The Emotion Machine runs a podcast where I get to have in-depth discussions with a wide-range of experts and professionals – including psychologists, neuroscientists, coaches, writers, and spiritual leaders.
You can check out all of our current episodes below, or you can also go straight to our Soundcloud or iTunes page. Please feel free to download these episodes and upload them to your iPod, tablet, or mobile phone so you can listen to them at your own convenience.
If you enjoy these episodes and would like to support my work, consider giving a small donation (on PayPal or Patreon) to show your appreciation. Thanks!
Episode 1: Relationships, Touch, and Sexual Bucket Lists (Dr. Lori Beth)
Dr. Lori Beth is an Intimacy Coach and psychotherapist who focuses on relationships, love, and sex. In this interview, we discuss key differences between monogamy and polyamory, the importance of human touch, cuddling professionals, the impact of media and culture on sexual attitudes, and sexual bucket lists.
Episode 2: Brutal Honesty and Sparking Change (David P. Robbins)
David P. Robbins is a rare breed of therapist and psychologist who believes in the power of brutal honesty and personal accountability – he labels his approach “Give ‘Em Both Barrels” (or GEBB). In this chat, we discuss the nature of why therapy works, different techniques and perspectives, and how to spark real change in people.
Episode 3: The Difficult But Rewarding Task of Parenting (Brian Vondruska)
Brian Vondruska is a dad, author, and founder of The Kind of Parent You Are. In this chat, we discuss the difficult but rewarding task of being a parent, the downfalls of different approaches like helicopter parenting and tiger parenting, and how “Self Determination Theory” can help us become better parents. We also get to touch on topics like TV and computers, homeschooling, and why parents shouldn’t be too hard on themselves.
Episode 4: Beyond Talking: EMDR, Art Therapy, and Sandbox Play as Tools for Healing (Ginger Klee)
Ginger Klee is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who focuses on EMDR, art therapy, and sandbox play. In this chat, we discuss the limitations of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and how different approaches that don’t always focus on “talk therapy” can be the best way to go for many people, especially those with trauma and emotional abuse. We also touch on ways for therapists to manage their own mental health, the role of feminism and culture in therapy, and the potential of virtual reality.
Episode 5: Taoism and Changing Our Relationship With Nature (Monk Yunrou)
Taoist Monk Yunrou is an ordained monk, Tai Chi practitioner, environmentalist, writer, and documentarian. In this chat, we discuss how he became interested in Taoism and how it changes our views of nature compared to typical Western attitudes where we often see nature and man as divided and not connected. We also touch on his process of becoming a monk, the role religion plays in our current society, and why it’s so important we start taking better care of the world and the future of our planet.
Episode 6: Consciousness, Brains, and the Future of Neuroscience (Dr. Heather Berlin)
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, professor of psychiatry, and TV host. In this chat, we talk about the nature of consciousness, common misconceptions in neuroscience, free will and decision-making, deep brain stimulation, and the future of neuroscience and technology. We also get to touch on some of our favorite movies about psychology and neuroscience, as well as the future of AI and consciousness.
Episode 7: The Purpose of Having Fun at Work and Taking Meaningful Breaks (Dave Crenshaw)
Dave Crenshaw is a Productivity and Leadership Mentor and author of the new book “The Power of Having Fun: How Meaningful Breaks Help You Get More Done.” In this chat, we talk about the purpose of having fun at work and why it’s so important to take meaningful breaks that align with your “ultradian rhythm.” He uses the metaphor of walking through a desert and needing an “oasis” so that you can re-energize yourself and stay motivated at work. We also touch on how his approach differs from the idea of “work-life balance,” and why we can still enjoy work even if we don’t have the perfect job or career.
Episode 8: How to Improve Your Social Skills and Better Connect With People (Jeff Callahan)
Jeff Callahan is a social skills and communication coach behind the site Become More Compelling. In this chat, we talk about how we first became interested in self improvement, advice on how to overcome social anxiety and start new conversations, the importance of taking action and trying new things, and why it’s okay to be self-conscious when you’re first learning new skills. We also touch on the importance of staying connected with old friends and family, our idea of the “scariest social situations,” and what we can learn from stand-up comedians.
Episode 9: Make Kindness Cool Again: Practical Ways to Build a Newer, Nicer World (Tara Cousineau)
Tara Cousineau is a clinical psychologist and author of the book The Kindness Cure. In this chat, we discuss the current state of kindness (and cruelty) in our world and practical ways we can make kindness cool again. One big factor is how the internet and social media shape what we see in the world (with an emphasis on negative news) – this can lead to a “cool to be cruel” mentality. We also talk about the importance of both mindfulness and forgiveness when overriding our old impulses and instincts, and how this relates to being a kinder and nicer person in the future.
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