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:

White House Changes, Re-Wire Your Brain, Marriage Selfishness Jul 31, 2017

Show notes

White House Changes (16:41) 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 discusses the special election in Georgia and what it means for the country. Re-Wire Your Brain (1:09:34) Dr. Lori Shemek is a Nutrition and Weight Loss expert, a best-selling author and specializes in weight loss resistance. Dr. Shemek is the author of How To Fight FATflammation! and the best-selling author of Fire-Up Your Fat Burn! What if you could edit your memories so that even your fumbled presentation at work could be a success? Dr. Lori Shemek explains how. Selfishness in Your Marriage (1:57:38) Nicole Cunningham is a Master Executive Coach with 15 years of coaching and consulting experience. Nicole has dedicated her career to assisting companies, individuals and families in Australia, Malaysia, UK, Singapore and America to understand, change and improve human behavior and relationships. Nicole is a people whisperer, she has an incomparable understanding of all aspects of human nature and she is the creator behind the 12 Psychological Inclinations. She is also the COO at Claritypoint Coaching. Nicole Cunningham talks about Selfishness in your Marriage and what to do about it.

Health Care, Fixing a Toxic Work Culture, Infrastructure Spending Jul 29, 2017

Show notes

Fixing Health Care (17:30) Dr. George Wang, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Many people believe that the only way to good national and personal health is to change current health care laws and traditional western medicine. The thing is there are many avenues to good health. Dr. George Wang received conventional medical training in the practice of Western medicine in medical school and residency. When his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, he knew he had to do more to help her, in addition to the conventional surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Dr. Wang has started a web site to help others share their stories of healing through non-traditional means at holistic healing stories. He is now certified in integrative medicine, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Wang talks about his experience and shares his research with health care Fixing a Toxic Work Culture (1:05:02) Katina Sawyer, Ph.D., is a faculty member at Villanova University in the Psychology Department within the Human Resource Development graduate programs. She has a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and in Women's Studies. A toxic workplace is not very fun. While some people enjoy going to work every day, others not only dread work but feel like it is killing them little by little. The rideshare service Uber’s toxic workplace culture prompted the board of directors to make a change in CEO. However, is a change of a CEO enough to change a toxic culture? Katina Sawyer explains how a change at the top of an organization may not be enough. Infrastructure Spending (1:53:17) Anna Nagurney, Ph.D., a professor of operations management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Director of the Virtual Center of Supernetworks. Anna is the author or editor of 13 books, including the book, "Fragile Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergies in an Uncertain World." The internet, road systems, and our cell phones all run on systems. With one major blow, 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:30 - Fixing Health Care 01:65:02 - Fixing a Toxic Work Culture 01:113:17 - Infrastructure Spending

Just Serve, Growing Friendships, Screen Cleaning Jul 28, 2017

Show notes

Just Serve (20:00) Nolan Karras is one of the Northern Utah Area JustServe Specialists involving the training and supervision of the JustServe resource from Layton, Utah to Malad, Idaho. He also serves on the Weber Public Affairs Council for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Caitlin Gochnour served eight years on the Ogden City Council finishing her second term in January 2016. She has been involved with JustServe for the past year. Sometimes the best way to forget about our problems is by helping and serving others. JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may post and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community. JustServe provides opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. Nolan Karras and Caitlin Gochnour explain the goals and share the success of Just Serve. Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to Making and Keeping Friends (1:06:23) Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, based in Princeton, NJ, and a mom of four. Her newest book is Growing Friendships: A Kid’s Guide to Making and Keeping Friends. A trusted expert on parenting and child development, Dr. Kennedy-Moore serves on the advisory board for Parents magazine and blogs for Psychology Today, PBS Parents, and US News & World Report. She is also the creator of DrFriendtastic.com, a website featuring fun and useful friendship advice for children. Friendship is complicated for kids. Almost every child struggles socially at some time, in some way. Having an argument with a friend, getting teased, or even trying to find a buddy in a classroom. These are common problems, but they can be very painful. Friendships, even for children, are never about just one thing. Eileen Kennedy-Moore shares research-based practical solutions and plenty of true-to-life examples to help kids make sense of the social order around them. Screen Cleaning (1:34:34) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family f

Historical Student Debt, Mindless Eating, Mother's Voice Jul 27, 2017

Show notes

Historical Student Debt (19:02) Thomas Adam, a professor of Transnational History at the University of Texas at Arlington. His current research focusses on the topic of college affordability. Student loan debt has become the second-largest type of personal debt among Americans. Besides leading to depression and anxiety, student loan debt slows down economic growth. During the 19th century, college education in the United States was offered largely for free. Everyone benefited when people chose to go to college. And because it was considered a public good, society was willing to pay for it. What caused the change in how we pay for college? Thomas Adam explains. How to Know if You're Actually Hungry (1:06:06) Michelle May, M.D., CSP, a physician, mindful eating speaker, and recovered yo-yo dieter. She developed a mindful, non-diet approach to food, movement, and self-care. Michelle founded Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Programs and Training in 1999 to share this compassionate, constructive and life-changing approach through health and wellness professionals, corporate wellness programs, hospitals, fitness centers, insurance companies, and community-based programs. Dr. Michelle May is the award-winning author of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: A Mindful Eating Program to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle. Michelle May shares with us how to know if you are actually hungry. Mom's voice has powerful effect on children (1:51:39) Daniel Arthur Abrams, Ph, D. is an Instructor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. he earned his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience. He authored the study Neural circuits underlying mother’s voice perception predict social communication abilities in children. Dr. Abrams shares his research into what happens when children hear their mother's voice.

