The Meaning Project

David has a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology, and has worked in multiple fields of behavioral health treatment for nearly 25 years, including outpatient counseling, crisis stabilization, inpatient, substance abuse, and youth residential programs. He began working as a Psychologist with the Michigan Department of Corrections Mental Health Program in 2002, and currently is the Mental Health Director for the MDOC, overseeing the mental health, substance use disorder, and sex offender treatment services in prisons as well as those in the community for parolees and probationers. Well-versed regarding the issues and needs of those with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and justice involvement, David is working to improve the transition process for those involved in the criminal justice system. He is a certified instructor for SAMHSA’s Trauma Informed curriculum for criminal justice, and is on a mission to reduce stigma, and to make helpers, family members and survivors aware of their needs and to improve treatment services.

To find out more about David and his work, check out his website www.jdaviddawdy.com

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

Debbie Gottlieb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a therapist in the Fort Lauderdale area for over ten years. Her gift is being able to see between the lines and help people connect to their true potential. She cares for her clients and assists them in moving forward in their lives. Debbie has been Clinical Director, Lead Therapist and Program Director of start-up treatment centers as well as having her own private practice. She specializes in marriage counseling as well as individual counseling for stress and anxiety relief, depression treatment, addiction treatment, grief and loss counseling, eating disorder treatment and more. Her specialty is the way she guides her counseling sessions not just the therapy services she provides. Debbie’s style of therapy works and produces rapid insight and results for her clients. Debbie’s passion is helping people reclaim their lives and live fully. Her keen sense of skill, detail, creativity, vision and intuition enables her to successfully help couples and individuals live the life they desire.

To find out more about Debbie and her work, got to https://www.thedebbiegottlieb.com/


To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

This episode is, perhaps, the most important conversation I've had in nearly 100 episodes. Jess Michaels is an Epstein survivor who struggled with the physical symptoms of sexual assault for over 25 years - culminating in Adrenal Fatique Syndrome; until her involvement with the families of Sandy Hook reawakened her trauma and forced her to make cognitive connections in order to heal.

Her story of trauma and tragedy is chilling and sad - but her healing, how she turned suffering into achievement - is inspirational. Her message of how a safety plan can prevent, and hopefully end, sexual assault, is a message we all need to hear and consider.

For more on Jess, you can reach her at https://www.jessmichaelsspeaks.com/

To find out more about Dr. Lam, go to Dr. Lam - Adrenal Fatigue Recovery - (626) 571-1234 (drlamcoaching.com)

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

I'm just not feeling it this episode. Haven't been "feelin' it" for a little while now. But then again, many of us "aren't feeling it" - are we depressed? Am I depressed? Or, maybe, is it a case of The Winter Blues - "Seasonal Affect Disorder" - or the body's natural tendency to want to hibernate when it's cold, dark, and grey for days an weeks at a time?

In this episode, I discuss the difference between The Winter Blues, and clinical depression - and offer tips on how to handle them both. Enjoy!

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

Retirement can often lead to the dreaded "Existential Vacuum" if we are not prepared to take meaningful action after the end of the job. Navy Chief Petty Officer (Retired) Joseph Paul and I have been friends for quite a while, so we typically have quite a bit to talk about. But, as you can hear in this episode, there is still a lot that I don't fully understand about military service and military retirement. Fortunately, he has a lot to share and educate us on. With that, we also discuss his recent experiences in corporate leadership and what it means to him to "Be A Good Human".

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

There are Narcissists among us. But maybe not as many as you think. And most of us shouldn't be throwing around that label as casually as we are - and we CERTAINLY shouldn't be "researching" it (ie. Doctor Google & WebMD) it online! So, if there is someone in our life who is a little, or a lot, selfish, who can't validate our emotions, or who might just be damn annoying sometimes - what should we do?

Give me an hour, and I will tell you all about it.

In this episode, I'll share with you the diagnostic criteria from the "Big Book" of psychological diagnosing, and talk to about who should be using it, who shouldn't, and what YOU can do about it. ENJOY

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

Heuric Rako is a Cyber Security professional with over 8 years in the tech space and he has a message to share with the new generation. His passion for personal development and emotional intelligence put him in a unique position to be able to blend cyber security and anyone's own personal journey toward success. In this episode, he shares some his thoughts on "hacking your potential" and, unexpectedly, some key concepts for personal cyber security.

To find out more about Heuric, check out his website: https://heuricrako.com/

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

If you know, you know. When Rabbi B. and I get together, good conversations about Logotherapy happen. This episode is no exception. Yeah, we start out funny talking about Ted Lasso, but it quickly gets serious as we take a deep dive into why Logotherapy hasn't scaled in the US, and why we think it NEEDS to.

To find out more about Rabbi B. and his Enneagram work, check out https://defiantspirit.org/ - it is a BEAUTIFUL WEBSITE!!

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

Mikalee Byerman is a "writer chick, keynote speaker, and humor strategist" who encourages employers and leaders to ditch the stuffy "nose-to-the-grindstone" mantra for a more humane and connected culture - one of humor and connection. In this week's podcast, she shares what it means to be a "humor strategist", just how bad therapy can get, and her 4 tips for a more meaningful life - (hint, "reconnect, praise, gratitude, observations - but you'll have to listen to know what those mean!)

To find out more about Mikalee and her work, or to check out her book "100 Things to Do in Reno Before You Die", go to www.MikaleeByerman.com OR www.pricklyfireman.com

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com

Dr. Xu Simon is smart. Being that she works in the Boston area, you could say she is "wicked smaaht". She earned her BA in Biochemistry from Rice University and, in 2008, completed her PhD in Biophysical Chemistry and Molecular Structure at MIT. After conducting postdoctoral studies in structural biology at Brandeis University, she served for two years as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow. She currently serves as Chief Technology Officer at Enozo Technologies in Andover, MA and owns an independent speaking, consulting, and mediation business focused on helping executive and technical professionals resonate together for maximal impact.

You can find out more about her and check out her Ted Talk at www.XuFits.com

To support your favorite podcast on Mental Health & Meaning, pick up some meaningful The Meaning Project Podcast merch in our store at https://the-meaning-project-podcast.creator-spring.com/

And finally, if you would like to support our efforts to improve the podcast and maybe even connect with Dr. Dan in different ways, become a Patron on our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/themeaningprojectpodcast

To contact Dr. Dan go to www.DanielAFranz.com