The Matt Townsend Show

Matt Townsend specializes in energizing and involving audiences with his unique approach to building and maintaining successful relationships. Known as one of America’s top presenters in the field of Human Relations and Development, Matt blends humor and story telling with interactive, real-life solutions that motivate and inspire his listeners.

Latest Episodes:

Cyberbullying, Compassion for Yourself, Partner Traits Apr 03, 2015

Show notes

Cyberbullying (12:12) Dr. Justin Patchin, co- director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He is a professor of Criminal Justice in at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Co-Authored the award-winning book Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying. Dr Patchin talks about what cyber bullying is and what steps need to be taken to prevent it from happening. Be Compassionate with Yourself (57:22) Dr. Kristin Neff, Associate Professor of Human Development, Culture and Learning Sciences at The University of Texas Austin. She has been developing an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program is called “Mindful Self-Compassion.” Dr. Neff on how we can show ourselves more compassion in how we treat ourselves Parent Previews: New on DVD (1:20:44) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews.com joins the show to look at what is new in theaters and on DVD. Dr Matt and Rod talk about Furious 7 and how the movie deals with the death of one of the lead actors Paul Walker. New on DVD: Interstellar, The Imitation Game, and Wild What Traits We Need Most In A Partner (1:43:55) Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman is an associate professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department at Albright College. She received her doctorate in social-personality psychology from New York University in 2006. She studies self-expression and self-presentation on the Internet, cognition in close relationships, and social support. Dr. Seidman and Dr. Townsend talk about what are some positive traits to look for when starting a relationship. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:12 - Cyberbullying 00:57:22 - Be Compassionate with Yourself 01:80:44 - Parent Previews: New on DVD 01:103:55 - What Traits We Need Most In A Partner

ISIS, Financial Compatibility, Emotions as a Second Language Apr 02, 2015

Show notes

"ISIS: The State of Terror" (9:38) J. M. Berger is a nonresident fellow with the Brookings Institution. Author of "Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam," a critically acclaimed history of the American jihadist movement. He is a regular contributor to Foreign Policy magazine. Co-Author of "ISIS: The State of Terror" J.M. Berger. An expert on violent extremism and terrorism. Mr. Berger help us understand the origins and evolution of ISIS. The Couples Guide to Financial Compatibility (57:22) Jeff Motske is a Certified Financial Planner and has been helping couples become financially independent for years. He hosts a regular radio show called “Declare Your Financial Independence" and authored the book, "The Couple's Guide to Financial Compatibility" this year. Jeff Motske talks about his book and discusses strategies for couples and financial planning. Emotions As a Second Language (1:44:43) Dr. Frank John Ninivaggi is an Associate Attending physician at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center in New Haven. Dr. Ninivaggi sees the benefit of returning emotions to our first language. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:38 - "ISIS: The State of Terror" 00:57:22 - The Couples Guide to Financial Compatibility 01:104:43 - Emotions As a Second Language

Municipal Fines, Creative Distraction, Attachment Apr 01, 2015

Show notes

Municipal Fines and Fees (10:10) Rick Davis who is a 20 year veteran of municipal government, a former state performance auditor, and corporate public relations executive. He currently serves as the Vice President of Public Sector Services with Tanner LLC, a business services and government consulting firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He joins the show to talk about how municipalities use fines, taxes, and fees to fund the police and fund the government. Where is the balance and how much is too much. Distractions Can Aid Creativity (57:00) Dr. Darya L. Zabelina is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at Northwestern University studying cognitive processes, affective processes, motivation, personality, and neural aspects involved in creativity. Her recent research shows that distractions actually help creative geniuses, but not necessarily their ability to get stuff done. How to Change Your Attachment Style (1:43:47) Dr. Brogaard has a medical degree in neuroscience and a doctorate in philosophy. She is an expert in perception, synesthesia, blindsight, consciousness, neuropsychiatry and emotions and is currently the Editor of the international peer-reviewed philosophy journal Erkenntnis. Dr. Brogaard says that "Attachment theory is based on the idea that how we bonded with our parents when we were babies impacts our relationships as adults," and that, "\[although] we may tend toward a style of attachment, styles fluctuate depending on personality changes, partners, and self-regulation." 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:10 - Municipal Fines and Fees 00:57:00 - Distractions Can Aid Creativity 01:103:47 - How to Change Your Attachment Style

