Dr Aaron Kaplan, 438 Hobron Lane Suite 311, Honolulu, HI (2025)

09/26/2025

Episode 78: Core Principles for Psychological Well-Being, with Dr. Noam Shpancer

Today I had a blast interviewing Dr. Noam Shpancer on this episode of Mind Tricks Radio. We talked about his upcoming book, Mental Fitness 101: Principles for Psychological Well-Being, and the timeless psychological lessons he’s distilled from decades of research, teaching, and clinical work. Dr. Shpancer explained how good mental health rests on two fundamental human needs: the need to belong and the need to be. From there, he shared practical principles that can help anyone strengthen their psychological resilience—embracing knowledge and competence, honoring but not overvaluing experience, developing flexibility instead of rigidity, and learning to face fear directly rather than avoiding it.

What I loved most about this interview is how Dr. Shpancer makes these big ideas both accessible and immediately useful. He broke down how to manage emotions without being ruled by them, why we should treat our thoughts like “shoes in a store,” and how love, attachment, and even awareness of mortality can guide us toward a healthier and more meaningful life. Our conversation was both insightful and fun, with plenty of memorable examples and a few laughs along the way. If you’re looking for wisdom you can put into practice right now, this episode is a great place to start.

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 09/26/2025 · 1h 2m

09/26/2025

Noam Shpancer’s Mental Fitness: 101 Principles for Psychological Well-Being is a straight-talking guide to building a healthier mind. He boils human motivation down to two core drives: the need to belong (connection, love, community) and the need to be (agency, competence, identity). The principles in his book are practical ways to balance both. Knowledge matters, competence counts– Opinions are cheap; evidence and skill win the day....

Noam Shpancer’s Mental Fitness: 101 Principles for Psychological Well-Being is a straight-talking guide to building a healthier mind. He boils human motivation down to two core drives: the need to belong (connection, love, community) and the need to be (agency, competence, identity). The principle...

09/13/2025

In times like ours—marked by political polarization, rising authoritarian movements, and the subtle power of algorithms—the question of why people obey authority feels more urgent than ever. As a follow-up to my recent AI-generated interview with Stanley Milgram on Mind Tricks Radio, I wanted to share this blog post. That episode, which quickly became one of the most popular we’ve released, struck a chord with listeners—unsurprising, given the era we live in....

In times like ours—marked by political polarization, rising authoritarian movements, and the subtle power of algorithms—the question of why people obey authority feels more urgent than ever. As a follow-up to my recent AI-generated interview with Stanley Milgram on Mind Tricks Radio, I wanted to...

09/13/2025

Episode 77: The Amygdala Whisperer: Managing Fear and Anxiety, with Dr. Catherine Pittman

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with Dr. Catherine Pittman, a psychologist, professor, and author of Taming Your Amygdala. We explore one of the brain’s most fascinating players: the amygdala. Sometimes called the brain’s “alarm system,” the amygdala is central to how we experience fear, anxiety, and even panic. Dr. Pittman brings warmth and clarity as she explains how this tiny almond-shaped structure drives the fight, flight, and freeze responses—and how understanding it can help us take back control when our emotions feel overwhelming.

Through engaging stories, science, and practical insights, Dr. Pittman breaks down why some people have more reactive amygdalas than others, how fear conditioning works, and what it means to truly “tame” this ancient part of the brain. She emphasizes that while our amygdala may be instinctual and automatic, it can also learn and adapt, giving us powerful tools for overcoming anxiety and reshaping old fear patterns.

Whether you’re a clinician, a student of psychology, or just someone who’s ever felt hijacked by worry, this conversation offers an accessible and encouraging guide to building a healthier relationship with your own amygdala.

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 09/13/2025 · 1h 8m

09/13/2025

Have you ever wondered why your body seems to panic before your mind has time to catch up? That sudden jolt of fear, the racing heart, or even the freeze response is all thanks to the amygdala. In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with Dr. Catherine Pittman, psychologist, professor, and author of Taming Your Amygdala…...

Have you ever wondered why your body seems to panic before your mind has time to catch up? That sudden jolt of fear, the racing heart, or even the freeze response is all thanks to the amygdala. In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with Dr. Catherine Pittman, psychologist, professor, and....

09/01/2025

Episode 76: How We Use Playing-It-Safe-Moves to Cope with Anxiety, with Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona to explore the concept of Playing It Safe Moves. Growing up in Bolivia during political unrest shaped her early understanding of fear, and her path from philosophy to psychology brings a rich, thoughtful lens to her work. We talk about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral tools, and her unique “Advisory Board” metaphor for understanding the chatter of our anxious minds.

Dr. Zurita explains how values-based living and mindfulness can transform the way we approach anxiety—from public speaking jitters to everyday worry. Instead of “playing it safe,” she shows how to take meaningful action even when discomfort shows up, and why aligning our choices with what matters most is the real path to growth. Engaging, insightful, and practical, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on how to live more fully and how to challenge ourselves when we "play it safe."

A Blog Post and Full Transcript on this subject and the about my interview with Dr. Zurita Ona can be found on my website at: https://waikikihealth.com/how-we-use-playi…ope-with-anxiety/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-76-how-we-use-playing-it-safe-moves-to-cope/id1489657852?i=1000724427975&itscg=30200&itsct=podcast_box&ls=1&mttnsubad=1000724427975

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 09/01/2025 · 55m

09/01/2025

Episode 76: How We Use Playing-It-Safe-Moves to Cope with Anxiety, with Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona to explore the concept of Playing It Safe Moves. Growing up in Bolivia during political unrest shaped her early understanding of fear, and her path from philosophy to psychology brings a rich, thoughtful lens to her work. We talk about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral tools, and her unique “Advisory Board” metaphor for understanding the chatter of our anxious minds.

