Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

In this week’s episode of the podcast, we interview Dr. Michael Cummings, a psychiatrist, researcher, and associate professor at Loma Linda University. This podcast is the first of a series on addiction and the focus of this week’s episode is on alcohol use disorder. In this episode, Dr. Puder and Dr. Cummings dive into the history of alcohol use, vulnerabilities and mechanisms responsible for the development of alcohol use disorder and its related neurobiological circuits, and common pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and behavioral interventions and treatments for alcohol use disorder. Link to blog here.

In this week's episode of the podcast, we interview Dr. Michael Garrett, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychiatry and former Vice Chair and Director of Psychotherapy Education at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He also wrote a book called, Psychotherapy for Psychosis: Integrating Cognitive-Behavioral and Psychodynamic treatment. He is husband to the prior beloved presenter, Dr. Nancy McWilliams. In this episode, we will discuss how psychotherapy can be effective for patients experiencing psychosis. Full blog here.

In a previous episode of the podcast, we discussed exercise for the brain, reviewing the pathophysiology between exercise and dementia, the pathophysiological mechanisms associated between low skeletal muscle mass and cognitive function, exercise as a treatment, and cardiorespiratory fitness and its relationship to all-cause mortality. In today’s episode, we look at the extensive research available on these subjects. Link to blog here.

From childhood, Russell experienced intense social anxiety to the point that, on more than one occasion, he discontinued certain extracurricular activities and socially normal gatherings to avoid it. Red Face is a narrative of his struggles with this social anxiety, the accompanying idiopathic craniofacial erythema (uncontrollable blushing), and the many successful and unsuccessful coping mechanisms he has attempted over the years. In today's episode, Russell shares his experience with social anxiety, which started at a young age and continued into adulthood. He will share what he does to overcome the often debilitating fear. Link to blog here.

In this week’s episode of the podcast, we interview Dr. Kirk Schneider, a psychologist, psychotherapist, and author of, Life-enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World. Dr. Schneider is a practicing psychotherapist and director of the Existential-Humanistic Institute, a psychotherapy training institute. As a former mentee of the great existential psychologist Rollo May and a self-described existential-integrative psychotherapist, he has made significant contributions to the fields of humanistic psychology and existential psychology throughout his career. Link to blog here.

The idea of using psychedelics to treat psychiatric symptoms has been approaching mainstream popularity thanks to podcasters like Joe Rogan, Tim Ferris, and Sam Harris. As interest in these substances continues to grow, so does the size of the online communities centered around this topic. While there is undoubtedly value in recognizing some of the claims being made about microdosing, it’s important to recognize where the literature currently stands and to identify where there are gaps in understanding. In this episode, Dr. David Puder and Liam Browning discuss the state of Microdosing in current research. Link to blog here.

Over the last several years, Dr. Puder has worked as the medical director for Loma Linda University Health’s MEND program, a hospital-based intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial program that works with patients who have chronic illness and their families. Jesse has been a lead therapist instrumental to the program’s success and Brian Distelberg oversees the MEND program and acts as the Director of Research for the program. During this episode, they come together to discuss the MEND program. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we are joined by psychiatrist and neuropharmacologist Dr. Ken Gillman who is the founder and convener of the International MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) Expert Group and widely recognized as a world expert in serotonin toxicity. Serotonin toxicity (syndrome) is a rare as well as potentially lethal form of toxicity that results from excess serotonin within neuronal synapses. There are numerous poorly written/controlled case reports that have perpetuated misinformation about drugs that can cause serotonin toxicity. While the word “syndrome” is often used, toxicity is a more accurate description given that toxicity represents a spectrum of severity rather than a defined set of symptoms. In today’s podcast, we will discuss the pathophysiology, causes, clinical presentation, criteria, controversies, and medical management of serotonin toxicity. Full blog here.

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we interview psychiatrist, author, and founder of Gemma Women, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin. Dr. Lakshmin founded Gemma Women for the purpose of educating women on cultural and social structures that impact their mental health. Gemma also provides community groups, evidence-based conversations, and courses covering topics such as stress, inequity, and structural violence. In her new book, Real Self-Care, she discusses personal experiences that led her to create this transformative movement to redefine wellness. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we speak with Professor Nicholas Reid, author of, Prisons in Ancient Mesopotamia. After introducing us to how Mesopotamians viewed and treated mental health, Reid talks to us about the earliest historical records on imprisonment in the history of the world. In his book, Reid discusses the evolution of the modern prison system as it relates to ancient Mesopotamia. Together we discuss the commonalities that can be seen between the ancient and modern systems and the benefits that come from learning about past cultures’ successes and weaknesses. It may seem safely assumable to believe that because we are thousands of years removed from some ancient societies and their often barbaric methods of treating humanity, that we have automatically advanced into a superior, more humane society. But with our reliance on solitary confinement and a loss of meaning, our system is missing what could be a more healing and transformative journey. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, I speak with Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D, a renowned psychologist-psychoanalyst. She has authored several books, including, Psychoanalytic Diagnosis (1994; rev. ed. 2011), Psychoanalytic Case Formulation (1999), Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (2004), and Psychoanalytic Supervision (2021). She was also the Associate Editor of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (2006; 2nd ed. 2017). We discuss different aspects of mental health and how it pertains to relationships. We also discuss qualities that make a strong therapist and the ideas of dissociation and transference in therapy. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, I would like to give you my take on transference. I want to share with you what I actually believe. Often lectures focus on the history of transference or what certain papers say, but I’d like to share my accumulated, internalized experiences and understanding of transference. My hope is to make this easy to read and understand. I want to give a talk on this that can be understood both by experienced clinicians who are familiar with these concepts, who will imagine where I am pulling different pieces of wisdom and maybe where I am being creative and uniquely contributing to the field, but also by people who don’t have much of a background on transference and want to further explore it. Link to blog here.

In this episode, Dr. Cummings joins the podcast to discuss and give tips on overcoming social anxiety disorder. Individuals with social anxiety disorder tend to avoid important events and activities, such as classes, meetings, or public speaking. The disorder is essentially the fear of rejection by a group one would like to be part of. This is different from shyness because of the intensity and pervasiveness of the symptoms. Link to blog here.

For over a century, psychoanalytic psychology has recognized certain types of personality configurations that we see repeatedly. A clinician who understands these familiar patterns has a map of the patient’s interior terrain to help navigate treatment. In today’s episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. Jonathan Shedler to discuss obsessive-compulsive personality and the continuum on which personalities operate. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, Dr. Michael Cummings returns to discuss the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. LAIs are administered in intervals ranging from every 2 weeks to every 6 months, eliminating the need for daily oral antipsychotics and thereby improving adherence. Link to blog here.

Malingering is the conscious misrepresentation of psychiatric symptoms for a secondary gain (such as hospitalization, obtaining disability benefits, avoiding criminal responsibility, proceedings or sentencing, or avoiding military service). In today’s episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. Phillip Resnick and Dr. Alex Scott as we discuss the topic of malingering. Link to blog here.

Exercise is an integral contributor to brain health. Physical activity has been proven to slow the rate of cognitive decline. In this episode, Dr. Puder invites four guests to discuss the importance of incorporating exercise into mental health routines. Link to blog here.

In this episode, Dr. Puder discusses the importance of dynamic listening with patients in order to alleviate guilt, shame, and self-disgust. Building connection with your patients is a crucial element for mental health professionals, and this episode dives into the best practices that build connection through dynamic listening for the benefit of the patient. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we interview Dr. Chris Palmer, a psychiatrist, researcher, and expert in using the keto diet as a medical treatment for some treatment-resistant patients. Dr. Palmer is currently the director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He also runs his private practice specializing in treatment-resistant mental health patients. Link to blog here.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. Michael Cummings to discuss the most recent and popular diagnosis wave of individuals believing they may have autism, which has become a recent TikTok phenomenon. Link to blog here.