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:

Energy Drinks, Parent Previews, Student Loans Mar 20, 2015

Show notes

Dangers of Energy Drinks (11:38) Barbara Crouch, Professor of Pharmacotherapy at the University of Utah and Director of Utah Poison Control talks with Matt Townsend about the dangers of energy drinks. She talks about what ingesting too much caffeine does to your body. She also talks about powdered caffeine, powdered alcohol and other household dangers. Why Good Things Happen To Good People (59:39) Dr. Stephen Post, Professor of Preventive Medicine, Head of the Division of Medicine in Society, and Director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Dr Post is the author of ‘Why Good Things Happen To Good People” talks about how being a good person and trying to make the world a better place will come back to benefit you in the end. The Exciting New Research that Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life” Parent Previews: New on DVD (1:25:50) 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 Insurgent the new movie in the Divergent young adult series. On DVD: The Penguins of Madagascar, The remake of Annie with Jamie Fox and Cameron Diaz, Exodus: Gods and Kings, starring Christian Bale Student Loans Debt (1:45:20) Ms. Natalia Abrams, Executive Director of Student Debt Crisis, a non-profit organization dedicated to reforming the way America pays for its higher education. Student Loans debt in the US is over $1 Trillion. That puts it above credit card debt. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:38 - Dangers of Energy Drinks 00:59:39 - Why Good Things Happen To Good People 01:85:50 - Parent Previews: New on DVD 01:105:20 - Student Loans Debt

Technology, Materialistic Kids, Benefits of Video Games Mar 19, 2015

Show notes

Technology News (11:08) Jay McFarland joins Dr. Matt to discuss the latest developments in technology and technology related news. Jay is a radio host whose career has taken him to Nevada and Dallas and now has him on the air with a daily show called The Browsers on KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City. In addition to his daily radio show Jay has also authored two books, "Freedom Ain't Free" and "Joyful Union," and he has created several popular apps and games for the iPhone and iPad devices. Jay and Dr. Matt talk about learning on the internet, Microsoft ending Internet Explorer, and Google finally screening apps in their app store. Are You Accidentally Making Your Kids Materialistic? (1:00:01) Dr Matt talks about how rewarding children with material objects, parents may unwittingly be building habits and dependency on material objects for happiness, resulting in more materialistic children and adults. He talks about leading with principals not punishment. Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games (1:42:36) Dr. Gray received his undergraduate from Columbia University and Ph.D. in biological sciences from Rockefeller University and is the author of the recently published books Free to Learn and Psychology. Dr. Peter Gray is a research professor at Boston College whose current research and writing focus primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. He says that, “\[video] games may help children develop logical, literary, executive, and even social skills.” 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:08 - Technology News 01:60:01 - Are You Accidentally Making Your Kids Materialistic? 01:102:36 - Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games

ISIS as a Brand, Narcissism, The Problem of Pornography Mar 18, 2015

Show notes

ISIS as a “Brand” (12:20) Jeff Bagley Creative Director for University of Utah Marketing joins Dr. Matt Townsend to talk about the marketing techniques of ISIS and how they are using multi-media to attract followers. Jeff talks about why a terrorist group could be attractive to a young person and how tough it is to disrupt an established “brand.” How to Spot and Stop a Narcissist (58:51) Preston Ni is a professor, coach, trainer, and course designer in the areas of interpersonal effectiveness, professional communication, cross-cultural understanding, and organizational change. Today he talks with Dr. Matt about his article “How To Spot and Stop Narcissists” . Pornography: Realities and Effects (1:45:27) Dr. Brian Willoughby is an Assistant Professor in BYU’s College of Family, Home and Social Sciences. Dr. Willoughby studies how attitudes, values, behaviors, and other factors in young adulthood influence pathways into marriage and cohabitation and how these different trajectories change relational outcomes. Today Dr Matt and Dr. Willoughby talk about the realities and effect pornography has on children and teenagers. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:20 - ISIS as a "Brand" 00:58:51 - How to Spot and Stop a Narcissist 01:105:27 - Pornography: Realities and Effects

