In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gwen Adshead to explore the human nature of violent criminal offenders through the lense of a forensic psychiatrist. Dr. Gwen Adshead is a renowned forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals who have committed violent crimes. She has worked extensively in high-security hospitals, prisons, and mental health services, helping offenders understand the psychological factors behind their actions. Dr. Adshead has a particular interest in moral reasoning, empathy development, and the therapeutic potential for change in those society often deems irredeemable. She is the co-author of The Devil You Know: Stories of Human Cruelty and Compassion, which explores the inner lives of violent offenders through case studies, challenging traditional perceptions of "evil" and advocating for a more compassionate approach to forensic psychiatry. Her work highlights the intersection of trauma, mental illness, and criminal behavior, emphasizing the potential for rehabilitation through psychological therapy. As a lecturer, researcher, and author, she continues to influence both academic and public discussions on criminal justice, mental health, and the psychology of violence.

In this episode I sit down with Karissa Johnson, PhD candidate at the University of Saskatchewan where she focuses on research supporting female athletes through self-compassion. We talk about what self-compassion research and how that translates to helping athletes. How to build confidence, overcome challenges, and so much more.

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Alex Olmos and discuss the ins and outs of strength training. The mechanisms behind why we get strong. The benefits of strength training. What he has learned from his recent research and what life is like transitioning from a PhD candidate to a professor.

In this episode I talk about the building blocks to create a successful strength or hypertrophy program. I go over strength training considerations of skill acquisition and how we get strong. Hypertrophy program, how we grow and the importance of progressive overload. I end with going over the psychological considerations of programming and tools to improve your awareness of the psyche.

In this episode I talk to Burkhart Hahn PhD candidate from Oklahoma State University where is specializes in research focusing on anxiety disorders. Here we talk about his own mental health and how that has made him a better therapist. Tools to better understand and cope with anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorders as a whole and the mechanism behind their function. Along with how exercise can help improve anxiety symptoms.

In this episode I sit down with 20-year Special Forces Veteran Eric Maxwell. We discuss what makes a good leader and how can one build leadership skills. How war impacts our human behavior. How has mental health changed in his 20 years of service. How to balance family life in the military and transitioning out.

In this episode I discuss how we can use exercise to improve our mental health. I discuss the mechanisms of action to get a better understanding of how exercise can help improve mental health. Developing a biopsychosocial model to create a better understanding of mental health. Psychological strategies to improve motivation and adherence. Along with exercise prescription ideas that are backed by research to improve mental health.

In this episode I discuss the science behind how emotions are made. The difference between emotions and feelings and why that is an important distinction to make. I also talk about effective strategies on how to regulate emotions, cope with stress, and shift one's perspective and beliefs towards stress to improve the nervous system response.

In this podcast I will be exploring human behavior in all its aspect. From the lived experiences to what the science says and everything in between. There will be solo episodes diving into the research of specific topics, along with guest interviews from some of the top performers, researchers, and writers. I hope that you enjoy the show and it prompts you to become more curious.