The Broken Brain

Filmmakers Joe Zentil and Pierce Csurgo created the independent film Born To Loose, currently making the way around the film festival circuit. Set in the genre of motorcycle culture, this movie depicts a young man caught up in problems related to fractured relationships, self-destructive choices, and the dangers of addiction and the drug trade.  Our highlighted charity this month is Kids & Art, a California based nonprofit that uses Art to support children with cancer. Go to www.kidsandart.org to learn more about this amazing organization. 

Alex Mallis and Travis Wood join me to discuss their new film "Travel Companion." The story focuses on Simon, an indie filmmaker who's roommate helps him travel with free airline tickets, and the potential loss of this perk. Kids & Art is the highlighted charity for April. This organization helps kids with cancer through use of art. go to www.kidsandart.org to learn more about this important organization.

A quick look at the shifting vocabulary and perspectives on the hyper-interest associated with Autism.  This month's highlighted charity is Kids & Art, an organization based in California using art activities and education to help children with cancer. Go to www.kidsandart.org to follow and support this amazing nonprofit. 

Another great conversation from the Cinequest Film Festival! Rich Ho spent the past 13 years making his movie "Heavens: The Boy and His Robot," a coming of age story centered on bravery, community, and dedication, set in sci-fi world. He talks to us about story telling and how he learned to overcome personal fear and dedicate himself to a project. The making of this film is a story of goals, follow through, and Rich's relationship with his children.  Please visit www.CHIRLA.org to support the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, our highlighted charity for the month of March.   

Grief is a complex thing, and can be difficult to approach with children. Dr Korie Leigh is one of the nation's leading experts on childhood grief & pediatric palliative care, a consultant to the Sesame Street Workshop, and the author of the new book "When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief." Today she shares principles to help children through the most difficult times, whether they are coping with loss or suffering from serious illness of their own. Follow her work and check out the book: www.korieleighphd.com  The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Rights for Immigrants. Go to www.chirla.org to support & share this important nonprofit. 

  What is with the stereotype of the Irish Cop? I have seen this in fiction, when I was young it seemed like half of fictional law enforcement were Irish. In the real world Irish culture has a strong present in the culture of modern day policing. Where did it come from? This week's dive into cultural history is a story of immigration, discrimination, brutal capatilism leading to mass corruption, and how an immigrant group can be pressured into infighting with other immigrants. For Patrons of the show (who get the second half) there is also a touching story of modern Irish advocacy and referrals to Irish American Groups advancing rights of immigrants today. Here are links to the organizations mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPwq0sGkji-/ (Story of the Grapefruit Ladies) https://www.irishamericandems.org/ (Irish American Democrats) https://www.aaidnet.org/ (African American Irish Immigration) https://aoh.com/ (Ancient Order of Hibernians) https://ciic-usa.org/member-centers/ (Coalition of Irish America

Cinequest Fim Festival is in full swing, which means interviews with Indie Artists! Today we discuss the film "Plan C," with writer/director Scott Cavalheiro, and star Claire Cavalheiro. Plan C is a heist movie focused on doing the wrong things for what feel like the right reasons: helping family.  The highlighted charity this month is CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org åç

What information to we use to diagnose and deduce what is going on in a situation? What is a useful or less-useful way of going about this?  The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA. Go to www.chirla.org to learn about and support this wonderful nonprofit working to support and protect the rights of immigrants. 

The Isolation Helmet was an inventive, and quite odd, treatment device for mental health. Today we revisit this former episode of Thursday Thistory, with one important difference: Everyone gets the FULL episode! Try to control your excitement! Usually these history lessons are only available in full to Patreon donors, but everyone gets this one.  The highlighted nonprofit this month is CHIRLA: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Go to www.CHIRLA.org to learn more and support this amazing and important organization.

Jonny Durgan is the writer & director of the new short film "G.S.W." now making the film festival circuit. This powerful film looks at a unique aspect of a school shooting, seen through the experience of a pair of EMTs near the site. Follow the process of this film, including a trailer and it's eventual general release, at www.youtube.com/@gsw_film   The Broken Brain's highlighted charity this month is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Follow and support their important work at www.chirla.org  

Today's dive into history of psychology focuses on a modern pioneer in therapy: Dr Joy Harden Bradford. She is the founder of Therapy For Black Girls, a platform for education, advocacy, and mental health treatment focused on the needs of Black women and girls. Her foundational work is based on overcoming obstacles such as bias, medical discrimination, and stigma of seeking out therapy. You can follow her work at www.therapyforblackgirls.com  This is a sample of this Thursday Thistory, a weekly dive into psychology, available in full to supporting patrons of the show. Consider supporting the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain  

Dr Joseph Luftman is a Physician specializing in Sports and Family Medicine. After suffering a massive heart attack, often called a widowmaker level attack, he began to focus on reducing elements of stress and burnout through mindfulness, recognizing stress buildup, contemplation, and how sound can be useful in finding calm amidst chaos. Follow his work at www.saturationofsound.com and read his new book: The Widowmaker's Gift This month our highlighted nonprofit is The Lavender Rights Project. Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.com to support this organization, helping Black Trans individuals with the challenges they face in society.

With the recent passing of Rev. JesseJackson, many have been concerned at the lack of celebration and respect being shown by the current administration, including lack of official direction to fly flags at half-mast, and Mike Johnson's flat refusal to consider Jackson's potential for interment in the Capital Rotunda.  Lack of respect or outright erasure of civil rights can contribute to advocacy burnout, or stress from the current political climate. Along with many other forms of action, openly celebrating causes or individuals is a form of self-care. Today I want to share a brief story about Jackson's skill as a diplomat and negotiator, and how he used these talents to successfully aid in the release of hostages on the international stage.  Please go check out www.lavenderproject.org, our highlighted nonprofit for this month, to support this wonderful organization helping Black Trans Americans. Share, support, and celebrate their important work.

E. Kitch Childs, PhD, was an influential and tireless advocate for the civil rights of women, Black Americans, and the LGBTQ community. Her work in academics, research, treatment, and advocacy forever changed the world of Psychology and the social landscape of the United States. This is the first half of this week's dive into the history of psychology. The second half is available to all Broken Brain Patrons, over at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain  Check out this month's highlighted nonprofit, the Lavender Project, a Feminist, Queer charity benefitting Black Trans people facing practical, emotional, and legal struggles. Go to www.lavenderproject.org to learn more. 

Microdosing of mushroom products is prominent on the horizon of healthcare and research. Christian Rasmussen, host of The Amanita Podcast, joins the podcast to discuss the Amanita Muscaria Mushroom, also known as fly agaric. Christian went through his own addiction and mental health struggles, and shares with us the role that Amanita played in his recovery. He has built a career sharing information and growing safe, non-recreational botanical products. Check out his podcast, and learn more about his work at www.amentara.com   This month our highlighted charity is The Lavender Project, a Queer led organization helping Black Trans people to meet practical, legal, and emotional needs. Follow them at www.lavenderproject.org  

Patreon sample: This week in our history deep dive we are examining the life of Dr Solomon Carter Fuller, credited as the first Black Psychiatrist in the USA. Born of formerly enslaved parents, Dr Fuller grew up to become a psychiatrist, neurologist, and professor at Boston College. His groundbreaking research in the discovery of Alzheimer's disease is still the foundation of much research and treatment today.  Go to www.thelavenderproject.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit, providing legal and practical assistance for Black Trans Americans. 50% of donations from Patreon members who join this month will go to The Lavender Project as long as they remain donors. That's why they get 50% more episode today than the general public. 

Jane Fischer is a Teacher, Special Educator, Learning Consultant, and the Author of "If You Knew Suzy: Pushing Past the Boundaries of Never." Jane's daughter Suzy was diagnosed at a young age with rare brain abnormalities and Joubert Syndrome. The book tells the story of what types of acceptance, grieving, and hope can exist when a parent and a child have to decide how to respond to a long list of "nevers," and how to help Suzy build her own fulfilling life.  Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.org to support this month's highlighted charity, a lovely nonprofit helping Black Trans individuals to thrive through legal help, advocacy, and meeting their health and wellness needs. 

It is hard to navigate day-to-day with all of the bullshit going on in the USA right now. How. dowe stay informed, do our part to help, advocate, and avoid burnout, avoidance, or self-destructive coping mechanisms?  Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.org to get aware and involved with this month's highlighted nonprofit. Lavender Rights Project helps Black Trans people with community advocacy, increasing safety, and practical needs such as housing. 

With Black History month I have been looking into some of the underreported Black pioneers in the field of education and psychology, and was very impressed with the impact of Dr Inez Beverly Prosser. An educator, researcher, psychologist, she is the first Black woman to earn a PhD in the United States, in 1933. Her research into the emotional, cognitive, and psychological effects of segregation on Black children was vital to the Brown v Board of Education case, 20 years after her death. This is the first half of this week's dive into psychological history, available to all. The entire episode each week is available to supporters of the show. Consider lending your support: www.patreon.com/brokenbrain   The highlighted charity this month is the Lavender Rights Project, a Black Trans Feminist nonprofit advocating, supporting, and providing legal and housing assistance for Black Transgendered individuals. Get involved at: www.lavenderrightsproject.org 

Garrett Wood, Clinical Hypnotherapist and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, joins to talk about the role that hypnotherapy can play in treating burnout, anxiety, chronic pain, and overall health management. He discusses the difference between medically sound, best practice ways hypnosis is used to find solutions to health problems. Check out his practice, Gnosis Therapy, at www.gnosistherapy.com   This month the Broken Brain is focused on Stand In Pride, a charity helping connect LGBTQ+ individuals to community and found family after facing abandonment from their support systems when coming out. Learn more and get involved at www.standinpride.org, or download their app to get involved today.