Think Act Be Podcast

My guest this week is Dr. Jason Ong, who specializes in the treatment of sleep disorders. I’ve wanted to have Jason on the podcast for a while now because he’s done some really pioneering work in applying mindfulness to the treatment of insomnia. If you struggle with getting sound sleep sometimes, which so many of us do, Jason has a lot to say about the most effective ways to get better sleep. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is my friend and fellow psychologist Dr. Mitch Greene, who was on the podcast way back on episode 28. I love talking with Mitch, and this conversation was no exception. We focused on the mental health challenges we’re facing related to COVID and the shutdowns, including for the many athletes that Mitch works with in his sport psychology practice. I’m guessing you’ll find a lot you can relate to in this discussion. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Mark Gregory Karris, author of Religious Refugees and a guide for religious refugees, discusses reconstructing faith after losing it. They delve into leaving fundamentalist Christian denominations and speaking in tongues, the lack of love in religious experiences, the process of deconstructing and reconstructing beliefs, skepticism about speaking in tongues, and the absence of self-kindness in Christianity.

I have a different kind of discussion for you this week. My guests are my brother, Timothy Gillihan, and my mom, Carolyn Gillihan. I invited them on to talk about their political differences, which came up recently in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. I want to do what I can to promote civil dialogue, and this conversation is one step in that direction. For full disclosure in where I stand, I’m registered as an Independent and I voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, though I’m a neutral third party in this discussion. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Blake D. Bauer, author of the bestselling book, You Were Not Born to Suffer. I was really struck as I read this book by how similar many of Blake’s ideas are to the way that I see human nature. His main focus is on loving ourselves deeply, and what that means in practical terms. We also explored how denying our needs can lead to physical and emotional distress, and why we need to give ourselves permission to be well and happy. I hope you take a lot from our discussion. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Jared Byas, author of the new book, Love Matters More: How Fighting to Be Right Keeps Us From Loving Like Jesus. This was a great conversation, as Jared and I found a many points of connection. The book focuses on matters of faith, but the principles apply to anything we can have strong beliefs and opinions about, including of course, politics. We talked specifically about how we might emphasize love in our discussions with those who hold different political beliefs, and also the relevance of these ideas in our closest relationships. I love to imagine how we could change, and how we could change our world, by putting love first in every interaction. I hope you take a lot from our discussion. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Dr. Scott Kellogg, a therapist in private practice in New York. He’s the author of a book called Transformational Chairwork, and we focused on what chairwork is and why it can be so powerful. It was a great discussion about how we’re all made of different parts, and we can give voice to all of these facets of ourselves in a way that promotes integration and growth. One thing I hadn’t expected in this discussion was the demonstration I did with Scott, where he led me through an experiential exercise in therapeutic chairwork. It was a timely topic—we focused on some of the feelings I was having about the 2020 presidential election. I’m guessing a lot of people will be able to relate to some of the thoughts and fears and emotions that came up. I’ll look forward to hearing what you think. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Anita Friday, creator of an organization called Open Hearts: A Path for Racial Healing. Anita and I talked about her experiences as a Black woman and mother, and the things that those of us who are White can take for granted. We also explored the distinction between racism and related concepts, how to make a difference right where we live, and the love and faith that motivate Anita’s work. I also wanted to let you know that you’ll hear the N-word in this episode. It’s a sober discussion, and also a very hopeful one. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve got a very special guest for you this week. Professor Peter Enns, author of books that include The Sin of Certainty and How the Bible Actually Works (affiliate links), joins me for a discussion about the Bible, Christianity, love, trust, and the evolving nature of faith. I grew up with a very fundamentalist understanding of the Bible, and can relate to so many of the things that Pete writes and talks about, including the fear of getting our facts wrong and offending God. As Pete points out, that’s a pretty limiting view of God—that God can’t tolerate our honest efforts to interpret the Bible as best we can in light of our experience. Our discussion  focuses on Christianity, but I think many of the issues apply across different religious traditions. I look forward to hearing your reactions.  Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe