Delusional Optimism with Dr. B
69 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -Are you interested in building a more diverse and equitable world? Do you want to learn how to communicate your emotions through a neuropsychological lens? Delusional Optimism with Dr. B is a podcast where we break down complex concepts into easy to understand actionable information.
There are five overarching themes in Delusional Optimism;
Resilience & Protective Factors
Child Development & Parenting
Emotions & Neuroscience
Diversity & Equity
In every episode, we will dig deeper into one or more of these bigger concepts and provide relatable stories and examples of how to approach the world with an informed and OPTIMISTIC mind! The goal is to connect and build a community that is open to learning how the brain works and what we can do to maximize our resilience, build protective factors into our world that support resilience from the beginning of life. Let’s Leave a Lifeprint!
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Episodes
Is Spanking Harmful?
September 22, 2020 08:42 - 40 minutes - 93.8 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives into the controversial topic of spanking and asks the question ‘is spanking harmful?’. She talks about the negative effects of spanking, how it causes adverse childhood experiences, and what you can instead do to be a better parent. Listen in to learn what research has shown over the years about spanking and the three categories of parents that exist. You will also learn the importance of having an education system that teaches parents abo...
Meet My Wife Lisa: Her Coming Out Story
September 17, 2020 08:19 - 29 minutes - 68.2 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B invites her wife Lisa to share her coming out story and how the journey has been for her. Lisa talks about the fears of disappointing her family that she had growing up with the knowledge of being a lesbian and how she learned to overcome them. Listen in to learn the importance of being ready to know your truth even though it might be difficult to accept and acknowledge it. You will also learn why white America needs to incorporate people of all...
Dr. B's Coming Out Story
September 15, 2020 08:07 - 32 minutes - 73.4 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B shares her coming out story. She explains her experience coming out to herself at 39 years, married, and with children. Listen in to learn the importance of being true to who you are not just for you but also those you love. You will also hear about the importance of having enough strength to bear the difficult consequences of the coming out journey. “I want every day to be Pride day just like it doesn’t matter if you’re gay or not- you can be ...
Parenting and Childhood Development
September 10, 2020 08:01 - 24 minutes - 56.5 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives into the topic of how parenting affects child development. She describes teen parenting scenarios and why access to medical attention should be made easily accessible to teen moms. Listen in to learn the benefits of making medicine more personal by educating medical professionals on the social determinants of health. You will also learn why you as a parent need to know more about adverse childhood experiences. “We can really no longer aff...
Neuroscience of Confirmation Bias
September 08, 2020 08:00 - 27 minutes - 63.8 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about confirmation bias which is how people disregard new information that contradicts their past beliefs and decisions. She explains how it affects major decisions made by a group of people and have an impact on others. Listen in to learn why you need to actively fight your confirmation bias and be more open to disconfirming new information. You will also learn about the importance of reconsidering the current American school curriculum d...
How Brain Chemistry Works with Brain Structure
September 03, 2020 08:09 - 32 minutes - 75.2 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about brain chemical reactions and how they affect how the brain functions. She explains the functions of the four chemicals dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin, how they’re induced, and how they affect your daily life. Listen in to learn how your body can manage extreme pain on its own. You will also learn the importance of teaching your kids about the brain chemicals to feel good and how they can control them to avoid mental is...
The Intersection Between Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) and the Polyvagal System.
September 01, 2020 08:13 - 41 minutes - 94.7 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives deep into the meaning of the polyvagal system and its relations to past traumas. She explains the hierarchy connection of the body and mind and how they work separately and together. Listen in to learn about the dorsal vagus nerve and the ventral vagal nerve systems and their functions in your body and brain. You will also hear how you can learn and grow from the polyvagal system and optimism. “We have to find healthy ways to connect with...
Living with Uncertainty
August 20, 2020 08:15 - 31 minutes - 71.6 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives into the topic of anxiety brought by life’s uncertainties which is at this moment is COVID-19 for all of us. She explains why you may be having conflicting thoughts about the whole situation and how the brain is functioning to show you how the world is working to keep you alive. Listen in to learn how you can create a semi-new reality about the future of COVID-19 by being optimistic. You will also learn the importance of creating meaningfu...
Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces)
August 18, 2020 08:46 - 29 minutes - 66.4 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about the effects of adverse childhood experiences like physical and emotional abuse on adult lives. She dives deep into an ACEs study finding that was conducted on 2300 people to determine the cause of their trauma. Listen in to learn the relationship between drug addiction and trauma and why the former is caused by the latter. You will also learn the importance of telling your traumatic story in any form to start the process of healing. ...
Just Say, "NO" to Social Distancing. Words Matter!
August 12, 2020 15:48 - 26 minutes - 60.4 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives deep into the long-term effects of emotional trauma which is brought by negative words. She explains how words are logged in and wired into babies from their fetal stage. Listen in to learn the negative generational impact of the ‘social distancing’ phrase and how you can change that by using the right words. You will also learn the importance of quiet time for you and your little ones in creating and filtering ideas. “We need to stay soc...
Neurobiology of Difference
August 06, 2020 16:32 - 29 minutes - 67.2 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B looks into the psychological explanation for religious extremism and racism. She explains how people’s neurobiological functions are impacted by social influences over time to cause dysfunction. Listen in to learn the importance of taking the Harvard Implicit Bias Test to help you determine your implicit bias against particular groups of people so you can rewire your brain. You will also learn why you need to engage in conversations that recogni...
Implicit Bias & Skill Building: Growth & Change & Implicit Bias
August 04, 2020 08:19 - 28 minutes - 65.2 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives deep into the meaning of implicit bias and the Harvard Implicit Bias Test. She shares her experience with taking the test thrice, the different results she obtained each time and Harvard’s response to her results. Listen in to learn the difference between implicit bias and explicit bias in both white and black people. You will also learn the importance of taking the implicit test and the individual steps you need to take to continue buildi...
Social Determinants of Health and Resiliency
July 30, 2020 12:17 - 26 minutes - 60.1 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about the importance of building resiliency by infusing protective factors in all communities. She explains the current disparities that exist between the African American community and the white American culture and why we need to own our privilege based on our skin color. Listen in to learn how you can take responsibility and make an individual change by learning more history about other cultures. “It doesn’t take much effort or even f...
Civil Unrest IS Optimism
July 29, 2020 15:45 - 26 minutes - 59.9 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about how the current civil unrest is a sign of optimism especially because people are demanding change in the middle of a global pandemic. She shares a horrific story of just a fraction of what black women and children would go through in slavery and how it justifies the anger and the need for change. Listen in to learn what you can do as a white person to eliminate ignorance and see a community beyond the color of your skin. “Our skin t...
Opening Schools During a Global Pandemic
July 23, 2020 13:55 - 29 minutes - 68.3 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B talks about the current debate of whether children should go back to school in the middle of the global pandemic. She answers the question ‘is it safe or crucial for our children to go back to school right now?” Listen in to learn the importance of education and the learning process away from class. You will learn how you as a parent can get involved in teaching your child in a ‘non-traditional’ way and keep them safe. “The idea that we’re j...
Optimism & Neuroscience: A Personal Story
July 21, 2020 21:01 - 27 minutes - 63.1 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B shares her personal story about a road accident that happened 26 years ago and how optimism contributed to her recovery. She also talks about the two sides of the brain that host optimism and pessimism and the function of each. Listen in to learn why too much optimism can be risky and needs to be regulated to keep you safe. “We have to be delusional optimistically- imagine what our new world is going to look like and that’s going to take an ...
Born Biased: Understanding the Neurological Foundation of Babies and Bias
July 09, 2020 17:13 - 14 minutes - 34.3 MBIn this episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B dives deep into the neurological foundation of babies and how they become racially bias. She describes what research shows about babies forming their racial presence at infancy as opposed to the myth that it is taught to them. Listen in to learn what you can do to wire your babies for the inclusiveness of people of different ethnicities. “We can raise babies who are wired for inclusiveness of difference and can still navigate safety.” [12:36]...
How to Build A Resilience Centered Education System
July 09, 2020 16:54 - 19 minutes - 44.3 MBWelcome to today’s episode of Delusional Optimism with Dr. B! Today she talks about the importance of instilling resilience into our children through education. She explains the history of our current education system and why it is so flawed. Listen in to learn the importance of a community-based education model as opposed to the institutional education model that exists today. You will also hear Dr. B’s flawed experience with our education system. “We need humans to be dedicated to the pr...
Rising to the Occasion of Resilience
July 01, 2020 18:09 - 21 minutes - 49.7 MBIn this premiere episode of Delusional Optimism, Dr. B gets to describe herself and what it means to be both a developmentalist and a humanist. She talks about the power of resilience as part of a person’s character instilled since childhood. Listen in to learn what congruence means and its purpose in building a system with the same values as what is taught in our homes. You will also hear the importance of learning beyond what we know and do things differently from what we were taught in l...