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:

Florida Shooting Response, It's Good to be Good, Art of Screen Time Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

Florida Shooting Response (18:35) 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 Florida shooting response, the possible end of the two-party system, and the influence of the Rev.Billy Graham. It's Good to be Good (1:09:53) Stephen G. Post, Ph.D. is an international speaker, best-selling author and the Director for the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Everyone knows the “Golden Rule” Norman Rockwell coined, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That is more than a catchy phrase is you live it. Love and good works are something that everyone wants but it turns out that those who give it more, live longer, stronger and healthier lives. Dr. Post is the author of "Why Good Things Happen to Good People". The Art of Screen Time (1:57:23) Anya Kamenetz is the lead digital education correspondent for NPR. She was named a 2010 Game Changer in Education by the Huffington Post and won 2009, 2010, and 2015 National Awards from the Education Writers Association. Half of the parents in America say their school-aged children spend too much time with screens. However, it is hard to escape technology in today’s modern world. So our task as parents is to help our kids balance screen time and real life. Anya Kamenetz is the Author of The Art of Screen Time and mother of two daughters. She shares the latest thinking around how parents manage screen time. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:18:35 - Florida Shooting Response 01:69:53 - It's Good to be Good 01:117:23 - The Art of Screen Time

Right to Education, Social Anxiety, Open-Mind Positive Attitude Feb 24, 2018

Show notes

Constitutional Right to Education (19:40) Derek Black is a Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law. His areas of expertise include education law and policy, constitutional law, civil rights, evidence, and torts. The focus of his current scholarship is the intersection of constitutional law and public education, particularly as it pertains to educational equality and fairness for disadvantaged students. Although a public school education is something every student in America is entitled to, it is not a constitutional right. Would this make a difference in America’s educational standards? Derek Black explains. Online social networks can help fight social anxiety (1:06:17) Eva Buechel, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of marketing at the Darla Moore School of Business. Her research interests focus on the psychological processes that shape consumer judgments, decisions, and behaviors. Ever since the social media boom of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, people have wondered how these sites affect users. Researchers, practitioners and social commentators have expressed concern that they can reduce meaningful face-to-face interaction, leaving users depressed and lonely. Eva Buechel shares her research into this question. Open-Mind and Positive Attitude Will Make All the Difference (1:43:26) Christopher Connors is an enthusiastic writer, career coach and speaker and the author of The Value of You: The Guide to Living Boldly and Joyfully Through the Power of Core Values. He focuses on personal development, values, and emotional intelligence, in an effort to deliver value that will help enrich life. We’ve all been given life advice whether we asked for it or not. Most commonly the advice revolves around some sort of positive thinking. The thing is your own experiences are a much more powerful influence than hearing about someone else’s. Positivity becomes a mindset that permeates your thinking, influences your actions and shapes the way others think of you. Christopher Connors shares the 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:19:40 - Constitutional Right to Education 01:66:17 - Online social networks can help fight social anxiety 01:103:26 - Open-Mind and Positive Attitude Will Make All the Difference

Fall of Good Jobs in America, Smart and Happy, Screen Cleaning Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America (19:30) Rick Wartzman, in addition to being the author of The End of Loyalty, is director of the KH Moon Center for a Functioning Society at the Drucker Institute, a part of Claremont Graduate University. He also writes about the world of work for Fortune magazine online. Why is a job that offers affordable insurance plans, decent pay, good benefits, and a retirement plan so hard to find? In Rick Wartzman’s book The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America, he shows how big businesses once took responsibility for their worker’s benefits, pay, and job security, and how times have changed since then. Now college students entering the workforce can expect to find contract work, outsourcing, and should expect to retire at a much older age – if they can at all. If You're So Smart, Why aren't you happy? (1:07:57) Raj Raghunathan, Ph.D., is an award-winning Professor of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. He studies the impact that people’s judgments and decisions have on their own happiness and fulfillment. Everyone knows success and happiness are linked right? The more successful you are in your career the happier you are. Right? Actually, the idea of career success at any cost is resulting in more and more people being dissatisfied with their life. Dr. Raghunathan discusses his book “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you happy?” Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning (1:37:17) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family-friendly options. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:19:30 - The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America 01:67:57 - If You're So Smart, Why aren't you happy? 01:97:17 - Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning

Social Media and Anxiety, Chinese Philosophers, Organizational Culture Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

