According to the New York Times, Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is in trouble. Even before COVID, rates of suicide and mental illness had climbed higher than previous generations. Is it a coincidence that Generation Z was born at the same time as the smart phone and the social media explosion?
Dick’s guest, Nicholette Leanza,is a Clinical Counselor with Lifestance Health who specializes in working with children and adolescents.
Impostor Syndrome (also known as Impostor Phenomenon) is the fear of not being the competent and capable person people believe you to be. How common is this phenomenon? Is there anything that be done to lessen this fear?
Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 40 years of counseling experience.
Procrastination is defined as delaying something knowing there are negative consequences to not doing it right now. Why do people procrastinate? What are the fixes?
Between 5 to 7% of American adults live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A surprising effect is their life expectancy is up to 8 1/2 years shorter. Learn the reasons behind this health risk and how to best manage this disorder.
Why do people attempt suicide? How many are successful? What can we learn from those who survive an attempt? Is our culture causing high suicide rates?
Dick’s guest, Jessica Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor at The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy. She developed a behavioral health screening protocol applicable to all patients aged 12 and up that screens out people who are suicidal.
Comments Off on Encore: How United Way Impacts Communities
In honor of United Way of Dane County’s 100th anniversary, please enjoy this encore presentation on one of the most innovative of the 1,100 United Way agencies in the United States.
How do they decide what is the best use of the money they have? How do they get the community to work together to maximize effectiveness and help those most in need?
Imagine choosing to live with a partner who is charming and charismatic yet you find yourself in a toxic relationship. This can happen if your partner has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
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.
Most Americans spend close to 1/3 of their waking hours at their job. How many can say they have their dream job?
Dick’s guest, Elizabeth Schrimpf, MA, LPC, CCC, is a licensed counselor and nationally certified career counselor and is finishing a book on career happiness in an uncertain world.
Co-parenting after the end of a relationship can be a challenging proposition, yet it is possible to do so successfully by avoiding common mistakes.
Dick’s guest is Dr. Ken Waldron, a Clinical Psychologist with over 40 years experience working with divorced families. He is also Author of several books, including “The Co-Parenting Workbook.”
How far behind are kids of color in K through 12? What can be done to close the gap?
Dick’s guest is Renee Moe, President and CEO of the United Way of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin. This particular branch innovated a process of inviting all the players to the same table to attack social problems. This process is now typical throughout all United Way agencies across the country.
Anger is an emotion experienced by almost everyone and can lead to big trouble. Are we better off eliminating anger from our emotional repertoire? How is that possible to do?
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.”
What may the guilt-free criminal, the extreme narcissist and the functioning paranoid have in common?
Dick’s guests, Dr. Jim McGloin and social worker Lesa Fischer, both of whom have 50 years of combined experience treating personality disorders, provide an outline to understanding this category of mental illness.
Comments Off on Murder, Incarceration and Resilience
At 25, he committed a murder. At 28, he was on America’s Most Wanted. He was captured and served 25 years in prison. Now a year after his release, he is flourishing.
How can unconscious workplace bias affect decision making with employers and coworkers? Is there a way to make ourselves less biased or unbiased?
Dick’s guest is Deborah Vaughn Biddle, founder of High Performance Development Solutions LLC and is also a diversity and inclusion corporate consultant.
How common is Autism Spectrum Disorder? How is it viewed and treated differently than in the past?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Sarah Lechago, who is an Assistant Professor in the General Psychology and Behavior Analysis masters’ programs at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and is also developing a Language Developmental Clinic that will be affiliated with UHCLO’S Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD).
Who are the patients that are treated in psychiatric units? How do they get there? How are they served?
Dick’s guests are Dr. Matthew Sager, Psychiatrist and Medical Director and Christina Mignon, Nurse Manager of the Inpatient Adult Behavioral Health Unit at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Why do people procrastinate when it is so counterproductive? Dick’s guest, Eric M. Twiggs, author of The Discipline of Now, helps us understand why we do it and teaches us how to stop it.
