The Broken Brain

In 1770 a weird and amazing machine known as "The Chess Machine," or "The Mechanical Turk," was created by Civil Servant and Engineer Wolfgang von Kempelen. He claimed it could play chess as an automated machine, and indeed it played and defeated many talented players and well-known people, including Napolean and Benjamin Franklin. This device kicked off the type of thinking that influenced the development of the computer, and probably even AI. Unfortunately it was all a hoax... Thursday Thistory is a look at psychological or cultural history. Half today's episode is available to all listeners, while the other half is only for Patreon members.  This month's highlighted charity is Stand in Pride, a nonprofit helping LGBTQ+ individuals find support after facing rejection from family. Go to www.standinpride.org to learn more.  

Psychiatrist Joel Gold & Philosopher Ian Gold wrote "Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness," examining the effects of culture and social media on delusions. Cue the creation of Artificial Intelligence, with quickly increasing presence and impact. The brothers teamed up with Award Winning Filmmaker Sean King O'Grady to create the docuseries "Suspicious Minds," interviewing researchers, AI engineers, and individuals who have experienced what is increasingly being called "AI Delusion." This is a fascinating discussion about the relationship with new technology, and how it can impact mental health. Watch Suspicious  Minds on Youtube, or find the audio anywhere you find podcasts.  Our highlighted charity this month is Stand In Pride, an organization helping LGBTQ+ individuals who have been abandoned by family and friends to find stand-in family for events such as weddings and graduations, and to build found family relationships. Support them by downloading their app, going to www.standinpride.org, and follow founder Dan Blevins on IG @the_zombie_dan

How does technology and culture impact mental health?  Today's Monday Mental Health Tip is focused on finding a healthy balance in how we embrace new tech, Particularly AI (more to come on that tomorrow) Our highlighted charity is Stand in Pride, helping LGBTQ+ individuals to discover found family and build new support systems, especially if they have faced rejection in response to coming out. Go to www.standinpride.org to learn more.

Isabel Tehran returns for another Christmas Special, talkign about...a Christmas Special. This year we are focused on Rankin-Bass' "The Year Without A Santa Claus." Along with a BUNCH of other stuff, Christmas Special related and otherwise.  Go to www.dwighthurst.com/santa for a free gift, the TTRPG A Bunch Of Santas.  Happy Holidays to all! 

Being healthy is one of the difficult challenges of being a human person. So PJ Glassey joins us today to help us. A trained physiologist, Glassey shares guidance on physical and cognitive techniques for well ronded health, using tools like cognitive behavioral interventions, gratitude, and meditative practices along with physical exercise. Follow his work at www.xgym.com We are continuing to support the Because Organization this month, supporting survivors of human trafficking to build stable, healthy lives following an exit from trafficking. Support their great work at www.becauseorganization.org 

Jessica Baum is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in relationships, particularly the role of attachment. She is also the author of "SAFE: Coming Home to Yourself and Others,"  a look at building more secure relationships by understanding ours and our partner's patterns of attachment.  We are continuing the focus on The Because Organization as our nonprofit of choice for the remainder of this year. Go to www.becauseorganization.org to learn more and support their work with survivors of human trafficking. 

Oswald Newbold is a Certified Mediator, specializing in conflict resolution for individuals, groups, and organizations. He has been managing conflict and communication since 2008, when he mediated disputes between incarcerated individuals in the Florida Criminal Justice system, reducing tension and violence within the prisons. Oswald talks today about the mediation process, communication, and social advocacy for rehabilitation. Follow his work at www.oswaldnewbold.com This month we are highlighting The Because Organization, a nonprofit supporting survivors of human trafficking. Get involved in their work: www.becauseorganization.org 

Dr Christine Silverstein believes that young people are strong, and that their strength increases the more the believe in themselves. As a Behavioral Health RN, author, and clinical hypnotist she specializes in helping children to find empowerment through healthy self-talk, academics, and strong relationships. Follow her work at www.idealperformance.net and www.drchristinesilverstein.com  The Because Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to helping former victims of human trafficking to rebuild their lives, and is the charity of focus this month. You can get involved with their work at www.becauseorganization.org 

Debbie Ausburn is a social worker and the author of "Raising Other Peoples Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me About Bringing Together A Blended Family." She shares her experiences as a Foster and Step Parent, and the lessons learned from successes and mistakes connecting and parenting children in situations where trust must be earned instead of assumed. Donate, participate, and promote The Because Organization, this month's highlighted nonprofit. They work with survivors of human trafficking, helping people to build safe and healthy lives after emerging from these abusive situations.    

What kind of scary movies do you like? What type of storytelling do you find to be smart and compelling?  It's Halloween time, a time for spooky, scary stuff, and I am joined by two movie and Halloween experts, Dalin Rowell of "It's Reely a Podcast, and Isabel Teran of "Hearsing Around," and "That's Bodacious Dude! 80 Radical Movies from the Eighties." Visit www.becauseorganization.org to visit this month's highlighted charity AND participate in their virtual walk/run event from anywhere in the world. Your contributions help survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives. 

Marcia Holt & Bill Cottringer return to the show to share details about the virtual walk/run fundraising event for The Because Organization, a nonprofit providing virtual and in-person services for survivors of Human Trafficking, and helping them to stabilize their lives vocationally, psychologically, medically, and in whatever other ways needed. Less than 8% of Human Trafficking related nonprofits address the needs of the individual AFTER escaping a trafficking situation.  Go to www.becauseorganization.org to sign up for this event, which runs from 10/26-11/9, and participate from anywhere in the world. Any amount of distance and money are helpful for this great cause, and share the link on your social media.   

The way in which we diagnose mental health conditions has been key to the treatment world. Much of this has historically been done through patient report and observable behavior. As time has gone by assessment instruments and tools have been developed to help, but the individual assessment will always be important. Dr Barry Herman, medical director for Mentavi, joins today to share information about diagnosis, particularly for ADHD and related issues. Go to www.mentavi.com to follow his work.  The Because Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to helping those who have survived human trafficking to build up their lives in a healthy and managable way, and is this month's charity-of-focus. Visit www.becauseorganization.org to support them and to learn more. 

Dr Mary-Catherine (MC) MCDonald is a Research Professor, Trauma Recovery Expert, and the Author of "The Joy Reset." Her expertise is in the use of joy to combat the effects of trauma. Going deeper than just the philosophy of joy, she shares actionable techniques to reduce trauma symptoms. We also like & dislike some of the same trends in therapy.  Follow her work @mcphd on Instagram. Go to www.becauseorganization.org to support The Because Organization, helping survivors of trafficking to establish healthy lives. Participate in their virtual walk/run from anywhere in the world during October & November.

Remember "Harold and the Purple Crayon"? So does Dr Ross Ellenhorn, our guest today and the author of "Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life." Dr Ellenhorn uses the framework of the world of Harold and the Purple Crayon to showcase the importance of individuality and creativity when dealing with mental illness, addiction, and health.  The charity of focus this month is The Because Organization, a nonprofit in Philadelphia helping people who have survived human trafficking to build their lives. Go to www.becauseorganization.org to learn more AND to participate in their virtual walk-a-thon fund raiser. 

What kind of women characters do we find in Batman stories? How do they interact with Batman, The BatFamily, and the world of Gotham? Dalin Rowell, host & creator of "It's Reely a Podcast," joins me to discuss this year's Batman episode, where we focus on Characters such as Catwoman, Batgirl, Talia al Ghul, Baby Doll, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and more! Including the under-discussed Andrea Beaumont!  One more plug for the September charity-of-focus: go to www.akshayapatra.org, to share and support this wonderful nonprofit providing hot midday meals to students in India. 

Frank Forcich is a biologist and health educator. He teaches people to understanding life through the lens of what attributes human beings have as animals within the natural world, and to assess how we are influenced by health and habitat. His perspective helps to break down the things that influence the way we form culture, community, and how we make decisions on a group and individual level. Learn more about his work at www.honortheanimal.com  Visit www.akshayapatra.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit. Akshata Patra is an NGO base din India, with a focus on providing a hot midday meal for youth in school. 

Shyam Madiraju is the writer & Director of "55," a modern Dickensian story set in Mumbai, India. It tells the story of a young pickpocket who faces hard decisions about survival, morality, and what power we have over our own lives. Look for the film streaming on Video On Demand, and follow Shyam's work on Instagram @mad_n_shy The highlighted nonprofit this month is Akshaya Patra, an NGO based in India that provides hot midday meals for children attending school. Go to www.akshayapatra.org to learn more, support, and share this charity. 

Bill Combs is the Author of the novel, "The Quantum Gate," (and its upcoming sequel). An adventure story in the spirit of Indiana Jones, Da Vinci Code, Stargate, this novel is a story of trauma and redemption, with riddles, treasure hunting, and mystical elements. He joins the podcast to share this story and his approach to creating realistic characters facing mystical situations, and how people relate to difficulty in real life. Go to www.billcombs.com to follow his work, monitor his ongoing series of novels, and read his free short stories.  Visit www.akshayapatra.org to support and share our charity-of-focus this month. Akshaya Patra is a NGO that delivers hot midday meals to school students in India. 

The second half of the 4th Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day. In this segment of the stream Dwight and Isabel Teran are joined by the Reels of Justice Podcast hosts to discuss addiction, engagement with life, and cultural/societal elements of health. Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Robb Maynard, Ben Haslar, and Dylan Schlender have a vulnerable and open discussion about their own experiences with compulsion, addiction, and alcohol. A great example of openness, community, and support. We will do it again next year! Go to www.akshayapatra.org to support this month's highlighted nonprofit agency, providing hot midday meals to children in school in India. 

This is the first half of the Annual Live Stream for International Overdose Awareness Day, 2025. Join hosts Dwight and Izzie as we look at how Engagement & Avoidance factor into addiction. In Part one we are joined by Chris Revill and Mike Lundsford.  Please support & share our highlighted charity of the month, Akshaya Pahtra, a NGO in India providing hot midday meals to provide incentive and support for children to attend school. Visit www.akshayapatra.org to learn more.