The Balancing Act

Finally, the ACT in Films episode we have been talking about for quite some time has arrived... from a galaxy far, far away... A conversation with special guest, Joseph Flores, about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy concepts found within the film Star Wars Episode IV. Was Obiwan Kenobi an ACT therapist? (Likely)

From a Doctor Who notebook full of doodles to a hike in the Grand Canyon, to struggling on an Assault Bike during an intense workout. From washing a towering stack of dirty dishes, to tackling a huge project, or dealing with a child in the midst of a tantrum. A conversation about the process versus the results, and the utility of mindful committed action as a way of cultivating psychological flexibility in the midst of daunting circumstances.

From Stranger Things to Dexter, from cute puppies on couches to computer algorithms in the endless tug-of-war between the Mind and the Being; a conversation about how the Ego is invested in us being psychologically inflexible and the key to flexibility is to Leggo your Ego.

Coming back from an amazing trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon I had a talk planned about mindfulness for this episode, but a request from Ted changed those plans; when Ted talks I listen. A different kind of conversation about listening to others and to ourselves and the reality that words are not always enough.

From "It's a Small World" to "Willy Wonka's Boat Ride", from Lion taming to the Function of the Conjunction Junction in School of Rock. A discussion on the importance of using your commitment plans along with your acceptance strategies, in an effort to be more successful in cultivating psychological flexibility.

In need of Mojo? struggling with low self esteem and/or self worth? Tapping into the ancient wisdom of The Little Engine that Could, and relying on the utility of committed action towards things that matter. This episode is a discussion about how practicing ACT concepts can add steam to your self esteem when you feel you are running on empty.

From Baseball to Football, from the raging Anger character in Pixar’s Inside Out to Sloth in Goonies, from The wisdom of Popeye, Yogi Berra and God as he spoke to Moses. The dangers of being overly attached to your self conceptualization and the freedom of just being I am, a discussion about Self as Context and its utility in the cultivation of Psychological Flexibility.

From lighters at a U2 concert to cell phone flashlights at a Mumford and Sons show. From eating dinner while watching tv vs eating Ethiopian cuisine with your hands. From the dangers of being anywhere but here rather than being fully where you are, a discussion about Contact with the Present Moment and its utility in the cultivation of Psychological Flexibility.

From Mountain Dew to Morgan Freeman and Mr. T's voices guiding us on drives through unfamiliar neighborhoods, From the purgatory that the undone items of your to do list go to rot to the promise land of your purpose and values, a discussion about Committed Action and its utility in the cultivation of Psychological Flexibility.

From a field mouse named Feivel to an elementary school teacher to Sully's tiny friend Boo, Surviving vs Thriving; a discussion on Values and how a purpose driven path cultivates psychological flexibility.