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Podcast of the Day

Why Teenagers Take Risks

July 1, 2014

Host Armand DiMele Guests Giullian Gioiello, Lisa Arnone

Adolescent risk-taking is rooted in brain biology: the amygdala and reward circuits mature before the prefrontal cortex, leaving teenagers flooded with sensation-seeking drive and no brake. Armand DiMele, co-host Giullian Gioiello, and Lisa Arnone, LCSW trace this from evolutionary necessity through modern dangers like cutting, substance use, and viral stunts.

Wisdom of the Week

Seven Steps for Better Communication in Relationships

Featured episode while curated clips are being prepared.

Blame, defensiveness, and stonewalling quietly destroy relationships. Armand DiMele lays out seven practical communication guidelines, from expecting defensiveness when starting hard conversations to replacing accusatory "you" statements with "I" language, with research on attraction and partner selection woven throughout.

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Sixteen themes spanning four decades of the show.

Addiction & Compulsion35 episodes Aging & Mortality21 episodes Anxiety & Fear65 episodes Communication & Conflict44 episodes Depression & Mood51 episodes Emotions & Inner Life361 episodes Family & Parenting45 episodes Grief & Loss10 episodes Identity & The Self195 episodes Love & Romantic Relationships101 episodes Meaning, Spirituality & Philosophy42 episodes Personal Growth & Change191 episodes Sexuality & Desire15 episodes Society, Culture & Current Events62 episodes The Mind & Neuroscience136 episodes Trauma & Healing23 episodes

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addiction adolescence aggression aging amygdala anger antidepressants anxiety attachment attention attraction authenticity authority avoidance belonging betrayal blame body awareness body image bonding boundaries brain chemistry caregiving childhood childhood trauma childhood wounds codependency commitment compassion compulsion conflict conformity connection consciousness control couples creativity curiosity deception decision making denial dependency depression desire dissociation dominance dopamine ego empathy evolution family family dynamics fear fight or flight generosity genetics gratitude grief guilt habits happiness holidays honesty hormones identity impulse control infidelity intimacy introspection isolation jealousy listening loneliness loss love masculinity memory mindfulness mood motivation narcissism nervous system neuroscience numbness obsession oxytocin pain parenting passive aggression perception perfectionism personality personality types power powerlessness presence projection rage rejection repression resentment resilience romantic love seasonal affective disorder self-acceptance self-deception self-esteem self-knowledge self-worth serotonin sexuality shame sleep stress suicide survival transformation trauma trust vulnerability

About The Positive Mind Center

In the heart of New York City, helping people for over 40 years.

Located on 57th Street, The Positive Mind Center delivers comprehensive mental health counseling and psychotherapy. Founded by Armand DiMele over 40 years ago.

Learn More About The Center

The Positive Mind with Armand DiMele