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What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. Heart trumps all—and the latest research may change how you think about morality, technology, and human progress. In this episode, psychologist and author Robert McGrath explores how people and societies change, and shares why he remains optimistic about humanity’s future.  From the three capacities McGrath calls heart, mind, and will to the ways innovation can spark both conflict and compassion, this conversation connects psychology, history, evolution and moral development. It offers a fresh perspective on why societies change, why progress can face backlash, and what helps us build more caring, just, and resilient communities. Dr. Alexandra Miller Clark guides the conversation with curious questions about moral growth and human progress.  Bob McGrath is a professor of psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His new book, Bringing Fire:  How Innovation Helps us Change and Makes us Fight, explores how innovation shapes morality, conflict, and human behavior.  You'll discover: Why McGrath describes three key human capacities as heart, mind, and willHow technologies like the printing press, television, and the internet can accelerate social change while also prompting temporary backlashWhat historical trends in violence can tell us about human progressWhat the histories of the slave trade and indigenous dispossession reveal about lasting moral and economic harmHow memory reconsolidation may help us become more flexible and less certain that we are always rightWhy stories can persuade differently from statistics—and why both matterThe conversation also explores the role of social influencers, the Book of Ruth as a model for every day kindness in relationships and the importance of self-control. McGrath makes the case that human progress is not always linear though we continue to improve.  Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. What does it take to stop painful family patterns from being passed on? Dr. Alexandra Miller Clark explores the idea of “bearing the pain” and how facing emotional discomfort can help interrupt intergenerational anger, abuse, and dysfunction. Using a psychological family tree called a genogram (can be seen on the video version), Dr. Alexandra explains how conflict and unhealthy reactions can pass through families over generations. She shares why change can mean resisting an automatic response—even when choosing a healthier one feels uncomfortable.In this episode, you’ll discover: How family patterns can go back 10 generations or moreHow “bearing the pain” can help you change your continuation of that patternWhy “less is more” can make a difference during conflictHow Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages facing emotions and acting according to your valuesHow choosing not to pass pain forward can help build a legacy of loveDr. Alexandra shares insights from forgiveness therapy, Robert Enright, and Stephen Hayes to explore how facing difficult feelings can build resilience and help you act in line with what matters most.If you’re ready to respond differently in conflict, break old patterns, or create a healthier future for your family, this episode offers a compassionate place to begin. Timestamps 00:00 - Family patterns can repeat for generations 01:03 - How anger and pain get passed down 02:03 - The meaning of “bearing the pain” 02:43 - Relationship conflict and the “less is more” approach 04:07 - Why change hurts even when it is good 05:05 - Stopping dysfunctional patterns to leave a legacy of love 06:40 - Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to face emotions 07:57 - Robert Enright on pain, strength, and self-worth 09:01 - Why thought stopping fails and facing emotions helps 10:27 - Noticing emotional pain without acting automatically 10:57 - Choosing help and change for the good of the family Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. The way parents talk about each other in front of their children can quietly affect the child’s emotional health, well-being, and relationship with both parents. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra explores the “boomerang effect” and explains why criticizing or putting down a spouse, partner, or ex-partner can ultimately damage the relationship between the criticizing parent and their child. Drawing on a 2018 study of nearly 1,000 young adults, Dr. Alexandra explains what researchers found about parental denigration—the act of speaking negatively about one parent to the child. The research connects greater conflict between parents with more depressive symptoms in children, greater emotional pain, and lower satisfaction with life. These findings applied to both married and divorced families. You’ll discover: How children may become less close to the parent who is doing the criticizing.  How conflict between parents is associated with depressive symptoms in their childrenHow parental conflict can contribute to lower life satisfaction for childrenHow children may experience emotional pain even when they seem to agree with one parentHow children blame the attacking parent for the divorceHow body language, facial expressions, and private conversations within earshot can affect childrenHow to interrupt negative communication patterns, even when they have continued for generationsDr. Alexandra also speaks compassionately to parents who feel hurt, resentful, or unjustly treated. She explains why defending yourself by attacking the other parent can continue the cycle, and why changing these patterns may require support from a therapist, psychologist, or from your faith community.If you are a parent, stepparent, co-parent, or part of a divorced family, this episode offers research, perspective, and hope. The central message is simple: when children are exposed to one parent putting down the other, the emotional harm can affect the child—and eventually boomerang back into the relationship with the criticizing parent. PS from Dr. Alexandra:  I'm only human - in the recording I accidentally referred to the study as 2020, but it is 2018 in Family Relations.  Also note:  I have found in my 20+ years of private practice that the criticism by one parent of the other may "work" short term but in the long term, especially as they reach adulthood, kids will flip and have greater resentment for the parent who does the attacking.  Ideally, both parents will stay mindful and refrain from attack - stay tuned for the next episode on one strategy to stop.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the boomerang effect and parental denigration 00:32 Research overview: Effects of parental denigration on young adults 01:47 Impact on child-parent closeness and emotional well-being 03:00 Divorce, blame, and the long-term effects of conflict 04:00 Why avoiding negative talk benefits both parents and children 04:57 Practical advice for parents: Be mindful of what you say 05:56 The importance of body language and overall communication 07:11 Changing ingrained family habits and seeking support Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. A meaningful life may be built on a quieter, more teachable state called the High Plateau Experience. This episode will address transcendence, including spirituality, psychology, meditation, and simply living with more awe and purpose.  Dr. Alexandra unpacks Abraham Maslow’s original ideas about peak experiences, then moves into the lesser-known concept he explored near the end of his life - a more constant, serene way of perceiving the world as miraculous. Along the way, she shares the story of Maslow’s own nighttime “peak experience,” the paper he chose not to present, and the profound shift in perspective that came after his confrontation with mortality.You’ll discover: Why Maslow believed peak experiences are real, but shouldn’t be pursued like a thrill rideHow self-transcendence in Paul Wong’s model includes beauty, present-moment awareness, and service to othersWhat Maslow meant by “witnessing the world” and why he said we could “hold classes in the miraculous”The difference between a climactic peak experience and the steadier High Plateau ExperienceWhy joy, sadness, awe, and mortality can all coexist in the same momentHow meditation, spiritual practice, and meditative listening are linked to less anxiety, more meaning, and greater connectednessDr. Alexandra also brings in research and modern evidence, including studies on Lectio Divina, Dan Tomasulo’s work (https://dantomasulo.com), and a 2021 Frontiers in Psychology paper on self-transcendence and adolescent mental health.  The result is a thoughtful, practical episode that connects Maslow’s theory to real-life practices you can actually use. This is essential listening for those seeking grounded transcendence that doesn't depend on chasing extraordinary moments, but on learning how to live with openness, wonder, and purpose in ordinary life. Timestamps 00:00 - This episode is dedicated to internationalforgiveness.com and Maslow’s higher love  00:32 - What the high plateau experience is and how it differs from peak experiences  01:27 - Peak experiences as unforced moments of human transcendence  02:24 - Maslow’s own peak experience before his memorial lecture  03:21 - Why Maslow chose the academic paper instead of his personal experience  03:50 - The impact of peak experiences on self-acceptance and openness  04:56 - Why Maslow warned against chasing peak experiences for their own sake  05:26 - The bodhisattva ideal and helping others after awakening  06:20 - Paul Wong’s three levels of self-transcendence  07:12 - How Dr. Stanley Krippner helped preserve Maslow’s final talk  08:47 - Maslow’s shift into a more constant, mythic way of seeing  09:44 - Why the high plateau was more voluntary and teachable  10:49 - The plateau as witnessing the symbolic and miraculous in ordinary life  12:14 - Maslow’s Brandeis vision of an eternal academic procession  13:54 - How the plateau compresses time, memory, and meaning  15:20 - The paradox of permanence, mortality, joy, and sadness  16:28 - Why we do not need to wait for peak experiences to live meaningfully  17:27 - Research on meditative listening, meaning, and well-being  18:34 - Dr. Dan Tomasulo’s insights on spiritual practice and brain quieting  19:38 - Lisa Miller’s MRI research on the spiritual brain  20:15 - A 2021 study on self-transcendence and adolescent mental health  21:40 - Closing reflections  Notable quotes “Achieving the mystic's sense of cosmic unity can be tremendously uplifting, but such a state must always be balanced by action in the daily world.” Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. Discover how Abraham Maslow's insights into love reveal a profound distinction between deficiency love (D-love) and being love (B-love), and how these concepts can transform our relationships and self-understanding. This episode explores Maslow's research on healthy, exceptional humans and their capacity for higher love.  The life and influence of Abraham Maslow on psychology and personal growth The hierarchy of needs and the simplified ERG theory by Clay AlderferThe concept of deficiency love (D-love) versus being love (B-love)Early attachment studies by Spitz, Bowlby, and Levy and their importance for human survivalHow love contributes to self-actualization and the well-being of exceptional individualsPractical applications of B-love in caregiving, relationships, and spiritual practiceMaslow’s parallels between B-love, mystics’ love for God, and appreciation of art The impact of love on self-acceptance, growth, and human potentialPersonal stories illustrating the practice of love and compassion, including rescue of wildlife Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The episode’s focus on Abraham Maslow and higher love 00:25 - Maslow’s study of exceptional human beings and focusing on what’s good 00:54 - The hierarchy of needs and Clay Alderfer's ERG theory 1:24 - How needs can be flipped and the resilience of self-actualized individuals 2:24 - Maslow’s teachings on love and its role in human development 3:22 - Maslow’s method: studying healthy, creative, high-potential individuals 3:51 - Celebrated figures studied by Maslow, including Abraham Lincoln and Albert Schweitzer 4:32 - The concept of reverence for life and compassion in Albert Schweitzer 5:24 - Eleanor Roosevelt and the importance of universal human rights 5:35 - Maslow’s insights on different types of love: D-love and B-love 6:10 - Explanation of deficiency love (D-love) and early attachment needs 7:14 - Early attachment research and the tragic findings of Spitz’s studies 8:13 - The effects of lack of maternal attachment and attachment theory support 9:55 - The role of love in survival and Maslow’s view of deficiency love as a hole 11:23 - The nature of B-love as unselfish and abundant 11:34 - Qualities of B-love: unconditional, non-possessive, and joy-giving 12:01 - The therapeutic and spiritual power of experiencing B-love 12:54 - Personal stories of practicing love in caregiving and work 14:08 - The energy and vitality gained from loving without expectation 15:15 - B-love's spiritual and aesthetic connections 16:21 - Romantic love and the differences from B-love, including anxiety and independence 17:22 - The qualities of B-love in romantic relationships: autonomy, generosity, and depth 18:22 - The “love is blind” myth explained through neurochemistry 19:34 - The concept of intra-object richness—the fascination with loved ones 20:30 - Details and love for the beloved as an expression of deep connection 21:16 - How B-love influences self-perception, acceptance, and growth 22:02 - The distinction that deficiency love (D-love) can be gratified, but B-love offers spiritual fulfillment 22:58 - Personal story about rescuing baby raccoons, illustrating D-love and compassion 24:31 - The story of rescuing raccoons and connecting it to Maslow’s ideas 27:19 - Upcoming episode on peak experiences and plateau states in exceptional humans 28:47 - Practicing higher love and starting wherever we are emotionally 29:13 - Closing remarks and gratitude Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. Recent studies indicate that about one in four Americans experience some form of family estrangement.  This statistic is alarming, as many individuals report feeling deeply troubled by this estrangement. A significant portion of these estrangements occur between parents and their adult children, emphasizing the need for understanding and addressing familial relationships.  In this podcast and video, expert guest Dr. Tamsen Thorpe and I explore the causes, implications and solutions for family estrangement, drawing on insights from experts in psychology and family dynamics. What is Family Estrangement? Family estrangement refers to a cutoff in communication or contact between family members. It ranges from complete no contact to limited interactions, such as only connecting through social media. It is not always a straightforward situation; some families might maintain superficial ties while feeling emotionally distant. Understanding these nuances is crucial for addressing the underlying issues that contribute to estrangement. Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. You’re in a leadership role and the anger bubbles up.  Or . . .you’re the subject of the leader experiencing anger.  Learn about anger in leadership as well as transformational leadership from the best selling authors of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Leaders: How Improving your Mental Health is Essential to Avoiding Burnout and Leading More Effectively, Dr. Julian Barling PhD and Dr. Simon A. Rego, PsyD.    I have started sharing my podcasts on YouTube as well - find this one under @AlexandraMillerClark.  Some gems I learned from this interview include:  * just a little bit of anger can be motivating * showing anxiety can be more effective than showing anger as a leader . . . But not too much!   *sometimes it helps to say “I don’t know” or “I’m sorry” *it’s good to prepare for future crises as leaders *leaders who show anger are just humans with a range of emotions Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. In this brief episode I share a helpful meditation / prayer to help with resentment.  It has helped both my patients and myself and can be useful as we build the "forgiveness muscle."  To learn more about forgiveness, listen to the seventeen brief "forgiveness series" episodes on this show.  Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. This episode was simultaneously recorded by video which can be found on LinkedIn or YouTube (Alexandra Miller Clark).  In this episode, we explore themes of compassion, the importance of self-management in parenting and nervous system regulation.  Dr. Nicole Dolan also discusses her forthcoming memoir, "The Art of Chaos," which reflects on her experiences as a mother and therapist.  Dr. Nicole Dolan is a licensed psychotherapist and the Founder of Sacred Paths non-profit group in California.  At the start of the show, I share about a Japanese hero, Sempo Sugihara, and dedicate the show to the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. Conscious Parenting and Self-Management  05:39 Nervous System Regulation and Breathwork  09:02 Exploring Triggers and Emotional Responses  11:36 The Role of the Body in Therapy  15:46 Understanding Split Off Parts of Self  20:18 Reintegration of Trauma and Healing  26:08 The Art of Chaos: A Memoir  35:29 Surviving vs. Thriving in Parenting - last Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. “God will not have his work made manifest by cowards”  Ralph Waldo Emerson.   Join us for this delightful conversation with Dr. Beth Rom Rymer and Neill Clark on the topic of risk taking in our lives.  We contemplate ideas by Machiavelli, Goethe, Lincoln and George Washington.    We discuss psychological and moral risks - courageous action for things aligned with our values and even better, for principles greater than ourselves.   As this episode is being recorded and released, Dr. Beth Rom Rymer is running for President Elect of the American Psychological Association.    Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer’s distinguished career includes groundbreaking work with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy, and forensic geriatrics. She had been a lecturer at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University for over two decades; led the successful legislative movement for prescriptive authority for specially trained psychologists in Illinois and is a national and international leader with prescriptive authority movements around the globe.  Dr. Rom-Rymer co-founded and is President of the Association of Jewish Psychologists. She has won numerous awards for her work, including:   Distinguished Illinois Psychologist from the Illinois Psychological Association (2012 and 2014);  Outstanding Psychologist of the Year from APA’s Division 31 (2014); APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2015); APA Karl Heiser Award for Legislative Advocacy (2015); Wellner Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (2016); Social Impact Leaders Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2018).  Neill W. Clark, JD, antitrust attorney, Town Councilman of Sparta, New Jersey and coach to competitive runners, brings in some athletic examples of risk and reward.   This episode was recorded on August 20th, 2024 Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. In this episode I share  1) What research has found about the impact of family meals 2)  Tips on how to get started again for those who have gotten away from the practice  3) My own practice with our family dinners, including three conversation starters that we have used for years.  These conversation starters are helpful in other contexts, including for divorced parents and their children  when they do “phone time” when away from one another.    Enjoy!   Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. I consider agape love to be the highest form of love and I’m so excited to share this topic with you.  On this show Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, and I discuss the following and more: What is the definition of agape love and how is it different than other forms of love, such as Eros (romantic love) or love among family?  How does one practice agape love?  How does agape love fit in with justice and fairness?  How does agape love fit in with other virtues defined by psychology and religion?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  Dr. Enright is the Aristotelian Professor in Forgiveness Science in the School of Education's Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   For his work in the peace movement, Dr. Enright has been named the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications, including cross-cultural studies, on this and related topics. I dedicate most of my podcast episodes to non-profit groups and today’s show is dedicated to:   https://www.internationalforgiveness.com.    Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. Affairs, which soared during COVID,  are addictive and can cause harm all around.  In this episode psychologist guests Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery, Dr. Marcy Pasternak and Dr. Tamsen Thorpe share their expertise on the different types of affairs, how affairs impact children, the personality types of those who are more likely to have affairs, steps to take to heal from an affair and more.    In my practice I find that affairs can be painful and debilitating not only for the injured party but for individuals trying to get out of one.   Learn about how there are emotional affairs, virtual affairs, sexual-only affairs and fantasy affairs.  Learn about the intergenerational effects of a child being alienated (cut off) from a parent in hostile, high conflict divorces.    Our expert guests provide resources for how to heal after the effects of an affair.   Dr. Marcy Pasternak, PhD ([email protected]) is a clinical and forensic psychologist who practices in New Jersey.  She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Duke University.  While her practice serves individuals of all ages in both the clinical and forensic arena, her special interests include marital and family therapy, divorce therapy, forensic evaluations concerning custody and parenting time, removal, refuse/resist dynamics, grandparent visitation, risk assessment, and personal injury.  She often serves as a parenting coordinator, parenting coach, and is also an accredited divorce mediator, conducting both divorce mediation and therapeutic mediation.  She conducts multi-day intensive family interventions through a program called “Building Family Resilience,” an outgrowth of her practice.  These interventions are for families in which a child resists contact with a parent.   Dr. Pasternak has served as a psychological expert in numerous counties in New Jersey.  She was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ, now voluntary faculty.  She is the past President of the New Jersey chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and has given numerous workshops and presentations to the mental health and legal communities in New Jersey and nationally.    Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery, PsyD ([email protected]), is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey.  Dr. Montgomery completed her doctorate in psychology from Rutgers University in 1982.  Her areas of expertise are in Clinical and Forensic Psychology.  Dr. Montgomery has served as an expert in over 2000 custody disputes and has also conducted evaluations in criminal matters, personal injury, marital tort cases, and testifies in court on numerous occasions.  She also serves as an individual, couples, family and reconciliation therapist; as well as a parenting coordinator, mediator, divorce coach and supervisor of other psychologists.   Dr. Montgomery also provides intensive therapy workshops and weekend intensives for families in which a child is refusing contact with a parent through the Building Family Resilience program.   She is the Past President of the New Jersey Psychological Association and the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Human Services Association and the Morris County Psychological Association.   Dr. Tamsen Thorpe ([email protected]) counsels adults, couples and families in transition.  In therapy, she assists couples rekindle their relationship using a combination of techniques, the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), addressing such challenges as affairs, parenting, communication, intimacy and conflict management.  In numerous research studies these science-based and structured approaches have been shown to be successful in decreasing conflict and relational distress, while increasing a stronger bond.   Fo Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. This episode’s guest is Dr. Sean Sullivan, psychologist and the author of The Mind Master’s Silent Journey and Be Your Purpose:  10 Science Based Steps to Feeling and Performing Your Best.  Dr. Sullivan has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and the Huffington Post. During the pandemic, the University of California approved piloting a mode of therapy that Dr. Sullivan developed called “Shift Therapy” at the Santa Cruz campus (UCSC). After two years of successful pilots, UCSC’s Health Center subscribed their entire 20,000+ member community to receive Shift Therapy in 2023.    Through this episode we discuss the following and more:    *    the value of 5 minutes of exercise before meditating to settle your mind  *    A technique in which you purposely introduce your triggers in order to gain mastery over the  *    Visiting “the silence” or stillness within yourself daily   *    A specific approach to meditation, which Dr. Sean Sullivan has developed into an app  *    “Backward time stamping.”  This comes at the end and is pretty deep!   Enjoy! Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra

What topic interests you? Leave me a voicemail. This is the 16th of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. This episode answers the question: Can forgiveness and justice happen together?    Dr. Enright brings in Aristotle in his answer . . .  The following is a complete list of episodes in this series, which can be found at the Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra podcast:  What is the definition of forgiveness?  What are the benefits of forgiveness?What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?Is forgiveness just about religion? What is it to work the “forgiveness muscle?”What are some of the criticisms of the idea of forgiveness?Why is an “eye for an eye” not the best way?If I forgive, I’m afraid I’ll forget OR if I forgive, I’m afraid I won’t forget.Why is forgiveness better than a neutral attitude toward the wrongdoer?Isn’t forgiveness unhealthy repression?Do I forgive if the person continues to hurt me?Should I forgive immediately or should I take some time first?What if multiple people have hurt you, how do you decide who to forgive first? How long does it take to get emotional relief after forgiving, if at all?How often should one forgive?  Can forgiveness and justice happen together?  What are the physical and emotional risks of not forgiving?  (not yet released)Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, visit internationalforgiveness.com.     Support the show This show was created with love.  The following are seven ways you can support and encourage my efforts to create new content, from easiest to hardest:  Press “follow” on the podcastPress “follow” on YouTube @alexandramillerclarkShare a helpful podcast episode with a friend Share a helpful YouTube episode with a friendLeave the podcast a rating on iTunesLeave the YouTube a rating on iTunesBuy me a coffee:  buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra