The Mental Funny Bone

Episode 72: Squishy Nut Brain

Fan Mail Goes Here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343396/fan_mail/new] This week we wrap up our discussion of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics and start exploring a new book: The Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett. Turns out, your brain is amazing… but also kind of a jerk. We talk about why your brain lies to you, how memories are actually formed, and the surprising reason motion sickness makes you want to throw up. We also dive into ADHD quirks, audiobook listening strategies, and the strange way emotions can lock memories into your brain forever. Basically: your brain is fascinating, complicated, and occasionally an idiot. How to find mental health help when you're struggling.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists]https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services [https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services] https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides [https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides]Apps -  Just search mental health where you get your apps. EAP programs are a great place to look for help!! Additional Resources (Sports Related): https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2020/12/04/mental-health-resources-2/

Episode 71: Meditation with a Side of Rage

Fan Mail Goes Here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343396/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we dig into Chapter 4 and the idea that meditation isn’t soft—it’s a hard skill. The kind that helps you take the pause, challenge the brain voice, and pivot instead of spiral. We talk about why mindfulness works (even in high-stress environments like the military), how meditation gives you an edge without turning you into a hippie guru, and what it actually looks like in real life — including asking for help at work, redirecting tense conversations, and apologizing after rage-throwing a vacuum attachment. We also unpack comparison traps, the myth of “doing it right,” and why success rarely follows a clean, predictable path. And somewhere in there, Snoop Dogg becomes our spiritual guide. Be kind to your brain. Challenge the liar voice. Gentle pivot when you can. And if all else fails… channel Snoop. Namaste. How to find mental health help when you're struggling.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists]https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services [https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services] https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides [https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides]Apps -  Just search mental health where you get your apps. EAP programs are a great place to look for help!! Additional Resources (Sports Related): https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2020/12/04/mental-health-resources-2/

Episode 70: Busy Is a Badge

Fan Mail Goes Here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343396/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Chris and Sarah recap Chapter 3 of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics and tackle one of the biggest excuses we all use: “I don’t have time.” They explore why busyness feels productive, why “rest” can trigger guilt (especially for Gen Xers), and how even one minute of meditation can start rewiring your brain. If you’ve ever said you don’t have time to meditate but somehow found time to scroll, play a game, or relive a 2005 conversation in your head… this one’s for you. Spoiler: It’s not about time. It’s about comfort. How to find mental health help when you're struggling.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists]https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services [https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services] https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides [https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides]Apps -  Just search mental health where you get your apps. EAP programs are a great place to look for help!! Additional Resources (Sports Related): https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2020/12/04/mental-health-resources-2/

Episode 69: The Unclenching of the Asshole Is Difficult

Fan Mail Goes Here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343396/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Chris and Sarah discuss meditation, duality, and why trying harder isn’t always the answer. They explore what it really means to “do it wrong,” how effortlessness often matters more than effort, and why awareness, not perfection, is the goal. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with meditation (or life in general), this conversation will feel familiar. How to find mental health help when you're struggling.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists]https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services [https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services] https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides [https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides]Apps -  Just search mental health where you get your apps. EAP programs are a great place to look for help!! Additional Resources (Sports Related): https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2020/12/04/mental-health-resources-2/

Episode 68: Business Cats & Equanimity

Fan Mail Goes Here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343396/fan_mail/new] This week, we try something new: a five-minute guided body scan. It goes exactly as you’d expect. We talk about: * why you’re not bad at meditation * equanimity (or however you pronounce it) * body scans vs. breath focus * short meditations > heroic meditations And somehow… Doug and the Business Cats enter the chat. No enlightenment achieved. But we did laugh. How to find mental health help when you're struggling.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists]https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services [https://washingtoncountyhumanservices.com/agencies/behavioral-health-developmental-services] https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides [https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Human-Services-DHS/Publications/Resource-Guides]Apps -  Just search mental health where you get your apps. EAP programs are a great place to look for help!! Additional Resources (Sports Related): https://globalsportmatters.com/health/2020/12/04/mental-health-resources-2/