Online social networks can help fight social anxiety (18:24) Eva Buechel, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of marketing at the Darla Moore School of Business. Her research interests focus on the psychological processes that shape consumer judgments, decisions, and behaviors. Ever since the social media boom of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, people have wondered how these sites affect users. Researchers, practitioners and social commentators have expressed concern that they can reduce meaningful face-to-face interaction, leaving users depressed and lonely. Eva Buechel shares her research into this question. What we can learn from Chinese Philosophers (1:04:44) Dr. Michael Puett is the Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard University. Christine Gross-Loh is a journalist and author of several books, including the book we’re talking about today: The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life. Both share What Chinese Philosophers taught and how that can improve our daily lives. Organizational Culture (1:55:45) Shawn D. Moon is the CEO of Zerorez Franchising Systems. Zerorez is a national carpet cleaning company. Shawn Moon is a former Executive Vice-President of FranklinCovey. Shawn has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and management, sales and marketing, program development, and consulting services. Shawn talks about how to improve an organization's culture. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:18:24 - Online social networks can help fight social anxiety 01:64:44 - What we can learn from Chinese Philosophers 01:115:45 - Organizational Culture

Right to Education, Sound of Trustworthiness, Better Conversation Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

Constitutional Right to Education (19:41) Derek Black is a Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law. His areas of expertise include education law and policy, constitutional law, civil rights, evidence, and torts. The focus of his current scholarship is the intersection of constitutional law and public education, particularly as it pertains to educational equality and fairness for disadvantaged students. Although a public school education is something every student in America is entitled to, it is not a constitutional right. Would this make a difference in America’s educational standards? Derek Black explains. Sound of Trustworthiness (1:08:00) Pascal Belin, Ph.D., is a professor at Glasgow University and head of the Voice Neurocognition Lab and author of multiple published papers. Hello. A simple word that we say all the time. But in one word our character is judged or we judge those around us. The sound of trust in our voices is an important aspect of our person because we don’t want to associate with someone that might deceive us. Pascal Belin and his team looked to see how much power a simple word affects our trust. Better Conversation (1:53:15) 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 to have a better conversation with loved ones. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:19:41 - Constitutional Right to Education 01:68:00 - Sound of Trustworthiness 01:113:15 - Better Conversation

Art of Learning, Can I Let My Child be Bored, Family Feud Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

The Art of Learning and Self-Development (20:16) Jim Stovall is the co-founder of the Narrative Television Network (NTN), Jim helps make movies and TV accessible for America's 13 million blind people and their families. Jim Stovall has enjoyed success as an author, athlete, investment broker, and entrepreneur while dealing with the challenge of blindness. He is the co-author of The Art of Learning and Self Development, extends the challenge to ask yourself, “Am I where I need to be educationally?” and “Are there other opportunities to learn in my life?” Jim discusses his suggestions on how we can develop ourselves to our fullest potential. Can I Let My Child be Bored? (1:07:24) Nancy Colier is a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, mindfulness teacher and public speaker. She is the author of "The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World,” a regular blogger for Psychology Today and many other publications. With every new generation comes new challenges. Parents are trying to keep hyperfocused kids busy while limiting technology and media the best they can. But boredom comes knocking so often for kids who want new things to do and frightens parents who don’t want kids with spare time to make mischief. Nancy Colier invites us to consider what boredom actually means and does for a child and parents alike. On Family Feud (1:54:37) Zac Erekson is the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City. He is a former BYU football player and his family recently appeared on the TV game show "The Family Feud" and won a new car. Zac shares his experience and what it meant to his family. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:20:16 - The Art of Learning and Self-Development 01:67:24 - Can I Let My Child be Bored? 01:114:37 - On Family Feud

Manufacturing Matters, Self-Reliant Children, Premarital Counseling Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

Why Manufacturing Still Matters (14:33) Louis Uchitelle covered economics and labor issues for the New York Times for twenty-five years. He is the author of Making It: Why Manufacturing Still Matters and The Disposable American: Layoffs and Their Consequences. In the 1950s manufacturing generated nearly 30 percent of U.S. income. Over the past fifty-five years, that share has gradually declined to less than 12 percent at the same time that real estate, finance, and Wall Street trading have grown. Louis Uchitelle explains why manufacturing still matters in the USA. German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children (57:55) Sara Zaske is an American writer who lived in Berlin for six and a half years. She is the author of the newly released book ACHTUNG BABY: AN AMERICAN MOM ON THE GERMAN ART OF RAISING SELF-RELIANT CHILDREN. How and when should a parent step in to resolve problems that children face? If there is a fight should a parent step in or should the parent let the kids work it out? Sarah Zaske lived in Germany and witnesses a different style of parenting. She perceives that Germans know something that American parents don’t (or have perhaps forgotten) about raising kids with self-reliance and provides practical examples American parents can use to give their own children the freedom they need to grow into responsible, independent adults. Premarital Counseling (1:36:10) Alan J. Hawkins, Ph.D., is the Camilla E. Kimball Endowed Professor of Family Life at Brigham University in Provo, Utah. He earned a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at The Pennsylvania State University in 1990. Americans receive education and training before receiving a driver’s license. Yet when those same people seek a marriage license, relatively few of them receive education about how to establish a successful marriage. Alan Hawkins talks about the benefits of pre-marital counseling. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:14:33 - Why Manufacturing Still Matters 00:57:55 - German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children 01:96:10 - Premarital Counseling

