Shows
The UnScripted MindParenting In A World That Negotiates AuthoritySend us a textSupport the showThe goal of The UnScripted Mind Podcast is to give you fresh perspectives, practical insights and tools you can use to give you more choices, self-awareness and control of your feelings, reactions and behaviors.
2025-12-0316 minThe UnScripted MindRage to Revolution: The Psychology of ProtestsSend us a textThe psychology of protest weaves a fascinating tapestry of human motivation, social dynamics, and strategic action that shapes how change unfolds in our world. What drives someone to stand in the rain holding a sign when they could be comfortably at home? Why do some movements transform society while others fizzle despite passionate supporters?We peel back the layers of protest psychology to reveal the delicate dance between anger and hope that fuels collective action. Anger provides that initial spark, pushing people from passive frustration into active resistance, but without hope—th...
2025-04-1417 minThe UnScripted MindLotus Land: Comfort's Covert CostSend us a textIn this episode of The Unscripted Mind, licensed professional counselor Jim Cunningham explores the impact of modern comforts on our well-being. With references to studies and literary works, Jim delves into how our pursuit of convenience and ease may be leading to increased anxiety, depression, and a lack of gratitude. He offers five actionable challenges to help viewers re-introduce a bit of discomfort into their lives, thereby rediscovering appreciation and the feeling of being truly alive. Tune in for practical insights and fun suggestions to shake up your routine and boost your mental...
2025-03-2212 minThe UnScripted MindSix ways to make therapy work for youSend us a textUnlock the transformative power of therapy as we guide you through overcoming the common barriers that often hinder progress. How can embracing discomfort and vulnerability lead to personal growth? Join host Jim Cunningham in exploring therapy not as a quick fix but as a marathon requiring patience and commitment. Discover techniques for setting clear goals, navigating the non-linear process, and finding a therapist who truly understands you. Learn why honesty with oneself and the therapist is crucial, and how avoiding people-pleasing can significantly enhance your therapeutic journey. This episode unravels key strategies to...
2025-02-2014 minThe UnScripted MindThe Myth of BalanceSend us a textIs the quest for work-life balance leading you astray? Join licensed professional counselor Jim Cunningham as he challenges the conventional wisdom that balance is the ultimate goal. Discover why the pursuit of perfect equilibrium may be setting you up for stress and disappointment. Instead, explore the power of intentional living and how setting clear daily priorities can transform your life. By focusing on boundaries rather than balance, we discuss ways to prevent chaos and preserve your well-being and relationships. Jim also shares insights into genuine self-care, emphasizing activities that truly rejuvenate rather than...
2024-10-2409 minThe UnScripted MindToxic Relationships Part 2: Mastering the ChaosSend us a textAre you tired of being trapped in toxic relationships and enduring their emotional toll? Discover the secrets to reclaiming your mental health and confidence as we explore the underlying personality disorders often at play. From the pervasive patterns of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder to the destructive roles in the drama triangle, we uncover the complexities of these dynamics with real-world examples. Learn to identify and navigate these tumultuous relationships, while mastering techniques like the 'gray rock' method to maintain your emotional neutrality amidst the chaos.Unravel the drama triangle's victim, rescuer, and...
2024-10-0326 minThe UnScripted MindFrom Charm to Harm: Can you spot a toxic relationship?Send us a textCould your closest relationships be secretly undermining your well-being? Uncover the subtle signs of toxic relationships and learn how to protect yourself emotionally and mentally in our latest episode of The Unscripted Mind. We take a deep dive into the perplexing world of toxic relationships, providing you with the tools to identify destructive behaviors whether they come from romantic partners, family members, coworkers, or friends. Understand why empathetic individuals often struggle to see toxic behavior for what it is and discover the red flags that reveal a relationship might be harming you, from...
