Best Normal Curves Podcasts (2025)

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Shingles Shot and Dementia: Could one vaccine protect your brain? 1:11:38

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4d ago1:11:38

1:11:38

What do chickenpox and shingles have to do with your brain? This week, we dig into two 2025 headline-grabbing studies that link the shingles shot to lower dementia rates. We start in Wales, where a birthday cutoff turned into the perfect natural experiment, and end in the U.S. with a multi-million-person megastudy. Featuring bias-variance Goldilock…

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What Is “Normal”? Understanding Mental Health and the Bell Curve with Dr. Christopher Barker 11:27

17d ago11:27

11:27

In this insightful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores one of the most common and misunderstood questions in mental health: “What is normal?” Dr. Barker dives into how psychologists define “normal” not as a judgment of worth, but as a statistical and contextual concept — somethi…

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Finding Harmony After Trauma: Jackie Briggs’ Journey Through Hearing Loss, Healing, and Hope 23:11

2d ago23:11

23:11

In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker welcomes Jackie Briggs, a professional singer whose life changed forever after a devastating car accident left her deaf in one ear. Jackie opens up about her journey through trauma, healing, and rediscovering her mental health after loss. Despite doctors advising her to give up her d…

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It’s Never Too Late to Heal from Trauma - Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 7:54

10d ago7:54

7:54

In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the lifelong impact of trauma and how it shapes our mental health, relationships, and sense of self. Drawing from his clinical experience and supervision discussions, Dr. Barker emphasizes that it’s never too late to heal — whether you’re 20 or 80. He unpacks how unresolved …

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People First—Toward A Humane Workplace 25:03

12d ago25:03

25:03

An early essay by Karl Marx writing at the beginning of the industrial revolution argued that humans who were formerly craftspeople were now just cogs in the industrial machine alienated from the products they made and their work. Today's podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation, makers of Ignition — the world's most versatile industrial automa…

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Scary Bridge Study: Can fear make you horny? 1:04:33

18d ago1:04:33

1:04:33

What if a haunted house makes your date look hotter? This week we dive into the infamous Scary Bridge Study — the 1970s classic that launched a thousand pop-psych takes on fear and lust. It’s the one with the swaying bridge, pretty “research assistant,” and phone number scrawled on torn paper. The study became legend, but how sturdy were its stats?…

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Why Develop AI? 27:11

23d ago27:11

27:11

Why pursue AI? As a tool to help entrepreneurs add value to their companies. The appropriate roll out entails organizing small "pirate ships" empowered to experiment and implement with a budget and air cover. Many concerns about AI's impact on employment and organization are over blown. History shows that new technology winds up creating more jobs …

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Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Mental Health, Genetics, and the Meaning of “Normal” | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 11:45

24d ago11:45

11:45

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complexities of autism spectrum disorders through the lens of psychology, genetics, and society. He discusses the difference between correlation and causation, highlighting the genetic factors—such as SHANK2 and FMR1 mutations—and environmental influences like prenatal conditions…

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From Grad School to the Therapy Room: Real Talk with Haley & Chloe - Therapy On Demand 42:35

1M ago42:35

42:35

By Dr. Christopher Barker

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Ultramarathons: Can vitamin D protect your bones? 58:50

1M ago58:50

58:50

Ultramarathoners push their bodies to the limit, but can a giant pre-race dose of vitamin D really keep their bones from breaking down? In this episode, we dig into a trial that tested this claim – and found a statistical endurance event of its own: six highly interchangeable papers sliced from one small study. Expect missing runners, recycled figu…

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Vote for Marc(k)! Marks, Mentors and Making Normal Happen 36:28

1M ago36:28

36:28

Two Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and share practical ways to lead well and care for yourself. • APWA Minnesota election overview and why turno…

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Understanding Kinks, Paraphilias, and Kink-Aware Therapy | Holding Space Podcast with Dr. Christopher Barker 21:25

1M ago21:25

21:25

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores the world of kink-aware therapy and the psychological perspectives on kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias. He breaks down what defines a sexual interest as a disorder versus when it remains a consensual lifestyle choice, explaining the importance …

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Suicide Prevention: Warning Signs, How to Help, & Safety Planning | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 11:14

2M ago11:14

11:14

Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health struggles.** In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker (clinical psychologist, NJ) discusses Suicide Prevention Month, how to recognize warning signs of suicide, and practical steps anyone can take to help a person at risk. Dr. Barker explains common indica…

