PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with my friend and colleague Dr. Jenn Weaver, a developmental psychologist and associate professor at Boise State University, about the profound impact fathers have on their daughters and, in turn, on the mothers they become. Our conversation was inspired by Jennifer's moving Substack piece, An Ode to Fathers on Mother's Day, which resonated deeply with me as both a father of 2 daughters and a son. We explored how positive father involvement shapes a child's sense of independence, confidence, and emotional well-being. Dr. Weaver shared personal stories about her own father—how his presence, encouragement, and unique parenting style influenced her approach to motherhood and her understanding of intergenerational connections. We also discussed the research, which often focuses on the negative effects of father absence, and highlighted the need for more attention on the positive roles fathers play. Reflecting on my own experiences as a dad, I found myself relating to the idea that fatherhood not only benefits children and families but also transforms fathers themselves. I hope this episode encourages listeners to consider the many ways fathers shape our lives and inspires deeper appreciation for their lasting influence. Please visit Dr. Weaver's Substack, Identity Maternal, and take a look at this article when you can!

In this episode of Inside Men's Mental Health, I had the pleasure of speaking with my colleague and fellow men's health podcaster Dr. Paul Sharp, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales and researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of sociocultural factors, gender, and men's health. We dove into Dr. Sharp's journey from sports and human kinetics into the world of men's mental health, exploring how his experiences in gender-specific health programs revealed the importance of safe spaces for men to open up about their mental well-being. We discussed the concept of social capital and how environments like sports can provide men with the comfort to be vulnerable. Dr. Sharp shared insights from his research and podcast, In Good Company, highlighting the challenges men face in building and maintaining social connections, especially as life circumstances change. We reflected on the importance of peer support, the difficulty men often have in asking for help, and the value of small, everyday interactions in fostering connection. Please check out Dr. Sharp's podcast In Good Company for some great conversations and resources on men's mental health and wellness.  Dr. Sharp also touched on the evolving landscape of health promotion, the need for thoughtful messaging, and the role of community in prevention. This conversation is a reminder that building strong relationships and being open to support are vital steps toward better mental health for men.

In this episode of Inside Men's Mental Health, I welcomed back Dr. Krista Fisher, Young Men's Health Research Fellow at the Movember Institute of Men's Health and a leading voice in the study of young men's experiences online. Together, we dove into the findings of the groundbreaking Young Men's Health in a Digital World report, which surveyed over 3,000 young men across the UK, US, and Australia to explore how social media and online masculinity influencers are shaping mental health, identity, and relationships. Dr. Fisher unpacks the evolution of the "manosphere"—from fringe online communities to mainstream platforms like TikTok and YouTube—and discusses the spectrum of content young men encounter, from self-improvement and lifestyle advice to more harmful narratives around misogyny and hopelessness. Our conversation highlights both the potential benefits and risks of engaging with this content, emphasizing the importance of agency, critical awareness, and offline support systems. This episode also addresses the role of algorithms, the need for better policy and regulation, and the value of co-developing solutions with young men themselves. Please check out the full Movember report and look to the Movember Institute of Men's Health for more research and resources aimed at supporting young men's health in the digital age.

Garth and special guest host Chris Cardone interview Elliot Aronson from the University of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA. The trio explores Aronson's significant contributions, including the Festinger and Carlsmith experiment and the cognitive dissonance theory. Aronson elaborates on his work like the jigsaw classroom approach to reduce prejudice and applied social psychology experiments targeting health behaviors. Reflecting on changes within academia, Aronson voices concerns over the decline in quality, contrasting it with the 'golden age' of social psychology. He suggests that research opportunities were more favorable in his era and encourages the audience to read his works for deeper insights.

In this episode Garth and special guest host Jane Halonen interview Robert Sternberg from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The conversation dives into Sternberg's influential career, his pioneering theories on intelligence and love, and personal anecdotes that shaped his work. Sternberg explains the evolution of his theories, including the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, Triangular Theory of Love, and the Augmented Relic Theory of Love, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and personal growth. The discussion highlights the interplay between personal experiences and academic research, offering valuable lessons for both psychology professionals and students.
[Note. Portions of the show notes were generated using Descript AI.]