SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

SuperPsyched ©
  • 4.9 (172)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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. 9h ago

    #329 Father-Son Trip: Lake Bottom Lessons | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay, host of the SuperPsyched podcast, shares a solo story about an April father–son trip to Death Valley with his 17-year-old, Bren. Driving home, they off-roaded onto what looked like the dry bed of Owens Lake and got their four-wheel-drive vehicle stuck in mud amid 40–50 mph winds and flying debris. AAA wouldn’t help because they were more than 100 feet off the road, so they hired an expensive private tow that kept delaying and increasing the price. He highlights lessons learned: stress impairs logical thinking, regret and catastrophizing don’t help, and focusing on solutions, laughter, support from loved ones, and distraction helped them cope; being prepared with water, snacks, and warm clothes mattered. After six hours, a driver in a small Ford Fiesta used shoveling, boards, ropes, and a winch to free them, and they arrived home after 1 AM with a lasting bonding story.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 Why This Solo Story00:48 Father Son Death Valley Trip01:23 Off Roading at Owens Lake02:22 Stuck in the Mud02:45 Six Hour Survival Mode03:20 Mindset Lessons Under Stress05:18 Calling for a Private Tow06:16 The Ford Fiesta Rescue07:31 Worth It and Takeaways08:24 Travel Wisdom and Goodbye

    #329 Father-Son Trip: Lake Bottom Lessons | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

  2. Aug 10

    #328 Grief Is Personal | Adam Kimowitz, DMD, FAAID, DABOI/ID

    Host Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and discusses grief as a personal, normal response to loss, then interviews Dr. Adam Kimowitz, a New Jersey dentist whose younger brother David was murdered in 2019. Kimowitz describes their close, laughter-filled bond, David’s work in comedy and real estate, and the traumatic aftermath of the murder, including shock, hypervigilance, and struggling with basic tasks. He explains what helped: not being alone, relying on therapy and safe people, focusing on “micro wins,” learning from grief and resilience thinkers, and using humor appropriately to break tension. He shares guidance on supporting the bereaved—saying “I have no words, but I’m here,” offering presence and hugs, avoiding comparisons, and inviting stories about the person. He also covers parenting through grief with honesty, communication, professional help, and modeling that it’s okay not to be okay, plus how his marriage provided mutual support. Kimowitz keeps David’s memory alive through journaling, music, traditions with David’s daughters, and living by a “Dave test,” and emphasizes empathy, self-grace, and asking for help to reconnect. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:29 Grief Is Personal 00:50 Meet Adam and David 03:57 From Corporate to Dentistry 05:55 The Night Everything Changed 08:05 Goldfish and Micro Wins 10:54 Learning Through Trauma 13:03 What Helped in Shock 15:20 David and the Power of Laughter 18:59 Humor as Support 24:58 What to Say to Grievers 28:50 Humor Inside Grief 30:00 Why Death Feels Taboo 31:52 Talking to Kids About Loss 36:24 Self Care for High Achievers 41:41 Marriage as an Anchor 47:53 Keeping Dave Alive 51:30 Resilience and Asking Help 52:46 Empathy Over Judgment 55:25 Music Montage Farewell Helpful Links: Dr. Adam Kimowitz

    #328 Grief Is Personal | Adam Kimowitz, DMD, FAAID, DABOI/ID

  3. Aug 4

    #327 Secrets of Magic & Mentalism | Jay Alexander

    Some of the greatest lessons in psychology, communication, leadership, and business don’t come from textbooks—they come from world-class performers. The very best entertainers understand something profound: how to capture attention, build trust, create connection, and leave people transformed. Those skills matter just as much in our relationships, our work, and our everyday lives. After seeing the most extraordinary live performance I’ve experienced, I knew I had to invite magician and mentalist Jay Alexander onto the SuperPsyched podcast. Jay doesn’t just amaze audiences—he brings people together. Regardless of age, background, nationality, or beliefs, he creates moments of shared wonder and genuine human connection. It’s a masterclass in psychology as much as it is entertainment. Over the course of his remarkable career, Jay has worked with the NBA, The Rolling Stones, and countless other world-class organizations and performers. In this conversation, he shares the principles behind creating unforgettable experiences, connecting across differences, and earning the trust of any audience. If you’re interested in psychology, communication, leadership, influence, or simply want to hear from someone at the absolute top of his craft, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode. Helpful Links: The San Francisco Magic Theater Jay Alexander Jay Alexander Facebook Jay Alexander LinkedIn Jay Alexander YouTube