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P-Values: Are we using a flawed statistical tool? 1:13:26

2M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

P-values show up in almost every scientific paper, yet they’re one of the most misunderstood ideas in statistics. In this episode, we break from our usual journal-club format to unpack what a p-value really is, why researchers have fought about it for a century, and how that famous 0.05 cutoff became enshrined in science. Along the way, we share st…

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ICC 2025 Recap 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

ICC 2025 Recap I recorded this as I was leaving Inductive Automation's Ignition Community Conference 2025 in Sacramento. The event team performed wonderfully moving ICC from the smaller Harris Center in Folsom to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento with double the attendance. Lots of energy, many partners. The event had to be cred…

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Anxiety vs OCD: Intrusive Thoughts, ACT & EMDR Explained — with “Therapy with Josh” 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker, Dr. Barker sits down with Josh (“Therapy with Josh”), an accredited CBT therapist from Essex, UK, trained in EMDR and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Together they unpack the real differences between anxiety and OCD, why OCD isn’t just “an anxiety disorder,” and how emotions like …

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False Memories, Belief Systems & The Mandela Effect Explained | Dr. Barker 11:42

2M ago11:42

11:42

In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, we dive into the fascinating world of the Mandela Effect — why so many people remember events, quotes, and facts incorrectly. From Darth Vader’s famous line to “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” we explore how false memories spread, why they stick, and what they reveal about the way our minds and belief …

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Exercise and Cancer: Does physical activity improve colon cancer survival? 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

Exercise has long been hailed as cancer-fighting magic, but is there hard evidence behind the hype? In this episode, we tackle the CHALLENGE trial, a large phase III study of colon cancer patients that tested whether prescribed exercise could improve cancer-free survival. We translate clinical jargon into plain English, show why ratio statistics ma…

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Diagnosis, Labels, and Mental Health: What They Really Mean | Holding Space with Dr. Barker 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

In Episode 23 of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker dives into the complicated world of mental health diagnosis. From bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder to ADHD and depression, he explains why symptoms can overlap and lead to misdiagnosis, and why diagnoses are often misunderstood. Dr. Barker shares over 20 year…

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School Shootings, Trauma, and the Ripple Effect on Mental Health 16:45

2M ago16:45

16:45

In this special edition of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker, we explore the devastating reality of the Minnesota school shooting and its far-reaching psychological consequences. Dr. Barker introduces the concept of the ricochet effect of trauma — the ripple impact of a traumatic event that extends beyond those directly affected, spreading …

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Age Gaps: How much does age matter in dating? 49:42

2M ago49:42

49:42

Are we all secretly ageist when it comes to dating? We put the stereotype that older men prefer younger women under the microscope using data from thousands of blind dates. What we found surprised us: the “age penalty” was real but microscopic, women wanted younger partners too, and hard age cutoffs weren’t so hard after all. Along the way, we unpa…

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Dissociation & Anxiety: What It Really Means (And Why It Happens) 16:52

3M ago16:52

16:52

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker is joined by licensed associate counselor Keilani Noble to explore dissociation—what it is, how it connects to anxiety and depression, and why it’s often misunderstood. They share real-life experiences of dissociation, from moments of sensory overload to coping with overwhelming emotions, and…

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Intelligent Application of Technology 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

When I set initial editorial direction for Automation World, I was focused on exploring the Intelligent Application of Automation emphasizing the teams that made it happen. Recently I interviewed Mike Payne, co-owner and president of Hill Manufacturing. His story of using intelligent applications of technology both for the machines and for software…

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Confirmation Bias Explained: Stop Letting Negative Thinking Control You 9:18

3M ago9:18

9:18

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, breaks down confirmation bias—how we tend to focus only on evidence that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring anything that challenges them. Dr. Barker uses a visual "doorway" analogy to explain how negative thinking can reinf…

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Your Brain on AI: Is ChatGPT making us mentally lazy? 1:14:07

3M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

ChatGPT is melting our brainpower, killing creativity, and making us soulless — or so the headlines imply. We dig into the study behind the claims, starting with quirky bar charts and mysterious sample sizes, then winding through hairball-like brain diagrams and tens of thousands of statistical tests. Our statistical sleuthing leaves us with questi…

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Self-Harm vs Suicidal Behavior in BPD: Understanding the Difference | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 13:24

