Advertise on podcast: SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and welcomes back psychologist, podcaster, and Brown University clinical assistant professor Dr. Yael Schonbrun to discuss her book, "Why Don’t You Understand Me? The Surprising Science Behind Connecting In a World of Missed Signals" (also read by Schoenbrod on audio). They explore why communication fails even between well-intentioned people, highlighting common mechanisms such as overconfidence in understanding others, lapses in attention, the ambiguity of language, and differing constructed realities. Schoenbrod explains how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and naive realism fuel conflict, using examples from couples, sports perceptions, memory reconstruction, and the “blind men and the elephant” parable. She emphasizes curiosity grounded in faith in others’ humanity, “joining” to build safety and understanding, and adopting a collaborative “we” stance to help both partners feel understood, noting that misunderstanding is psychologically painful. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Misunderstandings Happen 01:01 Meet Yael and Her Book 03:53 Origin Story of the Book 05:58 Talking to Think 07:20 Mechanisms of Misunderstanding 11:54 The Finish Sentences Trap 14:38 Biases That Distort Us 18:05 Naive Realism Explained 22:34 Curiosity and Humanity 25:08 Joining Across Divides 32:00 Super Understanders Defined 34:12 When Both Want Understanding 38:43 Final Insight and Wrap Up Helpful Links: Dr. Yael Schonbrun Dr. Yael Schonbrun LinkedIn Dr. Yael Schonbrun Instagram Why Don’t You Understand Me? Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and welcomes mythologist and storyteller Dr. Michael Meade for his third appearance to discuss Meade’s book The Heart of Transformation and what ancient wisdom offers amid rapid change and AI. Meade contrasts techne (tools/efficiency) with gnosis (deep knowing), argues AI is soulless, and frames the present as a liminal “betwixt and between” rite-of-passage moment in which old institutions are hollowing out while renewal is possible through awakening the “heart within the heart,” imagination, and authenticity. He emphasizes darkness as the source of creation, recounts the Lascaux cave discovery during WWII as an initiatory image, and shares his own rite-of-passage experience in solitary confinement after refusing Vietnam orders. Meade urges inner connection, communitas beyond politics, and mentoring youth by modeling authenticity and planting seeds. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:42 Meet Michael Meade 02:15 Writing in a Frenzy 03:16 Ireland and the Otherworld 06:00 AI Versus Soul 06:36 Techne and Gnosis 08:49 Heart Within Heart 11:39 Liminal Times and Anxiety 13:27 Institutions in Collapse 16:48 Communitas and Genius 20:57 Darkness as Renewal 23:02 Nasruddin and the Lost Key 26:47 Turning Inward for Soul 30:36 Cave of the Heart 31:26 Lascaux in Wartime 34:19 Synchronicity And Reading 36:15 Modern Life Lacks Rites 36:45 Three Steps Of Initiation 38:15 Vietnam Draft And Solitary 42:12 Descent Or Help Needed 43:58 Metamorphosis And Inner Center 46:32 Authenticity And Connection 50:03 Mentoring Youth Genius 56:14 Drumming Storytelling Tradition 59:50 Rhythm Unity And Culture 01:02:15 Closing Gratitude And Farewell HELPFUL LINKS: Michael Meade The Heart of Transformation Book Michael Meade Facebook Michael Meade Instagram Michael Meade YouTube Michael Meade Substack

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and recounts seeing The Head and the Heart live, highlighting Matty Gervais’s unusual audience connection and post-show conversations that led to this interview. Matty describes growing up in Seattle during the grunge era, starting music young, and developing through practice rather than innate talent, embracing a lifelong “artist becoming” mindset. He discusses joining the band as the “new guy,” eventually feeling more integrated around the making of Aperture, and reframing performance as being in service of others through vulnerability. Matty explains how psychological safety supports creativity and how the band uses regular group therapy tools, including saying “I am not equipped to discuss this right now.” He explores nature and bodily sensation as creative grounding, reciprocal energy with audiences, the meaning of “People Need a Melody,” and challenges of touring and parenting while being married to bandmate Charity. He concludes that not taking yourself so seriously would improve life. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Concert Connection Moment 02:29 Meet Matty Gervais 02:52 Seattle Roots and Grunge 04:33 Learning Through Practice 09:30 Everyone Is a Teacher 12:51 Joining the Band 16:16 Finding Your Place Post COVID 19:42 Psychological Safety and Therapy 27:54 Conflict Versus Collaboration 29:46 Feeding Creativity With Awe 31:27 Stage Presence Physics 34:18 Audience Feedback Loop 36:20 Running Into The Crowd 39:49 After Show Conversations 44:49 Bandmates As Spouses 48:27 Fatherhood And Awe 51:23 Coming Down After Shows 53:46 Why People Need Melody 57:54 Not Taking Life Seriously 01:00:43 Closing Thanks And Outro HELPFUL LINKS: Head and the Heart Website Head and the Heart YouTube The Head and the Heart Instagram Matty Gervais Instagram

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews Dr. Stan Tatkin, founder of The PACT Institute, about how nonverbal cues and stress shape communication in love relationships. Tatkin explains that subcortical threat detection, negativity bias, and pattern recognition rapidly interpret faces, tone, posture, and proximity, often creating “threat loops” that make partners pro-self rather than pro-relationship. He argues people are poor lie detectors, narratives are biased, and misunderstandings are common because most behavior is automatic and memory is unreliable and state-dependent. Tatkin discusses controversies around Paul Ekman’s universality claims and misuse in forensics, while noting that studying faces can increase empathy. His practical guidance emphasizes fast repair and apology to prevent negative events entering long-term memory, giving partners permission to cue each other’s automatic behaviors, planning for stress, working the problem rather than each other, and building shared purpose and principles so purpose—not feelings—protects the relationship. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Body Signals Matter 00:55 Meet Stan Tatkin 02:54 Threat Brain in Love 08:22 Negative Memory Loops 10:32 Myths About Lie Detection 15:59 Truth in Therapy Sessions 18:26 Misunderstanding and Memory 21:17 Reading Faces and Bodies 23:00 Resting Face Misfires 23:32 Mirroring Misreads 24:07 Resting Face Signals 25:58 Stress Makes It Personal 27:51 Cueing Your Partner 30:03 Plan For The Devils 31:21 Strategize As Romance 33:56 Ekman Controversy Check 36:01 Curiosity Under Stress 37:18 Repair Fast Apologize 39:30 Purpose Over Feelings 41:17 Closing Thanks Helpful Links: Dr. Stan Tatkin LinkedIn Dr. Stan Tatkin YouTube Dr. Stan Tatkin Instagram Pact Institute

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews New York Times bestselling author Nir Eyal about his book Beyond Belief, co-written with Julie Li, on how beliefs—distinct from facts—shape behavior and outcomes. Eyal explains the book’s origin in reader calls about Indistractable and argues motivation is a triangle of behavior, benefit, and belief, with belief as the keystone. They discuss changing beliefs through evidence, how attention can amplify pain, and research on pain reprocessing, placebo/nocebo effects, and hypnos-sedation, including case studies of surgery without anesthesia and a placebo “overdose.” Eyal warns that labels can become limits, shares how reframing his ADHD-related beliefs reduced shame and anxiety, contrasts Dorsay’s experience of diagnosis as empowering, and highlights internal locus of control as beneficial. Eyal’s “insider skill” is intellectual humility and distinguishing faith, fact, and belief. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Beliefs Shape Outcomes 02:21 Why Nir Wrote It 04:53 Motivation Needs Belief07:35 Beliefs Are Tools 10:34 Science That Feels Magic 13:16 Pain Without Suffering 16:48 Nocebo and Labels 20:48 ADHD and Identity 25:56 Internal Locus Control 28:04 Final Skill Humility 31:16 Closing Thanks HELPFUL LINKS: Nir Eyal Nir Eyal LinkedIn Nir Eyal YouTube Nir Eyal Instagram Beyond Belief Book Indistractable Book

Host Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and longtime guest Jungian analyst Dr. James “Jim” Hollis for a personal conversation about Hollis’s life and lessons. Hollis says he’d reassure his younger self that an inner compass can guide one’s path, and that denying inner truth shows up externally. He reflects that others’ approval, especially parents’, mattered less than self-trust and leaving “home” psychologically to live one’s own journey. He describes a major mistake of intellectualizing emotions, leading to depression at 35 and retraining in Zurich as a Jungian analyst. He emphasizes permission to own one’s life, discernment amid internal and external “traffic,” and courage in the face of fear and risk. Hollis discusses love as enduring mutual support, parenting without imposing unlived agendas, friendship built on shared values and trust, happiness now and at his children’s births, grieving his son Timothy while continuing relationship through memory and values, and gratitude for taking big risks and for supportive people. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Meeting James Hollis 02:28 What I Wish I Knew 07:23 Leaving Home and Approval 11:46 Self Trust and Permission 18:03 Mistakes and Depression 24:26 Purpose in Hard Times 25:57 Relationships That Matter 29:12 Love Beyond Romance 38:48 Fear Risk and Courage 40:55 Happiness and Mortality 43:14 Grief and Losing a Child 51:39 Wisdom Friendship and Gratitude 57:57 Final Thanks and Farewell Helpful Links: Dr. James HollisT he Middle Passage Book Other Books