Dr. Zurita explains how values-based living and mindfulness can transform the way we approach anxiety—from public speaking jitters to everyday worry. Instead of “playing it safe,” she shows how to take meaningful action even when discomfort shows up, and why aligning our choices with what matters most is the real path to growth. Engaging, insightful, and practical, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on how to live more fully and how to challenge ourselves when we "play it safe."

A Blog Post and Full Transcript on this subject and the about my interview with Dr. Zurita Ona can be found on my website at: https://waikikihealth.com/how-we-use-playi…ope-with-anxiety/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-76-how-we-use-playing-it-safe-moves-to-cope/id1489657852?i=1000724427975&itscg=30200&itsct=podcast_box&ls=1&mttnsubad=1000724427975

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 09/01/2025 · 55m

09/01/2025

I sat down with Dr. Isabel Morley—clinical psychologist, EFT-certified couples therapist, and author of They’re Not Gaslighting You. We unpacked how “therapy speak” has exploded into everyday conversation. The upside: people are finally talking about mental health. The downside: labels get tossed around so loosely that real dialogue shuts down. Calling a partner “toxic,” “narcissistic,” or “gaslighting” can feel satisfying in the moment, but it usually hardens positions and blocks the actual work—understanding behavior, impact, and what needs to change....

I sat down with Dr. Isabel Morley—clinical psychologist, EFT-certified couples therapist, and author of They’re Not Gaslighting You. We unpacked how “therapy speak” has exploded into everyday conversation. The upside: people are finally talking about mental health. The downside: labels get t...

05/26/2025

Episode 75: The Weaponizing of Therapy Speak, with Dr. Isabelle Morley

In this episode of Mind Tricks Radio, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Isabelle Morley to talk about her eye-opening new book, They’re Not Gaslighting You. We dive into the world of “therapy speak” gone wild—how words like narcissist, toxic, gaslighting, and OCD are being thrown around on social media and in relationships, often in ways that do more harm than good. Dr. Morley unpacks the real meanings behind these terms, why accuracy matters, and how over-pathologizing can wreck our connections with others. We also chat about setting boundaries, the impact of armchair diagnosing, and what rom-coms get hilariously wrong about relationships. Smart, insightful, and seriously refreshing—this is one you don’t want to miss.

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 05/26/2025 · 47m

05/16/2025

Episode 74: Why We Believe Things That Aren’t True, with Dr. Joseph Pierre

I had a blast interviewing psychiatrist and author Dr. Joseph Pierre, who joined me to explore why false beliefs are so compelling—and so hard to shake. We dive into his book False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things That Aren’t True, and talk delusions, the slippery boundary between pathology and normal belief, and how the internet, identity, and algorithms shape what we think is true. From cognitive biases to the power of repetition, and from free speech dilemmas to AI’s role in misinformation, this episode is a fast-paced tour through the psychology of belief—and what it takes to think critically in a post-truth world.

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 05/16/2025 · 1h 1m

05/10/2025

Episode 73: Learned Helplessness, Optimism, and Escaping the Doom Spiral

In this lively episode, Dr. Aaron Kaplan teams up with psychologist and friend Dr. Tyler Ralston to unpack one of psychology’s most curious and relatable phenomena: learned helplessness—why we sometimes just give up even when the door’s wide open. From Seligman’s shocking (literally) dog experiments to how pessimism shows up in everyday life—relationships, work, personal setbacks—they explore how helplessness gets wired into us…and more importantly, how we can rewire it. Along the way, they riff on learned optimism, cognitive therapy, and the art of getting unstuck. Equal parts insight and banter, this episode might just nudge you toward a more hopeful outlook—no toxic positivity required.

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 05/09/2025 · 35m

04/25/2025

Episode 71: Interview with Rollo May -- On Existential Anxiety, Iosalation, Freedom, and Authenticity

In this special episode of Mind Tricks Radio, we sit down with one of the most influential voices in existential psychology—Dr. Rollo May. Well… an AI-generated version of him!

Using advanced AI tools, we bring to life a fictional conversation with Dr. May, whose work helped shape modern psychology’s understanding of anxiety, freedom, and the human struggle for authenticity. Known for powerful works like Love and Will, The Courage to Create, and Man’s Search for Himself, Rollo May offered a deeply philosophical and humanistic perspective on what it means to live—and to live meaningfully.

In this speculative dialogue, we explore May’s core ideas, including existential anxiety, the fear of freedom, and the challenge of living authentically in a world that often pulls us away from ourselves. He reflects on his personal battle with illness, his philosophical influences from Kierkegaard to Nietzsche, and the importance of embracing responsibility in the face of uncertainty.

Whether you’re a therapist, student, or simply someone reflecting on life’s big questions, this episode offers a grounded, wise, and deeply compassionate look at the human condition.

This conversation is part of our ongoing series of AI-generated interviews with pioneering figures in psychology. As always, what you’ll hear is a fictional recreation based on Dr. May’s published work, lectures, and available biographical material. The voices you hear—including that of Dr. May and my own—are AI-generated voice clones created for educational and historical exploration.

So sit back, reflect, and join us for an illuminating journey into the world of Rollo May—an enduring voice for those seeking depth, meaning, and the courage to be.

Thanks for tuning in!

Podcast Episode · Mind Tricks Radio · 04/25/2025 · 44m

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