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:

Soccer and Organized Crime, Boundaries, Sports Jun 23, 2015

Show notes

The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime (10:32) 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 How to Set Boundaries with Difficult People (53:48) Christine Hammond is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor by the State of Florida with over fifteen years of experience in counseling, teaching and ministry. She is the author of the award winning book, "The Exhausted Woman's Handbook." Ms. Hammond joins the show to discuss out to deal with difficult people Surviving the Summer with Kids (1:38:48) 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 surviving the summer with kids

Shyness and Social Anxiety, Blended Families Jun 22, 2015

Show notes

News & Politics (10:26) Joe Cannon, CEO of Fuel Freedom Foundation, former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, past assistant administrator in the US EPA, and editor of the Deseret News. Joe talks current political news including Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush announcing campaigns along with Mitt Romney's role in the GOP. Joe shares his thoughts about the South Carolina church shootings and presidential politics Good in the World with Kayla Lane (39:42) Kathy Aiken talks with Kayla Lane, a waitress from The Westside Cafe in Fort Worth, Texas, who noticed that Debbie Davis Riddle, a regular, did not have her newborn baby with her. Lane asked about the child and Riddle had to explain that her child had passed away. When it was time to pay their bill, Riddle said they were handed a note written on a guest check instead. "Your ticket has been paid for," it read. "We are terribly sorry for you loss. God Bless. - The West Side." "We hear so much negativity on the news and so that is why I felt led to share this story in hopes that Kayla and this restaurant will get some good recognition," Riddle said. Seven Ways to Overcome Shyness and Social Anxiety (57:15) Dr. David Shanley is a therapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders for adults and adolescents in Denver. He has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the University of Denver. He talks today about how to overcome shyness and social anxiety Blended Families (1:39:18) 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 blending families can be challenging but shares tips to make it easier.

Millennials Religion, Tech News, Movies, Body Language Jun 19, 2015

Show notes

Millennials and Religion (09:08) Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University. Dr. Twenge gives talks and seminars on teaching and working with today's young generation based on dataset of 11 million young people. Dr. Twenge, author of Generation Me, outlines the millennials attitude towards work and religion and the impact they are having on society. Jay McFarland with Tech News (55:46) 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 Apple Watch 2 rumors, the federal record hacking case, and how Americans are reigned to giving up their privacy. Parent Previews (1:19:16) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to look at what is new in theaters this week. Dr Matt and Rod talk about the animated movie Inside Out How Body Language Can Affect Your Success (1:38:20) Dr. Christian Jarrett is a British psychologist turned writer. He is the editor of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest blog, contributor to WIRED magazine, and an author of two books, The Rough Guide to Psychology and Great Myths of the Brain. Your body language doesn’t merely reflect your emotions, it’s often the cause. By learning more about the influence your body language can have on your own mind, you can become more successful at work and in life. Dr. Jarrett talks about how our understanding of this concept can bring success. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:08 - Millennials and Religion 00:55:46 - Jay McFarland with Tech News 01:79:16 - Parent Previews 01:79:20 - How Body Language Can Affect Your Success

Shi'a v. Sunni, Fatherhood, Entrepreneurial Teens Jun 18, 2015

Show notes

Shi'a and Sunni (11:32) 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? Importance of Fatherhood (58:00) E. Jeffrey Hill, PhD, is a professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. His research deals with successfully integrating work, family, and financial responsibilities. Dr. Hill graduated from the BYU Marriott School of Management in Organizational Behavior then received a PhD in Family and Human Development from Utah State. Dr. Hill talks with Dr. Townsend about the importance of fathers and father role models. Why Are Teens More Entrepreneurial Than Their Parents (1:30:10) Whitney Johnson is an investor, speaker, and published author. She is the founder and managing director of Springboard Fund, and co-founder of Rose Park Advisors along with Clayton Christensen. Johnson is the author of two books, Dare, Dream, Do published in 2012 and the upcoming Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation To Work which will reach the shelves in October of this year. Whitney Johnson explains why teens and young people are more entrepreneurial than their parents. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:11:32 - Shi'a and Sunni 00:58:00 - Importance of Fatherhood 01:90:10 - Why Are Teens More Entrepreneurial Than Their Parents

Debunked Myths, Self-Esteem, Good in The World Jun 17, 2015

Show notes

Why We Still Believe In Debunked Myths (12:16) Dr. Adam Berinsky a Professor of Political Science at MIT, calls these political Rumors “sticky” saying ”Corrections are difficult, and in some cases can even make the problem worse.” So how do the rumors begin in the first place? And with the possibility of even larger problems how do politicians and the government fight it? Dr Townsend and Dr. Berinsky discuss how myths are formed and how the false information becomes seen as the truth. Why Saying You're Ugly Is Bad for You (53:42) Meaghan Ramsey is the Global Director of the Dove Self-Esteem Project at Unilever, a project aimed at improving the self-esteem of more than 15 million girls and young women by 2015. Prior to the Dove Self-Esteem Project, she worked with the World Heart Federation and the Dietitians Association of Australia. You can find her popular TED talk “Why Thinking You’re Ugly is Bad For You” online. Good in The World: Lt. Eric Ellison (1:24:06) Lt Eric Ellison had the difficult duty of informing Kazzie Portie, 18, of Orange, Texas that his parents had died in a motorcycle accident. When Lt. Ellison delivered the news it was revealed that Kazzie would soon graduate from high school. Lt. Ellison made sure he was there with a congratulatory hug for Kazzie during this difficult time. Kathy Akin talks with Lt. Ellison about this story of going above and beyond the call of duty. Are Your Marital Problems Hurting Your Kids? (1:39:58) 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. Today he talks about how a couple's marital conflicts could be effecting the kids in the family. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:16 - Why We Still Believe In Debunked Myths 00:53:42 - Why Saying You're Ugly Is Bad for You 01:84:06 - Good in The World: Lt. Eric Ellison 01:99:58 - Are Your Marital Problems Hurting Your Kids?

Rise of the Machines, Motivating Millennials, Empathy Jun 16, 2015

Show notes

Rise of the Machines (10:57) Dr. Michael Littman, professor of computer science and co-leader of Brown University’s Humanity-Centered Robotics Initiative. He works mainly in reinforcement learning, but has done work in machine learning, game theory, computer networking, partially observable Markov decision process solving, computer solving of analogy problems and other areas. Dr. Littman talks about how unlikely it is for Artificial intelligence and robotics to replace humans in everyday activities. Motivating Millennials (58:07) The Millennial generation is finding adulthood a challenge according to recent reports and parents/grandparents/employers are looking for answers on how to motivate and inspire young people to find success. Dr Townsend talks with Larry Gelwix former coach of the Highland Rugby team since its founding in Salt Lake City in 1976. He retired in 2011 with a record of 419 wins and 10 losses, including 19 USA Rugby national championships. The movie Forever Strong showcased some of his efforts to motivate his team to success. Larry Gelwix talks about motivating young people and turning out “championship young men." Empathy: How Do We Come by What's Morally Right or Wrong? (1:42:49) Dr. Bill Mace is a clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, and medical sociologist, specializing in adult depression and anxiety disorders. He received a doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Now he runs a program, PsychResilience Therapy which offers a brief, but effective intervention for prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders for adults. Dr. Mace discusses with Dr. Matt Townsend that really helps us determine what is morally right and wrong is empathy; simply putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:10:57 - Rise of the Machines 01:102:49 - Empathy: How Do We Come by What's Morally Right or Wrong?

Alarmism, The Rose Game, Benefits of Negative Attitude Jun 15, 2015

Show notes

News and Politics (9:45) Joe Cannon, CEO of Fuel Freedom Foundation, former Chairman of the Utah Republican Party, past assistant administrator in the US EPA, and editor of the Deseret News. Joe talks current political news including Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush announcing campaigns along with Mitt Romney's role in the GOP. Joe shares about the anti-Israel movement that is showing up on campuses across the country. How the Culture of Alarmism is making us Afraid of Everything (55:20) Julie Gunlock is a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum and directs the organization’s Culture of Alarmism Project. She is the author of "From Cupcakes to Chemicals: How the Culture of Alarmism Makes Us Afraid of Everything and How to Fight Back." She is also a contributor to The Federalist. She joins us today to talk about our culture of Alarmism, and how to fight back. And as she can tell you, the PVC in your Garden hose isn’t dangerous, and it’s not the only thing that isn’t as toxic as you think. Good Things in the World: The Rose Game (1:23:37) Elizabeth Plehn decided to spread some happiness by playing "The Rose Game". Plehn’s rose game is very simple. She buys the roses, finds someone in need, and visits them with one beautiful flower. That person then recommends someone else in need, and she finds them. It continues until the very last rose is lovingly delivered. Later Plehn was diagnosed with cancer and despite her health challenges she has continued with "The Rose Game". She found that by helping to cheer up others it has helped her to cope with her personal struggles. The Benefits of a Negative Attitude (1:41:54) 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 to be a less reactive parent. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:09:45 - News andPolitics 00:55:20 - How the Culture of Alarmism is making us Afraid of Everything 01:83:37 - Good Things in the World: The Rose Game 01:101:54 - The Benefits of a Negative Attitude

Risks in Careers, Birth Order, Lasting Relationships Jun 05, 2015

Show notes

Anne Kreamer - Not Taking Risks Is the Riskiest Career Move of All (11:22) Anne Kreamer has held many interesting jobs. In the late 1970s and early 80s she was part of the team that distributed and co-produced Sesame Street around the world. A few years later I helped launch SPY magazine. In the 1990s she was the Worldwide Creative Director for Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite, where she created and launched Nickelodeon magazine. She is a published author and is a frequent contributor to HarvardBusinessReview.org and NextAvenue.org. Currently Ms. Kreamer is working on a book Risk/Reward, about the professional adaptability required of everyone in the 21st century. Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne - Does Birth Order Really Matter? (58:14) Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne is professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She also writes for the Huffington Post's "Post 50" blog. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, she teaches large undergraduate psychology classes and directs the Commonwealth Honors College's Office of National Scholarship Advisement. Dr. Krauss discusses the significance of birth order. Rod Gustafson - Parent Previews (1:20:57) Rod Gustafson from Parent Previews joins the show to look at what is new in theaters this week. Dr Matt and Rod talk about Insidious Chapter 3, Spy, and Love & Mercy Dr. Don Cole - Lasting Relationships (1:44:28) Dr. Don Cole is an approved professional trainer for the Gottman Relationship Institute, professional counselor, and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary at Northwestern University is here today to help us understand what makes a lasting relationship and what we can do before considering divorce.

Fixing Credit, Reignite Your Energy, Five Love Languages Jun 04, 2015

Show notes

The Truth About Credit and Fixing Our Credit (12:02) Steven Palmer, Partner at Premier Credit Consulting in Draper, Utah. According to a report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development, 56% of consumers have subprime credit scores. That means they are unable to take advantage of the best — or even average — interest rates if they need or want to borrow money. The very best rates and terms go only to people who have excellent credit. Add that to the fact that homeownership has actually dropped to its lowest level in about 20 years. If you have bad credit it is difficult but not impossible to fix your financial issues. Steve is here to teach us how to fix bad credit. Seven Ways to Reignite Your Energy (58:08) 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." Five Love Languages (1:38:22) Gary Chapman is a nationwide marriage counselor, pastor, seasoned writer, and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Dr. Chapman holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, MRE and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has completed postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. His book has been read by millions throughout the nation so you have probably heard the concepts of the 5 Love Languages sometime within your casual conversations. He is here today to help us know how to become fluent in the language of love. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:02 - The Truth About Credit and Fixing Our Credit 00:58:08 - Seven Ways to Reignite Your Energy 01:98:22 - Five Love Languages (1:38:22)

Minimum Wage, Balancing Hobbies, Live or Survive Jun 03, 2015

Show notes

Minimum Wage (12:08) Carry Wasden Professor of finance and economics at BYU-Hawaii. Carry Wasden received as Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University. Los Angeles, California lawmakers voted to raise the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour by the year 2020. What type of impact will this have for employees, small companies, and the cost of living? Today Mr. Wasden discusses the impact of the minimum wage on the economy. Coaching Corner: Balancing Hobbies (58:58) Dr. Matt Townsend shares some thoughts on balancing hobbies in you or your spouse's life. Sometimes people get motivated by an activity or hobby and it will take time away from the family or a marriage relationship. Dr. Townsend with tips on how to find a better way. Tren's "Live or Survive" (1:20:16) The Band Tren comprised of Taylor Miranda, Richard Williams, Eliza Smith, and Nate Young sing the song "Live or Survive" which was written with a goal to play at the end credits of the last Hunger Games movie.. The idea is that there comes a time when we must either fight for a chance at really "living life" or give in to circumstance and simply "survive." Band members join Dr. Townsend to talk about their motivations behind the song. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:12:08 - Minimum Wage 00:58:58 - Coaching Corner: Balancing Hobbies 01:80:16 - Tren's "Live or Survive"

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