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews Dr. Robert Frantz (“Dr. Robbie”), an emergency physician, former paramedic, and SWAT police officer, about caregiver fatigue, vicarious trauma, and the systemic roots of what is commonly called burnout. Frantz discusses the realism of HBO’s The Pitt, describes burnout as “emotional cancer” from cumulative “emotional radiation exposure,” and argues the problem is often the normalized, abnormal environment rather than individual weakness. He outlines warning signs such as perseverating on cases, sleep disruption, and physiological fight-or-flight reactions, and emphasizes draining “the reservoir” through counseling (“emotional chemotherapy”) and other coping tools, including finding the right therapist. Frantz recounts a malpractice trial loss that triggered an emotional collapse, shares a colleague’s suicide, addresses workplace violence in healthcare, and suggests institutional supports like recognition, peer-to-peer debriefing, team activities, safer policies, and reduced documentation burden. He closes by advocating empathy and being seen and understood as a key human skill. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Burnout on the Front Lines 00:57 Meet Dr Robbie Frantz 03:26 The Pitt Realism Check 04:19 Emotional Cancer Framework 06:59 Why It’s the Cost of Caring 08:51 Signs of Vicarious Trauma 11:58 Coping Before the Dam Breaks 16:41 Malpractice Trial Breaking Point 21:34 Getting Help When You’re the Helper 24:04 Finding the Right Therapist 26:01 Fear Versus Growth 27:15 Workplace Violence Reality 31:07 Building Safer Hospitals 36:15 Peer Support and Bonding 38:16 Relationships Under Pressure 45:18 Empathy as a Superpower 47:00 Closing Thanks and Wrap Helpful Links: Robert Frantz, MD The Cost of Caring Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews thought leadership strategist Peter Winick, co-author of The Thought Leadership Handbook, about what defines a thought leader and how people earn that reputation. Winick argues thought leadership is bestowed by others and requires adding a distinct perspective to a field, sharing ideas publicly through writing, speaking, and research, and having the courage to risk criticism without resorting to reckless attention-seeking. They discuss negativity bias, handling trolls, and why thought leaders shouldn’t aim to please everyone but should be authentic and memorable. Winick advises elite speakers to prepare by learning audience language and needs, continually improving, and treating keynotes as the start of broader business relationships and scalable IP beyond time-for-money practices. They also cover using AI as a verified pattern-finding tool, experimenting with content, and cultivating curiosity through cross-training and new experiences. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 What Is Thought Leadership 03:09 Earning the Title 03:59 Courage vs Recklessness 05:17 Handling Trolls and Negativity 07:48 Authenticity and Standing Out 11:17 Crushing the Keynote 14:17 Pre Show Rituals 16:20 Monetizing Intellectual Property 18:23 AI as a Thought Tool 22:46 Tiny Experiments That Work 24:46 Curiosity as the Superpower 25:43 Curiosity Habits You Can Try 26:48 Closing Thanks and Subscribe Helpful Links: Peter Winick Peter Winick LinkedIn The Thought Leadership Handbook Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews Tom Rath about his book, "What’s the Point?: Turning Purpose into Your Daily Superpower." Rath shares how a rare genetic condition and decades-long cancer battle shaped his focus on using each hour intentionally, prioritizing creating/initiating over passive consumption, and front-loading meaningful work and relationships early in the day. They discuss how phones and constant inputs can produce a false sense of productivity, why carving out thinking time and protecting sleep helps restore agency, and how purpose is built by planting small “seeds” throughout the day rather than finding one big calling. Rath argues purpose and happiness increase when attention shifts outward to serving others’ needs, and he emphasizes expanding career exposure so people don’t commit to paths after seeing only a narrow slice of options, especially amid AI-driven automation. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 01:29 Meet Tom Rath 02:28 A Life With Memento Mori 05:02 Consumer Versus Creator 08:04 Take Back Intentionality 10:15 Initiator Blueprint 14:48 Make Time to Think 21:13 Questions That Shape Life 24:34 Beyond Happiness to Purpose 30:13 Expand Career Exposure 35:15 Magic Wand Listening 38:24 Closing Thanks and Subscribe Helpful Links: Tom Rath Tom Rath LinkedIn Tom Rath “What’s the Point” Book Tom Rath "StrengthsFinder 2.0” Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews Dr. Holly Richmond about healing sexual trauma and her book Reclaiming Pleasure. They note prevalence statistics and emphasize that sexual trauma is violating even when not violent, making accurate naming (e.g., sexual abuse vs assault vs rape) central to healing because “words inform our experience.” Richmond outlines a sequence of awareness, understanding, and behavior change, integrating somatic, trauma, and sex-therapy interventions, and uses grounding practices such as “that was then, this is now” and present-moment sensory orientation. She defines sex positivity as sex that is consensual and pleasurable, discusses eros as life force linking sexuality and overall wellbeing, and explains fantasy as a safe bridge to desire, including consensual non-consent themes distinct from real-life consent. Richmond previews a forthcoming book on sex after kids and names attunement and giving the benefit of the doubt as key skills for relationships. 00:00 Welcome and Content Warning 01:44 Meet Holly Richmond 03:58 Couples After Trauma 04:33 Awareness to Change 07:11 Power of Naming 09:19 Defining Abuse Assault Rape 12:19 Thoughts Feelings Sensations 15:27 Sex Positivity Framework 18:29 Pleasure Beyond Sex 20:00 Control and Nervous System Scale 22:06 That Was Then This Is Now 24:03 Grounding With Mantras 24:56 Visual Tethers And Boundaries 26:56 Real Versus True Pain 28:57 Sex And A Better World 32:01 Why Fantasy Matters 35:19 Consensual Non Consent 37:06 Fantasy Versus Reality 40:45 Porn Jealousy And Honesty 41:46 Sex After Kids Book 43:22 Attunement And Benefit Of Doubt 46:04 Closing Thanks And Subscribe Helpful Links: Dr. Holly Richmond Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure Book Dr. Holly Richmond Instagram Dr. Holly Richmond Facebook Dr. Holly Richmond LinkedIn

Dr. Adam Dorsay, host of the SuperPsyched podcast, shares a solo story about an April father–son trip to Death Valley with his 17-year-old, Bren. Driving home, they off-roaded onto what looked like the dry bed of Owens Lake and got their four-wheel-drive vehicle stuck in mud amid 40–50 mph winds and flying debris. AAA wouldn’t help because they were more than 100 feet off the road, so they hired an expensive private tow that kept delaying and increasing the price. He highlights lessons learned: stress impairs logical thinking, regret and catastrophizing don’t help, and focusing on solutions, laughter, support from loved ones, and distraction helped them cope; being prepared with water, snacks, and warm clothes mattered. After six hours, a driver in a small Ford Fiesta used shoveling, boards, ropes, and a winch to free them, and they arrived home after 1 AM with a lasting bonding story.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Why This Solo Story00:48 Father Son Death Valley Trip01:23 Off Roading at Owens Lake02:22 Stuck in the Mud02:45 Six Hour Survival Mode03:20 Mindset Lessons Under Stress05:18 Calling for a Private Tow06:16 The Ford Fiesta Rescue07:31 Worth It and Takeaways08:24 Travel Wisdom and Goodbye

Host Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and discusses grief as a personal, normal response to loss, then interviews Dr. Adam Kimowitz, a New Jersey dentist whose younger brother David was murdered in 2019. Kimowitz describes their close, laughter-filled bond, David’s work in comedy and real estate, and the traumatic aftermath of the murder, including shock, hypervigilance, and struggling with basic tasks. He explains what helped: not being alone, relying on therapy and safe people, focusing on “micro wins,” learning from grief and resilience thinkers, and using humor appropriately to break tension. He shares guidance on supporting the bereaved—saying “I have no words, but I’m here,” offering presence and hugs, avoiding comparisons, and inviting stories about the person. He also covers parenting through grief with honesty, communication, professional help, and modeling that it’s okay not to be okay, plus how his marriage provided mutual support. Kimowitz keeps David’s memory alive through journaling, music, traditions with David’s daughters, and living by a “Dave test,” and emphasizes empathy, self-grace, and asking for help to reconnect. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:29 Grief Is Personal 00:50 Meet Adam and David 03:57 From Corporate to Dentistry 05:55 The Night Everything Changed 08:05 Goldfish and Micro Wins 10:54 Learning Through Trauma 13:03 What Helped in Shock 15:20 David and the Power of Laughter 18:59 Humor as Support 24:58 What to Say to Grievers 28:50 Humor Inside Grief 30:00 Why Death Feels Taboo 31:52 Talking to Kids About Loss 36:24 Self Care for High Achievers 41:41 Marriage as an Anchor 47:53 Keeping Dave Alive 51:30 Resilience and Asking Help 52:46 Empathy Over Judgment 55:25 Music Montage Farewell Helpful Links: Dr. Adam Kimowitz

Some of the greatest lessons in psychology, communication, leadership, and business don’t come from textbooks—they come from world-class performers. The very best entertainers understand something profound: how to capture attention, build trust, create connection, and leave people transformed. Those skills matter just as much in our relationships, our work, and our everyday lives. After seeing the most extraordinary live performance I’ve experienced, I knew I had to invite magician and mentalist Jay Alexander onto the SuperPsyched podcast. Jay doesn’t just amaze audiences—he brings people together. Regardless of age, background, nationality, or beliefs, he creates moments of shared wonder and genuine human connection. It’s a masterclass in psychology as much as it is entertainment. Over the course of his remarkable career, Jay has worked with the NBA, The Rolling Stones, and countless other world-class organizations and performers. In this conversation, he shares the principles behind creating unforgettable experiences, connecting across differences, and earning the trust of any audience. If you’re interested in psychology, communication, leadership, influence, or simply want to hear from someone at the absolute top of his craft, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode. Helpful Links: The San Francisco Magic Theater Jay Alexander Jay Alexander Facebook Jay Alexander LinkedIn Jay Alexander YouTube https://www.sanfranciscomagictheater.com

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews keynote speaker and author Elaine Lin Hering about her book Unlearning Silence and the harms of feeling silenced, including resentment, depression, quiet quitting, and group catastrophes when crucial information is ignored, especially for minorities. Hering argues leadership advice to simply “speak up” misses that voice also depends on whether others honor it, and she defines silence as withholding self for others’ comfort. They discuss authenticity, the “low power double bind,” and how silence erodes a sense of self and agency. Hering distinguishes strategic silence from oppressive silence based on choice, describes self-, social-, and system-based silencing, and offers practical tools like saying “From where I sit” and clarifying decision roles (decider, consulted, informed). Both emphasize agency as the key skill that creates healthier norms and inspires voice in others. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Silence Hurts 01:06 Meet Elaine Lin Hering 01:49 Finding Your Real Voice 06:29 Authenticity and Becoming 10:08 The Business Case for Voice 12:32 Low Power Double Bind 16:30 Emotional Costs and Agency 22:59 Strategic Silence vs Oppression 25:16 Practical Tools to Speak Up 33:09 Self Social and System Silence 36:12 Agency as the Insider Skill 38:37 Final Thanks and Subscribe Helpful Links: Elaine Lin Hering, JD Website Elaine Lin Hering, JD LinkedIn Elaine Lin Hering, JD Instagram Elaine Lin Hering, JD YouTube Unlearning Silence Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay, Silicon Valley psychologist and host of the SuperPsyched podcast, reflects on watching the World Cup final with his father and draws psychological lessons from the match’s global scale. He contrasts the goalie’s prevention-focused role with the striker’s acquisition-focused role, linking this to positive psychology’s avoid goals versus approach goals and noting that approach mindsets are more enjoyable and effective; he describes a long conversation with Dr. Leidy Klotz about goalie psychology. He also shares Annie Duke’s distinction between resulting and decision-making, arguing that good decisions can be overlooked when only final outcomes are remembered. Upset by an announcer saying “the king is dead” about Lionel Messi after a loss, he criticizes win-or-nothing thinking, urges cognitive flexibility, and advocates celebrating multiple “GOATs” rather than diminishing others, emphasizing integrity, effort, and appreciating human potential in sport.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 World Cup Awe02:01 Goalie Psychology04:15 Approach vs Avoid Goals05:24 Results vs Decisions07:07 Legacy and Forgetting07:51 The King Is Dead09:53 Beyond One GOAT11:38 Closing Reflections