44.2K
Downloads
70
Episodes
A podcast to improve your mental health.
Episodes
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
Today we hear from Erin Gilmore, an instructor for Yoga Flo in San Francisco's Marina district. Here, she will discuss her amazing psychological gifts and the underlying the forces that made her. Please tune in!
My contact information: benjaminrussack@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com; 415.497.1908
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
So how about a female perspective on dating? Better yet, how about a perspective from a female therapist who lives in San Francisco, arguably the most prolific city for dating in the world?
Today we talk with Natalia Weisel, who discusses the importance of becoming a student of dating in order to navigate the chaos of finding love in a modern age.
To this end, Natalia will impart the following dating strategies: how do we know when listen to our mind vs when to listen to our heart? Following up with potential leads instead of being too picky or choosy. Finding common interests, asking questions that you actually want to know the answers to; the fifty percent rule; boundary setting with a potential date who seems flaky, disinterested or simply a poor fit.
Lastly, what is it like being a therapist on a date? Natalia and I both relate our experiences of being single mental health professionals on the prowl.
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
My contact info: benjaminrusasck@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
PLEASE DONATE TO GUARDIAN GYM!!
And of course check out their regular website at:
EpisodevOverview:
On 3109 Adeline street in Oakland California, stands Guardian Gym, a warehouse sized non profit, Boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu academy where kids 18 and under not only train for free, but are also fed healthy meals, and even have access to a study hall.
Today, we talk with Guardian’s creator, Ben Kovacs, who left a gainful position at Twitter to pursue his mission to combine a passion for Jujitsu with his desire to make martial arts available to anyone, regardless of socio-economic status as well as to create an environment where natural mentorship proliferates between adults and minors.
So far Ben has taken exactly zero contributions from large corporate or governmental entities. He describes his business model as a form of "Volunteer Socialism" where grass roots donations seem to arise organically from those in the community and beyond who are inspired by Guardian’s mission.
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
my contact info: benjaminrussack@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Monday Jan 27, 2020
It wasn’t until after graduating from Foundations, an outpatient program for treatment of her addiction to cocaine and alcohol, that Olivia would matriculate into my private practice. Now, a year and some change in, we have decided that it is time for Olivia to move on. as a closing gesture, we created this podcast to both celebrate our work together as well as to provide a bridge towards the next stage in her therapeutic journey.
So today, instead of allowing her brain to be picked, Olivia gets to turn the tables and ask ME, her therapist, anything. Here, we tackle such questions as: what happens when we outgrow our friends? What is purpose of therapy and how do we know when it is actually working? Why is introversion so often pathologized? I even take such popular, overused terms as “mindfullness” to task. Lastly, we get into some of my own personal material around dating, friendships, and more.
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
my contact information: benjaminrussack@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
When is it okay to try to hold hands during a first date? How long should the date last? What is the Triangular Gaze and how does it relate to landing that first kiss?
Today, we speak again with dating coach Nick Turner, who will discuss the techniques of establishing a strong connection within those first few moments as well as his belief that every first date should include sex. Will you agree?
Lastly, we will conduct a post interview with Nick and his girlfriend, Katie, as we round out our series on dating with a playful debate on the practice of going dutch. In addition, Katie will discuss her thoughts on the theory of Escalation as it relates to women.
My contact information: benjaminrussack@gmail.com and benjaminrussack.com; 415.497.1908
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Sunday Dec 29, 2019
Sunday Dec 29, 2019
Too often therapists are trained to say very little to their patients, and will "sit and nod" during the therapy hour instead of actually engaging. Today, we interview Katheryn James, LMFT, and discuss the advantages of having a therapist who actually speak their mind, offers perspectives and delivers concrete, actionable feedback.
Katheryn James LMFT, has been seeing adult patients for fifteen years and has a virtual private practice in which she sees California and Alabama residents. Katheryn specializes yet is not limited to substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. Katheryn's style is highly direct, pragmatic, positive and compassionate as she works to empower her patients to live their best life.
Should you be interested in working with Kathryn please email her at kjamesmft@gmail.com or call her 415.244.5590
My contact information:
Benjaminrussack.com
415.497.1908
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Today, we talk with Brad Smallwood, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. We will discuss how some of us may be prone to anger than others and how experiences from early childhood might shape the way we express our feelings. Brad also recommends skills we can employ to mitigate hurt feelings--everything from splashing cold water on our face, taking a run around the block to even washing the dishes.
Finally, we will also examine domestic violence--how to set hard boundaries, create safety plans and find treatment for both victims and perpetrators of DV.
My Contact Info:
benjaminrussack.com
415.497.1908
Brad's contact info:
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
For today's episode, I appear as a guest on Charles Duhigg's podcast How To! featuring myself and Andy Puddicombe, founder of Headspace and an expert on techniques for how to fall (and remain) asleep.
My contact info:
benjaminrussack.com
415.497.1908
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
Today we talk to Ryan Saldivar, Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, musician, and soon to be Doctor of Chiropractic. Ryan is a joint and spine rehabilitation specialist who has helped over 5,000 people with back pain since recovering from his own injuries as recounted in the current episode.
Ryan Saldivar can be reached at:
yogaman505@gmail.com
I can be reached at:
tel: 415.497.1908
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
Wednesday Nov 27, 2019
Today we examine the physical and mental health benefits of Brazilian Jujitsu and martial arts at large. We will also discuss some of the dramatic ups and downs experienced by those who walk the path of the martial artist as well as some of the shadowy aspects of dojo culture.
The star of today's show is Mike Murrell, a Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at Ralph Gracie San Francisco and the Owner of his own Jiu-Jitsu school, The Cave Academy, in Pacifica, California. He holds a Blackbelt in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has been teaching for nearly 15 years. Outside of the Martial Arts, Mike is a bit of a Psychology and Philosophy Nerd with unique experiences which dovetail beautifully to this week's topic. He will bravely discuss his family history of depression and other mental health conditions, as well as his own struggles with anxiety induced panic attacks. He will also describe the role he plays for his students in relation to bullying, building confidence, dealing with nervousness in competition, and healing from histories of trauma through the practice and community of Jiu-Jitsu.
You can reach him on instagram (@cavemikebjj) or check out his Academy at: www.thecaveacademy.org.
Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism:
Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)
My Contact Info: Benjaminussack@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com, 415.497.1908