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:

Apple vs. FBI, Get Smart: Think Successful, Tabloid Politics Mar 15, 2016

Show notes

Apple vs. FBI (17:46) Neil R. Wyler (a.k.a. Grifter) is an Information Security Engineer and Researcher located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Neil is currently with RSA Security as an Advanced Security Operations Specialist. He has spent over 15 years as a security professional, focusing on vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, physical security, and incident response. He has been a staff member of the Black Hat Security Briefings for over 13 years and is a member of the Senior Staff at DEF CON. Neil has spoken at numerous security conferences worldwide, including Black Hat, DEF CON, and the RSA Conference. Neil shares his thoughts on the ongoing legal battle between Apple and the FBI. Get Smart: Think Successful (1:00:07) Brian Tracy is chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations. He has studied, researched, written, and spoken for thirty years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy, and psychology, and is the top-selling author of numerous books including his newest book "Get Smart!: How to Think and Act Like the Most Successful and Highest-Paid People in Every Field." Brian Tracy shares his thoughts on how to change our thinking to become more successful. Coaches Corner: Principals of Success (1:18:25) Dr. Matt Townsend shares his thoughts on how to achieve success by embracing the right principles. The challenge is finding the principals that will take you in the right direction even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. When Politics Went Tabloid (1:54:14) Matt Bai is the national political columnist at Yahoo News and has also been a fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government and at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. Mr. Bai is the author of NPR’s Best Book of the Year, “All the Truth is Out: the Week Politics Went Tabloid,” is here to discuss with us today how one event in history could have changed how we elect our presidents and how Americ 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:46 - Apple vs. FBI 01:60:07 - Get Smart: Think Successful 01:78:25 - Coaches Corner: Principals of Success 01:114:14 - When Politics Went Tabloid

Evolution of Moral Outrage, Louder Than Words, World Hopecast Mar 14, 2016

Show notes

Evolution of Moral Outrage (16:52) Jillian Jordan, a Ph.D candidate if psychology at Yale University. Her recent article, “Evolution of moral outrage: I’ll punish your bad behavior to make me look good” discusses the theory behind human morality and our motivations in our drive for success. We all know that one guy in the office who will do anything to be in the spotlight. The guy who calls others out on their productivity, the first to volunteer for a project- So how does a manager differentiate between a simple brown-noser and an employing truly seeking to excel in their work and has the companies best interest in mind. The lines can get a little blurry. Jillian Jordan explains her research. Coaches Corner: Logical Force (40:08) Dr. Matt Townsend share his thoughts on logical force where the individual decides to go with the logical option even if it is not the moral choice. Louder Than Words (1:01:19) Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of three books , and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. His latest book, "Louder Than Words," is about how to develop an authentic voice that resonates and creates impact. The World Hopecast (1:47:43) 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. Author of the Book Choosing Clarity: A Path to Fearlessness. Today Kim and Dr. Matt talk about The World Hopecast. Taking place March 17-19th, 2016, The World Hope Cast will include interviews of experts around the world in an attempt to break a World Record (certified by Guinness) for the longest live-streamed audio webcast, while providing messages of hope from around the world. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:16:52 - Evolution of Moral Outrage 00:40:08 - Coaches Corner: Logical Force 01:61:19 - Louder Than Words 01:107:43 - The World Hopecast (1:47:43)

Supreme Court Game Theory, Daydreaming, Meet the Producers Mar 11, 2016

Show notes

The Game Theory Behind Mitch McConnell's Supreme Court Strategy (16:18) Dr. John Patty is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago. After Justice Scalia’s death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was quick to voice his opinion on Obama’s pending announcement of a successor. McConnell stated, “The American people? should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” There has been extensive attention on the senate’s refusal to meet and the potential nominees that Obama would submit. So why is the senate refusing to meet? And why was McConnell so quick to delaying a nomination. Joining us now, from Chicago, is Dr.Patty discusses his recent article, The game theory behind Mitch McConnell's Supreme Court strategy. Benefits of Daydreaming (1:05:03) Dr. Josh Davis is Director of Research and Lead Professor for the, a coach, and member of the training staff of the NLP Center of New York. Do you have favorite daydreams? As a kid it may have been your pirating adventures on the high seas. Today you might just daydream about taking a family vacation. Or maybe just a nap. Usually daydreaming is discouraged, but our guest today, Dr. Josh Davis, argues that daydreaming has its benefits. Dr. Davis is the author of “Two Awesome Hours” and the Psychology Today article, “How Zoning Out Benefits Your Present and Your Future”. Dr Davis discusses the benefits of daydreaming Parent Previews: 10 Cloverfield Lane (1:51:41) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new movie "10 Cloverfield Lane." Meet the Producers: How to Haggle (1:59:58) Student producers Joe Carson and Ben Wasden teach Dr. Matt Townsend about the art of price negotiation. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:16:18 - The Game Theory Behind Mitch McConnell's Supreme Court Strategy 01:65:03 - Benefits of Daydreaming 01:111:41 - Parent Previews: 10 Cloverfield Lane 01:119:58 - Meet the Producers: How to Haggle

