The Mad Shrink

Dr. Steven Goldsmith

The Mad Shrink Podcast is where psychiatry meets real conversation. Hosted by Dr. G, a board-certified psychiatrist, the show breaks down complex mental health topics with clarity, credibility, and a dose of straight talk. Each episode challenges common misconceptions, unpacks the science behind psychiatric diagnoses, and offers practical, evidence-based insights you can actually use. From ADHD and anxiety to mood disorders, trauma, and the cultural conversations shaping mental health today, Dr. G goes beyond surface-level advice to explore what’s really happening in the brain,  and in our lives. Whether you’re a clinician, a curious learner, or someone navigating your own mental health journey, The Mad Shrink Podcast delivers thoughtful, accessible conversations designed to inform, empower, and challenge what you think you know. Subscribe for grounded, science-backed mental health content, without the fluff. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co

Episodes

  1. 4 hr ago

    Cures for Depression Your Doctor Won't Tell You About

    Could the best treatment for depression involve not a pill, but your sleep-wake cycle and exposure to light? In this episode, Dr. G explores chronotherapy, a scientifically supported yet often overlooked method for treating depression by adjusting light exposure and sleep timing. He discusses why this approach is rarely taught in medical schools or mentioned by doctors, and how the financial focus on pharmaceutical treatments has left chronotherapy underfunded and underutilized. Dr. G delves into the evidence supporting light therapy boxes, which boast remission rates of 50–80%, often surpassing antidepressants. He explains their effectiveness beyond seasonal depression, helping conditions like PMS, bulimia, ADHD, and pregnancy-related depression. Additionally, he examines wake therapy, a technique involving all-night sleep deprivation that provides significant relief to about 60% of depressed patients within 12 hours, while highlighting how even a brief nap can reverse its benefits. The episode outlines what Dr. G calls the "Blue Plate Special," a comprehensive three-part protocol combining wake therapy, light therapy, and sleep phase advance therapy. He provides a step-by-step guide to the sleep phase advance schedule and shares a compelling case study where this approach helped a patient overcome suicidal thoughts. Dr. G also identifies individuals who should avoid these treatments, especially those with mixed bipolar disorder, and recommends safe tools like dawn simulators. Key Highlights: Why chronotherapy is missing from most medical education and the financial factors behind it Comparing light therapy boxes and antidepressants: remission rate differences Wake therapy: how staying awake can alleviate depression The "Blue Plate Special": Dr. G's three-part protocol for optimal outcomes Step-by-step instructions for sleep phase advance therapy A real-life case: using sleep phase advance to aid a suicidal patient Who should avoid these treatments, particularly those with mixed bipolar disorder Light therapy applications beyond SAD: PMS, pregnancy depression, bulimia, and ADHD Dawn simulators: their benefits and how they work Important safety considerations and potential side effects Resources Mentioned: Center for Environmental Therapeutics (CET) | cetresearch.org — trusted light therapy products and research Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders | available on Amazon — a resource for clinicians and researchers Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Dr. G's content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations for individual listeners or viewers. 0:00 Introduction – Cures for Depression Your Doctor Won't Tell You About 0:24 Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 1:03 Light Therapy vs. Antidepressants: The Stats 1:46 Why Most Doctors Don't Know About Chronotherapy 3:16 Big Pharma's Role in Suppressing This Research 3:42 How to Use a Light Therapy Box 4:44 Dawn Simulators: The Effortless Alternative 5:37 Other Conditions Light Therapy Treats (ADHD, Bulimia, PMS) 6:43 Side Effects, Safety & Who Should Avoid It 7:55 Who Should Never Use Chronotherapy 8:52 Where to Find Reliable Resources (CET Website & Book) 10:35 Wake Therapy: The Fastest Free Depression Treatment 12:01 How to Sustain the Benefits of Wake Therapy 14:04 The Blue Plate Special: The Most Powerful Protocol 14:44 Sleep Phase Advance Therapy Explained (Step-by-Step Schedule) 16:25 Closing Thoughts & Final Words from Dr. G Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min

  2. 6 days ago

    Can't Sleep? A Psychiatrist's Evidence-Based Guide to Beating Insomnia

    What if trying harder to fall asleep is actually what keeps you awake? In this episode, Dr. G breaks down the science of insomnia and why so many common approaches to fixing it backfire. Sleeplessness isn't just about feeling tired. It triggers a stress response that makes the problem worse, locking millions of people into a cycle that's hard to escape on willpower alone. Dr. G draws on the work of psychiatrist Viktor Frankl and legendary hypnotherapist Milton Erickson to explain paradoxical intention, a counterintuitive technique that dissolves the internal struggle driving sleeplessness. He explains what to actually do when you wake up at 3 AM, why screens and snacks make insomnia worse, and how blue light suppresses the melatonin your brain needs to signal sleep. The episode also covers the nutritional deficiencies most people never think to check, the role of electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi routers, and a practical four-step framework for correcting delayed sleep phase disorder, the pattern where you simply can't fall asleep until very late no matter how tired you are. Rather than prescribing medication, Dr. G walks through the evidence behind natural supplements like magnesium, L-theanine, tryptophan, lavender, passionflower, and valerian. He explains exactly how they work and why they help. Key Highlights: Why insomnia is more than feeling tired and the serious long-term risks of chronic poor sleep The cortisol-insomnia loop: how sleeplessness creates a stress response that makes sleep even harder The paradoxical technique psychiatrists use to break the cycle of trying too hard to fall asleep What to do when you wake up at 3 AM and can't get back to sleep Why TV, phone scrolling, and late-night snacking reinforce waking behavior Natural sleep supplements backed by evidence The nutritional deficiencies (Vitamin D, B6, B9/folate, zinc, magnesium) that may be quietly sabotaging your sleep How Wi-Fi router radiation may be affecting your sleep quality Why consistent wake time and morning sunlight are among the most powerful sleep tools available And more! Resources Mentioned: Viktor Frankl | logotherapy and paradoxical intention Milton Erickson | clinical hypnotherapy; originator of the "get out of bed" insomnia technique Peter Reitzes | stuttering treatment using paradoxical exposure Uvex amber-lens goggles | available on Amazon; block 100% of blue light Functional psychiatry and primary care for nutritional deficiency testing Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Dr. G's content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations for any individual listener or viewer. Chapters 0:00 Introduction – Who is Dr. G & Today's Topic 1:52 The 3 AM Problem – Why You Can't Get Back to Sleep 2:57 Why Trying Harder to Sleep Backfires 3:52 The Solution: Get Up and Do Something Useful 4:22 What "Useful" Means (and What to Avoid) 5:38 How Long to Wait Before Getting Up 10:46 Treating Stuttering with the Same Principle 11:50 Do Breathing & Relaxation Exercises Work? 12:23 Lighting Matters – Use Red/Orange Bulbs, Not Blue Light 14:00 Blue-Blocking Glasses & Filters (Uvex & More) 15:06 Natural Sleep Supplements: Magnesium & Hot Milk 16:47 L-Theanine, Lavender, Valerian & Other Aids 17:30 Nutrient Deficiencies That Block Sleep (Vitamin D, B6, Zinc) 19:05 Exercise & Brain Chemistry for Better Sleep 21:19 4 Steps to Reset Your Sleep Schedule 23:07 Morning Sunlight to Anchor Your Wake Time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  3. 16 Jun

    Trance, Meditation, Hypnosis & Truth Serum: What Your Brain Is Really Doing

    What if trance isn't some mysterious altered state, but something you experience every day? In this episode, Dr. G explores one of psychology's most misunderstood phenomena: trance. Far from being rare or exotic, trance is a natural state of focused attention. Most people move in and out of it throughout the day without realizing it. From becoming absorbed in a movie to driving on autopilot, Dr. G explains how trance states shape perception, memory, awareness, and behavior. He breaks down the neuroscience behind effortless focus. He also explains why meditation and hypnosis are closely related. He covers how dissociation exists on a spectrum—from completely normal experiences to severe psychiatric disorders. The conversation dives into the practical applications of clinical hypnosis, including pain management, psychosomatic symptoms, trauma treatment, and functional neurological disorders. Through real patient stories and personal experiences, Dr. G demonstrates how hypnosis can sometimes produce dramatic results where conventional approaches fail. The episode also tackles one of psychiatry's most enduring myths: truth serum. Dr. G explains what substances like sodium amytal, sodium pentothal, and scopolamine actually do. He covers how they've been used in clinical and military settings. He explains why Hollywood's version bears little resemblance to reality. Rather than presenting hypnosis as magical or mysterious, Dr. G reveals it as a natural psychological process that can be understood, practiced, and used therapeutically. Key Highlights What trance actually is and why you've likely experienced it today The psychology behind highway hypnosis and movie-theater absorption How meditation and hypnosis are similar,and where they differ Why trance involves effortless focus rather than concentration The role of dissociation in everyday life and psychiatric disorders How hypnosis can treat pain, psychosomatic symptoms, and functional neurological disorders Why patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder are often highly hypnotizable Simple self-hypnosis techniques anyone can learn The truth about so-called "truth serum" drugs How sodium amytal was used in trauma treatment and military investigations Dr. G's firsthand experience conducting a classified sodium amytal interview for the U.S. Air Force Whether you're curious about meditation, fascinated by hypnosis, interested in how consciousness works, or simply wondering why you occasionally miss your freeway exit, this episode offers a practical and scientifically grounded look at one of the mind's most fascinating abilities. This isn't about mind control or stage hypnosis. It's about understanding a natural human capacity that influences attention, perception, memory, healing, and the way we experience reality itself. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Milton Erickson and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Dissociative Disorders Sodium Amytal (Amobarbital) Sodium Pentothal (Thiopental) Scopolamine Research on hypnosis and pain management PTSD and narcosynthesis treatment approaches This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer Omar Foaud, with editing by Omar Foaud and graphics by Mohamed Naser. For sponsorship opportunities, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co. 0:00 Introduction 1:53 What Is Trance? Everyday Examples 5:50 Hypnosis for Dental Pain (Personal Story) 7:12 Self-Hypnosis with Dr. Milton Erickson 9:11 Clinical Case: Curing Intractable Vomiting 10:45 Hypnosis vs. Meditation: Key Differences 13:01 Dissociation & Psychiatric Disorders 16:45 How Hypnotic Induction Works 22:21 Truth Serum: Myths vs. Reality 26:50 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  4. 1 Jun

    Why Trying to "Get Over" Grief Can Make Depression Worse

    What if grief isn’t something to “fix,” but something you have to move through? In this episode, Dr. G unpacks one of the most misunderstood areas in mental health: the difference between grief and clinical depression. With clarity, nuance, and zero clichés, he explains why grief is not a disorder, why suppressing it often makes things worse, and how our culture’s obsession with “getting over it” can unintentionally deepen suffering. Dr. G breaks down what depression actually is from a psychiatric perspective, where antidepressants help, where they fall short, and why symptom suppression alone rarely creates lasting recovery. He explores the evidence behind Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the role of distorted thinking patterns in maintaining depression, and how therapy helps retrain the mind instead of simply numbing emotional pain. The conversation also dives into functional psychiatry and the overlooked biological contributors that can quietly fuel depressive symptoms, including vitamin deficiencies, methylfolate issues, inflammation, sleep disruption, and gut health. Dr. G explains why mental health treatment should never be one-size-fits-all, and why lifestyle interventions like exercise, sleep regulation, and light therapy are far more powerful than most people realize. Rather than offering empty motivation or quick fixes, this episode focuses on understanding the mechanisms underneath emotional suffering, and the tools that actually help people heal. Key Highlights: The critical difference between grief and clinical depression Why grief is a natural healing process, not a pathology How suppressing grief can increase risk for depression and psychosomatic symptoms The real efficacy rates and limitations of antidepressants Common antidepressant side effects, including emotional blunting and sexual dysfunction Why CBT remains the gold-standard psychotherapy for depression How vitamin D deficiency, methylfolate deficiency, and gut health can impact mood Why exercise, sleep correction, and light therapy have strong clinical evidence for depression relief How resilience is built through active healing, not symptom avoidance Whether you’re navigating loss, struggling with depression, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to better understand how the mind works, this episode offers practical insight grounded in both psychiatry and real-world experience. This isn’t about avoiding pain. It’s about understanding the difference between healthy suffering and clinical illness, and knowing how to respond to both. Resources Mentioned:Feeling Good by David BurnsMethylfolate supplementation for MTHFR-related deficienciesLight therapy boxes for mood and sleep regulation This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew “MoJo” Jones and Executive Producer Omar Foaud, with editing by Omar Foaud and graphics by Mohamed Naser. For sponsorship opportunities, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:26 What Is Grief? Understanding Loss & Healing 3:14 How Grief Can Turn Into Depression 5:32 How Conventional Psychiatry Treats Depression 7:32 The Antidepressant Efficacy Problem 8:28 Antidepressant Side Effects 10:10 Why Antidepressants Don't Cure Depression 12:25 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Explained 14:48 Cognitive Distortions That Fuel Depression 20:48 Functional Psychiatry: Finding the Root Cause 24:29 Exercise & Sleep for Depression 25:57 Light Therapy for Depression Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  5. 22 May

    The Problem With Modern Therapy | Coping vs Actually Healing w/ Dr. G

    What if therapy isn’t helping because no one ever defined what “better” was supposed to look like? In this episode, Dr. G takes a hard look at modern therapy culture and challenges many of the assumptions people have been taught to accept. From endless sessions with no measurable progress to the overemphasis on insight and coping, he explains why therapy that feels productive isn’t always producing real change. Drawing from more than five decades of clinical experience, Dr. G breaks down what effective therapy should actually look like: goal-oriented, accountable, challenging, and focused on resolution rather than indefinite management. He explains why understanding your problems is not the same as solving them, why discomfort in therapy is often necessary for growth, and how patients can better evaluate whether their treatment is truly working. This conversation is direct, evidence-based, and deeply empowering for anyone currently in therapy, considering therapy, or questioning whether the process they’re in is actually helping them move forward. Key Highlights: Why the length of therapy says nothing about its effectiveness The myth that insight alone creates change Why some of the most powerful breakthroughs happen in only a few sessions The importance of having a clear therapeutic contract and measurable goals Why therapy without accountability can drift endlessly The difference between coping with a problem and actually resolving it Why being challenged, uncomfortable, or frustrated in therapy can be a positive sign Common therapist boundary violations and how to address them directly The danger of “interminable therapy” with no evidence of progress How to recognize when you may be protecting your therapist’s assumptions instead of solving your own problems Dr. G, also known as “The Mad Shrink,” is a board-certified psychiatrist and author of The Healing Paradox known for his candid, no-nonsense approach to psychotherapy and behavioral change. Through decades of clinical work and his Mad Shrink platform, he challenges conventional mental health narratives and gives people practical, evidence-based ways to think differently about healing. Whether you’ve spent years in therapy, are just beginning the process, or have quietly wondered why nothing seems to change, this episode offers a radically honest perspective on what good therapy should actually do. This isn’t about feeling understood for an hour a week. It’s about creating meaningful change. This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Executive Producer Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Editor Omar Foaud. 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Not All Therapists Are Equal 01:26 Longer Therapy Is NOT Better 03:09 Insight Is Overrated 05:25 Point 1: Therapeutic Contract 08:30 Point 2: Solving vs. Just Coping 09:15 Point 3: Beware Medication Pushers 11:38 Point 4: Does Your Therapist Listen? 12:30 Point 5: Are You Being Challenged? 13:20 Point 6: Healthy Frustration in Therapy 14:05 Point 7: Does Your Therapist Genuinely Care? 14:45 Point 8: Boundary & Frame Requirements 19:00 Point 9: Are You Making Progress? 20:30 Point 10: The Fallacy of Interminable Therapy 19:40 Point 11: Avoid Psychiatrists Under 65 23:00 How to Find the Right Therapist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  6. 6 May

    Breathing and Thinking Your Way Out of Anxiety

    What if anxiety isn’t something you “have”, but something you’re doing? In this episode, Dr. G breaks down anxiety with clarity, precision, and zero fluff. He unpacks what’s actually happening in your brain and body when anxiety hits, why it spirals the way it does, and, most importantly, how to interrupt it in real time. From the physiology of breathing to the psychology of thought patterns, this conversation cuts through the noise and gives you tools that are both simple and clinically grounded. Dr. G walks through two of the most effective, evidence-based approaches for managing anxiety: breathwork that directly regulates your nervous system, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques that target the distorted thinking fueling the cycle. He also reframes anxiety in a way most people never consider, not as a condition to fear, but as a dysfunctional pattern you can retrain, and in some cases, even redirect as excitement. Key Highlights: What anxiety actually is (and why it always comes back to a sense of safety) The role of the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve How your breathing changes under stress — and why it makes anxiety worse Simple breathing techniques that activate a calming physiological response Why nasal breathing and extended exhales signal safety to the brain The four core cognitive distortions driving anxiety (fortune telling, mind reading, shoulding, labeling) How CBT works to challenge and rewire anxious thinking Why performance anxiety is often just misinterpreted excitement The shift from “having anxiety” to understanding it as a changeable dysfunction Whether you’re dealing with panic attacks, social anxiety, OCD, or chronic overthinking, this episode gives you practical tools you can start using immediately. This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding the mechanism so you can actually change it.This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew “MoJo” Jones and Executive Producer Omar Foaud, with editing by Omar Foaud and graphics by Mohamed Naser. For sponsorship opportunities, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:40 What Is Anxiety? 2:18 The Parasympathetic Nervous System & Feeling Safe 5:46 Breathing Techniques for Anxiety 10:04 The Role of Thoughts in Anxiety 12:12 Cognitive Distortions That Drive Anxiety 15:55 Anxiety as Disguised Excitement 18:17 Anxiety as Dysfunction, Not a Thing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min

  7. 25 Apr

    Are You Really ADHD? What Your Psychiatrist Isn't Telling You

    What if your ADHD diagnosis is only telling part of the story? In this episode, Dr. G challenges the way ADHD is commonly diagnosed and treated. He argues that millions of people may be managing symptoms without ever addressing the real cause. From the overreliance on stimulant medications to overlooked biological and lifestyle factors, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's actually driving issues with focus, attention, and mental clarity. It also reveals why the system may be getting it wrong. Key Highlights: Why the current ADHD model may be flawed The truth about stimulant medications and symptom suppression Hidden drivers of ADHD symptoms (nutrient deficiencies, diet, lifestyle) The ADHD–Restless Legs connection most doctors miss Supplements and natural approaches with real research behind them How modern media is worsening attention spans Practical ways to improve focus without relying only on medication Why your environment and career choices matter more than you think This episode isn’t about rejecting treatment, it’s about asking better questions and finding deeper answers. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min

  8. 25 Apr

    Welcome to The Mad Shrink Podcast by Dr. G!

    Meet Dr. G, a board-certified psychiatrist and your guide to all things mental health. In this trailer, Dr. G introduces what the show is all about: cutting through the noise, offering real information and advice, and flipping everything you thought you knew about mental health on its head. Follow along on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. The Mad Shrink is in — and the sessions are just getting started. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative https://www.rainbowcreative.co/ with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 min

Trailer

About

The Mad Shrink Podcast is where psychiatry meets real conversation. Hosted by Dr. G, a board-certified psychiatrist, the show breaks down complex mental health topics with clarity, credibility, and a dose of straight talk. Each episode challenges common misconceptions, unpacks the science behind psychiatric diagnoses, and offers practical, evidence-based insights you can actually use. From ADHD and anxiety to mood disorders, trauma, and the cultural conversations shaping mental health today, Dr. G goes beyond surface-level advice to explore what’s really happening in the brain,  and in our lives. Whether you’re a clinician, a curious learner, or someone navigating your own mental health journey, The Mad Shrink Podcast delivers thoughtful, accessible conversations designed to inform, empower, and challenge what you think you know. Subscribe for grounded, science-backed mental health content, without the fluff. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Steven Goldsmith
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    8
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Steven Goldsmith
  • Show Website
    The Mad Shrink