2024-09-1619 minThe UnScripted MindBrilliance & Burden: The Duality of a Gifted MindSend us a textEver wondered what it really means to be labeled as gifted? On this episode of "The Unscripted Mind," we guarantee you'll gain a deeper understanding of the myths and realities behind giftedness. From exceptional talents in areas like art and mathematics to the struggles of sensory overload and perfectionism, we dissect the complexities and unique challenges gifted individuals face. Traditional educational settings often fall short, leaving these brilliant minds grappling with intense curiosity, overthinking, and sleepless nights. We'll highlight how boredom and isolation can worsen these issues and stress the necessity of tailored support.
2024-08-2624 minThe UnScripted MindWhat Are Your Kids Really Learning from You? Overcoming our weaknesses to connect with our kidsSend us a textWhat shapes our children more—our strengths or our weaknesses? Join us on Unscripted Mind as we unravel the complex interplay between parenting and personal growth. Hosted by Jim Cunningham, a seasoned licensed professional counselor, this episode promises to redefine how you view your role as a parent. We confront the humbling reality that our children often inherit more from our vulnerabilities than our virtues and offer practical tips to intentionally connect with your kids to foster love, resilience, and understanding. In a world fraught with the challenges of time scarcity and technology, di...
2024-08-1226 minThe UnScripted MindTrance Formations: The Art of HypnotherapySend us a textWhat if you could reprogram your subconscious to alleviate anxiety and achieve your personal goals? Join us on "The Unscripted Mind" as Phyllis McComb, a licensed professional counselor and certified trauma-informed care practitioner, shares her transformative journey into hypnotherapy. Initially seeking relief from pandemic-induced anxiety, Phyllis's profound experience with hypnotherapy led her to become certified and integrate it into her practice alongside EMDR and talk therapy, proving its efficacy as a relaxing and powerful tool for mental health.We'll debunk common misconceptions about hypnotherapy, explaining how it differs from stage hypnosis and...
2024-07-291h 01The UnScripted MindThe Art of the Grind: Reveling in the RoutineSend us a textEver felt like you're running on a hamster wheel, chasing success but never quite catching it? On this episode of the Unscripted Mind, we uncover a transformative approach to success that defies society's traditional benchmarks. Jim Cunningham, a seasoned professional counselor, shares an enlightening story about a man pushing an immovable rock—a metaphor for how the journey itself can be the real triumph, even if the outcome isn't what we expect. This episode challenges the typical focus on material achievements and external validation, offering instead a more fulfilling path to growth and self-improvement.
2024-07-1513 minThe UnScripted MindGrief into Growth: Embracing Lessons of LossSend us a textHow do you rebuild your life after an unimaginable loss? Join us for a deeply moving episode of the Unscripted Mind Podcast, where we sit down with Monica Mead, a licensed professional counselor whose journey into grief counseling was tragically inspired by the loss of her daughter in 2013. Monica challenges conventional grief models, offering profound insights into the complex and varied forms of grief that can stem from losing a loved one, a job, a pet, or even physical abilities. Through her story, Monica provides a raw and powerful narrative that will resonate...
2024-07-0139 minThe UnScripted MindHow to feel awful: Proven strategies to destroy your mental heathSend us a textJoin me for a satirical yet impactful exploration of methods guaranteed to maximize your misery. From skipping exercise and endlessly scrolling through social media to the pitfall of comparing yourself to others, we cover all the surefire ways to sink your mental well-being. By tuning in, you’ll laugh through the dark humor and perhaps recognize some habits that could be steering you towards a path of stress and anxiety.But we don't leave you hanging in the depths of despair! After painting a grim picture, we shift to a brighter na...
2024-06-2425 minThe UnScripted MindDecoding Anger: Creating Calm and Control from ChaosSend us a textEver wondered why anger seems to be skyrocketing in today’s world? On this episode of the Unscripted Mind, host Jim Cunningham, a licensed professional counselor, promises to unravel the intricate web of triggers that fuel our modern-day rage. From political polarization and economic disparity to job stress and financial anxieties, we break down the factors contributing to this emotional surge. But it doesn't stop there—discover the deeper layers behind anger, often rooted in underlying emotions like anxiety and frustration. Recognize anger as more than just an outburst, but a defensive mechanism with...
2024-06-1721 minThe UnScripted MindThe Echo of Our Words: Shaping Lives through Speech and AppreciationSend us a textHave you ever considered the lasting echo your words might leave in someone's life? Join me, Jim Cunningham, on the Unscripted Mind as we unravel the enigmatic power that our everyday language holds over personal connections, self-perception, and the resilience we muster in the face of life's challenges. In a heart-to-heart conversation inspired by the profound insights of Carol Dweck and John Gottman, we'll reveal how the seemingly innocuous labels we assign to children, like "smart," can inadvertently set them on a path of risk-aversion and dishonesty, while the ratio of positive-to-negative interactions...
2024-06-1015 minThe UnScripted MindEmbracing Empathy: Gifts and Trials of Being an EmpathSend us a textEver felt like you're a lightning rod for emotions, absorbing the moods of those around you? I'm Jim Cunningham, your guide through the Unscripted Mind podcast, and in this heartfelt episode, we unravel the bittersweet existence of empaths. With my background as a licensed professional counselor, I'm shedding light on how a high sensitivity to others' feelings can be both a profound gift and a formidable challenge. We navigate through the often-treacherous waters of emotional overload, the art of setting boundaries, and the pitfalls of connecting with toxic personalities. Understand why empaths mistakenly...
2024-06-0313 minThe UnScripted MindThe Profound Power of Pause: Reclaiming Stillness in a Digital WorldSend us a textAre we losing the battle against the relentless buzz of the modern world? Find out as I, Jim Cunningham, delve into the transformative power of stillness on mental wellness. In this engaging episode of Unscripted Mind, we rekindle the age-old wisdom of Blaise Pascal and examine the heavy toll our omnipresent digital distractions impose on our lives. From the deteriorating mental health of adolescents glued to social media to the eroding attention spans and relationships in adults, we uncover research that reveals today's digital dilemma. But fear not, as we also uncover a...
2024-05-2712 minThe UnScripted MindThe Power of Caring Less: Shedding the Weight of External ValidationSend us a textEver felt crushed under the weight of what everyone else thinks? I've discovered that shedding the burden of external opinions can be liberating in ways you never imagined. Join me on Unscripted Mind as we unpack our emotional backpacks, revealing how the art of caring less can lead to a more fulfilling life. We'll navigate through the fog of anxiety and depression that often clouds our path when we place too much stock in external validation. With personal stories and expert wisdom, this episode offers actionable steps to diminish the power others' views h...
2024-05-2113 min
The UnScripted MindTransformative Conversations: The Road to Meaningful RelationshipsSend us a textEver feel like you're speaking, but no one's truly listening? You're not alone. I'm Jim Cunningham, and on the latest Unscripted Mind podcast, we're unpacking the art of listening—a cornerstone of connection so often neglected that its absence can be mistaken for indifference. It's a conversation that promises to equip you with the insights and tools necessary to not only hear but also to be heard, ensuring that you walk away with a newfound appreciation for the power of empathetic communication.In our deep dive into the intricacies of interaction, we...
2024-05-1615 min
The UnScripted MindThe Anxiety of Uncertainty: Six Strategies for Embracing the UnknownSend us a textHave you ever been held captive by the 'what ifs' that haunt every corner of your thoughts? Join me, Jim Cunningham, on the Unscripted Mind podcast for a conversation that could very well be the key to unlocking your peace of mind. We're tackling the beast of uncertainty, a force so powerful it can induce a whirlwind of anxiety with just a whisper of 'what's next?' But, as we dive into the crux of why the unknown is such a formidable adversary, you'll discover that it's not an invincible one. As Ursula...
2024-05-0314 min