Dr. Jim Bramson interviews his esteemed colleague and good mate - Jeff Cohen. Jeff Cohen is an articulate, deeply knowledgeable couples therapist with a background as unique as his approach. Before becoming a therapist, Jeff trained as an architect—and that foundation in design informs both his artistry as a visual artist and his craftsmanship as a clinician. In this episode, Jeff shares his journey from blueprints to breakthroughs and offers an inside look at his work with couples thro...

Dr. Jim interviews Dr. Lisa Hardy, M.D. In this insightful episode, Dr. Jim sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Lisa Hardy to explore the intersections of medication, therapy, and mindful parenting. Dr. Hardy shares her wisdom on when medication can be helpful versus when therapy may be most effective, the unique challenges of treating ADHD and twice-exceptional (2E) children, and how hormonal shifts during menopause influence mental health. The conversation also delves into the effects of social...

Married for over 48 years, Michael and Vivienne Aronowitz transformed their own journey into Marriage Aces—a playful, research-based game designed to help couples strengthen emotional safety, gratitude, kindness, and a solid foundation. Each trip around the board and every card drawn from the four decks creates new opportunities for closeness and better communication. In this lively episode, they share their story, the influences that shaped the game (Gottman, Sue Johnson, Coach Tony Dungy), ...

Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Lisa Rosenthal, J.D. and Johanna Murphy, Ph.D. In this episode, Dr. Jim sits down with Lisa Rosenthal (lawyer, coach, and all-around human potential wrangler) and Dr. Johanna Murphy (psychologist and midlife whisperer) to talk about their group for moms navigating the wonderfully confusing second act of life. They delve into subjects like menopause, changing roles, transitions, shifting responsibilities, and newfound freedom. Johanna and Lisa also dive i...

Dr. Jim interviews Dr. Josh Wilson Parenting is the only gig where you’re expected to be a Zen monk, a crisis negotiator, and a part-time mediator — all before breakfast. In this episode of Shrinksrap, Dr. Jim Bramson sits down with Dr. Josh Wilson to explore mindful parenting through the lenses of IFS, ACT, and Imago —and, yes, how social media is both helping and wrecking us in equal measure. We dig into what it means to stay grounded when your kid is melting down in aisle 5 of Target, or w...

In this episode, you’ll be regaled by the brilliant stories and psychiatric hacks of Dr. Sheldon Zablow—known to his friends and patients as Dr. Z, and to me as Dr. Shelly. Dr. Z is a retired child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatrist who practiced in San Diego for over four decades. He taught child psychiatry at UCSD for 25 years, earning multiple teaching awards, and worked with everyone from military families aboard the USS Carl Vinson to underserved populations and elite medical insti...

An Interview with Carl Reisman In this special episode, I sit down with my cousin Carl Reisman—a published poet, musician, chef, and lawyer who ran his law practice out of a converted Phillips 76 Station in Urbana, Illinois. We explore what it means to be fully human across disciplines, reflecting on two AI-generated pieces that deeply resonated with Carl (about Carl) and what it means to be fully human. He shares insights on justice, creativity, and presence—pondering whether humans are beco...

Dr. Jim welcomes back his podcast comrade, Rafael Cortina, who returns to the studio after stepping into his new role as President of the International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (IAAGT). In this episode, Rafael shares insights from his leadership journey and offers a fresh take on the impact of Gestalt Therapy. He explores key principles including existentialism, parts work, present-moment awareness, and the transformative power of self-acceptance in fostering health...

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Jim interviews Ben Yalom about his moving collaboration with his father, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Irvin D. Yalom, on their co-authored book, Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now. Ben reflects on what it was like growing up in the shadow of a famous father—and in Palo Alto, no less, where not inventing a technological breakthrough by age 14 made you seem like a slacker. He shares how he forged his own unique path in theater, coaching, and the...

Dr. Jim Interviews Dr. Richard Freed In this powerful episode, Dr. Jim sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Richard Freed, whose new book Better Than Real Life examines how persuasive design is reshaping childhood—and not for the better. Dr. Freed’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other major media outlets. And he’s also the author of the influential book Wired Child. You’ll hear a personal story about Dr. Freed’s long-lost Harvard certificate. A...

Andre DeCary returns for his third episode—just two more, and he earns the coveted ShrinkRap jacket, SNL-style! In this conversation, Andre shares his distinctive approach to couples therapy, highlighting the key differences between working with individuals and couples. He also reflects on personal insights from his own life in this domain. Together, we explore the profound impact of reactivity on victimization—how staying out of a victim mindset can empower both you and your partner. Andre o...

An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a.k.a., the John Lennon of Pediatric Gender Care Dr. Jim sits down with the prolific and brilliant Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a leading expert in pediatric gender care who envisions a more inclusive world for gender expression. A scholar, psychologist in private practice, author, child advocate, parent coach, and UCSF researcher, she plays a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge gender-affirming care for children and adolescents. In this episode, ...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Jim Bramson interviews Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson, clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. Together, they delve into the lasting impact of emotionally immature parents on their children’s lives—from feelings of neglect and rejection to lifelong challenges with self-worth, relationships, and parenting. Dr. Gibson explains the four types of emotionally immature parents, how their behaviors influence family dynamic...

Live from Berkeley California - Dr. Marty Klein keynotes at the Human Potential Conference. Dr. Marty Klein – certified sex therapist, award-winning author of 7 books, and New York Times-lauded educator - shares his ideas about Sexual Intelligence, explaining how we create our own sexual obstacles--and how to overcome them, "without losing 10 pounds, getting a new sex toy, or learning exotic new techniques." Download and follow along with the slides from Dr. Klein's website. WCMI networkin...

Live from Berkeley California - Linda and Charlie Bloom present on The End of Arguing and the Beginning of Great Sex at the Human Potential Conference. Linda and Charlie are celebrated marriage and relationship experts, workshop leaders, trainers, authors, co-therapists, and curators of knowledge on successful relationships. They discuss adjusting to sex life in an aging body, while learning to keep love alive and passionate. WCMI networking group A networking group for mindfulne...

In this compelling episode of ShrinksRap.com, my beloved co-host and trauma expert, Rafael Cortina, sits down with psychotherapist and author Barbara Holifield to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Being With The Body In Depth Psychology. Together, they delve into the profound integration of bodily experience within depth psychology. Drawing on philosophical insights, neuroscience, infant research, developmental theory, and trauma studies, Barbara offers a comprehensive perspective on embod...

Join us for a 50-minute deep dive into everything you wanted to know about love, sex, and relationships in the second half of life. Featuring an expert panel: • Dr. John “The Caveman” Schinnerer - coach, educator, couples’ trainer, workshop leader, men’s group facilitator, and host of the “Evolved Caveman” podcast • Robby Kendall - psychologist, founder/president of Fishnets and Film, Inc, filmmaker, producer, educator, and drag queen • Linda Bloom - a celebrated marriage and relationship exp...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Changaris, an expert on neurobiology, the mind-body connection, and trauma. Dr. Changaris is a Psychologist, Zen practitioner, a professor in psychology at the Wright Institute, a writer, clinical trainer, and thought leader. Together we delve into his concept of synchromy - the synchronization between the mind, body, and nervous system - and how it plays a role in self-regulation, co-regulation, and healing. Dr. Changaris also opines about...

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 Peters Dr. 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 nee...