Modern psychiatry began with noble intentions: to heal, guide, and support. But has it lost its way?

In this episode of Curiously, I explore this question and much more with Dr. Bruce Levine, a clinical psychologist and outspoken critic of his profession.

Drawing from his latest book, A Profession Without Reason, Levine examines how psychiatry often medicalizes natural traits like curiosity, defiance and rebellion, sometimes to harmful ends. We discuss the history of the field, its missteps, and the dangers of labeling freethinkers as disordered.

You can learn more about Dr. Levine’s work at www.brucelevine.net.

In the world of tech titans, few know the pressures of the spotlight like Elon Musk. Recently, Musk opened up about his personal struggle with depression and his choice to use an unconventional treatment—ketamine. Once known as an anesthetic or party drug, ketamine is now emerging as a powerful mental health tool.

This episode explores the science, success stories, and big questions around ketamine therapy. Joining me again on the podcast is Dr. Sherry Sadighim, a clinical psychologist, who runs a private practice in Brooklyn, specializing in adult psychotherapy and psychological assessment. Together, we discuss ketamine’s history, neurobiology, and its potential as a future treatment for depression.

To learn more about Dr. Sherry Sadighim, and for more insights and resources, visit her website. You can listen to the previous episode with her on psychedelics and therapy here.

In this episode, I talk with Sherry Sadighim, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in adult psychotherapy and psychological testing, to discuss the emerging field of psychedelics-assisted therapy (PAT).

While Dr. Sadighim is currently unable to legally practice PAT, she supports clients who choose to use psychedelics independently by providing information on the potential risks and benefits and by assisting them in understanding and processing their experiences as needed.

In our discussion, Dr. Sadighim delves into the importance of understanding a patient’s mental health history, setting intentions for the psychedelic experience, and helping patients apply their insights post-session to achieve lasting benefits. To learn more about my guest, and for more insights and resources, visit Dr. Sherry Sadighim’s website.

Exercise is good for us. It helps us sleep better, maintain our weight, and lowers the risk of many physical and mental conditions. So, after playing sports in high school and college, I stayed active. I did triathlons and marathons, attended spin classes and yoga classes, and for the last two years, I’ve been working out at Orange Theory, an exercise studio that involves high-intensity work on treadmills, rowing devices and weights.

But in my 30s, I started to notice that exercise, despite all its benefits, seemed to come at a cost. Whenever I exercised too hard, I paid for it the next day. It didn’t matter if I worked out in the morning or night, whether it was a spin class or yoga—after exercising, I’d go to bed wired, sleep badly and often wake up bone-crushingly tired, almost as I was hangover. I’d ask doctors about this phenomenon and they’d brush it off, or suggest working out in the morning, or drinking more water. But I knew something was going on with my body, and I decided to try and figure it out.

In this episode, I talk with three exercise and fitness experts—Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM, FACHE, FMFA, Kelly Malmin, PT, DPT, Cert DN, Cert SMT, FMS, SFMA, FCS, and April Terry, MS, LAT, ATC—who help me figure out what might be causing my post-exercise fatigue, a quest that could help us all exercise and recover better.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a book into an engaging audiobook?

In this episode, I talk with actor and audiobook narrator, Sean Pratt, to explore the art and science of narrating audiobooks. With a career spanning 35 years in acting and 27 years in audiobook narration (also known by his pseudonym Lloyd James), Sean has recorded over 1,100 books across almost every genre. His work has earned him 9 AudioFile Magazine “Earphones” awards, 5 SOVAS nominations, and 5 “Audie” nominations from the Audio Publishers Association.

Most recently, Sean narrated Jonathan Haidt’s new book, “The Anxious Generation,” which topped the Associated Press’s list of ‘Top 10 Nonfiction Audiobooks.’ Beyond his narration work, Sean is the author of “To Be or Wanna Be: The Top Ten Differences Between a Successful Actor and a Starving Artist,” a must-read for aspiring actors that outlines the key behaviors and mindsets that differentiate success from struggle.

In addition to his narration and acting work, Sean dedicates his time to coaching performers on audiobook narration techniques, teaching classes, and writing articles about the business side of the industry. For more insights and resources, visit Sean’s website www.seanprattpresents.com. Follow Sean on X at @SPPresents and Instagram at @sppresents.

Cancer affects millions worldwide, regardless of age, occupation, or background. It's a relentless adversary, challenging our understanding and defying our treatments. Yet, amidst the darkness, there’s hope—a relentless pursuit of answers by scientists like Dr. Zuzana Kečkéšová.

Today on the podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Kečkéšová, a passionate cancer researcher with a background in virology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. As a Group Leader at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, and a former Postdoctoral Fellow at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Dr. Kečkéšová brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion. Together, we confront the reality of cancer, exploring its stories, its science, and the ongoing battle against one of the greatest adversaries of our time.

Dr. Kečkéšová's lab is dedicated to uncovering new ways our cells naturally combat cancer, drawing insights from tissues and cell types resilient to tumor growth. Through rigorous experimentation and collaboration with experts worldwide, her team strives to develop innovative therapies that hold promise for the future.

Join us as we delve into the complexities of cancer biology and the quest for life-saving breakthroughs. Learn more about Dr. Kečkéšová's work on her lab's website, and follow her on LinkedIn.

About 450 million years ago, plants started to colonize the planet. Unable to hide from challenging environmental conditions or run away from insects or herbivores, plants had to get creative to manage diverse ecological pressures. To deal with these challenges, plants exploited their own metabolic systems to produce natural chemicals that helped them survive, from attracting pollinators to deterring herbivores and fighting pathogens.

Some of the natural compounds found in plants possess medicinal properties capable of addressing human health issues. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, natural plant products have been used medically for thousands of years usually in the form of herbs mixed into cocktails that contain a diverse array of natural compounds. Today, a significant portion of prescription drugs have origins in plants or are directly derived from natural compounds found in plants.

Jing-Ke Weng, PhD, is a plant biologist and biochemist who studies the origin and evolution of specialized metabolic systems in plants and seeks to use the chemical diversity found in the plant kingdom for the benefit of human health. Dr. Weng’s research could lead to a better understanding of complex diseases and inform the development of new medicines.

Dr. Weng received his PhD in Biochemistry from Purdue University in 2009. He did his postdoctoral research with Dr. Joseph Noel at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In 2013, he joined the faculty of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, and the biology department of MIT as an assistant professor. In the fall of 2023, Dr. Weng became the founding director of the new Institute for Plant-Human Interface at Northeastern University.

Learn more about Dr. Weng’s work on his website, or his research page at Northeastern University, and follow him on LinkedIn.

In the first episode of Season Two of Curiously, I’m breaking away from the traditional interview format. After sharing a recent podcast appearance I'd made to discuss my new book, The Healing Book, I unexpectedly touched a chord with my longtime designer, Kaitlyn Gilbert.

Intrigued by the interview, Kaitlyn shared her personal journey with me—a tale of her parents' divorce, emotional scars, and the healing power found within the pages of The Bible. Through daily readings, Kaitlyn found solace but also unlocked profound wisdom that rejuvenated her spirit and kindled her entrepreneurial drive.

Although non-religious, I’m spiritually curious, and decided to go on a journey with Kaitlyn to unearth the insights she found within The Bible’s verses. In this episode, we delve into themes of faith, resilience, and the universal power of healing through reading.

Learn more about Kaitlyn’s design web agency, DKDesigns, which she founded with her husband.