Psychology Takeaway Podcast

Lonely - Part Two

 

This is a follow-up to our recent podcast on loneliness. Today we looked at it in music.

Loneliness has been a powerful and recurring theme in popular music from the 1960s to today, reflecting both personal emotions and broader societal struggles. In the '60s, songs like The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" explored isolation and yearning, resonating with listeners in an era of rapid social change. As music evolved in the '70s and '80s, artists such as David Bowie in "Space Oddity" and Madonna in "Like a Prayer" used loneliness to convey feelings of alienation and self-discovery. In the '90s and 2000s, grunge bands like Nirvana and pop icons like Britney Spears tackled loneliness as a form of emotional pain, often linked to fame, identity, or romantic heartache. Today, the theme remains relevant as it taps into the universal human experience of longing, loss, and connection, transcending generations and genres.

From a psychological perspective, listening to music that explores themes of loneliness can be helpful for people in several ways. For many, it can provide a sense of comfort and understanding, as it validates their feelings and reminds them that they are not alone in their struggles. Hearing an artist express emotions of isolation, heartbreak, or longing can create a feeling of connection, offering listeners a safe space to reflect on their own emotions. Music can also be therapeutic, helping people process their feelings and even facilitate healing. It allows individuals to explore complex emotions without judgment, while offering an outlet for catharsis or release. Additionally, these songs can spark introspection, helping listeners gain new perspectives on their own experiences of loneliness and guiding them toward greater self-awareness or acceptance.

LEARN MORE

Phell Williams HAPPY: https://youtu.be/ZbZSe6N_BXs?feature=shared

SPECIAL NOTE: Jim and Jerry Fuller have a new book on Making Good Decisions. It is available at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJRD176

Dangers of AI

The Super Bowl advertising certainly made it plain that AI was now part of the national fabric; for better or worse Since Jim is out, because of this circulating virus hitting Mid-Michigan hard, we thought we would revisit a podcast from last July.

Learn More

Bill Gates, a fan of AI, expresses some reservation. Read his thoughts: https://time.com/6293735/bill-gates-ai-risk/

 We mentioned the movie “Metropolis” in the podcast Here is a synopsis from the web  and a link to the film: “As social allegory, Metropolis depicts a world in which the privileged sons of society live in ease and luxury on the surface while deep in the bowels of the city a chattel underclass labors out of sight on the machinery that supports Metropolis.: -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFzHH9EL9x0

 

Here is the quote from Elon Musk that we alluded to in the Podcast:

“AI is more dangerous than, say, mismanaged aircraft design or production maintenance or bad car production, in the sense that it is, it has the potential — however small one may regard that probability, but it is non-trivial — it has the potential of civilization destruction,” Musk said in his interview with Tucker Carlson.

Loneliness Part One

Jim and Ralph discuss some new data from Harvard University indicating that 21 % of adults in America report feelings of loneliness. According to a global survey, about 33 percent of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide. Brazil had the highest percentage of people experiencing this, with 50 percent of respondents declaring that they felt lonely

A survey of approximately 1,100 U.S. college and university students found that nearly two-thirds (64.7%) of college students report they feel lonely, and the majority (51.7%) of college students are concerned about their friends’ mental health, and three in 10 (28.8%) college students report severe psychological distress.

The Surgeon General of the US has declared loneliness as a public health epidemic.

What can be done?

1. Promote a culture of caring and service

2. Build a social infrastructure that emphasizes caring and sharing values

3.  Underscore the importance of simply reaching out to others

 

LEARN MORE

Adolescent Loneliness Ted Talk:

https://youtu.be/o4m4DPC1jZY?feature=shared

Preventing loneliness: https://youtu.be/IzmjrUM-tnw?feature=shared

Happiness

After talking about failed New Year's Resolutions and holiday stress, Ralph and Jim get a bit more upbeat

The Guide from Andrea

Here is the link to the Guide Andrea is willing to share: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17gmvFury-TmB4dO39OMEVuAO4zwjo_fr/view?usp=sharing

Enjoy!

Polar Night - The Heart of Winter

 

 

Join Jim and Ralph as they travel north of the Arctic Circle to see how local inhabitants deal with nearly 24 hour darkness for days on end.

Long, dark winters are associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression. Common effects include being moody, sluggish and unmotivated. The key is our circadian rhythm; it’s like your brain is making up its own time zone based of a 25, not 24 hour cycle.

SAD is serious, but there are some things that people use to cope. One is artificial light (light boxes are available on Amazon). Another hack is to take Vitamin D3 supplements. Enjoy the Northern Lights. Do things that up your Serotonin level.

LEARN MORE

Here is what the Cleveland Clinic reports on Serotonin: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin

Here is a short Ted Talk about life above the Arctic Circle in the winter

The 24 hour cycle

https://youtu.be/-Z-vyLHi2us?feature=shared  (if this does not click open just paste it into your browser)

SPECIAL NOTE: Jim and Jerry Fuller have a new book on Making Good Decisions. It is available at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJRD176

 

 

 

The Kalokagathia in the New Year

Jim and Ralph are joined again by Andrea Kirk Assaf who has returned to Mid Michigan from Rome on Christmas break. She has revived an old, somewhat lost concept- Kalokagathia, a term relating to holistic health, holiness, and happiness.

She explains its relationship to Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit and how we can nurture each in the New Year.

LEARN MORE

Here is a link to the last podcasts we did with Andrea: https://psychologytakeaway.podbean.com/e/a-special-curriculum-andrea-part-one/

https://psychologytakeaway.podbean.com/e/further-exploration-of-educational-concepts-part-two/

Our New-Years gift to you: over 70 useful hacks for health, wellness and general good living:

https://top101lifehacks.com/genius-life-hacks-youre-missing-out-on-v73.php?aff=2003&sub=T101LH_GDN_TWC_NOAUD&pub=727396378265&aux=101LifeHacks_Listicle&xcode=&ver=18500205%20SEO%20No%20Lazy&aff_unique1=%7Baff_unique1%7D&aff_unique2=EAIaIQobChMIrKbn6M7oigMVt4imBB0nvTTkEAEYASAAEgL7DvD_BwE&aff_unique3=21832192741&aff_unique5=727396378265&logos=&advfont=&adv_policies=

 

 

 

 

Resolutions 2025

Jim and Ralph discuss why keeping New Year's resolutions is so hard.

They recommend the SMART approach.

HAPPY '25.

Psychedelics Back in the News - Part Two

More information for you!!!

Psychedelics Back in the News - Part One

A while ago Jim and Ralph did podcasts on the use of Psychedelics to treat previously unresponsive cases of anxiety and PTSD. Psychedelic therapy works when nothing else works.

But not everyone is supportive.

A news story detailing the conflict appeared today. We have posted a link to the story in the Learn More section.

We are reposting some of our previous podcasts on psychedelics so that you have some access to the facts as they are known as of now.

LEARN MORE

Link to the news story mentioned above: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/colorado-psychedelic-therapy-mushrooms-veterans_n_67755d99e4b0d48751534192