Episodes

The idea for this episode comes from the work of Robyn D’Angelo who is the creator of the recent series “How to Love your Partner-- Mastering the Messiness of Couplehood Together.” In that series, Robyn filmed interviews with herself and 22 love experts on everything from the misunderstood partner to the angry partner. Host Suzanne Phillips was one of those experts. In this Psych Up Live episode, Robyn and two of her experts, Heather Sequin and John Harrison join host Suzanne Phillips to share v...

In this podcast, Filmmaker Susan Sipprelle of “Set for Life” and “ Over 50 and Out of Work” discusses her important documentary, “ Soldier On: Life After Deployment.” This feature length documentary chronicles with honesty and humor the challenges that three post-9/11 female veterans face readjusting to civilian life after their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Susan Sipprelle is joined on the show by one of the female veterans featured in the film, Natasha Young. In the back and forth with ...

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and an expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will discuss his new and important book, Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy. In a culture of easy access to porn, sexual violence on campus and the condemnation of sexual predators, there is both mystification and intimidation for male teens about sexuality and dating. As such, Dr. Smiler addresses the topics and the questions that too often go unanswered: What is sexual consent...

Have you ever been dismissed because you were considered too young, or ignored because you were deemed too old? If so, you have experienced Ageism, stereotyping and discrimination based on age. In this show, author activist, Ashton Applewhite will raise our consciousness about age discrimination with research, humor and personal references. Drawing upon her acclaimed book, This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, her powerful discussion and examples will make it clear “that chronological ag...

In this episode, Dr. Ken Carter returns to Psych Up Live to look closer at risk taking and sensation seeking. Is the person who will take a risk in business similar to the person who loves extreme sports? Are risk taking and sensation or thrill seeking different personality traits? Are they inter-related? Do men and women differ in these traits? Are they genetic traits or family fostered dynamics? Is our neurophysiology different when we put ourselves in danger for the thrill of it as opposed to...

We are often told to reach for our dreams and that the only real risk in life is never trying. This is the story of MJ Marggraff, a woman who decided to reach for her dream. In midlife, this wife and mother of two young children decided to take flying lessons. Her story of becoming a pilot is a story of fear, excitement, guilt, harassment, challenge and joy. It is a story that reveals how reaching for your dream impacts everyone you know and love in different ways. Whether you are a pilot, you l...

We hear a great deal in the media about narcissism. If you have ever wondered if the person you work for, the man you are dating or the friend who knows everything is a narcissist, listen in. On this show Dr. Joseph Burgo, psychologist and author of the book, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About Me Age, will draw upon his clinical experience and fascinating examples to discuss the Narcissist. He will make clear the tell tale signs of narcissism,...

We are the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Our stories directly impact how we feel, our behavior and how we treat ourselves and others. Often we relive painful events and add more pain and drama to the story we tell ourselves and others. In this episode, Bruce Van Horn, bestselling author, speaker, leadership coach and cancer conqueror offers us a mini version of his important program, “Re-Story You!” Listen in to the back and forth with Bruce Van Horn and host, Suzanne Phillips to re-c...

As we approach the 15th Anniversary of 9-11, we are reminded of the countless children who have faced life-threatening circumstances from war, terrorist attack, natural disasters and refugee crisis. In this episode Sue Badeau, nationally known speaker, writer and consultant for traumatized children brings her perspective as a mother of 22 children and years of expertise with child welfare, the juvenile justice systems, the Council on Adoptable Children and the National Child Traumatic Stress Net...

This episode is special because it is part of a double show. In this show, Host Suzanne Phillips welcomes Sandra Reich, “Host of Straight Talk with Sandra Reich on Voice America” as her guest on Psych Up Live to discuss issues related to Sandra’s bestselling book, Once upon a Time-How Cinderella Grew Up and Became a Happy Empowered Woman, co-authored with Matte Gomez. Later that evening, Dr. Suzanne Phillips appears as the guest on Sandra Reich’s show to continue the conversation with a twist, '...

