Psychologists John Gartner, Harry Segal, and their expert guests, conduct weekly sessions analyzing the psyche of Donald Trump, documenting his cognitive declin...
Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal review the norm-crashing first week of the Trump administration, before returning to the issue of authoritarianism with Dr. John Bone, professor and author of “The Great Decline,” a study of the historical and psychological forces contributing to the rapid new rise of the right.
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In this all-new episode, our hosts explore Trump’s rapid succession of executive actions, which they describe as a tactic designed to overwhelm the sensory processing capabilities of an entire nation. By inundating the public and political institutions with a relentless stream of outrageous initiatives, Trump's administration seeks to destabilize any opponents, leaving them grasping for time and unable to respond effectively.
We’ll draw parallels to past regimes and examine how Trump’s deliberate psychological warfare creates an atmosphere of chaos and fear.
Professor John Bone of the University of Aberdeen joins the show to explain how chronic stress can impair our cognitive functions and make us more susceptible to emotions like fear and anger. This psychological state, Bone argues, is intentionally cultivated by Trump’s malignant narcissism—his drive for power unrestrained by norms or legal constraints.
We’ll also take a look at what role economic insecurities and cultural nostalgia plays in determining whether someone is more or less susceptible to Trump-style populism.
Amidst the chaos, our hosts remind us that resilience lies in understanding these psychological dynamics and finding ways to counteract them. They emphasize the critical role of media and political figures to resist the reigning disinformation and fear. And they’ll better equip us all to handle the road ahead.
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1:44:14
Trump’s First Day will Live in Infamy: American Carnage Begins Now
Hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal review Trump’s dangerous first day in office with the help of guest Hafiz Rashid, an intrepid journalist from the New Republic, who shares his reporting on the 220 executive orders that went into effect on January 20th.
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In a world where Donald Trump’s return to power threatens to upend our democracy, our hosts tackle the psychological and political implications of his presidency. Drawing on their deep expertise, they bring clarity to the chaos.
Hafiz Rashid, a journalist from the New Republic, joins the show to provide extremely valuable insights into the media's role, and the potential dangers ahead for journalists willing to hold the administration accountable.
We’ll dive right into the troubling start of Donald Trump's new term, which our hosts describe as akin to the rise of a Russian-style oligarchy. Through the unique lens of these top clinical psychologists, we’ll reflect on Trump's inauguration, where tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg set the backdrop.
We’ll also point out how his inauguration speech, rife with aggressive language, reflects his worsening malignant narcissism. Described as a harbinger of a new “oligarchic” age in America, they analyze Trump’s obvious allegiance to the billionaire class in his speech.
Our hosts don’t hold back when it comes to Elon Musk’s bizarre behavior this week, including his alleged Nazi salute. Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel dissect the psychological dimensions of these kinds of displays of power, and unchecked grandiosity.
We’ll also talk about the incredulous blanket pardons given to the violent Jan 6 insurrectionists, and discuss how Trump’s meme coin is nothing more than a means to “cash in” on his presidency.
As Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel stress, now is the time for resistance-and psychological resilience is more important than ever. So be sure to join us next week as we continue to remain vigilant and proactive in these uncertain times.
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1:37:15
Trump Transition: No Calm Before the Storm
As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel discuss this unsettling transition period, the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and the alarming tactics that have compromised the Senate's confirmation process.
Alongside our hosts today is Dr. Matt Ditty, a clinical social worker and expert in dialectical behavioral therapy, who brings his eloquence and wisdom to provide tips for managing the psychological challenges of what lies ahead.
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For the last 8 years, our hosts have always been some of the most vocal leaders calling out Trump’s severe personality disorders and cognitive decline. We’ll analyze how this impacts his decision making and discuss the worrying implications of Pete Hegseth's nomination process-where intimidation has pressured senators to overlook crucial background checks, and silence potential witnesses.
Dr. Ditty provides us with unique guidance for managing the stress and anxiety that accompany these challenging political times. An expert in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Diddy prescribes powerful tools to help us maintain our balance amidst such uncertainty.
Like some of our previous guests, he also stresses the need for radical acceptance to empower individuals—which means acknowledging reality, without passively resigning to it.
And we’ll examine the ugly phenomenon of Trump’s world of fiction, where corporate media has let his disinformation and lies ultimately shape the narrative.
Like every one of our episodes, this is a call to action. We are urging listeners to remain vigilant and courageous amidst the coming storm. As society grapples with the normalization of ethically questionable behaviors, maintaining a firm grasp on truth, and our anxiety, becomes more important than ever. That's why the hosts, along with Dr. Ditty, are so strongly advocating for a healthy, grounded, mental well-being.
Be sure to join Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel next time as they speak out about Trump, provide their expert analysis of current events, and empower our audience to stand tall in these tumultuous times.
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1:51:33
Understanding Insanity: Trump, Musk, and the New Imperialism
Hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal are joined by psychoanalyst, teacher, and author Dr. Pilar Jennings to dissect Trump’s unhinged statements about invading our allies. As Donald prepares to retake power, our hosts are more committed than ever to call out his cognitive decline and extreme narcissism, while providing audiences with tools to cope with it all.
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Our hosts, who have been sounding the alarm on Donald’s broken brain for years, dive right into the growing unease and psychological implications surrounding Trump's return to power. We’ll talk about how Donald’s grandiose expansionist fantasies, which reflect a delusional mind prone to destruction, may impact international relations.
The Dr.’s also highlight broader issues of corporate complicity that we face, as the Press continues to normalize Trump’s behavior, and social media outlets like Facebook are bending to his influence. This has shown to be particularly problematic as corporate media fails to challenge Trump’s irrational and dangerous military threats against Greenland, and the Panama Canal.
Therapist and long-term Buddhist practitioner Dr. Pilar Jennings joins the show to offer insight on maintaining your inner peace amid so much external chaos. She shows how contemplative practices, and a robust mindset can be your anchors during such times.
Dr. Jennings also provides our listeners with practical tools we can use every day to strengthen self-awareness and harness our emotions using Buddhist techniques—like meditation and using gratitude as a means to recenter our focus.
Dr. Siegel shares his insights into the mounting hysteria surrounding Elon Musk’s rise to power, whom he describes as a modern-day enabler of authoritarian regimes. And our hosts urge the audience to remain vigilant, critical, and vocal of such actors.
John and Harry equip you with the knowledge and psychological tools needed to navigate this difficult political landscape, and give you the critical thinking and coping strategies required for psychological resilience on the road ahead.
Be sure to join us next time, as we continue to provide incisive psychological analysis of current politics, seeking to empower their audience amid the coming storm.
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1:34:05
This Terrible Moment Before Trump Takes Power
Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal explore the anxiety surrounding what’s to come when Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Journalist and biographer Laurie Winer returns with her line on what this moment means politically and historically.
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As the New Year unfolds, our hosts consider what Trump's return to power means for democracy, and dive into Donald’s dangerous fantasies–from territorial expansion to increasingly bold threats.
Reflecting on the launch of our show last year, John and Harry renew their commitment to calling out Donald Trump's cognitive decline and severe personality disorders. We’ll also continue to assess MAGA’s sweeping effects on democracy, the press, and the emotional health of America’s public.
The Dr.’s discuss how Trump might be outsourcing decision-making to people like Elon Musk, who many consider a modern-day Rasputin. And they push back against the press for normalizing and downplaying the pair's dangerous behavior.
Harry offers a cautious optimism for the year ahead, pointing out the sheer logistical and financial roadblocks that stand in the way of Trump's most extreme ideas, like mass deportations. While John and our guest Laurie Weiner warn us against the terrible dangers of complacency.
Laurie shares eerie parallels with Germany's historic descent into fascism and urges vigilance against incremental normalization of Donald’s extreme authoritarian behaviors.
Our hosts also call upon our listeners to remain steadfast, by nurturing mental well-being and personal connections amid the chaos. We encourage folks to stay engaged and stay informed, because our collective awareness and actions are crucial for navigating the storm ahead.
Be sure to join us next time as we continue to dissect the psychological and political challenges of this new era, like no one else can.
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Psychologists John Gartner, Harry Segal, and their expert guests, conduct weekly sessions analyzing the psyche of Donald Trump, documenting his cognitive decline and plumbing the depths of his malignant narcissism.
Dr. Gartner is a former part-time assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University Medical School and the founder of Duty To Warn, an association of mental health professionals warning about Trump and Trump-ism.
Dr. Segal is a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University.
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