3M ago13:24

13:24

In this deeply compassionate episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker returns to expand on the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—focusing on one of the most misunderstood and sensitive topics: recurrent suicidal behavior and self-harm. Dr. Barker draws a clear and vital distinction between suicidal intent and self-mutilatio…

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Interview With Travis Cox, Inductive Automation Chief Technology Evangelist 24:53

3M ago24:53

24:53

Inductive Automation Chief Technology Evangelist Travis Cox talks with me about the newly expanded Ignition Community Conference and the beta release of Ignition 8.3. This is a major release with many usability and IT-friendly upgrades. We talk about what's new with Ignition Community Conference and the beta release of Ignition 8.3.…

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Bipolar II vs Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): What’s the Difference? | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 15:52

3M ago15:52

15:52

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker answers a listener’s question that many people wonder: What’s the difference between Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? While the two are often confused—especially Bipolar II and BPD—they are distinct diagnoses with different origins, symptoms, and treatments. Dr. Bar…

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The Backfire Effect: Can fact-checking make false beliefs stronger? 58:26

3M ago58:26

58:26

Can correcting misinformation make it worse? The “backfire effect” claims that debunking myths can actually make false beliefs stronger. We dig into the evidence — from ghost studies to headline-making experiments — to see if this psychological plot twist really holds up. Along the way, we unpack interaction effects, randomization red flags, and wh…

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Emotionally Immature Partners: Signs, Impact & Growth | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker 11:42

3M ago11:42

11:42

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complex world of emotionally immature partners—what emotional immaturity looks like in relationships, how it impacts connection, and what you can do about it. Building on past discussions of emotionally immature parents and psychological development, Dr. Barker breaks down the ke…

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Break the Cycle: Communicate Smarter with Transactional Analysis 11:19

4M ago11:19

11:19

Welcome to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this episode, Dr. Barker dives deep into a classic and still-relevant psychological concept: Transactional Analysis—and why understanding it might be the key to healthier, more productive relationships. With over 25 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr. Barker unpacks how we subconscious…

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AI Obfuscation 19:51

4M ago19:51

19:51

AI has generated more hype and obfuscation than all the words from ChatGPT. OK, maybe I exaggerate, but the amount of scare talk is endless. I try to take a more rational and down-to-earth look at the issue from the point-of-view of manufacturers. I argue that AI now and in the future should be viewed as a tool that will help humans work better and…

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Dating Wishlists: Are we happier when we get what we want in a mate? 1:05:31

4M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Loyal, funny, hot — you’ve probably got a wish list for your dream partner. But does checking all your boxes actually lead to happily ever after? In this episode, we dive into a massive global study that put the “ideal partner” hypothesis to the test. Do people really know what they want, and does getting it actually make them happier? We explore s…

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The Cassandra Dilemma: Why Knowing Isn’t Enough (Even for Therapists) 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this powerful and introspective episode, Dr. Barker explores a unique psychological concept he calls “The Cassandra Dilemma.” Drawing from over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Barker shares what he believes is the hardest part of being a therapist—not burnout or long hours—but watch…

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Artificial Inteligence & Therapy 11:35

4M ago11:35

11:35

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in therapeutic settings—and the serious ethical, emotional, and psychological implications that come with it. Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, reality distortion, and emotional m…

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Stats Reunion: What have we learned so far? 56:00

4M ago56:00

56:00

It’s our first stats reunion! In this special review episode, we revisit favorite concepts from past episodes—p-values, multiple testing, regression adjustment—and give them fresh personalities as characters. Meet the seductive false positive, the clingy post hoc ex, and Charlotte, the well-meaning but overfitting idealist. Statistical topics Bar c…

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Conflicting Attachment Styles & How to Communicate Through Them 25:03

4M ago25:03

25:03

In this insightful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker welcomes therapist and former student Irene Sullivan to explore how conflicting attachment styles—especially anxious and avoidant patterns—can disrupt connection in relationships. Together, they discuss the emotional dance between co-regulators and self-regulators, the power of cle…

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Complexity is the Enemy 21:58

4M ago21:58

21:58

CEOs in a recent survey complained they were not seeing results from digital transformation. Too much complexity, dashboards too complex, information not clear, silos of data. Maybe we're looking at the wrong part of the problem. Maybe it's not technology; it's people.By Gary Mintchell

