The Broken Brain

Latest Episodes:

Monday Mental Tip: Affinity & Autism Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

A quick look at the shifting vocabulary and perspectives on the hyper-interest associated with Autism.

This month's highlighted charity is Kids & Art, an organization based in California using art activities and education to help children with cancer. Go to www.kidsandart.org to follow and support this amazing nonprofit.

Heavens: The Boy and His Robot, with Writer/Director Rich Ho Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Another great conversation from the Cinequest Film Festival!

Rich Ho spent the past 13 years making his movie "Heavens: The Boy and His Robot," a coming of age story centered on bravery, community, and dedication, set in sci-fi world. He talks to us about story telling and how he learned to overcome personal fear and dedicate himself to a project. The making of this film is a story of goals, follow through, and Rich's relationship with his children.

Please visit www.CHIRLA.org to support the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, our highlighted charity for the month of March.

Helping Children in Grief with Dr Korie Leigh Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Grief is a complex thing, and can be difficult to approach with children. Dr Korie Leigh is one of the nation's leading experts on childhood grief & pediatric palliative care, a consultant to the Sesame Street Workshop, and the author of the new book "When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief." Today she shares principles to help children through the most difficult times, whether they are coping with loss or suffering from serious illness of their own. Follow her work and check out the book: www.korieleighphd.com

The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Rights for Immigrants. Go to www.chirla.org to support & share this important nonprofit.

How did Irish immigrants become a big part of the USA police force? Mar 21, 2026

Show notes

What is with the stereotype of the Irish Cop? I have seen this in fiction, when I was young it seemed like half of fictional law enforcement were Irish. In the real world Irish culture has a strong present in the culture of modern day policing. Where did it come from?

This week's dive into cultural history is a story of immigration, discrimination, brutal capatilism leading to mass corruption, and how an immigrant group can be pressured into infighting with other immigrants. For Patrons of the show (who get the second half) there is also a touching story of modern Irish advocacy and referrals to Irish American Groups advancing rights of immigrants today. Here are links to the organizations mentioned:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPwq0sGkji-/ (Story of the Grapefruit Ladies)

https://www.irishamericandems.org/ (Irish American Democrats)

https://www.aaidnet.org/ (African American Irish Immigration)

https://aoh.com/ (Ancient Order of Hibernians)

https://ciic-usa.org/member-centers/ (Coalition of Irish American Center)

AND of course our highlighted charity this month: www.chirla.org, the Coalition fo rHuman Immigrant Rights

Plan C: a heist movie about competing values, with Claire & Scott Cavalheiro Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Cinequest Fim Festival is in full swing, which means interviews with Indie Artists! Today we discuss the film "Plan C," with writer/director Scott Cavalheiro, and star Claire Cavalheiro. Plan C is a heist movie focused on doing the wrong things for what feel like the right reasons: helping family.

The highlighted charity this month is CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org åç

Monday Mental Tip: Destructive Deductions Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

What information to we use to diagnose and deduce what is going on in a situation? What is a useful or less-useful way of going about this?

The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA. Go to www.chirla.org to learn about and support this wonderful nonprofit working to support and protect the rights of immigrants.

The Odd Use of the Isolation Helmet Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

The Isolation Helmet was an inventive, and quite odd, treatment device for mental health. Today we revisit this former episode of Thursday Thistory, with one important difference: Everyone gets the FULL episode! Try to control your excitement! Usually these history lessons are only available in full to Patreon donors, but everyone gets this one.

The highlighted nonprofit this month is CHIRLA: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Go to www.CHIRLA.org to learn more and support this amazing and important organization.

Jonny Durgan, Writer & Director of G.S.W. Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Jonny Durgan is the writer & director of the new short film "G.S.W." now making the film festival circuit. This powerful film looks at a unique aspect of a school shooting, seen through the experience of a pair of EMTs near the site. Follow the process of this film, including a trailer and it's eventual general release, at www.youtube.com/@gsw_film

The Broken Brain's highlighted charity this month is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org

Dr Joy Harden Bradfor profile Patreon Sample Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Today's dive into history of psychology focuses on a modern pioneer in therapy: Dr Joy Harden Bradford. She is the founder of Therapy For Black Girls, a platform for education, advocacy, and mental health treatment focused on the needs of Black women and girls. Her foundational work is based on overcoming obstacles such as bias, medical discrimination, and stigma of seeking out therapy. You can follow her work at www.therapyforblackgirls.com

This is a sample of this Thursday Thistory, a weekly dive into psychology, available in full to supporting patrons of the show. Consider supporting the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain

Reducing Stress & Burnout with Heart Attack Survivor, Dr Joseph Luftman Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Dr Joseph Luftman is a Physician specializing in Sports and Family Medicine. After suffering a massive heart attack, often called a widowmaker level attack, he began to focus on reducing elements of stress and burnout through mindfulness, recognizing stress buildup, contemplation, and how sound can be useful in finding calm amidst chaos.

Follow his work at www.saturationofsound.com and read his new book: The Widowmaker's Gift

This month our highlighted nonprofit is The Lavender Rights Project. Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.com to support this organization, helping Black Trans individuals with the challenges they face in society.

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