Psychology Takeaway Podcast

Toxic Talk: Has YouTube Turned Hostile?

In this first episode of our two-part series, retired psychology professors Jim Carroll and Ralph Baber dive into a troubling trend: the rise of toxic, emotionally charged content on platforms like YouTube. From personal attacks to polarizing rants, the digital space seems louder and more hostile than ever. But why?

We explore the psychology behind call-out culture, emotional contagion, and how algorithms reward outrage—drawing on research and decades of psychological theory to understand how we got here.

In This Episode:

• Why “call-out culture” is more about status than resolution
• How YouTube’s algorithm may be reinforcing negative content
• The role of emotional contagion in hostile comment threads
• Psychological consequences for viewers and content creators
• How normalization of toxicity shapes online behavior

Takeaway:
Toxicity online isn’t just about bad behavior—it’s a system of reinforcement, psychology, and design. And we’re all participating in it, whether we realize it or not.

👉 Stay tuned for next week’s follow-up episode: “De-Toxing Digital Spaces” — where we explore solutions and strategies for reclaiming healthier online discourse.

The Psychology of Art

Psychology is the study of actions, emotions, and thoughts—the very elements that art engages with and expresses. In this episode, Jim and Ralph dive into the fascinating intersection between psychology and art, exploring how creative expression influences the way we think, feel, and behave.

From Edvard Munch’s The Scream to the curious effects of pink prison cells, discover how art shapes our emotional worlds, impacts behavior, and even alters perception.

Whether you're an art lover, a psych enthusiast, or just curious about how the two connect, this episode will give you fresh insights into the powerful psychological impact of art.

LEARN MORE

Ted Talk : Air is Oxygen - https://youtu.be/PdSz7Oav-0k?si=kAV0Ty513RZLJkOo

How art shapes Gen Z - https://youtu.be/Ud4YDV7wPtg?si=3X_y4j5I8P9gmplW

The unexpected math behind Van Gogh's "Starry Night"- https://www.ted.com/talks/natalya_st_clair_the_unexpected_math_behind_van_gogh_s_starry_night?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

HALLOWEEN IS COMING

Watch for this spooky episode, if you dare!!!

Autism - Part Two

Ralph and Jim continue their discussion of recent developments in Autism with Ms. Bridget Eagleson. Topics include diagnosis, neurodiversity and treatment.

 

LEARN MORE

New genetic discoveries and autism: https://youtu.be/JUc5YchucpU?si=MfH_HL_n8SmlFz0A

Get the monograph Understanding Autism by contacting Jim at: carro1jl@cmich.edu

Read a sample and purchase Curious Kids at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMS2L4L3

The Autism Epidemic – Part One

Jim and Ralph are joined by autism expert, Bridget Eagleson, to discuss the rise in the rate of autism in America. If the rise is real, what is the cause? More pathogens? Better diagnosis? Some other factors?

Does Tylenol and vaccines cause autism? What was the historical background? Let’s take a look.

We can go back to Eugen Bleuler in 1911 and later used by Kanner in the ‘40’s in connection with “early childhood autism and then in the 1990’s Wakedfield’s study published in The Lancet which was later refuted.

LEARN MORE

Autism Diagnosis Among US Children and Adults, 2011-2022: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825472

This is a good article from the APA with many clickable links: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/e09/advocate-autism-wave-misinformation

Here is a very recent you tube video (about 7 minutes long): https://youtu.be/f0lWoYz8ETE?si=G-_SryVIWy76JK4y

The President announces his Autism initiative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJF0H6tlhqg&list=WL&index=5

 

Don’t forget that you can read a sample and buy a copy oy Raise Curious Kids at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMS2L4L3

Is Psychology Still a Popular Major—and Where Can It Take You?