Unemployment Personality Change, Super Bugs, Obesity Mar 17, 2015

Show notes

Unemployment and Personality Change (10:50) Dr. Christopher Boyce is a Research Fellow from the Behavioral Science Center at Stirling Management School in Scotland. He views himself as a “Wellbeing researcher” as he uses ideas from psychology and economics to understand life events like promotions at work, income changes or unemployment and how they might influence our level of happiness. Dr. Boyce discuss his research in to long term unemployment and how it can change the personality of the individual. He also shares some ideas on how we as a society can help to mitigate the adverse psychological effects of unemployment. Super Bugs: What Are They Anyway? (57:05) Dr. Arjun Srinivasan works with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He talks with Dr. Matt about the recent outbreak of Superbugs, which are virus that are drug resistant and are usually found in hospitals. The infections are tough to treat and can be fatal. Dr. Srinivasan gives us detail about what is being done to fight Superbugs. Managing Obesity in Children (1:42:27) Dr. Wurtman is the founder of TRIAD, a Harvard Hospital weight loss center and has written 5 books, including Eating Your Way through Life, The Serotonin Solution, and Managing your Mind and Mood Through Food. She joins Dr. Matt to talk about how to help manage our weight in a responsible way and deal with the challenges of obesity. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:50 - Unemployment and Personality Change 00:57:05 - Super Bugs: What Are They Anyway? 01:102:27 - Managing Obesity in Children

Politics, Advice on How to Give Advice, Getting Unstuck Mar 16, 2015

Show notes

Political Insider (10:57) Joe Cannon, our political insider, former editor of the Deseret News, he served in the Reagan administration in the EPA, discusses the letter from the 47 senators to Iran, the publics opinion of their elected leaders, and if it is possible to fix a bureaucratic agency like the Secret Service Advice on How to Give Advice (58:28) Dr. Aldo Civico is an anthropologist, conflict resolution expert, and mediator. He is an anthropology professor at Rutgers University in Newark and a conflict resolution lecturer at Columbia University. Dr. Civico gives us some advice on how to give advice. He discusses the pros and cons of giving advice and how in the end it's better to listen. Getting Unstuck (1:34:00) Kim Giles, president and founder of Clarity Point Life Coaching talks about getting unstuck from negative thinking, overwhelm, guilt, discouragement, anger - other emotions we get stuck in. She shares a procedure for processing yourself out and the quirky benefits in some negative thinking - that makes us want to stay there. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:57 - Political Insider 00:58:28 - Advice on How to Give Advice 01:94:00 - Getting Unstuck

Space, Better Marriage, Movie Reviews, Team Family Mar 13, 2015

Show notes

Space is Awesome (10:05) Patrick Wiggins a NASA ambassador to the State of Utah. Retired from Hansen Planetarium after 26+ years and works with the University of Utah's Physics Department in Salt Lake City, Utah doing science outreach in the public schools. Patrick talks with Dr Matt about Pluto, the future of the space program and will we ever get to Mars. One Question That May Save Your Marriage (1:07:21) Best selling author Richard Paul Evans, who has written more than 25 consecutive New York Times Best Sellers, talks about the early struggles in his marriage and how he and his wife were able to overcome relationship difficulties. He found success when he looked to change himself. Richard asked his wife “How can I make your day better?” Parent Previews: New on DVD (1:19:36) 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 the live action Cinderella and the Frozen Fever short. On DVD: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary, and The Breakfast Club in HD. Making a Family into a Team (1:40:29) 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 draw your family closer by promoting teamwork. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:05 - Space is Awesome 01:67:21 - One Question That May Save Your Marriage 01:79:36 - Parent Previews: New on DVD 01:100:29 - Making a Family into a Team

Economy, Health and Technology, Getting Past Regret Mar 12, 2015

Show notes

Christian Vom Lehn - US Economy (13:07) Christian Vom Lehn is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Brigham Young University. Is the economy up or down? How healthy is the economy compared to the rest of the word? Christian teaches us about how the US economy works and how it affects us on a day to day basis. Dr. David Myers - Healthcare and technology (56:41) Dr David Myers is graduate of Brigham Young University. His training includes medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. David Myers founded Utah Valley Dermatology in Utah County. He is currently the dermatology lecturer and attending physician for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Family Medicine program. Dr Myers talks with Dr Matt about fitness trackers/watches and if the information generated in useful to health professionals. Dr Matt Townsend - Coaching Corner (1:40:27) Dr Matt Townsend talks about how to get over regret. People hold on to past mistakes and it affects relationships and future success. Dr Matt shares some tips on how to move past regret

