The Broken Brain

Bill Combs is the Author of the novel, "The Quantum Gate," (and its upcoming sequel). An adventure story in the spirit of Indiana Jones, Da Vinci Code, Stargate, this novel is a story of trauma and redemption, with riddles, treasure hunting, and mystical elements. He joins the podcast to share this story and his approach to creating realistic characters facing mystical situations, and how people relate to difficulty in real life. Go to www.billcombs.com to follow his work, monitor his ongoing series of novels, and read his free short stories. Visit www.akshayapatra.org to support and share our charity-of-focus this month. Akshaya Patra is a NGO that delivers hot midday meals to school students in India.

The second half of the 4th Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day. In this segment of the stream Dwight and Isabel Teran are joined by the Reels of Justice Podcast hosts to discuss addiction, engagement with life, and cultural/societal elements of health. Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Robb Maynard, Ben Haslar, and Dylan Schlender have a vulnerable and open discussion about their own experiences with compulsion, addiction, and alcohol. A great example of openness, community, and support. We will do it again next year! Go to www.akshayapatra.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit agency, providing hot midday meals to children in school in India.

This is the first half of the Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day, 2025. Join hosts Dwight and Izzie as we look at how Engagement & Avoidance factor into addiction. In Part one we are joined by Chris Revill and Mike Lundsford. Please support & share our highlighted charity of the month, Akshaya Pahtra, a NGO in India providing hot midday meals to provide incentive and support for children to attend school. Visit www.akshayapatra.org to learn more.

Monday Mental Health Tip Time, talking about the human tendency to wait to act until we feel sure of success, and what that can cost us in experiences. Big thank you and shout out to the folks who appeared on and helped the Live Stream for Overdose Awareness yesterday. That audio will be showing up in the feed soon. Thanks to: Isabel Teran, Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Robb Maynard, Ben Haslar, Dylan Schlender, Mike Lundsford, & Dr Delice Coffey for jumping onto the stream and sharing so openly.

Tomorrow will be the Broken Brain's 4th annual Live Stream for Overdose Awareness! Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live to WATCH live, on YouTube FB or Linkedin, or you can JOIN the live stream with me! Links and details all at that page.

Dr Alessandra Seggi is a Professor of Sociology and Crimonology for Villanova University, and Author of the book "Youth and Suicide in American Cinema: Context, Causes, and Consequences." She talks about the ethics and effects of depictions of suicide, the possible positive applications, processing emotions, as well as the risks. With suicide being such a huge risk for youth, this is an important topic for everyone. Go to www.alessandraseggi.com to learn more about her work. This Sunday (8/31) is the Broken Brain's 4th Annual Live Stream for Overdoes Awareness. Visit www.dwighthurst.com/live for times, links, and ways to join the stream.

Author, educator, and Behavioral Psychology expert Dr John Demartini is a survivor. Faced with literacy & academic challenges, physical injury, and a period of homelessness as a youth, he learned to overcome obstacles by finding opportunities within struggle. He teaches others how to reframe traumatic events to aid personal development, to "send us ON the way, not be IN the way." Learn more about his work at www.drdemartini.com. Visit www.dwighthurst.com/live to find information and links to the 4th annual Broekn Brain Live Stream for Overdose Awareness, broadcasting 8/31. Watch or JOIN the program anytime during the 5 hour live stream. And please support Improving Lives, a wonderful nonprofit in Nottingham, UK, that seeks to hep those facing mental health with supports and bridge services for those awaiting treatment. Go to www.improvinglivesnotts.org.uk to follow and support them.

MJ Renshaw is a breathwork trainer, podcast host, and author of the book "How To Cry." She helps individuals use spirituality, breath, and somatic techniques for emotional regulation and healing. Drawing from her own experiences with Trauma, she shares her experiences of trauma, healing, and learining to help others. Follow her work at www.beingmethod.ca and check out her podcast "The Being Method Podcast." Make sure to go to www.dwighthurst.com/live to see the details for the 4th annual Broken Brain Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness day on 8/31. AND go to www.improvinglivesnotts.or.uk to support Improving Lives, this month's highlighted charity.

Over 30 million people in the USA have a diagnosable eating disorder, with many going undiagnosed, and even more having distorted thoughts about food and body issues. Mallary Tenor Tarpley is the author of the new book "Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery," (RELEASED TODAY!) where she shares information about the genetic influences on eating disorders, how our brain changes both while suffering from ED and while recovering, and the under-discussed grey area between being total symptomatic and in active recovery. This month we are highlighting Improving Lives, a wonderful nonprofit helping those in Nottingham, UK, to receive enhanced mental health services and case management. Go to www.improvinglivesnotts.org.uk

Holy cow! The upload on Monday didn't work, so this is now a mid-week mental health tip! This episode is setting the stage for the Live Event coming up on 8/31, for International Overdose Awareness Day. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for the sweet details. Last chance to sign up and have 50% of your Patreon donation each month go the Learning Works of Maine. www.learningworks.me will take you to this wonderful nonprofit helping adults & kids at risk for academic disadvantage. Next episode will have the new charity for August.