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:

Minority Suicides Rates, Childhood Emotional Neglect, Parents Rising May 09, 2018

Show notes

Minority Suicides Undercounted (12:32) Kimya N. Dennis, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal studies. She does multidisciplinary community outreach, teaching, research, and consulting to reach underserved populations and to address demographic and cultural variance in a range of social issues. How we approach mental health, we need to evaluate how we treat people from different ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations and gender identities. Not all treatments should be the same. Kimya N. Dennis talks about the problem of suicides by racial and ethnic minority groups and shares some ideas on how to address the issue. Childhood Emotional Neglect (59:24) Jonice Webb, Ph.D., is a recognized psychologist expert with over 25 years of experience, and the author of the best-selling books Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect and Running On Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships With Your Partner, Your Parents & Your Children. Dr. Webb discusses Childhood Emotional Neglect. Parents Rising (1:44:31) Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, author, media personality, and blogger. She has written seven books, and her latest one is Parents Rising. Raising kids in today’s society can be daunting. In our ever-changing culture, parenting can sometimes feel like a losing battle. Arlene Pellicane, author of the book “Parents Rising”, shares strategies to help parents find hope and practical solutions to the problems they face. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:32 - Minority Suicides Undercounted 00:59:24 - Childhood Emotional Neglect 01:104:31 - Parents Rising

Year in Space, Teens Calculated Risks, Parenting Without Yelling May 08, 2018

Show notes

A Year in Space (8:51) Scott Kelly is a former military fighter pilot and test pilot, an engineer, a retired astronaut, and a retired U.S. Navy captain. In October 2015, he set the record for the total accumulated number of days spent in space, the single longest space mission by an American astronaut. He talks about his life and experiences, and his book Endurance: A Year in Space, A lifetime of Discovery. Teens and their Calculated Risks (57:11) Jessica Flannery is a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Oregon. Her research interests broadly focus on how early adverse experiences influence neuroendocrine pathways and function as well their impact on the development of brain structures and connectivity between brain regions specifically associated with social and emotional development. Teenagers can be dumb and that’s ok. Parents may think that kids should be more cautious and have reason to think that as they are stuck with hospital bills after an accident. Jessica Flannery shares her article about the method of madness that is a teenagers decision making. How To Get Kids To Listen Without Yelling (1:40:33) Paul Jenkins, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist. He is the author of Pathological Positivity. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychology-law Society, and the Utah Psychological Association. Marriage can be tough. Many challenges come up when two people decide to join their lives together. Dr. Paul Jenkins shares some tips on how to get kids to listen without yelling. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:08:51 - A Year in Space 00:57:11 - Teens and their Calculated Risks 01:100:33 - How To Get Kids To Listen Without Yelling

Is Rudy Helping, Learning and Overconfidence, Coping With Adversity May 07, 2018

Show notes

Is Rudy Helping? (13:36) Joe Cannon is the CEO of the Fuel Freedom Foundation, former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, past assistant administrator in the US EPA, and editor of the Deseret News. Joe Cannon talks about Rudy Giuliani, North Korea, and John McCain. Learning and Overconfidence (56:04) Carmen Sanchez is a graduate student at Cornell University, the Department of Psychology. Carmen does research in Social and Personality Psychology. Preparation and confidence are key factors in our success in anything in life but do we become overconfident in the eyes of others and fall short of the expectations. Carmen Sanchez discusses how learning a little about something may make us overconfident Coping With Adversity (1:38:46) Kim Giles, 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. Kim Giles is the author of the Book Choosing Clarity: A Path to Fearlessness. Kim and Executive Life Coach Nicole Cunningham discuss 12 types of people in the world and the science of Psychological Inclinations. Today Kim and Dr. Matt talk about different ways to cope with adversity. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:13:36 - Is Rudy Helping? 00:56:04 - Learning and Overconfidence 01:98:46 - Coping With Adversity

