Shmental Health

In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I reflect on what it means to be healthy in this age of digital distraction. This is a seriously low-energy podcast. I really need to learn how to bring some enthusiasm to these things, but it’s hard to hone the ol’ podcasting skills when you only …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #19: Living one’s dreams in the age of digital distraction"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I respond to Brant Cortright’s thesis that one’s rate of neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells) may be the most important biomarker for one’s brain health. I recently blogged about all this here.

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I ramble on about the inadequacy of current terminology to describe “integral” mental health perspectives, and then introduce one such perspective — the critical psychiatry of Dr. Joanna Moncrieff. Relevant media: Joanna Moncrieff – The Myth of the Chemical Cure: The Politics of Psychiatric Drug Treatment …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #17: Joanna Moncrieff and the politics of psychiatric drug treatment"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I string together some loosely formed thoughts about the centrality of critical thinking in all walks of life. Related media: Critical Thinker Academy: Good website with lots of free resources about critical thinking

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss the new depression screening guidelines proposed by the The US Preventive Services Task Force, the response to these guidelines by Allen Frances, and the perils of podcast procrastination. Related articles: Depression screening for adults and adolescents has benefits, but don’t ignore the downsides (Debate …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #15: To screen or not to screen (everyone for depression)"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss my current perspective on Ken Wilber’s “Integral Theory” and the associated community, especially in light of the recent New York Times article on Marc Gafni, a known sexual predator who is unconscionably endorsed as a leader in the integral community. Related media: – Brief …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #14: Thoughts on Integral Theory and the associated community"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I talk about the anti-authoritarian pushback against mainstream mental health perspectives, highlighting an excellent video presentation by psychologist Bruce Levine. Related media: – My recent blog post on Levine’s presentation – Levine’s article, “Why Psychiatry Holds Enormous Power in Society Despite Losing Scientific Credibility“

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I revisit an incredibly important and sadly under-appreciated article (written in 2011) by Dr. Roger Walsh called Lifestyle and Mental Health. The article outlines eight major lifestyle factors that are woefully underestimated and underutilized in the field of mental health, despite overwhelming evidence of their psychological …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #12: Lifestyle and mental health"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I review an excellent article by Allen Frances in which he excoriates us all for turning a blind eye to those in our society who need mental health services the most. Here is the article that was referenced in this discussion: What Drives Our Dumb and …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #11: Allen Frances on the anything-but-rational American mental health system"

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In this episode of the Integral Health Resources Podcast, I discuss the issues of upcoding, downcoding, and “diagnosing for dollars” — practices that mental health professionals too often engage in, for various reasons, when they are beholden to managed care insurance systems. Here are the media resources that were referenced in this discussion: Prezi Presentation: …

Continue reading "IHR Podcast #10: Diagnosing for Dollars"

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit headthegong.substack.com