What are the current immigration laws and policies? How can these help us evaluate the “wisdom” of suggested changes?
Dick’s guest, Shabnam Lofti, is the head of a law firm specializing in immigration law. Her firm serves clients throughout the Unites States and around the world.
Presently, there are 1.4 million gang members in America. What’s the draw of being in a gang? What is it like inside? Why the recent increase in gang members?
Dick’s guests are retired Detective George Chavez who served 14 years as Madison, Wisconsin’s only gang detective and Officer Lester Moore who has 10 years of experience with gangs.
The dark web is a “secret” area of the internet where illicit and criminal activity flourish. It is not accessible by a Google search. How does it work? Who is using it? What is on it?
Dick’s guests are retired detectives George Chavez and Cindy Murphy who specialized in digital forensics for the Madison Police Department in Madison, Wisconsin.
Psychiatrists used to be the top of the pack of psychotherapists. Now their role is mainly prescribing and monitoring drugs for mental health issues. Why has this happened and is this a good development?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Arjune Rama, a University of Wisconsin-Madison Clinical Professor and staff Psychiatrist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Mental Health Services.
Domestic abuse affects all classes, races and genders. An expert and a survivor of domestic abuse share their experiences and insights on this subject.
Dick’s guests are Faye Zemel, Director of Prevention and Community Programs for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) and Keena Atkinson, a survivor of domestic abuse.
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.
Comments Off on Being Police Officer: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
How is being a police officer different than how it is portrayed on television and in films? How is it similar?
Dick’s guests, Retired Detective George Chavez and Retired Officer Jean Papalia, have a combined 58 years of experience as police officers in Madison, Wisconsin.
Comments Off on Living with a Personality Disordered Partner
Why do people choose such a troubled partner? How can they cope with the challenges in relationships with a partner who has a personality disorder? When is it best to get out?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim McGloin, has over 30 years of experience in couples counseling.
Over 42,000 Americans commit suicide annually. What can the layman do to reduce the chances of some troubled person in their life committing suicide?
Dick’s guest, Jean Papalia has spent the last nine years teaching the suicide prevention program Q.P.R. (Question. Persuade. Refer.) and serves on the Safe Community Suicide Prevention Task Force in Madison, Wisconsin.
Society avoids discussing or even recognizing that seniors have sex. What are the issues for seniors and why does our society avoid acknowledging their sexuality?
Dick’s guest is Melanie Ramie, JD, MSW and CEO of The Hope of Wisconsin.
Thoughtfully reviewing the highs, lows, turning points and critical decisions of your life can lead to more self awareness and help shape a better future.
Dick’s guest is Reverend Karen Gustafson who served for 30 years as a Universalist Unitarian Minister and now has established Life Review, a self renewal ministry.
How do corporations reduce or eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace?
For 10 years, Dick’s guest, labor and employment attorney Elizabeth Erickson has both taught corporations how to steer clear of these offenses and, when necessary, defended them against charges of workplace sexual harassment.
Are rich people happier than the rest of us? How much does financial success have to do with contentment? Can money make you unhappy?
Dick’s guest is Patricia Clason, an author, lecturer and Director of The Center for Creative Learning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Over 5,000 people have taken her workshops in personal growth and development.
Comments Off on How a Democratic Legislator Copes in a Republican State
Being a Democratic legislator in a Republican dominated landscape is stressful and challenging.
Dick’s guest, State Representative Chris Taylor (D-WI), reveals how she uses spirituality and deep seated inner values to reduce frustration and be more effective at what she does.
Comments Off on Chronic Pain Control Using Your Mind
Nearly 1/3 of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Most turn to pain medications, which can lead to unpleasant side effects and/or addiction. Strategies using your mind can be very effective at reducing the suffering that accompanies chronic pain.
Dick’s guest is Dr. Tamar Kelson, Senior Psychologist at University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Comments Off on How United Way Impacts Communities
One of the most innovative of the 1,100 United Way agencies is in Madison, Wisconsin. How do they decide what is the best use of the money they have? How do they get the community to work together to maximize effectiveness and help those most in need?