Sleeping, Coping with Age, Importance of Failure Mar 31, 2015

Show notes

Sleeping Patterns (10:12) Dr. John Cline, is a licensed psychologist and diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and is here to talk to us about the dangers of little sleep. From the college student pulling an all nighter, the new parent waking up to a screaming baby, and everywhere in-between we are simply not getting enough sleep. This lack of sleep can have serious consequences to our health. Baby Boomers Cope with Age (57:52) Mindy Utay, contributor to the Huffington Post and Psychotherapist. Ms. Utay received her law degree from George Washington University and her MSW from New York University School of Social Work, as well as certification as a psychoanalyst by the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. She talks about how people responding to aging today. The Importance of Failure: A Culture of False Success (1:43:18) Dr. Laura Miele Pascoe holds a Doctorate in Sport Psychology, a Master’s in Education and an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. She is a professor of Coaching Education at Ohio University. She specializes in sports psychology, personal training, fitness facilities management and injury prevention. Dr. Pascoe says that "\[If children] do not learn how to deal with disappointment and failure early on, \[they] will be exponentially more distraught when they inevitably face them later in life." 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:12 - Sleeping Patterns 00:57:52 - Baby Boomers Cope with Age 01:103:18 - The Importance of Failure: A Culture of False Success

Politics, Western v. Asian Mentality, Being Too Nice Mar 30, 2015

Show notes

Joe Cannon: News & Politics (11:32) Joe Cannon, CEO of Fuel Freedom Foundation, former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, past assistant administrator in the US EPA, and editor of the Deseret News. Joe talks current political news including issues in the Middle East and oil. Is the money in politics good for the process or is it hurting democracy Differences Between Asian and Western Thinking (56:23) Dr. Richard E. Nisbett, Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. He has written many books, including: "The Geography of Thought," as well as Intelligence and How to Get It, and was the co-author of Culture of Honor. Dr. Nesbitt talks about cultural differences between Asian and Western mentality. Kim Giles: Being Too Nice (1:41:00) President and founder of Clarity Point Life Coaching. Named one of the top 20 advice gurus in the country by Good Morning America in 2010. Writes a regular column on KSL.com every Monday in the Happy Living Section. The problem with being too nice. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:32 - Joe Cannon: News & Politics 00:56:23 - Differences Between Asian and Western Thinking 01:101:00 - Kim Giles: Being Too Nice

College Athletics Pay, Cleanliness, Self Discipline Mar 27, 2015

Show notes

College Athletics for Pay (9:40) Allen Sanderson Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Allen Sanderson researches the money in sports and how the economic success of sports is not trickling down to college athletes. The NCAA brings in billions of dollars in revenue from sponsors and the players never see a penny. The question is should they? What implications would come from paying athletes? And how would this even be regulated "The Dirt On Clean" (57:19) Dr. Katherine Ashenburg is the Author of: "The Dirt On Clean: An Unsanitized History." Do you worry about that 0.1% of the germs that hand sanitizer leaves on your hands—it only kills 99.9% of germs folks! Deodorant that lasts for 24 hours, mouthwash, shampoo, lotions, it takes a lot to keep us smelling fresh. So how did our ancestors deal with being around each other without all of these olfactory stimulators? Dr. Ashenburg talks about the history of “Clean” Parent Previews: New on DVD (1:22:56) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews.com joins the show to look at what is new in theaters and on DVD. Dr Matt and Rod talk about Home, the animated movie from Dreamworks starring Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin. New on DVD: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Into the Woods from Disney starring Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick, and Unbroken directed by Angelina Jolie Strengthening Your Self Discipline to Get Healthier (1:43:42) Sarah Gowans, blog manager and writer at The Happy Gal blog, has a degree in elementary education, and is a certified Foot Zonologist. Her extensive studies include healthy eating and the mind-body-spirit connection. Sarah loves being active and healthy, and enjoys running, cycling, yoga, hiking, and anything else that keeps her heart rate up. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:40 - College Athletics for Pay 00:57:19 - The Dirt On Clean 01:82:56 - Parent Previews: New on DVD 01:103:42 - Strengthening Your Self Discipline to Get Healthier