Stock Market, Recovery from Suicide Grief, Slam Poetry Mar 11, 2015

Show notes

Cracking the Stock Market: What Is That Thing? (11:24) Craig L. Israelsen, Ph.D., is an Executive-in-Residence in the Financial Planning Program at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. He holds a Ph.D. in Family Resource Management from Brigham Young University (BYU). Dr Israelsen teaches us about the stock market and how it works. He also explains what a 401k is and how important it is for your future Author Recovers from Suicide Grief and Divorce (57:40) Mrs. Darla Isackson suffered from divorce and later lost her son to Suicide. In her book, “Finding Hope While Grieving Suicide”, she shares her recovery process, while also including her religious experience. For more information please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255. GetLit SLAM Poetry Teaches Literacy (1:56:10) Diane Lane, founder and executive director of Southern California’s leading nonprofit “Get Lit” has discovered an amazing power in poetry helping at-risk teens. Additionally, the “Get Lit Performers” is an award-winning classic teen poetry group. They perform to over 20,000 teens yearly. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:24 - Cracking the Stock Market: What Is That Thing? 00:57:40 - Author Recovers from Suicide Grief and Divorce 01:116:10 - GetLit SLAM Poetry Teaches Literacy

Israel, Put Down Your Phone, Habits Healthy Couples Do Mar 10, 2015

Show notes

Israel, Iran, and Terrorism (11:09) Amos Guiora, an expert on counter terrorism and an Israeli-American professor of law at The S. J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah. He served for 19 years in the Israel Defense Forces as Lieutenant Colonel. Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Center for Global Justice at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, the University of Utah. Amos Guiora discusses the current issues surrounding terrorism, how to fight a non-state military threat, and the the 100 year war with extremism. How Not to Be Addicted to Your Cell Phone (57:30) Max Ogles is the author of Boost: Create Good Habits Using Psychology and Technology. Founder and blogger at MaxOgles.com on the topics of habits, psychology, technology, and behavior change. Publishes regularly in a variety of online publications including Fast Company, The Next Web, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Pando Daily, Business Insider, and Read Write. Max joins the show to discuss how we use technology. Five Habits Healthly Couples Do Regularly (1:44:48) Dr. Matt Townsend shares 5 Habits Health Couples Do Regularly. These steps can help to improve your relationship or identify areas that need improvement. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:09 - Israel, Iran, and Terrorism 00:57:30 - How Not to Be Addicted to Your Cell Phone 01:104:48 - Five Habits Healthly Couples Do Regularly

Political News, Exercise Roadblocks, Lottery Mar 09, 2015

Show notes

Political Insider: Use of Government Email (10:54) Joe talks current political news including the use of email in the government, political dynasties, and if it is better to have a presumed party candidate (as in the case of Hillary Clinton) or should be have a primary to decide who will represent the party (like the Republicans). How to Get Past the Roadblocks to Exercise (1:12:13) Dr. Matt Townsend discusses why we don’t exercise and how we can discover the real issue that is keeping us from making a change that will improve our health. Matt provides tips on how to make adjustments to mind and body to make the time for health. Victor Matheson: Does the Lottery support the Economy? (2:11:08) Dr. Victor Matheson is a Professor of Economics at “College of the Holy Cross” in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr. Matheson studies a range of issues including lotteries and gaming. Las Vegas has a huge claim to fame because of gambling. Annually, Americans pay $65.5 Billion in Lottery tickets. That itch to “risk it all” is hard to resist. The largest sum ever won was in 2012, for a pot of $656 Million! But did you know that the Lottery actually has a close-knit relationship with the economy? Here to tell us more is Professor Victor Matheson, an Economics Professor from College of the Holy Cross. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:54 - Political Insider: Use of Government Email 01:72:13 - How to Get Past the Roadblocks to Exercise 02:131:08 - Victor Matheson: Does the Lottery support the Economy?

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