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:

Opioids, Finding Belonging in a Secular Age, Screen Cleaning Sep 15, 2017

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How Big Pharma is hindering treatment of the opioid addiction epidemic (19:40) Robin Feldman is the Harry & Lillian Hastings Professor and Director of the Institute for Innovation Law at the University of California Hastings. She received a J.D. from Stanford Law School, graduating the Order of the Coif and receiving the Urban A. Sontheimer Award for graduating second in the class. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for people younger than 50. Opioid addiction is an epidemic that contributes significantly to those numbers, but is it possible that the pharmaceutical industry is partly to blame? Robin Feldman talks about how big pharma is hindering treatment of the opioid addiction epidemic. Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age (1:03:11) Katherine Ozment is an award-winning journalist and author of Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age. Her book was recently awarded the first-place prize in the Religion News Association’s annual competition in the category of Excellence in Nonfiction Religion Books. Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic rise in religious disaffiliation across the United States. To help us understand why and how our guest Katherine Ozment spent three years observing, researching, and writing about the “Nones,” the shorthand term for those who check “None of the Above” when asked their religious affiliation. In recent years, that group has grown to twenty-five percent of the U.S. adult population (and thirty-nine percent of Millennials). Katherine Ozment's Grace Without God examines the forces, large and small, that have led so many people to leave religion, and then goes on to explore what they’re doing instead in terms of community, ritual, and sources of meaning. Screen Cleaning (1:32:33) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family friendly options.

Cost of Health Care, When to Delegate, Parenting Kids Sep 14, 2017

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Why market competition has not brought down health care costs (20:01) Gerald Friedman, Ph.D. is a Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts. Every year America spends more on health care than we did the year before. This past year our country spent an average of over $10,000 per person! Currently, health care is a hotly debated political topic. Some are advocating market competition, while others believe that it’s to blame. Jerry Friedman discusses why he believes market competition hasn’t brought down health care costs. When to Delegate (1:06:40) Jenny Blake is an author, business strategist, and international speaker. She helps people get organized, avoid burnout, and build careers. She is the author of PIVOT: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One, which won an award for Axiom Best Business Book in the careers category. Are you the kind of person who tries to do everything by yourself? It’s often difficult to delegate tasks to others, especially if you are a perfectionist who is worried about others not getting the job done. Whether it be delegating chores to children or delegating responsibilities to employees, we fear a lack of control if we aren’t in charge. Jenny Blake has a lot of experience with delegating. Delegation helped her to not only save her business in 2013 but also helped her to triple her income in 2014. She shares with us about how to delegate effectively. Parenting Kids Different Than You (1:55:15) 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 blogs at FamilyVolly.com. Heather talks about Parenting Kids Different Than You. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:20:01 - Why market competition has not brought down health care costs 01:66:40 - When to Delegate 01:115:15 - Parenting KidsDifferent Than You

Benefits of Nostalgia, New Rules for Teams, Serengeti Rules Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

Benefits and Trappings of Nostalgia (20:27) Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Le Moyne College and is a licensed psychologist. She began researching nostalgia in 1995. Her research includes nostalgia, memory, emotion and the influence of social media. All of us are guilty at one point or another of thinking about the “good ‘ole days.” Often, thinking about simpler times can give us a nice break from whatever is going on at the moment. But, can nostalgia be dangerous? Krystine Batcho explains why nostalgia can be both good and bad. One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams (46:21) Chris Fussell spent 15 years as a US Navy SEAL. His work took him throughout the world, to places like Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa. He served as aide-de-camp to General Stanley McChrystal while McChrystal commanded a Joint Special Operations Task Force fighting Al Qaeda. All types of leaders feel the challenges of unifying their organization--from CEO’s of major companies to managers of fast-food franchises. Military organizations are known for strict discipline and tight protocols, but they also work consistently to develop unity within their teams. In 2004, the US Navy SEAL’s organization needed a way to unify themselves against the threat of Al Qaeda. They infused the agility, cohesion, and adaptability of their smaller teams into the entire SEAL organization. The new organization they created set a standard on how to unify a “team of teams.” The model can be applied to any non-military organization. Chris Fussell shares his book, One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams and explains how the SEAL’s transformed their organization. Serengeti Rules (1:37:56) Sean B. Carroll, Ph.D., award-winning scientist, writer, educator, and executive producer. He is vice president for science education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Allan Wilson Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Have you ever wondered

World of Consumers, Getting Over Yourself, Healthy Aging Sep 12, 2017

Show notes

World of Consumers (18:49) Frank Trentmann, Ph.D., is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. His many publications include Free Trade Nation which won the Royal Historical Society’s Whitfield Prize in 2009. His latest book is Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First with several foreign translations appearing in 2017. Things, things, and more things. Today we live in a world where all we do is consume more than we ever have before. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Frank Trentmann explains the history of consumerism and how human behavior has changed over time. Getting Over Yourself Importance (48:23) Candace Vogler, Ph.D., is the David B. and Clara E. Stern Professor of Philosophy and Professor in the College at the University of Chicago, and Principal Investigator on "Virtue, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life," a project funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Dr. Vogler discusses her research into Self Transcendence and how to "get over yourself." Healthy Ageing (1:37:03) Ron Hager, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Exercise Sciences in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University. His area is expertise is Chronic Disease Prevention. Dr. Hager talks about how to age in a healthy way.

How the Internet Connects, How to Be Stoic, Stop Mother Guilt Sep 11, 2017

Show notes

How We Think the Internet Connects Us (18:15) Ethan Zuckerman is the Director of the Center for Civic Media at MIT, and a principal research scientist at the MIT Media Lab. His research focuses on the distribution of attention in mainstream and new media, the use of technology for international development, and the use of new media technologies by activists. With just a single click, we can access almost anything; cat videos, the profiles of former classmates, the best cinnamon roll recipe, or the current political turbulence throughout the world. These are all made possible through the every growing online community. But does all this mean we are truly “connected?” Ethan Zuckerman, author of Digital Cosmopolitans: Why We Think the Internet Connects Us, Why It Doesn't, and How to Rewire It. Ethan Zuckerman shares what he learned researching his book and the work being done to create a truly more connected world. How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (46:53) Massimo Pigliucci, Ph.D., is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He has a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. His research interests include the philosophy of biology, the relationship between science and philosophy, the nature of pseudoscience, and the practical philosophy of Stoicism. Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great Emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a sensible philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial cris

Digital Textbooks, Future of Cash, Paying Attention Sep 09, 2017

Show notes

Textbooks in the digital world (19:03) Nicole Carter Luthy is Director of Outreach and Engagement in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement at The Ohio State University. During her career in education—which began as a classroom teacher—Nicole has led numerous state projects and worked extensively in e-learning, curriculum, and professional development. Another school year is underway for many students across the country. In the past that meant students being assigned textbooks or if in college the student would have to purchase textbooks. But with advances in technology, many textbooks are now available in digital copy formats. Does all of this technology spell the end of traditional textbooks? And if so, is that actually a good thing for students and teachers? Nicole Carter Luthy explains. Cash is falling out of fashion (1:07:48) Bhaskar Chakravorti is the Senior Associate Dean of International Business & Finance at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and Executive Director of Fletcher’s Institute for Business in the Global Context (IBGC). Virtual money, credit cards, and debit cards have made cash almost useless. Once you could use cash to get almost anything you wanted. Apps like Venmo and Paypal makes it so that you can send friends money at the press of a button. Some airlines will not accept cash to buy things on planes. So here is the question: Is cash still king? Bhaskar Chakravorti explains how cash is falling out of favor across the globe and shares with us his ideas on what the future of cash may be. Practice can make your brain better at focusing (1:56:16) Sirawaj Itthipuripat is a research fellow at learning institute, King Mongkut University of Technology in Thailand. And will work at Vanderbilt University in a few months. He is a recently graduated Ph.D. student in the Neurosciences program at the University of California, San Diego. When we have to learn new tasks or skills it can be a tough process. Over time, with practice, the task or skill may become more n 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:19:03 - Textbooks in the digital world 01:67:48 - Cash is falling out of fashion 01:116:16 - Practice can make your brain better at focusing

Education Leads to Jobs, Tech News, Screen Cleaning Sep 08, 2017

Show notes

Want a job? It’s still about education (18:26) Shaun M. Dougherty is an Assistant Professor of Education Policy and Leadership at the Neag School of Education and an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. He holds a doctoral degree in quantitative policy analysis from Harvard University. Recently we have seen reports in the news claiming that college graduates don’t have as many benefits as they used to. Some reports have gone so far as to say that a college education is not of any value at all! With college tuition climbing many students are beginning to get discouraged from continuing their education after high school. But should those students stick with it? Should we as parents encourage our children to go to college? Shaun M. Dougherty explains. Tech News (1:16:24) Keeping you up to date on the latest in technology and technology adjacent news. Today's stories: Dirty Cell Phones Top 10 most used smart phone apps Apple and Amazon interested in the James Bond franchise Screen Cleaning (1:32:07) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family friendly options. Jeff celebrates back to school today with Joel Hilton and a few of their favorite college admission films.

