The Broken Brain

With the recent Anti-Transgender actions taken by the Texas State Government, among other states in the USA, I am excited to welcome Evan Urquhart to the show. A Journalist who writes about issues facing Transgendered youth, Evan is here to share his story and insights for parents, youth, and others. Please listen, share, and get involved in equal rights and protection for the Transgendered individuals in your community. Follow Evan @e_urq on Twitter to read his work.

Today's episode covers avoiding burnout, creativity and creative writing, emotional and legal issues related to immigration, and how doing for others helps us to develop ourselves more effectively than trying to improve for ourselves. Ivan Infante is an Immigration Lawyer who specializes in helping people to obtain legal permission to remain in the USA and remain together as families and pursue their goals. He is also the author of the Mike Chance Novels, historical crime fiction set in 1930s Los Angelas. In this episode he explains how he uses his creative talents to help in his legal work, and also funds his private practice with his novels. Follow Ivan on Twitter @EddieMarsAttack to follow his legal work, buy his novels, and see dope pictures of LA in the 1930s.

Today's episode covers avoiding burnout, creativity and creative writing, emotional and legal issues related to immigration, and how doing for others helps us to develop ourselves more effectively than trying to improve for ourselves. Ivan Infante is an Immigration Lawyer who specializes in helping people to obtain legal permission to remain in the USA and remain together as families and pursue their goals. He is also the author of the Mike Chance Novels, historical crime fiction set in 1930s Los Angelas. In this episode he explains how he uses his creative talents to help in his legal work, and also funds his private practice with his novels. Follow Ivan on Twitter @EddieMarsAttack to follow his legal work, buy his novels, and see dope pictures of LA in the 1930s.

Dr Jesse Wright is a college professor, researcher, therapist, and psychopharmacologist. He has been a pioneer in the field of technological innovation in the field of mental health treatment, especially with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He joins the show to discuss the history of computer assisted therapy (going back to the 1960s) and how research has been used to refine and design technological tools to support psychological healing.

Josh Wood is the Business Manager for the nonprofit Improving Lives, and The Broken Brain's official correspondent for Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG3 4QA. In this episode we discuss some of the psychological & emotional effects of the COVID pandemic, including recent relaxation of mandatory health regulations in the UK and US, and the reactions people are having too difficult economic times. Above all we are looking for hope and creativity in finding solutions. See the full video of our chat (along with bonus episodes) by becoming a Patron of The Broken Brain at www.Patreon.com/brokenbrain.

In the 1970s a couple of psychologists (Dr Pauline Rose Clance & Dr Suzanne Imes) coined the term Imposter Syndrome. Then in 2021 Marvel Studios created the TV series Hawkeye. Many things actually happened between those 2 events. Imposter Syndrome, which is the persistent belief that you are less competent than others perceive you to be. This persistent belief is based on emotions rather than observable evidence. Sharon Blady joins the Podcast to discuss Imposter Syndrome in Hawkeye, and how each character in the show can be used to represent an element of this challenging problem. Become a Patron of the show! www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to become a Brainiac donor and receive bonus materials, including video of this (and other videos). If you aren't able to do a recurring donation at this time, please consider making a one-time donation at buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain.

Abi Perez returns to the podcast to discuss the cultural and psychological lessons learned form the Disney film Encanto, which Dwight cannot watch or without crying. We discuss how each character addresses an element of PTSD, how relationships can be complicated by fear and misunderstanding, and how actions we take with others can become twisted even when love is the underlying drive. Listen to Abi's podcast, Friends of Friends AmigosDAmigos on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Sharon Blady, MCU expert, former Health Minister, and Superhero of the Broken Brain, joins me yet again. This time we are talking some more nuts-and-bolts treatment planning for how to reframe your mental health symptoms into a superpower-weakness framework. You are not broken, just burdened with glorious purpose...I couldn't help it. If you know you know. Sharon tells us how she developed this paradigm and how to use it to overcome your obstacles and embrace your nature. Go to https://speak-up.co/ to learn more about Sharon's work in strengths-based psychology.

What we eat influences our psychological health, even more than we previously thought. Dr Chris Aiken joined me to discuss how certain diets help with the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and other Mood Disorders. Listen to the intro to learn how to win a copy of "You Next: Reflections in Black Barbershops." (this is a replay of an episode from 3 years ago)

International podcast law requires all shows to do an episode on the new SpiderMan movie, and now it's our turn! Sharon Blady, mental health advocate and super hero, is here for it. We talk trauma, healing, and why everyone loves SpiderMan's tendency to try to save everyone, even the villains. SPOILERS for Spider Man No Way Home abound in this episode.