Relationships 2.0 With Dr. Michelle Skeen

Latest Episodes:

What Is Love? Feb 13, 2014

Show notes

This week on Relationships 2.0 the topic is What is Love? In recognition of Valentine’s Day, New Harbinger asked me to answer, along with some of their other relationships authors, the question What Is Love? Sounds easy? Well, considering that shelves are filled with countless books on this topic, and they requested one or two paragraphs, I felt a bit challenged. So, I decided to treat L.O.V.E. as an acronym. And, rather than focusing on romantic, couple love I decided to highlight features that I consider important in “big” love. Obviously, I’m not able to capture all of the essential ingredients that make for a loving relationship, but here are four…

Guest: Shawn T. Smith, PsyD author of The Woman’s Guide to How Men Think: Love, Commitment, and the Male Mind. Feb 06, 2014

Show notes

About the book: Comedian George Carlin once said, “Women are from earth. Men are from earth. Just deal with it.” Though witty, this sentiment fails to recognize one of the real truths in life: that both genders are completely mystified by one another, and often have a mile-long list of complaints for the opposite sex. Yet, generally speaking, both men and women want to get along—especially if there’s romance involved. A Woman’s Guide to How Men Think offers a practical, humorous, yet compassionate guide for women who want to learn the secrets of the elusive male mind. With author Shawn Smith’s trademark humor, you’ll come to understand why men think and see the world the way they do, and how to work with men to cultivate understanding and communication in relationships, without expecting men to be creatures that they are not. This isn’t a male-bashing book about how men should be more like women, but a book about how men actually are, and how women can use this understanding to get what they need from their relationships. You’ll also learn why men often feel frustrated and criticized, how to deal with lack of communication in ways that don’t put men on the defensive, and how being curious and compassionate (while not accepting disrespectful or abusive behavior) instead of dismissing men for their inherently male traits can lead to greater understanding between the sexes. The plain truth is that both men and women are from planet earth. But that doesn’t mean we are the same. If you are looking for an insider’s guide to the ever-elusive male mind, this is the book for you. About the author: Shawn Smith is a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colorado and the author of two books. His first book, Surviving Aggressive People, is a highly-respected book of verbal de-escalation and violence prevention skills. His second book,The User’s Guide to the Human Mind offers a quirky but practical look at the difficulties that the typical human mind dishes out to its owner. Shawn also writes a blog at ironshrink.com, where he answers important questions such as: Can dogs learn to read? What is relational frame theory? Is my ex possessed? His writing is light-hearted, impeccably researched, and always useful.

Guest: Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, author of ADD and Your Money: A Guide to Personal Finance for Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder Jan 31, 2014

Show notes

About the book: When you have attention-deficit disorder (ADD), you don’t spend money like most other people. Past-due bills and impulsive spending can throw your finances into turmoil, and because these financial pitfalls are directly related to your ADD symptoms, they can seem impossible to overcome. The good news is that it is possible to get ADD-related financial disorganization under control and begin to enjoy a more stable relationship to your money. ADD and Your Money will show you how. This friendly guide, written with your ADD in mind, includes information on everything you need to know about managing your finances and staying in control. With this book as your guide, you will learn to: • Keep track of your bills• Create a budget that works• Get debt under control• Find ADD-friendly bank services• Plan around your splurges• Make time-management a priority If you’re ready to start focusing on your future financial success, this book can help you start making lasting changes today. About the author: Dr. Sarkis is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Boca Raton, Florida. She provides counseling and coaching to children and adults with ADHD/ADD. She is also an adjunct assistant professor in Counselor Education at Florida Atlantic University. She is internationally recognized for her work in treating ADHD/ADD, Autism, Aspergers, and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dr. Sarkis has won national awards for her research on ADHD and brain function. Dr. Sarkis has been published in the Journal of Attention Disorders and she has been featured on CNN’s “Health Minute,” Fox News, ABC News, Sirius Satellite Radio, First Business Television, and numerous other networks and stations. She is featured in the book The Gift of Adult ADD by Lara Honos-Webb Ph.D.

Guest: Heather Tick, MD author of Holistic Pain Relief: Dr. Tick’s Breakthrough Strategies To Manage and Eliminate Pain. Jan 24, 2014

Show notes

About the book: Chronic pain has become an epidemic in North America, yet our current health care system is ill equipped for treating sufferers. An expert in both conventional and holistic medicine, Dr. Heather Tick has spent twenty-five years treating patients for whom “all else has failed.” Based on her experience, Holistic Pain Relief offers practical guidance to anyone with pain. It includes easy-to-implement solutions for effective and permanent pain relief and also offers help to those with chronic conditions who feel confused, worried, or hopeless. Dr. Tick presents a new way of looking at pain with a focus on health. By helping you make informed choices about physical, emotional, and spiritual living, Holistic Pain Relief offers possibilities for recovery and information on a wide range of treatment and prevention options, including acupuncture, chiropractic techniques, intramuscular stimulation, dietary supplements, medication, nutrition, and exercise. The result is a realistic — and inspiring — prescription for pain-free living. About the author: Dr. Tick is an integrative medical practitioner, has directed pain clinics in the United States and Canada and is a consultant to corporations on ergonomics, health, and safety. She has also taught at numerous medical schools and is currently involved in medical research. A sought-after speaker, she lives in Seattle and works at the University of Washington, where she is the first Gunn-Loke Endowed Professor for Integrative Pain Medicine.

Guest: Echo Bodine author of What Happens When We Die: A Psychic’s Exploration of Death, Heaven, and the Soul’s Journey After Death. Jan 16, 2014

Show notes

About the book: With her signature wit and fearlessness, beloved psychic and healer Echo Bodine offers answers to life’s biggest questions: Is there a heaven? Are there people who have been there and come back? Do we have souls? Can we communicate with deceased loved ones? Based on Echo’s personal experience of observing the souls of people nearing death and communicating with souls who have died, this comforting book shines light on the dying process and the afterlife. Her clear and fascinating stories demystify this universal experience and demonstrate that death is nothing to fear. You’ll learn about: • the stages the body goes through preceding death• the white light and the tunnel that lead to the other side• how to make sense of the death of children• what happens to those who commit suicide• the nature of heaven Echo offers practical tools for being with dying loved ones (including what not to do), for grieving (through the poignant experience of her mother’s passing as Echo was writing this book), and for cultivating clear communication with the deceased. Learning what happens when we die can be inspiring, reassuring, and profoundly life changing. About the author: Echo Bodine is a renowned spiritual healer, psychic, and teacher. Her previous books include The Gift, Echoes of the Soul, and A Still, Small Voice. She lectures widely on intuition, spiritual healing, and life after death; cohosts the bimonthly online show Sisters for the Soul; and has a popular blog. She lives in Minneapolis.

Guest: Margaret Floyd, author of Eat Naked and The Naked Foods Cookbook Jan 08, 2014

Show notes

If one of your goals this year is to get healthier and/or lose weight you will want to tune in for my chat with Margaret. She will talk about her sugar detox program and why it is so important to be aware of and eliminate (or minimize) the sugar in our diets. We’ll look at how it’s hurting us, how it makes us gain weight, why it’s ubiquitous, and where it’s hiding in our diets in all its many forms. And most importantly, we’ll look at how to profoundly change our relationship with it so that we don’t remain in its grip. Her next sugar detox program starts Monday January 6th. www.eatnakednow.com www.sugarcontroldetox.com

Guest: Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., author of Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed: The Fascinating Science of Animal Intelligence, Emotions, Friendship and Conservation. Dec 19, 2013

Show notes

About the book: In 2009, Marc Bekoff was asked to write on animal emotions for Psychology Today. Some 500 popular, jargon-free essays later, the field of anthrozoology — the study of human-animal relationships — has grown exponentially, as have scientific data showing how smart and emotional nonhuman animals are. Here Bekoff offers selected essays that showcase the fascinating cognitive abilities of other animals as well as their empathy, compassion, grief, humor, joy, and love. Humpback whales protect gray whales from orca attacks, combat dogs and other animals suffer from PTSD, and chickens, rats, and mice display empathy. This collection is both an updated sequel to Bekoff’s popular book The Emotional Lives of Animals and a call to begin the important work of “rewilding” ourselves and changing the way we treat other animals. About the author: Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and Wild Justice, among many other titles. www.marcbekoff.com

Guest: Zoe Kessler, author of ADHD According to Zoe. Dec 13, 2013

Show notes

Like many women with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), journalist and popular blogger Zoë Kessler was diagnosed late in life—well into adulthood, in fact. But instead of seeing this label as a burden to bear, Kessler decided to use it to gain a better understanding of herself, and to connect with others through her writing. In this unique and engaging memoir, Kessler shares her own stories of living with ADHD in a way that is relatable, but never predictable. Inside, she describes how her impulsive behavior has affected her love life; how being disorganized once stood in the way of landing a job; and how inattentiveness has caused certain challenges in her relationships. Kessler also offers key coping skills based on her experience; skills that you can use to focus your energy, become more organized, and boost your self-esteem while tapping into creativity and humor. Kessler’s story illustrates how being diagnosed with ADHD late into adulthood can be bewildering, but it also shows what a great opportunity it can be to take stock of your life and make real, lasting changes. Whether you share her diagnosis of ADHD, or just like a good story, ADHD According to Zoë will inspire you and encourage you to embrace your quirks. About the author: Zoë Kessler is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and speaker internationally recognized for her work with women and ADHD. She lives near Toronto, Canada and writes the popular blog ADHD from A to Zoë forpsychcentral.com. Her first book, Adoption Reunions, celebrates its twentieth year in print in 2013. For more information about Kessler and her work, please visit zoekessler.com.

