Psychology Takeaway Podcast

2026 Anxiety Part One

Jim and Ralph take the emotional pulse of the campus outward and find a high level of negative affect. People express personal and global concerns freely. We talk about Jim’s new book, OVERCOMING ANXIETY, and make a free offer if you contact carro1jl@cmich.edu

Annual New Year’s Resolution Show

Yes, by now you have made and broken your resolutions. It happens every year! If you want a reset Ralph and Jim suggest the SMART approach. The guys look at the psychology of some numbers – not 67 but 39,000 and 650,600. Learn More Make good decisions get some rest :    • How to make smart decisions more easily   Check out the book: Make Good Decisions Everyday at Amazon: https://a.co/d/5r8IX4l

Beating the Christmas Blues

After the decorations come down and the gatherings end, many people experience a surprising emotional drop. In this episode, Jim and Ralph explain why post-Christmas sadness is so common—and how to respond to it with psychological wisdom rather than self-criticism.

Psychology of Christmas

Why does Christmas feel so emotionally powerful—for better and worse? In this episode, Jim and Ralph explore the psychology behind Christmas: why it amplifies joy, stress, nostalgia, generosity, and longing all at once. From family dynamics to ritual and meaning-making, they unpack what’s really happening beneath the tinsel.

Human-ish The Anthropomorphize Episode

Why do we name ours and that our pets think lofty thoughts? In this episode, Jim and Ralph look at this strange behavior. Don't forget to give that certain one on your gift list a copy of Overcoming Perfectionism, by Jim- https://a.co/d/bJCp6vh

(you know who that person is, right.)

Final Exams!

Ralph and Jim talk about preparing for final exams.

The Thanksgiving Show: : Gratitude Without the Sugarcoat

Jim and Ralph break down the real psychology of gratitude and how to practice it without slipping into toxic positivity. As Thanksgiving approaches, the hosts explore why genuine thankfulness boosts mental health — and why pretending to “just be positive” can actually make things worse.

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What You’ll Learn

• The psychological and neurological benefits of gratitude
• Why gratitude isn’t about ignoring negative feelings
• How toxic positivity invalidates real emotion
• Simple ways to practice grounded, honest gratitude over the holidays

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Key Insights

• Gratitude makes room for hard feelings; toxic positivity shuts them down.
• Thankfulness activates the brain’s reward system and reduces stress.
• “This is hard and I’m grateful for…” is healthier than “Just be grateful.”
• Small, specific moments of appreciation are more powerful than forced cheer.

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Practical Tips

• Try a “Real + Grateful” statement before Thanksgiving dinner.
• Validate emotions — yours and others’ — before offering encouragement.
• Notice one small thing today that brings comfort or meaning.

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Quote of the Episode

“Gratitude isn’t pretending things are good — it’s noticing what’s good within reality.”

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Natural world Healing part 2

Jim and Ralph continue their conversation with wildlife media producer Ryan Pearce. They contrast wildlife viewing in Michigan with that of Ryan’s native Australia.

 

LEARN MORE
Here are the links to a playlist of all the Crocodile Hunter episodes and the Outdoor Boys channel on YouTube :

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMilupvERrnBCeJ_tXMIWuZSAGSxpHk_A&si=Q6RzLCF7BJd3uy2W

 

https://youtube.com/@outdoorboys?si=20TIc2euguPyw6Ti

 

Friday Healing Power of the Natural Part One

Ralph is a strong advocate of using the natural world for tension reduction and stress release, but what is difficult or impossible? Jim and Ralph talk with guest Ryan Pearce a wild life photographer about what some neuroscientists see as the next best thing using video. It can’t replace the entire experience but research says there are some positive benefits. LEARN MORE Healing power of natural world: https://youtu.be/FEb0J2--nF0?si=xVQC7sRtLHdNu1ct Cancer survivor’s story about nature: https://youtu.be/xL6V142FmQo?si=MNJKz6Uk5i93sudY You can contact Ryan at: Ryan ryman.pearce@gmail.com​ To see our updated author page and acess our books go to: Amazon.com/author/jimcarroll Have a look at Sheila Carroll's Nature Study Notes—short, fascinating studies of the wild world right outside your door. Here is her latest, just in time for Thanksgiving: The Wonderful Wild Turkey

Do sociopaths and psychopaths really exist?

Understanding Personality Disorders — Clearing Up the Myths Around “Sociopaths,” “Psychopaths,” and “Narcissists”

In this week’s episode, Jim and Ralph take on one of the most misunderstood corners of modern psychology: personality disorders. Popular culture and the internet are full of talk about “sociopaths,” “psychopaths,” and “narcissists,” but how much of that is actually grounded in clinical reality? The hosts unpack where these terms come from, what they really mean, and why only narcissistic personality disorder remains a recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5.

Through a thoughtful and down-to-earth discussion, Jim and Ralph explore what defines a personality disorder—persistent patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that cause significant distress or impairment—and how these differ from temporary traits or pop-psychology labels. Along the way, they correct some of the biggest misconceptions fueled by movies, media, and social media, and they help listeners understand the importance of compassion and nuance when talking about mental health. Whether you’re a student of psychology or just curious about the truth behind the buzzwords, this episode offers a grounded and insightful takeaway.