South Health Problem, Better Grandparent, Importance of Etiquette May 05, 2018

Show notes

Why the South has a Health Problem (15:55) Jay Maddock, Ph.D., is the Dean of the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University. He is internationally recognized for his research in social-ecological approaches to increasing physical activity. What does Massachusetts, Hawaii, Vermont, Utah, and Connecticut all have in common? In 2017 they were all rated the healthiest states in the Union. On the other hand, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are all in the South and are at the bottom of the list. Why is this the case? Jay Maddock explains why the South seems to have a health problem. How to be a better Grandparent (1:08:29) Leslie Zinberg and Kay Ziplow are co-founders of the website GrandParentsLink. Leslie Zinberg is an interior designer and has been married for 48 years with two children and two grandchildren. Currently, she is co-writing a book on mindful grandparenting. Grandparents can have a big impact on the lives of grandchildren. Likewise, Grandparents can be an important source of information for their children who are trying to raise their kids. What is the role of a Grandparent? Leslie Zinberg shares some tips on how to be a better Grandparent. Importance of Etiquette (2:01:44) Cynthia R. Grosso is a national etiquette expert, an award-winning speaker, columnist, and author. She is the founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette and the host of Your Manners Matter syndicated radio show. In a world of changing values and mixed opinions, we often forget some of the most basic and fundamental parts of our culture- manners. Sometimes it’s hard to know what the polite and proper thing to do it anymore. But national etiquette expert, Cynthia Grosso, says, “Your manners and etiquette are not just actions… they are an attitude that is closely related to your self-confidence, your position in business and personal life, as well as your ability to build successful relationships, teams, and organizations.” Cynthia Grosso shares with us a time when things were

Dying for a Paycheck, Sugar Wars, Screen Cleaning May 04, 2018

Show notes

Dying for a Paycheck (11:45) Jeffrey Pfeffer, Ph.D., is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has authored or coauthored fourteen books and is a highly sought-after expert on the subject of power and leadership. He is widely considered one of the leading management experts in the world. In the United States, workers work among the longest, most extreme, and most irregular hours; have no guarantee to paid sick days, paid vacation, or paid family leave. Jeffrey Pfeffer, the author of the book Dying for a Paycheck, decided to investigate the impact of management on employee health and company performance – and the results are a little surprising. Sugar Wars (58:14) Gary Taubes is an investigative science and health journalist and co-founder of the nonprofit Nutrition Science Initiative. He is the author of The Case Against Sugar, Taubes is the recipient of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Investigator Award in Health Policy Research, and has won numerous other awards for his journalism. Among Americans, diabetes is more prevalent today than ever; obesity is at epidemic proportions; nearly 10% of children are thought to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. And sugar is at the root of these, and other, critical society-wide, health-related problems. Gary Taubes explains what research has shown about our addiction to sweets. He clarifies the arguments against sugar, corrects misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight loss; and provides the perspective necessary to make informed decisions about sugar as individuals and as a society. Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning (1:34:07) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family-friendly options. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:45 - Dying for a Paycheck 00:58:14 - Sugar Wars 01:94:07 - Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning

Teach Kids About Work, Bold When You Need It Most, Better Compliments May 03, 2018

Show notes

Ways to Teach Your Kids About Work (10:15) Sabina Nawaz is a global CEO coach, leadership keynote speaker, and writer working in over 26 countries. She advises C-level executives in Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and academic organizations. Balancing work and family responsibilities is a juggling act that can be very stressful. How do you spend more time with your children, but still finish all your work obligations? Sabina Nawaz shares her ideas about teaching work to kids. Unsafe Thinking: How to be Nimble and Bold When You Need It Most (56:29) Jonah Sachs is an author, speaker, and marketing innovator whose pioneering new approaches to digital media were critical in bringing the ideals of social change—such as equity, empowerment, responsibility, transparency, and advocacy—to the forefront of business and popular culture. Trying to stand out is something that many people attempt. They do it with clothes, cars, and accessories, but author Jonah Sachs says the best way to stand out and be creative is to be an “unsafe thinker.” He discusses his new book “Unsafe Thinking: How to be nimble and bold when you need it most” Compliments to give that ARE NOT about physical beauty (1:41:54) Jeanette Bennett is founder and editor-in-chief at Bennett Communications, where she primarily focuses on Utah Valley Magazine, BusinessQ Magazine, and Prosper Magazine. Jeanette earned a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from BYU and has been a regular guest on HuffPostLive. Sometimes people step away from a job because of health issues, family emergencies, or other personal issues. Jeanette Bennett shares compliments to give that ARE NOT about physical beauty. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:15 - Ways to Teach Your Kids About Work 00:56:29 - Unsafe Thinking: How to be Nimble and Bold When You Need It Most 01:101:54 - Compliments to give that ARE NOT about physical beauty

