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:

Triumph of Faith, Hidden Potential, Gossip Social Skill Apr 17, 2017

Show notes

Triumph of Faith (17:31) Rodney Stark, Ph.D. a leading expert and sociologists of religion, explores the myth of religious decline in his book, The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever. Dr. Stark claims, “Contrary to the constant predictions that religion is doomed, there is abundant evidence of an ongoing worldwide religious awakening.” Rodney Stark discusses his research in religious growth and what it means for the future. Discover Your Hidden Potential (1:04:52) Barbara Oakley, Ph.D., is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, San Diego; and Coursera’s inaugural “Innovation Instructor.” Her research involves bioengineering with a focus on the complex relationship between neuroscience and social behavior. People may feel like they’re at a disadvantage if they pursue a new field later in life, consequently falling into career ruts and feeling pigeon-holed into their career track. It’s easy to feel stuck or stagnant in life, and not know how to keep progressing. Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential by Barbara Oakley is solidly based on cutting edge science about how to change your brain to feel passion for learning something new and different—even things you thought you always disliked. Gossip is a Social Skill (1:52:17) Frank McAndrew, Ph.D. an evolutionary social psychologist at Knox College, explain why he thinks gossiping is not a character flaw. You probably can’t forget the sound of whispers and giggles that filled the halls in high school and after thinking it would go away after high school, you were probably disappointed to hear the exact same kind of whisperings and giggles filling the cubicles at work. Gossip seems like almost an innate part of human nature- and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to escape it- whether it's whispered amongst coworkers or pictures filling the tabloids. We all know gossip can be damaging- it can burn bri

Success and Luck, Getting Along with Anyone, Inside Wall Street Apr 15, 2017

Show notes

Success and Luck (17:42) Dr. Robert H Frank is a Professor of Management and Economics at Cornell University. For more than a decade, his “Economic View” column appeared monthly in The New York Times. Parents teach their children that if they work hard, it will pay off. Although we teach our children that a cultivation of talent, sweat, and tears is what helps us to succeed, there might be a little more to the equation. Does luck decide if we succeed or not? Dr. Robert H Frank, author of Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy answers that question. The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone (1:09:06) Diane Musho Hamilton is a mediator, group facilitator, and an authentic contemporary spiritual teacher. As a mediator, Diane is well known as an innovator in dialogues, especially conversations about culture, religion, race and gender relations. Whether it’s a co-worker, a family member or a stranger, sometimes we allow others to rattle and upset us. But the people who get under your skin the most can, in fact, be your greatest teachers. Our next guest argues It’s not a matter of overlooking differences, as is often taught, but of regarding those difficult aspects of the relationship with curiosity and compassion--for those very differences offer a path to profound connection. Diane Musho Hamilton joins us to talk about her new book: The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone Why Wall Street is Like a Used Car Lot (1:48:23) Steven Pressman is Professor of Economics at Colorado State University and Emeritus Professor of Economics and Finance at Monmouth University. In addition, he serves as North American Editor of the Review of Political Economy, and as Associate Editor of the Eastern Economic Journal. The New York Stock Exchange is a busy and fast place environment with buyers and sellers exchanging stocks. This, as Steven Pressman relates, is similar to a used car dealership. The stocks are sold by an intermediary, similar to a car 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:42 - Success and Luck 01:69:06 - The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone 01:108:23 - Why Wall Street is Like a Used Car Lot

Wikileaks and CIA, Knowledge Illusion, Parent Previews Apr 14, 2017

Show notes

The WikiLeaks and the CIA (16:50) Dr. Richard Forno is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, where he directs the Graduate Cybersecurity Program, serves as the Assistant Director of the Center for Cybersecurity and is a Junior Affiliate Scholar at the Stanford Law School's Center for Internet and Society. WikiLeaks released a large amount of data last month known as “Vault 7.” This data, as well as other leaks from the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, makes citizen’s own privacy a nationwide concern. What is the government doing to prevent future leaks? Richard Forno with some ideas. Makena Bauss - Superagers (42:47) Why do some older people remain mentally sharp while others succumb to age? “Superagers" are those whose memory and attention isn’t just above average for their age, but is comparable with healthy, active 25-year-olds. How can you remain mentally sharp in old age? Makena Bauss with some ideas The Knowledge Illusion (1:05:00) Dr. Steven Sloman is a professor of cognitive, linguistic, and psychological sciences at Brown University. He is the editor in chief of the journal Cognition. Professor Sloman’s current focus concerns ignorance and the community of knowledge. He co-authored The Knowledge Illusion with Philip Fernbach. Humans have built hugely complex societies and technologies, but most of us don’t even know how a pen or a toilet works. How have we achieved so much despite understanding so little? Cognitive scientist Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach argue that we survive and thrive despite our mental shortcomings because we live in a rich community of knowledge. Dr. Sloman discusses the key to our intelligence. Parent Previews - The Fate of the Furious (1:56:56) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new movie The Fate of the Furious

Inside Wall Street, Angry Employees, Life on Autopilot Apr 13, 2017

Show notes

Why Wall Street is Like a Used Car Lot (15:00) Steven Pressman is Professor of Economics at Colorado State University and Emeritus Professor of Economics and Finance at Monmouth University. In addition, he serves as North American Editor of the Review of Political Economy, and as Associate Editor of the Eastern Economic Journal. The New York Stock Exchange is a busy and fast place environment with buyers and sellers exchanging stocks. This, as Steven Pressman relates, is similar to a used car dealership. The stocks are sold by an intermediary, similar to a car dealer, and they can be good deals, or not so good deals. Both are difficult to predict, but even the stock market has lemons. 3 Things You Can Learn From Your Angriest Employee (1:06:45) Steve Goldstein is the President of Engaged Leadership Advisors, Chairman of US Auto Sales, Senior Advisor to Milestone Partners, and Senior Advisor to Alvarez and Marsal. He is the author of Why Are There Snowblowers in Miami?: Transform Your Business Using the Five Principles of Engagement. Goldstein an advisor, speaker, and author who works with leadership teams to improve performance. He has over thirty-five years of experience working as an operating executive, director, and consultant at both global Fortune 500 corporations. We’ve all had that co-worker or employee that is seemingly irrationally angry at work. Some of us have probably thought, how did such an unpleasant person ever get a job here in the first place? The answer is that they probably weren’t always angry. Steve Goldstein argues that employers should look at angry employees as a challenge to fix the work environment. Caitlin Thomas - Easter Origins (1:32:42) So, this coming Sunday, Christians around will celebrate Easter, the holiday that is supposed to celebrate what Christians believe to be the resurrection of Christ. So, how does the Easter Bunny fit in? Caitlin Thomas is here with us this morning to talk more about Easter, where it started, and what decorated eggs have to do with it. Blam

Success and Luck, Getting Along Anyone, Important Emotions Apr 12, 2017

Show notes

Success and Luck (17:42) Dr. Robert H Frank is a Professor of Management and Economics at Cornell University. For more than a decade, his “Economic View” column appeared monthly in The New York Times. Parents teach their children that if they work hard, it will pay off. Although we teach our children that a cultivation of talent, sweat, and tears is what helps us to succeed, there might be a little more to the equation. Does luck decide if we succeed or not? Dr. Robert H Frank, author of Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy answers that question. Makena Bauss - Geoengineering and Climate Change (42:31) Geoengineering could help slow the effect of global warming/climate change by using ideas that until now only existed in science fiction. Procedure Makena Bauss explains The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone (1:09:06) Diane Musho Hamilton is a mediator, group facilitator, and an authentic contemporary spiritual teacher. As a mediator, Diane is well known as an innovator in dialogues, especially conversations about culture, religion, race and gender relations. Whether it’s a co-worker, a family member or a stranger, sometimes we allow others to rattle and upset us. But the people who get under your skin the most can, in fact, be your greatest teachers. Our next guest argues It’s not a matter of overlooking differences, as is often taught, but of regarding those difficult aspects of the relationship with curiosity and compassion--for those very differences offer a path to profound connection. Diane Musho Hamilton joins us to talk about her new book: The Zen of You and Me: A Guide to Getting Along with Just About Anyone Important Emotions (1:49:04) Aleka Thorvalson is a contributor to Huffington Post and a professionally certified and credentialed Life Strategies Coach. Along with hosting a popular podcast, The Holistic Health Hour, she is also Health & Wellness Coach Group Leader at the International Coaching Academy and a blog contributor at Best Kept S

News Gate Keeper, Osteoporosis for Men, Owning Your Health Apr 11, 2017

Show notes

Gate Keeper of the News (17:13) Aly Colón, a professor of Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University. Colón has a long background in news and journalism ethics, most recently serving as director of standards and practices at NBC News. Fake news and alternative facts make it hard for us to decide what is true, and what is false. The former gatekeepers of the news, Radio stations, Newspapers, and Broadcast stations are out of the limelight. Today, you are the one that decides which information and misinformation spread and what doesn’t. Aly Colón discusses how to safeguard against fake news in your media diet. Osteoporosis for Men (1:06:12) Dr. Pamela Hinton is an associate professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri. When you hear the word Osteoporosis most likely the image of a woman came to mind. The disease most often affects women’s bone density as they age. What most people don’t realize, however, is that one in four men will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Dr. Pamela Hinton has some new research into the issues of male osteoporosis and discusses her findings Caitlin Thomas - Binge Watching (1:29:16) Since Netflix was put on the market in 2007 for streaming online movies, something called “binge watching” has taken a hold of people all across to globe. What is it and is it healthy? Caitlin Thomas explains more about “binge watching” and whether or not it is a beneficial way to consume media. Owning Your Health Through Lifestyle Change (1:55:56) Dr. Ron Hager 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. Dr. Hager introduces us to Mindy Lathen and Rebecca Freeman who have owned their health by changing their lifestyle.

Gorsuch and Syria, Personal Learning, Platinum Rule Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

Gorsuch and Syria (15:13) 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 President Trump's decision on a missile strike in Syria and the workload heaped on Jared Kushner. Makena Bauss - Talking in Euphemisms (43:05) Language is meant for communication, but communicating doesn’t always mean saying exactly what we mean. Beating around the bush serves a valuable purpose: Not only can it ease potentially awkward social situations, but it also lets people get away with things they otherwise wouldn’t. Producer Makena Bauss explains why Talking in Euphemisms can be problematic. Personal Learning (1:04:07) Kathleen McClaskey is Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Personalize Learning, LLC and Co-Author of Make Learning Personal. She is a recognized Personalized Learning Expert and Digital Learning Consultant with over 30 years experience in using technology in the classroom and in creating learner-centered environments. Kathleen is Founder and President of EdTech Associates, Inc. She co-authored “Make Learning Personal” with Barbara Bray. Liana Tan - TV (1:28:36) The New York Daily News says the average American watches about 5 hours of TV a day. Other studies say 28 hours a week. Whatever it is, Americans watch a lot of TV. There are millions of things that need to be done in a day, so why do Americans decide to spend their time staring at a screen? One of or producers, Liana Tan, is getting to the bottom of this American fascination. Platinum Rule in your marriage or at work (1:51:48) 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 Dr. Matt talk about the “Platinum Rule” in your marriage

Comedians and Mental Health, Immigration Policy Apr 08, 2017

Show notes

Comedians and Mental Health (16:07) Dr. Gordon Claridge is Emeritus Professor of Abnormal Psychology at Oxford University and Emeritus Fellow of Magdalen College. Claridge is best known for his work in developing the theoretical construct of schizotypy. Schizotypy is the putative dimension, normally distributed throughout the population, whose defining characteristic is that of proneness to develop schizophrenia in particular and psychosis in general. Mental health is no laughing matter, but many comedians suffer from mental health challenges. Dr. Claridge studies the benefits that come from psychotic traits. Trump’s Immigration Policies (1:06:58) Kevin Johnson, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at US Davis Law School and a Professor of Public Interest Law and of Chicana Studies at UC Davis. He has taught a wide array of classes, including immigration law, civil procedure, complex litigation, Latinos and Latinas and the law, and Critical Race Theory. Dean Johnson blogs at ImmigrationProf, and is a regular contributor on immigration on SCOTUSblog. President Trump’s immigration policies have been a huge part of his presidential administration. Although his efforts have focused on the Middle East, his current policies concerning Latin America is very similar to the Obama Administration. His main focus has been deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal histories. Dean Johnson explains. Why We Should Not Know Our Own Passwords (1:53:47) Dr. Megan Squire, a professor of computing science at Elon University in North Carolina. Since 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been able to search electronic devices carried by citizens and non-citizens are they enter the country. It has been suggested that this vetting should also include harvesting social media password. This violates the first rule of online security: Don’t share your passwords. This has caused major problems for private citizens and government employees alike. Dr. Megan Squire discusses the importance and challenges around 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:16:07 - Comedians and Mental Health 01:66:58 - Trump's Immigration Policies 01:113:47 - Why We Should Not Know Our Own Passwords

Exposure to Violence, Adult Coloring Books, Parent Previews Apr 07, 2017

Show notes

Exposure to Violence (17:47) Dr. Eileen M. Ahlin is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park and her research interests include violence, criminological theory, neighborhood effects, and corrections. Law enforcement officers deserve a great deal of respect, these men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect American citizens. That being said, there may be some work to do to improve our police force. The inner cities of our country are suffering from acts of violent crime. Dr. Eileen Ahlin talks about her research on the “violence cycle”. Makena Bauss - Nutritional Cannibalism (42:04) How many calories would you get from consuming one whole human body? More than 125,000, according to a new study on human cannibalism. Producer Makena Bauss explains. Adult Coloring Books (1:05:49) Marygrace Berberian is a certified art therapist and the Clinical Assistant Professor of Art Therapy at NYU Steinhardt. She is also the Program Coordinator for the Graduate Art Therapy Program at NYU. A trend that many people are finding useful to deal with many ailments including anxiety is the use of adult coloring books. Adult coloring books were 3 of the top 10 books sold on Amazon.com in 2015. Ms. Berberian explains the therapeutic value of the Adult Coloring Book trend. Liana Tan - Spring (1:32:46) Seems like everyone looks forward to spring. Usually, we are happy when this time of year comes around. It's been spring for a few weeks now but one of our producers, Liana Tan, is going to tell us Parent Previews - Smurfs and Going in Style (1:51:39) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new movies Smurfs: The Lost Village and Going in Style

Political Misinformation, Accountability, Mind Over Body Apr 06, 2017

Show notes

Do Facts Matter?: Information and Misinformation in American Politics. (16:50) Jennifer Hochschild is the Henry LaBarre Jayne Professor of Government at Harvard University, Professor of African and African American Studies, Harvard College Professor, and the Chair of the Department of Government. Hochschild is the author or co-author of numerous books, including most recently, Do Facts Matter?: Information and Misinformation in American Politics. Jennifer Hochschild discusses the importance in making informed political decisions. Performance Accountability (1:06:41) Dr. Frank Ninivaggi is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, a member of the Yale-New Haven Community Medical Group, and the Medical Director of the Devereux Glenholme School in Washington, Connecticut. Dr. Ninivaggi will help us understand how to use more just and compassionate parenting and how to help our children be more empathetic and accountable. Caitlin Thomas - Sorry Charlie Day (1:36:31) Here on the Matt Townsend Show, we are lovers of weird and obscure holidays. We talk about them a lot because there are just some things that deserve our recognition. Caitlin Thomas is here with us to share what today’s special holiday is and how it can make us better. Mind Over Body (2:00:00) Jo Marchant is an award-winning science journalist and author. She trained as a scientist and has a Ph.D. in genetics and medical microbiology. Jo has worked as an editor at New Scientist and at Nature and has written on topics from the future of genetic engineering to underwater archaeology. Joanna Marchant discusses the new science behind the mind's surprising ability to heal the body and her new book Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Matt Townsend Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected