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:

Defunding Arts, Bullying and Chronic Disease, Talk to Your Spouse May 10, 2017

Show notes

Defund the Arts? (16:40) Aaron D. Knochel, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Art Education at the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture. TV characters such as Elmo, Arthur, and Curious George are all about to get the “pink slip”. Trump Administration and Conservative Law makers are pushing to defund publicly funded art programs and broadcast stations. Art, music and public broadcasting always come up first when making budget cuts. Aaron Knochel explains why people what to defund the arts, why it is a bad idea, and what the future of the arts would be without public funding. Childhood Bullying Can Lead to Chronic Disease (1:02:23) Susannah Tye, Ph.D., is director of the Translational Neuroscience Laboratory in the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Tye’s team now works to identify the mechanisms through which stress contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders, with a focus on factors that control synaptic function. Many children will experience a form of bullying at some point during their childhood or adolescence. Bullying is a serious problem in schools around the country, and it can cause serious long-term problems. When a child or adolescent is bullied consistently it teaches them to take a certain view of what is normal in relationships and can be damaging to their developing self-image. Susannah Tye shares more about long-term problems and solutions when it comes to bullying. Caitlin Thomas - Airport Etiquette (1:27:35) Have you ever wondered what the rules about airport etiquette are? Airports seem to bring out the worst in people and it can all be very chaotic. Caitlin Thomas discusses airport etiquette and gives us more details about what we should, and should not do, while at an airport. The Best Ways to Talk to Your Spouse (1:50:56) Lesli Doares, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, marriage coach and author of Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage, How to Create Your Happily Ever After With More Intention, Less Work. Have you ever tried to get

Danger of Political Neutrality, Achiever's Guide, Hypertension May 09, 2017

Show notes

Corporations and Politics (14:31) Daniel Korschun, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, who studies companies and their political stances and how it affects them. Companies have always participated in the politics of our country, they get their hand in everything. Even so, people also expects companies to stand by the core values they say they say they live by. So what happens when a company decides to not take a political stance on a certain issue? Daniel Korschun explains. Live Large: The Achiever's Guide to What's Next (1:04:42) Elizabeth Crook is the CEO of Orchard Advisors and the author of the critically acclaimed Live Large: An Achiever’s Guide to What’s Next. For over twenty years, she has helped CEOs and entrepreneurs think and act strategically to grow their companies’ bottom line and have more satisfaction. In today's’ world, people are constantly searching for improvement in their lives. In order to progress and continue to feel fulfilled in our lives, most of us hope the find new ways to change or seek out new hobbies. Elizabeth Crook author of In Live Large: The Achiever’s Guide to What’s Next, she equips her readers with the valuable tools she's used for years to help high-achieving individuals find fulfillment by determining what's next in their lives. Elizabeth shares more about her book and her strategies. Ron Hager - Hypertension (1:51:07) Ron Hager, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Exercise Sciences in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University. One of his areas of interest is Chronic Disease Prevention. This is National High Blood Pressure Education Month and Dr. Hager teaches us about hypertension and how to manage or avoid the condition.

Health Care, You Are What You Think, Falling Out of Love May 08, 2017

Show notes

Healthcare and French Election (15:39) 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 where President Trump will turn his focus now that he has passed the 100 day mark. You Are What You Think (1:02:39) Lisa Ferentz is a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, educator, and the founder of The Ferentz Institute. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies. She is the author of “Finding Your Ruby Slippers Transformative Life Lessons from the Therapist's Couch.” Your thoughts have a profound effect on many aspects of your well-being. An individual's behavioral choices, their self-confidence, feelings of self-worth and self-esteem all can be affected because thoughts can have a negative and lasting impact. Lisa Ferentz explains how our mental and physical health are impacted by our thoughts and the importance of thinking positive. Falling Out of Love (1:53:05) 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. Today Kim and Jeff Simpson talk about how to address problems with falling out of love.

