Author Archives: Liz Dederich

  1. Understanding & Preventing Suicide

    Comments Off on Understanding & Preventing Suicide

    Suicide in America is on a steady longterm rise. Over 49,000 people took their own lives in 2023. Why is this? What can be done to prevent suicide when someone you know may be at risk?

    Dick’s guest, Tom Butero is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and has devoted the last 50 years to the study of suicide and suicide prevention. He has just published the book I Don’t Want to Die: A New Look at Suicide Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention.”

  2. Innocent and Behind Bars (Encore)

    Comments Off on Innocent and Behind Bars (Encore)

    Of the over 2 million Americans behind bars, about 100,000 didn’t do it. They are innocent. The Innocence Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School is on the cutting edge of helping to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, including Steven Avery.

    Dick’s guest is Keith Findley, law professor and co-founder and co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project. He is also the past president of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of 68 Innocence Projects around the world.

    innocent

  3. Hospital Chaplains

    Comments Off on Hospital Chaplains

    The hospital chaplain brings comfort to patients and their families in ways medical staff is not equipped to do. How impactful can hospital chaplains be and what do they need to bring to this role to be effective?

    Dick’s guest, Chaplain and Minister Andy Karlson is Manager of Spiritual Services for UW Health Hospital and also a Unitarian Universalist Minister affiliated with First Unitarian Society of Madison. 

  4. Talking to Political Opposites

    Comments Off on Talking to Political Opposites

    In our highly polarized country, most of us might avoid conversations with people who have opposing political views. How can you have a civil dialogue when these conversations might sometimes be unavoidable? Is there a way these conversations can even be productive?

    Dick’s guest, Jacob Winkler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Group Psychotherapist who specializes in communication.

     

  5. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    Comments Off on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

    What can be so objectionable about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? It is a framework used in schools and organizations to create environments in which all individuals feel valued, respected and supported regardless of race, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Can it actually be discriminatory as described by President Trump and the Supreme Court?

    Dick’s guest, Wes Sparkman is Director of the Grigsby Office For Equity & Inclusion for Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.

  6. Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (Encore)

    Comments Off on Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (Encore)

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Ken Robbins, adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and past Medical Director of Psychiatry at Mendota Mental Health Institute, explains what determines an outcome of not guilty by reason of insanity and what treatment follows.

  7. Reducing Accidents & Fatalities in Your Community

    Comments Off on Reducing Accidents & Fatalities in Your Community

    Every community has its share of accidents, tragedies and suffering. Imagine an agency that is tasked with looking after a whole community and all the responding agencies to help facilitate a reduction in accidents, hospitalizations and overdoses.

    Dick’s guest, Cheryl Wittke has spent the last 25 years as the Executive Director of Safe Communities.

  8. Fatherless Kids

    Comments Off on Fatherless Kids

    There are far too many children in the U.S. who are raised without a father in their lives. This could lead to dropping out of school, struggling with mental health issues or getting caught up in the criminal justice system.

    Dick’s guest, Bruce Carter, has dedicated his life to helping this population. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Obama for helping and mentoring over 500,000 children.

  9. Important Things to Know About Aging

    Comments Off on Important Things to Know About Aging

    25% of the U.S. population is currently 65 years of age or older. What are the important things to understand about aging? What are the positives about getting older?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Alexis Eastman is a practicing geriatrician at UW Health Geriatrics Clinics and Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.

  10. Gender Differences in Investing

    Comments Off on Gender Differences in Investing

    There is a stereotype most people accept that men are smarter and more skilled at managing and investing money than women. Is this true?

    Dick’s guest, Grace Trewartha is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School who worked in corporate finance for 25 years followed by a successful stint as a financial planner. Grace is the founder of Live Beneath Your Means LLC  which provides financial coaching.

  11. Authenticity (Encore)

    Comments Off on Authenticity (Encore)

    Who is authentic? How do they become so? Is being a phony the opposite? What are the benefits of being authentic to the person, their friends and colleagues as they become more authentic?

