The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

E153 - Does AI Make us Dumber? (w/ Sophie McBain)

Sophie McBain is an award-winning freelance writer based in Boston. She writes longform narrative nonfiction, profiles, book reviews and essays for the Guardian, the Observer, the Times, New Statesman magazine and others. Today she discusses her recent Guardian article: Are We Living in a Golden Age of Stupidity? - about the potential cognitive affects of AI overuse.  Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/18/are-we-living-in-a-golden-age-of-stupidity-technology Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597 Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi.  Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E152 | How Brain Stimulation Cured Lifelong Depression (w/ Prof. Ziad Nahas)

Prof. Ziad Nahas is a psychiatrist  and researcher who treats adult patients with mood disorders and treatment resistant depression and specializes in performing deep brain stimulation and electro-convulsive therapy. Dr. Nahas is Professor and Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Today we discuss a case study of a 44 year old man with treatment resistant depression treated with PACE (Personalized Adaptive Cortical Electro-stimulation) a novel, personalised form of brain stimulation.  The Case Study and video of the study patient (alias Mike) can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ziad-nahas-67526015a_neuroscience-mentalhealthinnovation-functionalmri-activity-7360347911529910272-C08F?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAFjWpikBGe7Oel-gcC_2ZupvuXI-t9RkwCM Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. Check out Alex on the Examined Life Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-alex-curmi-how-should-we-prepare-for-a/id1680728280?i=1000738070553 If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597 Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi.  Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E151 | Thinking Films: The Truman Show (1998)

Today Alex discusses the 1998 high-concept drama The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Peter Weir, about a man unknowingly trapped in a reality tv show. Including themes such as control, trauma, truth over comfort, paranoia and the price of freedom.  Presented by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-170117699 Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E150 | Addiction, ADHD and the Price of Success (w/ Paul Flynn)

Paul Flynn is the founder and CEO of Harbor London, with over 25 years of experience in building and leading organisations. His core focus is on the clinical management and development of high-performing mental health services, overseeing a multidisciplinary team that includes over 100 Consultants delivering care across a broad range of psychiatric and psychological specialties. Disclaimer: The Thinking Mind does not have any financial affiliation with Harbor London.  Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597 Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi.  Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E149 | Cognitive Analytic Therapy (w/ Hilary Beard)

Hilary Beard is a psychotherapist at the South London and Maudsley NHS trust. She is a practicing CAT therapist and trainer. She was a founding member of the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT) and was the chair for ACAT from 1994 - 1997.  Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597 Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi.  Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast