Sanity and Society

Please join Matt Stephens CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) and I for a candid discussion regarding the creation of sustainable fitness regimens, personal growth, and the difference between healthy stress (“eustress”) and distress.

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

In this installment, Asad, known on Twitter as @AmazonFBAGuy, share the origins of his becoming an authority on FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). He describes the winning mindset which he uses to propel his success, in addition to his own beliefs regarding depression, motivation, and discipline, which derive from lived experience and observation.
Find Him on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmazonFBAGuy
Website: https://linktr.ee/asads

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

🔥"Strive to create clarity in your life or you will inevitably drown in confusion."🔥
🦊Does this Tweet capture your attention? Then you'll love the bold declarations of truth delivered by Zaid Dahhaj, a Twitter power user who specializes in applied philosophy. Zaid is passionate about the establishment of incremental, small habits as a path to sustainable change. By listening to my interview with him, you'll learn his story of mental and physical development, inspired by his late father.
⚜In this episode, Zaid and I discuss:

The importance of selecting realistic steps toward larger goals

The crisis of meaning and significance which looms over western culture

Men's mental health and the unique challenges which this gender faces

The benefit of mindfulness to thoughts and behavior

Medicinal Psilocybin Mushrooms and "plant teachers"

Zaid's library (linked on his instagram page) and book suggestions for strengthening productivity and motivation

His passion for writing, and an exciting upcoming title

Answers to which 3 persons, living or dead, Zaid would meet: 
🔆Rumi
🔆Alan Watts
🔆Lionel Messi

✅Follow Zaid on:
❗Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zaiderrr
❗Gumroad (for his books):  https://gumroad.com/zaiderrr
❗Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaiderrr/
Further Reading:
Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche (by Ethan Watters): https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Like-Us-Globalization-American/dp/1416587098/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=crazy+like+us&qid=1571030154&sr=8-1
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones (by James Clear): https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1571030198&sr=8-1
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds (by David Goggins): https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Your/dp/1544512279/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1571030248&sr=8-2
Clinical potential of psilocybin as a treatment for mental health conditions by Jeremy Daniel PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, and Margaret Haberman, PharmD,  BCPP:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007659/
Exporting American Mental Illness (by Ethan Watters): https://neuroanthropology.net/2010/01/10/exporting-american-mental-illness/

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

Ryan Stephens, a self-proclaimed "self-improvement junkie," shares his own deft insights and an impressive knowledge base, synthesized from a variety of scholarly sources. His passion for Stoic principles remind us in the Fox Den of how important a resource time is, more valuable than precious stones. 
Here are some key points discussed in the episode:

His introduction to "motivational twitter"

Self-improvement tweets as reminders to live with purpose

How to retain what you read

The Horsemen of Relationship Apocalypse

What is "commonplace book" and why you should keep one

How to treat your twitter and blog as a journal for your best ideas

Factors which contribute to the significant suicide rate in males

The importance of community in an age of isolation

Sedentary lifestyle and the contemporary man

Disconnection from craftsmanship as detrimental to the psyche

Exercise and specific benefits to mental well-being

Evolutionary biology and the postmodern condition

The rise of "hate watching/listening" and the weaponization of rage

the myth of multitasking

Imperative of a "dopamine fast" to success and mental wellness

How to overcome perfectionism and the consequent "freeze" response to stress

The mental trick to overcoming perfectionism

A key factor which immunizes against trauma becoming PTSD

▶Find Ryan on 
✔Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanstephens
✔Masculinity Blog: https://www.dialedinmen.com/
✔Self-improvement/Reading Blog: https://ryanstephens.me/
▶Loneliness & Millennials 
✔22 percent of millennials say they have “no friends”: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/8/1/20750047/millennials-poll-loneliness
✔Millennials and the Loneliness Epidemic: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2019/05/03/millennials-and-the-loneliness-epidemic/#92803ed7676a
✔The Solution to Millennial Loneliness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gen-y-guide/201704/the-solution-millennial-loneliness

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

⚜"The great thing about the written word is that you don't persuade clients: they persuade themselves, through your writing." - Jose Rosado (2019)

Marketing and empathy may seem like two opposing concepts, but after listening to this podcast with Jose Rosado, the skilled entrepreneur, copywriter, and business coach, you'll understand that this couldn't be further from the truth.

In this illuminating episode of the Fox Den, Jose delves into his own past and shares the secrets which allowed him to overcome a fear of public speaking. 

Jose's own passion for productivity proves contagious, as he discusses his methods for reinforcing himself for remaining "on task" throughout his workdays. If you struggle with procrastination, Rosado's firsthand experience and tested frameworks for enhancing creative output will resonate strongly. 

⚠More points we discussed in the interview:

☯️Beth Martens is a relationship and business coach who draws from development in both personal and professional realms. During a protracted battle with physical illness, Beth explored her own archetypal composition with the aid of "Sacred Contracts," a book by Caroline Myss. Beth reached an epiphany regarding the interaction between mental and physical health which she now considers her mission to share with others. With an impressive background in business and a love of archetypal analysis, Beth is a valuable ally to any healer.
❇️Her passion for "alchemizing" or synthesizing positive archetypes and redeeming poorly understood self-states is palpable in our interview, and this may be especially noticed in her discussion of the "Mermaid" or "Mer" archetype, which holds much in common with the "empath" personality. Beth offers tips for those with such giving orientations to avoid burnout, and let their gifts shine, without risk of bitterness.
She also addresses: 
🔥Nurturer Pendulum Syndrome
🔱The extremely personal reason Beth has a passion for helping men become "King Heroes" 
🔑Beth's approach to coaching 
⚠️How to avoid role strain and empathy traps 
(and of course)
🧜‍♀️Why Carl Jung was a Mermaid