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Roots of Attachment Style Theory 14:29

5M ago14:29

14:29

Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker! In this episode, Dr. Barker deepens our exploration of attachment styles—those foundational behavioral patterns that shape the way we connect, love, and relate to others. Building on the previous discussion, he revisits the four classic attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and disor…

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Storm Warriors: Managing Private Stormwater Infrastructure with Ryan Johnson from the City of Roseville, MN 1:08:28

5M ago1:08:28

1:08:28

I'm excited to welcome my good friend and former colleague Ryan Johnson to the show. Ryan is the Environmental Manager for the City of Roseville in Minnesota and is my favorite storm water and water resources guru. Ryan joins me in this episode to talk about the underappreciated role of making sure that private stormwater BMP's are properly maintai…

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HPV Vaccine: How close are we to wiping out cervical cancer? 1:15:57

5M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Could a preteen vaccine wipe out a global cancer? In this episode, we examine the bold claim that cervical cancer could be eradicated in much of the world by the end of the century—thanks to the highly effective HPV vaccine. We unpack statistical modeling, microsimulations, and how Markov chains make good date-night conversation. We also explore wh…

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Understanding Attachment Styles: Secure, Anxious, Avoidant & Disorganized | Holding Space with Dr. Barker 11:56

5M ago11:56

11:56

In this insightful episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, clinical psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker explores the psychology of attachment styles—a concept rooted in developmental and relationship psychology that's gained significant attention in recent years. Drawing on foundational research by Mary Ainsworth and Bowlby’s attachment theory, D…

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Understanding Psychopathy, Sociopathy, and Functional Psychopaths | Holding Space Podcast 11:36

5M ago11:36

11:36

Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Barker explores the traits of psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality disorder—shedding light on what these terms really mean, how they manifest in everyday life, and the concept of the "functional psychopath." From empathy deficits to the …

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Equipment Size: What is average? 54:20

5M ago54:20

54:20

Today’s deep dive: the surprisingly serious science of penis size. Using self-report surveys, objective measurements, and a healthy dose of old-school statistics, we ask: How do you get clean data on gentlemen’s goods?Along the way, we explore social desirability bias, survey design tricks, and what happens when science meets insecurity. You’ll nev…

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Are We All on a Spectrum? Understanding Autism, Bipolar, and Beyond | Holding Space Podcast 13:29

5M ago13:29

13:29

Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this episode, Dr. Barker explores the idea that many mental health and behavioral conditions exist on spectrums—from autism and bipolar disorder to personality traits and relationship dynamics. He breaks down the characteristics of autism spectrum behaviors, bipolar type 1 and 2, and eve…

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Stress vs. Anxiety: Knowing the Difference & Calming the Storm 11:21

6M ago11:21

11:21

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker is joined by intern Julia Bellotti for an honest conversation about the differences between stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. Julia shares a personal story of navigating a panic attack while driving, and together, they discuss simple, effective techniques for managing overwhelming feelings—…

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Sugar Sag: Is Your Diet Aging You? 1:08:27

6M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Wrinkles and sagging skin—just normal aging, or can you blame your sweet tooth? We dive into “sugar sag,” exploring how sugar, processed foods, and even your crispy breakfast toast might be making you look older than if you’d said no to chocolate cake and yes to broccoli. Along the way, we encounter statistical adjustment, training and test data se…

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From White Rats to Real Life: Understanding Phobias and How to Unlearn Fear 14:46

6M ago14:46

14:46

In this eye-opening episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the psychology of phobias—from how irrational fears are formed to how they can be effectively treated. With examples ranging from a child’s fear of John Wilkes Booth to the classic "Little Albert" experiment, Dr. Barker breaks down the behavioral roots of fear using real-…

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Embracing the Feeling: Mindfulness, Values & Acceptance 15:53

6M ago15:53

15:53

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores why trying to eliminate uncomfortable emotions like anxiety or depression may do more harm than good. Drawing on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and Zen philosophy, he invites listeners to reframe their relationship with feelings by embracing t…

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Talking Asset Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Jon Kremer from OpenGov 59:32

6M ago59:32

59:32

This episode a great deep dive into asset management with arguably the premier asset management system on the market today. I've been working with Cartegraph since 2010 and have been very impressed with their software and vision for constant improvement. Join me as I welcome Jon Kremer, self proclaimed Product CEO for the Cartegraph Asset Managemen…