Media and the Election, Superbosses, Singing With Angels Mar 10, 2016

Show notes

Media and the Election (15:26) Dr. Scott Church, assistant professor of communication at Brigham Young University. This year’s election has been filled with controversy. With more radical candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, the media has been capitalizing on the public’s interest in the campaign trail. But just how much influence does the media have on voters? And is the attention of the media beneficial to a candidate’s success? Dr. Church discusses the role of the media in the election process. Superbosses (1:03:34) Sydney Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management and Faculty Director of the Center for Leadership at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Professor Finkelstein has published 20 books and 80 articles, including the #1 bestseller “Why Smart Executives Fail.” His joins the show to discuss his latest book “Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent.” Liana Tan: Delegates (1:36:03) What is a Delegate? It seems like every channel you flip on TV, every billboard you pass, and every webpage you look at is covered in election campaigns. What does it even all mean, though? We are in the middle of the national primary elections, but do you even know how to participate or how the basic system works? One of our producers, Liana Tan, who helps produce the 9:00 hour of the show put together a package giving us get the basics of US politics. Singing With Angels (1:52:37) The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has been heard around the world. The choir has been in existence for more than a century. Made up of 360 men and women, the choir has performed all over the world. This weekend, the choir is taking a step into the limelight. "Singing with Angels," in theaters Friday, March 11th, tells the story of a woman’s journey to join the choir. While it is a work of fiction, the film will feature the actual choir. Director Brian Brough and Writer Brittany Wiscombe introduce us to the story behind the movie. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:15:26 - Media and the Election 01:63:34 - Superbosses 01:96:03 - Liana Tan: Delegates 01:112:37 - Singing With Angels

Why We Snap, Good and Bad Advice, Important Emotions Mar 09, 2016

Show notes

Why We Snap (17:48) Dr. Douglas Fields, is a neurobiologist, whose recent book, “Why We Snap: Understand The Rage Circuit In Your Brain” explains the cause for these sudden outburst of rage. According to Dr. Fields, the violent behavior is the result of the clash between our evolutionary hardwiring and triggers in our contemporary world. Dr. Fields says that, “The sad truth is that the right trigger in the right circumstance can unleash a fit of rage in almost anyone.” and that same pathway in the brain “can also enable us to act heroically and altruistically before our conscious brain knows what we are doing.” So what is the difference between becoming a hero and become an attacker? Dr. Fields explains. Why Good Advice Is Often Bad (1:00:27) 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. Coach's Corner: What Not to Eat (1:25:36) Everyone gives and takes advice. Some of it good and some of it bad. Dr. Matt Townsend shares an article about food that you should not eat from a person with 20 years experience with preparing food. More advice but this advice that could help you avoid food poisoning. Important Emotions (1:50:40) 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 Self. Aleka Thorvalson discusses the importance of emotions. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:48 - Why We Snap 01:60:27 - Why Good Advice Is Often Bad 01:85:36 - Coach's Corner: What Not to Eat 01:85:40 - Important Emotions

Nursing Shortage, Body Language, Emotional Abuse Mar 08, 2016

Show notes

Nursing Shortage (14:52) Nurses play a vital role in the health care of our country. It is the nurses who make hourly visits to hospital rooms, caring for and monitoring the patients in need. The work accomplished my nurses is often overlooked. And in recent years, that workload has continued to increase. With a majority of the nursing workforce joining prior to the 1970’s, we may face the largest nursing shortage our nation has ever seen. Combined with an aging population, the rise of chronic disease and limited capacity in nursing schools, patients and health-care providers are weary of the coming crisis. Joining us today, is Dr. Katreena Merrill, assistant professor of nursing at BYU. Dr. Merrill discusses the shortage and what we can expect to see in the nursing workforce. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are (1:02:03) Dr. Amy Cuddy is an Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, uses experimental methods to investigate how people judge and influence each other and themselves. She gave the second most popular TED Talk, entitled “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.” Dr. Cuddy explains how our body language is an expression of what you are feeling and influences how others perceive you as a person. Emotional Abuse (1:47:54) 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. Dr. Matt and Julie talk about "Gaslighting" or emotional abuse. "Gaslighting" or emotional abuse and the effect on families and children. Julie also share her money tips to help the abused partner. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:14:52 - Nursing Shortage 01:62:03 - Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are 01:107:54 - Emotional Abuse

