Minds and Mics

Latest Episodes:

An Expert Guide to Assertive Communication with Dr. Randy Paterson Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Randy Paterson guides us through the ins and outs of assertive communication, explaining why it's essential for healthy, happy relationships in work, love, and life.

Show Notes

What is assertiveness?
Common misconceptions about assertiveness
The 4 styles of communication
The benefits of becoming more assertive
The barriers to being assertive: the stress barrier; the social barrier; the belief barrier
Why it’s so hard to ask for what you really want
Demanding what we want vs informing people of what we want
DESO scripts
Why it’s hard to say no to what you don’t want
How to handle confrontation well
Strategies for constructive confrontation, especially how to find common ground
Are we responsible for other people’s feelings?
Beyond assertive communication: taking responsibility for your own life

You can learn more about Randy and his work here:

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Insomnia Myths & Misconceptions with Dr. Daniel Erichsen Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Daniel trade off describing their favorite myths and misconceptions about insomnia and sleep.

Show Notes:

Does everyone need 8 hours of sleep per night?
Should I go to bed at the same time every night?
The crucial difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepy
If I’m not getting 8 hours of sleep, am I at risk for major health issues?
Do I need to avoid blue light before bed?
Do things cause insomnia or beliefs about things? See also: Nick's Complete Guide to Insomnia
The problem with sleep hygiene
Sleep is more about what you don’t do than what you do.
Sleep effort and the perfect metaphor for insomnia
Is it important to get an even number of sleep cycles?
Beware the Sleep Hygiene Industrial Complex
If I have a big day coming up, should I get into bed early?
Can I pay off my long-term sleep debt?
How important is it to understand what caused my insomnia?
Triggering factors vs maintaining factors in insomnia
Insomnia and threat-monitoring
Is insomnia even a sleep disorder?
Does sleep quality deteriorate with age?
Should I avoid exercise in the evenings?
Intention is everything when it comes to sleep.

You can follow Daniel Erichsen online in the following places:

Hypnosis Revealed with Traci Stein Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Traci separate myth from reality on the topic of hypnosis and discuss what clinical hypnosis can actually be useful for.

Show Notes:

Common misconceptions about hypnosis
What is hypnosis, exactly?
Hypnosis vs Positive Visualization, Flow, and Mindfulness
What does hypnosis actually feel like?
What is a hypnotic trance?
Everyday trances
For Love of the Game
Suggestibility
Hypnosis and healthy behavior change
What is hypnosis especially useful for?
Hypnosis for smoking cessation
Nick’s unconscious self-hypnotic inductions
Hypnobirthing
Self-hypnosis
Holly Forester-Miller — Surgery video (a bit graphic!)
Self-hypnosis for confidence and public speaking
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Traci Stein’s self-hypnosis audio programs

You can follow Traci online here:

Rethinking Addiction with Thomas Horvath Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Tom discuss different ways of thinking about addiction and why it matters for tackling one of the world's most important challenges.

Show Notes:

Common misconceptions about addiction
The 3 fundamental addictive behaviors
Are addicts fundamentally different than non-addicts?
Is addiction a habit?
Addiction, loss of control, and the gun-to-the-head test
How important is self-control and willpower in overcoming addiction?
Cravings, Urge Surfing (Alan Marlatt), and Confidence
Transforming desire
Addiction as a relationship, not a thing (Stanton Peele, Love and Addiction)
Should we legalize and/or decriminalize recreational drugs?
The world’s first self-help books (Nichomachean Ethics)
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies professionally vetted self-help books
Addictive personalities
Positive addictions
Slips vs relapses and why the distinction matters
The opposite of addiction is connection (John Hari)
St. John’s College
How to help someone who’s struggling with addiction
Smart Recovery
Beyond Addiction
Practical Recovery

You can follow Tom and learn more about his work here:

What Is Mindfulness, Really? with Daron Larson Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Daron discuss what mindfulness is exactly and how to incorporate more mindfulness into your own life (without sitting on a yoga mat repeating a mantra for hours).

Show Notes: