Latest Episodes

Gratitude (Encore)

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Gratitude: It can make you happier, healthier and improve your relationships. Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, shares with us how to maintain a successful gratitude practice and how science demonstrates its benefits. “Gratitude is one of the most significant, contributing factors to our happiness,” […]

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Helping Black Men Succeed

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Liz Dederich

26% of Black men live in poverty. 1 in 5 will be incarcerated at some point in their lives. Black men also experience twice the unemployment rate as white men. Dick’s guest, Corey Marrioneaux is Founder and President of Black Men Coalition of Dane County an agency in Madison, Wisconsin that helps primarily Black men […]

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The Effects of Incarceration

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Liz Dederich

There are nearly 2 million people behind bars in the United States. There are also over 6 million family members of the incarcerated additionally affected, creating a huge impact that needs to be addressed. Dick’s guest, Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia is a clinical psychologist and the former warden of the Cook County Jail in Chicago, […]

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Lessons from the Dying (Encore)

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Liz Dederich

A “death doula” or “spiritual midwife” shares stories of how she helps enhance people’s journeys to the other side. Dick’s guest is Karin Medall of the Artful Healing Studio.

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Public Defenders Today (Encore)

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Can low income defendants get a proper defense today using a public defender? What are the challenges public defenders face? Dick’s guest is State Public Defender Kelli Thompson for the State of Wisconsin.

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The Broken Criminal Justice System and How to Fix It

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dick’s guest, Ed Wall was a long-serving police officer and former Director of the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections. He shares his insights concerning the problems with our criminal justice system and what changes need to be made to fix them.

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911: A New Approach When Calls Involve a Mentally Disturbed Person

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Nearly 20% of all 911 calls involve a mentally disturbed person. In the past, all of these calls were responded to by police with little to no mental health training, sometimes ending in tragedy. Recently, there has been a push to create mental health emergency response teams to provide proper support for those in crisis. […]

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211: The National Non-Emergency Helpline

Posted on September 8, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency but if help is needed in any other situation you can call 211 from anywhere 24/7. Dick’s guest, Ed Wall is Director of 211 for United Way Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.    

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Lessons About Dementia

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dr. Lee Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Author of Forgetting and Forgotten: Dementia and the Right to Die, shares with Dick his experiences and all he learned about dementia while taking care of his wife during her ten year battle with this all too common disease.  

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Bipolar Disorder

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Liz Dederich

What is bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression)? How common is it? Can it be cured, treated or controlled? Dick’s guest is Tina Willits. She has a masters degree in social work and currently manages senior living communities and home healthcare for seniors. Tina was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after manic episodes in her […]

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Unfulfilling Relationships

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Liz Dederich

How do you know when it’s time to leave an unfulfilling relationship? Is this issue any different for a man than a woman? Dick’s guest, Sandra Wood is a life coach, speaker and co-author of Transforming Your Life.

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Hypnotherapy

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Can hypnotherapy be a simpler and more effective method to treat some psychological problems? What is the process? Who is a good candidate? Dick’s guest, Dr. John McGrail is a clinical hypnotherapist and the author of The Synthesis Effect: Your Direct Path to Personal Power and Transformation.

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How to Have a Successful Marriage

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dick’s guests, divorce attorney Allan Koritzinsky and psychologist Dr. Kenneth Waldron share 5 myths about marriage and the 7 essential ingredients of a successful marriage from their book “The Road to Marital Success is Unpaved.”

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The Case for Junior College

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Other than price, what are the advantages for some of choosing junior college rather than a traditional four year college? Dick’s guest, Turina Bakken, is the provost at Madison College. She has served as vice provost, associate vice president, dean, associate dean, program director and faculty member.

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Drug Use and Treatment in America Today (Encore)

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Liz Dederich

The life expectancy for Americans has gone down due to deaths from drug use and overdoses, killing more people than suicide or accidents. What are the recent changes in drug use and treatment? Dick’s guest is Dr. Michael Miller, a psychiatrist and past President and Board Chair of the American Society of Addiction Medicine as […]

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How to Die “Young” at an Old Age

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Liz Dederich

What can be done now to stay vital, energetic and young well into old age? Dick’s guest, George Bentley is a nationally recognized aging-in-place specialist, speaker and author of “How to Die Young…At Any Age”.

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Counseling Seniors

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Liz Dederich

As baby boomers become seniors in large numbers, more therapists are trying to respond to their needs. What are these unique issues and how can therapists apply their knowledge and skills to help seniors? Dick’s guest, Donna Swanson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has 27 years of experience specializing in seniors and their […]

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PTSD Following ICU Stays

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Liz Dederich

20% of patients who have been in the intensive care unit suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Why is that the case? Can improving protocols reduce that percentage? Dick’s guest, Barbara Perkins, LCSW, has over 12 years experience working with patients in large hospitals both during their stays and in aftercare. She is also in […]

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Shame (Encore)

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Encore: Everyone has some shame. It can diminish our happiness. How do we understand and better deal with our own sense of shame? 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.  

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Restorative Justice Programs

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Liz Dederich

How can restorative justice programs help victims heal and possibly help perpetrators to be less likely to re-offend? Dick’s guest, Reverend Jerry Hancock is Director of the Prison Ministry Program at First Congregational Church in madison, Wisconsin.  

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Why Some Men Are Abusive

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Liz Dederich

One out of four men in a committed relationship are physically or emotionally abusive. What are the roots for this abuse? How can men be treated to stop the cycle that may have started in their own childhood? Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and a […]

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Children of Addicts

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Liz Dederich

11% of children in the United States are growing up in a household with an adult addict. These children are three times more likely to be addicts themselves as adults. How can children be protected from the negative consequences of living with an addict? Dick’s guest is Jack Gieche, LPC who has specialized in issues […]

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When Your Spouse is an Addict

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Approximately 20 million Americans struggle with alcohol or drug use disorder. What are the consequences of being the partner of an addict? What are the best strategies to help deal with a loved one’s addiction? Dick’s guest is Jack Gieche, LPC who has specialized in issues dealing with addiction and families.

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21st Century Policing

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett joins Dick to discuss what needs to change for effective policing in the 21st Century.

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Encore: New Year Resolutions

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Liz Dederich

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 […]

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The Internet and Loneliness

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Nearly 40% of Americans say they are lonely. Some blame the rise of the internet and social media yet is there a way to use this strategically to help lessen loneliness? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.

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Future of Jails

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Jails are in transformation from holding pens to more humanitarian rehabilitative facilities. As Dane County in Wisconsin embarks on building a new jail, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett discusses with Dick what he sees as wrong with jails today and what they need to do to release safer and more productive inmates back into society.

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Adults Dealing with Toxic Parents (Encore)

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Liz Dederich

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.

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Felons & The Right to Vote

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Liz Dederich

6.1 million felons are currently denied the right to vote. Some incarcerated, some on parole and others who have served their sentence. What are the pros and cons for granting felons the right to vote? Dick’s guest, Ramiah Whiteside was incarcerated for 25 years. He is now Associate Director and Prison Relational Voter Program Inreach […]

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Fear of Intimacy

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Liz Dederich

40% of Americans admit to loneliness, even those in long term relationships. For some, that loneliness could be from a fear of intimacy. What are the reasons for this fear and what can be done to overcome it? Dick’s guest is Dr. Avigail Lev, a licensed Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and co-author of two books, including […]

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