Psychosocial Distancing

A bonus series of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology has us LIVE! At the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association. We had the pleasure of running a mini-series of live interviews with some of the students and advising professionals in psychology from across the Rocky Mountain region!

In this bonus mini episode we interview Jason Petitt, who with his advisor Dr. Amoneeta Beckstein presented “The Addiction Healing Journey Does Not Require 12-Steps” at RMPA.

Episode 126 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode we discuss the secret world of essential oils while testing new equipment live at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association. Daniel and Thomas talk about the bit of truth behind some oils, the rise of religious multi-level marketing companies pushing their oils to cure everything under the sun, and the dangers of over exposure and misuse of these ‘cures’. We also use the c-word (cults…) and whether or not they apply and muse on the claims by some past members on whether or not one of these MLMs is secretly run by the devil!

Warning: This episode may contain some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 124 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode we discuss the spectrum of pressure points and chi manipulation, from Reiki and Reflexology to the interesting past of Chiropractic. Learn how D.D. Palmer, a true “life goals” aesthetics guru got the idea for Chiropractic and more. We also talk about the social pressures that may drive people to seek out pseudo-medicine and the difference between the massage/chiropractic practitioner who can help with pain and the ones running a massive industry and grift and anti-vax propaganda!

Warning: This episode may contain some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.  

Episode 123 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss #NoFap and the Semen Retention communities. The Victorians had some odd ideas about sex and societally we have always had some odd ideas and hangups. But what happens when we take it further. In this episode we discuss porn addiction, rebooting and reabsorbing, and debate which of these two communities takes it too far…it might be both…

Warning: This episode may contain some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 122 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omega Males…and also Psi Males, and Chi Males, and Delta Males, and all of the other made up categories of masculinity to identify with. With the book that set the stage debunked decades ago, where does the state of alpha masculinity exist today and what truth, if any, exists regarding it.

Warning: This episode may contain some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 121 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss the debunked and rejected polygraph test, still, widely used as part of a 2 billion/year industry in determining who gets to become a first responder, cop, or federal agent. And we pair that with the limited validity of eyewitness testimony.

Warning: This episode may contain some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 120 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss the ancient apocalypse, Atlantis, and the push back Big Archeology is giving these freethinkers who want to know the truth about what happened to the pure Atlantean race. Or how its all a moneymaking sham and pushes intense white supremacist narratives. Who is in the right and why do people believe? All this and more with the ask psychologist question of the week.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 119 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss the Enneagram…its like the Meyer’s-Briggs but it will make you feel guilty and worse. 9 ‘archetypes’ for personal growth. I guess. Its another loose typology based on little psychology if any and even less Jung. Lets go down this rabbit hole and find out why another typology is bunk.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 118 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss more psychology related pseudoscience in the form of typologies. What does your learning style say about you, how do we fit neatly into the stages of grief, and other fixation and essentialist based nonsense. People are more complex than boxes and tribes and these two in particular do more harm than good.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 117 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas discuss more psychology related pseudoscience: phrenology and hypnosis. We focus mostly on hypnosis and the truth and fiction behind it. We also muse on phrenology, the lack of truth behind it, the ways in which is inspired good science, and what could be considered “modern phrenology”. All this and a question of the week from Ask Psychology on Reddit.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 116 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Thomas and Daniel discuss psychology related pseudoscience: parapsychology, pseudo-belief, and handwriting analysis. Psychology is rife with things that seem to make sense but have no merit in research or actual reality. On one hand we discuss the history of parapsychology and attempts to codify the unknown in grounded research. On the other hand we examine graphology, a field that, like the Meyers-Briggs, just isn’t valid in modern psychology but is still used today. Both as well, are super popular in the U.K. compared to the U.S.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 115 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with PSEUDOSCIENCE! This Spring we are going to be talking about pseudoscience. Who believes it? Why do they believe it? Is there a kernel of truth to some of the pseudoscientific beliefs people have? And more…

In this episode Daniel and Thomas introduce pseudoscience and get back into their groove after a bumpy Fall semester. We discuss what exactly pseudoscience is, set up the ground rules for this semester, and compare what pseudoscientists do to what scientists do. We also scrap the bias of the week to talk about some of the questions people have for psychologists online and the answers “totally real psychologists” offer them.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 114 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss different antecedents that lead to serial killers to be who they are. There aren’t any specific conclusions but a number a different factors that lead to a perfect storm. Head trauma, the MAOA warrior “gene”, social difference, lead in the atmosphere, sexual repression, and much much more are mused upon in trying to pin down what might cause this behavior and the nature of the US producing more serial killers than any other country.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 113 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we try and get back into the grove of doing a podcast after last semester. We talk about the Idaho murders and this older case of an Assistant Professor who killed 4 of his colleagues. What are the implications of a murderer publishing from prison. How might a killer, who took the rights to publish away from 4 others, get to keep their name alive. Can we look past the actions of a horrible person and still value their work? All this and more…

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 112 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss the nurse turned serial killer, Charles Cullen. Sarah, Thomas, and Daniel talk about the dark triad in relation to this case, the rise and fall of a disturbed killer, and the system which allowed him to thrive.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 111 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss the last of our Dark Triad episodes, the 3rd, Machiavellianism. Cynical power-hungry people, 500-year-old political philosophy, and the nature of the callous ruler. We discuss how they are different from narcissists and psychopaths and why there isn’t a Machiavellian Personality Disorder…. yet?

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 110 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss another serial killer, the BTK Killer, a true narcissist and someone who wanted to be renown as a classical serial killer...so much so, that after a long period of time he returned to the spotlight. We discuss his behavior, ties to the Dark Triad, and more in this dive into the psychological understanding of a monster.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 109 (for real this time) of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss NARCISSISM. What is the clinical definition? Who is a narcissist? How does Dark Triad Narcissism differ from a clinical definition? All this and more from our discussion on the nature of the most self-centered and aggrandizing aspects of the dark triad!

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 108 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss PSYCHOPATHY in relation to a serial killer, THE MUSWELL HILL MURDERER. While Daniel deals with some stuff, Thomas and Sarah lead the conversation about this psychopathic…narcissistic…something of a murderer who harmed so many others and was caught by a plumber.

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 107 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we discuss the beginnings of THE DARK TRIAD and PSYCHOPATHY. We discuss the nature of psychopathy, sociopathy and the clinical definition of anti-social personality disorder. What is the difference?…is there one?...and more musings on the nature of the Dark Triad!

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics.

Episode 106 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we do our second introduction to forensics and the psychology of serial killers by letting Sarah lead us all on a deep dive into the dark and sordid tale of “The Genesee River Killer” a real monster of a man who engaged in some disturbing murders and behavior, even for a serial killer. Buckle up, its time for some true crime from a psychology perspective.

Episode 105 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into a continuation of the Year of Clickbait with FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS! This Fall we are going to discuss forensic psychology, serial killers, and the worst of human behavior. We are joined all season by Dr. Sarah Tracy, a counseling psychologist who teaches and engages with the study of serial killers.

In this episode we do an INTRODUCTION TO SERIAL KILLERS AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY and we discuss the distinction about what is a serial killer, some themes amongst serial killers, and more as we start a new season, a new semester, and a new topic of interest!

Warning: This episode contains some graphic information and all season we will be talking about some less than savory topics. 

Episode 104 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss RELIGIOUS CONSUMERISM, shifting our end to the decline of religion on some of the effects the individualism and consumer culture have on a declining religious populace. We further discuss types of consumerism and what the future might hold for the masses seeking ritual in a ritual-less world.

Episode 103 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss SURVELLIENCE AND RELIGION and how early religion served a surveillance and norm maintenance function and how that has evolved over the centuries into something more individualistic and controlled as we continue to explore the nature of declining religious systems and how modern examples influence behavior in the same way it did for our ancestors.

Episode 102 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss HYPER REAL RELIGIONS and the influence of pop culture on religious systems and in some cases how they define and develop into religions and belief on its own. We discuss two in particular, Tolkienism, the belief of J.R.R. Tolkien as real history and Jediism and its growth across western countries.

Correction: In this episode I (Daniel) state Gil-galad was the bearer of the ring of fire (Narya) and while he was given the ring by Celebrimbor it was based on to lieutenant Cirdan the shipwright at the Grey Havens who himself passed it on to Gandalf. I apologize for the oversight…

Jedi Websites:

Episode 101 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss ATHIESM and why people leave the church. This begins our 4-episode run down on declining ritual and religious nones and why socially people might be leaving their churches. We talk about the modern atheist movement, founders, and muse on why people might turn away from religion. Honestly it’s a pretty shallow dive as there is just so much to unpack.

Episode 100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology and we are taking a break to pull back the curtain on the process and what we have learned in 100 episodes. We had bigger plans, but life happens. More religion, guests, and other things in the works as we push forward!!!

12 Rules for Screaming into the Void:

An Antidote to Podcasting

1. Plan for Planning Fallacy (editing)

2. But Don’t forget to Plan (guests/time zones/planning ahead

3. Time is a construct; record to your heart’s content (Zimbardo/Milgram)

4. Research your guests (big names)

5. Create a Podcast Guest Doc: 1-2 Pages, stay still, be comfortable. Try to avoid guests who might hit a bong or do dishes mid recording

6. Don’t watch your numbers

7. Do it for you

8. Routine is not bad (recurring Qs/Bias of the Week)

9. See old friends and make new ones

10. Clean your room.

11. Don’t Micromanage your Guest; Unless they need you to

12. Fake it till you make it.

Some great Episodes:

Episode 99 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss LOVECRAFT and OCCULTISM with John L. Steadman, author of Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson (2020) and H. P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition (2015). We discuss how Lovecraft influenced modern occultism, why individuals may be drawn to Lovecraft or Lovecraftian entities in their occult practices, utilization of magic in ritual, and some ranting about grading student papers.

Episode 98 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss THE PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC. So yeah, I guess its religion in that Protestant is in the name, but it’s more a discussion on how those early views have been shaped and warped into a worldview of hard work and no joy today. Is it a belief system, a modern religion, or something else. Join us as we discuss why we cant stop working and feel bad for having fun.

Episode 97 of our book read/podcast covering major topics in various fields of psychology moves us into PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION! This summer we are going to discuss religion from a psychological and historical perspective as we investigate the evolutionary origins and modern social systems of religion.

In this episode we discuss THE RAPTURE and other apocalyptic events! What happens when the world ends, what happens when predictions are made and then…well nothing. We posit some reasons why people predict and others believe in raptures and end times prophecies, discuss secular variations of them, and muse on Left Behind, Revelations, and other popularized raptures across history.