What is a Fatberg, Stick With it, Forgiving Others Sep 07, 2017

Show notes

Blobs of Fat and Trash Are Filling the World’s Sewers (23:45) Thomas Wallace is working on a research masters at the University College of Dublin on the 'Development of a National Strategy for Recovery and Utilisation of Fat, Oi, and Grease (FOG) Waste from Food Service Outlets (FSOs)'. The research is an Irish Research Council funded project carried out in the UCD School of Biosystems Engineering. Every day we dispose of all kinds of things down the toilet, the shower drain, and the garbage disposal that end up in our sewage system – a place that is beginning to get a little crowded. The fat, oil, and grease that we put down the drain will combine with drifting items, like flushable baby wipes, and lead to a buildup of fat sometimes called Fatbergs. These blobs of fat are filling up the sewage pipes and can cause a lot of damage. Thomas Wallace explains Fatbergs and why they are such a big problem. Change Behavior by Changing the Person (1:07:26) Sean Young, PhD, MS, is the Executive Director of the University of California Institute for Prediction Technology, the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior, and a Medical School Professor with the UCLA Department of Family Medicine. Whether it’s absentminded mistakes at work, a weakness for junk food, a smartphone addiction, or a lack of exercise, everyone has a bad habit or behavior that they’d like to change. However, wanting to change and actually doing it are two very different things. Dr. Sean Young, an authoritative new voice in the field of behavioral science and the director of the UCLA Center of Digital Behavior and UC Institute of Prediction Technology, knows a great deal about our behavior and how we can actually change it for the better. In his new book “Stick with It” he takes a fascinating look at the science of lasting behavior filled with crucial knowledge and practical advice to help everyone successfully alter their actions and improve their lives. Forgiving Others (1:54:29) Loren Toussaint, Ph.D., is a professor in the department of psychology at Lu 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:23:45 - Blobs of Fat and Trash Are Filling the World's Sewers 01:67:26 - Change Behavior by Changing the Person 01:114:29 - Forgiving Others

Future of Cash, Better Brain Focusing, Relationally Aggressive Sep 06, 2017

Show notes

Cash is Falling Out of Fashion (18:20) Bhaskar Chakravorti is the Senior Associate Dean of International Business & Finance at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and Executive Director of Fletcher’s Institute for Business in the Global Context (IBGC). Virtual money, credit cards, and debit cards have made cash almost useless. Once you could use cash to get almost anything you wanted. Apps like Venmo and Paypal makes it so that you can send friends money at the press of a button. Some airlines will not accept cash to buy things on planes. So here is the question: Is cash still king? Bhaskar Chakravorti explains how cash is falling out of favor across the globe and shares with us his ideas on what the future of cash may be. Practice can make your brain better at focusing (1:06:48) Sirawaj Itthipuripat is a research fellow at learning Institute, King Mongkut university of technology in Thailand. And will work at Vanderbilt University in a few months. He is a recently graduated Ph.D. student in the Neurosciences program at the University of California, San Diego. When we have to learn new tasks or skills it can be a tough process. Over time, with practice, the task or skill may become more natural. A new study shows that paying attention can improve performance on a new task and possibly change the way the brain processes information. Sirawaj Itthipuripat explains his research and how paying attention can change brain processes. Relationally Aggressive (1:53:49) Brian Willoughby, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Dr. Willoughby is also the Director of the RELATE Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to studying and improving romantic relationships. 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 what it means to be Relationally Aggressive.

Moral Outrage, Digital Textbooks, Compassionate Children Sep 05, 2017

Show notes

Evolution of Moral Outrage (20:04) Jillian Jordan, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at Yale University. Her recent article, “Evolution of moral outrage: I’ll punish your bad behavior to make me look good” discusses the theory of human morality and our motivations in our drive for success. We all know that one guy in the office who will do anything to be in the spotlight. The guy who calls others out on their productivity, the first to volunteer for a project- So how does a manager differentiate between a simple brown-noser and an employing truly seeking to excel in their work and has the company's best interest in mind. The lines can get a little blurry. Jillian Jordan explains her research. Textbooks in the Digital World (1:05:51) Nicole Carter Luthy is Director of Outreach and Engagement in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement at The Ohio State University. During her career in education—which began as a classroom teacher—Nicole has led numerous state projects and worked extensively in e-learning, curriculum, and professional development. Another school year is underway for many students across the country. In the past that meant students being assigned textbooks or if in college the student would have to purchase textbooks. But with advances in technology, many textbooks are now available in digital copy formats. Does all of this technology spell the end of traditional textbooks? And if so, is that actually a good thing for students and teachers? Nicole Carter Luthy explains. Raise Compassionate Children (1:52:55) Julie Nelson (the "Child Whisperer") has a master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. She teaches classes such as Applied Parenting and Marriage and Relationship Skills at Utah Valley University. She is the author of a couple of parenting books including "Keep is Real and Grab a Plunger". You can read more from Julie at her blog "A Spoonful of Parenting" Dr. Matt and Julie talk about "things a parent shouldn't trust."

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