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The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

This is a podcast dedicated to answering your questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life WITHOUT psychobabble BS. I am Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, but I'm also a regular dude who legitimately wants to help out. I wrote the best selling books Hardcore Self Help: F**k Depression and Hardcore Self Help: F**K Anxiety. Those are available at http://hardcoreselfhelp.com
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Now displaying: October, 2024
Oct 25, 2024

In today’s episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I’m thrilled to sit down with marketing guru and best-selling author Seth Godin. Seth shares his near-death experience off the coast of San Clemente—a moment that became a powerful reminder of his mission to teach and contribute. We explore his philosophy of “strategy as a philosophy of becoming” and discuss practical ways to craft personal life strategies that align with our values, whether in creativity, mental resilience, or personal growth.

In our conversation, Seth and I cover a range of ideas, from recognizing societal systems that impact our lives to overcoming societal pressures and finding meaning in service to others. Seth’s “lifeguard analogy” emphasizes the importance of focusing on helping others, and his insights are full of actionable takeaways for anyone looking to lead a more purpose-driven life.

Tune in for an episode packed with practical strategies and reflections that can help you shape a life you’re proud of.


Topics Covered:

  • Breaking Down Writer’s Block and Building Creative Confidence
  • The Lifeguard Analogy: Why Starting with Generosity Can Change Your Life
  • Recognizing the Systems That Influence Our Daily Lives
  • How Strategy and Mental Health Intersect in Our Modern World
  • Building Powerful Daily Creative Habits
  • Avoiding the Trap of Playing Games We’re Meant to Lose
  • Developing Authentic Networks and Finding Your Community

Timestamps:

00:15 — Introduction: Meet Seth Godin
02:05 — Breaking Down Writer’s Block and Building Creative Confidence
06:00 — Learning Through the Lifeguard Analogy: How to Start Contributing Now
12:15 — Recognizing the Systems Shaping Our Lives
18:30 — Personal Strategy and Mental Health: How They Intersect
24:00 — The Power of Daily Creative Habits
30:40 — Real-Life Applications: Who's It For, What's It For?
36:25 — Avoiding the Trap of Playing Games We’re Meant to Lose
41:50 — How Strategy Can Help Us Cope with Modern Mental Health Challenges
47:05 — Building Authentic Networks and Finding Community


About the Podcast
I’m Dr. Robert Duff, a clinical psychologist dedicated to breaking down complex mental health topics into relatable, actionable advice. On the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, we dive deep into mental health, personal development, and practical strategies to help you thrive. Each episode features expert interviews, useful tips, and answers to listener questions, all to support your journey toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Guest Links:


Connect With Me:

Oct 18, 2024

In this episode, I sit down with Anna Runkle, better known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, to explore her journey of healing from childhood PTSD and the unique methods she has developed to help others do the same. Anna has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide re-regulate their nervous systems and recover from deep emotional wounds using simple but powerful techniques. We dive deep into what childhood PTSD really is, how it differs from complex PTSD, and what doctors often get wrong about trauma. Anna also shares her personal story of growing up in a chaotic commune, the lasting effects of emotional neglect and abandonment, and the practical steps she used to reclaim her life and happiness.

Whether you're personally affected by trauma or seeking to support someone who is, Anna’s wisdom, tools, and personal insights provide valuable takeaways for anyone on a healing journey.


Links:


Timestamps:

  • 0:00 – Introduction

    • Introduction to Anna Runkle, aka the Crappy Childhood Fairy, and her mission to help people heal from childhood PTSD.
    • Overview of the topics to be covered: childhood trauma, PTSD, healing methods, and Anna’s personal story.
  • 2:30 – Anna’s Early Life and Growing Up in a Commune

    • Anna describes her chaotic upbringing in a Berkeley commune, surrounded by addiction, neglect, and violence.
    • The impact of family addiction and how it shaped her view of the world.
  • 7:15 – Understanding Childhood PTSD vs. Complex PTSD

    • Anna explains the difference between childhood PTSD and complex PTSD, and why she uses a more accessible term for the general public.
    • How childhood trauma can stay latent and resurface in adulthood after new traumatic events.
  • 12:45 – Coping Mechanisms and the Breaking Point

    • Anna shares how being the "good girl" helped her survive but eventually led to deep depression.
    • Her experience of hitting rock bottom and the overwhelming effects of what she calls a "trauma storm."
  • 16:30 – The Effects of Gaslighting and Emotional Neglect

    • Anna discusses the emotional invalidation she faced growing up and the gaslighting that made her doubt her own reality.
    • The lasting impact of growing up in an environment of denial.
  • 21:00 – The Role of Attachment Wounds and Limerence

    • How unresolved emotional neglect led to dysfunctional relationships in Anna’s life, especially through a phenomenon called "limerence"—an obsessive, addictive form of love.
    • The cycle of seeking validation in unhealthy ways due to an insecure attachment style.
  • 27:30 – Trauma Healing and Nervous System Regulation

    • Anna explains the concept of nervous system dysregulation and how trauma impacts not only emotions but also physical health.
    • Her personal health struggles with autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue, and how regulating her nervous system led to profound healing.
  • 33:00 – The Power of Simple Healing Techniques

    • Anna shares the simple yet powerful technique of writing down fears and resentments daily, a method she learned from a friend in AA.
    • How this practice gave her the emotional relief she had been seeking for years.
  • 38:45 – Generational Trauma and Breaking the Cycle

    • Anna reflects on the generational trauma in her family and the importance of breaking the cycle of emotional neglect and dysfunction.
    • How her own healing journey has allowed her to parent with more stability and emotional availability.
  • 43:00 – The Myth of ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’

    • Anna challenges the common belief that trauma automatically leads to growth, explaining that for many people, trauma can be devastating without proper support.
    • The dangers of spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity.
  • 48:15 – Finding True Healing and Becoming Your Full Self

    • Anna talks about the ultimate goal of trauma healing: becoming your full, real self and creating space to hear your own inner guidance.
    • The importance of personal freedom, acceptance, and helping others on their healing journey.
  • 53:00 – Practical Takeaways and Final Thoughts

    • Anna offers actionable advice for anyone struggling with childhood trauma, focusing on simple daily practices that help re-regulate the nervous system and foster healing.
    • How to connect with Anna and learn more about her work with the Crappy Childhood Fairy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Childhood PTSD often goes unrecognized or is misunderstood, even within the medical community.
  • Emotional neglect and trauma can deeply impact adult relationships, leading to patterns of insecurity and attachment wounds.
  • Healing from trauma involves re-regulating the nervous system, a process that can lead to profound physical, emotional, and mental recovery.
  • Simple daily practices, like writing down fears and resentments, can provide powerful emotional relief and open the door to deeper healing.
  • Breaking the cycle of generational trauma is possible, and it begins with self-awareness, acceptance, and practical steps toward recovery.

 


Support the Podcast:

  • If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Your support helps others find the show.
  • Follow me on Instagram: @duffthepsych
  • Website: duffthepsych.com
  • Join the Hardcore Self Help Facebook Community: Join Here
Oct 11, 2024

In this laid-back check-in episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I take you through a series of updates and random musings. I discuss the current state of the podcast, why I decided to fire my ad agency, and the recent revival of interviews. I also share some personal projects, from working on my bipolar disorder book to collaborating with my kids on a creative game inspired by Minecraft. Throughout, I reflect on AI innovations, the challenges of balancing podcasting with life, and ways I've been keeping active, like my new rucking routine. This episode is perfect for catching up on everything happening in my world, from professional changes to hobbies and everything in between.

Links:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Podcast Updates

02:00 Fired Ad Agency

05:00 Interview Segment Revival

08:00 Changes in Podcast Style

09:00 Decline in Podcast Numbers and Stepping Away from Ads

11:00 Writing Update - Bipolar Book

13:00 AI Adventures - ChatGPT Voice Mode Demo

18:00 AI Applications - Notebook LM

21:00 Personal Favorites - POV Cooking Channels

22:00 Nostalgia Gaming - Pokémon Insurgence

23:00 Podcast Recommendation - Tim Ferriss Interview with Elizabeth Gilbert

24:00 Work and Mentorship Updates

26:00 Fitness Journey - Rucking

27:00 Creative Projects with Kids

28:00 Reflections on Current Events and Mental Health

29:00 Wrap-up

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