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:

Kaepernick and the Constitution, Butting Out of Relationship Oct 17, 2016

Show notes

Kaepernick and the Constitution (18:32) Bennett L. Gershman is a tenured Professor of Law at Pace Law School in New York. Gershman courses mainly focus on Constitutional Law, Prosecutorial Ethic, Judicial Ethics, Criminal law and Criminal Procedure. Colin Kaepernick, a NFL football player, has made a lot of noise in his protest against racial inequality. Kaepernick’s protest, which involves taking a knee during the National Anthem at NFL football games, has sparked a national outcry. This has not been the first time this debate has created a wave effect in our society. Professor Bennet L. Gershman explains the legal issues around this protest. Entrepreneur's Manifesto (1:05:10) Steve Mariotti spent 30 years as a teacher of at-risk youth. He founded the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Mariotti has witnessed first-hand how entrepreneurship education inspires individuals to create pathways out of poverty for themselves. His organization has over 600,000 graduates and programs in ten countries. His book ‘An Entrepreneur’s Manifesto’ surveys the state of entrepreneurship internationally, and undercovers new efforts to encourage entrepreneurship, including the world’s poorest communities. Revisited Movie Reviews - Tremors (1:46:26) In honor of Halloween we are revisiting scary movies of the past. Today's movie is the cult classic "Tremors" with Kevin Bacon, Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire Butting Out of Your Relationship (1:48:06) Dr. Brian Willoughby 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 and his specific expertise areas include dating, sexuality, cohabitation, marriage formation, and marital attitudes/beliefs. Dr. Willoughby talks with Dr. Townsend about the article, Butting Out of Your Relationship. Liana Tan - Middle Child (2:1

Debate Alters Presidential Race, Stop Using Anti-Bacterial Soap Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

Presidential Race Debate Moments (17:55) Dr. Rob Speel is the Associate Professor of Political Science at Penn State University. He is also author of the book Changing Patterns of Voting in the Northern United States. He currently continues to research the development of regional movements and regional voting behavior in the United States. The first televised Presidential Debate was between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960, and since then it’s proven to be an important factor in voting behavior. Professor Robert Speel shares with us about how one moment can alter the course of a presidential race. The Problem With Antibacterial Soaps (1:03:44) Dr. Sarah Ades is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Penn State University. Prior to arriving at Penn State, Dr. Ades received her B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University and Ph.D. in biology from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Recently, research regarding antiseptics found that the chemicals have little benefit but a lot of risk for individuals. An F-D-A ruling in September banned the use of 19 antiseptics from household soaps, but what does that mean for you and me? Dr. Sarah Ades explains. Liana Tan - FOMO (1:24:26) Have you ever traveled really far for a high school reunion or maybe skipped out on running errands because you didn’t want your old friends to get together without you? How about when you got on Facebook and saw all your relatives’ perfect vacation pictures, did you immediately start booking your own? Do you ever feel motivated to do things because you fear you’ll miss out on something if you don’t? There’s a term for this. Today our producer, Liana Tan, will teach us what it’s like to have what’s called, “FOMO.” Revisited Movie Reviews - Jaws (1:32:33) In honor of Halloween we are revisiting scary movies of the past stating with, what is concirdered one of the greatest movies ever made, Academy Award winning movie Jaws Parent Previews - Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (1:51:48) R

Debate Strategies Help Communication, Why Instill Grit in Kids Oct 13, 2016

Show notes

Debate Strategies and Public Speaking (16:55) Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is a Professor in History of Behavioral Science at Ohio State University as well as President of Intentional Insights, a nonprofit that helps people reach their goals using science to build an altruistic and flourishing world. He is the author of the book “Find Your Purpose Using Science.” With two presidential debates down and one to go, we thought you may be interested in how the candidates prepare to speak to an audience of 84 million Americans. Professor Gleb Tsipursky discusses his article on Trump and Clinton debate strategies. Maximum Maximoff's Maximums - Man Bun (1:01:01) Our criminal consultant Maximum Maximoff, live from his prison cell in Siberia, gives some tips to a criminal who was caught because he was identified by his man bun. What’s behind America’s insistence on instilling grit in kids? (1:02:52) Dr. Paige Gray currently teach media and literature at Fort Lewis College and advise the student publication. Her research considers the intersection between children's literature and journalism. She’s a published journalist and academic with a forthcoming article in Children's Literature Association Quarterly. She also has articles in Children's Literature and Bookbird. America is built upon the achievements of those who had true grit. But Children's Literature expert Paige Gray warns that America’s near obsession with grit might have some potential pitfalls. Dr. Gray discusses her article “What’s behind America’s insistence on instilling grit in kids?” Caitlin Thomas - Small Acts of Kindness (1:28:57) We see story after story in our news today that involve sadness, cruelty, and even hate. Caitlin Thomas is with us today to try and give us a new perspective on the world and to help us learn how we can make a difference in a positive way. Parenting Practices and Styles to Avoid (1:53:01) Heather Johnson, M.S., has been an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University for nearly 10 years. She is passionate about teaching

