Noggin Notes Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Bryan Neihart, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, for an important conversation about the relationship between free speech, mental health, and human dignity.

At the heart of every meaningful therapeutic relationship is the freedom to speak openly. But what happens when people begin to censor themselves out of fear of judgment, professional consequences, or social pressure?

Bryan shares why the freedom to express our thoughts, beliefs, and experiences is more than a constitutional principle—it's an essential part of psychological wellbeing and healthy human relationships.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why free speech is essential to effective therapy
• The psychological effects of self-censorship
• How fear and silence can impact mental health
• Creating environments where people feel safe to speak honestly
• Why respectful disagreement and open dialogue strengthen individuals and communities

Rather than focusing on winning arguments, this conversation explores how honest communication allows us to better understand ourselves and one another. Whether you're a therapist, educator, leader, or simply interested in mental wellbeing, this episode offers thoughtful insight into the connection between free expression and emotional health.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this compelling episode, we welcome Natalya Murakhver, documentary filmmaker, writer, and co-founder of Restore Childhood, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children's education, health, and parental rights.

Natalya shares the remarkable story behind her documentary 15 DAYS: The Real Story of America's Pandemic School Closures, a powerful investigation into one of the most significant educational disruptions in modern history.

When schools across America closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Natalya became one of the founders of #KeepNYCSchoolsOpen, advocating for children's wellbeing and eventually helping bring legal action to challenge prolonged school closures. That journey inspired a documentary that asks not only what happened, but what did it cost our children?

In this conversation, we explore:

• The long-term impact of pandemic school closures on children and families
• Why education is about far more than academics
• Children's mental health, development, and social wellbeing
• The importance of preserving childhood during times of crisis
• Why documenting history matters for future generations
• How parents and communities can advocate for children

Inspired by Steven Spielberg's Shoah project, Natalya believes that documenting institutional decisions is more than filmmaking—it's a responsibility to future generations.

Whether you're a parent, educator, mental health professional, or simply someone interested in the future of childhood and education, this episode offers an important opportunity to reflect on one of the defining events of our time.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Douglas Novotny, a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience and over 15 years of teaching and supervising therapists.

Together, we explore a deceptively simple question:

What do we mean when we say "culture"?

Over time, the meaning of culture has shifted dramatically. Once centered around shared values, traditions, and ways of living, culture is increasingly discussed through categories, identities, and labels. Dr. Novotny examines how these changes influence psychology, education, relationships, and the broader social fabric.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the definition of culture has evolved over time
• The difference between person-centered and label-centered thinking
• Why identity and belonging matter for human flourishing
• The impact of modern culture debates on psychology and education
• How communities can foster connection despite differences
• What "positive-sum thinking" means and why it matters today

Drawing from decades of clinical experience, interdisciplinary training, and his work through Your Positive Sum, Dr. Novotny offers a thoughtful perspective on how we can move beyond division and build healthier relationships, stronger communities, and a more constructive public conversation.

This episode is for anyone interested in psychology, culture, identity, education, leadership, and the future of human flourishing.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this powerful and deeply human episode, we sit down with Tim McDonald, a Stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, advocate, and author, to hear his extraordinary story of resilience, courage, and self-advocacy.

Tim opens up about the emotional, physical, and psychological realities of navigating a life-changing cancer diagnosis—and how learning to advocate for himself became one of the most important parts of his journey. Through his experience, he discovered that surviving serious illness often requires more than treatment alone: it requires finding your voice, asking hard questions, and refusing to disappear inside the system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Tim’s journey through Stage IV colorectal cancer
• The emotional impact of facing mortality and uncertainty
• Why self-advocacy in healthcare is critical for patients and families
• What he learned about resilience, support, and human connection
• His mission to help others navigate serious illness with courage and clarity

This conversation is not only for those affected by cancer, but for anyone navigating hardship, caregiving, or personal transformation. Tim’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, people can reclaim agency, meaning, and hope.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Freeman — licensed marriage and family therapist, Marine Corps veteran, and organizational development consultant known by many as “The People’s Therapist.”

Based in Montana, Jake brings a unique blend of military leadership, systems thinking, and clinical insight into the therapy room. After serving over a decade as a Marine Corps officer in Civil Affairs, legal, and HR roles, he transitioned into mental health with a mission: to create the kind of therapist he himself could never find.

Through his practice, CareerFlex, Jake works with high-performing couples, executives, and men who often feel disconnected from traditional therapy models. His approach is direct, relational, and grounded in accountability — focusing not just on insight, but on meaningful transformation.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why many men feel therapy is “too soft” or disconnected from their reality
• Jake’s personal journey from the Marine Corps into therapy
• The importance of pattern recognition and relational accountability
• Why understanding systems is essential for rebuilding relationships and personal stability
• What modern therapy often gets wrong about men, leadership, and change

This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, responsibility, and creating spaces where people can engage honestly without performance or pretense.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Malphrus, a Licensed Certified Social Worker (Clinical) with over a decade of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate meaningful personal growth—especially men who often feel underserved by traditional mental health care.

We begin with a critical and timely topic: why so many boys are labeled with behavioral issues in school—and what might be misunderstood beneath the surface. From there, the conversation expands into the broader mental health challenges facing men and boys, and why many struggle to find support that truly resonates.

Ryan shares his psychodynamic approach to therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s full life story and building a real, honest therapeutic relationship where nothing is off-limits.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why boys’ behavior is often misunderstood or misinterpreted in school systems
• The ongoing mental health crisis among men and boys
• What makes therapy effective—and what clients should actually expect in a session
• The importance of fit, trust, and openness between therapist and client
• How exploring your story can unlock meaningful and lasting change

Ryan’s work is rooted in the belief that true growth happens not just through insight—but through experiencing a different kind of relationship, one built on honesty, curiosity, and acceptance.

This episode is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of men’s mental health, therapy, and personal growth—whether you're a client, parent, or practitioner.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this important and nuanced episode, we welcome back Adam Coleman III to explore a complex and often overlooked issue within the U.S. supply chain: the realities surrounding undocumented labor in the trucking industry.

This conversation goes beyond headlines. It examines the human, economic, and ethical layers behind how goods move across the country—and the people who make it possible.

Together, we discuss:

• The role of undocumented labor in trucking and logistics
• The broader implications of cheap labor within supply chains
• Concerns around worker exploitation, trafficking, and unsafe conditions
• The impact on local communities and industry standards
• Why these conversations are often avoided—and why they matter

At its core, this episode is not about division—it’s about awareness, responsibility, and empathy. It asks us to consider the unseen human stories behind everyday systems and to approach these realities with both clarity and compassion.

This episode is for anyone interested in labor ethics, immigration, supply chains, and human dignity.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Leslie Elliott Boyce, an independent coach and consultant with a background in clinical mental health counseling, to explore how the counseling profession has evolved—and how graduate education has played a central role in shaping it.

Leslie, co-founder of Solid Ground and host of The Radical Center, brings a thoughtful and balanced perspective to the conversation, examining how training programs, academic frameworks, and institutional cultures influence the way therapists are taught to think, practice, and engage with clients.

In this episode, we explore:

• How graduate schools shape the counseling profession
• The role of ideological bias in education and psychology
• What emerging therapists are (and aren’t) being prepared for
• Why intellectual diversity and open dialogue matter in training clinicians
• How we can move toward a more balanced, grounded future in mental health care

This episode is for clinicians, students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the systems behind therapy—and how they impact both practitioners and the people they serve.

 

🎧 Explore more of Leslie’s work:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theradicalcenter
Website: https://theradicalcenterconsulting.com/

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this timely and necessary conversation, we speak with Soad Tabrizi, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience and the founder of Conservative Counselors—a growing directory connecting clients with reality-based therapists who reject ideological capture in mental health.

Together, we explore what the term “Conservative Counselors” actually means, why it has emerged, and why it matters in today’s therapeutic landscape. Soad explains how increasing ideological pressure within the counseling profession has left many clinicians and clients feeling unseen, unheard, or silenced—and why intellectual diversity and moral courage are essential for ethical, effective therapy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What defines a Conservative Counselor (and what it does not)

• How ideology has shaped modern therapy culture

• Why clients are actively seeking therapists grounded in realism, truth, and personal responsibility

• The risks of ideological conformity for both clinicians and mental health outcomes

• How restoring balance, integrity, and open inquiry can strengthen the profession

Soad writes on Substack and for Human Events, where she unapologetically argues that conservative clinicians not only belong in mental health—but play a vital role in its future. Her work centers on truth, courage, and protecting the therapeutic space as one of genuine inquiry rather than indoctrination.

This episode is for clinicians, clients, students, and anyone concerned with the future of mental health care and the importance of preserving therapeutic neutrality, honesty, and human dignity.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

In this returning conversation, we welcome back Ann de Passos, leadership consultant, coach, and facilitator who specializes in nervous system–informed leadership. Drawing on 15+ years across charity, corporate, and social enterprise sectors, Ann guides leaders and teams to operate from clarity, relational intelligence, and embodied resilience.

We take a deep dive into the nervous system and Polyvagal Theory to answer a simple but powerful question: How do we learn to be human? Ann explains why understanding the body’s wiring is the essential first step to changing how we lead, communicate, and respond under pressure. Topics include:

• The basics of Polyvagal Theory and why the nervous system shapes behavior at work

• Somatic practices leaders can use to reduce burnout and recover faster from stress

• Systems thinking + emotional intelligence: designing cultures that sustain people and performance

• Practical tools for strengthening team connection, psychological safety, and values-led decision making

If you’re a leader, manager, coach, or anyone who wants to lead from steadiness instead of reactivity, this episode offers grounded science, practical exercises, and real-world strategies to build healthier, high-performing organisations.

 

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link. 

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership.

Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening..

If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org

Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes.