SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews six-time US Memory Champion Nelson Dellis about why memory is central to identity and why cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s are so devastating. Dellis describes memory championships as timed, full-day events involving feats such as memorizing a deck of cards, hundreds of digits in five minutes, and large sets of names and faces, emphasizing that success comes from a trained—not “naturally good”—memory. In the age of AI, he argues that continuing to use memory supports cognitive health, may help prevent atrophy, and preserves a core human element tied to lived experience. They discuss how Alzheimer’s may impair retrieval rather than erase memories, and highlight Dellis’s activity-based book, "Everyday Genius," which trains memory and other skills like calculation, creativity, and faster reading, alongside lessons learned from painful competitive losses.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Why Memory Matters00:48 Meet Nelson Dellis03:04 Trained Not Gifted05:12 Inside Memory Championships06:38 Memory in the AI Age09:03 Alzheimers and Identity11:19 Everyday Genius Challenge14:28 Curiosity as Cross Training19:18 Learning Through Failure20:21 Closing and SubscribeHelpful Links:Nelson DellisEveryday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem-Solving, and Much More BookNelson Dellis InstagramNelson Dellis YouTubeNelson Dellis LinkedIn

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews neurologist and Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Majid Fotuhi about keeping the brain resilient and reducing Alzheimer’s risk. Fotuhi describes the brain’s capacity to recover and adapt, citing cases of major brain injury and hemispherectomy, and challenges the myth that Alzheimer’s is inevitable with age, noting “super agers” and emphasizing “use it or lose it.” He outlines five key pillars for brain health: exercise, 7–8 hours of sleep, a Mediterranean/heart-healthy diet, stress reduction, and daily cognitive challenge. He reports a 12-week program in which 84% of patients improved on cognitive tests and many increased hippocampal volume by 1–3%. They discuss sleep apnea as a serious risk, cortisol’s harmful effects from chronic stress, managing repetitive negative thoughts, adopting growth mindset and broader views of intelligence, and choosing daily practices that build happiness.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Why Brain Health Matters01:02 Meet Dr Majid Fotuhi02:51 The Invincible Brain Stories05:16 How the Brain Compensates06:48 Alzheimers Myths and Super Agers11:06 Use It or Lose It Mindset13:21 Beyond IQ Multiple Intelligences18:01 Growth Mindset Builds the Brain20:56 Reversing Aging in 12 Weeks23:12 Five Pillars of Brain Health25:36 Sleep Apnea and Brain Damage28:02 Exercise Is Nonnegotiable29:59 A Neurology Insider Story30:33 Three Pillar Basics31:20 Lifestyle Intelligence32:43 Teeth And Brain Care34:36 Culture And Identity Habits36:01 Stress Shrinks Hippocampus39:44 Reframing Stress Mindset41:18 Stop Negative Loops45:42 Morning Gratitude Practice49:44 Challenge Your Brain52:12 Happiness Is A Choice55:15 Small Things Compound56:41 Closing Thanks And SubscribeHelpful Links:Dr. Mahid FotuhiDr. Mahid Fotuhi Johns HopkinsDr. Mahid Fotuhi YouTubeThe Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews psychiatrist, professor, and author Dr. Gianpiero “GP” Petriglieri about how work shapes identity amid modern job insecurity, mobility, and AI-driven ambiguity. GP describes a historical shift from inheriting bundled identities to identifying with organizations after WWII, and now to “nomadic professionals” who identify with the work itself, seeking meaning, mastery, learning, and legacy. He argues leaders should measure and provide latitude for job crafting so people can both perform and learn, avoiding the evils of getting lost or stuck. GP advises parents and young workers to think of themselves as artists, have faith in the work rather than organizations or approval, and cultivate friends who “imagine” them. He warns against being labeled a “future leader,” urging people to lead now by bringing ideas to life.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Work and Identity Trap01:54 GP Joins the Show02:43 From Companies to Craft05:27 Nomadic Professionals Today07:15 Leaders and Job Crafting09:14 Lost vs Stuck Paradox11:02 Meaning Beyond Work12:21 Advice for Parents12:53 Work as Art Mindset14:14 Faith in the Work17:15 Friends Who Imagine You20:26 Authenticity Under Pressure23:42 Lead Now Not Later26:27 Closing and Takeaways27:48 Subscribe and ShareHelpful Links:Dr. Gianpiero Petriglieri

Psychologist and SuperPsyched host Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews novelist Andrew Davidson about Davidson’s debut novel The Gargoyle and the role fiction can play in empathy and mental health. Davidson summarizes the book as a burn-ward patient approached by a woman who claims they were lovers 700 years ago, highlighting the tension between the narrator’s atheism and Maryanne Engel’s faith. He discusses his research-driven writing process, including firsthand outreach to a burn survivor, extensive historical sourcing, and deliberate choices balancing accuracy with emotional truth. Davidson explains cutting a much longer manuscript, securing representation from agent Eric Simonoff, and how the book’s global publication—including translations and a reported $1.25 million advance—led to an overwhelming publicity tour that altered his relationship with writing. He describes later work in theater and ends by naming empathy as the key insight to improve society.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:26 Why Fiction Matters00:49 Introducing The Gargoyle02:28 Meet Andrew Davidson03:24 What The Book Is About06:44 Characters and The Author09:09 Researching Worlds and Trauma13:59 Accuracy vs Emotional Truth19:02 Trusting Intuition and Editing21:12 Loving the Writing Process22:26 Why Only One Novel24:39 Writing for Love25:40 Japan and The Gargoyle26:30 Fame and Touring Burnout29:11 Reset in Paris30:26 Theater and New Writing31:57 Writer Identity and Intrinsic Drive33:48 Landing a Top Agent36:07 Editing Down the Manuscript40:11 Luck Preparation and Gratitude42:35 Movie or Limited Series45:34 Winnipeg Theater Mission47:54 Empathy and FarewellHelpful Links:Andrew Davidson FacebookThe Gargoyle Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces his podcast episode featuring Melissa Orlov, a Harvard-educated expert on ADHD and marriage and author of “The ADHD Effect on Marriage” and “The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD.” They discuss what adult ADHD is and is not, emphasizing attention dysregulation, distractibility, impulsivity, planning and working-memory difficulties, and emotional dysregulation, along with the hereditary and neurochemical basis (notably low dopamine) and why stimulants can be calming by increasing dopamine availability. Dorsay shares his own late ADHD diagnosis, his first experience taking Ritalin, and how medication helped him build habits and identity-based changes he later maintained without medication.Orlov describes common, predictable relationship patterns in ADHD-impacted couples, including the “hyperfocus courtship” phase driven by elevated dopamine and the shift after 24–28 months when symptoms become more visible. She outlines the experiences of both partners: the ADHD partner often carries lifelong shame and sensitivity to criticism, while the non-ADHD partner can feel lonely, resentful, and overwhelmed by chaos and perceived lack of follow-through. They explore distractibility and how “new or shiny” can override what is important, and they highlight strengths often associated with ADHD such as creativity, energy, passion, and effective performance in high-stimulation contexts.Orlov presents a three-stage framework for healing: moving out of denial and learning how ADHD impacts relationships, both partners taking responsibility for their own work, and breaking entrenched patterns such as parent-child dynamics and “symptom-response-response” cycles by reframing symptoms and changing reactions. They address sleep hygiene as foundational, noting sleep deprivation can worsen or mimic ADHD symptoms, and discuss strategies like consistent bedtime routines, “sacred bedtime,” and limiting electronics and blue-light exposure. They also discuss how parent-child dynamics harm sexual connection, the importance of lowering pressure when restarting sex, and improving communication about sex. Orlov closes with the importance of rebuilding trust through transparency and ownership rather than equating trust solely with perfect follow-through, and she names self-compassion and compassion for others as the key skill she would give to everyone.00:00 Welcome to Dorsay00:28 ADHD and Marriage Stakes01:00 Meet Melissa Orlov03:00 Why ADHD Feels Familiar04:17 What ADHD Is and Isnt06:23 Why Stimulants Help07:38 Adams Diagnosis Story09:36 Medication Targets and Hope12:14 Habits and Identity Shifts13:15 Empathy for Both Partners14:50 ADHD Partner Childhood Shame20:13 Non ADHD Partner Experience22:19 Hyperfocus Courtship Chemistry24:46 Distractibility in Relationships26:49 Main Thing Mantra27:24 Medication to Structure28:39 ADHD Strengths Kept30:17 Three Stages Healing31:29 Breaking Bad Patterns34:57 Sleep Hygiene Fixes40:36 Electronics at Bedtime42:14 Sex and Reconnection49:06 Rebuilding Trust54:21 Compassion Magic Skill55:22 Closing ThanksHelpful Links:Melissa OrlovMelissa Orlov The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD Book

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and frames the growing misinformation problem, citing low trust in traditional media , the rise of influencer-based news consumption among 18–29 year olds, research that false news spreads faster than truth on Twitter, and the World Economic Forum ranking misinformation/disinformation as the most severe global risk in 2024 and 2025. He interviews Dr. Avi Tuschman (Stanford StartX serial entrepreneur; Stanford doctorate in anthropological science; expert on human political bias) about Crickit.ai (C-R-I-C-K-I-T), an AI tool that provides real-time in-stream fact checks for social media videos, starting with YouTube on desktop. The discussion covers why misinformation spreads (high-arousal content, negativity bias, suggestibility, and attention scarcity), why it affects everyone (including errors/omissions/exaggerations in reputable content), and the relationship between media ecosystems, polarization, and a global democratic recession. Avi raises concerns about TikTok’s influence, urging people over 30 to review its “society” content, citing examples of high-production disinformation, alleged foreign influence efforts, elevated WWII revisionism compared with Instagram (UNESCO figure of 5.7x), and medical misinformation (e.g., a study finding ~25% of asthma content has significant misrepresentations and is overrepresented in viewing). He describes Crickit’s user experience as subtitle-like overlays with a pause expansion panel summarizing evidence in ~40–50 words, and positions it as a tool to build media literacy and critical thinking—like a flight simulator for evaluating persuasion and uncertainty. Plans include mobile support and additional platforms, potentially later in the year, though TikTok is not supported yet. Avi offers listeners a discount via promo code/URL “SUPERPSYCHED" for monthly subscription savings for up to three years.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched + Why Misinformation Is Surging00:55 The Numbers: Trust in Media, Influencer News & Falsehoods Spreading Faster01:45 Meet Dr. Avi Tuschman & Crickit.ai—Real-Time Fact-Checks for YouTube03:59 Why Avi Built Crickit: Science, Truth, and the 2018 Wake-Up Call05:31 How Crickit Works (and Why It’s Not ‘Just a Chatbot’)07:49 Inside the Engine: Claim Extraction, Source Cross-Checks & Reliability Ratings10:05 Accuracy, Benchmarks & Why ‘Good Enough’ Beats the Status Quo12:22 Misinformation’s Sneakiest Trick + Even ‘Trusted’ Videos Get Things Wrong16:09 Why BS Goes Viral: Attention Economics, High-Arousal Content & ‘The Medium Is the Message’19:06 Pinocchio, Crypto Scams & ‘The Conscience of Content’ Origin Story21:53 Human Suggestibility, Hypnosis, and the Social Media Influence Gap25:02 The Paradox: We Need Influence to Survive—But Negativity Bias Warps It25:37 Fear, Negativity Bias, and the Cost of Believing Bad Info26:19 TikTok’s Mental Health Misinformation Problem27:47 Why TikTok Is More Than ‘Dance Videos’—A Civic-Duty Reality Check29:08 Propaganda, Fake Viral Videos, and WWII/Holocaust Revisionism31:35 Can ‘Crickit’ Fact-Check TikTok? Roadmap and Timeline32:31 How Crickit Works: Real-Time Overlays, Categories, and Rationale Panels34:14 Training Critical Thinking: Ambiguity Tolerance, System 1 vs System 239:05 BS Is Omnipresent: Humility, Corrections, and Learning You’re Wrong40:40 Media Literacy Gap + Crickit as a ‘Flight Simulator’ for Critical Thinking42:40 Wrap-Up: Promo Code, Name Teasing, and the One Skill Humanity NeedsHelpful Links:⁠Avi Tuschman LinkedIn⁠⁠Crickit⁠.aiHelpful Links:⁠Avi Tuschman LinkedIn⁠⁠Crickt⁠

In this episode of the SuperPsyched Podcast, host Dr. Adam Dorsay chats with returning guest Dr. Guy Winch, a psychologist, TED speaker, and bestselling author, about his new book 'Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.' They discuss common myths about work, the impact of workplace stress on personal lives, and the rise of workplace bullying. Dr. Winch shares insights on managing job stress, the importance of emotional intelligence, and practical tips for optimizing work-life balance. He also offers actionable advice on making vacations more restorative and the essential practice of detaching from work to improve overall well-being.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched Podcast00:39 Introducing Dr. Guy Winch and His New Book03:10 The Myths and Realities of Work Stress03:43 The Impact of Workplace Stress on Personal Life06:53 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace15:34 The Importance of Communication and Clarity19:38 The Consequences of Chronic Stress and Burnout23:33 Internship Challenges and Stress24:55 The Importance of Taking Breaks26:26 Restorative Activities and Social Connections29:20 Effective Vacation Strategies34:26 Mental and Physical Exhaustion40:34 Detaching from Work for Better Well-being42:00 Final Thoughts and FarewellHELPFUL LINKS:Dr. Guy Winch Website'Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.’ BookDear Therapists Podcast

In this episode of *SuperPsyched*, Dr. Adam Dorsay speaks with Rebecca Geshurii, co-author of 'When Good Moms Feel Bad'. Rebecca is a psychotherapist who integrates InternalFamily Systems (IFS) in her approach to helping moms navigate the emotional and physiological challenges of motherhood. They discuss the importance of self-compassion, embracing imperfections, and the value of community support. Rebecca shares practical tips for moms to soften their body, listen to their inner selves, open their hearts, and wait for internal messages, encapsulated in the acronym SLOW. The conversation highlights the need to recognize andprocess grief and shame in motherhood, ultimately promoting emotional well-being and familial connections. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 The Challenges of Motherhood00:55 Introducing Rebecca Geshuri and Her Book02:27 The Reality of Parenting07:13 Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS)08:02 Applying IFS to Motherhood13:38 The Importance of Self-Compassion17:44 Practical Tips for Self-Compassion22:15 The Power of Self-Compassion22:31 Understanding the SLOW Acronym24:40 The Impact of Shame and Guilt26:07 Navigating Motherhood and Grief28:53 The Complexity of Parenting34:32 Embracing All Parts of Ourselves36:32 Building Community and Support41:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections HELPFUL LINKS: Rebecca Geshuri WebsiteWhen Good Moms Feel Bad BookRebecca Geshuri InstagramRebecca Geshuri Facebook

In this milestone 300th episode of the SuperPsyched podcast, Dr. Adam Dorsay welcomes a very special guest—his mother, Dorothy Kurzrock Dorsay. Dorothy shares her extraordinary life journey, offering wisdom accumulated over 85 years. From her roots in Newark, New Jersey, to her impactful career in social justice with the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Dorothy gives insights into the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and lifelong learning. The episode is filled with heartwarming stories, including a hilarious anecdote about Adam's childhood mischief, and underscores the value of resilience, connection, and challenging prejudice.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Introducing a Remarkable Guest01:01 Dorothy's Early Life and Career03:26 Life Lessons and Childhood Memories09:24 Social Justice and Inclusivity18:15 Global Experiences and Family Adventures21:38 Mitzvah Day and Community Impact26:58 The Power of Connections31:17 A Playgroup Incident and Susie's Theft33:45 The Wide Net of Connections34:55 Lessons from Mrs. Reed39:30 Lifelong Friendships and Reunions54:00 Parenting Moments and Life Lessons57:13 Final Reflections and Wisdom

In this episode of SuperPsyched, Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews Gretchen Rubin, author of 'The Four Tendencies'. They explore how people respond to internal and external expectations and the resulting personality profiles: Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, and Rebel. Gretchen explains the genesis of her framework and its practical applications in everyday life. The discussion covers strategies for handling different tendencies, especially in relationships, and delves into the concept of Obliger Rebellion. Listeners will gain valuable insights into improving self-management and interpersonal dynamics.00:00 Introduction to SuperPsyched00:28 Understanding Expectations01:07 Meet Gretchen Rubin02:49 The Genesis of the Four Tendencies05:23 Exploring the Four Tendencies07:58 Applying the Four Tendencies13:30 Personal Insights and Reflections16:07 The Importance of Accountability21:34 The Importance of Effective Communication21:38 Humorous Signs and Their Impact24:29 Tailoring Messages to Different Tendencies25:33 The Power of 'Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires'27:22 Navigating Relationships with Different Tendencies34:20 Understanding Obliger Rebellion38:33 The Value of Meaningful Connections39:59 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHelpful Links:Gretchen Rubin WebsiteThe Four Tendencies BookHappier with Gretchen Rubin Podcast