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:

Online Shopping and Delivery, Motivation from Struggle Jan 27, 2017

Show notes

Online Shopping Traffic (16:56) Dr. Anne Goodchild is an Associate Professor and Director at the Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics Center for the University of Washington. Her research interests lie in the analysis of logistic systems, with an emphasis on freight transportation. Zappos, Etsy, eBay, and Amazon are some of the largest online retailers in the world. Online shopping continues to grow, but what does this mean for delivery trucks? Cities, like Seattle, that were built long before UPS and long before next-day deliveries need to revamp the way they manage commercial vehicles to avoid a sea of traffic. Dr. Goodchild shares her research with the Urban Freight Lab. Makena Bauss - Chimera (41:34) Scientists may soon be able to grow organs for transplants instead of waiting for donors — and it's all thanks to a human-pig hybrid. Growing human organs in pigs may seem strange, but it could also be the future. Producer Makena Bauss shares the story and the questions surrounding the process. Diddy Dental - Chomper Beeper (1:01:36) A Florida woman lost her dentures and called the police for help finding her teeth. Matt Townsend Show sponsor Diddy Dental has a solution to help the dentally challenged find their teeth. Motivation from Struggle (1:04:56) Jenny Grothe is a bodybuilder, a business owner, and a mom. Jenny began her fitness journey at 37 years old, and continues to share her story to help inspire others in their own lives. She began the online business She Lifts Gear, and works directly to the DREAM Foundation which serves terminally ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life dreams that offer inspiration, comfort, and closure. In America today, obesity rates are above 20% in nearly every state. Food is getting “faster” and technology is gluing our eyes to devices. Jenny Grothe, now a bodybuilding business owner, decided that she was going to take her health into her own hands and began lifting weights. After a few years of riding an emotional rollercoaster, Jenny is here with

Gender and Politics, Baby's First Word, Children Bad at Hiding Jan 26, 2017

Show notes

Masculinity, Femininity, and American Political Behavior (18:43) Dr. Monika McDermott is a Professor of Political Science at Fordham University and author of Masculinity, Femininity, and American Political Behavior. Professor McDermott is also a survey research practitioner who has conducted election surveys at the Los Angeles Times Poll, the CBS News Election and Survey Unit, and the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut. Do you ever wonder how gender plays into politics? What is the benefit of a president who is more masculine or more feminine? Dr. McDermott shares the research. How to Predict a Baby's First Word (1:04:18) Dr. Linda Smith is a Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Indiana University. Dr. Smith is the author (or co-author) of more than 100 publications on cognitive and linguistic development in young children. Whether it’s mama, baba, or dada, parents tend to place a lot of weight on a baby’s first words. After all, it is miraculous that infants eventually make the connection between sounds they hear and the meanings behind them. Dr. Linda Smith shares a recent study of hers might help you predict your baby’s first words. Caitlin Thomas: How to Stay Warm (1:28:26) For most people across the US right now the snow is coming DOWN. At least for us here in Utah, the snow is piling up all over our neighborhoods, roads, and parking lots. So, how can we stay warm and stay healthy? Well, Caitlin Thomas is here with us this morning to share some new ways to stay warm this season that maybe you haven’t even thought of yet. Why Children are Bad at Hiding (1:56:45) Dr. Henrike Moll is an Assistant Professor in Developmental Psychology at University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Her study deals with social cognition in infancy and early childhood. Her work is particularly concerned with the emergence of joint attention and the question of how children come to learn that objects (things, events etc.) can be viewe

Public Transit, Anger Management, Etiquette Jan 25, 2017

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The End of Public Transit (17:48) Dr. Matthew D. Mitchell is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Project for the Study of American Capitalism at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He is also a professor of economics. In his writing and research, he specializes in public choice economics and the economics of government favoritism toward particular businesses, industries, and occupations. Ride sharing programs such as Uber and Lyft are seemingly undermining public bus and transportation services in timeliness, flexibleness, and reasonable prices. Should our government give more public services to the private sector? Dr. Mitchell discusses whether the private sector provide a better option for public transportation. How to Manage Anger (1:02:11) Dr. Ryan Martin is an anger researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He is a Professor and the current Chairperson of the Psychology Department. A lot of Americans said they’d be angry regardless of who won the 2016 presidential election. With Donald Trump now the 45th President of the United States, most people are accepting reality and either championing or opposing his policies and ideology. The emotional election cycle had many expressing anger, with seemingly no control of their emotions. Dr. Ryan Martin shares his research into anger and how to manage it. Liana Tan - No One's Looking (1:28:36) What are the things you do when no one is looking? When people are watching we are usually on our best behavior but when we are by are selves our behavior may change and what does that say about who we really are? Producer Liana Tan explains why we do what we do when no one is looking. Importance of Etiquette (1:50:21) Cynthia R. Grosso is a national etiquette expert, an award winning speaker, columnist, and author. She is the founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette and the host of Your Manners Matter syndicated radio show. In a world of changing values and mixed opinions, we often forget some of the most basic and fun

Business in China, Feeling Unique, Kids Being Good Jan 24, 2017

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How Western companies can succeed in China (18:28) Dr. Jonathan Brookfield is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and an Associate in Research at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard. He teaches classes on strategic management, international business, the political economy and business environments of greater China, privatization, nationalization, and the boundary between State and private sector, and business groups in Asia. The population of China is currently at 1.3 billion people, which is massive compared to the United States’ 319 million population. Western companies have been trying to break in the Chinese market for over a half a century because more consumers means more money. But Western company’s enthusiasm for China has seemingly slowed down over the past couple years. Dr. Jonathan Brookfield explains US Companies relationship with China. Feeling Unique in a Big World (1:10:13) Jessie Shepherd, MA, LCMHC is a Mental Health Counselor and owner of Blue Clover Therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her focus is treating trauma, eating disorders and adjustment issues in adults, adolescents, children and their families. In a world filled with Instagram selfies and facebook likes, it can be easy to get lost. We are told that in order to be successful, we need to be well-liked, innovative, and unique. With so many demands on our time and sometimes unrealistic expectations, how is it that we stand out? Jessie Shepherd talks more about how we can confident in a world where nobody really feels special. “Catch” your child being good (1:47:44) 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 with some ideas on how to “Catch” your child being good.

Alternative Facts, Bullying Harassment, Mannequin Challenge Jan 23, 2017

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Alternative Facts (17:26) Joe Cannon is our Washington Insider. Joe served as an assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1983-1985. Was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1992. He served as the Chairman of the Utah Republican Party from 2002 to 2006. He was named editor of the Deseret Morning News on December 8, 2006. Joe currently is the CEO of Fuel Freedom Foundation. Joe and Dr. Townsend discuss the Inaugration and first weekend in office for President Donald Trump. Bullying and Sexual Harassment (1:01:35) Dr. Dorothy L. Espelage is Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida. Over the last 20 years, she has authored over 140 peer reviewed articles, five edited books, and 30 chapters on bullying, homophobic teasing, sexual harassment, dating violence, and gang violence. Her research focuses on translating empirical findings into prevention and intervention programming. Over the past two decades, the national media has given considerable attention to disturbing stories of youth suicides that have resulted in part from bullying. As a result of the greater awareness, scientists have gained a better understanding of what constitutes bullying, why some youth bully and why others are victimized. There is also a better understanding of the short- and long-term effects of bullying. What are the reasons for this recent spike in bullying, and are there other problems that go along with it? Dr. Espelage shares her research into the deep connection between bullying and sexual harassment and what we can do about it. Mannequin Challenge (1:47:09) Dr. Ellen Stockstill is an Assistant Professor of English at Penn State Harrisburg, and she specializes in the literature and cultural history of the Victorian period. Have you seen videos where it looks like everyone is frozen in place? It’s a pretty popular thing now for people to take a panning video of a group of people all standing still in a certain position. It’s called ‘the mannequin challenge’ and started out as just a funn

Constitutional Limits, Consumer Intentions, Movies Jan 20, 2017

Show notes

Why we need enforceable constitutional limits on federal power (17:02) Ilya Somin is Professor of Law at George Mason University. His research focuses on constitutional law, property law, and the study of popular political participation and its implications for constitutional democracy. Today, the Federal Government will experience a transition of power as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office as the President of the United States. A Republican ran Senate and White House is certainly causing worry amongst many minority, academic, and news media organizations. This unique situation has brought up an interesting question: Should we add enforceable constitutional limits on federal power? Ilya Somin with the info. What do Google searches reveal about consumer intentions? (1:01:45) Dr. Jeff Dotson is the associate professor of marketing at BYU’s Marriot School of Business. He is a part of the Marketing and Global Supply Chain department. When a person types “Mercedes” into a Google search bar, does it mean they are likely to buy one, or does it simply mean they want to print off photos and hang them on the wall? Marketers for Mercedes-Benz would love to know, as would marketers for any major brand. BYU Professor Jeff Dotson also wanted to know, so he launched a study with Google and Drexel University to see if they could divulge more information about the online intentions of consumers and how they can better cater to those intentions. Jeff Dotson explains his research. Liana Tan - Pet Peeves (1:26:41) When we’re at work or school or around friends, we usually try to keep a smile on and act like we like being with the people around us. But all of us notice little things other people do that just rub us the wrong way. We all have our own pet peeves. Well today two of our producers, Liana Tan and Palakiko Chandler, are going to break down the walls of office etiquette and tell us about some of their biggest pet peeves. Parent Previews - Split and Monster Trucks (1:45:32) Rod Gustafson from Parent

Government Spending, Brain Filtering, Unified Parenting Jan 19, 2017

Show notes

We Are Better Than This: How Government Should Spend Our Money (19:47) Edward D. Kleinbard is The Ivadelle and Theodore Johnson Professor of Law and Business at the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law, and a Fellow at The Century Foundation. He is the author of a book, We Are Better Than This: How Government Should Spend Our Money. Today, inequality in America is becoming a hereditary gene. How can we correct this? The answer is institutionalized empathy. Edward D. Kleinbard shares ideas on how the government can spend our money better by approaching policy making with empathy. Does the Brain Filter out a Wider Awareness? (1:08:42) Dr. Marjorie Hines Woollacott has been a neuroscience professor at the University of Oregon for more than three decades and a meditator for almost four. She also has a master’s degree in Asian studies, which she began on a teaching sabbatical and completed at the UO while a full-time professor. Her master’s thesis was the foundation for her latest book, Infinite Awareness: The Awakening of a Scientific Mind, which is both a scientist’s memoir and a research survey on human consciousness. As a neuroscientist, Marjorie Woollacott had no doubts that the brain was a purely physical entity controlled by chemicals and electrical pulses. When she experimented with meditation for the first time, however, her entire world changed. Woollacott’s journey through years of meditation has made her question the reality she built her career upon and has forced her to ask what human consciousness really is. Caitlin Thomas - What is Retro? (1:34:28) Have you ever talked with someone of a younger generation than you and heard them talk about “vintage” clothing and “retro furniture?” Cause, you know, I have. In fact, I hear it all the time at the office. Well, Caitlin Thomas has heard that a lot too and has always wondered how certain things become “retro.” So, she is here with us this morning to talk more about the topic and maybe get her questions answered. Parenting on t

Universal Health Care, Powerful Leaders, Cancer Is Funny Jan 18, 2017

Show notes

Universal Health Coverage (16:42) Dr. Timothy Callaghan is an Assistant Professor in the Texas A&M School of Public Health in the Department of Health Policy and Management. His research focuses on the linkages between policy, politics, and public attitudes with an emphasis on the US health care system and the Affordable Care Act. A Republican controlled House recently voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act colloquially known as Obamacare. Although the ACA was a step closer to the US having a universal coverage system, the United States tops as a country who spends the most on healthcare with the worse health outcomes. Why is this? Why does the US not have Universal Healthcare? Dr. Timothy Callaghan explains. Becoming a Powerful Leader (1:01:55) Cynthia M. Ruiz is an Author, Professor, Commissioner, Inspirational Speaker and Leadership expert. Receiving over 50 accolades and awards for her leadership and service to Los Angeles. She currently serves as a LA City Commissioner overseeing the multibillion-dollar pension portfolio for City employees. In her book Cherokee Wisdom: 12 Lessons for Becoming a Powerful Leader, Leadership Expert Cynthia M. Ruiz taps into her Cherokee roots to share profound advice on developing your unique Leadership Style. Cynthia believes that everyone is different yet has the ability to be a powerful leader in many aspects of their life. She is here with us this morning to share her 12 lessons in leadership and how they can positively influence us in our lives. Liana Tan - Snow Safety (1:29:11) You know, we’re getting a lot of snow and cold weather around here lately. One of the set backs of winter is icy roads and foggy windshields, which can cause safety hazards for drivers. So to keep everyone safe this season, one of our producers, Liana Tan, is going to give us some safety tips for the snow. Cancer Is Funny (1:49:29) Jason Micheli is a 37 year-old pastor, cancer-survivor, and author of the book, “Cancer is Funny.” He studied theology at the University of Virginia and fro

Corporate America Politics, Character, Technology and Health Jan 17, 2017

Show notes

Corporate America and Politics (17:04) Dr. Johan Chu is an Assistant Professor of Organizations and Strategy at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Johan Chu’s research focuses on understanding large-scale change and stasis. In one stream of research, he explores the factors leading to the durable dominance of companies, products, ideas, and people. The Republican Party is well known for their business oriented platform and agenda. This past election, not a single CEO from a Fortune 100 Company, donated to President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign. Does this mean that The Old Boys Club is losing influence in America? Dr. Chu explains. Importance of Character (1:04:13) Kent Sanders is a writer, guitarist, creative coach and author of The Artist's Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. He writes about creativity and the arts, culture, and fatherhood at The Good Men Project and around the web. He is also a college professor who teaches music, art, technology, and writing. Kent Sanders shares his thoughts on the importance of character Caitlin Thomas - Other Famous People Who Need Holiday's (1:31:58) Yesterday we all celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day and were granted a day off in his honor! I don’t know about you guys, but I love a good day off, no matter what the reason, and I think we should all be given more days off. Caitlin Thomas, our producer and full-time student, believes that we should all be given more days off of work and school. Does Technology Make You Healthy (1:53:30) Dr. Ron Hager 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. Ron talks about if Technology Make You Healthy

Individual Liberty and Common Good, Women in Business Jan 13, 2017

Show notes

Individual Liberty and the Common Good (16:37) Colin Woodard is an award-winning journalist and author of several books. He has reported from more than fifty foreign countries and seven continents. His latest book, American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, explores America’s regional cultures. Colin Woodard discusses how his book outlines the political, ideological, and sociological predicaments that result in the differences between regional cultures. Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World? (1:05:11) Joann Lublin, is among the first female reporters at The Wall Street Journal, she faced a number of uphill battles in her career. She became the first female deputy bureau chief of the Journal’s important London bureau. She is the author of the book Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World. ?Joann Lublin discusses her book which not only shares her stories, but the insights from fifty other trailblazing executive women who broke the corporate glass ceiling. Liana Tan - On Time for the New Year (1:42:06) It's a new year and time for new beginnings. There are probably a lot of habits you either want to make or break this year and to Get a jump start to the new you, our producer, liana tan, is going to give us a few tips on being more punctual Parent Previews - Hidden Figures (2:03:04) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new movie Hidden Figures

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