Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra
98 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 51 ratingsWith warmth, heart and a respect for science, Dr. Alexandra and her guests explore questions that come up at all life stages. Dr. Alexandra is a mother of four and an expert in family systems psychology and clinical psychopharmacology. Through interesting exchanges with her guests, Dr. Alexandra brings new learning, stories and good company to listeners.
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Episodes
Finding the Beauty in Unexpected Circumstances
May 19, 2020 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBIn this recorded talk Dr. Alexandra shares wisdom from Rumi, Petrarch, Nelson Mandela, positive psychology and more. A special thank you to Mr. Gary Kitchell for his photo of the sunrise. Support the show This show was created with love on my volunteer time. One small gift you can give me back is to take the time to leave the show a comment and rating on iTunes. You can also support the production costs of the show by buying me a $3 coffee at buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra. I will be enco...
Finding the Beauty in Unexpected Circumstances
May 19, 2020 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBIn this recorded talk Dr. Alexandra shares wisdom from Rumi, Petrarch, Nelson Mandela, positive psychology and more. A special thank you to Mr. Gary Kitchell for his photo of the sunrise. Support the show This show was created with love on my volunteer time. One small gift you can give me back is to take the time to leave the show a comment and rating on iTunes. You can also support the production costs of the show by buying me a $3 coffee at buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra. I will be enco...
Living Our Values with Tom Russo
April 09, 2020 22:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBThis episode is about identifying our values and living according to them, including strategies to help us from getting distracted and derailed. In this episode Tom Russo, author of There are no Politics in Heaven, shares some of the life lessons he has learned including overcoming his earlier years of being bullied, escaping into the unsavory aspects of political power, finding and living according to his deepest values and transforming into a servant-leader. Dr. Alexandra teaches list...
Finding and Living Our Values with Tom Russo
April 09, 2020 22:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBDo you know what your deepest values are? Are they really yours or ones that you think you should have based on others' expectations of you? Today’s episode is about identifying our values and living according to them, including strategies to help us from getting distracted and derailed. In this episode Tom Russo, author of There are no Politics in Heaven, shares some of the life lessons he has learned including overcoming his earlier years of being bullied, escaping into the unsavory asp...
Finding and Living Your Values with Tom Russo
April 09, 2020 22:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBDo you know what your deepest values are? Are they really yours or ones that you think you should have based on others' expectations of you? Today’s episode is about identifying our values and living according to them, including strategies to help us from getting distracted and derailed. In this episode Tom Russo, author of There are no Politics in Heaven, shares some of the life lessons he has learned including overcoming his earlier years of being bullied, escaping into the unsavory asp...
Quarantine: Mental Health for Adults and Children
March 25, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBDr. Alexandra, Dr. Michelle Pievsky and Neill Clark share seven practical tips on how to cope with stressful and unexpected circumstances. For further podcasts that may be particularly helpful for coping during COVID 19, search Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra for. . . . Caring for our Immune System: #31. Mind Your Microbiota #16. Your Best Sleep General Coping: #4. Facing Our Fears #25. Resilience, Overcoming and Fortitude #20. For Couples: The Second Shift #5. When Our...
The Love and Psychology of Dogs
March 18, 2020 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBI so enjoyed this conversation on the “Love and Psychology of Dogs” and am excited to share it with you! The guests on this podcast episode are Dr. Nancy Shay, veterinarian and Jeannette Carpenter, dog walker. Join us as we discuss the following and more: our thoughts on recent research on the “intelligence,” including emotional intelligence, of dogs dogs’ emotions and sense of morality amazing research on the effects dog ownership has on the health of children and adults Dr. Nancy ...
Toddler Psychology and Postpartum Blues with Michelle Pievsky, PhD
February 28, 2020 21:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBI am grateful to have experienced joy and even bliss when my children were infants and toddlers, but this is not always the case. In fact, on this show I learned that 80% of mothers experience postpartum blues. In this episode you’ll also learn: Advice on screen time for infants and toddlers Infants, toddlers and sleep The best way for little ones to learn language How to discipline a toddler What both she and I might do differently in raising our infants and toddlers Dr. Michelle...
Mind Your Microbiota
December 15, 2019 17:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBThis episode inspired me to change the way I eat and I’m excited to share this topic with others. Guest Jeanne Petrucci and I discuss the connection between our mood, our health and the gut, including: * Promising research on how our gut impacts our mood and vice versa * What it means for the gut to be “leaky” and its relation to inflammation and the immune system * The gut and the increase in food sensitivities * What to feed the gut for your health and cancer prevention * The role...
Mind Your Microbiota (Gut Health and Mental Health)
December 15, 2019 17:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBThis episode inspired me to change the way I eat and I’m excited to share this topic with others. Guest Jeanne Petrucci and I discuss the connection between our mood, our health and the gut, including: * Promising research on how our gut impacts our mood and vice versa * What it means for the gut to be “leaky” and its relation to inflammation and the immune system * The gut and the increase in food sensitivities * What to feed the gut for your health and cancer prevention * The role...
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
November 22, 2019 12:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBWith compassion and elegance the guest on today’s episode, Dr. Nancy McWilliams, helps listeners understand the following and more: What is healthy versus pathological narcissism? Can certain parenting create narcissistic personalities? What are some practical suggestions for those in a romantic relationship with a partner with narcissistic tendencies? What does it feel like if you have narcissistic personality disorder and what can help? What is overt, covert and psychopathic narcis...
Grief and Loss
November 08, 2019 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBGuest Dr. Deb Bernstein (drdebbernstein.com) endured the loss of her young brother, her young romantic love and most recently both her mother and father. As a clinical psychologist she has specialized in grief through research and through her 35 year private practice in Warwick, NY. In this episode Dr. Deb and I discuss the following and more: The many and varied symptoms of acute grief and how long it lasts How our relationship with the deceased affects our grief, such as when we ...
Grief
November 08, 2019 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBGuest Dr. Deb Bernstein (drdebbernstein.com) endured the loss of her young brother, her young romantic love and most recently both her mother and father. As a clinical psychologist she has specialized in grief through research and through her 35 year private practice in Warwick, NY. In this episode Dr. Deb and I discuss the following and more: The many and varied symptoms of acute grief and how long it lasts How our relationship with the deceased affects our grief, such as when we ...
Discuss Dementia
October 28, 2019 16:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBDid you know that most people with dementia don’t notice that they’ve had memory loss or personality changes? It tends to be relatives and close friends that notice it and then encourage the individual to seek an evaluation. I learned from the guest on this episode that the “self awareness” part of the brain is likely to be one of the areas harmed by dementia! In this episode, also learn: How do Dementia symptoms differ from normal aging? How can one tell the difference between Dem...
Panaceas for a Panic Attack!
October 16, 2019 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBYour heart is racing, your hands are tingling, you can’t breathe and you wonder: “Is this a heart attack? Why does it feel like the world is crashing down on me?” In this episode learn: * What a panic attack is and is not * Evidence-based strategies for overcoming panic * The role of medication when treating panic disorder * The treatment approach for Tourette’s syndrome, a disorder related to motor and vocal tics, another expertise held by the episode guest. Expert guest for this...
Launching Children and Letting Go
September 05, 2019 13:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBTwo days after my first baby Rebecca was born, as I held her, nursed her and loved her so much, I also mourned. . . knowing that one day I would need to let her go. Now she’s seventeen, lovely, and about to enter her senior year of high school. At the end of next summer she’ll be living at college. It’ll soon be the start of her launch, and her freedom. When she comes back, she’ll have already tasted independence like never before. . . In this episode on “Launching Children and Letting...
Resilience, Overcoming and Fortitude with Heidi Keller, Ph.D.
June 27, 2019 16:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBParents like myself would like to know that their children will “be okay” and bounce back should bad things happen to them, and tough times will inevitably happen in life. How can we build skills in ourselves and in our children to be able to “bounce back” and grow stronger from adversity? Expert guest Heidi Keller, PhD discusses resilience, how we can have more of it and how we can teach our children to have more of it. Dr. Keller, a clinical psychologist, has been diagnosed with Multip...
Fatherhood and Identity
May 31, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 34.1 MBI am excited to share this episode with you not only because Kevin is a dear friend from college but because he is one of the most delightful and interesting people I know! Our conversation in this episode includes: What it’s like for non-traditional and African American fathers battling stereotype expectations about fatherhood How men’s bodies change once they become fathers, including decreases in testosterone The “father culture” of Sweden Fathers in prison “Dead Broke” Dads R...
Fatherhood and Identity
May 31, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 34.1 MBI am excited to share this episode with you not only because Kevin is a dear friend from college but because he is one of the most delightful and interesting people I know! Our conversation in this episode includes: What it’s like for non-traditional and African American fathers battling stereotype expectations about fatherhood How men’s bodies change once they become fathers, including decreases in testosterone The “father culture” of Sweden Fathers in prison “Dead Broke” Dads R...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Dr. Allen Weg
April 28, 2019 14:00 - 1 hour - 29.2 MBObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by having a combination of obsessions (when you have repetitive persistent worries that are hard to dismiss) and compulsions or rituals (these provide temporary relief from obsessions). These obsessions and compulsions are very disruptive - disruptive enough to create problems in one’s relationships, work, school or general functioning. Do you think you have OCD or do you suspect a loved one or co-worker has it? Learn about the true def...
Borderline Personality Disorder
March 28, 2019 10:00 - 54 minutes - 25 MBIndividuals identified as having Borderline Personality Disorder may show some or all of these symptoms: intense emotions, frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, recurring conflict in relationships, impulsive or reckless behavior, self harm, chronic feelings of loneliness or boredom, frequent outbursts of anger, switching between loving someone and then hating them and suspiciousness about others. In this episode learn: What is Borderline Personality Disorder and how can...
Borderline Personality Disorder
March 28, 2019 10:00 - 54 minutes - 25 MBIndividuals identified as having Borderline Personality Disorder may show some or all of these symptoms: intense emotions, frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, recurring conflict in relationships, impulsive or reckless behavior, self harm, chronic feelings of loneliness or boredom, frequent outbursts of anger, switching between loving someone and then hating them and suspiciousness about others. In this episode learn: What is Borderline Personality Disorder and how can...
Replay of Virtue: Positive Psychology for Your Best Self with Robert McGrath
March 14, 2019 18:00 - 46 minutes - 21.5 MBIf you haven’t had a chance to hear this podcast episode I highly recommend it! Fascinating new learning from Robert McGrath, Ph.D. who just co-authored (with Ryan Niemiec) The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578434296/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_-xVFCb972S2HK), a book which teaches us about positive psychology while offering practical “how to” ideas for self improvement. The delightful conversation in this podcast offe...
For Couples: The Second Shift
February 28, 2019 03:00 - 25 minutes - 11.7 MBYou and your loved one have each had busy and full working days and you both feel mentally and physically tired. It’s now evening and you’re both home. At this point, who continues to “work?” Who is still seen moving around - getting things cleaned, getting things ready, cooking, and caring for the needs of the home and/or children? The time we spend working after working hours, which includes those evening times and weekend hours, is referred to as the “Second Shift,” a term coined by ...
For Couples: The Second Shift
February 28, 2019 03:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MBYou and your loved one have each had busy and full working days and you both feel mentally and physically tired. It’s now evening and you’re both home. At this point, who continues to “work?” Who is still seen moving around - getting things cleaned, getting things ready, cooking, and caring for the needs of the home and/or children? The time we spend working after working hours, which includes those evening times and weekend hours, is referred to as the “Second Shift,” a term coined by ...
Facing the Unknown Part 1
January 31, 2019 17:00 - 20 minutes - 9.5 MBWorry about the unknown can take up our precious time and energy. We may feel like the worry is going to help us control the outcome, but chances are constant worrying about the unknown is wasting our time! This podcast offers a few practical steps for productively dealing with the unknown so that we can instead turn our energy toward our more fulfilling, productive and meaningful commitments. Learn: * Why our brains assume the worst when facing the unknown * How repeated chronic ...
How to Forgive: with Dr. Robert Enright
December 23, 2018 05:00 - 58 minutes - 26.7 MBForgiving isn’t excusing or forgetting; it is a decision that gives greater physical and psychological health to the forgiver. In this episode Dr. Enright provides profound insights into forgiveness including: * How and why forgiveness benefits the forgiver * Practical, proven steps on how to actually forgive * How to forgive after being betrayed by unfaithfulness * What five steps to take if you have been unfaithful * What to do when the person you need to forgive is yourself * How...
Chronic Pain and the Brain with Dr. Jeff Axelbank
December 16, 2018 15:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBI’ve been experiencing chronic pain in my arm very recently which I attributed to overuse from playing tennis. This conversation got me really thinking about what this injury could mean on a deeper level. In this episode my expert guest and I explore: Can negative thoughts such as “unspeakable anger" manifest as pain in our bodies? Why is it that two people can show the same exact damage from an injury on an MRI but feel the pain in two very different ways? What are some steps we can t...
Your Best Sleep! With Anna Urbaniak
December 04, 2018 03:00 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBIn my podcast Episode 7 entitled “Commitment to Self Care and Self Care for Commitment” I discuss five life habits that I found helpful for taking care of my energy… because what good is free time if we have no energy within that free time to pursue our most meaningful commitments? One of the strategies I mentioned is to take care of my sleep through the principles of “sleep hygiene.” Since then listeners have asked for a podcast on this topic. My guest for this episode is Anna Urbani...
Staying Civil when Disagreeing over Politics: with Neill Clark
November 07, 2018 05:00 - 40 minutes - 18.8 MB* Learn four ways to have a civil political discussion with someone with whom you disagree. * Learn how to talk politics when you and your family member are on opposites side of the political spectrum. * Learn what researchers have discovered about how terrorists think and how can this help us with our own heated discussions. * How does hate affect the brain? * Are love and hate opposite sides of the same coin? * Can the stress caused by disagreeing over politics get passed ...
Staying Civil when Disagreeing over Politics: with Neill Clark
November 07, 2018 05:00 - 40 minutes - 18.8 MB* Learn four ways to have a civil political discussion with someone with whom you disagree. * Learn how to talk politics when you and your family member are on opposites side of the political spectrum. * Learn what researchers have discovered about how terrorists think and how can this help us with our own heated discussions. * How does hate affect the brain? * Are love and hate opposite sides of the same coin? * Can the stress caused by disagreeing over politics get passed ...
Virtue: with Robert McGrath, PhD
October 17, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.5 MBThis was a delightful and interesting conversation with Dr. Robert McGrath, psychologist and author. Among other topics, we discuss: * What are the six virtues that religious and moral traditions across the planet have in common? * What have Dr. McGrath's studies of over one million people determined to be the “essential three” virtues? * What does it really take to be a good person? * What are the roles of courage, curiosity and humor? * What can Ben Franklin teach us about virtu...
Psilocybin to Improve Mental Health: with Jennifer Campbell
October 08, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MBPsilocybin, a hallucinogen derived from certain mushrooms, is receiving a lot of attention lately in the research community and Johns Hopkins University has just recommended that this compound be reclassified for medicinal use to treat depression, anxiety and to help people stop smoking. What is psilocybin and does it have lasting beneficial effects on depression and anxiety? How does it impact our brain? Learn more about the effect of psilocybin with guest Jennifer Campbell, MA. I met ...
Imposter Syndrome: with Lauren Todd
September 13, 2018 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBThe esteemed author and poet Maya Angelou once said: “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody , and they’re going to find me out.” Imposter Syndrome is when you feel like a phony, as if you are fooling others, and are afraid of being somehow exposed as someone who doesn’t really know what they are doing or talking about. Individuals with imposter syndrome have trouble attributing their success to their own achieve...
Forgiveness: a Rabbi, a Pastor and a Muslim
August 12, 2018 04:00 - 48 minutes - 22.4 MBI enjoyed this wonderful conversation as we explored the following profound and often perplexing questions: Why forgive? How does psychology define forgiveness and how do Judaism, Christianity and Islam see forgiveness? Does forgiving mean we are pardoning bad behavior? Do you need the offender to participate if you want to forgive? What steps can we take to forgive and how do we do it? Guests for this episode bring the perspectives of Judaism, Islam and Christianity to the topic. Rabbi Mend...
Become More Emotionally Intelligent: A Conversation with Silja Litvin
July 17, 2018 04:00 - 49 minutes - 22.6 MBEnjoy our conversation as we span a range of interesting topics within psychology, including: Can we increase our Emotional Intelligence (EQ) through an app? What is “Digital Cocaine?” What is happening with artificial intelligence and facial recognition, and what are the implications? Can we learn from micro expressions on the human face? How can we use technology to better ourselves psychologically? What can we learn from rejection? How can we effectively give others space when they need i...
Become More Emotionally Intelligent: A Conversation with Silja Litvin
July 17, 2018 04:00 - 49 minutes - 22.6 MBEnjoy our conversation as we span a range of interesting topics within psychology, including: Can we increase our Emotional Intelligence (EQ) through an app? What is “Digital Cocaine?” What is happening with artificial intelligence and facial recognition, and what are the implications? Can we learn from micro expressions on the human face? How can we use technology to better ourselves psychologically? What can we learn from rejection? How can we effectively give others space when they need i...
The Honeymoon Phase of Love: with Justine Bates-Krakoff, MS
June 12, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 8.21 MBThe honeymoon phase of love is one of the greatest human experiences. Learn from this episode: What is the honeymoon phase? What is happening in our brains? How long does the honeymoon phase last? How can learning about the honeymoon phase apply to smart dating? How can knowledge about the honeymoon phase inform us about marital affairs? How can the above inform us about long distance relationships? Can long term relationships keep the honeymoon phase going and how? (The answer is: yes they ...
The Honeymoon Phase of Love: with Justine Bates-Krakoff, MS
June 12, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 8.2 MBThe honeymoon phase of love is one of the greatest human experiences. Learn from this episode: What is the honeymoon phase? What is happening in our brains? How long does the honeymoon phase last? How can learning about the honeymoon phase apply to smart dating? How can knowledge about the honeymoon phase inform us about marital affairs? How can the above inform us about long distance relationships? Can long term relationships keep the honeymoon phase going and how? (The answer is: yes they ...
Seven Precepts for Single Parents
May 19, 2018 04:00 - 21 minutes - 9.89 MBPrecepts 1 and 4 are especially for single parents but the rest apply to all parents. I created this list based on three things: what research has found in psychology, what I have learned from experience with my patients over fifteen years of private practice, and my own experience as a single mother of four children. Some precepts have to do with what we “do” and others have to do with what we “don’t do.” May these precepts lead to greater nurturing, love and peace in households of all type...
Commitment for Self Care and Self Care for Commitment LIVE EVENT RECORDING
May 02, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 8.16 MBI hope you will enjoy listening to this live event, recorded at my book signing and podcast launch April 26th, 2018 in Sparta, New Jersey at Interplay Couture. After some brief introductions you will hear my talk. I was asked to speak on the topic: “There is Hope: Life Balance and Self Care” but you’re going to hear why I renamed the talk to “Commitment for Self-Care and Self Care for Commitment.” I will discuss five strategies I used to manage my energy in my quest to launch my book and pod...
Good Vibrations and the Healing Power of Sound: A Conversation with T Love
April 17, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 7.82 MBMusic, a language that everyone understands, has been used in rituals across cultures throughout time. This podcast reviews how music and sound affect the brain to bring feelings of reward, analgesic (painkilling) effects and more. This bonus episode includes an introduction to and a sample of the sounds of Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls which are used for healing in complementary medicine. My guest for this episode is T Love who is only one of a handful of Vibrational Sound Therapists in the ...
When Our Thoughts Get in the Way (and How to Get Relief): An Interview with Dr. Simon Rego, Psychologist
April 05, 2018 04:00 - 58 minutes - 26.9 MBMy guest in this episode is Dr. Simon Rego, Chief Psychologist at Montefiore Medical Center of New York City and co-author with Sarah Fader of the #1 Amazon Best Seller The 10 Step Depression Relief Workbook. Simon Rego has been sought out as an expert for CBS and Fox News television, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, just to name a few. In this episode we share stories and discuss practical techniques for how to deal with intrusive thoughts. Techniques discussed include accept...
Facing Our Fears: An Interview with Dr. Wolf Shipon, Psychologist
March 22, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MBFor this episode I interview Dr. R. Wolf Shipon, psychologist and author of “One Minute Healing.” We discuss gratitude, how psychology has blended with acupuncture, the techniques he uses to treat patients with the fear of public speaking and other phobias and how our past doesn’t have to predict our future. Wolf is one of the most positive and delightful people I know and I hope you’ll enjoy his company as much as I did. Learn more about Wolf’s practice in Mountain Lakes, NJ at inner-wellth...
The Scapegoat in the Workplace, at Funerals and in Families
March 07, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MBPsychology studies have found that human groups have a tendency to scapegoat, especially during stressful times. What is scapegoating and who tends to be chosen to be the scapegoat in a group? What can you do when it's happening to you or in your world? In this episode Dr. Alexandra shares what psychology studies and literature have found about groups and scapegoating. She shares stories of case examples of scapegoating at work and at a funeral. Lastly, she reviews practical tips for what to...
The Scapegoat in the Workplace, at Funerals and in Families
March 07, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MBPsychology studies have found that human groups have a tendency to scapegoat, especially during stressful times. What is scapegoating and who tends to be chosen to be the scapegoat in a group? What can you do when it's happening to you or in your world? In this episode Dr. Alexandra shares what psychology studies and literature have found about groups and scapegoating. She shares stories of case examples of scapegoating at work and at a funeral. Lastly, she reviews practical tips for what to...
Ignoring: When to Ignore Children and Adults, a Conversation with Cassandra Hoy
February 20, 2018 05:00 - 17 minutes - 8.21 MBWhen we see bad behavior in children and adults, we may feel compelled to "do something," but there are times when seemingly "doing nothing," or ignoring, is the best response. When is ignoring a misbehaved child the best response? How might ignoring an adult be the best way to inspire behavior change? Enjoy vivid stories and new learning with Dr. Alexandra and her expert guest, Cassandra Hoy, MA. In this episode New York City resident Cassandra "Cass" Hoy shares practical ideas from Parent ...
Sex Therapy, Sexual Consent and Grief and Loss: A Conversation with Dr. Deb Bernstein
January 28, 2018 05:00 - 57 minutes - 26.4 MBIn this episode I share a conversation with Dr. Deb Bernstein, a licensed psychologist who has been in clinical practice in Warwick, New York for 24 years. Dr. Deb as a renaissance woman — she is also a potter and a gourmet cook with 12,000 followers on her food blog on Instagram (Dr.Debs.pots). Whether it is with her patients, through her pottery, as a gourmet cook, or as a mother, Dr. Deb sees her life work as creating and witnessing transformation. We begin with exchanging ideas on a sex ...