Shrinks Rap

Dr. James H. Bramson Interviews Dr. Doris Brett (Following the ASH Conference)You should know who Dr. Doris Brett is. If you are living in Australia, New Zealand, or even Europe you may already know her work. She is a celebrated writer who has won numerous awards for her poems, novels, and children’s books. Dr. Doris Brett is also a captivating speaker and renowned clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist. I reconnected with her at the ASH (Australian Society of Hypnosis) conference in ...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Dr. Dan PetersDr. Dan Peters is known to his clients and followers as Dr. Dan. He is a podcaster, author, therapist, and Executive Director at the Summit Center.In this episode he opines about how to “Make Your Worrier a Warrior” based on his seminal book by that same title. This shift from worrier to warrior benefits children inasmuch as parents.Dr. Dan is an expert on twice exceptional or multi-exceptional children. He discusses how to support the emotional needs ...

Male Intimacy: The Benefits of Cultivating Authentic and Fulfilling ConnectionsHey guys— this one’s for you!In this episode, Rafael and Jim join forces again to help men discover the rewards of lasting male intimacy and friendships. These connections have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation - - and can even lead to a longer life.Humor also helps. Comedian, Hunter Duncan, in one of his standup bits, shared that the dating app Bumble has a BFF version where you c...

Dr. Jim Bramson and Lisa Rosenthal interview Maddy DychtwaldIf you are a woman (or man) and find yourself in the second half of life (or first), you will not want to miss this podcast. Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age Wave and author of the new book “Ageless Aging,” expertly guides us through some key health hacks that can help us all live healthier and longer. We stand at the precipice of a longevity revolution. And Maddy, based on decades of research and countless interviews with th...

Bramson on Bramson.Drs. Bramson finally record a podcast together. Dr. Jim interviews his father Dr. Allan Bramson, on the occasion of his 88th birthday.Who is Dr. Allan Bramson? Besides being the senior Bramson who had to deal with Jim’s recalcitrance and shenanigans in high school, he was a storied professor and pioneer in the areas of death and dying, video wills, and euthanasia. He even started a career institute that catered to under-resourced students. Allan fought alongside Dr. Ja...

Live From Boulder Colorado, an Interview with Dr. Paul BretzJim catches up with his long-time friend and colleague from his halcyon days at the University of Chicago. Dr. Paul Bretz (a.k.a. Reverend Paul). Paul is still prolific after all these years —and is still doing his part to make the world a better place. Paul is the CEO of Centus Counseling Center (Centus.org). He is passionate abut high quality, cost effective, spiritually integrative behavioral healthcare. He is also a surveyor for ...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Charlie & Linda BloomThe Blooms are back. They tuned in from a writing retreat to discuss their latest book “An End to Arguing.” They also introduce their forthcoming book project on exemplary relationships. (In sharp contrast to their slacker podcast host who has been toiling over one book for over five years, the Blooms are churning out incredible books in rapid fire.)In this interview we explore some spicy content areas in their “End to Arguing” book: transfo...

Robby Kendall not only spearheads the nonprofit film production company Fishnets & Film, Inc. He is also a psychologist. Indeed, Robby is an educator, entertainer, writer, director, connector, humorist, and consummate problem solver. In this podcast episode, Robby shares his drag origin story as well as his psychologist origin story. Apparently he “therapized” his mother for years before becoming a shrink. And now he helps students and individuals solve their own problems. The conve...

Panel Discussion Interview with Louie Kangeter and Christine BenvenutoLouie Kangeter and Christine Benvenuto are both experts in their respective fields. They participated in a live panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the field of psychology and the human psyche. This WCMI (West Coast Mindfulness Institute) sponsored event is part of the annual Human Potential Conference series.Louie and Christine both took a bold look at the impact of AI on the human experience. Lou...

Dr. Ken Dychtwald is an entrepreneur, author, lecturer, gerontologist, and psychologist. He is the co-founder and CEO of Age Wave. In this live recording Ken presents his memoir “Radical Curiosity” at the Human Potential Conference in Berkeley, California, sponsored by WCMI (West Coast Mindfulness Institute). You will find yourself mesmerized and inspired by Ken’s story — and will want to run, not walk, to buy one of his books.Ken artfully discusses his meetups with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim...