Infrastructure, Divorce Journaling, Importance of Make-Believe Jul 26, 2017

Show notes

Infrastructure Spending (17:33) Anna Nagurney, Ph.D., a professor of operations management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Director of the Virtual Center of Supernetworks. Anna is the author or editor of 13 books, including the book, "Fragile Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergies in an Uncertain World." The internet, road systems, and our cell phones all run on systems. With one major blow, an accident or another country can take down many of the things that we deem necessary for everyday life and national and personal security. But, what parts of the transportation and communications networks need to be invested in? Anna Nagurney explains the transportation and communications network needs of the United States. Coaches Corner - Dealing With Anxiety (41:51) People more and more are reporting that they are stressed. That stress can lead to health problems. Dr. Matt Townsend shares some tips on how to identify symptoms of stress in your life. Journaling After Divorce (1:06:27) Kyle Bourassa is a third year graduate student in the clinical psychology PhD. program. His main research interests are studying the effect of romantic relationships - and social connectedness more generally - on physical and mental health. More recently, his interests have focused on the effects of past close relationships on well being following close relationship dissolution, such as divorce and widowhood. Divorce is a common stressor that can increase risk to our long-term physical and mental health. For people struggling with the complications of a divorce, a new technique called narrative expressive writing has proved promising in reducing stress related to not only a divorce but other stressful events as well. The narrative expressive writing approach is not just writing about the emotions, but actually creating a meaningful narrative of an experience. Making meaning out of our emotions helps us process our feelings in a healthier way and has positive effects on our health. Kyle Bourassa shares

Fix Health Care, Toxic Work Culture, What Parent Shouldn't Trust Jul 25, 2017

Show notes

Fixing Health Care (17:30) Dr. George Wang, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Many people believe that the only way to good national and personal health is to change current health care laws and traditional western medicine. The thing is there are many avenues to good health. Dr. George Wang received conventional medical training in the practice of Western medicine in medical school and residency. When his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, he knew he had to do more to help her, in addition to the conventional surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Dr. Wang has started a web site to help others share their stories of healing through non-traditional means at holistic healing stories. He is now certified in integrative medicine, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Wang talks about his experience and shares his research with health care. Coaches Corner - Take Control of Your Health (43:16) The idea of a miracle pill to cure all health problems would be welcomed with open arms by many people. A more simple solution would be to be more mindful of our health. Eat more healthy, get enough sleep, and get more exercise are a set of easy answers the better health that we hear all the time but so few of us actually do. Dr. Matt Townsend with some ideas on how to take charge of your health. Fixing a Toxic Work Culture (1:05:00) Katina Sawyer, Ph.D., is a faculty member at Villanova University in the Psychology Department within the Human Resource Development graduate programs. She has a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and in Women's Studies. A toxic workplace is not very fun. While some people enjoy going to work every day, others not only dread work but feel like it is killing them little by little. The rideshare service Uber’s toxic workplace culture prompted the board of directors to make a change in CEO. However, is a change of a CEO enough to change a toxic culture? Katina Sawyer explains how a change at the top of an organizat

State of US Forests, The EQ Leader, Adventures in Boredom Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

The State of US Forests (13:25) Thomas Straka, Ph. D., a professor of forestry at Clemson University in South Carolina. Utah’s Brian Head forest fire, once the biggest in the country, burned over 72 thousand acres of land and forest. Currently, crews are still wrapping up and working on containment lines. This brings the question: How much value do US forest contribute to our country? The government is exploring cost cutting measures that may affect the national forest service. Thomas Straka explains the current state of US forests. The EQ Leader (56:22) Steven Stein, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, and the founder and CEO of Multi-Health Systems (MHS), a leading publisher of scientifically validated assessments for more than 30 years. Everyone has experienced that moment of annoyance with someone at work who is amazing at their job but not so great with workplace relationships. Put kindly, many companies have tolerated brilliant people with a lack of empathy, but that is beginning to change. Companies are now putting more resources into training their employees to not only be good at their job but to actively strive to build relationships. Dr. Steven Stein has some experience with that and has kindly written us a book discussing emotional intelligence. Dr. Stein’s book, The EQ Leader, discusses the skills that today’s leaders need, but often lack and why they’re critical to successful leadership. Yawn: Adventures in Boredom (1:37:26) Mary Mann is the author of Yawn: Adventures in Boredom. Her work has appeared in Smithsonian, The New York Times, The Believer, Outside Magazine and The Los Angeles Review of Books. She works as a private researcher and as a writing associate at The Cooper Union. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would say " I am bored"!! Or as a parent when you are worried that your kids won't like a trip or activity because they would be bored. Mary Mann explains boredom and why we experience this state of irritable restlessness. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:13:25 - The State of US Forests 00:56:22 - The EQ Leader 01:97:26 - Yawn: Adventures in Boredom

