The Gently Used Human with Dr. Scott Lyons Dr. Scott Lyons

Have you ever considered the power of laughter in battling anxiety? What if anxiety was not just a state of mind but also a condition deeply rooted in our bodies? Could we unravel the complexities of anxiety and find solace in the present moment? Dr. Russell Kennedy, also known as Anxiety MD, joins Dr. Scott today to share his unique blend of expertise in medicine, neuroscience, and stand-up comedy. 
Offering a revolutionary understanding and approach to overcoming anxiety, Dr. Kennedy shares insights from his personal journey, revealing the counterphobic tool of comedy and how this intersects with his medical practice. Together, they challenge the conventional view of anxiety, redefining it as a physical state of alarm that often stems from unresolved trauma. 
Dr. Kennedy guides us through techniques to connect with our inner self and find a sense of safety in the present moment, and together, we explore the essential difference between everyday discomfort and lingering trauma and how focusing on the body’s alarm signals can pave the way to healing. 
Topics We Break DownHow applying a new understanding to anxiety can facilitate a deeper treatment of its root causes.What it might look like to replace dissociative responses with meaningful attention.Reframing anxiety as both a mind-body separation and an adult self-child self separation. The complex relationship between cognitive and somatic work.How technology facilitates disconnection and results in an inability to metabolize difficult emotions.The journey of influencing your internal perception of the external world through expressing emotion. Prioritizing self-connection and witnessing the traumatized child as a roadmap to healing anxiety. Why the cost of never addressing the pain of your formative years is too high to bear.

Ever wondered what lies behind the curtain of the nutritional wellness industry, or considered how the act of cooking is not just preparing a meal, but also a profound expression of self care and creativity?
In this episode, Desiree Nielsen joins Dr. Scott in conversation to share a wealth of wisdom from her experiences as a registered dietician. Desiree is an expert in the world of plant-based nutrition and an author of several best-selling cookbooks, including the newly published Plant Magic. Together, they’ll discuss the impact of social media on diet trends, the importance of tailoring nutrition to the individual, and the need for a critical eye toward the wellness narratives that dominate our culture. 
Desiree offers her insights into the complex layers of nutrition, debunking myths, and teaching us how to sift through the noise to find evidence-based advice that truly benefits our health. This episode serves up insight and laughter, proving that the best meals are not just about what’s on the plate, but also about the conversations that happen around the table. Let’s dig in!
Topics We Break Down: 
How food can act as the metronome of life before diet culture infiltrates our thinking. The opportunity that mealtimes present to inject happiness and pleasure into an otherwise stressful life.What it might look like to strip food of its moral value and embrace flexibility.Why a ‘one problem, one solution’ approach to nutrition is fundamentally problematic.What it truly means to have a holistic perspective that is in step with evidence-based thinking.Redefining healthy eating in a way that focuses on our actions. The radical idea that sometimes wellness makes us feel worse.Sifting through the plethora of conflicting health advice online to find what works for you. 

Have you ever found yourself lost in a sea of distractions, struggling to maintain focus? Or wondered about the intricate workings of attention in our brains? How do we understand the fine line between neurodivergence and clinical severity in the context of attention disorders?
Today, Dr. Scott sits down with Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a board-certified psychiatrist, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Dr. Hamdani brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight into the complexities of attention and its nuances. From the evolution of ADHD diagnosis to the pioneering creation of the Focus Genie app, we explore the multifaceted nature of attention, including its various types and the challenges it presents in our daily lives.
Join us as they discuss the critical aspects of attention: its definition, the ability to focus, regulate, and transition between topics, and the intriguing relationship between ADHD, generational stress, and trauma. Dr. Hamdani shares her expertise on the capacity for attention, how it varies among individuals, and the potential impacts of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in ADHD.
This conversation promises to enlighten and challenge your understanding of attention, providing a deeper appreciation of our brain's complexity and the many shades of normal when it comes to attention-related challenges. Whether you're grappling with focus issues yourself, know someone who does, or are simply curious about the inner workings of the human mind, this episode is not to be missed.
Topics We Break DownHow a deep understanding of what it means to pay and tend to attention can influence our relationship with it.The intricate science of the brain and what makes it unique among the body’s other organs. Appreciating the value of both inclusivity and diagnosis in the context of neurodivergence.How behavioral and lifestyle changes can support focus and brain function.Overdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and access to care.The influence of traumatic experiences on the brain.What self-care, tracking, and problem-solving might look like for people with ADHD.How differentiating between four kinds of attention can help us identify our strengths and weaknesses. 

Have you ever felt the pressure to prove that your trauma is more severe than others? Or found yourself in situations where experiences of pain and suffering are compared and contrasted in a competitive way?
Welcome to the Trauma Olympics.
Joining Dr. Scott to unpack this intricate subject are Kai Cheng Thom, MSW, MSc, a certified Somatic Sex Educator and acclaimed author, and Nkem Ndefo, MSN, the founder of Lumos Transforms and creator of The Resilience Toolkit. Together, they explore the different forms of Trauma Olympics, including the troubling trends of one-upping and minimizing others' experiences, and the underlying causes such as capitalism, scarcity mentality, and the quest for validation.
They’ll discuss the negative effects of this phenomenon, such as how it splinters social movements and fosters a culture of constant competition over trauma and they’ll delve into the complex politics of trauma disclosure, examining the pressure to share personal experiences for validation and the crucial right to low disclosure.
This conversation is not just an exploration but also a critical examination of our societal and individual approaches to trauma. Whether you've experienced this phenomenon personally or are seeking to understand it better, this episode offers insights, personal stories, and thoughtful analysis on navigating the challenging landscape of the Trauma Olympics.
Get ready for a profound discussion that sheds light on the complexities and dangers of comparing traumas and the importance of respecting individual boundaries and experiences in the journey of healing and resilience.
Topics we break down
Deep-seated reasons that people choose to engage in Trauma Olympics and comparative victimhood.Ways in which capitalism and the scarcity mentality support the zero-sum game of comparison.What it might look like to extract trauma from self-identity and how this relates to healing.How competitive trauma is incentivized and the dehumanizing effect of hierarchy.The difference between trauma acting as a social glue and trauma becoming a social disruptor. Cultivating the capacity to relate to people beyond the sensationalist quality of their story.Retiring ourselves from the sport of Trauma Olympics by meeting the underlying need.How power dynamics influence competitive trauma and create a barrier to reconciliation.What might change if we could communicate in a context where everyone wasn’t stretched so thin.

How do we navigate the fragile threads that bind us to one another and to our past? How do patterns of attachment emerge from the shadows of our upbringing, influencing not just our romantic relationships but also our friendships, our career paths, and our very sense of self?
In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons welcomes Dr. Judy Ho, a distinguished Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, tenured professor, and author of 'The New Rules of Attachment'. Dr. Judy, with her profound understanding of neuropsychology, sheds light on how insecure attachments carve anxious, avoidant, and disorganized trails through our lives. Together, they explore the transformative power of self-awareness, self-regulation, and the sacred act of reparenting. This conversation goes beyond discussing the bonds we form with others; it's an exploration of how to reforge the bonds within ourselves, to heal the attachment wounds that hold us back, and to step into a future of secure attachment and limitless growth.
Are you ready to uncover the mysteries of attachment and discover how to navigate the path towards secure connections? Listen in for a profound dive into the heart of human connection and growth.
Topics We Break DownThe intricate weave of forensic neuropsychology and attachment theory.Navigating the emergence of insecure attachment patterns from childhood.Understanding the impact of anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles on adult relationships and self-identity.The transformative power of self-awareness in recognizing and addressing attachment wounds.Practical approaches to self-regulation and reparenting for healing attachment issues.Expanding the concept of attachment beyond romantic relationships to include friendships and career dynamics.The role of emotional bonds in developing a secure sense of self and fostering personal growth.Techniques for cultivating secure attachments and enhancing emotional connections.

Have you ever stopped to think about what really makes a relationship work?  What is the secret sauce of relationship success? How much of it is the way we talk and listen to each other?  How much of it is chemistry?   What makes or breaks our relationships? 
In this insightful episode, Dr. Scott is joined by Jillian Turecki, a certified relationship coach, teacher, and writer, known for her compassionate and direct approach to transforming relationships. Under the mentorship of Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes, Jillian has dedicated 20 years to teaching others how to revolutionize their relationships, starting with the one they have with themselves.
Together, they explore the crucial elements of respect, trust, and safety in relationships, and the evolving nature of our preferences and priorities as we grow. Jillian shares her wisdom on the art of effective communication, the importance of setting boundaries, and the skill of active listening. They also dive into the often-overlooked potential of breakups as catalysts for personal growth and even touch on the nuances of meeting a partner's parents for the first time.
Listen in to uncover the work and growth necessary for healthy relationships and the vital role of feeling seen and understood by our partners. Whether you're navigating the complexities of a current relationship, healing from a breakup, or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of relational dynamics, this conversation is a treasure trove of insights.
Topics We Break DownTrust, safety, and respect as the foundations of a healthy relationship.How our relationship priorities shift as we evolve and grow.Why boundaries are an essential part of any relationship.The consistent awareness and communication that relationships require.Discerning between tension, texture, turbulence, and trouble in your relationship.Growing together versus growing apart.Why you should never fall in love with potential.Tenets of thriving relationships: tips for communicating better.How even a catastrophic breakup can be an opportunity for transformation.Listener Q&A: advice for redefining the spark, meeting the parents, and more!What might really be going on when it feels like you can’t get over your ex.