Native Advertising, Rejection, Germanwings Crash Mar 26, 2015

Show notes

Native Advertising (11:39) Dr. Paul Marsden is a psychologist, researcher and specialist in consumer psychology, innovation and technology to help understand more of the ins and outs of native advertising. Paul is editor of Social Commerce Today, the leading web publication on social media and e-commerce. He thinks "native advertising" or sponsored content is not evil but that it is dumb because it is trying to trick readers. Surprising Facts About Rejection (56:10) Dr. Guy Winch is a licensed psychologist, keynote speaker and author. His books include: Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts and The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships and Enhance Self-Esteem. He also writes for the Squeaky Wheel blog. Today he talks about dealing with rejection and how it temporarily lowers your I.Q. How to Cope With Disasters (1:42:07) Dr. Paul Jenkins received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Brigham Young University in August 1995. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychology-law Society, and the Utah Psychological Association. Dr. Paul and Dr. Matt discuss the crash of the Germanwings flight in France and how to cope with disasters. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:39 - Native Advertising 00:56:10 - Surprising Facts About Rejection 01:102:07 - How to Cope With Disasters

Drones, Loneliness Can Kill You, Self-Destructive Behavior Mar 25, 2015

Show notes

New FAA Drone Guidelines (11:35) Patrick Egan editor of the Americas Desk at sUAS News and host and Executive Producer of the sUAS News Podcast Series and Drone TV. Dr Matt and Patrick Egan discuss the FAA’s new guidelines and how drones are being used in all forms of business. Patrick Egan sees drones as the future of aviation and can be of benefit if drones are used safely Loneliness Could Kill You (1:07:18) Professor Timothy Smith is the Department Chair of Counseling Psychology and Special Education at Brigham Young University. Recent research shows that loneliness, living alone and social isolation are dangerous to your health—in fact, their effect are comparable to obesity! And the real problem is that more people are living alone now than ever before. Dr Matt and Professor Smith discuss how to avoid the adverse effects of loneliness. Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors (1:42:18) Dr. Lisa Ferentz has been in private practice for over 30 years and specializes in adolescent and adult survivors of trauma, abuse and neglect. She is the Founder and President of The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education. Dr. Ferentz is also the author of "Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician's Guide," and "Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing." Dr. Lisa Ferentz, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, says that, “Millions of people engage in self-destructive behaviors… it is a means of coping, because they have not learned more compassionate ways of soothing themselves in times of distress.” 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:35 - New FAADrone Guidelines 01:67:18 - Loneliness Could Kill You 01:102:18 - Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors

Vanity Plates Freedom, Cool Kid Attitude, Smart Consumer Mar 24, 2015

Show notes

License Plates and the First Ammendment (16:21) Dr. Matt Townsend talks about a case in the Supreme Court dealing with what an individual can have on a vanity licence plate and what a State can decide is appropriate or not to include on a state issued licence plate. How to Cure the Cool Kid Attitude (1:08:55) Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and President of “Growing Leaders”, a non-profit organization focusing on developing emerging leaders. Tim focuses on training students to become servant leaders at home, at school, work and the community. Dr, Elmore talks about a recent study from the University of Virginia, being “cool” at 13 does not mean you’ll be successful at age 23. Helping Your Kids Make Smart Consumer Decisions (1:44:40) Heather Johnson M.S., has been an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University for nearly 10 years. She is passionate about teaching students the principles behind successful families and the importance of families spending time together. Heather and Dr. Matt talk about some tools to help your kids not get caught up in the tricks of advertising but make smart consumer decisions. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:16:21 - License Plates and the First Ammendment 01:68:55 - How to Cure the Cool Kid Attitude 01:104:40 - Helping Your Kids Make Smart Consumer Decisions

Politics, Can Music Change Mood, Facebook Unhappiness Mar 23, 2015

Show notes

Political Insider: Oil Politics (10:40) Joe Cannon, CEO of Fuel Freedom Foundation, former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, past assistant administrator in the US EPA, and editor of the Deseret News. Joe talks current political news including issues in the Middle East and oil. What it takes to run for president and is the money involved good for the process. How the Music You Choose Can Change Your Mood (1:09:47) Dr. Jacob Jolij, received his MSc in Psychology and PhD from the University of Amsterdam, is a assistant professor of cognitive psychology and neuroscience at the University of Groningen, Netherlands discusses his research about how music affects our perspective. Is Facebook Making Us All Feel Unhappy? (1:46:07) Dr. Baker earned her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Arizona and specializes in research on virtue ethics. She has taught at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, and looks to ancient ethical theories as positive examples of how ethics ought to be done today. Dr. Baker discuss her research in to the effect of Facebook and social media on our happiness. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:40 - Political Insider: Oil Politics 01:69:47 - How the Music You Choose Can Change Your Mood 01:106:07 - IsFacebook Making Us All Feel Unhappy?

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