Renegade Ape - Psychology, Philosophy, and the Overton Wasteland

First in a brand new series of monthly AMA (Ask Me Anything) episodes. For this sample episode I subject myself to the same set of Quick Fire Questions that I inflict on my guests at the end of all my interviews, including my top book recommendations to combat anxiety and depression, the best piece of life advice anyone has ever given me, what I believe is the key to happiness and more. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "Feeling Good" by David Burns: http://amzn.to/2HUb0u8 "When Panic Attacks" by David Burns: http://amzn.to/2t3oEaD "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" by Stephen Hayes: http://amzn.to/2FEyDpS "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris: http://amzn.to/2FcUzKE "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle: http://amzn.to/2GTa0oB "DARE" by Barry McDonagh: http://amzn.to/2HTxnzw "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Claire Weekes: http://amzn.to/2GPkxB7 "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy: http://amzn.to/2Cqnk5Q *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Josh Tasman https://flic.kr/p/RQiHLA DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Writer, speaker and leadership consultant Susan Pearse joins me to discuss the benefits of doing nothing. In today’s episode we discuss why doing nothing matters, some of the reason people find it difficult to let go and relax, we answers questions such as when does productivity spillover into busyness, how to know the difference between relaxing and wasting time, and how relaxation can actually help, rather than hinder, your ambitions. We also offer a few tips from Susan's book "Do Less Be More" on how to master the art of doing nothing including how to go on a date with yourself, having a not-to-do list, and the beauty of boredom. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "Do Less Be More" by Susan Pearse and Martina Sheehan: http://amzn.to/2rRvoIr "One Moment Please" by Susan Pearse and Martina Sheehan: http://amzn.to/2nlog1h "Wired for Life" by Susan Pearse and Martina Sheehan: http://amzn.to/2GnecgO "A Mind for Numbers" by Barbara Oakley: http://amzn.to/2Ee31Jm "The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga" by Carl Jung: http://amzn.to/2FDPckr *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Jon Collier https://flic.kr/p/7rPkj3 DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

This week I'm joined by Dr. Elaine Hunter to discuss Depersonalization Disorder (DPD). We explore what it feels like to experience depersonalization (and derealization), whether depersonalization is a symptom of anxiety or the result of a chemical imbalance, common circumstances which can trigger an episode, the cognitive behavioral perspective on how and why depersonalization becomes chronic, and some tips and advice on how to deal with the symptoms. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "Overcoming Depersonalization" http://amzn.to/2DnYosB "Mind Over Mood" http://amzn.to/2DXSfEc *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SUPPORT *** http://myownworstenemy.org/support *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Amy Elyse https://flic.kr/p/6Dxopn DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Cait Flanders, personal finance blogger and author of "The Year of Less", a self-help memoir that documents her life for the first twelve months of a two-year shopping ban and decluttering experiment, joins me to discuss the links between consumerism and things like addiction and self-esteem, the challenges and benefits of decluttering your life, and also offers some tips and advice on learning to spend your money, and your time, more wisely. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "The Year of Less" http://amzn.to/2D4b2wJ "Destination Simple" http://amzn.to/2Dw1Fa2 *** SUPPORT THE PODCAST *** http://myownworstenemy.org/support *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Cait Flanders https://caitflanders.com/the-year-of-less/ DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Back in Episode 25 I sat down with Warren Mansell to discuss a new and relatively unknown (at least to the general public) form of psychotherapy called Method of Levels. Because Method of Levels isn't as well known as the likes of standard CBT or psychodynamic therapy, I figured the best way to give people an insight into how it actually works would be to give it a try, record the interaction and then let you guys listen in on it. As well as the session itself, which was recorded with Warren Mansell at his office at the University of Manchester, this episode begins with an introduction to Method of Levels by its co-founder Tim Carey, and I finish up by giving a brief retrospective analysis of what I took away from the session and how it helped me. In other words, it's a long one. Enjoy! *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "Method of Levels" by Tim Carey: http://amzn.to/2Di3siB *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Pascal https://flic.kr/p/8DVMLy DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Just a bit of fun to bring in the new year. We subjected my little boy Roman and his cousin Oliver (both 7-years-old) to a bunch of philosophical questions to see what kinds of answers their innocent young minds might conjure up. *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Lord Jim https://flic.kr/p/ayuyPH

Unfortunately, a very relevant topic for the Christmas period, Dr. Carla Perissinotto joins us to discuss the concept of loneliness among the older generation. We discuss how loneliness is distinct from things like depression and social isolation, how it's possible to be surrounded by family and friends and still feel lonely, how feeling lonely can have a negative impact on our long term physical health, and why we as a society are guilty of neglecting our older generation. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** "Loneliness" by John Cacioppo: http://amzn.to/2D3mZlF "4 3 2 1" by Paul Auster: http://amzn.to/2D67Yzp "The New York Trilogy" by Paul Auster: http://amzn.to/2DDzYf3 *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Thumbnail Image: jucanils https://flic.kr/p/AyjYY DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Prof. Massimo Pigliucci joins us to explore the philosophy of stoicism, and why being a stoic has nothing to do with being a grumpy bastard. We explore the four cardinal virtues of stoicism: practical wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, the ways in which stoic philosophy relates to modern psychological therapies like CBT,  how stoicism can make your more flexible in the face of adversity, and we even give you three starters exercises to flex your fledgling stoic muscles. Follow Massimo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpigliucci How to Be a Stoic: https://howtobeastoic.wordpress.com *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** How to Be a Stoic: http://amzn.to/2BDKRvw Stoicism and the Art of Happiness: http://amzn.to/2iVspL4 A Guide to the Good Life: http://amzn.to/2ATpdXz Seneca the Younger (Complete Works): http://amzn.to/2iv2R3P Marcus Aurelius, Meditations: http://amzn.to/2AYzmSV Epictetus, Discourses and Selected Writings: http://amzn.to/2B6Owpy *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Bradley Weber https://flic.kr/p/TGTzqF DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Vietnam-era veteran and founder of Resilience Training International, Dr. Glenn Schiraldi joins us to discuss what it means to be resilient, how resilience can act as a barrier that protects us from things like stress, depression and anxiety, and some tips on how you can go about cultivating and building resilience in yourself. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** The Resilience Workbook: http://amzn.to/2k3dlvn Man's Search for Meaning: http://amzn.to/2AbYVwN In My Hands, Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer: http://amzn.to/2k14E4v Oh, The Places You'll Go, Dr. Seuss: http://amzn.to/2i6Aqws The Self-Esteem Workbook: http://amzn.to/2k0f8B0 The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: http://amzn.to/2i6Urmm *** SHOW NOTES *** myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Gabriela Fab https://flic.kr/p/d2b2yj DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Actor and meditation teacher Jessica Graham shares her journey from sexual trauma and disengagement to sexual awakening and spirituality. We discuss the influence of social media on body image and how different environments can have positive or negative effect on our sexual self-image, common reasons why people feel self-conscious and dissatisfied with their sex lives, the importance of honesty in getting what you want in the bedroom, and how practicing mindfulness between the sheets can lead to a more satisfying sex life. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** Good Sex - Getting Off Without Checking Out: http://amzn.to/2hJoVuJ The Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory: http://amzn.to/2hLlL9U The Untethered Soul: http://amzn.to/2hL3Obi *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Veteran science journalist Scott Anderson joins us to discuss the history of the gut-brain research, how the gut and the brain communicate with one another, why the bacteria living in your digestive system may contribute to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, how western dietary habits lead to the destruction of a healthy gut ecology, and we also discuss some of the pre and probiotic foods that you can start consuming to bring your brain and body back into balance. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** The Psychobiotic Revolution: http://amzn.to/2A0dnYb *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Hey Paul Studios https://flic.kr/p/kD7dBv & https://flic.kr/p/kD2WxW DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Dr. Hector Garcia joins us to discuss the evolutionary psychology of warfare, how the combat theater mirrors the environment of early humans, common causes of PTSD in a military context, and the evolutionary justifications for viewing PTSD as an adaptive survival strategy. We also explore what aspects of the military experience make it difficult for veterans to return to civilian life, what separates veterans who settle back into peacetime environments from those who don't, and in light of Hector’s TED talk, after training soldiers go to war, we ask how do we train them to come home again? *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** Alpha God: http://amzn.to/2iuaYRu The Better Angels of Our Nature: http://amzn.to/2xVg3Jk On Killing: http://amzn.to/2gpzWwZ The Selfish Gene: http://amzn.to/2gpZ4DI Tribe: http://amzn.to/2ipKNLu Sex and War: http://amzn.to/2ipZu14 Fields of Combat: http://amzn.to/2yGRAom Angst, Origins of Anxiety and Depression: http://amzn.to/2yzgBnG *** SHOW NOTES *** myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: The U.S Army (Spc. Breanne Pye) https://flic.kr/p/9fPCXN DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Gary Wilson, author of "Your Brain on Porn" joins us to discuss the neuroscience of porn addiction. We explore the role of dopamine in driving porn use, why emotions such as shock and disgust make pornography not less, but more appealing, and the links between porn usage and erectile dysfunction. We also discuss links between porn addiction and mental health issues such as depression and social anxiety, how chronic masturbation could be responsible for feelings of fatigue and brain fog, why increasing number of men are claiming to have no interest in sex with real women, how you can tell if you're addicted to porn, and if so, what you can do to get yourself out of it. *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** Your Brain on Porn: http://amzn.to/2kScWvE The Brain That Changes Itself: http://amzn.to/2gcRgoO *** SHOW NOTES *** http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: Surian Soosay https://flic.kr/p/a9Yf2K DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Well, it had to happen sooner or later, I suppose. In today's episode I share my own story of my decent into madness. Beginning with my early childhood flirtations with hypochondria, I take you all the way through my battles with depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and depersonalization, right the way through to hitting rock bottom in early 2015 when I experienced a brief period of suicidal ideation. If that doesn't sound morbid enough, on the way we'll encounter adoption, drugs, prostitution, strip clubs, brothels, lies, infidelity, gangland violence, ambition, failure, bankruptcy, nudists, modern art, tongue piercings, and my illustrious career as a dog shit picker-upper. Enjoy! For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Theme Music: Falling Down - Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Author and speaker Elaine Hanzak joins us to share her experience of postnatal depression. Despite dreaming of motherhood her entire life, a traumatic labour, months of sleep deprivation, and the pressures of aspiring to be the perfect mum, eventually caused Elaine to spiral into a period of depression, self-harm, psychosis, and eventually being admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Having since made a full recovery, Elaine tells us what the experience has taught her about motherhood and life, and she also offers some simple self-care practices to help future mums avoid a similar fate. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Jake Guild https://flic.kr/p/o684LA Theme Music: Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010