Rafael and Jim join forces after catching a 49’ers victory over Seattle at Levi Stadium to tackle the topic of what makes this time of the year particularly challenging (and not just for Lions fans). Football is only discussed at the “kickoff” of this episode. Instead, Rafael and Jim focus mainly on managing the holidays, demanding relatives, shorter days, and your bulging waistline practical tips.Jim and Rafael share some of the strategies that have helped their clients stay resilient and ho...

Rafael and Jim interview Andre Decary Andre Decary, “The Seeker of Untruth,,” returns for another stellar discussion, this time about his new writing project. In this episode, Andre makes an important distinction between pain and suffering. He references Jung and Einzelganger’s work to illustrate his point: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” There is the Buddhist story of the two arrows that come toward you on the mountain path. When the first arrow hits, y...

Dr. Jim interviews Dr. Josh WilsonDr. Josh Wilson is the Co-Founder of EBMC, Psych Inc, WCMI, and Organizational Solutions. Prior to becoming a licensed psychologist and President of the aforementioned businesses (and all around cool guy) Dr. Josh worked with kids on the spectrum and their parents.Dr. Josh worked at Quest Therapeutic Camp. While where he discovered his passion for working with children on the (Autism) spectrum, including gifted kids. It is also where he met his current wife. ...

Rafael highlights his journey from Poland to Croatia. While there he shared his Gestalt framework on trauma and hope. He also took a deep dive into the history, culture, beauty, and atrocities of the region. Rafael was particularly moved after visiting Auschwitz. He immediately thought about the resiliency of its survivors, including the original tour guides who were survivors themselves. Jim thought about the well-known psychologist Viktor E. Frankl and what he taught us about resiliency aft...

Dr. Jim interviews Bryn Khan, Psy.D., Jessica Lim, AMFT, and Eti Valdez-Kaminsky, MFTIn this episode, three highly talented and impassioned clinicians from EBMC and the Samsara Intensive Therapy program discuss mindful parenting. Bryn who manages EBMC together with her associate Jessica, run a mindful parenting class, do intensive therapy sessions with parents, and provide executive functioning coaching and assessment services for children and adolescents through the Satori college prep and e...

Dr. Jim interviews Dr. David Pepper & Christine Benvenuto David and Christine are not only a dynamic couple, but they are also incredible healers, impassioned speakers, skilled trainers, and mindful practitioners of psychedelic medicine and psychotherapy. They have worked in tandem (and separately) to help individuals who are traumatized or demoralized find relief, equanimity, and joy. Dr. David Pepper is a trained family doctor who has worked at UCSF for 30 years. H...

Drs. John Schinnerer and Jim Bramson reunite to tackle the subjects of self-awareness and humility. They share their own missteps on this subject and can now laugh about it (tragedy + time = humor). In this interview, Dr. John (whom we lovingly like to call, the Caveman) takes us deep into his own cavernous mind and discusses the “death of ego” as a prerequisite to connecting to “source” (meta-consciousness). He opines about how the ego hamstrings our curiosity, psychological developmen...

Rafael Cortina and his fellow Podcaster, Dr. Jim Bramson, discuss their unique approach to couples therapy. Rafael and Jim utilize an eclectic therapeutic approach that pulls from the following: Gestalt therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Work, Imago Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Terrance Real, and the PACT model (Tatkin’s work), to name but a few. In this episode, Rafael and Jim talk about what has worked well with couples, what has, and why. It is their aim at all times to b...

Rafael and Jim take a deep dive into the subject of fatherhood—that is, after getting derailed on the subject of 49ers football. Why? Rafael was afraid of jinxing the team during the last episode. He refused to discuss the 49ers loss until this episode. Fortunately, your podcasters got on track again to discuss Fatherhood as promised. Not surprisingly, they even linked the subject to the 49ers somehow. They did so by imagining how they would console 49ers QB Brock Purdy after he got injured i...

Dr. Michael Mayer packed a lot into this interview. Buckle up. He touches on the six books he has written and their relevancy. He details how some healers can become shamans or shape shifters. In his case a shape shifter can also be a reluctant metaphysician. Dr. Mayer further theorizes that Tai Chi, astrology, hypnosis, energy psychology, Transpersonal psychology and competitive chess can all be at home with one another. The whole being greater than the sum of its parts.Dr. Mayer opines abou...

Dr Jim & Rafael are back! The band is back. Dr. Jim & Rafael are back together agin exploring healing on a global level. Rafael shares his thoughtful impressions of Georgia (not the peach state, but the country) where he did a recent training on Compassion, Addiction, and Trauma. Rafael also has gone to where the action is - - doing (virtual) trainings for professionals in the Ukraine and Russia. As almost everyone knows the Ukraine and Russia are currently the epicenter of war a...

Chris Huitfeldt (pronounced Wheatfelt) owns a company called, Terra Firma, which means solid ground. It provides intervention services for celebrities, professional athletes, and common folks. He even does pro bono work to help the economically disadvantaged. His philosophy is that “every good foundation starts on solid ground.” Terra Firma usually provides interventions for individuals with addiction and dual diagnosis disorders. His group also offers recovery coaching, consultat...

Dr. James Bramson interviews Dr. Ray Horwitz Drs. Jim and Ray were undergraduate classmates and roommates. As college kids, they bonded over music, psychology, humor, and working out. And now, as seasoned professionals, they both subscribe to the philosophy that good self-care is good client-care. Dr. Ray is a an accomplished psychiatrist and a man of many talents. He is a skilled musician, a triathlete, and a sought-after teacher. He’s taught classes in medicine at Emory University...

Dr. John Schinnerer brings heart, intellect, and compassion to his craft. He coaches men to greater success and happiness at work and at home. Dr. John graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Ph.D. in psychology. He was an expert consultant for Pixar’s Inside Out. Dr. John recently received the award for Excellence in Healthcare Leadership in 2022, and Best Executive Coach in Danville for 2020. His areas of expertise include high performance, stress management, Man Box culture, ...

Vann Duke is a celebrated fitness trainer, life coach, and commercial actor (check out his latest Jeep commercial). He trains and coaches people in the "Second Half of Life." Once voted “top trainer in the Bay Area” by the Guardian, Vann’s committed to his clients looking and feeling their best —whether that’s Oscar-winning superstars, like Viola Davis, or the less famous but equally hardworking second half’ers.Vann splits his time between France and Calistoga, California. This juxtapos...

Dr. James H. Bramson Interviews Psychologist, Family Therapist, and Parenting Educator, Lyn Benson Lyn Benson has sold out seminars on the subject of Mindful Parenting in Australia. She has also trained internationally in the area of mindfulness. Lyn Benson and Dr. Bramson met back in 2006 and have taught workshops together around the world - including Turkey, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, and Bali. Dr. Bramson has been threatening to pull her out of “retirement” to get the band ba...

Dr. Gerald Smith has led workshops at the storied Esalen Institute for over 50 years. He is friends with one of its originals co-founders, Michael Murphy, whom he interviewed on an earlier podcast. Jerry attended the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University, earning an M.B.A and Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. Jerry is still a practicing clinical psychologist at the age of 92. And he is as sharp and quick-witted as ever. He has written two books, hosted a T.V. show, and l...

Rafael Cortina & Felicia Carroll Break New GroundFelicia Carroll, is a Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor in private practice in Solvang, California. She is a natural story teller, child advocate, celebrated Gestalt trainer, and consummate gardener. One could argue that Felicia is the Shel Silverstein of Gestalt Therapy. Her work is the metaphoric “Givingtree” that keeps on giving. Better to consider how to give back, recognize the gifts in all of...

Dr. James H. Bramson interviews Dr. Josh Wilson and Eti Valdez-Kaminsky What do Naomi Judd, Anthony Bourdain, Robin Williams, Cleopatra, Mark Rothko, and David Foster Wallace have in common? They have all suicided. Suicide is an epidemic during these times of tumult. Obviously, suicide and depression impacts more than celebrities. Depression and suicide impact every, age, race, and gender. Depression and suicide do not revere white privilege, or bow down to someone’s socioeconomic status...

Rafael Cortina interviews another Gestalt icon - Morgan Goodlander Morgan Goodlander is a public speaker, president of the San Francisco Gestalt Institute, and leadership counselor. He has worked in 17 countries and has managed educational programs for the Esalen Institute. Rafael Cortina continues his mission to introduce us to extraordinary thought leaders and influencers throughout the Gestalt world. Many luminaries continue to be pulled into Rafael’s gravitational field and you may a...

Rafael Cortina interviews John Hovell John Hovell is the Co-Founder of Stratactical and is a self-described Relational-Organizational-Gestalt expert. John opines that you “cannot take a group (or organization) where you have not gone yourself.” John learned through his organizational development (OD) practice that you don’t want to make the client wrong but, rather, meet the client halfway. He is most passionate about knowledge development, organizational development, and Relational-Orga...

Demystifying and Overcoming Fear and Shame: The Odyssey of (Gestalt Luminary) Richard DennisonRafael Cortina interviews Richard Dennison Rafael is going global again. He is making his virtual way through Europe, and has landed another humble luminary in the Gestalt World, Richard Dennison. Richard hails from the southwest corner of England. Richard Dennison first worked in a psychiatric hospital in London at the ripe old age of 19. He actually found that studying psychology at University...

Live from San Diego, It’s Jim & Rafael (together again) People in every generation think they are the ones facing the greatest challenges of all time. Was the Holocaust, Civil War, Armenian Holocaust, Black Plague, Nagasaki and Hiroshima more traumatic than any of our current events? American sociologist Kai Erickson, author of “Everything in Its Path” and international teacher and scholar, Thomas Hubl, are both famous for coining the term “Collective Trauma.” They focus on the...

Rafael Cortina interviews the Gestalt Legend Jean-Marie Robine Jean-Marie Robine is a legend in the world of Gestalt Therapy. He asks important philosophical questions. Does the now have a future? Is contact the source of all experience? What is the impact of conscious and non-conscious intentionality? What does Gestalt therapy teach us about the importance of “contact” and the “unfolding self?” Can you really start learning to play the drums in your 60’s? Jean-Marie is much more th...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Dr. Eric RaimoDr. Eric Raimo is an accomplished psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of bipolar disorder. I refer to him as the “Bipolar Whisperer.” Dr. Raimo went to two Ivy’s (the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College, Medical school) and went on to do his residency at the University of California - San Diego (UCSD) Medical School.He has an outstanding reputation among colleagues and patients. People don’t just like him, they love him. I l...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews the self-described “Resolutionary” Stewart Levine, Esq.Stewart Levine is an attorney, poet, artist, concerned citizen, and thought leader in the field of conflict resolution. His earliest books, “Getting to Resolution” and “The Book of Agreement,” shaped the field of conflict resolution and collaborative law. Stewart’s model has been utilized by shrinks, mediators, corporate leaders, educators, lawyers, and peaceniks. Stewart has done it all and seen it all. He has ...

Dr. Jim Bramson Interviews Dr. Marty Klein Dr. Marty Klein has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil sharing his expertise on sex. He covers many topics in this podcast, including pornography (His Porn, Her Pain), the U.S’s war on sex, cultural differences in sexual expression and repression, how men and women are more alike than different, parenting non-binary or LBGTQIA children. Going beyond knowing which pronoun to use. Dr. Klein is smart, witty, and pragmatic. He breaks down what we ...

Rafael Cortina, MFT, interviews the consummate over-achiever Kristine Jackson, LCSW, CEDS, CETII, CP, PATKristine Jackson is our official record-setter for the most credentials following her name. Ready for it: Kristine Jackson, LCSW, CEDS, CETII, CP, PAT. In this podcast, Rafael and Kristine discuss her current role as an Associate Clinical Director for Onsite. In her position, she provides oversight and leadership to Onsite programming and therapists.Kristine received her social work degree...

Jim & Rafael Rap about Football & Mastering the Inner Game. In this podcast, Rafael and Jim tackle football, male depression, fanaticism, fatherhood, and evolutionary consciousness. Rafael and Jim explore why football fans feel so downtrodden when their team loses. They ponder why we even watch football in the first place. After all, football is a violent game that can result in concussions, broken ribs, torn ACLs, or worse. Yet this game is incredibly fun to watch for many peopl...

This podcast chronicles psychiatrist Dr. David Hartman’s “Journey from Darkness.” Dr. Hartman teaches us that, when the mind clears, the eyes can see — and dreams can be fully realized. In this podcast, Dr. Hartman, with his sharp wit and folksy charm, shares his extraordinary story about becoming the first blind person to graduate from medical school. In the movie that chronicles his life, “Journey from Darkness, ” and in his book “White Coat, White Cane,” the world learned how Dr. Har...

Josh Kornbluth is a mono-linguist, film maker, humorist, theatre performer, and activist who was raised by Stalinist parents Bunny and Paul in NYC. Josh admits that his oboe- playing likely helped more than his athletic prowess in landing him a scholarship at Princeton. A self-described “Red Diaper Baby,” his indoctrination into communism by left-leaning Jewish parents inspired a one-man show and featured film. In this podcast, Josh talks about his film “Haiku Tunnel” and the fanfare ar...

Andre DeCary will challenge listeners to draw on their authenticity and curiosity to lovingly embrace their inner critic. He discusses his breakdown and breakthrough. Andre shares how he transcended his own ego state and inner critic . . . by dropping into his body and heart, and summoning courage. Andre discusses how his experiences as a monk in India led him to seek the “untruth” — that is, to challenge what’s commonly held as true. He studied acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, somatic psy...

In this episode, Dr. Jim discusses the topic of elite achievement with his old friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Susan Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein uses her wit and personal stories to illustrate how Anxious Achievers can optimize their experience and contribution. On the one hand, they are conscientious, needing to prove themselves, perfectionistic, and aiming to please others. This mix of qualities often yields good —if not great —outcomes in the workplace. Yet, Anxious Achievers need to learn...

Rafael swings by Jim’s backyard studio to review the incredible shrinks they got to rap with during 2021. The two reflect on memorable conversations and the moments that made them think, laugh, and cry. Your intrepid Podcasters have come to see themselves, the world, and their craft differently as a result of the awe-inspiring guests that have shared their stories and wisdom. They hope these conversations have brought some inspiration and hope to you as well. Cheers!WCMI networking grou...

Dr. Jim interviews Dr. Susan Campbell — an extraordinary psychologist, coach, trainer, author, and sage. She has appeared on CNN and Good Morning America and has lectured at the Harvard, Stanford, and UCLA business schools. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, Harvard Business Review, Men’s Health. In this podcast, Dr. Campbell shares insights and tips from her recent, highly acclaimed book, “From Triggered to Tranquil.” She provides accessible tools to help you self-re...

In this wide ranging discussion, we explore: human potential, identity, bodymind, mentors, elder wisdom, aging, love/marriage, parenthood, self-review and dealing with the death of loved ones. Ken shares how his wife and children are the most extraordinary human beings he's encountered and why. For anyone fascinated with the sometimes serendipitous, often bewildering, and sometimes breathtaking process of life, listen to the podcast and enjoy it as much as Jim and Ken enjoyed being a pa...

The Bloom's walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk as a couple who has been together since 1972. Dedicated to promoting healthy, fulfilling, and successful relationships, Linda and Charlie talk openly about how they've overcome their own relationship challenges and share how they are not afraid to use self-disclosure when working with clients or leading workshops around the world. In this podcast, learn the secrets of taking a relationship from okay to good, and then from good to great. M...

Rafael and "Kansas" explore the evolution of the field of addiction and trauma. Rafael learns how James became "Kansas" and also how he went from working as a lone clinician to becoming the chairman of NAADAC and Director of numerous recovery programs. Listen to this podcast and walk away with an understanding of how essential humor is to doing this work. Rafael and Kansas laugh at themselves, make each other laugh, and pull back the curtain on the profession.Kansas Cafferty has worked in the...

Tales of Victims & VictorsDr. Jim and Dr. Bob discuss the forgotten victims and victors in the labor force. These tales of real workers offer insight into the human response to serious tragedy and challenge. See what can be learned, whether you are a clinician or someone otherwise interested in human behavior, from this preeminent psychiatrist who considers himself to be a “working person’s shrink.” In this podcast, Dr. Bob also dazzles us with his blues harp and plays his red...

Dr. Joshua Wilson is a pediatric and adult licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He is the co-founder of East Bay Mindfulness Center and maintains a private practice in Orinda, CA. In his private practice, he considers himself an evidence-based provider who is solution focused, warm, approachable, compassionate, and results oriented.To contact Dr. Josh Wilson click here Dr. James H. Bramson is a licensed psychologist and social worker with over 25 years of experience. He is the director of ...

