dr. Richard Gartner, nationally recognized expert in male sexual abuse draws upon his many books including his two new edited books, Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men:The Trauma of Sexual Abuse AND Healing Sexually Betrayed Men and Boys: Treatment for Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Trauma (in press) to invite understanding and healing of sexually betrayed man and boys. He defines sexual betrayal and abuse and identifies the myths of male sexual abuse. He makes sense of the silence and reasons some boys and men can't remember and discusses the impact when the abuser is a parent, clergy or revered person. He discusses what brings men to treatment and lists celebrities, athletes, and politicians who have disclosed their sexual abuse and moved forward with life. He invites boys and men to realize that they are not alone- It was never their fault and treatment resources like MaleSurvivor.org are available. His shared experience is a gift to listeners.

In this episode, Co-founders, Colum McCann and Lisa Consiglio introduce us to Narrative 4, a global organization headed up by some of the world's most renowned and influential authors, artists and community leaders who believe language and literature are essential tools for creating a better society. They will share the way in which Narrative 4 has built empathy and bridged tens of thousands around the world in classrooms and communities etc., with the key methodology of the story exchange. Particularly important given a landscape of national and international strife, is Colum and Lisa’s description of this year’s mission of “Empathy Into Action,” a campaign that uses the story exchanges to break open historically intractable issues. They will describe their inaugural event “A Narrative for Gun Awareness” between gun advocates and those who have suffered loss and injury due to gun violence. Listen in and consider the possibilities for radical empathy fostered by Narrative 4.

Consider a custody case that involves domestic abuse and children. Is it possible that a protective parent could lose custody of their child to a named abuser? Yes. In this episode, Toby Kleinman, attorney and national expert in child custody, takes on this frightening reality. Drawing upon her soon to be released book, co-authored with Daniel Pollack Domestic Abuse, Child Custody and Visitation: Winning in Court, she offers a close and well informed look at the Family Court System. She illuminates the 'Great Judicial Fallacy' and provides specific guidance to lawyers, mental health professionals and battered women facing child custody litigation with an abusive ex-partner. Listeners will hear crucial information for navigating the often-hostile legal terrain faced by battered women trying to protect their children. Finally someone has some answers.

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.

All of us own a life story that reflects a legacy of events we have received from the generations before us and that we will pass on to future generations. In this episode, Elaine Cooper, LCSW, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and author of LET'S ALL HOLD HANDS AND DROP DEAD: Three Generations - One Story, invites us to understand and identify intergenerational trauma, its impact, how we heal and even change the legacy. Drawing upon experience, established research, clinical and group expertise, Elaine Cooper illuminates this topic in a way that will make you reconsider the generational legacy you carry, what it means for your present life, your family, your health, your genetic profile, your strengths, your decisions and the life story you choose to own.You will think about your life differently.

Have you ever knocked on wood, disliked someone because of his name, or bought an object owned by a famous person? This episode will surprise and inform you. In it, Matthew Hutson, MIT trained science writer, will explain the seven rules of magical thinking and how we use irrational beliefs based upon them to keep us happy, healthy and sane. He will consider the role of superstitions, the Lake Wobegon effect, the fear of being Jinxed, the feeling that things happen for a reason and more. It is a fascinating close-up of the way we, as humans, need to think. Don't miss it.

There is nothing easy about divorce and despite the statistics, it is a journey that most people don't want to take. In this episode, Audrey Cade, author of Divorce Matters: Help for Hurting Hearts and Why Divorce is Sometimes the Best Decision, offers a very realistic look at the When, Why and How of Coping with Divorce. With the wisdom of someone who has been through it, this matriarch of a blended family of eight is as clear about the need to take steps to try save your marriage as she is realistic about the anguish of realizing you can't. Using her own journey as a starting point she addresses what most people facing divorce are rarely prepared to handle. From grieving the loss of a dream, to telling the children, accepting the Facebook gossip, dealing with the nerve-wracking legal maze, spending less time with your kids, forgiving self, to dealing with somebody else's ex, she offers valuable advice without the sugar coating. Sad, mad, sometimes funny, Audrey Cade will pass on to you her lessons learned.