How do you get along with your adult siblings? Are you like friends? Have you stopped talking or connecting with siblings? No matter what the relationship, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Greif, professor and author, returns to Psych Up Live with his new co-authored book, Adult Sibling Relationships.In the show, Dr. Greif draws upon his personal interviews with people over 45 and people's responses to The Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale to share the stories and reasons peopl...

In this episode, Abby Rodman psychotherapist and author draws upon her own experience with divorce, her clinical experience and the responses of hundreds of women to a survey on divorce, to share what we rarely hear when we learn someone is getting a divorce or has been divorced. Abby Rodman shares the insider story. She shares the fears, blame, hardship, parental worry and ultimate growth that is possible whether a divorce comes after two years or twenty, and whether it comes by choice, betraya...

In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her new and comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for he...

In this episode, Samantha Waltz, the author of the powerful book, Blended: Writers on the Stepfamily Experience and three of her wonderful contributing writers, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Gigi Rosenberg, and Emma Kate Tsai will share their personal experiences of being parents or children in stepfamilies. As three of the thirty professional writers who share their blended experience in this book, their voices convey more than the facts or dynamics of stepfamilies. They convey in a personal way th...

How can you foster a child’s resilience to handle future adversity? How can you intervene to offset the impact of homeliness, war, migration, domestic violence, etc. on a child’s development? In this episode, Dr. Ann Masten, Regents Professor of Child Development and recognized expert on risk and resilience in children will answer these questions and many more. Drawing upon her recent book, Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development, she will surprise and enrich you with her findings. She will in...

In this episode, Dr. Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, professor and the author of How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices, offers a new and well researched look at women as decision makers. She addresses the reality of gender dynamics in the workplace like the glass ceiling, the glass cliff and the different consequences of making a mistake for men and women in leadership while dispelling the myths and beliefs about gender differences and decision...

In this Episode Dr. Connie Siskowski, founder of the American Association for Caregiving Youth awakens us to the reality that 1.4 million children in this country sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, aging or have disabilities. Isolated, often facing tasks and medical responsibilities that would challenge adults, these children are often invisible to schools and communities. Dr. Siskowski, who was recognized as one o...

In this episode, Wesley C. Davidson and Dr. Jonathan Tobkes M.D. discuss their new and much needed book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know. In the discussion with Host Suzanne Phillips, Wesley C. Davidson, shares her shock on realizing that her son is gay, her denial and the lack of resources available to her as a straight parent of an LGBT child in the 90’s. With her son’s permission and hindsight, she writes the book she needed for other parents. In the back and forth with host, Su...

Too often in the aftermath of a traumatic event be it the loss of a child, a natural disaster or the wounds of war, a couple’s relationship becomes the collateral damage of the pain and loss suffered. In this episode, Host Dr. Suzanne B. Phillips will draw upon the book she co-authored with Dr. Dianne Kane, Healing Together: A Couple’s Guide to Coping with Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress to help couples understand that their relationship can either be the locus of pain or an important source of s...

In this episode, Cheryl Bradshaw, counselor and psychotherapist specializing in teens and young adults discusses her new book, How to Like Yourself: A Teen’s Guide to Quieting Your Inner Critic & Building Lasting Self-Esteem. Cheryl Bradshaw’s approach is one that young adults will find engaging, thought provoking and very helpful. Recognizing that few of us in this highly competitive culture are taught to like ourselves, she identifies the traps, feelings and distortions that keep us from build...

We continue to hear of the benefits of mindfulness but many still wonder-What exactly is it? How can I best use it? In this episode, Dr Elisha Goldstein, author of many books on mindfulness including Uncovering Happiness,The Now Effect and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, will offer a mini-course on Mindfulness that teaches steps, rationale and technique. He will guide us to use breathing,catch the negative thinking, resist anxious problem solving and enhance resilience. You will understand w...

In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.

In this episode Dr. Edward Haas, psychiatrist and author, draws upon his joy of parenting and his expertise in many areas to share his development of Transformative Parenting, which is a book as well as a philosophy used by professionals, parents, and school settings. Dr. Haas will describe the way in which this program captures the potential for mutual growth and connection for both parent and child. Consistent with research and evolving science on the importance of the early bonds and experien...

In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Ar...