SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

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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. #311 The Nazi & The Psychiatrist | Jack El-Hai

    6D AGO

    #311 The Nazi & The Psychiatrist | Jack El-Hai

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews author Jack El-Hai about his book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, adapted into the film Nuremberg starring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe. El-Hai explains how he discovered psychiatrist Dr. Douglas Kelley through earlier research, then located Kelley’s son Doug, who shared 15 banker boxes of Nuremberg materials, including defendant records and artifacts such as a vial labeled “Herman Göring’s Paracodeine.” El-Hai describes Kelley’s doctor-patient, transactional relationship with Göring, his role as a military psychiatrist working without precedent, and the ethical conflicts involved. He discusses Kelley’s conclusion that the Nazi leaders were “normal” and that this shook his faith in psychiatry, plus parallels between Göring’s cyanide suicide and Kelley’s later death the same way. El-Hai says his key insight is rejecting “monsters” as categories while still supporting justice. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Nazi Minds at Nuremberg 03:34 Why Jack Wrote It 04:19 Unearthing Kelly's Archives 10:41 Shaping the Story 14:01 Evil Without Madness 18:45 Doug Kelly the Survivor 20:05 Göring and Kelly Dynamic 27:57 Ethics in Uncharted Territory 30:21 Leon Goldensohn Connection 32:30 From Book to Film 38:22 Living With Dark Stories 48:38 No Monsters Just People 51:57 Closing and Subscribe Helpful Links: Jack El-Hai The Nazi and the Psychiatrist Book The Nuremberg Interviews Book

    53 min

  2. APR 7

    #310 Solo-300 Episodes and Counting | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay, Silicon Valley psychologist and host of the SuperPsyched podcast, reflects on reaching episode 300 and how the show began during COVID when he suddenly had extra time. He explains that “SuperPsyched” is about being deeply connected to one’s psyche, not toxic positivity, and shares that he books guests largely by simply asking, citing the Franklin Effect. He highlights the show’s wide-ranging catalog—from athletes, musicians, and Nobel laureate Robert Lefkowitz to a Holocaust survivor, an undertaker, a cat psychologist, and Daryl Davis—along with milestone episodes featuring his father (episode 150) and mother (episode 300). Key takeaways include intimacy as “vulnerability well met” (Dr. James Cordova), the importance of psychological safety (Dr. Amy Edmondson), and evidence-backed self-compassion (Chris Germer), plus research suggesting luck increases with the number of people you meet. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:29 Episode 300 milestone 00:38 Starting during COVID 01:32 Meaning of SuperPsyched 02:53 Asking for guests 03:26 Franklin Effect explained 04:36 Favorite guests and range 06:59 Standout episodes and heroes 10:32 Top downloads and animal minds 11:12 Three key gleanings 14:18 Miracle question themes 15:17 Active luck through people 16:00 Thanks and subscribe

    17 min
  3. #309 ADHD And Emotions | Tamara Rosier, PhD

    MAR 31

    #309 ADHD And Emotions | Tamara Rosier, PhD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews ADHD coach and author Dr. Tamara Rosier about ADHD, emotions, and daily strategies for healthier functioning. They discuss how people with ADHD are criticized far more than peers, may feel “broken,” and often have impulse-control challenges, heightened emotional intensity, high sensitivity, and sensory issues tied to a sensitive nervous system, making environmental fit and nervous-system regulation important. Rosier argues ADHD isn’t inherently a “gift,” but benefits can emerge when energy and emotions are managed, including choosing where attention goes and treating feelings as informants rather than facts. They emphasize sleep as foundational, covering difficulties with sleep onset, maintenance, and desire, the importance of deep sleep for the brain’s glymphatic “cleaning” system, and how time blindness and “rabbit holes” interfere with routines. Rosier closes with a wish that people understand human interconnectedness and accept themselves without constant proving. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:26 ADHD and Emotional Bruises 01:11 Meet Dr Tamara Rosier 02:48 Why ADHD People Click 04:21 Not a Gift Managing Energy 05:45 High Sensitivity and Nervous System 08:12 Sensory Overload and Regulation 08:41 Behavioral Basics Beyond Meds 09:50 Sleep Struggles with ADHD 11:47 Glymphatic System Brain Cleaning 12:19 Beliefs About Sleep Drive 14:50 Reframing Sleep with Clients 15:01 Sleep as Necessary Evil 15:26 Bedtime Sabotage Habits 16:19 Time Blind Rabbit Holes 17:55 Why Sleep Runs Everything 18:33 ADHD Emotional Engine 20:34 Feelings Aren't Facts 24:04 Curious Not Furious 24:41 Default Mode Network Explained 26:16 One Skill for Humanity 27:31 Connection Story and Farewell Helpful Links: Tamara Rosier, PhD Tamara Rosier, PhD LinkedIn Tamara Rosier, PhD Books

    29 min
  4. #308 A 6x Memory Champion Shares His Secrets | Nelson Dellis

    MAR 24

    #308 A 6x Memory Champion Shares His Secrets | Nelson Dellis

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews six-time US Memory Champion Nelson Dellis about why memory is central to identity and why cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s are so devastating. Dellis describes memory championships as timed, full-day events involving feats such as memorizing a deck of cards, hundreds of digits in five minutes, and large sets of names and faces, emphasizing that success comes from a trained—not “naturally good”—memory. In the age of AI, he argues that continuing to use memory supports cognitive health, may help prevent atrophy, and preserves a core human element tied to lived experience. They discuss how Alzheimer’s may impair retrieval rather than erase memories, and highlight Dellis’s activity-based book, "Everyday Genius," which trains memory and other skills like calculation, creativity, and faster reading, alongside lessons learned from painful competitive losses. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Memory Matters 00:48 Meet Nelson Dellis 03:04 Trained Not Gifted 05:12 Inside Memory Championships 06:38 Memory in the AI Age 09:03 Alzheimers and Identity 11:19 Everyday Genius Challenge 14:28 Curiosity as Cross Training 19:18 Learning Through Failure 20:21 Closing and Subscribe Helpful Links: Nelson Dellis Everyday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem-Solving, and Much More Book Nelson Dellis Instagram Nelson Dellis YouTube Nelson Dellis LinkedIn

    21 min
  5. #307 Preventing Alzheimers & Keeping Your Brain Fit | Majid Fotuhi, MD, Johns Hopkins Medical School

    MAR 17

    #307 Preventing Alzheimers & Keeping Your Brain Fit | Majid Fotuhi, MD, Johns Hopkins Medical School

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews neurologist and Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Majid Fotuhi about keeping the brain resilient and reducing Alzheimer’s risk. Fotuhi describes the brain’s capacity to recover and adapt, citing cases of major brain injury and hemispherectomy, and challenges the myth that Alzheimer’s is inevitable with age, noting “super agers” and emphasizing “use it or lose it.” He outlines five key pillars for brain health: exercise, 7–8 hours of sleep, a Mediterranean/heart-healthy diet, stress reduction, and daily cognitive challenge. He reports a 12-week program in which 84% of patients improved on cognitive tests and many increased hippocampal volume by 1–3%. They discuss sleep apnea as a serious risk, cortisol’s harmful effects from chronic stress, managing repetitive negative thoughts, adopting growth mindset and broader views of intelligence, and choosing daily practices that build happiness. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Brain Health Matters 01:02 Meet Dr Majid Fotuhi 02:51 The Invincible Brain Stories 05:16 How the Brain Compensates 06:48 Alzheimers Myths and Super Agers 11:06 Use It or Lose It Mindset 13:21 Beyond IQ Multiple Intelligences 18:01 Growth Mindset Builds the Brain 20:56 Reversing Aging in 12 Weeks 23:12 Five Pillars of Brain Health 25:36 Sleep Apnea and Brain Damage 28:02 Exercise Is Nonnegotiable 29:59 A Neurology Insider Story 30:33 Three Pillar Basics 31:20 Lifestyle Intelligence 32:43 Teeth And Brain Care 34:36 Culture And Identity Habits 36:01 Stress Shrinks Hippocampus 39:44 Reframing Stress Mindset 41:18 Stop Negative Loops 45:42 Morning Gratitude Practice 49:44 Challenge Your Brain 52:12 Happiness Is A Choice 55:15 Small Things Compound 56:41 Closing Thanks And Subscribe Helpful Links: Dr. Mahid Fotuhi Dr. Mahid Fotuhi Johns Hopkins Dr. Mahid Fotuhi YouTube The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life Book

    57 min
  6. #306 Our Identities And Work | Gianpiero Petriglieri, MD

    MAR 10

    #306 Our Identities And Work | Gianpiero Petriglieri, MD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews psychiatrist, professor, and author Dr. Gianpiero “GP” Petriglieri about how work shapes identity amid modern job insecurity, mobility, and AI-driven ambiguity. GP describes a historical shift from inheriting bundled identities to identifying with organizations after WWII, and now to “nomadic professionals” who identify with the work itself, seeking meaning, mastery, learning, and legacy. He argues leaders should measure and provide latitude for job crafting so people can both perform and learn, avoiding the evils of getting lost or stuck. GP advises parents and young workers to think of themselves as artists, have faith in the work rather than organizations or approval, and cultivate friends who “imagine” them. He warns against being labeled a “future leader,” urging people to lead now by bringing ideas to life. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Work and Identity Trap 01:54 GP Joins the Show 02:43 From Companies to Craft 05:27 Nomadic Professionals Today 07:15 Leaders and Job Crafting 09:14 Lost vs Stuck Paradox 11:02 Meaning Beyond Work 12:21 Advice for Parents 12:53 Work as Art Mindset 14:14 Faith in the Work 17:15 Friends Who Imagine You 20:26 Authenticity Under Pressure 23:42 Lead Now Not Later 26:27 Closing and Takeaways 27:48 Subscribe and Share Helpful Links: Dr. Gianpiero Petriglieri

    28 min
  7. #305 Writing Great Fiction | Andrew Davidson

    MAR 3

    #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
  8. #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
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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.

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