Mind Tricks Radio

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I feel anxious, so something must be wrong” or “I feel guilty, so I must’ve screwed up”? In this episode, Dr. Aaron and Dr. Tyler Ralston unpack the sneaky distortion known as emotional reasoning—the habit of mistaking feelings for facts. They dive into how anxiety, guilt, and anger can trick us into believing our emotions are evidence of truth, explore why our brains fall for it, and share practical ...

Today I had a blast interviewing Dr. Noam Shpancer on this episode of Mind Tricks Radio. We talked about his upcoming book, Mental Fitness 101: Principles for Psychological Well-Being, and the timeless psychological lessons he’s distilled from decades of research, teaching, and clinical work. Dr. Shpancer explained how good mental health rests on two fundamental human needs: the need to belong and the need to be. From there, he sha...

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with Dr. Catherine Pittman, a psychologist, professor, and author of Taming Your Amygdala. We explore one of the brain’s most fascinating players: the amygdala. Sometimes called the brain’s “alarm system,” the amygdala is central to how we experience fear, anxiety, and even panic. Dr. Pittman brings warmth and clarity as she explains how this tiny almond-shaped structure drives the f...

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona to explore the concept of Playing It Safe Moves. Growing up in Bolivia during political unrest shaped her early understanding of fear, and her path from philosophy to psychology brings a rich, thoughtful lens to her work. We talk about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral tools, and her unique “Advisory Board...

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Isabelle Morley to talk about her eye-opening new book, They’re Not Gaslighting You. We dive into the world of “therapy speak” gone wild—how words like narcissist, toxic, gaslighting, and OCD are being thrown around on social media and in relationships, often in ways that do more harm than good. Dr. Morley unpacks the real meanings behind these terms, w...

I had a blast interviewing psychiatrist and author Dr. Joseph Pierre, who joined me to explore why false beliefs are so compelling—and so hard to shake. We dive into his book False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things That Aren’t True, and talk delusions, the slippery boundary between pathology and normal belief, and how the internet, identity, and algorithms shape what we think is true. Fro...

In this lively episode, Dr. Aaron Kaplan teams up with psychologist and friend Dr. Tyler Ralston to unpack one of psychology’s most curious and relatable phenomena: learned helplessness—why we sometimes just give up even when the door’s wide open. From Seligman’s shocking (literally) dog experiments to how pessimism shows up in everyday life—relationships, work, personal setbacks—they explore how helplessness gets wired into us…and...

In this thought-provoking episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we conduct a simulated conversation with legendary social psychologist Dr. Stanley Milgram, brought to life through AI. Best known for his groundbreaking—and deeply controversial—obedience experiments at Yale University in the early 1960s, Milgram explored the unsettling ease with which ordinary people comply with authority, even when it leads to harming others. Drawing from h...

In this special episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we sit down with one of the most influential voices in existential psychology—Dr. Rollo May. Well… an AI-generated version of him!

Using advanced AI tools, we bring to life a fictional conversation with Dr. May, whose work helped shape modern psychology’s understanding of anxiety, freedom, and the human struggle for authenticity. Known for powerful works like Love and Will, The Coura...

In this special episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we sit down with one of the most profound voices in the history of psychology—Dr. Viktor Frankl. Well… an AI-generated version of him!

Using cutting-edge technology, we recreate a fictional conversation with the legendary psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and founder of Logotherapy, exploring his timeless insights on meaning, suf...

In this solo episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I take you on a fascinating journey into the world of dream analysis—exploring why our dreams can be gateways to understanding deeper parts of ourselves. Drawing from classic theories by Freud and Jung, as well as my own experience as a therapist, I share my personalized approach to interpreting dreams inspired by Gestalt therapy pioneer Fritz Perls. You'll discover how each element of you...

In today's Distortion of the Day, I explore the concept of Gaslighting,  a psychological tactic used to manipulate someone into questioning their reality, perceptions, and memories. Learn how to identify genuine gaslighting, recognize its harmful psychological impacts, and understand why accurately using the term matters in both relationships and broader conversations.

Distortions of the Day! are brief episodes running under 10 min...

In this unique episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I conduct a thought-provoking AI-generated interview with the legendary Dr. Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Using artificial intelligence to recreate Dr. Ellis’s voice and insights, this conversation delves into the principles of REBT, the power of rational thinking, and the importance of challenging irrational beliefs. Dr. Ellis shares stories of h...

In this special episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with the legendary Carl Rogers—well, an AI-generated version of him! Using cutting-edge technology, we recreate a fictional interview with one of psychology’s most influential figures, exploring his revolutionary ideas on person-centered therapy, empathy, and self-actualization. Dr. Rogers' legacy reshaped not only psychotherapy but also edu...

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the great psychologists and thinkers of the 20th century -- Dr. B. F. Skinner, the father of radical behaviorism. Dr. Skinner discusses his groundbreaking work on operant conditioning, reinforcement, and how behavioral principles shape everything from education to therapy to society itself. We explore his controversial views on free will, his utopian vision in Walden Two, and the las...

Today I met up with my friend and colleague Dr. Tyler Ralston and had a fun and casual discussion  on the concept of Psychological Flexibility. Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing situations, shift perspectives, and stay aligned with personal values even in the face of discomfort or challenge. It’s a core skill in mental resilience, helping people respond to stress, uncertainty, and emotions with openness ...

I enjoyed a fascinating and lively conversation with well renowned psychologist, Dr. Carl Jung. Today we discussed basic principles in the theories Dr. Jung has developed over the years, including the meaning of dreams, archetypes, and the collective unconscious.  Dr. Jung discussed how his own life path has helped him develop his influential theories, including his religious upbringing, his early work ...