In this episode of Psychology Takeaway, Jim and Ralph are joined by Dr. Reid Skeel, Program Director for Clinical Psychology at Central Michigan University, to explore a timely and important question: Is psychology still a worthwhile major? The short answer: yes—and maybe more than ever. Psychology remains one of the most popular undergraduate degrees in the U.S., with steady growth over the past two decades. But what does that popularity actually mean for students in terms of career paths, job prospects, and graduate study?

Together, our hosts and guest unpack the reasons behind psychology’s enduring appeal: its flexibility, its relevance to real-world issues, and its unique ability to bridge science, behavior, and human relationships. Dr. Skeel also offers valuable insight into the different directions psychology majors can take—from clinical and counseling roles to research, education, healthcare, business, and even user experience design. Whether you’re considering a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a doctorate, this episode breaks down what to expect and how to think strategically about your path.

If you're a student, parent, or educator wondering how to make the most of a psychology degree—or if you're just curious about what makes this field so compelling—this conversation is for you. Expect practical advice, honest reflections, and a dose of encouragement for anyone navigating the journey from curiosity to career.

LEARN MORE

Here’s a short but fun look at the possibilities of using your Psychology major: https://youtu.be/9GcRZFh0ZTE?si=CpKbkHpO6ikWZDJO

Here is a long but through article that appeared in Psi Chi: https://www.psichi.org/page/052EYEWin01eAubrecht

DON’T Forget , you can read a sample of Ralph and Jim’s latest book at: https://a.co/d/3PGd8Bm

AND  you can request a free copy of Protecting Your Family by contacting Jim at: carro1jl@cmich.edu

Psychology Takeaway: The Psychology of Evil

In this chilling but eye-opening episode, Ralph and Jim explore one of psychology’s most disturbing questions: What makes ordinary people do evil things?

From war crimes and systemic abuse to everyday cruelty and moral disengagement, they unpack the psychological processes and social conditions that allow evil to emerge—not just in history books, but in our own workplaces, communities, and personal lives.

Are monsters born—or made?

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 Key Topics Covered

• What is “evil” from a psychological standpoint?
  A look at how psychology defines and reframes "evil" behavior in scientific terms.
• The Banality of Evil – Hannah Arendt’s controversial insight into how bureaucratic obedience enables atrocity.
• Stanley Milgram’s Obedience Experiments
  Why ordinary people followed orders to deliver (seemingly) lethal shocks.
• The Stanford Prison Experiment – Philip Zimbardo
  How social roles and situational power corrupted participants in just days.
• The Lucifer Effect
  Zimbardo's deep dive into how systems and environments can turn good people evil.
• Dehumanization & Moral Disengagement – Albert Bandura
  How we silence our moral alarms through rationalization and groupthink.
• The Role of Systems: Bad Apples vs. Bad Barrels
  Understanding how toxic environments and authority structures shape behavior.
• Why Some People Resist
  A hopeful discussion about empathy, moral courage, and the psychology of standing up to evil.

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Notable Quotes

"Evil is not always loud and monstrous—it can be quiet, bureaucratic, and disturbingly ordinary."
— Ralph

"One of the most dangerous phrases in history might be: ‘I was just following orders.’"
— Jim

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• LEARNEMORE
• The Lucifer Effect – Philip Zimbardo
• Obedience to Authority – Stanley Milgram
• Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil – Hannah Arendt
• Moral Disengagement – Albert Bandura
• Ordinary Men – Christopher Browning
• Two reports came out today. One from the UN and the other from HHS (Make America Healthy Again).
  https://www.npr.org/2025/09/10/nx-s1-5535535/nutrition-professor-discusses-administrations-strategy-to-improve-childrens-health

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THINK ABOUT THIS

• Have you ever gone along with something you felt was wrong, just to conform?
• What systems in your environment reward silence or punish moral courage?
• How can we strengthen empathy and individual responsibility in the face of group pressure?