Comments Off on PreMarital Counseling by Professionals
Premarital counseling is often required by the clergy who will soon perform the ceremony. However, couples in premarital counseling by licensed therapists is growing. What questions are raised in professional premarital counseling? What are the red flags that suggest caution?
Dick’s guest is Linda Lewis Griffith, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the author of two books and numerous articles in the field of marriage and family therapy.
Comments Off on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
When is it just being well-organized and when does it become dysfunctional and needs to be treated? What are the best treatment approaches for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? How successful are they at treating OCD?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Chad Wetterneck, is a licensed clinical psychologist at Rogers Behavioral Health and has published over 60 professional journal articles, including many on the nature and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Approximately 10% of marriages are between people 11 years or more apart in age. What are the unique problems as well as the benefits of May December marriage?
Dick’s guest, Linda Lewis Griffith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is the author of two books and numerous articles in the field of marriage and family therapy.
The mentally ill without resources need help. Community mental health centers serve this population. The majority suffer from drug addiction and severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.
Dick’s guest, Lynn Brady President and CEO of Journey Mental Health Center, explores current treatments for those who are the most in need.
How you choose your mate may be as important as what you do once you’re married to make a successful marriage. How do you choose the right mate? What can you do to make marriage richer and more fulfilling?
Dick’s guests are Dr. Jim McGloin and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lesa Fischer, who have 50 years of combined experience in counseling couples.
Comments Off on PTSD: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
1 out of 11 Americans will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime. Does every trauma lead to PTSD? What treatments work best at reducing PTSD symptoms?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Chad Wetterneck, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and developed and oversees the PTSD partial hospital programs at Rogers Behavioral Health‘s West Allis, Brown Deer, Oconomowoc and Appleton locations.
In explaining how he helps couples, Dick Goldberg, LCSW and host of Insights, shares some of his methods in couples counseling that can help get past anger and move to “companionate” love.
Boundary and ethical dilemmas frequently arise during therapy. Is friendship or sex ever permissible when therapy ends? What should therapists do if they or their clients develop strong attractions during therapy? What if you have common friends, serve on the same committees or your clients want to barter for services?
Dick’s guest, Dr. Frances Patterson, has over 25 years of treating clients and also 20 years conducting seminars that explore ethical dilemmas in the therapeutic relationship.
Stalking is a serious problem that can lead to violence and even murder. Why do stalkers stalk? What do the victims need to know about stalking that could save their lives?
What constitutes emotional abuse? What are the most common patterns of subtle emotional abuse? What is the healthy response for a victim of emotional abuse?
Dick’s guest is Amber Ault, Ph.D., MSW, a sociologist, teacher, trainer, author and psychotherapist. Her areas of clinical expertise include personality disorders, the treatment of trauma, crisis intervention, and suicide risk assessment.
Two successful people share their lessons from having been successful to hitting rock bottom both personally and professionally and then coming back to flourish.
Can you do anything to prevent dementia? Are there effective treatments once you are afflicted?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Ken Robbins, head of Psychiatric Gerontology at Stoughton Hospital as well as Adjunct Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
It happens more often than expected. Why does it happen? How often is it actually physical vs. emotional abuse?
Dick’s guest is Amber Ault, Ph.D., MSW, a sociologist, teacher, trainer, author and psychotherapist. Her areas of clinical expertise include personality disorders, the treatment of trauma, crisis intervention, and suicide risk assessment.
Comments Off on Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Does Trump’s behavior fit the pattern of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)? When does the self-centered, self-absorbed person qualify as a clinically defined narcissistic personality? Can a narcissist be “cured”? How do you live with one? Can psychotherapy actually change a narcissist into a caring and compassionate person?
Dick’s guests, Dr. Jim McGloin and Lesa Fischer, have 50 years combined experience in working with personality disordered patients, including those with narcissistic personality disorder.
In some states, people who commit non-criminal parole violations return to prison in the same numbers as new criminal offenders. Why does this happen? Is it just? What changes are needed?
Dick’s guest is Cecelia Klingele, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her numerous articles and areas of research focus on criminal justice administration and community supervision of those on conditional release, such as probation, parole or extended release.
Comments Off on Living as an Undocumented Immigrant
What is life like for the over 11,000,000 undocumented immigrants living in the United States who face deportation? How do they cope?
Dick’s guests are Laura Minero, a Ph.D. candidate who came to this country at the age of five and is undocumented but has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and Dr. Karen Menendez Coller, Executive Director of Centro Hispano in Madison, Wisconsin.
Comments Off on Funeral Homes: What You Need to Know
Two funeral directors share how their work can be healing for their clientele, how this work can affect even the most seasoned funeral directors and from their perspective, what everyone would benefit knowing about funerals before their time comes.
Being fat in America is not easy. It is one of the few remaining categories of people who can be openly mocked and ridiculed, and there is an assumption that people who are overweight are at best unhealthy and at worst, gluttonous people who refuse to take care of themselves while burdening society.
In this podcast,Pastor Julie Brock, interim Unitarian minister in Brighton, Michigan shares her knowledge and life experience as a “fat” person living in America.
Pastor Brock begins the discussion by describing the what it means to be “fat”:
“George Carlin…talks about using the word fat and how it’s just a description of people…’heavy is a euphemism. Aircraft carriers are heavy but they are not fat.’ Fat is a description of a body type and unless you put a negative judgement on it it’s not a negative thing. It’s like saying ‘you wear glasses’ ‘you are male’. It’s just a fact about a person…I love describing myself as fat because that’s how my body looks.”
Pastor Brock continues to tackle some of the most common questions about being fat in America:
What are the day to day experiences as walking through life as a fat person?
What do you say to people who think you have no self control?
How does the fat person in America feel self worth in a society that judges them so harshly?
Can a fat person be healthy?
During the discussion, Pastor Brock addresses how we can view fat Americans differently and how fat Americans can better manage the harsh judgement they receive.
Pastor Julie Brock, interim Unitarian minister in Brighton, Michigan shares her knowledge and life experience.
To view Pastor Brock’s sermon on being fat, click here.
Why is the rate of suicide, addiction and depression among lawyers many times the societal norm?
Dick’s guests are Ralph Cagle, former president of the Wisconsin Bar Association and former UW-Madison law professor and Dr. Gregory Van Rybroek, psychologist, lawyer and Director of Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin
For all of us, we feel loved by one of five love languages. Knowing which one you and your partner respond to is critical to a successful relationship.
Dick’s guest is Susan Young, author, lecturer and motivational speaker.
Being likeable can be learned and is not very complicated. Learn the 10 simple secrets of being liked by almost everyone.
Amber Ault, clinical sociologist, author of The Five Step Exit and previous guest of Insights with Dick Goldberg, interviews Dick, therapist, author, lecturer and regular host of Insights, as he shares the secrets of how to be likeable taken from his published article and workshops.
Amber begins the discussion by describing the toxic partner:
“Partners who are toxic..are very inclined to do something we call intermittent reinforcement. They are nice sometimes. Sometimes they are great or greater than great and other times they are more awful than awful. If they were consistently awful, it would be much easier for people to exit quickly a cleanly.”
During this discussion, Amber clarifies the different personality disorders that are common in toxic partners such as narcissism, sociopaths and borderline personality disorders. She then explores how these different disorders manifest in both the relationship and exit strategy for the partner.
Amber continues to tackle some of the most common questions about toxic relationships:
Why don’t people just leave?
How is emotional abuse different than physical abuse?
How do you know if you are the victim of emotional abuse?
What are some reasons people get into a relationship with a toxic person?
How does a toxic person keep their partner from leaving?
Amber concludes by outlining the 5 steps required to leave a toxic relationship and important things to consider along the way.