What the flu, Game Theory Parenting, Anxiety and Depression May 02, 2018

Show notes

What the flu does to your body (7:35) Laura Haynes, Ph.D., is a professor of Immunology at the University of Connecticut Health. The Flu season is coming to an end, a pretty nasty one. But, what exactly is the flu and how does it affect our bodies. Laura Haynes explains why the flu makes you feel horrible and how that is a good thing. The Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting (53:11) Kevin Zollman, Ph.D., is an associate professor of philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University and co-author of the Book (along with Paul Raeburn) “The game theorist's guide to parenting”. Game Theory is the mathematical analysis of conflict resolution. So game theory obviously has its place in decision making between international businessmen, heads of state, and with your 5-year-old?!? Dr. Zollman explains the art of benevolent manipulation. Anxiety and Depression (1:27:05) Ganel-Lyn Condie is an author, and has recently published her book “You Are Magnificent.” She is a motivational speaker and has appeared on television and radio shows. Some of the most common regrets parents have in life deal with not spending enough time with their kids. Family relationships require time and patience to build. Ganel-Lyn Condie talks about how better to deal with Anxiety and Depression. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:07:35 - What the flu does to your body 00:53:11 - The Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting 01:87:05 - Anxiety and Depression

Regulating of Social Media, Pay Attention, Relationship Work Out May 01, 2018

Show notes

Government Regulation of Social Media (12:10) Paul Levinson, Ph.D., is Professor of Communication & Media Studies at Fordham University in NYC. Social media is something we cannot avoid; it is part of our world. Last week, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg, testified in front of Congress for its part in the Cambridge Analytics leak of information. Would government regulation solve these problems? Paul Levinson explains how regulation of social media would be a bad idea. Control What You Pay Attention To (1:03:36) Maura Nevel Thomas is an award-winning international speaker and trainer on individual and corporate productivity and work-life balance, and the most widely-cited authority on attention management. Life gives us a million things to do sometimes. With so many attention demanding things, we can feel lost, overwhelmed or out of control. Maura Thomas shares the advice “To control your life, control what you pay attention to.” Why Relationships Are Like Working Out (1:53:35) Brian Willoughby, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Dr. Willoughby's research focuses on young adult dating and relationship patterns. Dr. Willoughby is the co-author of the book "The Marriage Paradox" Dr. Willoughby discusses how a relationship is like working out. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:10 - Government Regulation of Social Media 01:63:36 - Control What You Pay Attention To 01:113:35 - Why Relationships Are Like Working Out

South Health Problem, Better Grandparent, Importance of Etiquette Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

Peter Principle, Ask For Help, The Flu and Your Body Apr 28, 2018

Show notes

Do People Really Get Promoted to Their Level of Incompetence (11:25) Alan Benson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Work & Organizations, in the Carlson School of Management of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. If you have ever worked in sales, it can be a cutthroat industry with everyone looking to reach the top. This environment was seen as a perfect opportunity to test the concept called the Peter Principal. The Peter Principle states that the selection of a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Joining us today is Dr. Alan Benson talks about what the Peter Principal is and the study he conducted. Why You Don't Ask For Help (1:00:56) Mark Bolino, Ph.D., is a professor of management at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. He specializes in organizational behavior, international business, and human resources management. His research interests include impression management in the workplace and global careers. All of us find it difficult to ask for help sometimes. Maybe it is because we don’t trust a co-worker, or perhaps we are just trying to be self-reliant. Whatever the reason, studies have shown that when we don’t ask for help our individual and team performance suffers. Mark Bolino explains. What the flu does to your body (1:46:58) Laura Haynes, Ph.D., is a professor of Immunology at the University of Connecticut Health. The Flu season is coming to an end, a pretty nasty one. But, what exactly is the flu and how does it affect our bodies. Laura Haynes explains why the flu makes you feel horrible and how that is a good thing. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:25 - Do People Really Get Promoted to Their Level of Incompetence 01:60:56 - Why You Don't Ask For Help 01:106:58 - What the flu does to your body

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