Mental Health & Business with Dr. Nicholas Samstag

The Case for Slow Therapy: Depth in a Fast-Moving World

Dr. Don Greif joins Mental Health in Business to discuss his paper “Slow Therapy: Psychoanalysis as Counterculture.” Together with Dr. Nicholas Samstag, he unpacks why meaningful psychological change resists urgency. From depression to forensic and sports psychology, this conversation highlights the power of sustained curiosity, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and why understanding the inner experience cannot be rushed.

Lindsey Wander on Grief, Healing, and Reclaiming Her Voice

In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Nicholas Samstag sits down with Lindsey Wander to explore what it really means to lose your voice—and how to find it again. Lindsey opens up about her personal experience with grief, burnout, and identity loss, sharing how she began to untangle herself from the expectations she had unknowingly built a life around. Together they discuss: * Grief as a gateway to personal transformation * How we perform healing when we’re not ready to feel * The role of the nervous system in creativity, safety, and clarity * Somatic tools, movement, and writing as a return to self * What it takes to speak from a place of honesty—not performance A must-listen for anyone navigating emotional transitions or craving a deeper relationship with themselves.

Peter Van Woerkum on Breathwork, Burnout, and Why CEOs Are Learning to Breathe

What if the most powerful tool for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and stress relief was something you’ve been doing your whole life—but never really learned how to do well? In this episode, Dr. Nicholas Samstag speaks with Peter Van Woerkum, CEO and founder of Regulate, a breathwork company helping high performers reconnect with their bodies and mental fitness. Peter shares his journey from a corporate strategist in the banking world to becoming a breathwork instructor and entrepreneur. Along the way, he reveals how breathwork is gaining traction among CEOs, founders, special forces, and even entire leadership teams seeking a reset. 🧠 Key topics include: * Peter’s first life-changing experience with breathwork * The science and psychology behind techniques like Tummo and box breathing * How breathwork is helping executives and teams avoid burnout * Why suppressed emotion often resurfaces when we start breathing consciously * The surprising role of breath in leadership, resilience, and self-awareness Whether you’re skeptical or curious, this conversation offers a fascinating look into a practice that’s transforming how people approach mental health—from the inside out.

Branding, Realness, and Raising Entrepreneurs with Laura Bell

Laura Bell joins Dr. Samstag to talk personal branding, authenticity in marketing, and why every young person should try entrepreneurship—even before high school.

Creating Under Pressure: Joshua Caldwell on Hollywood, Psychology, and the Art of Directing

In this episode of Mental Health and Business, Dr. Nicholas Samstag sits down with director, writer, and producer Joshua Caldwell to explore the emotional and psychological weight behind creativity in high-stakes environments. From self-taught beginnings and high school parodies to working with stars like Bella Thorne and Brian Cox, Joshua shares how his approach to storytelling is deeply rooted in character psychology, presence over performance, and collaboration over control. They dive into: The mental health toll of working in a volatile Hollywood Why directing is as much about psychology as it is about craft How creating a safe emotional space for actors leads to better art And how fly fishing became a powerful metaphor — and practice — for staying grounded Whether you’re in the arts, business, or just navigating a high-pressure career, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how to create without losing yourself in the process.