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:

What is ISIS, Bob Beckel Survival, Things Are Not That Bad Nov 16, 2015

Show notes

“ISIS: The State of Terror” (12:00) J. M. Berger is a nonresident fellow with the Brookings Institution. Author of "Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam," a critically acclaimed history of the American jihadist movement. He is a regular contributor to Foreign Policy magazine. Co-Author of "ISIS: The State of Terror" J.M. Berger. An expert on violent extremism and terrorism. Mr. Berger help us understand the origins and evolution of ISIS. "I Should Be Dead" (57:24) Bob Beckel, a CNN Political Commentator, a contributing columnist for USA Today, is a former co-host of The Five on Fox News Channel and professor of political strategy of George Washington University. Bob Beckel has experienced the highs and lows of navigating a politically and socially successful career and shares those stories in his book, “I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV and Addiction.” Why Things Are Not as Bad as You Think (1:41:01) 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 how things are not as bad in the world as you think. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:00 - "ISIS: The State of Terror" 00:57:24 - "I Should Be Dead" 01:101:01 - Why Things Are Not as Bad as You Think

Working Class Poor, Reignite Your Energy, Shi'a and Sunni Nov 13, 2015

Show notes

The Working Class Poor (10:32) Dr. Scott Sanders, Assistant Professor of Sociology at BYU, co-authored the study “Work and Occupations.” According to the Agriculture Department around 46.5 Million people received food stamps last year. According to a new study by sociologists at BYU, Cornell and LSU, the majority of the United States poor aren’t jobless. They are working at low-paying jobs, struggling to support their families and themselves. Seven Ways to Reignite Your Energy (40:00) Dan Rockwell has written for The American Marketing Association, The American Management Association, The Society for Human Resource Management, and others. He is the co-author of, “The Character Based Leader.” He holds undergraduate degrees in Theology, Construction and Design, and a Master’s in Business Administration. Dan Rockwell, author of the popular blog Leadershipfreak, with a few tips on how to “reignite your energy." Shi'a and Sunni (1:32:39) Ted Ellsworth a Middle Eastern studies undergraduate student at BYU. Ted talks with Dr. Townsend about the decades long religious divide that has fueled conflict in the Middle. Struggles between Sunni and Shia forces have led to a Syrian civil war. This violence poses a threat to the surrounding countries and reaches far beyond. What are the differing beliefs between the Shia and Sunni that has caused such a conflict and is there any hope for a resolution? 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:32 - The Working Class Poor 00:40:00 - Seven Ways to Reignite Your Energy 01:92:39 - Shi'a and Sunni

Distracted Driving, College ADHD, Relationship Communication Nov 12, 2015

Show notes

Distracted Driving (12:55) Dr. David Strayer is a Professor of Cognition and Neural Science at the University of Utah. His current research specialized in attention and performance specifically in relation to driving distractions and reactions times. The latest trend in car technology has been the rollout of voice-activated systems. These systems allow drivers to make phone calls, get directions, send texts, play music, and much more. Research as shown that the new systems are actually dangerous and causing more distracted drivers. Dr. Strayer talks with Dr. Townsend about the problems with car voice-activated systems ADHD and College (57:30) Dr. Aaron Allred is a Licensed Psychologist, Coordinator for Learning, Emotional and Attention Disorders at the Brigham Young University Accessibility Center. College is already a test of determination and focus, but imagine going through it when focus in daily life is already a challenge. Approximately 2-8% of the college population has ADHD according to the 2009 Journal of Attention Disorders. Many students are first diagnosed with ADHD when they come to college. Dr. Aaron Allred shares “Tips for Managing ADHD in College”. Relationship Communication (1:43:33) Dr. Richard Nicastro is a psychologist, couples counselor and writer. He specializes in marital and relationship issues and is passionate about helping couples create deep emotional connections. He suggests that maybe intimate relationships require more than ‘good communication’ and maybe good communication is more than just asking surface-level questions. He says, “Sometimes questions take us into familiar territory and our responses are quickly accessed and known to us. But questions about our emotional life direct us inward. These questions require work. We are being asked to go beyond the superficial.” He is here today to help us know how we can have deeper connections in our relationships.