Perfect Marriages, Emotional Media, One Nation Undecided Jul 22, 2017

Show notes

No More Perfect Marriages (15:48) Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She is the author or co-author of twelve books including Professionalizing Motherhood, My Hearts At Home, Real Moms…Real Jesus, Living With Less So Your Family Has More, No More Perfect Moms, and her most recent release with her husband Mark, No More Perfect Marriages. Jill is the founder of Hearts at Home, an organization that encourages moms. The saying marriage is common advice given to newlywed or engaged couples. Marriage is hard and requires constant care and attention and sometimes will still falter and struggle if we do everything right. In her and her husband new book “No More Perfect Marriages” Jill Savage tackles some of the hard questions and gives us some advice on how to make our marriages stronger and a little easier. Jill Savage encourages us to get past the fairy tale and Experience the Freedom of Being Real Together. Emotional Media (1:05:00) Wahl-Jorgensen, Ph. D., a Director of Research Development and Environment at the School of Journalism at Cardiff University in the UK. How do you win Journalism’s greatest award, the Pulitzer Prize? Is it great reporting skills? Or is it great investigative journalism? Maybe it is representing a very important social issue? Professor Karin Whal-Jorgensen shares her research that shows what actually makes winning journalism is emotional storytelling. One Nation Undecided (1:49:22) Professor Peter Schuck is a Professor of Law Emeritus at Yale University. Although the Pledge of Allegiance says that we are ‘One Nation Under God’ it seems that our country is more divided than ever. But what are the top 5 things that drive our country apart more than ever? In his book, One Nation Undecided: Clear Thinking about Five Hard Issues That Divide Us, Peter Schuck explores 5 things that drive Americans apart. What are the 5 issues that get us heated? Why are we so divided? Peter Shuck explains. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:15:48 - No More Perfect Marriages 01:65:00 - Emotional Media 01:109:22 - One Nation Undecided

Protecting From Terrorism, Year of Gratitude, Screen Cleaning Jul 21, 2017

Show notes

How can we better protect crowds from terrorism? (17:45) Robert R. Friedmann is the founding Director of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) and Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Unfortunately, terrorism has only continued to become more common over the last 10 years. Robert Friedmann discusses ways we can better protect crowds and public places. John Israel - Year of Gratitude (1:06:06) John Israel, AKA Mr. Thank You, is a businessman from Dallas TX who is on a mission to elevate the level of gratitude on the planet by 1%. In October of 2016, John began a project called "the Year of Thank You" in which he is writing 5 a Thank You cards a day, every day for 365 days. John Israel shares what he has learned. Screen Cleaning (1:35:45) Jeff Simpson talks about movies and TV helping you find family friendly options. Rod and Donna Gustafson from Parent Previews review Dunkirk and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and they and Jeff share some hidden gems.

Energy Dominance, Successful People, Life Changing Habits Jul 20, 2017

Show notes

Is energy ‘dominance’ the right goal for US policy? (16:18) Daniel Raimi is a Senior Research Associate of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. President Trump’s administration has introduced a new buzzword to the American energy sector, they called it “American energy dominance.” Many of his representatives have made stops in energy producing states like Alaska, North Dakota, Texas and Utah to talk about the notion of ‘energy dominance.” But what is energy dominance and what does it mean for the future of us turning on and off our lights? Daniel Raimi explains today's energy issues. Traits Of Truly Happy and Successful People (1:03:15) Andria Corso is an award-winning Life and Leadership Coach with 20 years’ experience working with clients to develop leadership skills, advance their careers and businesses, and create success in all areas of life. Andria is currently the owner of AndriaCorso & Co., a life, career, and leadership coaching firm that specializes in helping individuals reach their highest potential. When we look around us it is easy to pick out the people who are successful and happy in their lives. They are energetic, excited to learn and share, and are highly motivated. Being around these people always raises the question “why are they so happy?” Andria Corso has not only asked these questions herself but has come up with an answer and shares her findings with us today. Timeless Habits That Will Change Your Life (1:48:20) Marcel Schwantes is the founder of Leadership From the Core, a leading provider of servant-leadership development, training, and coaching dedicated to growing exceptional leaders and healthy work cultures. He is an executive coach, leadership trainer, entrepreneur, columnist, speaker, thinker, husband, and father. We live in a constantly changing world. The only constant we do have is that we can always expect trial and hardship to come, but it doesn’t have to be the end of us. We have all hit low points in life that might include divorce, unemployment, loss of a lov

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Matt Townsend Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected