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Is Brian's morning ritual of doing a set number of deodorant swipes an odd quirk or is it a legitimate strategy to improve performance, reduce anxiety, and spark connection? Come learn about the psychology of ritual and how you can put it to good use in your own life. Make it your ritual to connect with us! Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Twitter: @talkpsych2me Email: [email protected] Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

This week author and psychotherapist Whitney Goodman joins the show to talk about toxic positivity.  Find out if your attempts to be positive actually cause harm and how to stop saying "everything happens for a reason" and "at least you still have your health"! Learn more: Read the book: Toxic Positivity:  Keeping it Real in a World Obsessed with Being HappyHang with Whitney Goodman on Instagram: @sitwithwhit Share a healthy degree of positivity: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcastTwitter: @talkpsych2meEmail: [email protected] by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

Why is it that so many of us have the urge to help others, and what stands in our way? Discover the many surprising benefits of compassion (from accelerating your healing factor to increasing your sexiness), and add even more meaning and fulfillment to your life. Feeling compassionate? Here are some of our favorite organizations supporting the urgent situation in Ukraine: Humane Society IFAWWorld VisionGlobal GivingCome-pass-on some questions and feedback: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

What happens to us when we get pumped up on power or deflated by powerlessness?  Does power corrupt us or does it set us free? And how can we escape, what psychologist  Dacher Keltner calls, the "power paradox"? Do you have the power to help people and animals in Ukraine? Here are some of our favorite organizations in urgent need of donations: Humane Society IFAWWorld VisionGlobal GivingYou have the power to talk to us: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

With a war looming in Ukraine (where Tania was born), many of us need a whole lot more hope right now. So we're pulling one of our earliest episodes from our archive on the psychology of hope, first aired on Jan 25, 2020. We talk about the difference between hope and optimism, the truth behind learned helplessness, and how to bulk up our hope muscles. We hope to hear from you at: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] We've made a donation to the ASPCA in honor of the animal research mentioned in this episode. Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

In this episode, we celebrate Black History Month by spotlighting some Black psychologists whose research has had profound impacts. We talk stereotype threat, implicit bias, Optimal Psychology, and  attempt to recreate the famous Doll Test on an adult(ish) man. Researchers mentioned include: Francis Sumner, Inez Prosser, Solomon Fuller, Maxie Maultsby, Jr., Mamie Clark, Kenneth Clark, Diane Byrd, Toni Sturdivant, Iliana Alanis, Claude Steele, Beverly Daniels Tatum, Hope Landrine, Jennifer Eberhardt, Robert Lee Williams II, Joseph White, Linda James Myers, and Robert V. Guthrie. Celebrate with us: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

In this episode we investigate whether there's truth to the saying "you can't love someone until you love yourself." Join the conversation to discover your love style and build your self-compassion skills. Show us some love: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you do, you’re still not doing enough? To get to the bottom of that emotion, Tania and Brian talk about the psychology of guilt, guilt proneness, and hyper-responsibility. Come take a guilt trip with us to discover the benefits, risks, and alternatives to chronic guilt. We spent hours making this episode -- the least you can do is listen ;)  You never call, you never write. But if you want to: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

In this episode, Tania attempts to induce the nocebo effect -- placebo's evil twin -- on Brian. They explore placebo research (in areas ranging from pain to creativity), why it works, and how to put it to good use! It turns out "mind over matter" really does matter.   P.S. Because we mentioned drug use in this episode, we also wanted to mention the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Get free and confidential substance use treatment and information. Talk psych to us: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

94% of people admit that procrastinating is bad for them. So why do so many of us still do it, how do we stop, and is there any way to get Brian to finally go to the dentist? Don't delay! Talk psych to us today: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna Edited by Alyssa Greene  Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

In this not-at-all-boring episode, Tania and Brian explore the psychology of boredom. They answer fascinating questions like, "what is boredom?" "is it good or bad for us?" "how can we become less boredom-prone?" and "what will happen if you leave Brian in a room for 15 minutes with nothing to do?" Share your questions and boredom-busting tips at: Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

Tania and Brian are back this week to talk about the psychology of grief and mourning. Brian opens up about his father’s death, we explore the psychology of grief, funeral faux pas, coping with loss, and how to be there for others.   SAMHSA'S free counseling hotline: 800-662-HELP Share your stories, questions, and feedback (and tell us how you define "list"): Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast Email: [email protected] Produced by Scarlet Moon Things Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings In loving memory of Bernardo Luna and Kelly Mealia.