Daniel Linder is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Addiction Specialist and Relationship Trainer, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, doing individual, couples, family and group therapy since 1981. He describes himself as a “self and relationship-based therapist,” an addiction specialist and relationship trainer who incorporates mindfulness-based principles and practices; cognitive behavioral and systems therapy; existential, positive and self-psychology and communicatio...

Richard Hycner, Ph. D licensed Clinical Psychologist with over forty-five years experience. He emphasizes a Relational Approach in Marriage Therapy, Couples Therapy and Individual Therapy. He is the author or co-author of two books, co-editor of a third, and is currently writing about how to establish, and be, in a healthy long-term intimate relationship.To learn more about Dr. Hycner or to connect with him click here To purchase Dr. Hycner's books click here To connect with Rafael Cortina cl...

Drs. Jerry Smith E.D.D., MBA & Fred Luskin, Ph.D. discuss forgiveness. Dr. Jerry Smith (author, former T.V. Show host, Esalen Institute instructor for over 50 years) interviews his friend and fellow Stanford Alum Dr. Fred Luskin). Fred Luskin, Ph.D. Is the author of two best selling books on Forgiveness. He is a professor, corporate trainer, meditator, and mindfulness practitioner. He has expertise on the impact of forgiveness on health, love relationships, and the ongoi...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Linda & Larry Cammarata Topic: Sleep-fulness and Wakefulness. Linda & Larry are married Nurse and Psychologist who and live in Portugal and North Carolina. They travel the world teaching Mindfulness, Yoga, QiGong, Meditation, and so much more. Linda & Larry are co-directors of Mindfulness Travels, an educational organization that provides mindfulness-based training to health professionals in various locations throughout the world. In this Podcast t...

Susan Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice for 35 years in San Diego, CA. She specializes in the treatment of complex developmental trauma, addictions and other maladaptive behavior patterns. Her current focus for treatment is the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed processes within the EMDR therapy standard protocol. Susan was a Principal Investigator in a pilot study using an EMDR Integrated Trauma Treatment Program (ITTP) in an adult Drug Court. ...

Rafael and Jim talk about their experience and ideas about the co-relationship between trauma and addiction Dr. James H. Bramson is a licensed psychologist and social worker with over 25 years of experience. He is the director of the Mindful Alliance Center and Co-Founder of the East Bay Mindfulness Center. James continues to work as a clinical director, supervisor, organizational consultant, neuropsychologist, forensic psychologist, expert witness, and clinician. He utilizes a strategic-solu...

Michael Murphy is a graduate of Stanford University, co-founder of Esalen Institute, founder of Esalen's Center for Theory and Research, and author of numerous books. His novels include The Kingdom of Shivas Irons, Golf in the Kingdom, Jacob Atabet, and An End to Ordinary History. His latest nonfiction work is God and the Evolving Universe, co-authored with James Redfield and Sylvia Timbers. Other nonfiction work includes: In the Zone, an anthology of extraordinary sports experiences, co-auth...

In this episode, Dr. James Bramson talks with Gerald Smith, Ed.D., about burnout, working with Virginia Satir, managing a private practice, and more wisdom from his 50-year career. Dr. Gerald Smith began working with couples who were having difficulties in their relationship in 1962. For decades has specialized in meeting with individuals, families and has work with hundreds of couples who are faced with some difficult transitions. Usually this work has been short-term, as few as three or fou...

Welcome to the first episode of Shrinks Rap. In this episode, Rafael and Jim discuss the origins of the Podcast and their hopes for its evolution. Dr. James H. Bramson is a licensed psychologist and social worker with over 25 years of experience. He is the director of the Mindful Alliance Center and Co-Founder of the East Bay Mindfulness Center. James continues to work as a clinical director, supervisor, organizational consultant, neuropsychologist, forensic psychologist, expert witness...

In this episode, Rafael sits down for a conversation with Erving Polster, Ph.D. At the age of 99 years old, Dr. Polster shares some poignant moments of his long and illustrious career, as well as experiences from his personal life that contributed to his development as one of the world's leading Gestalt therapists. Erving Polster, Ph.D., is a veteran teacher of Gestalt therapy and the author of several books. He trained with Fritz Perls in the 1950s and has been influential in the growt...