▶️Find her on: 
✔Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethmartens?lang=en
✔YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bethmartens
✔Website: http://www.bethmartens.com
✔Mermaid Quiz: http://www.bethmartens.com/take-mermaid-archetype-assessment/

📚Further Reading: 
📗"Sacred Contracts" by Caroline Myss
📘"Pre-Suasion" by Robert Cialdini

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

🏨Cynthia is an NP with a passion for holistic healthcare. You may know her best for her enthusiastic support of intermittent fasting (IF) which earned her a TEDX talk (with upwards of 3 million views): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Dkt7zyImk
In our interview, she shares the "why" and "how" of IF, detailing the health benefits of this dietary schedule in a way that both newcomers and fitness experts alike can appreciate. 
We also discuss: 

The enteric system and gut-brain connection. 
Proactive, preventive approaches to health, rather than reactive, post-hoc healthcare 
Nutrition secrets which contradict traditional folk wisdom 
Evolutionary psychology and nutrition
The impact of stress on eating and nutrition 
“Junk light,” and the influence of electronics upon circadian rhythms  
Influence of light upon hormone secretion
The significance Cynthia attributes to the 35th year of life 
What causes the “wired and tired” state of alertness
Vagus nerve stimulation for “mood hacking,” i.e. activating calm focus and resolve
The breakfast beverage Cynthia avoids at all costs
How to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable" 
Risks for developing autoimmune disorders 
Signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders 
Inflammatory foods that are best eliminated from our diet
Foods best for gut health  
Gut health supplements 
The standard American diet: what it is, and how it influences our health
The importance of mental health and psychotherapy
“Processed” forms of communication vs. authentic intimacy 

🔥Follow Cynthia on
▶️Website: https://cynthiathurlow.com
▶️Podcast: "Everyday Wellness: Cynthia Thurlow, NP & Dr. Kelly Donahue, PhD" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-wellness/id1435214303
▶️Twitter: @_CynthiaThurlow
▶️Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/CHTWellness/

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

🦊Bill Masur is a motivational speaker and author who doesn’t simply rail against the isolation and malaise of contemporary culture; he chooses to focus upon a vision of community and self-development. He is especially passionate for men's mental health and self-development.

🔥In this landmark episode, the Fox Den and Bill’s own Men of Character podcast unite for a power hour of discussions regarding psychology, sociology, and spirituality. We introduce ourselves, with our respective credentials, and launch directly into conversation.
Here is a sampling of what we address:

The role Bill sees for himself as a Twitter influencer
My inspiration for addressing the psychology effects of social media
How to overcome the introjected (internalized) parental critic 
The origins of “Imposter Syndrome"
Managing emotions
Narrative Therapy (enhancing positive self-stories)
Anxiety Reappraisal Therapy
Life-hack to superpower your productivity 
The two types of narcissism, the reason for their rise, and how they may be alleviated.
Empathy traps
Overcoming ego limitations
Authentic vs. narcissistic confidence 
The tempering of acceptance and accountability 
Acceptance vs. resignation
The perils of learned helplessness
The two main concerns facing contemporary society 
A brief introduction to Existential Therapy
The significance of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES)
The crucial importance of mental AND physical nutrition 

📚Further Reading: 

“The Book of Uncomfortable Truths,” by Bill Masur https://gumroad.com/l/YoAIw
“Letting Go” by David Hawkins, MD PhD 
“Self-Compassion: the Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself,” by Kristin Neff, PhD
“The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It," by Kelly McGonigal, PhD
“Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Viktor E. Frankl
“The 48 Laws of Power,” by Robert Greene  
Follow Bill on: 
▶️Twitter: @futureinmindd

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

❗Steph Feels, a domestic violence advocate, joins us in the Fox Den to dialogue about the crucial need for authenticity in mental health and the helping professions. 

She also:  

✔provides a metaphysical explanation of personality disorders. 

🔥stresses the Importance of recognizing and honoring all emotions, not just the "pretty" or acceptable ones. ☣addresses the cultural epidemic of shame (which is the core of self-deception), and how we can address it through trauma-informed care

 🚫names some relationship "red flags" 

😈explores weaponized pity and sympathy as tactics used against empaths 💔reveals the value of healing "original wounds" 

👌explains the role of validation in improving mental health. 

🎆Find Steph on: ✔Twitter:  @steph_feels ✔Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/CosmicFeels 

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe

Cindy joins us  all the way from London, and provides a healthy assortment of spiritual and relational wisdom.  She discusses the importance of balance among Divine Masculine and Feminine forces,  offering relevant, applicable examples of these essences in action.

We also address the difference between semantic knowledge and the implementation of wisdom, as well as  how the former may be transformed into the latter. If you're interested in the helping professions and the different pitfalls entailed therein, this is a crucial podcast. By listening to Cindy and me, you'll learn what professional behaviors/stances are helpful in reaching clients, and conversely, how a surplus of either order or empathy can negatively influence clients.

As a bonus, she tells us her favorite Black Mirror episode. 

Follow Cindy on:

Twitter: @SeekCindy

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/seekcindyofficial/ 

Website: https://cindyannehbu.wordpress.com/ 

Get full access to Next Level Psychology at psychfox.substack.com/subscribe