Why Do We Undermine Ourselves? Dissecting Self-Sabotage

Why do we sometimes derail our own progress just as things are going well? In this week’s episode, Ralph takes the lead in unpacking the psychology of self-sabotage, while Jim—licensed psychologist and professor emeritus—joins with insight, experience, and his signature dry wit. From procrastination and perfectionism to fear of success and deep-rooted impostor syndrome, the duo explores how self-sabotage shows up in everyday life—and why it’s more about protection than failure.

Drawing on clinical experience, lived stories, and some honest reflections, Ralph and Jim walk through the unconscious mechanisms that lead people to hold themselves back. They explore how childhood conditioning, low self-worth, and even past trauma can shape behaviors that seem illogical but are actually very human.

If you've ever said, “Why do I keep doing this to myself?”—this one’s for you. You’ll come away with tools for recognizing sabotage patterns, reframing your inner dialogue, and gently steering your life back on course. No shame, no fluff—just grounded psychology and thoughtful conversation.

LEARN MORE

Ted talk How to Limit Self-sabotage: https://www.ted.com/talks/azreail_essick_how_to_limit_self_sabotage?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

If Perfectionism is your problem, check out this book from the Overcoming series: Overcoming Perfectionism. Read a sample at: https://a.co/d/2gmVbuL

Fear of Intimacy: What’s Holding Us Back?

In this follow-up episode, we welcome back Fr. Matt Gembroski, the young and insightful Catholic priest serving students at St. Mary’s Parish on the campus of Central Michigan University. After a strong listener response to our conversation on spiritual health, Fr. Matt returns to unpack a topic that resonates deeply with both young adults and those navigating relationships of all kinds: fear of intimacy. Together, we explore how fear of emotional closeness often masks deeper struggles with vulnerability, shame, past wounds, or spiritual disconnection—and how intimacy is ultimately a path not just to others, but to God, healing, and one’s true self.

We also explore how attachment styles, trauma, and even spiritual beliefs shape our willingness (or resistance) to let others see the real us. Fr. Matt brings a compassionate pastoral lens to the conversation, helping listeners understand how healing often involves allowing ourselves to be seen—flaws and all. Whether you're someone who pulls away when things get deep, or who clings out of fear of being abandoned, this episode offers practical wisdom, honest reflection, and spiritual encouragement to begin reclaiming intimacy in a healthy and holy way.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

We are never so vulnerable as when we love.” — Sigmund Freud

“Spiritual awakening is not about escaping from life but about learning to meet it wholeheartedly.” — Pema Chödrön

“People who are afraid of intimacy often long for it the most.” — Unknown

“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.” — Eckhart Tolle

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi

You can read a sample of Ralph’s bookon raising curious kids: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMG1GVYL

Spiritual Health With Father Matt

We talk about mental health or emotional health all the time. But what about Spiritual Health?

Today Ralph, Jim and Father Matt Gembrowski tackle this important question.

When someone’s spiritual health is poor, it can affect many aspects of their life — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Although spiritual health is less visible than a physical injury or illness, its impact can be just as deep and disruptive.

One of the most common signs of poor spiritual health is a lack of meaning or purpose. A person may feel lost, aimless, or directionless. Questions like “What’s the point?” or “Why am I here?” can feel overwhelming and unanswerable. Even when life appears successful on the outside, there may be an inner sense of emptiness.

Increased anxiety, stress, or depression often follow. Without a spiritual anchor — such as personal beliefs, grounding values, or reflective practices — stress can feel chaotic and harder to manage. Existential worries or fear of death may intensify, and some individuals may experience hopelessness or emotional numbness.

So, what can be done about this? Watch or listen for solid concrete suggestions!

LEARN MORE 

YouTube :” What Is Spiritual Health”: https://youtu.be/IWqtXaWzvM?si=luaznGMAip6WeMKZ

An upbeat video on spirituality and mental health: https://youtu.be/jHQywnIHTjI?si=ZjoH3tiy6adla_6r

Our new book Raise Curious Kids is out on Amazon. Check out a sample: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMS2L4L3