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    Talk Psych to Me

    Let's get psychology out of the lab and into the streets. Join hosts Tania Luna (psychology researcher) and Brian Luna (total layperson) as they turn fascinating research into practical tips for getting better at being human.
    en-us60 Episodes

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    Episodes (60)

    Procrastination: Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today

    Procrastination: Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today

    94% of people admit that procrastinating is bad for them. So why do so many of us still do it, how do we stop, and is there any way to get Brian to finally go to the dentist?

    Don't delay! Talk psych to us today:

    Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Co-hosted by Brian Luna and Tania Luna
    Edited by Alyssa Greene 
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Boredom: Diddling the devil's playground

    Boredom: Diddling the devil's playground

    In this not-at-all-boring episode, Tania and Brian explore the psychology of boredom. They answer fascinating questions like, "what is boredom?" "is it good or bad for us?" "how can we become less boredom-prone?" and "what will happen if you leave Brian in a room for 15 minutes with nothing to do?"

    Share your questions and boredom-busting tips at:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Grief & Mourning: Don’t forget the lasagna

    Grief & Mourning: Don’t forget the lasagna

    Tania and Brian are back this week to talk about the psychology of grief and mourning. Brian opens up about his father’s death, we explore the psychology of grief, funeral faux pas, coping with loss, and how to be there for others.
     
    SAMHSA'S free counseling hotline:
    800-662-HELP

    Share your stories, questions, and feedback (and tell us how you define "list"):
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    In loving memory of Bernardo Luna and Kelly Mealia. 

    The Way Through: Q&A with a real-life therapist!

    The Way Through: Q&A with a real-life therapist!

    Brian's therapist, Dr. Lynn Saladino, joins the show to answer our therapy and mental health questions with special guest, Dr. Alyssa Greene, co-creator of our web series The Way Through. Don't miss out on this great deal. It's basically free therapy.

    Show notes:

    Come talk psych with us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Gottman's 4 Horsemen: Relationship poisons and antidotes

    Gottman's 4 Horsemen: Relationship poisons and antidotes

    In honor of Halloween, we're talking about the spookiest of subjects: John Gottman's theory of the 4 Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse. Find out the biggest predictors of a relationship downfall and how to prevent these common romance killers from creeping into your life.

    Give us some love:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Operant Conditioning: Reinforcers, punishers, and pigeon missiles

    Operant Conditioning: Reinforcers, punishers, and pigeon missiles

    Since we've been busy training our pig, Outlaw Josey, we wanted to break down the psychology of learning through Operant Conditioning. We talk about reinforcement, punishment, the difference between punishers and aversives, and the power of shaping. We even test out B.F. Skinner's theory of language acquisition by trying to teach Brian to say a word.

    Give us some positive reinforcement:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Motivation: Cash, comics, or pigs?

    Motivation: Cash, comics, or pigs?

    Let's talk about the psychology of motivation! We explore the research behind intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and answer big questions like: What truly motivates us? Should we stop paying people for performance? And why did we adopt a pig?

    Feeling motivated to talk to us?
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Music Psychology: Bacon vs Lithgow

    Music Psychology: Bacon vs Lithgow

    In this episode, we'll help you get the most out of music and answer tough questions like: Did we evolve to make music? Does music help or harm our performance? What causes chills (aka skin orgasms)? And - most importantly - whose character had it right in Footloose, Kevin Bacon or John Lithgow?

    Tell us about your music origin theories and fav chill-producing songs!
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Music featured in this episode:

    • Workout Music Source: Cardio Instrumental Workout Mix
    • "Hard Bass Attack" Sonic Mine
    • "We Will Rock You" Queen
    • "Because We Can" Fatboy Slim 
    • "Not Ready to Die" Demon Hunter
    • "Morning Light" Sean Beeson
    • "Clair De Lune" Claude Debussy
    • "What a Wonderful World" Louis Armstrong
    • "Spring" Antonio Vivaldi
    • "Rain Chant" L.E.E. High School

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Theme music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Reminiscence & Anticipatory Joy: Psychological time travel

    Reminiscence & Anticipatory Joy: Psychological time travel

    Do you know how to be a psychological time traveler? Spend 20 minutes with us today learning how reminiscence and anticipatory joy impact our mental health, relationships, and happiness. (And find out about that one time Brian and Tania both got food poisoning.)

    Reminisce with us about this episode:
    Instagram: @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Express yourself!

    Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Express yourself!

    It's clear that feelings impact our facial expressions, but can it work the other way around? Can fake smiles turn to real happiness? Can Botox treat depression? And what do facial expressions have to do with empathy?

    Express yourself on social!
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Labels & Identity: Don't label me (with Irshad Manji)

    Labels & Identity: Don't label me (with Irshad Manji)

    Author Irshad Manji shares her vision for honest diversity and a pluralistic society that doesn't treat labels as our finish line. Tune in to learn how our most common change tactics will probably backfire and how to engage in courageous conversations instead.

    Links from the show:

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Lust: Luna's Inferno Part VIII

    Lust: Luna's Inferno Part VIII

    In our final episode of the Psychology of the 7+ Deadly Sins, we take on lust. We tackle sexy questions like: what makes us lust after some people and not others? Does lust really make us stupid? How can you feel more lust in your relationship? And just how lusty is Brian?

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Gluttony: Luna's Inferno Part VII

    Gluttony: Luna's Inferno Part VII

    Eating too much causes more illness worldwide than eating too little. So, why do we do it and, how can we stop? In this episode, Brian and Tania take on the psychology and sociology of gluttony!

    If you think you may have an eating disorder, please speak with a healthcare professional or contact the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237.

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Envy: Luna's Inferno Part VI

    Envy: Luna's Inferno Part VI

    Let's unpack the psychology of envy. Is it a psychological poison? A sin? A catalyst for resentment, gossip, hostility, and crime? Or is it fuel for social progress and personal growth? Tania and Brian reveal their own envy episodes and discuss the #1 secret to transforming envy into empathy.

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Melancholy: Luna's Inferno Part IV (bonus sin!)

    Melancholy: Luna's Inferno Part IV (bonus sin!)

    So many of us are feeling weary and on the brink of hopelessness. This week, we talk about the psychology of melancholy - one of the original Eight Deadly Sins. We discuss the benefits of sadness, cultural norms, and how to use our small hope windows right now to stay in the fight.

    For mental health support please call SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Wrath: Luna's Inferno Part III

    Wrath: Luna's Inferno Part III

    In the wake of more black deaths and ongoing protests and riots - we tackle the psychology of anger, rage, and outrage. Should wrath really be categorized as a sin, or can be it be fuel for progress? Does violence lead to more violence, or can it propel social change? And is there such a thing as learning to be angry well?
    #blacklivesmatter

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Greed: Luna's Inferno Part II

    Greed: Luna's Inferno Part II

    We continue our journey through the psychology of the seven deadly sins. This week, we're talking greed! Is greed the root of all progress or the root of all suffering? What makes someone greedy, and just how greedy are you?

    Talk psych to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings

    Sloth: Luna's Inferno Part I

    Sloth: Luna's Inferno Part I

    Feeling lazy? Tune in to understand why as we explore the psychology of the seven deadly sins, starting with sloth. At best, you'll walk away with greater motivation or self-acceptance. At the very least, you can put off doing more important things for 35 minutes!

    Don't be too lazy to talk to us:
    Instagram:
    @talkpsychtomepodcast
    Email: tp2mpodcast@gmail.com

    Produced by Scarlet Moon Things
    Music by Barrie Gledden, Kes Loy, and Richard Kimmings