Stranger Danger, Political Beliefs, Emotional Managment May 06, 2017

Show notes

Most Strangers Are Safe: Learn to Spot Those Who Are Not (9:13) Wendy L. Patrick is a career prosecutor, named the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year, and recognized by her peers as one of the Top Ten criminal attorneys in San Diego by the San Diego Daily Transcript. She is President of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and an ATAP Certified Threat Manager. Strangers often turn into friends, co-workers, or even life partners. We are motivated to view others positively, because of this potential for building productive relationships. Yet sensing danger should curtail your initial level of courtesy. This risk is enhanced by the reality that in most cases, we are unable to spot dangerous people merely by looking. Actions speak louder than words, and appearances can be deceiving. Wendy Patrick helps us separate the harmful from the harmless. A Prioritized Marriage (29:31) Amberly Lambertsen has a degree in Family Studies and is working to become a Certified Family Life Educator. Amberly believes that quality time, traditions, regular date nights and communication help to build healthy and long lasting relationships. She blogs about marriage because she wants to inspire other couples to put their marriage first, strive to build a better relationship with each other and create the best marriage possible. You can find Amberly at aprioritizedmarriage.com Political Beliefs (1:04:22) Jonas Kaplan, Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor at the Brian and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. He is also the Co-Director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center at USC. He is a cognitive neuroscientist who uses functional brain imaging to study how the brain makes meaning of the world. They say to never to talk about politics and religion in the workplace. Is this for a good reason? A study done by the University of Southern California explains why conversations get heated when people talk about politics and when their personal beliefs are challe 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:13 - Most Strangers Are Safe: Learn to Spot Those Who Are Not 00:29:31 - A Prioritized Marriage 01:64:22 - Political Beliefs 01:96:09 - Emotions as Our Mother Tongue

Future of Journalism, Friend vs. Friendly, Screen Cleaning May 05, 2017

Show notes

Should journalism become less professional? (13:52) Robert Trumpbour, Ph.D. researches the intersection of media, sport, and society. He is Associate Professor of Communications at Penn State Altoona co-author of The Eighth Wonder of the World: The Life of Houston’s Iconic Astrodome (Nebraska University Press), winner of the Society for American Baseball Research’s Seymour Medal in 2017 and Pete Delohery Award for Best Sports Book in 2016. Today's journalism isn't what it used to be. You can get instant updates on your tablet, smartphone, and television. It's rare to find someone who still gets their news from the paper. Robert Trumpbour talks with us about the rapidly changing field of journalism. Being a Friend vs. Being Friendly (1:05:33) Brooke Romney is a freelance writer, speaker, and blogger who resides in Kaysville, Utah with her husband and 4 active boys. She is a columnist for the Deseret News and has appeared on local lifestyle shows like Studio 5 and Fox 13 The Place. We all have had good intentions when it comes to our friendships. It’s hard to make developing and sustaining a relationship one of our top priorities in life, so instead we settle for a friendly wave or a sweet dessert. In reality we need quality rather than quantity. According to Brooke Romney, “Being friendly is just not enough. Being a real friend is what matters. We need to know each other. We need to care. We need to love. We need to include and invite. Brooke Romney with some ideas to become a better friend. Jeff Simpson - Screen Cleaning (1:35:50) Jeff Simpson offers family friendly entertainment options. Rod Guftason of Parent Previews reviews the new movie Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2

Rust Belt Jobs, Good and Bad Advice, Gratitude in Marriage May 04, 2017

Show notes

Building jobs in the Rust Belt (14:22) Dana L. Mitra, Ph. D. is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Pennsylvania State University. Originally from Pittsburgh, Dana holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis. In the 1970s, steel and coal were on the decline in the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, now known as the “Rust Belt.” Dana Mitra discusses her research on education’s role in building jobs in the Rust Belt. Coaching Corner - Path to Purpose (42:52) How do you find your passion and what steps to take to develop that passion? Dr. Matt Townsend shares his Four Steps to a Purposeful Life. Why Good Advice Is Often Bad (1:05:34) Professor Jason Dana is an Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing at Yale University. The quest for distinguishing between “good” and “bad” advice can at times seem overwhelming. Dr. Dana is here to help us understand why what we might think is “good advice” is often bad. Why Gratitude Matters in Marriage (1:51:11) 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 low maintenance mothers. Heather and Dr. Townsend talk about Why gratitude matters in marriage.

Climate Change, Humility in Sports, Choosing The Right May 03, 2017

Show notes

Red States and Climate Change Policy (14:40) Rebecca J. Romsdahl, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Science & Policy, University of North Dakota. Her research examines issues at the interface between environmental science and public policy. Some of her recent research topics include state and local government adaptation planning for climate change. The topic of Climate Change can lead to heated political exchanges. The new administration is making changes to the EPA and working to withdraw from international climate change agreements. With all of this happening on the national level, local governments are making decisions to address changes to the environment. It is not just liberal "Blue" States making changes ... conservative "Red" states are also addressing climate change. How are they making these public policy changes and how are they finding common ground with those who may not see climate change as a priority? Rebecca J. Romsdahl shares her findings. Makena Bauss - What Women Really Mean When We Call Our Friends ‘Close’ (44:01) What do people mean when they call someone a “Close” friend. How does that differ between men and women? Producer Makena Bauss shares the info. Mike Austin- Humility in Sports (1:08:10) Michael W. Austin, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University. Austin has published numerous books and journal articles related to ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of the family, and philosophy of sport. He speaks on these and a variety of other topics related to the connections between character and human fulfillment. NFL great Deion Sanders was quoted many times saying, 'They Don't Pay Nobody To Be Humble'. When it comes to sports and the way players are motivated by coaches and parents, it doesn't seem that the virtue of humility would be cultivated. Sports seem to lean toward self-promotion and ultimate confidence in one's own abilities leaving little room for humility. Michael Austin explains how sports can be a school for the virtue of humility. Choosi

Political Beliefs, Making Sense of Emotion, Relationship Fight May 02, 2017

Show notes

Political Beliefs (15:10) Jonas Kaplan, Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor at the Brian and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. He is also the Co-Director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center at USC. He is a cognitive neuroscientist who uses functional brain imaging to study how the brain makes meaning of the world. They say to never to talk about politics and religion in the workplace. Is this for a good reason? A study done by the University of Southern California explains why conversations get heated when people talk about politics and when their personal beliefs are challenged. Jonas Kaplan shares his research. Emotions as Our Mother Tongue (1:06:01) Dr. Frank Ninivaggi is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center, a member of the Yale-New Haven Community Medical Group, and the Medical Director of the Devereux Glenholme School. He has many publications including his most recent books, Biomental Child Development: Perspectives on Psychology and Parenting, and Envy Theory. According to Dr. Ninivaggi, Emotional “thinking” is our true first language, and it’s also universal. Dr. Ninivaggi examines the importance in understanding emotions as a tool and how they can be applied to benefit relationships. How to Fight Fair in a Relationship (1:51:19) 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. Julie has written two books about parenting including Keep it Real and Grab a Plunger. Julie shares some tips on how to fight fair in a relationship.

Stranger Danger, Prioritized Marriage, Spouse as a Role Model May 01, 2017

Show notes

Trump Post 100 (14:32) 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 where President Trump will turn his focus now that he has passed the 100 day mark. Most Strangers Are Safe: Learn to Spot Those Who Are Not (57:46) Wendy L. Patrick is a career prosecutor, named the Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year, and recognized by her peers as one of the Top Ten criminal attorneys in San Diego by the San Diego Daily Transcript. She is President of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and an ATAP Certified Threat Manager. Strangers often turn into friends, co-workers, or even life partners. We are motivated to view others positively, because of this potential for building productive relationships. Yet sensing danger should curtail your initial level of courtesy. This risk is enhanced by the reality that in most cases, we are unable to spot dangerous people merely by looking. Actions speak louder than words, and appearances can be deceiving. Wendy Patrick helps us separate the harmful from the harmless. A Prioritized Marriage (1:18:04) Amberly Lambertsen has a degree in Family Studies and is working to become a Certified Family Life Educator. Amberly believes that quality time, traditions, regular date nights and communication help to build healthy and long lasting relationships. She blogs about marriage because she wants to inspire other couples to put their marriage first, strive to build a better relationship with each other and create the best marriage possible. You can find Amberly at aprioritizedmarriage.com Makena Bauss - Reproduction Lottery (1:33:07) For some couples getting pregnant can be difficult. Infertility treatments can be expensive. Some doctors in an effort to market their services have created contest like lotteries that give away full infertility procedures as long as the winners agree to appear in pr

Problem Solvers, Medical Marijuana, Compassionate Achiever Apr 29, 2017

Show notes

Behaviors of Great Problem Solvers (15:40) Nat Greene attended the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management program and joined the Young Presidents’ Organization to improve his organizational leadership skills. Recently he joined Converge Venture Partners to further develop his entrepreneurial toolkit. Nat Greene is the author Stop Guessing: The 9 Behaviors of Great Problem Solvers, aimed at developing a million great problem-solvers to solve the hardest and most pressing problems facing the world. When the challenging problems go unsolved in our lives they can make us suffer in ways that we might not even recognize. We solve countless simple problems on a daily basis, sometimes unconsciously. However, there are different levels of difficulty to the practical problems of life. Simple problems are easily solved by step-by-step methods or guessing, but the harder problems can’t be solved in the same way. Instead of throwing all of our research, time, and money at the “hard” problems, there are several behaviors we can develop to become great problem solvers. Nat Greene shares how we can “Stop Guessing” and “go solve some problems”. Medical Marijuana Research (1:02:28) Dr. Staci Gruber is director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is also the Director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery, or MIND, project. Although the effects of tobacco and alcohol have been studied for several decades, where are we with marijuana research? Many states have legalized marijuana for medical use but what are the long and short-term effects? Dr. Staci Gruber explains the current status of medical marijuana research. The Compassionate Achiever: How Helping Others Fuels Success (1:51:01) Christopher L. Kukk, Ph.D., is a professor of political science and social science at Western Connecticut State University; founding director of the Center for Compassion, Creativity, and Innovation; and faculty adv

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