SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

SuperPsyched ©
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

SuperPsyched is an award-winning podcast dedicated to improving your life with tools gained from interviewing world-class experts inside and outside the field of psychology. SuperPsyched will help get you more of what you want as well as gentle warnings to help you avoid things you don’t. See you there! The content on SuperPsyched is for informational use only and not intended to diagnose or provide any type of healthcare treatment.

  1. #305 Writing Great Fiction | Andrew Davidson

    1 HR AGO

    #305 Writing Great Fiction | Andrew Davidson

    Psychologist and SuperPsyched host Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews novelist Andrew Davidson about Davidson’s debut novel The Gargoyle and the role fiction can play in empathy and mental health. Davidson summarizes the book as a burn-ward patient approached by a woman who claims they were lovers 700 years ago, highlighting the tension between the narrator’s atheism and Maryanne Engel’s faith. He discusses his research-driven writing process, including firsthand outreach to a burn survivor, extensive historical sourcing, and deliberate choices balancing accuracy with emotional truth. Davidson explains cutting a much longer manuscript, securing representation from agent Eric Simonoff, and how the book’s global publication—including translations and a reported $1.25 million advance—led to an overwhelming publicity tour that altered his relationship with writing. He describes later work in theater and ends by naming empathy as the key insight to improve society. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:26 Why Fiction Matters 00:49 Introducing The Gargoyle 02:28 Meet Andrew Davidson 03:24 What The Book Is About 06:44 Characters and The Author 09:09 Researching Worlds and Trauma 13:59 Accuracy vs Emotional Truth 19:02 Trusting Intuition and Editing 21:12 Loving the Writing Process 22:26 Why Only One Novel 24:39 Writing for Love 25:40 Japan and The Gargoyle 26:30 Fame and Touring Burnout 29:11 Reset in Paris 30:26 Theater and New Writing 31:57 Writer Identity and Intrinsic Drive 33:48 Landing a Top Agent 36:07 Editing Down the Manuscript 40:11 Luck Preparation and Gratitude 42:35 Movie or Limited Series 45:34 Winnipeg Theater Mission 47:54 Empathy and Farewell Helpful Links: Andrew Davidson Facebook The Gargoyle Book

    50 min
  2. #304 ADHD & Marriage | Melissa Orlov

    FEB 24

    #304 ADHD & Marriage | Melissa Orlov

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces his podcast episode featuring Melissa Orlov, a Harvard-educated expert on ADHD and marriage and author of “The ADHD Effect on Marriage” and “The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD.” They discuss what adult ADHD is and is not, emphasizing attention dysregulation, distractibility, impulsivity, planning and working-memory difficulties, and emotional dysregulation, along with the hereditary and neurochemical basis (notably low dopamine) and why stimulants can be calming by increasing dopamine availability. Dorsay shares his own late ADHD diagnosis, his first experience taking Ritalin, and how medication helped him build habits and identity-based changes he later maintained without medication. Orlov describes common, predictable relationship patterns in ADHD-impacted couples, including the “hyperfocus courtship” phase driven by elevated dopamine and the shift after 24–28 months when symptoms become more visible. She outlines the experiences of both partners: the ADHD partner often carries lifelong shame and sensitivity to criticism, while the non-ADHD partner can feel lonely, resentful, and overwhelmed by chaos and perceived lack of follow-through. They explore distractibility and how “new or shiny” can override what is important, and they highlight strengths often associated with ADHD such as creativity, energy, passion, and effective performance in high-stimulation contexts. Orlov presents a three-stage framework for healing: moving out of denial and learning how ADHD impacts relationships, both partners taking responsibility for their own work, and breaking entrenched patterns such as parent-child dynamics and “symptom-response-response” cycles by reframing symptoms and changing reactions. They address sleep hygiene as foundational, noting sleep deprivation can worsen or mimic ADHD symptoms, and discuss strategies like consistent bedtime routines, “sacred bedtime,” and limiting electronics and blue-light exposure. They also discuss how parent-child dynamics harm sexual connection, the importance of lowering pressure when restarting sex, and improving communication about sex. Orlov closes with the importance of rebuilding trust through transparency and ownership rather than equating trust solely with perfect follow-through, and she names self-compassion and compassion for others as the key skill she would give to everyone. 00:00 Welcome to Dorsay 00:28 ADHD and Marriage Stakes 01:00 Meet Melissa Orlov 03:00 Why ADHD Feels Familiar 04:17 What ADHD Is and Isnt 06:23 Why Stimulants Help 07:38 Adams Diagnosis Story 09:36 Medication Targets and Hope 12:14 Habits and Identity Shifts 13:15 Empathy for Both Partners 14:50 ADHD Partner Childhood Shame 20:13 Non ADHD Partner Experience 22:19 Hyperfocus Courtship Chemistry 24:46 Distractibility in Relationships 26:49 Main Thing Mantra 27:24 Medication to Structure 28:39 ADHD Strengths Kept 30:17 Three Stages Healing 31:29 Breaking Bad Patterns 34:57 Sleep Hygiene Fixes 40:36 Electronics at Bedtime 42:14 Sex and Reconnection 49:06 Rebuilding Trust 54:21 Compassion Magic Skill 55:22 Closing Thanks Helpful Links: Melissa Orlov Melissa Orlov The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD Book

    56 min
  3. #303 How to Fight BS on the Web | Avi Tuschman, PhD

    FEB 17

    #303 How to Fight BS on the Web | Avi Tuschman, PhD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and frames the growing misinformation problem, citing low trust in traditional media , the rise of influencer-based news consumption among 18–29 year olds, research that false news spreads faster than truth on Twitter, and the World Economic Forum ranking misinformation/disinformation as the most severe global risk in 2024 and 2025. He interviews Dr. Avi Tuschman (Stanford StartX serial entrepreneur; Stanford doctorate in anthropological science; expert on human political bias) about Crickit.ai (C-R-I-C-K-I-T), an AI tool that provides real-time in-stream fact checks for social media videos, starting with YouTube on desktop. The discussion covers why misinformation spreads (high-arousal content, negativity bias, suggestibility, and attention scarcity), why it affects everyone (including errors/omissions/exaggerations in reputable content), and the relationship between media ecosystems, polarization, and a global democratic recession. Avi raises concerns about TikTok’s influence, urging people over 30 to review its “society” content, citing examples of high-production disinformation, alleged foreign influence efforts, elevated WWII revisionism compared with Instagram (UNESCO figure of 5.7x), and medical misinformation (e.g., a study finding ~25% of asthma content has significant misrepresentations and is overrepresented in viewing). He describes Crickit’s user experience as subtitle-like overlays with a pause expansion panel summarizing evidence in ~40–50 words, and positions it as a tool to build media literacy and critical thinking—like a flight simulator for evaluating persuasion and uncertainty. Plans include mobile support and additional platforms, potentially later in the year, though TikTok is not supported yet. Avi offers listeners a discount via promo code/URL “SUPERPSYCHED" for monthly subscription savings for up to three years. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched + Why Misinformation Is Surging 00:55 The Numbers: Trust in Media, Influencer News & Falsehoods Spreading Faster 01:45 Meet Dr. Avi Tuschman & Crickit.ai—Real-Time Fact-Checks for YouTube 03:59 Why Avi Built Crickit: Science, Truth, and the 2018 Wake-Up Call 05:31 How Crickit Works (and Why It’s Not ‘Just a Chatbot’) 07:49 Inside the Engine: Claim Extraction, Source Cross-Checks & Reliability Ratings 10:05 Accuracy, Benchmarks & Why ‘Good Enough’ Beats the Status Quo 12:22 Misinformation’s Sneakiest Trick + Even ‘Trusted’ Videos Get Things Wrong16:09 Why BS Goes Viral: Attention Economics, High-Arousal Content & ‘The Medium Is the Message’ 19:06 Pinocchio, Crypto Scams & ‘The Conscience of Content’ Origin Story 21:53 Human Suggestibility, Hypnosis, and the Social Media Influence Gap 25:02 The Paradox: We Need Influence to Survive—But Negativity Bias Warps It 25:37 Fear, Negativity Bias, and the Cost of Believing Bad Info 26:19 TikTok’s Mental Health Misinformation Problem 27:47 Why TikTok Is More Than ‘Dance Videos’—A Civic-Duty Reality Check 29:08 Propaganda, Fake Viral Videos, and WWII/Holocaust Revisionism 31:35 Can ‘Crickit’ Fact-Check TikTok? Roadmap and Timeline 32:31 How Crickit Works: Real-Time Overlays, Categories, and Rationale Panels 34:14 Training Critical Thinking: Ambiguity Tolerance, System 1 vs System 2 39:05 BS Is Omnipresent: Humility, Corrections, and Learning You’re Wrong 40:40 Media Literacy Gap + Crickit as a ‘Flight Simulator’ for Critical Thinking 42:40 Wrap-Up: Promo Code, Name Teasing, and the One Skill Humanity Needs Helpful Links: ⁠Avi Tuschman LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Crickit⁠.ai Helpful Links: ⁠Avi Tuschman LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Crickt⁠

    49 min
  4. #302 Guy Winch, PhD | Mind Over Grind: Reducing Stress at Work

    FEB 10

    #302 Guy Winch, PhD | Mind Over Grind: Reducing Stress at Work

    In this episode of the SuperPsyched Podcast, host Dr. Adam Dorsay chats with returning guest Dr. Guy Winch, a psychologist, TED speaker, and bestselling author, about his new book 'Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.' They discuss common myths about work, the impact of workplace stress on personal lives, and the rise of workplace bullying. Dr. Winch shares insights on managing job stress, the importance of emotional intelligence, and practical tips for optimizing work-life balance. He also offers actionable advice on making vacations more restorative and the essential practice of detaching from work to improve overall well-being. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched Podcast 00:39 Introducing Dr. Guy Winch and His New Book 03:10 The Myths and Realities of Work Stress 03:43 The Impact of Workplace Stress on Personal Life 06:53 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 15:34 The Importance of Communication and Clarity 19:38 The Consequences of Chronic Stress and Burnout 23:33 Internship Challenges and Stress 24:55 The Importance of Taking Breaks 26:26 Restorative Activities and Social Connections 29:20 Effective Vacation Strategies 34:26 Mental and Physical Exhaustion 40:34 Detaching from Work for Better Well-being 42:00 Final Thoughts and Farewell HELPFUL LINKS: Dr. Guy Winch Website 'Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.’ Book Dear Therapists Podcast

    43 min
  5. #301 A New Guide to Motherhood at Any Stage | Rebecca Geshuri, LMFT

    FEB 3

    #301 A New Guide to Motherhood at Any Stage | Rebecca Geshuri, LMFT

    In this episode of *SuperPsyched*, Dr. Adam Dorsay speaks with Rebecca Geshurii, co-author of 'When Good Moms Feel Bad'. Rebecca is a psychotherapist who integrates InternalFamily Systems (IFS) in her approach to helping moms navigate the emotional and physiological challenges of motherhood. They discuss the importance of self-compassion, embracing imperfections, and the value of community support. Rebecca shares practical tips for moms to soften their body, listen to their inner selves, open their hearts, and wait for internal messages, encapsulated in the acronym SLOW. The conversation highlights the need to recognize andprocess grief and shame in motherhood, ultimately promoting emotional well-being and familial connections.   00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 The Challenges of Motherhood 00:55 Introducing Rebecca Geshuri and Her Book 02:27 The Reality of Parenting 07:13 Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS) 08:02 Applying IFS to Motherhood 13:38 The Importance of Self-Compassion 17:44 Practical Tips for Self-Compassion 22:15 The Power of Self-Compassion 22:31 Understanding the SLOW Acronym 24:40 The Impact of Shame and Guilt 26:07 Navigating Motherhood and Grief 28:53 The Complexity of Parenting 34:32 Embracing All Parts of Ourselves 36:32 Building Community and Support 41:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections   HELPFUL LINKS:   Rebecca Geshuri Website When Good Moms Feel Bad Book Rebecca Geshuri Instagram Rebecca Geshuri Facebook

    44 min
  6. #300 Wisdom from My Mom

    JAN 27

    #300 Wisdom from My Mom

    In this milestone 300th episode of the SuperPsyched podcast, Dr. Adam Dorsay welcomes a very special guest—his mother, Dorothy Kurzrock Dorsay. Dorothy shares her extraordinary life journey, offering wisdom accumulated over 85 years. From her roots in Newark, New Jersey, to her impactful career in social justice with the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Dorothy gives insights into the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and lifelong learning. The episode is filled with heartwarming stories, including a hilarious anecdote about Adam's childhood mischief, and underscores the value of resilience, connection, and challenging prejudice. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Introducing a Remarkable Guest 01:01 Dorothy's Early Life and Career 03:26 Life Lessons and Childhood Memories 09:24 Social Justice and Inclusivity 18:15 Global Experiences and Family Adventures 21:38 Mitzvah Day and Community Impact 26:58 The Power of Connections 31:17 A Playgroup Incident and Susie's Theft 33:45 The Wide Net of Connections 34:55 Lessons from Mrs. Reed 39:30 Lifelong Friendships and Reunions 54:00 Parenting Moments and Life Lessons 57:13 Final Reflections and Wisdom

    1h 1m
  7. #299 Gretchen Rubin | How Do You Respond to Expectations?

    JAN 20

    #299 Gretchen Rubin | How Do You Respond to Expectations?

    In this episode of SuperPsyched, Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews Gretchen Rubin, author of 'The Four Tendencies'. They explore how people respond to internal and external expectations and the resulting personality profiles: Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, and Rebel. Gretchen explains the genesis of her framework and its practical applications in everyday life. The discussion covers strategies for handling different tendencies, especially in relationships, and delves into the concept of Obliger Rebellion. Listeners will gain valuable insights into improving self-management and interpersonal dynamics.00:00 Introduction to SuperPsyched00:28 Understanding Expectations01:07 Meet Gretchen Rubin02:49 The Genesis of the Four Tendencies05:23 Exploring the Four Tendencies07:58 Applying the Four Tendencies13:30 Personal Insights and Reflections16:07 The Importance of Accountability21:34 The Importance of Effective Communication21:38 Humorous Signs and Their Impact24:29 Tailoring Messages to Different Tendencies25:33 The Power of 'Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires'27:22 Navigating Relationships with Different Tendencies34:20 Understanding Obliger Rebellion38:33 The Value of Meaningful Connections39:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Helpful Links: Gretchen Rubin Website The Four Tendencies Book Happier with Gretchen Rubin Podcast

    41 min
  8. #298 Why Brains Need Friends | Ben Rein, PhD

    JAN 13

    #298 Why Brains Need Friends | Ben Rein, PhD

    In this episode of SuperPsyched, Dr. Adam Dorsay sits down with Dr. Ben Rein, an acclaimed neuroscientist and Chief Science Officer at the Mind Science Foundation. They discuss Dr. Rein's book 'Why Brains Need Friends' and the critical importance of social connections for mental and physical health. The conversation dives into the science of empathy, the impact of loneliness and social isolation, and practical tips for building and maintaining meaningful relationships. They also explore interesting analogies, such as comparing social interactions to the care of plants and the concept of a diverse social diet. Listeners are encouraged to rethink their social habits and embrace the benefits of real human connections. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay 00:28 The Importance of Friendship and Social Connection01:11 Introducing Dr. Ben Rein and His Book 01:35 The Neuroscience of Connection 08:35 Defining Loneliness, Isolation, and Solitude 17:53 Tips for Combatting Loneliness 33:43 The Power of Empathy 36:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Helpful Links: Dr. Ben Rein Website Dr. Ben Rein LinkedIn Dr. Ben Rein TikTok Why Brains Need Friends-The Neuroscience of Social Connection Book

    37 min
See All (304)

Trailer

About

SuperPsyched is an award-winning podcast dedicated to improving your life with tools gained from interviewing world-class experts inside and outside the field of psychology. SuperPsyched will help get you more of what you want as well as gentle warnings to help you avoid things you don’t. See you there! The content on SuperPsyched is for informational use only and not intended to diagnose or provide any type of healthcare treatment.

Information

You Might Also Like