    #327 Secrets of Magic & Mentalism | Jay Alexander

  4. Jul 28

    #326 Finding Your Voice | Elaine Lin Hering, JD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews keynote speaker and author Elaine Lin Hering about her book Unlearning Silence and the harms of feeling silenced, including resentment, depression, quiet quitting, and group catastrophes when crucial information is ignored, especially for minorities. Hering argues leadership advice to simply “speak up” misses that voice also depends on whether others honor it, and she defines silence as withholding self for others’ comfort. They discuss authenticity, the “low power double bind,” and how silence erodes a sense of self and agency. Hering distinguishes strategic silence from oppressive silence based on choice, describes self-, social-, and system-based silencing, and offers practical tools like saying “From where I sit” and clarifying decision roles (decider, consulted, informed). Both emphasize agency as the key skill that creates healthier norms and inspires voice in others. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Silence Hurts 01:06 Meet Elaine Lin Hering 01:49 Finding Your Real Voice 06:29 Authenticity and Becoming 10:08 The Business Case for Voice 12:32 Low Power Double Bind 16:30 Emotional Costs and Agency 22:59 Strategic Silence vs Oppression 25:16 Practical Tools to Speak Up 33:09 Self Social and System Silence 36:12 Agency as the Insider Skill 38:37 Final Thanks and Subscribe Helpful Links: Elaine Lin Hering, JD Website Elaine Lin Hering, JD LinkedIn Elaine Lin Hering, JD Instagram Elaine Lin Hering, JD YouTube Unlearning Silence Book

    #326 Finding Your Voice | Elaine Lin Hering, JD

  5. Jul 21

    #325 World Cup Lessons: Solo Episode | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay, Silicon Valley psychologist and host of the SuperPsyched podcast, reflects on watching the World Cup final with his father and draws psychological lessons from the match’s global scale. He contrasts the goalie’s prevention-focused role with the striker’s acquisition-focused role, linking this to positive psychology’s avoid goals versus approach goals and noting that approach mindsets are more enjoyable and effective; he describes a long conversation with Dr. Leidy Klotz about goalie psychology. He also shares Annie Duke’s distinction between resulting and decision-making, arguing that good decisions can be overlooked when only final outcomes are remembered. Upset by an announcer saying “the king is dead” about Lionel Messi after a loss, he criticizes win-or-nothing thinking, urges cognitive flexibility, and advocates celebrating multiple “GOATs” rather than diminishing others, emphasizing integrity, effort, and appreciating human potential in sport.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:28 World Cup Awe02:01 Goalie Psychology04:15 Approach vs Avoid Goals05:24 Results vs Decisions07:07 Legacy and Forgetting07:51 The King Is Dead09:53 Beyond One GOAT11:38 Closing Reflections

    #325 World Cup Lessons: Solo Episode | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

  6. Jul 14

    #324 My High School Reunion: Solo Short | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay, psychologist and host of the SuperPsyched podcast, reflects on attending his 40th high school reunion and argues that reunions can be emotionally activating yet healing, echoing Frank McCourt’s idea that they reveal who you are now and who you were then. He shares key takeaways: many classmates were silently suffering in high school (family problems, neglect, loneliness, anxiety, abuse, substance issues, and even being unhoused), and nearly everyone has since faced humbling life challenges such as divorce, illness, or addiction, creating unexpected similarities and deeper connection. He notes the poignancy of classmates who have died, the energy of reconnecting, and the value of organizers’ choices (outdoor venue, quiet music, good lighting, and photo name tags). He encourages staying in touch sooner than every 10 years and reaching out via social media or Zoom to build friendships. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Reunions Matter 00:50 Frank McCourt Wisdom 02:23 The Reunion Reality Check 03:44 Takeaway One Shared Suffering 05:57 Takeaway Two Life Humility 07:17 Distance and Missing Classmates 08:23 Loss and In Memoriam 10:09 The Night’s Energy 11:34 Organizer Tips That Work 12:59 Stay in Touch Sooner 13:51 Final Encouragement and Goodbye

    #324 My High School Reunion: Solo Short | Adam Dorsay, PsyD

  7. Jul 1

    #323 Plastic Surgery: More than Skin Deep | Zeshaan Maan, MD, MSc

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Zeshaan Maan about myths and realities of plastic surgery and its psychological impact. Maan explains “plastic” comes from Greek for molding and shaping, and describes plastic surgery as restoring form and function through principles of tissue handling and blood supply. He discusses the demands of training and long operations, self-care, and the team required in the OR and office. Maan frames cosmetic surgery as aligning external appearance with internal identity, citing breast reduction as especially high-ROI for quality of life and explaining motivations and outcomes for breast augmentation and rhinoplasty, including functional breathing benefits. He describes evaluating patient motivations, screening for body dysmorphic disorder and social-media-driven expectations, and declining inappropriate requests. Maan also shares volunteer work operating on children in Israel and the West Bank, and ends by naming empathy as the key skill to reduce conflict. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Why Plastic Surgery 01:44 Meet Dr Zeshaan Maan 02:51 What Plastic Surgery Means 04:06 Choosing the Specialty 06:01 Training and Stamina 08:23 Self Care and Music 09:47 The OR Teamwork 12:52 Psychology and ROI 13:57 Breast Reduction Benefits 15:42 Breast Augmentation Outcomes 17:14 Rhinoplasty Stories 19:35 Form Meets Function 21:05 Screening Dysmorphia 23:14 Social Media Pressures 25:04 When Surgeons Say No 27:39 Humanitarian Reconstructive Work 30:00 Misconceptions and Reality 35:31 Not Just Skin Deep 38:47 Empathy and Farewell Helpful Links: Dr. Zeshaan Maan Dr. Zeshaan Maan LinkedIn Dr. Zeshaan Maan Instagram

    #323 Plastic Surgery: More than Skin Deep | Zeshaan Maan, MD, MSc

  8. Jun 24

    #322 Women And ADHD | Michelle Frank, PsyD

    Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and highlights that women have ADHD yet up to 75% may be undiagnosed, then interviews psychologist Dr. Michelle Frank, co-author of A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD. They discuss why girls and women are often overlooked, the relief and grief that can accompany later-in-life diagnosis, and how medication should feel supportive rather than numbing or euphoric amid stigma. Frank describes how ADHD can be misattributed to character, the need to rule out or address co-occurring issues (depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, sleep disorders, head injury), and women-specific considerations including PMDD, postpartum risk, and hormonal impacts across the menstrual cycle and menopause. Frank shares her own late-recognized ADHD experiences, masking and imposter syndrome, and notes children with ADHD may receive 20,000 more negative comments by age 10. They outline multimodal supports for a teen diagnosis (curious adults, accommodations, coaching, therapy, family validation), emphasize avoiding shame spirals when symptoms recur, and recommend learning about ADHD, connecting with community, self-compassion, and taking small risks toward vulnerability. 00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched 00:28 Women and Undiagnosed ADHD 01:09 Meet Michelle Frank 04:21 Late Diagnosis Relief and Grief 07:40 Medication That Fits 08:27 Stigma and Self Blame 11:16 Ruling Out Lookalikes 12:47 Hormones PMDD and Menopause 16:51 Michelles ADHD Journey 22:59 Imposter Syndrome and Masking 27:24 Negativity Bias and Shame 29:05 Susie Treatment Roadmap 34:47 Practical Tips and Connection 36:41 Final Insight Vulnerability 38:13 Closing and Share Helpful Links: Michelle Frank, PhD Michelle Frank, PhD LinkedIn A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD Book

    #322 Women And ADHD | Michelle Frank, PsyD
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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.

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