Category: Personal Growth & Change

My Mind Is Not Always My Friend with Stephen Fogle September 30, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Stephanie D'Ambra, Stephen Fogle

The mind evolved to keep us safe, but its habit of replaying the past can turn it into an enemy. Armand DiMele sits down with author Stephen Fogle and co-host Stephanie D’Ambra, LCSW to examine how mislabeled memories trigger overreactions, why reason rarely wins against a fired amygdala, and how body awareness can break the cycle.

Growing Up in the 20-Something Generation August 25, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Lauren Sykes, Linda Vanella

Why are so many young adults delaying marriage, careers, and commitment well into their 20s and beyond? Armand DiMele and Linda Vanella, LCSW-R, dig into shifting milestones, the rise of the “hipster” lifestyle, political disillusionment, and whether prolonged adolescence reflects freedom, avoidance, or something in between.

The Power of Rest with Matthew Edlund July 29, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Dr. Matthew Edlund

Rest is as essential as food, yet radically undervalued. Dr. Matthew Edlund, author of The Power of Rest, joins Armand DiMele to explain how strategic rest rebuilds memory, why late-night eating harms the body, and how paradoxical relaxation, music, and rhythm can transform daily life. Callers share their own sleep struggles.

When the Mind Stops Moving with Dr. Michael Grove July 21, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Dr. Michael Grove, Lauren Sykes, Sherri Siegel

Why do people freeze mentally and physically, and how do you break that spell? Dr. Sherry Siegel, M.D. hosts alongside Dr. Michael Grove, who outlines ten categories of psychological paralysis including perfectionism, frustration freeze, and putting the cart before the horse. Callers share vivid personal examples, from job-search overwhelm to humiliation-induced shock.

The Psychology of Revenge July 6, 2010

Host: Armand DiMele

Revenge feels like it should bring relief, but research shows it usually makes people feel worse. Armand DiMele examines why humans obsess over getting even, from schoolyard feuds and Internet bullying to workplace injustice, and whether letting go is ever truly possible.

The Paradox of Choice with Barry Schwartz April 7, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Barry Schwartz, Sherri Siegel

More options should mean more happiness, but psychologist Barry Schwartz argues the opposite: abundant choice produces paralysis, regret, and rising expectations that guarantee disappointment. Armand DiMele and Dr. Sherry Siegel, M.D. discuss how committing to a path, rather than endlessly searching for a better one, may be the actual route to fulfillment.

Finding Presence with Dieter Middleston-Scheidt and Batya Schwartz March 16, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Batya Schwartz, Dieter Middleston-Scheidt

Therapy helps, but does it free us? Psychiatrist-turned-mindfulness-teacher Dieter Middleston-Scheidt and Batya Schwartz describe leaving biographical therapy behind to build a retreat practice rooted in silence, open sensory attention, and slow motion as a path to direct aliveness.

Clutter and the Cluttered Mind with Barbara Tako March 9, 2010

Host: Armand DiMeleGuests: Barbara Tako, Stephanie D'Ambra

Physical clutter carries emotional weight, and clearing it can unlock broader change in how we live. Barbara Tako, author of ‘Clutter Clearing Choices’, walks through practical methods like the four-box sort and the one-in-one-out rule, while Armand and Stephanie D’Ambra, LCSW explore how clutter connects to guilt, relationships, and self-worth.

The History and Purpose of Emotions January 19, 2010

Host: Armand DiMele

Every emotion has a full personal history, and the ones missing from your parents reveal as much as the ones present. Armand DiMele maps the six basic emotions, then introduces newer candidates like elevation, interest, and pride, exploring their physiological roots and social purpose. Callers from Haitian immigrant families reflect on inherited emotional suppression.

Unfinished Business and Gestalt Therapy January 13, 2010

Host: Armand DiMele

Unresolved childhood patterns drive adult behavior, and Gestalt therapy offers tools to name them. Armand DiMele walks through core Gestalt concepts including retroflection, deflection, confluence, and projection, showing how each keeps people stuck in the same drama. The episode opens with a heartfelt reflection on the Haiti earthquake.