Academics and Society, Automated Driving, Climbing Everest Oct 12, 2016

Show notes

Academics are Losing Society (18:01) Dr. Andy Hoffman is a Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan. Professor Hoffman's research uses a sociological perspective to understand the cultural and institutional aspects of environmental issues for organizations. Parts of our society has deveolped what seems to be a deep dislike for anyone in academia. Denying science has become part of politcs as government try and plan for the future. Is academia still relevant in our society today? Is academics worth our time and investment? Dr. Andy Hoffman shares his thoughts on this volitial subject. Liana Tan - Embarrassing Moments (1:07:21) It’s interesting how our brains work. Sometimes you can’t remember your own kids’ names or how to make your favorite recipe… but you somehow remember that time you tripped in front of your crush or left your zipper down during a presentation. It seems like the things we want most to forget are often the things that are instilled in our brains, so I guess we might as well just bask in the embarrassment. Today our producer, Liana Tan, will help us learn how to do that by sharing with us 5 of her own embarrassing moments. Future of Automated Driving (1:11:48) Dr. Andrew Maynard is the Director of the Arizona State University Risk Innovation Lab. His current work spans emerging and converging technologies such as nanotechnology, synthetic biology, the internet of things and 3D printing, to innovative approaches to current and emerging risks more generally. More and more Americans are being killed in car crashes every year. New studies also show that 94 percent of the crashes that cause injuries and fatalities are attributable to human choice or error. That leads to a fascinating question that deserves attention. Could driving your own car become as socially frowned on as other risky habits, like smoking? Dr. Andrew Maynard discusss the future of automated driving Climbing Mt. Everest Experience (1:56:07) Bart Williams is a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor fr

American Exceptionalism, Retirement or Kids College, Old Age Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

American Exceptionalism Shapes Foreign Policy (18:07) Dr. Abram Van Engen is associate professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in early American literature, religion, and culture. “A Model of Christianity” a speech given by John Winthrop, a key organizer of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, is the founding document of American exceptionalism. The phrase “A City on a Hill” did not only shape the Puritan colony, but has shaped America as a whole and still affects us today. Dr. Abram Van Engen explains how American Exceptionalism shapes foreign policy. Bob The Clown-ty Hunter (1:01:16) With the spread of clown based fear across the country we here at BYU Broadcasting are premiering new show chronicling one mans efforts to combat the clown based dangers facing our country. Retirement or Kids College (1:19:37) Marty Allenbaugh is a financial senior marketer and a certified financial planner for T-Rowe Price Group. The total outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. is $1.2 trillion, which is the second-highest level of consumer debt behind only mortgages. Most of that is loans held by the federal government. About 40 million Americans hold student loans and about 70% of bachelor's degree recipient’s graduate with debt. With these numbers only seeming to increase and tuition rates continuing to rise, it seems there are very few ways left to pay for a college degree. Marty Allenbaugh explains how parents and kids can make choices now to pay for future college plans. Caitlin Thomas - Why We Love Football (1:29:28) America has proudly named its new favorite past time to be the good ol’ game of Football. "Baseball is what we were, Football is what we have become," wrote Mary McGrory, longtime Washington Post columnist. It seems America has become fascinated with Football. Here with us this morning to talk more about it is our very own Caitlin Thomas. Old Age is not for Sissy's (1:52:05) Dr. Ron Hager is an Associate Professor of Exercise Sciences in the College of Life Sciences at

Debate Recap, Longer and Better Life, Non-Offensive Feedback Oct 10, 2016

Show notes

Presidential Debate Recap (20:14) 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 recap the Second Presidential Debate The Swining (1:01:57) Wild Pigs Eating Their Way Through Front Yards in San Jose Neighborhood. Front yards are being ripped up in a San Jose, California neighborhood, and while residents are well aware of who the culprits are, there's very little they can do. The torn-up lawns are the work of wild pigs on a feeding frenzy, residents said. They strike in the middle of the night, digging up lawns. One resident said his front lawn looks like a war zone. The pigs even took out his geranium plants. This story has inspired a new movie about the struggle with wild boar called The Swining. Formula for a Longer and Better Life (1:18:14) Dr. John Day is the Director of Heart Rhythm Services at Intermountain Healthcare. He is board certified in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology and has published more than 100 manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters. As we progress throughout life, we are constantly on the lookout for those things that will help make our lives longer and more enjoyable. For some, a simple walk in nature is just what the doctor ordered. Others need a busy schedule to feel they are being productive. For all of us, however, there are simple steps we can take to make our lives better. Dr. Day explains how to live longer and live better. Liana Tan - How to Rap (1:35:39) We like to teach you new skills and tips to enhance your life on this show. Today, one of our producers, Liana Tan, wants to teach a unique skill to add some fun to your day. She and a friend will teach us all how to be a rapper. How to Give Feedback Without Offend