Happiness Booster, Flu Outbreak, College not for Everyone Feb 17, 2018

Show notes

World's Easiest Happiness Booster (20:16) Greg Panza is an exercise physiologist at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut whose research has focused on the effects of exercise on cardiovascular health. He is also a current Doctoral Candidate at the University of Connecticut. We all know that exercising is a great way to kick start our day and feel better, even if most of us struggle to keep a consistent struggle. New research, though, shows that we don’t even have to break a sweat in order to reap the benefits of exercise. Greg Panza reveals the World's Easiest Happiness Booster. Flu Outbreak (1:08:19) Dr. Chantel Sloan is a professor of Health Science at BYU. The “influenza” more commonly called the flu is making a nasty bought this season. Hospitals are low on supplies, the vaccine did not cover all strains that are out there, and people are dying. Dr. Sloan talks about this flu season and explains why this year is so deadly. The World Might Be Better Off Without College for Everyone (1:54:31) Bryan Caplan, Ph.D., is a Professor of Economics at George Mason University and the author of “The Case of Against Education: Why the education system is a waste of money and time.” You hear it all the time on our show, “College isn’t for everyone.” We have heard all the arguments about this topic. But here is a new one, Is college good for anyone? Bryan Caplan explains the problems with higher education in preparing students for future employment of life. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:20:16 - World's Easiest Happiness Booster 01:68:19 - Flu Outbreak 01:114:31 - The World Might Be Better Off Without College for Everyone

Future of Work, Switched On Emotional Awakening, Screen Cleaning Feb 16, 2018

Show notes

The Real Future of Work (20:19) David Weil, Ph.D., is Dean and Professor at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. He is the author of the book The Fissured Workplace. The workforce is changing and not necessarily for the better. David Weil has spent the past few decades researching and documenting the changing nature of work, and in 2013, President Barack Obama nominated him to head the division at the Department of Labor that oversees the government’s laws on wages. David Weil explains the Future of Work. Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening (1:08:09) John Elder Robison is a New York Times Best Selling Author for his book, Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. Imagine living without one of your senses and one day it’s switched on. Suddenly you can hear for the first time or see color. John Elder Robison knows what that feels like, but John wasn’t blind or deaf before this miraculous change. Mr. Robison has Asperger’s, a form of Autism, that left him without the ability to read emotions, and he’s here to talk about how his life suddenly changed. John Robinson shares his book Switched On. Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning (1:37:30) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family-friendly options. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:20:19 - The Real Future of Work 01:68:09 - Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening 01:97:30 - Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning

Common Core, Our Cultural Success, What to Say in Marriage Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy (20:33) Nicholas Tampio. Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University. He currently researches the history of political thought, contemporary political theory, and education policy. He is the author of Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is one of the most controversial pieces of education policy to emerge in decades. Between 2013 and 2015, public support for the Common Core dropped from 65 to 49 percent while teacher support plummeted from 76 to 40 percent. Nicholas Tampio talks about Common Core and how national education standards may not be the answer. The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter (1:09:12) Joseph Henrich, Ph.D., is the Canada Research Chair in Culture, Cognition, and Coevolution at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches both Economics and Psychology. He is also Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, at Harvard. His new book is The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Professor Joe Henrich argues it’s not our brains that saved us, but our culture. Say This, Not That In Your Marriage (1:58:16) Arlene Pellicane formerly worked as the Associate Producer for Turning Point Television. Along with co-authoring the book, “Growing up Social,” Arlene has authored “31 Days to a Happy Husband” and “31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife.” You probably learned on the playground as a kid to tell the other kids ‘sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.’ But if you’re married or have ever been in a relationship you know that that’s far from the truth. Words are a huge tool for making and shaping a relationship and it’s important to know how to use them properly. Arlene Pellicane rejoins us to teach us what and what not to say in our marriage to build 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:20:33 - Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy 01:69:12 - The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter 01:118:16 - Say This, Not That In Your Marriage

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