Work Email Interference, Soccer and Crime, Parental Leave Nov 11, 2015

Show notes

Work Email Makes You Stupid (10:30) Professor Sir Cary Cooper-Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health, Lancaster University Management School. He is the author/editor of more than 150 books on occupational stress, women at work and industrial and organizational psychology. He discusses how work email is invading our lives. The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime (56:00) Dr. Declan Hill, Journalist, academic and consultant. One of the world's foremost experts on match-fixing and corruption in international sports. In 2008, Hill, as a Chevening Scholar, obtained his doctorate in Sociology at the University of Oxford. Senior Research Fellow in anti-corruption in sports at the University of Brighton. His book "The Fix: Organized Crime and Soccer" has appeared in twenty-one languages. Today he joins Dr. Townsend to talk about corruption in the world of soccer Parental Leave (1:40:45) Dr. Ruth Milkman is a sociologist of labor and labor movements who has written on a variety of topics involving work and organized labor in the United States, past and present. She is currently a Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and at the Joseph F. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies, where she also serves as Research Director. She recently co-authored a study of California's paid family leave program, focusing on its impact on employers and workers. Her most recent book is Unfinished Business: Paid Family Leave in California and the Future of U.S. Work-Family Policy. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:30 - Work Email Makes You Stupid 00:56:00 - The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime 01:100:45 - Parental Leave

Working Class Poor, Airline Safety, Rise in Obesity Nov 10, 2015

Show notes

The Working Class Poor (10:34) Dr. Scott Sanders, Assistant Professor of Sociology at BYU, co-authored the study “Work and Occupations.” According to the Agriculture Department around 46.5 Million people received food stamps last year. According to a new study by sociologists at BYU, Cornell and LSU, the majority of the United States poor aren’t jobless. They are working at low-paying jobs, struggling to support their families and themselves. Airline Safety (54:25) Captain Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger is a retired airline captain, aviation safety expert and accident investigator, best-selling author, speaker and consultant. He was hailed as a national hero when he successfully executed an emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, after the aircraft was disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its initial climb out of LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009. All of the 155 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft survived. Mr. Sullenberger speaks on airline safety, his experience as an airline pilot, and about the recent Germanwings plane accident in France. Can Changing Economic Factors Explain the Rise in Obesity? (1:40:50) Dr. Charles Courtemanche is an Assistant Professor of Economics in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. He is a health economist and applied micro-economist with particular research interests in the economics of obesity, public policies to expand insurance coverage, and big box retailers. His research has been published in a variety of journals including the Economic Journal and Journal of Public Economics. Dr. Courtemanche talks with Dr Townsend about his research entitled “Can Changing Economic Factors Explain the Rise in Obesity?"

Bringing Up the Past, Humor and Kids, Family Dinner Nov 09, 2015

Show notes

Dr. Matt Townsend - Bringing Up the Past (14:07) Dr. Townsend talks about Ben Carson and his recent issues with specific stories from his past and trying to keep the details straight. Does this matter and will it hurt his success in the polls. The facts of stories from the past are tough to remember and Dr.Townsend gives some tips on how to avoid any embarrassing missteps. Using Humor to Combat Stresses of Life (1:00:00) Seth King is a father of five from Herriman Utah. His kids from time to time procrastinate and end up being late to school. To motivate his kids to avoid being late Seth wrote late notes full of humor, sarcasm and slightly embarrassing stories. He posted the notes to an instagram account to share his story of how to help kids be on time. Dr. Charlotte Reznick - Family Dinner (1:48:52) Dr. Charlotte Reznick is a child educational psychologist, former UCLA Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology and the author of the L.A. Times bestselling book, The Power of Your Child's Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success. Dr. Reznick has a 30-year meditation practice, and is the creator of the coping skills program, Imagery For Kids: Breakthrough for Learning, Creativity, and Empowerment. Dr. Reznick joins Dr. Townsend to talk about the effect family dinner can have on children.

Bernie Sanders Bio, Creative Society, Meet the Producers Nov 06, 2015

Show notes

Who is Bernie Sanders? (10:45) Jonathan Tasini is a Strategist, organizer, activist, commentator and writer, primarily focusing on the topics of work, labor and the economy. Author of "The Essential Bernie Sanders and His Vision for America." He was the president of the National Writers Union from 1990 to 2003. President of the Economic Future Group, a national consulting group in the United States. Mr. Tasini shares his insight into who Bernie Sanders is and why people are choosing to follow. The Creative Society (59:50) Lars Tvede is a Danish National, who now lives in Switzerland with his family where he makes a living as a financial adviser, author, and investor. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics which he uses to help big companies devise corporate strategies for finance and technology. Lars is here to discuss his book, “The Creative Society” and how societies can stop cretice decay. James Bond: "Spectre" (1:42:57) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to review the new James Bond movie "Spectre" and Suffragettes. Meet the Producers: Ben Wasden and Joe Carson (1:52:43) Student producers Ben Wasden and Joe Carson talk with Dr Townsend about how they consume music and digital collections vs physical collections. Business Insider: "The allure of 'no ownership' for Millennials is moving beyond housing and cars" 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:45 - Who is Bernie Sanders? 00:59:50 - The Creative Society 01:102:57 - James Bond: "Spectre" 01:112:43 - Meet the Producers: Ben Wasden and Joe Carson

Global Gender Equality, Streaming TV, Kids and Practicing Nov 05, 2015

Show notes

Gender Equality and World Peace (15:39) Dr. Donna Lee Bowen is a Professor of Political Science and Middle East Studies at BYU She teaches courses in comparative politics, Middle East politics, Middle East area studies, and gender politics. Lynne Nielsen in Professor at BYU in the department of statistics. They joins Dr. Townsend to talk about their research with the Relationship between Female Subordination and Political Order. Streaming TV (57:34) Jay McFarland joins Dr. Matt to discuss the latest developments in technology and technology related news. Jay is a radio host whose career has taken him to Nevada and Dallas and now has him on the air with a daily show called The Browsers on KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City. In addition to his daily radio show Jay has also authored two books, "Freedom Ain't Free" and "Joyful Union," and he has created several popular apps and games for the iPhone and iPad devices. Jay and Dr. Matt talk about the Apple TV and cell phone ownership stats Kids and Practicing (1:42:56) 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 to get kids to practice (music, sports, etc) without forcing kids to participate.

Liberal Biased Campus, Reasons to Marry, How We Learn Nov 04, 2015

Show notes

The Myth of the Liberal Biased College Campus (12:19) Dr. John Tures is a Professor of political science at LaGrange College. He has worked for a defense contractor in Washington, DC and received his Ph.D. from Florida State University. Dr. Tures talks with Dr. Townsend about what he sees as the Myth of the Liberal Biased on College Campuses. Five Reasons Not to Get Married and Why They're All Wrong (59:20) 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. Dr. Willoughby's specific expertise areas include dating, sexuality, cohabitation, marriage formation, and marital attitudes/beliefs. Dr. Wolloughby talks with Dr. Townsend about reasons given to not get married and how they are incorrect. How We Learn (1:46:09) Benedict Carey is an award-winning science reporter who has been working for The New York Times since 2004 and is one of the paper’s most emailed reporters. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Math, then went on to get his Master’s in journalism at Northwestern University. Carey has written about health and science for twenty-five years. Today Dr. Matt and Mr. Carey talk about his book "How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens." 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:19 - The Myth of the Liberal Biased College Campus (12:19) 00:59:20 - Five Reasons Not to Get Married and Why They're All Wrong 01:106:09 - How We Learn

Allergy Increase, Thought Leader, Dealing With In-Laws Nov 03, 2015

Show notes

Allergies and Antibiotics (14:10) Dr. Avery August, Professor of Immunology and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University. Dr. August is an expert and allergies and he’s here to talk to us more about the trends we are seeing and his recent article titled “Antibiotic Overuse Might Be Why So Many People Have Allergies.” How to Become An Influential Member of Your Industry (1:06:42) Samuel Edwards is a public speaker and a digital marketing strategist. Sam has worked with countless local businesses as well as large enterprise companies and organizations including: NASDAQ OMX, eBay, Duncan Hines, Drew Barrymore, Washington, D.C., based law firm Price Benowitz LLP and human rights organization Amnesty International. He joins the show to give us some tips to help us all learn how to leave a stronger and more positive influence. How to Deal With Parents Or In-Laws That Don't Respect You (1:43:24) Dr. Samantha Rodman is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Maryland. She recently authored the book, How To Talk to Kids About Divorce and her new book, How To Help Your Lonely Relationship With Email, to be published in Fall 2016. Dr. Rodman talks with Dr. Townsend about how to establish boundaries deal with parents or inlaws. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:14:10 - Allergies and Antibiotics 01:66:42 - How to Become An Influential Member of Your Industry 01:103:24 - How to Deal With Parents Or In-Laws That Don't Respect You

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