Guest: Thomas Roberts, LCSW, LMFT, author of The Mindfulness Workbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Overcoming Fear and Embracing Compassion. Dec 05, 2013

Show notes

About the book: Mindfulness is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety and panic, chronic pain, depression, obsessive thinking, out-of-control emotions, and many other physical and mental health conditions. This ancient Buddhist technique can help anyone who struggles with fears, worries, and distractions refocus on the present moment and live happily, here and now. The Mindfulness Workbook is a step-by-step instruction book that guides you through simple practices that enable you to experience mindfulness not as a distant experience or concept, but as an attainable state of being in the world. You will discover the effectiveness of breath work, mindful eating, and thought-watching, and begin reaping the benefits of mindfulness right away. Over time, you will begin to notice that these small changes can bring about a bigger transformation, enhancing your sense of fulfillment and calm. From the author: I have a clinical psychotherapy practice in Onalaska, Wisconsin. I work with people who are determined to embrace their healing journey. I embrace and respect the mind-body connection and use mind-body therapies such as imagery, hypnotherapy, sounds, music and the like. I enjoy being in the presence of people on their healing journey! The people who have shared their journey with me have been my greatest teachers!I also have a passion for teaching and conducting retreats. At this time in my life, I have come to realize that it is time to give back. All that I have been taught, learned, and come to understand, is now to be shared with others. Being able to share the mindfulness and healing journey with people is part of my own journey. I have taught hundreds of workshops and retreats around the country and have been enriched by the people I have had the privledge of meeting along the way. They too have been my teachers. I am a practicing Buddhist and have been for 30+ years. Many teachers have helped me along the way. Yet at this point I have returned to my cushion and local Sangha as the true journey is the one to be embraced as you move through the flow of your own personal experience. I spent many years following teachers only to return to the true teacher: my life as it unfolds. This teacher has always been there, and I have realized there is really nowhere else to look. My book reflects this. So, I hope you enjoy. Visit my web site: thomasrobertsllc.com

Guest: Colleen Carney, PhD co-author of Goodnight Mind: Turn Off Your Noisy Thoughts and Get A Good Night’s Sleep Nov 21, 2013

Show notes

About the book: Do you find yourself lying awake at night, ruminating about the events of the day? Do you toss and turn, worrying about what you have to do in the morning or what you did earlier in the day? If so, you are not alone. In fact, insomnia is the most common sleep disorder faced by the general population today. The most common complaint in those who have trouble sleeping is having a “noisy mind.” Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it seems like you cannot silence all the internal dialogue. So what do you do when your mind is spinning and your thoughts just won’t stop? Accessible, enjoyable, and grounded in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Goodnight Mind directly addresses the effects of rumination—or having an overactive brain—on your ability to sleep well. Written by two psychologists who specialize in sleep disorders, the book contains helpful exercises and insights into how you can better manage your thoughts at bedtime, and finally get some sleep. Traditional treatment for insomnia is usually focused on medications that promote sedation rather than on the behavioral causes of insomnia. Unfortunately, medication can often lead to addiction, and a host of other side effects. This is a great book for anyone who is looking for effective therapy to treat insomnia without the use of medication. This informative, small-format book is easy-to-read and lightweight, making it perfect for late-night reading. About the author: Colleen E. Carney, PhD, is associate professor and director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. She was a National Sleep Foundation Pickwick Fellow at Duke University Medical Center, where she was on faculty, and she founded the Comorbid Insomnia Clinic at the Duke Insomnia and Sleep Research Program. Carney is well-known for her publications in the area of insomnia and its relation to other disorders, most notably, depression, anxiety, and pain. She has made numerous presentations at national research conferences, including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the Association for Professional Sleep Societies (APSS). She is the current president of the ABCT’s Special Interest Group for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Currently, Carney is conducting research, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, on treating insomnia in people with depression.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Relationships 2.0 With Dr. Michelle Skeen

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected