True You‪!‬ Greg Kovacs, LMFT

Greg Kovacs speaks with Donnell McCloud, CEO of Long Run Clothing in Utica, NY. Donnell explains how his own perseverance through adversity informs the Long Run mission to produce high quality clothing with high attention to detail. Donnell explains why he wants his clothing line to inspire others to never give up or give in.







Click the button below to visit Long Run Clothing at SHOP | Long Run Ent (longrunclothing.com)









https://youtu.be/lGH1ASl56xg

Donnell McCloud, CEO, Undaunted Ambition, and Long Run Clothing

Conspiracy Theories: Definition and Perspectives

Evolutionary, Psychological, and Social Functions of Conspiracy Theories

Demographics of Believers

Costs and Benefits of Conspiracy Beliefs

Effective Communication with Diverse Thinkers



The dollar bill has been a focus of conspiracy theories for generations

With political polarization at an all-time high, it is important that we develop a willingness and ability to have conversations with those who think differently than we do. Greg spoke with Dr. Tania Israel, who is a Professor in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Israel teaches about helping skills, leadership, and community collaboration and has facilitated educational programs and difficult dialogues about a range of topics, including abortion, law enforcement, religion, and sexual orientation.







Beyond Your Bubble







She wrote a book called, Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work (APA, 2020) grew out of Dr. Israel’s skill-building workshop that she developed and delivered to hundreds of participants following the 2016 election. Dr. Israel’s honors include 2019 Congressional Woman of the Year (CA 24th District), Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Award for Excellence in Mental Health from the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, and Emerging Leader Award from the APA Committee on Women in Psychology.

Gaylemarie’s story is one that unfolded rather quickly and required her to rapidly adapt and cope. There is a lot of research out there on the power of social support in helping us through the most challenging times. Unfortunately, Gaylemarie was not able to reach out to her family for support. She felt that her struggles would not be accepted by her family and that by revealing her struggles at the wrong time would make things more challenging for her. Instead, she found support in the partner that she feared her family would reject. Not only did she rely on support from someone that she was only beginning to get to know, but she also relied on them during a time when she was questioning some of the most fundamental aspects of herself—and she did this after relocating halfway across the country!







My discussion with Gaylemarie starts off with a description of her early family life, which helps to inform the struggle, the courage, and the strength that she has shown as she persevered through the current stage of her life. The last half of our discussion takes a turn that reveals strength, courage, and perseverance.







Gaylemarie’s story is one that would likely not be told if she had not asked to tell it on True You!







Stories like Gaylemarie's are why True You! exists, and I am so glad she wanted to tell it!

Communication problems are a top concern for couples in my couples therapy practice at Upstate Marriage and Family Therapy, PLLC. Based in cognitive behavioral theory, one question can help couples avoid communication impasses and emotional reactivity.

In over 22 years as a therapist, I have seen people fall apart then find the strength to put it all back together again. I have heard stories of people who refused to give up, who found ways to adapt, and who chose to not let events from the past or present influence the way they wanted to experience the world today.



Through my work I have the opportunity to help people rewrite their stories. But despite their power to inspire, stories from the therapy room are confidential. So, I created True You! where people can share their stories. Because we know that when other people listen to stories of courage, strength, and perseverance, those people can become inspired to change their own narratives.

Madalyn's Story

But when my own daughter, who is now 12, began to experience symptoms of anxiety at a young age, I never imagined that, 6 years later, she would be sharing her story on True You! I also never imagined that my daughter would WANT to tell her story. Well, it has taken 6 months of her persistence to convince me that her motivation to tell her story was not the fun of sitting in front of a microphone or of hearing her own voice. She was not dissuaded by worry that other kids might listen to her story and give her a hard time. That was my worry, to be honest; I will always be a protective dad. Madalyn wanted to tell her story not only because her story might help other kids. She wanted to tell her story because this kid earned her story.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Madalyn was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at the age of 10. That means that she was experiencing symptoms for a long time before that. At age 7 or 8, or even younger, she was experiencing repetitive, unwanted thoughts that a 5-, 6-, or 7-year-old would be unable to understand. Even more, kids at that age have little innate ability to communicate what they may not realize is problematic. Instead, they often express fear, anger, reactivity, and defiance.



Madalyn, and our family, all experienced those emotions. And despite most of my early career working as a therapist for kids with challenging emotions. I could not see outside of my own box to get a grip on what was happening with my own daughter.



In 2018 Madalyn's symptoms of OCD were really taking control. She hid them well!



Eventually, we caught on. We found the right providers, at the right time, and Madalyn was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You can listen to my prior interview on True You! with Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, who is an OCD specialist who was diagnosed with OCD around the same age as Madalyn.

Exposure with Response Prevention

In January of 2000 we flew down to Tampa Florida after enrolling Madalyn in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which is a 6 hour-a-day program, 5 days a week, for 6-8 weeks. They offered Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), which is the gold standard treatment for OCD.



Madalyn talks about Roger’s Behavioral Health in her story, but we really cannot describe how essential that treatment was for Madalyn, and for us as a family. While Madalyn resisted for several weeks, eventually she dug in. She pulled as much out of that program as she possibly could. Her therapist, Sara, became Madalyn’s worst nightmare; after all, ERP required her to confront deep-seated fears. And Sara also was also an excellent therapist and one of Madalyn's greatest assets in helping her develop the tools that she needed to manage some tough thoughts and behaviors.



Madalyn found strength and courage at Rogers that I just do not think she would have found anywhere else--that is how it felt, anyway. Since leaving Florida Madalyn has made a 180-degree turn. She still gets stuck in repetitive thoughts. She still struggles at times to quell the thoughts that get in the way of attending school.