    Dick’s guest is Barbara Hummel who has led workshops for 12 years for the Center for Courage & Renewal. She is also the former director of the Madison Area Quality Improvement Network, which helped businesses and organizations improve their quality and systems thinking.

  12. Psychological Effects of the Internet

    Comments Off on Psychological Effects of the Internet

    The internet is an integral part of our everyday lives. Yet the key question is how has the internet affected us psychologically both in positive and negative ways.

    Dick’s guest, Morton Ann Gernsbacher is Vilas Research Professor and the Sir Frederic C. Bartlett Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  13. New Year Resolutions (Encore)

    Comments Off on New Year Resolutions (Encore)

    Do New Year resolutions work? Are they worth the bother? Is there a better way to get your life on track?

    Dick’s guest, Patricia Clason, has been leading workshops for corporate clients and the State of Wisconsin for 30 years on how to get your life organized and actualized. She has written and conducted workshops on life management, time management and finding your life purpose.

  14. The School Shooter (Encore)

    Comments Off on The School Shooter (Encore)

    Is there a specific profile for a school shooter? Why do they do it? What can be done to diminish the likelihood of these school shooting massacres in the future?

    Dick’s guest, forensic psychologist, prolific author on predators and sex offenders and consultant to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Dr. Anna Salter, shares thoughts from her recent presentation on school shooters.

    “What’s different now is that access to information for making bombs is so readily available on the Internet,” Salter said. “Also, it’s easy to get access to more and more powerful weapons, (so) the body count is going up.”

    For more information on this topic or Dr. Anna Salter, please visitwww.annasalter.com

     (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

  15. Psychedelic Therapies

    Comments Off on Psychedelic Therapies

    There has been a growing acceptance of the use of psychedelics to treat depression, anxiety and PTSD when traditional therapies provide no improvements. What is hype and what is real?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Matthew Banks is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Affiliate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin.

  16. Adults Dealing with Toxic Parents (Encore)

    Comments Off on Adults Dealing with Toxic Parents (Encore)

    The pain of having a toxic parent doesn’t end when you grow up. What is a toxic parent? How can the adult child end or reduce the suffering a toxic parent can inflict?

    Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Madison, Wisconsin.

    toxic parents

  17. Spiritual Intelligence

    Comments Off on Spiritual Intelligence

    What is spiritual intelligence? Can having it along with high intellectual and emotional intelligence mean you are living up to your full potential?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Janet Schwartz is the author of Authentic Intelligence: How to Use Your Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Gifts to Create the Life and World You Want. 

  18. Sexual Violence Reporting After #MeToo

    Comments Off on Sexual Violence Reporting After #MeToo

    The #MeToo movement took off after the investigation and prosecution of Harvey Weinstein and with it the reaction to sexual violence and harassment changed dramatically.

    Dick’s guest, Dana Pellebon is the Director of RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.

     

  19. Depressed Men in Marriage

    Comments Off on Depressed Men in Marriage

    Men tend to be less open and expressive about their feelings than women. That can sometimes create a challenge in their marriage. When men are depressed that can add additional stress on their relationship.

    Dick’s guest, Steven Blank is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.

  20. Social Skills and Mental Health

    Comments Off on Social Skills and Mental Health

    One of the most important contributing factors for the quality of relationships and good mental health is good social skills.

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Chris Segrin, is a Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Arizona whose specialty is interpersonal relationships and mental health.

  21. Hiring The Previously Incarcerated

    Comments Off on Hiring The Previously Incarcerated

    Should you hire previously incarcerated people? Employers may be missing out on valued staff as there are over 2 million previously incarcerated Americans. Yet, there are reasons to be careful and cautious.

    Dick’s guest, Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director of Just Dane which helps individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system.

