

The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy
The Thinking Mind Podcast
"If you are interested in your mind, emotions, sense of self, and understanding of others, this show is brilliant."Learn something new about the mind every week - With in-depth conversations at the intersection of psychiatry, psychotherapy, self-development, spirituality and the philosophy of mental health. Featuring experts from around the world, leading clinicians and academics, published authors, and people with lived experience, we aim to make complex ideas in the mental health space accessible and engaging. This podcast is designed for a broad audience including professionals, those who suffer with mental health difficulties, more common psychological problems, or those who just want to learn more about themselves and others. Hosted by psychiatrists Dr. Alex Curmi, Dr. Anya Borissova & Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson. Listeners have also said:"Every episode is enlightening, the approach, conversations and depth of information is deeply enriching. So refreshing to hear practitioners with this level of insight into human behaviour. Thank you for the work and for sharing."Podcast related enquiries: thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com.If you would like to work with Dr. Curmi: alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comDisclaimer: None of the information in the podcast is intended as medical advice for any one invididual.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2023 • 26min
Dealing with Self-Criticism (Stop Hating Yourself)
What is unhealthy self-criticism? How can you tell if this is something that's holding you back? In this episode we discuss unhealthy self-criticism in depth, how it may have come about and how it may be holding you back. In addition we discuss six practical steps that can be taken to address it.Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comIntro Excerpt from: Lost in Translation (Directed by Sofia Coppola)The meditations discussed can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JKqFI7DCvBjzcvDEK5RSG?si=afa00ab39d78495fhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/01JExbQcJMLNttjxu11I5L?si=22abeae913864ad6Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

7 snips
Sep 29, 2023 • 57min
E60: Confidence & Why Your Beliefs Matter (with Professor Ian Robertson)
Neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Ian Robertson discusses the danger of over-emphasizing genetic influences on psychology, the impact of environment on psychology, and the limitations of a psychiatric view on mental health. They also explore the components of confidence, the obesity and opioid crises, and steps to build confidence and overcome anxiety.

Sep 26, 2023 • 27min
Practical Philosophy for Hard Times
When you're going through difficulties, why not borrow ideas from some of the wisest people in history? In this episode we discuss ideas from various schools of philosophical thought including Stoicism, Buddhism, Deontology and Existentialism, and how they can be applied to everyday problems. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comIntro Excerpt from: Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (Directed by Terry Gilliam)The meditations discussed can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JKqFI7DCvBjzcvDEK5RSG?si=afa00ab39d78495fhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/01JExbQcJMLNttjxu11I5L?si=22abeae913864ad6Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 22, 2023 • 59min
E59: Exercise, Eating Disorders & Mental Health in Elite Athletes (with Dr. Amit Mistry)
Dr Amit D. Mistry is a consultant sports psychiatrist, with a specialism in eating disorders and athlete mental health. Dr Amit D Mistry is chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Sport & Exercise Group. He is the mental health advisor to Oxford University Sport and Consultant Sport Psychiatrist to the English Cricket Board (ECB) Women's XI national side. He is the editor of “Case Studies in Sports Psychiatry”. In today's episode we discuss what a psychiatrist working with athletes does, approaches to treatment and how these are similar/different to general psychiatry, how interested doctors can get involved, as well as more specialist topics like exercise addiction and eating disorders.Resources mentioned: https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/special-interest-groups/sport-and-exercisehttps://twitter.com/rcpsych_SEPSIG?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorInterviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 19, 2023 • 16min
Delayed Gratification is the Modern Superpower
Why is modern success so different from success in our ancestral world? What mental skills put you ahead of the world in 2023? What is the difference between a real and artificial reward? Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comThe guide to long term behaviour change can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uryIvA9bVvk9osHh2SmKG?si=32523586f8f64b74Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 15, 2023 • 1h 26min
E58: How has Evolution Shaped Our Minds? (with Dr. Randolph Nesse)
Dr. Randy Nesse is a evolutionary psychiatrist, he is one of the founders of his field and his work has revolutionized our understanding of how evolution shapes our physical and mental health. He isProfessor Emeritus at the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Michigan. He is also the Founding President of The International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public HealthHe is the author of several books, including "Why We Get Sick" and "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings". You can find a full list of Dr. Nesse's books here: https://www.randolphnesse.com/booksIn today’s episode we discuss how Natural Selection has shaped our psychology, the evolutionary rationale underlying anxiety and low mood, Dr. Nesse's concepts of social traps and the "smoke detector principle", how depression is not just one condition, why we have emotions, why men die earlier than women and much more.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 12, 2023 • 23min
Why We're Lazy & Afraid (and What to do About it)
Fear and Laziness are two of the most common obstacles between you and what you want. Why are Fear and Laziness such a big part of the human condition? What can you do about it? In this episode we take an evolutionary psychology approach to understanding these phenomena, with some practical guidance to overcoming them. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, in addition he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comIntro Excerpt from: Waking Life (Directed by Richard Linklater)Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 15min
Interview #57: Brain Stimulation, Psychedelics & Psychiatry 3.0 (with Dr. Nolan Williams)
Dr. Nolan Williams is a Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. He is triple certified in psychiatry, neurology and neuropsychiatry. Dr. Williams' work has resulted in an FDA clearance for the world's first non-invasive, rapid-acting neuromodulation approach for treatment-resistant depression. He has published papers in high-impact peer-reviewed journals including Brain, American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.In today's episode we discuss the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy for treatment resistant depression, the differences between neurology and psychiatry, the first randomised trial in medicine, the problem with the chemical imbalance theory of depression, the suppression of psychedelics research, and the potential utility of psychedelics such as psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA and ibogaine.You can learn more about Dr. Williams here:https://profiles.stanford.edu/nolan-williamsInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 23min
Interview #56: Travel, Sex, Values, Serendipity, Technology & Success (with Dr. Chris Ryan)
Chris Ryan is a podcaster and author. He holds a PhD in psychology and is the author of two books: Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships and Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress. He is the host of the Tangentially Speaking podcast and has made frequent appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience and the Duncan Trussel Family Hour Podcast.You can learn more about his work here: https://chrisryanphd.com/ Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Aug 18, 2023 • 1h 3min
Interview #55: The Psychology of the Sopranos
This week Anya chats with Dr Akeem Sule and Dr. Omer Hamour about what we can learn about psychiatry, psychology and human nature from the hit HBO television show the Sopranos.Dr. Akeem Sule is a Wolfson College Research Associate and a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the co-founder of the Hip Hop Psych movement. Dr. Hamour is a graduate of the unversity of Edinburgh and a junior psychiatrist in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast


