2: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Narcissists & the Nature/Nurture Debate | James Fallon, PhD

This is a 12-minute 'Safe Place' visualisation meditation protocol that helps enhance the brain's learning process, reduces daytime fatigue, and helps improve focus. This exercise can be done before bed to relax your nervous system or any other time during the day to help you reconnect with the present moment. Exercises like this have been found to promote neuroplasticity—your brain's ability to change and grow.

"Brain scans show us that generally many of the same neurons that fire when we perceive something in the external world also fire when we first remember that object or experience. In the brain, imagining an act and doing it are not as different as they may seem ... visualizing, remembering, or imagining pleasant experiences activates many of the same sensory, motor, emotional, and cognitive circuits that fired during the "real" experience." Norman Doidge, The Brain's Way of Healing.

Recorded by psychotherapist Emil Barna.

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Lynne Malcolm is a science journalist and broadcaster with a deep passion and fascination for people, their behaviour and the workings of the human mind. For nine years, she produced and presented the hugely popular ABC radio program and podcast All in the Mind, in which she explored a range of topics including neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, cognitive science, mental health and human behaviour. All In the Mind is one of the most downloaded ABC podcasts in Australia and internationally.

Lynne has received numerous media awards and contributes to media award judging panels, including the Australian Museum's Eureka Awards and the Mental Health Service of Australia and New Zealand media awards. She continues to write, podcast and communicate about the topics she's inspired by. All In the Mind is her first book. 

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*This episode contains explicit themes relating to traumatic stress and traumatic nightmares*

Dr Havens is an EMDR therapist, trainer, and PTSD specialist. In this episode, he explores The Dream Completion Technique and The Flash Technique for nightmares and distressing memories.

A former army officer, Havens has dedicated his career to helping military veterans and civilians alike overcome traumatic stress. To find out more, please visit his website and enrol in his regular training here: https://justinhavens.com/page/therapist-webinars

You can view his popular video on The Dream Completion Technique here: http://tiny.cc/stop_nightmares

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In this episode, psychotherapist Emil Barna reads the revised sixth chapter to his 2017 book Minding The Brain Towards Change: What Willpower Really Means For Addiction.

Here is a snippet from the book:

"Only when one creates a life where addiction does not make sense can they move forward with their head held high and their shoulders back. You are the maker of your own fate. You are the driver. Sobriety is not easy, but it is worth it. Taking your life into your own hands is one of the more empowering things a person can do!"

—Chapter Summary

Main Points

• Willpower takes effort, and there are no shortcuts to recovery, just a consistent and disciplined approach. 

 Practical Considerations

• You cannot back away from addiction. You must turn and walk into a new life. Find what's right for you, and embrace it wholeheartedly. Practice, practice, practice.

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To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence, use this link.

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In this episode, psychotherapist Emil Barna reads the revised fifth chapter to his 2017 book Minding The Brain Towards Change: What Willpower Really Means For Addiction.

Here is a snippet from the book:

"Professor Michael Poulin of the University of California and his colleagues investigated how giving to others impacts a person’s stress levels and, ultimately, mortality risk.62 Their research found that those who compassionately aided a friend or family member when they were stressed, had a significantly lower mortality rate than those who chose not to help. Let me say that again: those who helped others in times of need were less likely to die, even if they experienced the same amount of stress as those who didn’t help. Helping others buffered against the effects of stress, and increased life expectancy by 30%! We can call this ‘the Good Samaritan effect.’"

—Chapter Summary

Main Points

• English has a restricted vocabulary for the description of love. Therefore, getting to know the nuances between couple love, family love, friendly love, and transcendent love will give a person with addiction a better grasp of how to put relationships at the forefront of their recovery.  
• Understanding how one relates to another is pivotal to moving forward in life, especially when considering addiction. One would do well to consider their own attachment style, as this serves as the template for future relationships. Secure attachments to others fuel self-regulation and strong relationships.
• The stress response is the body’s way of getting you ready for action. It is important, however, to consider how one views this stress response. Those who view stress as a potential positive navigate it better than those who do not. It is also the stressful times that one could connect with others, bolstering their overall physical and mental well-being. 

 Practical Considerations

• Find a trusted other to connect with when you are under the pump. If you do not have this other, consider counselling. And shop around if you don’t immediately connect with the first therapist you see. Just like doctors, you will not always connect with every therapist. You must find the right fit. You should know if your therapist is right for you within the first few sessions.
• When stressed, ask yourself, “What is my body trying to tell me?” The body is very communicative. For example, if one feels tension from the waist up (e.g. heightened heart rate, shoulder tension, neck pain, clenched fists, sharpened focus), the body is preparing to fight. From the waist down (e.g. restless legs, stiff joints, trembling in the thighs, the urge to run), the body is preparing for flight. Locating these sensations and responding to them can put one in a better position to move forward.

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To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence, use this link.

BUY Emil's book (2017 edition), click here (IT'S UNDER $2!)

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In this episode, psychotherapist Emil Barna reads the revised fourth chapter to his 2017 book Minding The Brain Towards Change: What Willpower Really Means For Addiction.

Here is a snippet from the book:

"... each ‘given’ in life is a paradox. On the other side of death is life. The flipside of isolation is connection. With meaning, there’s meaninglessness. With freedom, there’s constraint. Once these paradoxes are acknowledged, and overcome, self-actualisation is possible. Most of us want the best in life, the ability to reach our full potential. We seek to do the best we can with what we’ve got. Ask yourself, what does life expect from you? What does the world require that only you can give? ."

—Chapter Summary

Main Points

• Considering the big questions in life can lead to higher self-awareness, leading to personal growth.  
• We must all live with the implications of death, meaning, freedom, and isolation. To shirk these is to put aside the potential for living your best life. The more you consider these basic facts of life, the more likely you are to fulfil the necessary role of marriage between your values and action—in short, the more likely you are to act wisely.

 Practical Considerations

• Do not be afraid to ask yourself the ‘why’ questions.  
• Ask yourself whether what you are doing lines up with your core values. If not, consider whether it is time to change your core values or to change your actions so they can align with your core values. 
• Ask yourself—given the limited time you have on this planet—what you would like to do with each day to make it more meaningful. 
• Close your eyes and imagine you are at your own funeral (some may find this exercise too confronting and instead imagine they are at their 50th birthday). Listen in on the eulogies or discussions people have of you. Mingle with the crowd, invisibly, and hear what they have to say about you. You may be surprised at what you find out.

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To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence, use this link.

BUY Emil's book (2017 edition), click here (IT'S UNDER $2!)

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In this episode, psychotherapist Emil Barna reads the revised third chapter to his 2017 book Minding The Brain Towards Change: What Willpower Really Means For Addiction.

Here is a snippet from the book:

"People do things that require self-control every single day without needing to reason themselves into it. Getting up as soon as your alarm goes off in the morning requires willpower. As does holding your tongue when somebody pisses you off. Flossing your teeth requires the same thing. The more these are practised, the more your body acclimates. In sessions, I often talk about the discipline of “one is better than none.” One push-up is better than no push-ups. One glass of water is better than none. One dollar is better than no dollars. You get the point. What I find when I emphasise this is that people don’t usually stop at one. Because doing something once is relatively simple, they create a sense of mastery and are more likely to take another step forward. The same is the case in practising willpower. One is always better than none."

—Chapter Summary

Main Points

• The amount of willpower energy you have is affected by the type of drug you consume. Get to know the drugs you take so that you can know how that affect your self-control in other areas of your life. 
• Ego-depletion hits the more you use self-control for a particular task.
• The more you practice self-control (even in unrelated tasks to the one you are trying to change), the stronger it gets. Self-control is generalisable.
• Self-awareness is pivotal for self-regulation—the more you understand yourself and your surroundings, the better you can regulate your behaviour. Willpower is the energy behind self-control.

 Practical Considerations

• Commit to understanding yourself by asking questions, seeking different points of view, and being open to discomfort along the way. If you never challenge why you believe what you do, it is difficult to get better. Question yourself, often, How did I come to that conclusion? 
• Remind yourself that the more you understand your triggers, the more control you have around your destructive habits. 
• Watch what you eat and choose foods that fill you up for longer and give you longer lasting energy. 
• Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice self-control, the stronger you become.Keep your body well-nourished for the exercise of energy

www.barnacc.com

To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence, use this link.

BUY Emil's book (2017 edition), click here (IT'S UNDER $2!)

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Stephanie Georgiou is a psychologist, author, and food enthusiast. In this episode, she delves into the psychology of eating disorders, addiction, and even what it takes to be a psychological influencer on social media.

You can find out more about Steph at mindfoodpsychology.com

You can also find her on TikTok and Instagram if you search the handle @mindfoodsteph

Get her book Food Jail here: https://www.mindfoodsteph.com/shop-1 with a 20% discount if you use this code: MINDFOOD20

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To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence use this link.

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Music Credit: Adam Matejko, 'He Is Not My Luke'

Ryan Morgan is a registered psychologist who specialises in non-medication-based approaches for addressing conditions such as sleep disorders, ADHD, stress and burnout, depression, and anxiety; and peak performance for students, athletes, and professionals. 

In this podcast episode, Ryan delves into what he considers to be a new frontier in psychological treatment.

You can find out more about Ryan at https://neuroperformance.com.au/

www.barnacc.com

To access Emil's FREE Academia courses on anxiety, stress, trauma, self-awareness, and the neurobiology of confidence use this link.

BUY Emil's book (2017 edition), click here (IT'S UNDER $2!)

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Music Credit: Adam Matejko, 'He Is Not My Luke'