Clinical sociologist Amber Ault, author of Five Step Exit
Comments Off on Travel Agencies in the 21st Century
Are there special advantages to using a travel agency? Does using a travel agent cost extra? Do travel agencies have deals not available through the online travel agencies? Is it sometimes cheaper to use a travel agent instead of doing it yourself? Do travel agent know inside information not available to public? What travel agent is right for your needs? Are travel agents particularly helpful when you re booking a cruise?
Dick’s guest is Scott Mast, owner of the successful travel agency Burkhalter Travel. Scott Mast is Chief Operating Officer and Owner of Burkhalter Travel, a multifaceted travel company. Burkhalter Travel provides services for Business Travel, Group Travel, Incentive Travel, Leisure Travel, and Group Tours. Burkhalter Travel was founded in 1959, and is proud to celebrate it’s 54th year of service.
Dick’s guest is psychiatrist Claudia Reardon. Dr. Reardon has treated professional athletes, treats athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-edited the book “Clinical Sports Psychiatry: An International Perspective.”
When to divorce? With over half of marriages ending in divorce, are people too quick to call it quits? When should you work and fight for your marriage and when to divorce?
In this podcast,Dr. Jim McGloin, who has over 30 years of experience in couples counseling and Lesa Fischer, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker discuss the signs of a troubled marriage and what to do about it.
Dr. McGloin and Ms. Fisher begin the discussion by describing what divorce can mean:
“Sometimes divorce is a healthy and necessary step and can be turned into a healthy advantage.” But Ms. Fisher adds “they come in and think that they are ready for that divorce…with the advantage of taking some time for a pause with a therapist and some help, you can get the opportunity to evaluate whether or not that’s the right choice.”
This podcast explores:
What are some of the biggest tensions in most marriages?
Are there signs that a marriage is worth saving?
How do you know you are divorcing for the wrong reason?
What are the signs that divorce is the right decision?
Should you stay together for the kids?
While the question of when to divorce is far from clear-cut, this podcast outlines some key factors to consider before ending a marriage.
An examination of legal ethics and what happens when lawyers violate them.
Dick’s guest is Ralph Cagle, who teaches Negotiation and Mediation, the Legal Profession, Professional Responsibilities and is Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s law school Lawyering Skills Program. Prior to joining the faculty in 1990, he was a civil trial lawyer for 17 years and previously was the assistant to the Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly.
Darla Lannert is a Vietnam combat veteran who leads a support group for LGBTQ veterans and a board member at Outreach. Darla shares with Dick her personal story of how she became the happy woman she is today.
What happens when a person does not identify with the gender they are born as? What are the issues and struggles transgendered people face on a daily basis?
Dick’s guests are Darla Lannert, a Vietnam combat veteran who leads a support group for LGBTQ veterans and a board member at Outreach and Angie Rehling, a social worker and program director for Outreach.
How helpful is it in alleviating pain and discomfort? For which condition is it best suited to work? What are the risks?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Angela Janis, Director of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Counseling and Consultation Center and an advisor to state legislators on medical marijuana laws and legislation.
Comments Off on Getting Low Income Kids Kindergarten Ready
How do you do this? Why is this so crucial? Is this more important than what happens once school starts?
Dick’s guests are Kaleem Caire, Founder and CEO of Achieve 64, a consulting firm helping corporations with diversity issues and Founder and CEO of One City Early Learning Centers preschool and Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician, assistant professor at UW-Madison Medical School and part of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin.
Comments Off on Marijuana: The Facts About Recreational Use
Is it an addictive drug? Is it a “gateway” drug? How does it compare to alcohol?
Dick’s guest is Dr. Angela Janis, Director of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Counseling and Consultation Center and an advisor to state legislators on medical marijuana laws and legislation.
“Really anybody who owns or rents a home can join the sharing economy by renting out their place” Scott says. “It will be the next wave of how people will travel and people will want unique accommodations where they are going and people are going to become tired of the same stale experiences that hotels provide. ”
Because the home-sharing market is becoming increasingly competitive, renters have to be strategic when listing their property. Having rented 10 of his own properties on airbnb, Scott has learned the ins and outs of home sharing and joins this podcast to share some of his recommendations with you.