Fastest-Growing Flexible Job Categories, Weekend Box Office Oct 07, 2016

Show notes

Kenneth Osgood - Why Did We Stop Teaching Political History (16:44) We learn from the past, but what if we don’t ever learn the past? Political history was once a central part of our countries education and has begun to disappear in recent years. Here to talk with us about his article, "Why Did We Stop Teaching Political History?" is co-author Kenneth Osgood. Kenneth Osgood is a professor of history at the Colorado School of Mines. Kenneth Osgood is also Director of the McBride Honors Program in Public Affairs. Brie Reynolds - The Fastest Growing Job Categories for Flexible Work May Surprise You (1:05:57) Brie Reynolds, the senior career specialist at FlexJobs, is here with us this morning to talk more about which fields are providing more and more flexibility when it comes to where and when you work. Parent Preview - Weekend Box Office Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new movie Snowden

Risky Campaign Business, Marketing Behind a Facebook "Like" Oct 06, 2016

Show notes

Alan Schroeder - Risky Business on the Campaign Trail (15:26) Alan Schroeder is a Professor in the School of Journalism at Northeastern University in Boston, where he teaches primarily in the area of visual journalism. Professor Schroeder joins us to discuss his new book, Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trail (Columbia University Press, 2016). Mark Pelletier - When you 'like' a brand on Facebook (1:05:38) Social media is continuing a trend of personalizing your account with the things that matter most to you. Based off of what you post or what you “like”, each platform can then advertise new pages and new items that are similar to those you’ve already expressed interest in. Dr. Mark Pelletier is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Radford University in Virginia and is here today to talk with us about this subject. Kevin Kniffin - Upbeat Music Can Make Employees More Cooperative (1:52:52) Research has shown that music in retail settings can add value to the shopping experience: It can improve the moods of customers, increase engagement, and increase the chances of a purchase. With us this morning is Kevin Kniffin, a professor from Cornell University, to talk to us about his study on the effect music can have on employees.

Election Specialist, Talking About Money to Kids, Love Oct 05, 2016

Show notes

Hunter Schwarz - Vice Presidential Debate: Recap (17:22) Hunter Schwarz is a national political reporter. He covers the intersection of politics and Hollywood and the 2016 elections for the Independent Journal Review. Before joining the Independent Journal Review, Schwarz worked for The Washington Post and Buzz Feed’s Los Angeles Bureau where he covered politics, media, faith and pop starts. He joins us today to discuss the Vice Presidential debate and his article, How Trump could pull off a comeback according to ‘The art of the comeback’. John Christianson - How to Talk to Your Kids About Money When You Have a lot of It (1:03:14) As parents, money can be a difficult topic to discuss with our children. John Christianson, Founder and CEO of Highland is here with us this morning to help all of us parents learn how to talk to our kids about money. Liana Tan - Germany (1:30:20) Liana Tan is a student producer for the Matt Townsend Show majoring in Broadcast Journalism. Brian Willoughby - When the ONES We Love Don’t Love the ONE We Love (1:52:03) Dr. Brian Willoughby 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 and his specific expertise areas include dating, sexuality, cohabitation, marriage formation, and marital attitudes/beliefs. Dr. Willoughby talks with Dr. Townsend about his article, When the ONES We Love Don’t Love the ONE We Love.

Civic Intelligence, Indelicate Reality of Job Exhaustion Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Doug Schuler - Civic Intelligence (16:48) Doglas Schuleur is a professor of interdisciplinary studies at Evergreen State College. He has been researching and teaching the concept of “civic intelligence” for over 15 years. He has master’s degrees in both Software Engineering and Computer Science. As a citizen it is our civic duty to vote, but is that the only job of a citizen? The concept of “civic intelligence” tries to address this question, and Professor Schuler explains. Frank Ninivaggi - Job Exhaustion (1:10:01) America was founded on the principles of industry and the self-made man. It’s the American dream to become successful in whatever field you want. But this requires a lot of hard work- and maybe Americans are biting off more than they can chew. Associate Attending physician at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, Dr. Frank John Ninivaggi, says that many people are dissatisfied with their place in the workforce, causing them to feel exhausted, inefficient, and helpless. Dr. Ninivaggi joins us again today to discuss his article, “Burnout: The Indelicate Reality of Job Exhaustion,” and explain to us what the ‘Burnout Syndrome’ is. Julie Nelson - Female Body Image(1:49:40) 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. She is here with us today to talk about female body image.

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