

Minds and Mics
Nick Wignall
Psychologist Nick Wignall interviews experts in the fields of psychology, mental health, and human potential to better understand how the mind works and how we can make it work for us to improve our lives in practical, meaningful ways.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 27, 2020 • 59min
Insomnia Myths & Misconceptions with Dr. Daniel Erichsen
Nick and Daniel trade off describing their favorite myths and misconceptions about insomnia and sleep.Show Notes:Does everyone need 8 hours of sleep per night?Should I go to bed at the same time every night?The crucial difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepyIf I’m not getting 8 hours of sleep, am I at risk for major health issues?Do I need to avoid blue light before bed?Do things cause insomnia or beliefs about things? See also: Nick's Complete Guide to InsomniaThe problem with sleep hygieneSleep is more about what you don’t do than what you do.Sleep effort and the perfect metaphor for insomniaIs it important to get an even number of sleep cycles?Beware the Sleep Hygiene Industrial ComplexIf I have a big day coming up, should I get into bed early?Can I pay off my long-term sleep debt?How important is it to understand what caused my insomnia?Triggering factors vs maintaining factors in insomniaInsomnia and threat-monitoringIs insomnia even a sleep disorder?Does sleep quality deteriorate with age?Should I avoid exercise in the evenings?Intention is everything when it comes to sleep.You can follow Daniel Erichsen online in the following places:PodcastYouTubeTwitterGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Mar 16, 2020 • 58min
Hypnosis Revealed with Traci Stein
Nick and Traci separate myth from reality on the topic of hypnosis and discuss what clinical hypnosis can actually be useful for.Show Notes:Common misconceptions about hypnosisWhat is hypnosis, exactly?Hypnosis vs Positive Visualization, Flow, and MindfulnessWhat does hypnosis actually feel like?What is a hypnotic trance? Everyday trancesFor Love of the GameSuggestibilityHypnosis and healthy behavior changeWhat is hypnosis especially useful for?Hypnosis for smoking cessationNick’s unconscious self-hypnotic inductionsHypnobirthingSelf-hypnosisHolly Forester-Miller — Surgery video (a bit graphic!)Self-hypnosis for confidence and public speakingAmerican Society of Clinical HypnosisTraci Stein’s self-hypnosis audio programsYou can follow Traci online here:WebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagramInsight Timer AppGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

8 snips
Mar 16, 2020 • 1h 17min
Rethinking Addiction with Thomas Horvath
Nick and Tom discuss different ways of thinking about addiction and why it matters for tackling one of the world's most important challenges.Show Notes:Common misconceptions about addictionThe 3 fundamental addictive behaviorsAre addicts fundamentally different than non-addicts?Is addiction a habit?Addiction, loss of control, and the gun-to-the-head testHow important is self-control and willpower in overcoming addiction?Cravings, Urge Surfing (Alan Marlatt), and ConfidenceTransforming desireAddiction as a relationship, not a thing (Stanton Peele, Love and Addiction)Should we legalize and/or decriminalize recreational drugs?The world’s first self-help books (Nichomachean Ethics)Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies professionally vetted self-help booksAddictive personalitiesPositive addictionsSlips vs relapses and why the distinction mattersThe opposite of addiction is connection (John Hari)St. John’s College How to help someone who’s struggling with addictionSmart RecoveryBeyond AddictionPractical RecoveryYou can follow Tom and learn more about his work here:WebsiteBook: Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming AddictionsGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Mar 16, 2020 • 57min
What Is Mindfulness, Really? with Daron Larson
Nick and Daron discuss what mindfulness is exactly and how to incorporate more mindfulness into your own life (without sitting on a yoga mat repeating a mantra for hours).Show Notes:What is mindfulness?The trappings of mindfulnessMindfulness as exercise for your attentionMindfulness vs mindfulness meditationFormal vs ordinary mindfulnessMindfulness as attention managementGiuseppe's Italian restaurant Columbus OhioAre mindfulness apps overrated?Daron’s personal mindfulness practiceShinzen Young Daron's approach to attentional cross-trainingObstacles to starting a mindfulness practiceThe two muscles of mindfulness“Mindfulness is a no-lose game that feels like a no-win game.”The spiritual aspects of mindfulnessYou can follow Daron Larson here:WebsiteTwitterGet the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →


