Mind Tricks Radio

mindtricks
  • 5.0 (39)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to Mind Tricks Radio, where we’ll explore contemporary topics in Psychology, though interviewing creative and innovative thinkers in the field. I’m your host, Dr. Aaron Kaplan. Thanks for tuning in!

  1. Episode 87: Stop Trying, and Start Doing!, with Carla Ondrasik

    2D AGO

    Episode 87: Stop Trying, and Start Doing!, with Carla Ondrasik

    In this episode of MindTricks Radio, I sit down with author and motivational speaker Carla Ondrasik to talk about a deceptively simple word that may be quietly sabotaging our goals: try. In her book Stop Trying: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More, Carla argues that the language we use with ourselves matters more than we realize. When we say we’ll “try,” we often leave the door open for hesitation, procrastination, and excuses. But when we decide to do, something shifts—not only in our mindset, but even in the way our brains engage with the task at hand. Carla shares stories from her unusual career path—from working in national security and aviation to becoming Vice President of Creative Writer Development at EMI Music Publishing, where she helped place songs with artists like Barbra Streisand, NSYNC, and Christina Aguilera. Along the way, she discovered a powerful mindset that guided her success: stop hedging your bets with “trying” and commit fully to action. Our conversation explores how fear of failure, procrastination, and even fear of success can keep people stuck in neutral—and how a simple shift in language can help move us into drive. We also talk about practical tools for getting unstuck, including the “eat the frog” strategy for beating procrastination, the difference between excuses and real reasons, and how committing to action can build confidence, leadership, and a life with fewer regrets. Carla brings humor, energy, and plenty of real-world examples to the conversation, making this episode both motivating and surprisingly fun.

    1 hr
  2. Episode 85: Don't Take It Personally!: -- Breaking Down The Cognitive Distortion of Personalization, with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston

    MAR 7

    Episode 85: Don't Take It Personally!: -- Breaking Down The Cognitive Distortion of Personalization, with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston

    In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down once again with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston for a lively, practical conversation about the cognitive distortion of personalization — that sneaky mental habit of assuming that other people’s behavior, moods, or even major life events are somehow about us. Together, we unpack what personalization really is (and what it isn’t), including why “don’t take it personally” can sometimes feel invalidating if we’re not careful. From not getting invited to dinner, to a boss’s sour expression in a meeting, to waiting anxiously for a text that doesn’t come — we explore how quickly the mind can jump to “This must be because of me.”   Dr. Ralston and I also dig into why personalization is so compelling. We talk about how our brains crave certainty, even if that certainty comes in the form of self-blame. We explore how childhood experiences — especially environments involving criticism, emotional abuse, or chronic blame — can prime people to over-attribute responsibility to themselves. Along the way, we examine the emotional costs of personalization, including guilt, shame, anger, relationship strain, and even road rage. Yes, we go there.   Most importantly, we offer practical tools. We walk through core CBT strategies like examining the evidence, generating alternative explanations, reality-testing assumptions, and even running behavioral experiments to challenge distorted beliefs. We also touch on mindfulness-based approaches that help us step back from our thoughts rather than automatically believing them. Whether you’re a clinician, a student, or someone who occasionally wonders, “Was that about me?”, this episode will give you concrete strategies — and a few laughs — to help you stop taking responsibility for things that may never have been yours in the first place.

    42 min
  3. Episode 86: Unleash the Power of the Four Kinds of Connections, with Dr. Adam Dorsay

    MAR 7

    Episode 86: Unleash the Power of the Four Kinds of Connections, with Dr. Adam Dorsay

    In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with my friend and colleague, psychologist,  Dr. Adam Dorsay to explore one of the most essential ingredients of psychological well-being: connection. Drawing from his book Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love, Dr. Dorsay introduces a framework for understanding why so many people feel lonely and disconnected despite living in an age of constant digital communication. We discuss the four kinds of connection that help people build fulfilling lives. Dr. Dorsay explains the importance of connection to others and why friendships and relationships often suffer in a world dominated by social media and busy schedules. We also explore connection to self, including authenticity, intrinsic motivation, and how people sometimes lose touch with what truly makes them feel alive. The conversation also covers connection to the world through work, community, and culture, as well as connection to something greater — the experiences of awe and wonder that remind us we are part of a much larger universe. Along the way, Dr. Dorsay shares personal stories, practical insights, and simple ways people can strengthen connection in their everyday lives.

    1 hr
  4. Episode 81: PTSD and Differential Diagnosis, with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston

    FEB 25

    Episode 81: PTSD and Differential Diagnosis, with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston

    In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I meet up with guest co-host Dr. Tyler Ralston for a fast-moving deep dive into one of the most recognize, and often misunderstood, diagnoses in mental health: PTSD. Together they trace its fascinating evolution from “shell shock” and “combat fatigue” to today’s broader understanding that trauma comes in many forms. Then they get practical, unpacking what really counts as trauma, what the four PTSD symptom clusters look like in real life, and how to tell PTSD apart from its close cousins: acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, depression, even OCD.   Whether you’re a clinician, a student, or just curious about why the word trauma seems to be everywhere, this episode will leave you smarter about how clinicians actually diagnose, and sometimes misdiagnose, post-traumatic stress.

    52 min
  5. Episode 84: Critical Thinking -- Beyond the Basics, with Dr. Christopher Dwyer

    12/15/2025

    Episode 84: Critical Thinking -- Beyond the Basics, with Dr. Christopher Dwyer

    In Episode 84 of MindTricks Radio, I’m joined by critical thinking researcher Dr. Christopher Dwyer for a wide-ranging and lively conversation that goes well beyond the basics of what it means to think well. We explore his provocatively titled new book, Knowledge Doesn’t Exist, and unpack what that claim really means. Rather than arguing that truth is meaningless, Dwyer challenges the way we casually treat “knowledge” as something fixed and certain, inviting listeners to examine how information, memory, emotion, and context shape what we think we know. Our discussion moves through some of the most pressing cognitive issues of everyday life, including the unreliability of memory, the seductive pull of intuition, and the difficulty of navigating information in an online world driven by algorithms, misinformation, and hidden biases. We also explore how critical thinking relates to creativity and intuition, why uncertainty is not a weakness but a strength, and how science advances by questioning rather than proving. Along the way, we even touch on the perception of time and why novelty and attention shape how quickly life seems to move. This episode is an invitation to rethink certainty, slow down automatic judgments, and develop a more flexible, honest relationship with what you believe. Whether you’re interested in psychology, education, or simply making better decisions in a noisy world, this conversation offers practical insights and thought-provoking challenges that will stay with you long after the episode ends. Thanks for Tuning in! Blog post and full transcript of this episode can be found here: https://waikikihealth.com/critical-thinking-beyond-basics-a-conversation-with-dr-christopher-dwyer/

    1h 22m
  6. Episode 83: AI and the Future of Psychotherapy, with Dr. Nya Smith

    11/07/2025

    Episode 83: AI and the Future of Psychotherapy, with Dr. Nya Smith

    In this episode of MindTricks Radio, Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Nya Smith dive into a lively and at times heated conversation about the future of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy. With Dr. Smith’s full consent, the discussion itself was generated through AI using cloned versions of both hosts’ voices. The episode takes a bold look at the rapidly changing landscape of mental health technology and challenges listeners to consider where AI fits in the world of human connection and healing. Together, Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Smith explore some of the most provocative questions facing the field. Can AI simulate empathy well enough to support real therapeutic change? Where does simulated presence break down when compared to the felt, intuitive experience between two people? How should clinicians think about ethics, emotional nuance, and the potential for AI to reshape access to care? Their debate moves from the promise of AI supported CBT to the limits of deep relational work and the risks that emerge when technology begins to feel almost human. This is a nuanced and evolving topic, one that is sure to stir strong feelings among therapists, technologists, and anyone curious about the future of mental health care. The conversation is candid, cordial, and intellectually charged. Whether you are excited about AI or deeply skeptical, this episode will leave you thinking about where we are headed and what role human connection should play in a world where our digital tools are becoming more emotionally convincing every day. Be sure to check out my blog post and a full transcript of the episode on my website: https://waikikihealth.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1228&action=edit

    32 min
  7. Episode 82: Understanding and Supporting Children Who Grieve, with Cynthia White

    11/03/2025

    Episode 82: Understanding and Supporting Children Who Grieve, with Cynthia White

    In today’s episode of MindTricks Radio, I sit down with veteran grief counselor and author Cynthia White to explore how children experience and heal from loss. Drawing from over four decades of work with grieving children and families, Cynthia shares her “quantum model” of grief—an approach that views grief as living energy in the body, best understood through movement, play, and connection. Together, we unpack the differences between how children and adults grieve, the importance of honesty and safety in supporting young mourners, and the transformative power of allowing children to express emotion in their own way. Cynthia also reflects on the founding of Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, her years leading grief programs across the U.S. and Japan, and the universal human need to be seen, comforted, and believed in after loss. This heartfelt conversation offers parents, teachers, and clinicians fresh insight into the world of childhood grief—and reminds us that sharing grief is, in itself, an act of love and strength.

    1h 3m
  8. Episode 80: How Exposure to Different Cultures Expands the Mind, with Dr. Aditi Subramaniam

    10/11/2025

    Episode 80: How Exposure to Different Cultures Expands the Mind, with Dr. Aditi Subramaniam

    What happens in the brain when we step outside our cultural bubble? In this week’s episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with neuroscientist and science writer Dr. Aditi Subramaniam to explore how cross-cultural experiences literally reshape the mind. From creativity and cognitive flexibility to empathy and resilience, we dig into the neuroscience behind what happens when we immerse ourselves in unfamiliar languages, customs, and perspectives. Dr. Subramaniam, who trained at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in India and now works with the Neuroscience Education Institute, shares fascinating insights about how bilingualism sharpens cognition, how rituals act as “neural training,” and why diverse cultural exposure can reduce prejudice and expand empathy. It’s an engaging, hopeful conversation about what it means to stay mentally agile in an increasingly interconnected world. Tune in for a lively blend of psychology, culture, and neuroscience, and discover why broadening your cultural horizons might be the best brain workout you’ll ever have. Please see my Blog post and full transcript of the episode here, at my website: https://waikikihealth.com/how-exposure-to-different-cultures-expands-the-mind-a-conversation-with-neuroscientist-dr-aditi-subramaniam/

    38 min
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About

Welcome to Mind Tricks Radio, where we’ll explore contemporary topics in Psychology, though interviewing creative and innovative thinkers in the field. I’m your host, Dr. Aaron Kaplan. Thanks for tuning in!

Information

  • Creator
    mindtricks
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Mind Tricks Radio