  22. Consequential Strangers (Encore)

    Comments Off on Consequential Strangers (Encore)

    The quality of our relationships with family and close friends may be the biggest contributor to contentment but how important is the quality of social ties with people not part of the family and close friends group?

    Dick’s guest is award-winning journalist Melinda Blau, who has written several books on the importance of quality relationships including “Consequential Strangers.”

  23. Spirituality Without Religion

    Comments Off on Spirituality Without Religion

    Can you be spiritual if you are not religious? Is spirituality possible if you are an atheist? What is spirituality and how can it enhance your life?

    Dick’s guest, Elizabeth Schrimpf, is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Madison, Wisconsin. She at times will use the aspect of spirituality in her practice and in her personal life.

  24. Intimacy Coordinator

    Comments Off on Intimacy Coordinator

    The newer career of intimacy coordinator was created to help ensure the well being of actors during sex scenes in theater, films and television. What does coordinating intimacy actually mean? How is it done?

    Dick’s guest, Simone LaPierre has a background in choreography, acting, directing and producing. She has recently become an intimacy coordinator on sets as well as being a family therapist.

  25. Men’s Mental Health

    Comments Off on Men’s Mental Health

    Is American men’s mental health worse than American women’s? Men commit suicide 3 1/2 times more frequently. Men are less likely to seek treatment for addiction or mental health disorders like depression. Do these things relate to the fact that life expectancy of men is 5.8 years less than women?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim Hollis is a Jungian psychoanalyst and the author of twenty books, including Under Saturn’s Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men.

  26. Women and Money

    Comments Off on Women and Money

    Are there any differences between men and women on how they budget, save, spend and invest their money? Is there anything unique women need to learn about managing their finances?

    Dick’s guest, Linda Lepe is Director of Personal Finance at the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    (Use alternative text to improve accessibility online. The description provided is the alternative text written by the person in the photo to describe themselves.)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  27. Successful Women and Dating

    Comments Off on Successful Women and Dating

    Strong successful women looking for love are finding it harder to make an appropriate match. Why is this? How can these women find the partner of their dreams?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Sandy To is a sociologist with a PhD from the University of Cambridge who writes and speaks globally about women’s partner choices on TV, radio, podcasts, and seminars. She is the author of the acclaimed book, China’s Leftover Women: Late Marriage among Professional Women and its Consequences (Routledge), and she has been featured in numerous media outlets such as the BBC, CNN, TIME, Financial Times, Telegraph, and South China Morning Post.

    You can find out more about Dr. Sandy To’s book, articles and latest news on her website: sandyto.com.

    Follow Dr. Sandy To on:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-to-phd/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sandytolau/

    X: https://twitter.com/SandyTo3

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandyto5293

  28. Resilience (Encore)

    Comments Off on Resilience (Encore)

    Resilience is adapting to hardships, adversity and tough turns in life. All of us will be faced with these events in our lives. Some are small, some are very significant. Our mental health, our usefulness and the quality of our lives is greatly enhanced by becoming skilled at resilience and recovery.

    Dick’s guest is Patricia Clason. A professional speaker since 1975, Patricia has created over 50 workshops, speeches, and
    keynote presentations highlighting the skills of Emotional Intelligence.  Patricia brings energy, enthusiasm and expertise to her speaking engagements and training sessions – so they’re fun and highly informative. A host for both radio and television interview shows for ten years, plus her extensive background in business and education, Patricia makes strong connections with participants from private, public and non-profit sector organizations, as well as associations. Emotional Intelligence is at the core of all of her work, helping people develop their self awareness and social awareness skills to build collaborative relationships personally and professionally.

    resilience podcast

  29. Mass Shootings

    Comments Off on Mass Shootings

    Since 2006, there have been over 600 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in more than 3,000 murders. Why these large numbers? Who are these mass shooters? How can we intelligently address this issue?

    Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in mass and individual trauma.

    As seen on a Sussex Directories Inc site