The Balancing Act

Not quite an episode about the Animaniacs, but an episode about Apopheniacs, and our tendencies to pull from our fused judgments in making mountains out of molehills, when our minds desperately create stories in the absence of information. A conversation about the need to see things free from our preconceived notions and to fight our inner Sherlock Holmes, fighting the urge to connect dots that are not to be connected in an effort to be psychologically flexible.

A conversation about what we put into our bodies and minds, and an analysis of where we put our energies, efforts, and resources; how we fall into the trap of being victims of the moment, rather than nourishing ourselves for tomorrow in the continued pursuit of psychological flexibility, in the direction of progress rather than the aimless direction of digression or regression.

Entering the season of thankfulness we have a discussion about gratitude, the importance of the way we compose our thoughts to maximize the syntax of thanks and to enjoy the many benefits of gratitude.

From Michael Myers and The Ghost Busters to Syfy Channel’s Special Effects Competition called Face/Off, is a haunted discussion of the many masks we sculpt and wear, at the cost of forgetting the image of our actual faces and true identities. How focusing on the “I am” helps cultivate psychological flexibility and keeps us true to our values.

From cutting down trees to Happy Gilmore and to Neo from the Matrix, exploring the wisdom of one lumberjack over another, a conversation about Psychological Arthritis, when we relapse into our inflexibilities and become grumpy GEICO Cavemen, and the importance of sharpening axes as the best way to prevent our backsliding into rigid survival strategies.

Our first ACT professional episode! We sit down with 2 creatives, Gabriel and Eli Ferrer, who share war stories and survival tips in the world of advertising. Together we explore the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy elements needed in a career based on creativity. An interesting look at how diffusion and acceptance keep the passion fires going in the world where creativity is in demand and has a deadline.

A Guide’s responsibility is a difficult one. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, exhilaration and moments when we ask ourselves, “Is it worth it?” In this episode is a discussion of the need for perspective when a guide is guiding others, especially through a tough time and the need for psychological flexibility throughout the process of aiding other people on their journeys.

Acknowledging that there is no cure for our anxiety, we decide to tap into the radiating wisdom of the Incredible Hulk, we discuss the essential need for developing tolerance in our pursuit of acceptance and cultivating psychological flexibility.

A scenic route through Toltec Wisdom down memory lane of 1980's television. Relying on the sages of Three's Company, Different Strokes and Seinfeld; A discussion about the Four Agreements it's affinities to Acceptance and Commitment therapy and how sticking to your Agreements can cultivate psychological flexibility.

From the vistas on the Oregon Trail, avoiding the perils of dysentery, to film locations of the movie Goonies, to the reasons we post on Instagram, the reasons we like photos on Instagram, and what purpose the like and follower game really serves us in the pursuit of Acceptance, Acknowledgment, and Approval. A discussion about Instagram and the process of Instagramification and how it pertains to self acceptance and value driven efforts as we continue to cultivate psychological flexibility.