In this NeuroFaith episode, Dr. Joanne Tsang, an associate professor of psychology at Baylor University, discusses her research on gratitude and its connections to social psychology, religion, and moral emotions with Dr. Curt Thompson.

Dr. Tsang illustrates her journey into the field, emphasizing her interest in the intersection of psychology and religion. She particularly focuses on how gratitude and forgiveness play significant roles in helping behaviors. She highlights the importance of incorporating gratitude exercises into daily life and how they contribute to personal well-being and positive interpersonal relationships.

Listen in as Dr. Tsang shares personal stories, including her son's hospitalization, and illustrates how journaling and practicing gratitude in relationships can be powerful tools for fostering positivity and enhancing both individual and collective well-being.

Resources:

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.
• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:
  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon
  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips
  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons
  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Connie Svob, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. Dr. Svob's research focuses on how memories of life events are shaped and passed down through generations.

She looks at how memory, including dreams and involuntary memories, can be affected by trauma, loss, and spirituality. Dr. Svob discusses the idea of memory being a constructed rather than a stored thing, showing how our emotions, identities, and external factors influence what and how we remember.

Listen in as she explores the link between memory, hope, and mental health, highlighting the importance of understanding memory's role in shaping our future and overall well-being.

Resources:

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:

  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon

  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons

  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode of the NeuroFaith podcast, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Robert Enright, a licensed psychologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Enright, a pioneer in the study of forgiveness, shares his journey from focusing on justice within moral development to exploring the concept of forgiveness.

Despite facing opposition from the academic community on the subject of forgiveness, Enright persisted. Driven by the belief that forgiveness could benefit those suffering from deep injustices, he continued his work. Over time, his persistence paid off, as the study of forgiveness has gained acceptance and is widely researched and applied in mental health practices.

Listen as Dr. Enright emphasizes the importance of adopting a more forgiving and lesresentful mindset that can lead to significant personal healing and community renewal in our lives.

Resources:

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:

  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon

  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons

  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Elizabeth Hall, a professor of psychology at Biola University. She specializes in understanding suffering, mothering, sexism, and embodiment and draws from her personal experiences, including a battle with cancer. Her work focuses on how suffering disrupts our established systems of meaning and the process of integrating these experiences into a broader worldview.

Dr. Hall emphasizes that finding meaning in suffering does not eliminate pain but involves finding peace and purpose despite ongoing grief. She also discusses how religion and faith provide essential frameworks and practices that aid in processing and integrating suffering. Faith can offer a sense of purpose and direction, which is crucial for meaning-making during difficult times.

Listen in as she highlights the role of biblical lament and talks about a practice involving the expression of sorrow and wrestling with God as a powerful tool for dealing with profound grief and suffering. Dr. Hall's insights offer a profound understanding of how faith and psychological processes intertwine in the context of suffering.

Resources:

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:

  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon

  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons

  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson talks with Michael John Cusick, CEO and Founder of Restoring the Soul, about the deep connection between personal experiences and professional work in counseling and spiritual care.

Michael shares personal stories about his struggles with alcohol abuse and sexual addiction and explains how these experiences have shaped his career and his approach to helping others.

During this episode, Dr. Curt and Michael discuss the misconceptions about love within church settings, the experiential nature of God's love, and the importance of accepting one's brokenness to experience true transformation.

Resources:

• Check out Michael's Book Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:

  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon

  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons

  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

In this episode of NeuroFaith, Dr. Curt Thompson interviews Dr. Diane Langberg, a renowned clinical psychologist with over 50 years of experience, particularly in the fields of trauma and abuse. Dr. Langberg discusses her journey into the field, beginning at a time when trauma was not yet a recognized area of study. She shares her experiences with early clients, including a college student who disclosed childhood sexual abuse and Vietnam veterans exhibiting similar trauma symptoms.

Dr. Langberg highlights the challenges and misconceptions about trauma within both the clinical and faith communities. She underscores the importance of listening to and validating the experiences of those who have suffered trauma. The conversation also explores how false theology in the church can contribute to misunderstanding and mishandling trauma, emphasizing the need for a deeper, more compassionate understanding of human suffering.

Throughout the podcast, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Langberg delve into the evolution of trauma recognition and treatment, the intersection of faith and psychology, and the necessity of acknowledging and addressing wounds for true healing and flourishing.

Resources:

• Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

• Check out more from the THINQ podcast network:

  • NextUp with Grant Skeldon

  • The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

  • THINQ Podcast with Gabe Lyons

  • UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons

It seems like at some point, everyone hits a time where they don't enjoy their work like they used to. Even worse, maybe one finds they've gotten worse at their job instead of improving. Is there any science that backs this phenomenon up? What does this mean for those on the second half of their career? Curt is joined on this episode by Dr. Arthur Brooks, professor at Harvard University to talk about different learning styles, high achievement, and how everyone should be thinking about their purpose, both now and in the future. 

Find Dr. Brooks' newest book, From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life wherever books are sold.

Presented by Q Ideas.

It seems that most people live in one of two worlds, all heart or all brain. Christians can also be harsh toward emotions, painting them as borderline useless. Jon Collins, co-founder of BibleProject, and his wife Tristen Collins, LPC, join Curt to talk about why emotions matter to God and how our emotions can show our humanity. 

Learn more about their work at whyemotionsmatter.com.

Presented by Q Ideas.