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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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The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
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Now displaying: August, 2024
Aug 30, 2024

In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I address two intense and relatable listener questions.

The first question comes from a listener who feels abandoned by their spouse after a traumatic car accident left them with PTSD and potential brain injury. I provide insights on the possible brain injuries they might have sustained, while also discussing the complexities of their strained relationship and offering practical advice for moving forward.

In the second question, a listener struggles with constant phone checking and tech addiction. I offer actionable tips for managing phone usage, including identifying and challenging assumptions, creating a conscious phone use plan, and finding accountability.

This episode aims to provide support, clarity, and practical guidance for listeners dealing with trauma, relationship challenges, and tech overdependence.

This episode is brought to you by NoCD. Overthinking can be more than just a habit—it might be a symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NoCD provides virtual therapy sessions with licensed therapists specialized in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. To learn more, visit http://nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 
01:16 Listener's Question: Dealing with Trauma and Relationship Issues
02:33 Understanding Brain Injuries from Car Accidents
08:05 Addressing Relationship Concerns and Seeking Separation
08:11 Sponsor Break: NoCD
15:14 Listener's Question: Overcoming Phone Addiction
17:07 Tips for Reducing Phone Usage
25:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Please send questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com 

Aug 23, 2024

Breaking Cycles: How Attachment Shapes Our Lives with Dr. Judy Ho

In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, host Dr. Duff interviews neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University and author of 'The New Rules of Attachment.' They discuss why people often find themselves stuck in repetitive cycles despite different strategies and self-care routines. Dr. Ho explains the significance of revisiting one's past to break patterns, diving deep into attachment theory. They explore how early attachments form who we are, why it's essential to recognize childhood traumas, and the role of self-talk in attachment styles. Dr. Ho also shares her personal parenting insights and the importance of forming a secure attachment with oneself. Additionally, they delve into actionable exercises from Dr. Ho's book that help uncover unmet needs of our inner child and promote lasting change. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about the transformative power of understanding and healing our attachments.

 

This episode is brought to you by NOCD, a powerful new network of providers specializing in exposure and response prevention. Get treatment for OCD that actually works at http://nocd.com

This episode is also sponsored by BetterHelp – get 10% off your first month of online therapy at http://betterhelp.com/duff

 

Links!

https://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Attachment-Relationships-Reparent/dp/1538741423

https://www.instagram.com/drjudyho

https://drjudyho.com/

 

00:00 Introduction: Breaking the Cycle

00:40 Meet Dr. Judy Ho

01:14 The Importance of Early Attachments

02:46 Personal Stories and Apologies

05:47 Journey into Psychology

18:10 Understanding Attachment Styles

30:11 Understanding Attachment Styles and Self-Talk

31:27 The Challenge of Changing Self-Talk

32:26 The Importance of Patience in Forming New Habits

33:14 Recognizing Overthinking and OCD

35:07 The Mind-Body Connection in Attachment

37:25 Inner Child Work and Self-Attachment

40:22 Practical Steps for Inner Child Healing

44:45 A Real-Life Transformation Story

53:22 Balancing Career and Personal Life

57:04 Parenting and Attachment

01:00:08 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections

Aug 16, 2024
In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, Dr. Robert Duff chats with Tony Weaver Jr., an award-winning author and educator dedicated to mental health advocacy and better representation in media. Tony shares his personal journey from feeling like an outcast in his teenage years, including a suicide attempt, to becoming a force for positivity and change. He discusses how his upbringing in Atlanta and breakthroughs like hearing Fall Out Boy's music shaped his path to self-acceptance and creative expression. Tony also delves into the importance of representation in media, recounting his experiences creating the webcomic 'The Uncommons' and his upcoming autobiographical graphic novel 'Weirdo.' Furthermore, he offers practical advice for children and parents navigating the challenges of embracing individuality in a conformist world. Tune in to hear his inspiring story, candid reflections on the role of conflict in growth, and his passionate stand on bettering cultural narratives through inclusive storytelling.
 
Links!

Weirdo: https://rep.club/products/weirdo

The Uncommons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/action/the-uncommons/list?title_no=4520

Tony on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyweaverjr/

 
Chapters:
 
00:00 Introduction: Feeling Like the Odd One Out
00:24 Meet Tony Weaver Jr.: From Darkness to Advocacy
01:13 Tony's Creative Journey and Representation
01:38 Interview with Tony Weaver Jr.
02:52 Tony's Upbringing and Early Influences
04:45 The Struggles of Embracing Otherness
09:05 The Creation of 'Weirdo'
13:05 Mental Health and Personal Growth
26:36 Inner Child Work and Reparenting
27:13 Parents' Reactions to the Book
27:33 A Life-Changing Car Accident
28:40 Reflecting on Childhood and Authority
30:17 The Importance of Conflict and Support
35:21 Representation in Media
37:01 The Impact of Representation on Society
43:40 Challenges in Hollywood and Progress
49:40 Promoting the Book 'Weirdo'
52:35 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow
Aug 9, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Duff shares personal experiences and discusses the concept of being afraid of breathing. He highlights how anxiety and overthinking can lead to the sensation of not breathing properly. Dr. Duff explains how exposure therapy can be applied using breathing exercises to help alleviate these fears. He provides detailed instructions on different challenging breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing, resonance breathing, and techniques inspired by the Wim Hof method and the Cradle series. The episode aims to help listeners gain comfort with discomfort and regain confidence in their breathing.

00:00 Introduction: Are You Afraid of Breathing?
00:02 A Personal Story of Breathing Anxiety
00:57 The Cycle of Anxiety and Breathing
01:50 Common Experiences and Avoidance
03:37 Using Breathing Exercises for Exposure
04:12 Understanding Exposure Therapy
07:38 Challenging Breathing Exercises
07:59 Alternate Nostril Breathing
10:40 Resonance Breathing
13:38 The Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel
15:16 Practicing in a Safe Space
16:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

http://betterhelp.com/duff

http://duffthepsych.com/contact

 

Aug 2, 2024

In episode 408 of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I'm joined by grief educator and author Christina Rasmussen.

We delve deep into the concept of invisible loss, a unique form of grief that stems from unacknowledged experiences. Christina opens up about her personal grief journey, introduces the Life Reentry Process, and shares insights from her book, 'Invisible Loss.' We also explore how early childhood experiences shape adult decision-making, the transformative power of authenticity, and Christina’s venture into using art for healing. Christina discusses her creation of a digital library of invisible losses and reflects on the significance of Andrew Wyeth's painting 'Christina's World.' Join us for actionable tips and profound reflections on navigating and reclaiming life after hidden struggles.

Links:

Books - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christina-Rasmussen/author/B0057K44UU

https://lifereentry.com/

https://www.invisiblelosses.com/

https://springshow.academyart.edu/schools/fine-art/students/christina-rasmussen/

 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Invisible Loss 
00:45 Meet Christina Rasmussen
01:17 Christina's Personal Journey with Grief
03:30 Early Life and Education
08:13 Navigating Life After Loss
11:08 The Birth of Life Reentry Process
32:12 Invisible Loss Defined
43:39 Starting the Program and Writing Invisible Loss
44:01 Challenges of Writing About Invisible Loss
44:24 The Concept of Invisible Loss
46:48 Men and Invisible Loss
47:59 The Importance of Self-Expression
49:01 The Role of Therapy and Support Groups
52:38 Time Dilation and Seeking Help
53:32 Ambitious Work and Personal Transformation
56:33 Balancing Art and Professional Life
01:03:00 The Journey of Writing and Sharing Vulnerable Moments
01:13:34 The Impact of Panic Attacks and Authenticity
01:19:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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