Nancy Reagan and Politics, Living Fully Charged, Political Bias Mar 07, 2016

Show notes

Nancy Reagan and Politics (17:39) 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 shares his thoughts on the passing of Nancy Reagan and takes a look at the presidential electoral race. Are You Fully Charged? (1:06:19) Tom Rath is a researcher, author, and filmmaker who studies the role of human behavior in business, health, and well-being. Tom’s most recent work includes the bestselling book "Are You Fully Charged?" and the documentary "Fully Charged." Tom explains steps that can be taken to energise your life. Coaches Corner (1:30:11) Dr. Matt Townsend has noticed that his kids are paying attention to the presidential race and are asking important questions. He found out that his kids are learning about key issues and what their impact may be in the future. Dr. Townsend shares three steps to explaining politics to your kids. Political Bias and Social Science (1:52:31) Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, a regular contributor to Time.com, and Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. Dr. Shermer received his Ph.D. in the history of science from Claremont Graduate University. The year 2015 was a dramatic year for free speech. It included protests on college campuses and police shootings in major cities opened discussions all over the country about race, gender, microaggressions, cultural appropriation, and so forth. Political correctness is a hot-button issue, now more than ever. But why all the unrest, especially in some of the nation’s most liberal institutions? Dr. Michael Shermer explains the liberal imbalance in the social sciences. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:39 - Nancy Reagan and Politics 01:66:19 - Are You Fully Charged? 01:90:11 - Coaches Corner 01:112:31 - Political Bias and Social Science

Painkiller Abuse, Re-Wire Brain for Success, Zootopia Review Mar 04, 2016

Show notes

Painkiller Abuse Epidemic (17:10) Dr. Andrew Kolodny, Executive Director and co-founder of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP). In 2014, 19,000 Americans fatally overdosed on prescription opioid painkillers- a 16 percent increase from the previous year. According to government statistics, nearly 1.9 million Americans abuse or are dependent on legal opioids. Many experts claim that the rise in addiction comes from doctors over prescribing addictive opioids (like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin) for minor ailments. In 2012 alone, physicians wrote 259 million opioid prescriptions, triple the number two decades ago. In just the past few years painkillers have become one of the largest health epidemics in our country and the doctors prescribing may be the source. Dr. Kolodney shares the facts of painkiller abuse. How to Easily Re-Wire Your Brain for Success (1:05:01) 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. Parent Previews: "Zootopia" (1:50:55) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the animated movie "Zootopia." Meet the Producers: College Debt (1:58:58) Student producers Liana Tan and Caitlin Thomas teach Dr. Matt Townsend about the problem of college debt in the US and how to live frugally while going to school. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:17:10 - Painkiller Abuse Epidemic 01:65:01 - How to Easily Re-Wire Your Brain for Success 01:110:55 - Parent Previews: "Zootopia" 01:118:58 - Meet the Producers: College Debt

Romney Politics, Love and Annoying Habits , Mind Over Body Mar 03, 2016

Show notes

Mitt Romney and Presidential Politics (14:28) Dr. Matthew Wilson is an Associate Professor of Political Science in The Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences and Southern Methodist University. Specializes in the politics and voting behavior of religious voters, as well as public opinion, elections, religion and politics, and political psychology. Dr. Wilson shares his thoughts on what influence Mitt Romney could have in the presidential election and what he expects from this presidential cycle. Love Your Spouse and their Annoying Habits (59:54) Dr. Jane Greer is a marriage and family therapist, sex expert, author, radio host, and creator of the popular celebrity sex & relationship commentary, “SHRINK WRAP” on what we can learn from the trials and triumphs of celebrity relationships. Dr. Greer is recognized as a leading national expert in sex, love, and relationships and author of five books about navigating relationships including her latest, What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. Dr. Greer shares her ideas on how to deal with a spouse's annoying habits. Mind Over Body (1:45:07) Jo Marchant is an award-winning science journalist and author. She trained as a scientist and has a PhD 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

Super Tuesday, Parenting Mistakes, Men's Health Mar 01, 2016

Show notes

Super Tuesday (17:07) 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 previews Super Tuesday and analyzes the impact on the Republican Party if Donald Trump is the nominee. Alyson Schafer - Parenting Mistakes (1:01:23) Alyson Schafer is a recognized media personality. She is one of Canada's leading authorities on parenting and is the resident expert for CTV News, CBC's The World This Weekend, The Marilyn Denis Show as well as sitting on the health advisory board for Chatelaine Magazine, and being an ask the expert columnist for Today's Parent Magazine. Alyson Schafer shares her ideas on how to fix common parenting mistakes. Men's Health (1:49:35) Dr. Ron Hager is an Associate Professor of Exercise Sciences in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University. Men should consider taking care of themselves, maybe even more so than women. Men do not live as long as women and in many family/marriage situations men (husbands/fathers) are older than women (wives/mothers). This gender gap in longevity has been known for centuries but data are indicating that the gap is narrowing. Life expectancy has increased in both men and women but women continue to live longer than men. Some researchers suggest that by 2030 men could live as long if not longer than women.

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