Pure Curiosity with Iris McAlpin
39 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 17 ratingsThis podcast explores the curious nature of being human, and what it takes to be mentally healthy in our modern world.
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Episodes
Therapist & Retired Party Girl Amanda E. White on Alcohol Culture & Sobriety
January 07, 2022 22:32 - 55 minutes - 47.4 MBIn this episode I speak with Amanda E. White, therapist, retired party girl, and author of the new book Not Drinking Tonight about alcohol culture. This is a nuanced conversation about how we collectively relate to alcohol and sobriety, how alcohol misuse and eating disorders are intimately connected, the difference between alcohol addiction and "food addiction" and so much more. Whether you're struggling with your relationship with alcohol, interested in reflecting on your relationship with...
Dr. Jen Douglas on Perfectionism, Parenthood & Breaking Intergenerational Patterns
December 14, 2021 17:08 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBIn this episode I speak with Dr. Jen Douglas, a licensed psychologist, Stanford professor and mom about all things perfectionism. We talk about how it shows up (in sometimes sneaky ways) across multiple dimensions, including body image, parenting and productivity. Perfectionism also has an intergenerational component to it, and Dr. Jen offers some tangible insight into how we can shift these patterns within our families and raise children who aren't burdened by the weight of perfectionism. W...
Therapist Yolanda Renteria on Trauma-Informed Parenting & Child Development
November 12, 2021 18:02 - 1 hour - 81.1 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity I speak with licensed therapist Yolanda Renteria about how our childhood experiences impact our wellbeing as adults, sleep training, child development, trauma-informed parenting, and so much more. Yolanda shares from both her personal experience as a mother and her professional experience as a therapist, and addresses some really delicate and potentially very sensitive issues that come up for parents. As an expecting mother, I was grateful to learn from her,...
Executive Coach Daniel Stover on Near-Death Experiences
October 29, 2021 15:06 - 1 hour - 64 MBIn this gripping episode I speak with executive coach and leadership consultant Daniel Stover about his near-death experience while traveling abroad. His story is vulnerable, captivating and ultimately very inspiring. We explore what happens when we're pushed to our limits, how we may not react the way we think we're going to in crisis, and the potential for trauma to lead to profound shifts in understanding about what it means to be alive. About Our Guest: Dan grew up in rural Northwest ...
Therapist & Author Nedra Tawwab on Setting Healthy Boundaries
October 08, 2021 16:39 - 46 minutes - 35.8 MBHealthy boundaries are a critical aspect of mental and relational health, but they're something most people struggle with. Burn out is rampant. Many of us have felt overwhelmed by at least one relationship in our lives. Almost all of us have something we feel challenged to set limits around. This is our guest Nedra Tawwab's area of expertise. She helps people around the world set healthier boundaries with her online content and new book, Set Boundaries Find Peace. In this episode we discuss ...
Mimi Cole on Orthorexia & OCD
October 01, 2021 18:44 - 40 minutes - 33 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity I speak with speaker, writer and therapist-in-training Mimi Cole about her experience with Orthorexia, a less commonly known eating disorder, as well as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD. Orthorexia is an obsession with healthy eating, which ironically gets to a point of being unhealthy and disruptive for people's lives. Unfortunately it is becoming more widespread with the popularity of the "clean eating" movement. Mimi shares her story of recovery from ...
Trauma Coach Nate Postlethwait on Religious Trauma & Inner Child Work
July 30, 2021 13:00 - 54 minutes - 42.7 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity I speak with trauma coach and survivor Nate Postlethwait on his experience with religious trauma, and his recovery from the abuses he experienced in childhood. After disclosing his experiences of sexual abuse, Nate was told he needed to repent and was pushed into conversion therapy, where he was forbidden to discuss important aspects of his trauma and identity for many years. Over time, Nate realized he needed a very different kind of support for his recover...
Therapist & Author Steven Kessler on the 5 Personality Patterns
July 02, 2021 14:37 - 1 hour - 55 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity I speak with Steven Kessler, a licensed therapist of over 30 years, and author of the bestselling book The 5 Personality Patterns. I first picked up his book in 2019, and found it to be one of the most accessible book on character analysis/personality formation I've found. This is a topic that is often reserved for dense clinical literature, and Steven does a wonderful job translating it for a broader audience. His book breaks down universal patterns of beha...
Pure Curiosity: Theologian James Onwuachi on Cancel Culture & What we Hold Sacred
June 18, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity, I speak with James Onwuachi, a modern day philosopher, theologian and upper school dean. When James and I met in Houston 10 years ago we immediately had a good rapport, and managed to stay in touch despite multiple major moves around the country. Earlier this year, he reached out and shared an article he had written in Newsweek about the cancelling of Dr. Seuss, and I immediately asked him to join me on the podcast. This is a conversation about what sacredn...
Theologian James Onwuachi on Cancel Culture & What we Hold Sacred
June 18, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity, I speak with James Onwuachi, a modern day philosopher, theologian and upper school dean. When James and I met in Houston 10 years ago we immediately had a good rapport, and managed to stay in touch despite multiple major moves around the country. Earlier this year, he reached out and shared an article he had written in Newsweek about the cancelling of Dr. Seuss, and I immediately asked him to join me on the podcast. This is a conversation about what sacredn...
Dr. Don Vaughn on The Social Dilemma, Free Will & The 2020 Election
November 06, 2020 16:13 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity, Neuroscientist Dr. Don Vaughn weighs in on The Social Dilemma, and answers a very important question: can technology help us overcome tech addiction? It might sound counterintuitive, but he offers a very compelling argument. We also discuss his research on empathy, and address the age old question of free will. Lastly we review the findings of his latest polling technology, which predicted a much closer race than any other national poll. Dr. Vaughn is, in m...
Dr. Alex Abramovich on LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness, Suicide Prevention & Mental Health
September 14, 2020 15:47 - 47 minutes - 41.7 MBDr. Alex Abramovich and I were brought together in honor of Canada's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's campaign "Not Suicide. Not Today." to discuss one of the most vulnerable populations: LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth, and in particular trans youth of color, are at a disproportionately high risk of homelessness, discrimination and suicide. Dr. Abramovich is working on the front lines with shelters, and conducting research to support both the mental and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth...
Pure Curiosity: Hayden Dawes on Color Blindness in Mental Health & The Illusion of Certainty
August 07, 2020 16:07 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBA few months ago I read an article titled An Invitation to White Therapists by Hayden Dawes, and immediately wanted to invite him onto my podcast. In the article (which I highly recommend reading) he unequivocally calls out problematic behavior and attitudes he's observed in the White mental health community, but in a way that shows his commitment to communal healing and grace. In all of our interactions I've been struck by his humility, dedication to living authentically, and his playfulness...
Hayden Dawes on Color Blindness in Mental Health & The Illusion of Certainty
August 07, 2020 16:07 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBA few months ago I read an article titled An Invitation to White Therapists by Hayden Dawes, and immediately wanted to invite him onto my podcast. In the article (which I highly recommend reading) he unequivocally calls out problematic behavior and attitudes he's observed in the White mental health community, but in a way that shows his commitment to communal healing and grace. In all of our interactions I've been struck by his humility, dedication to living authentically, and his playfulnes...
Wangui Wanjiru on Emotional Colonization & the Neuroscience of Racism
June 05, 2020 14:56 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBIn this episode I am joined by clinical psychologist Wangui Wanjiru and we cover a LOT of ground, from "pretty privilege," to the narcissistic abuse inflicted upon Black people in societies all over the world. I originally reached out to her to discuss emotional colonization and her work in mental health in Kenya, but with the protests unfolding in the US, we ended up primarily discussing what's happening here. I hope you'll listen to this longer episode in its entirety, and that you'll appr...
Brad Kammer on Managing Helplessness, Uncertainty & Anxiety During a Global Trauma
March 31, 2020 18:56 - 56 minutes - 33.3 MBFeelings of helplessness, uncertainty and anxiety are being felt globally right now, and for good reason. We're experiencing a collective trauma. Most of us have never faced something quite like COVID-19 before, and it's only natural to be feeling unsettled. Thankfully there is also a possibility of using this experience to build greater resilience both individually and collectively. In this episode, NARM Master Therapist Brad Kammer joins us to help guide us through these uncharted waters. ...
Victoria Welsby on Fatphobia, Body Politics & Self-Acceptance at Any Size
February 28, 2020 18:54 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBIn this episode, Victoria Welsby (a.k.a. Fierce Fatty) and I dive deep into body politics, eating disorder recovery, and the critical importance of fat activism in our society. Fat people are discriminated against in almost every area. They don't make as much money in the workplace, they are blamed for their own health issues by medical professionals, and they're frequently denied treatment for eating disorders. This bias is based on extremely flawed ideas about what makes a person fat (e.g....
Preston Smiles on Conscious Relationships & Men's Emotional Health
February 11, 2020 18:47 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBA lot of my content focuses women's issues because it's what I can speak to best, but I'm really passionate about the mental health of all genders. Speaking with Preston about the male experience of relationships, trauma, health and emotion was a real treat for me. He brings so much energy and authenticity to his work, and I appreciate his no filter style. We definitely get into some potentially triggering and controversial topics here, but I hope anyone in a relationship with a man, either ...
Pure Curiosity: Brad Kammer on Healing Complex Trauma
October 18, 2019 14:36 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBThis podcast was difficult to title, because it covers so much ground. Brad Kammer talks to us about connection, community, shame, fear, love, sexuality...he basically covers the range of human experience from both a clinical and personal perspective. His extensive work in the field of trauma, and the depth of understanding he possess around the healing process, make this episode feel especially important. Brad is my teacher in the certification program for the NeuroAffective Relational Mode...
Pure Curiosity: Brad Kammer on Healing Complex Trauma
October 18, 2019 14:36 - 1 hour - 50.4 MBThis podcast was difficult to title, because it covers so much ground. Brad Kammer talks to us about connection, community, shame, fear, love, sexuality...he basically covers the range of human experience from both a clinical and personal perspective. His extensive work in the field of trauma, and the depth of understanding he possess around the healing process, make this episode feel especially important. Brad is my teacher in the certification program for the NeuroAffective Relational Model...
Pure Curiosity: Dr. Daniel Howard on Climate Change & How to Heal Our Planet
August 22, 2019 18:53 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBIf you're anything like me, growing concerns about carbon emissions and news about the state of our planet are leaving you feeling alarmed. In the murky waters of fake news and misinformation, it can be difficult to parse out what concerned citizens and consumers need to be doing about it. Enter Dr. Daniel Howard, energy and environmental engineer. He has generously gifted us an hour of science-backed information, practical steps we can all take, and a heartfelt perspective on this planet we...
Pure Curiosity: Shawn Alex Nemeth on Childhood Trauma & The Power of Forgiveness
August 13, 2019 16:52 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity, Shawn Nemeth, a coach, speaker, and founder of the Chester Street Foundation, discusses his triumph over a traumatic and abusive childhood. We discuss the importance of taking responsibility for our recovery, the magic of forgiveness, and the healing power of sharing our stories. Shawn generously shares with us important scientific research as well as his heartfelt personal testimony. About our Guest: Shawn Alex Nemeth, a born visionary, has invented...
Pure Curiosity: Dr. Sandra Aamodt on Why Diets Make us Fat
October 19, 2018 14:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBSeveral years ago I read an article in the New York Times by Dr. Sandra Aamodt that made me feel like it was Christmas morning. It was the first time I had seen a legitimate scientist say authoritatively that dieting is completely counterproductive, and in many cases damaging. This was something I knew already, after years of bulimia and yo-yo dieting, but no one had ever articulated the principles I discovered in my own path to healing so well. When her book Why Diets Make us Fat came out,...
Pure Curiosity: Jake Heilbrunn on Transforming Anxiety into Passion
September 21, 2018 18:56 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBJake Heilbrunn was suffering from crippling anxiety before embarking on a life-changing trip to South America. His experience during his travels connected him to his passion for helping others, so when he returned he began speaking and writing about his journey. Jake is now an extremely accomplished public speaker, author and mental health advocate, helping young people all over the world find their passions and overcome their fears.
Pure Curiosity: Jake Heilbrunn on Transforming Anxiety into Passion
September 21, 2018 18:56 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBJake Heilbrunn was suffering from crippling anxiety before embarking on a life-changing trip to South America. His experience during his travels connected him to his passion for helping others, and when he returned he began speaking and writing about his journey. Jake is now an extremely accomplished public speaker, best selling author and entrepreneur, helping young people all over the world find their passions and overcome their fears. About Our Guest: Jake Heilbrunn is a bestselling aut...
Pure Curiosity: Natalie Ginsberg on MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy, Psychedelics & a New Paradigm of Medicine
May 16, 2018 18:25 - 1 hour - 31.4 MBWhen most people hear the term "psychedelic" it tends to conjure up images of tie dye and Woodstock at best, and people winding up homeless or losing their minds at worst. The media backlash after the 60's, and the war on drugs did a great job distorting the public's conception of these substances. What if I told you that despite what you've heard, psychedelics may be the world's most powerful tool for healing trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? That over 60% of people could be complet...
Pure Curiosity: Coach & Author Joie Seldon on Mastering our Emotions
April 18, 2018 16:28 - 1 hour - 44 MBEven though we've had them our entire lives, emotions confound just about all of us at times. Joy, anger, sadness, fear...they can seemingly come out of nowhere, and often defy logic. Thankfully, there are people like Joie Seldon who have made it their life's work to help us navigate choppy emotional waters with grace and understanding. In this podcast, we discuss emotions on many different levels and at multiple scales. Joie offers helpful tangible examples, and practical exercises from...
Pure Curiosity: Coach & Author Joie Seldon on Mastering our Emotions
April 18, 2018 16:28 - 1 hour - 44 MBEven though we've had them our entire lives, emotions confound just about all of us at times. Joy, anger, sadness, fear...they can seemingly come out of nowhere, and often defy logic. Thankfully, there are people like Joie Seldon who have made it their life's work to help us navigate choppy emotional waters with grace and understanding. In this podcast, we discuss emotions on many different levels and at multiple scales. Joie offers helpful tangible examples, and practical exercises fro...
Pure Curiosity: Dr. Adam Gazzaley on Digital Medicine and the Future of Mental Health
February 28, 2018 11:48 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBWhat if you could play a fun, intelligent, self-adapting video game to treat your ADHD or depression? What if a psychiatrist's office was no longer just a place to get pills, but a place to lay back and immerse yourself in a Virtual Reality treatment environment? It sounds like science fiction, but neurologist/neuroscientist Dr. Adam Gazzaley is working to make these things a reality. In this episode of Pure Curiosity, Adam describes his cutting-edge research and the future of digital med...
Pure Curiosity: Shaun Ricker - A Professional Wrestler's Take on Censorship, Polarization and Gender Politics
January 31, 2018 20:20 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBWhen I first met professional wrestler Shaun Ricker, I had to confront my own ignorance. He was dating one of my best friends, and based on his career and appearance I thought he was probably a "bro," and she was just having some fun. He quickly surprised me by being very thoughtful, passionate and well informed. He was also very loving and respectful toward my friend while they were together, and I was glad my snap-assessment of him was wrong. When he commented on my instagram post (shown be...
Pure Curiosity: Stephen Pfleiderer - An Interventionist's Take on Addiction & Recovery
January 10, 2018 19:19 - 1 hour - 69.7 MBOver 20 million people over the age of 12 struggle with addiction in the United States alone (and that doesn't even include tobacco). Despite its prevalence, addiction is still considered taboo, and the stigma attached remains strong. As with most things that are kept under wraps, there are a ton of misconceptions about addiction and recovery. In this podcast I speak with Stephen Pfleiderer, a recovered addict, recovery coach and interventionist in San Francisco, and he shares his thought...
Pure Curiosity: Jamie Thompson on Partnership, Boundaries and Working From Home
December 27, 2017 20:33 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBWhen I met Jamie Thompson at a Vipassana retreat, I was really struck by how in command of herself she was. Not from a controlled place, but from a really grounded, mature place. Naturally I asked her about what she did for a living, and she talked very candidly about her life, and her path to becoming a relationship coach. When I started my podcast she was one of the first people I thought to invite on here. In this episode she talks eloquently about boundary setting, accountability, and ma...
Pure Curiosity: Dan Stover on Emotional Intelligence, Passion and Purpose
December 13, 2017 17:09 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBIntelligence comes in many forms, and until somewhat recently, emotional intelligence has been vastly underrated. In this episode of Pure Curiosity, Dan Stover and I discuss what it takes to increase emotional intelligence, tell the truth to ourselves and each other, and live a more purposeful life. He also shares fascinating stories from his time working with Suicide Prevention and Homeboy Industries. About Our Guest: Daniel Stover manages the west coast office for Integrated Leadership...
Pure Curiosity: Hillary McBride - A Critical Look at Culture, Parenting and Body Image
November 29, 2017 17:47 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBThis week's episode of Pure Curiosity is a critical discussion about modern culture, media, parenting methods and our relationship with our bodies. From #MeToo to #fitspo, social media can be a trigger for a wide range of issues, and coping can be challenging for many people. Hillary offers practical tools, meaningful insight, and hope for the contemporary human and parent. If you want a deeper understanding of how we internalize messages, unconsciously communicate with young people, and ...
Pure Curiosity: Aaron Frank & Michael Garrett on Artificial Intelligence & Psychedelic Medicine
November 15, 2017 18:39 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity we discuss the future of humanity. In particular we talk about Artificial Intelligence as being a mirror that reflects back to us both the light and dark sides of who we are. AI is a powerful tool that simultaneously solves problems and creates new--and some might say bigger--challenges. We also discuss the role of spirituality and psychedelic medicine in this new future, and how they could play an unexpected and pivotal role in righting the ship. About Our...
Pure Curiosity: Dr. Jonathan Downar & Dr. Don Vaughn on Neuroscience & the Future of Mental Health
November 01, 2017 17:15 - 1 hour - 52 MBDr. Jonathan Downar, neuroscientist and psychiatrist, and Dr. Don Vaughn, neuroscientist and behavioral consultant, share their thoughts on the future of mental health, and how Neuroscience is helping us solve complex human problems.
Pure Curiosity: Megyn Blanchard on Grief, Loss and Spiritual Narcissism
October 18, 2017 18:57 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBIn this episode of Pure Curiosity I speak with Megyn Blanchard, a self-love coach in Houston, Texas. Megyn is one of the most real, raw, transparent and genuine people I know, and I have so much respect for the work that she does. In our hour-long conversation we cover topics including grief, loss, self-care, and spiritual inquiry in an age of spiritual narcissism. I believe anyone on the self-development path will appreciate Megyn's perspective, and rigorous authenticity. About Our Gues...
Pure Curiosity: Dr. Sahib Khalsa on Float Therapy, Anorexia & PTSD
October 04, 2017 16:31 - 1 hour - 36.5 MBThis week’s episode of Pure Curiosity is all about float therapy. Dr. Sahib Khalsa and his colleagues at the Laureate Institute for Brain research have been studying the impact of floating on mental health disorders from PTSD to Anorexia, and the results are very promising. While trials are still in early phases, this is an important step toward understanding how this 63 year old treatment could impact modern mental health. Not sure what floating is? You’re not alone! Floating has only ...
Pure Curiosity: David Burns on Flow, Hustle Addiction and Somatic Awareness
September 18, 2017 05:05 - 48 minutes - 33 MBIn the first episode of Pure Curiosity, I talk to my friend and spiritual business coach David Burns. We cover a wide range of topics from workaholism, to flow states, to the importance of body awareness…just to name a few. While we do encounter a few audio issues in this podcast, it’s lack of perfection certainly doesn’t take away from the quality of wisdom David shares. If you are interested in finding more balance, presence and success in your life and/or business, this one is for you! ...