Best Shift Of The Gaze Podcasts (2025)

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68. How to Provide Better Mental Health Treatment for Veterans 13:32

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13h ago13:32

13:32

In this final segment of the conversation with Adam Magers, MA, LPC, he shares his views on how to improve mental health treatment for veterans. He provides specific steps that practicing clinicians can take immediately to see benefits. He draws from both perspectives, as a clinician and as a veteran receiving support, in his own work with veterans…

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67. A Veteran’s Journey with Adam Magers, MA, LPC 21:44

12d ago21:44

21:44

The conversation continues with Adam Magers, MA, LPC who joined the podcast to discuss his work with veterans, first responders, and frontline medical professionals. He has experience both as a clinician and as a veteran receiving support, and he draws from both perspectives to share his expertise. This unique and candid discussion offers many enga…

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66. Supporting Veterans Effectively with Adam Magers, MA, LPC 21:55

19d ago21:55

21:55

Adam Magers, MA, LPC joins the podcast to discuss his work with veterans, first responders, and frontline medical professionals. He has experience both as a clinician and as a veteran receiving support, and he draws from both perspectives to share his expertise. This unique and candid discussion offers many engaging insights, and is likely to widen…

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65. What if Someone Does Not Want to Look at Themselves? 14:44

26d ago14:44

14:44

In this episode, Brenda reviews the links researchers found between self-disgust and avoiding self-gazing, in studies with both veterans and older adults. While the research is nascent in the ability to make significant conclusions, it does seem to have implications for clinical practice, especially in light of all the other factors associated with…

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64. We Knew It! There are Connections Between Brains 18:09

1M ago18:09

18:09

As a mental health therapist, you probably have had the intuition that there is some type of shared experience between brains, in the therapy session, in a community setting, perhaps in the world. Today’s research review confirms this notion and even opens up more possibilities in that it appears the shared connections are enhanced by cooperation a…

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63. Gazes between Species and the Application to Mental Health Practice 18:22

1M ago18:22

18:22

How does gaze following and responses to vocalizations from cats and dogs apply to the practice of psychology? This article was published by the American Psychological Association in the Journal of Comparative Psychology in order that mental health therapists would consider that exact question and we explore together in this episode how that might …

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62. Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall and the Lessons She Leaves Behind 13:52

2M ago13:52

13:52

Dr. Brenda Murrow reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, who recently passed away, leaving behind a world forever changed by her compassion, curiosity, and scientific brilliance. In this episode, Dr. Murrow shares how Dr. Goodall’s discovery that chimpanzees use tools reshaped our understanding of what it means to be human and how her…

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61. Understanding Emotion in Therapy 24:09

2M ago24:09

24:09

In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow reflects on her journey as a clinician and how her early training shaped her approach to emotion-focused therapy (EFT), developed by Drs. Greenberg and Johnson. She explores the idea that all therapy, no matter the approach, involves emotions—because clients most often seek help in response to emotional challenges…

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60. Slowing Down and Listening for Emotional Cues in Therapy 19:00

2M ago19:00

19:00

Welcome back to the Connection Therapy Podcast. In this episode, Brenda shares her reflections on Emotion Focused Therapy and the powerful contributions of Dr. Leslie Greenberg, a tremendous mentor in the field. Brenda walks through what makes this approach stand out from more traditional models. Rather than moving too quickly into problem-solving,…

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59. From Cognition to Emotion: A Shift in Mental Health Practice 17:03

2M ago17:03

17:03

Most interventions in our field are taught as cognitive-based. But in practice, what actually works often comes down to emotions, nonverbal cues, and affect. That gap between graduate training and what really helps clients is something every clinician has to navigate. In this episode, Brenda takes a closer look at why emotions sit at the center of …

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58. Do Feelings Drive Us More Than Thoughts? Affective Science in the Therapy Room 20:32

2M ago20:32

20:32

For decades, the cognitive model has shaped therapy with the idea that our thoughts determine how we feel and behave. But new research suggests the opposite may be true—that emotions might actually be in the driver’s seat. In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow takes a closer look at a newly published article, “Primary Appraisal Is Affective Not Cognit…

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57. How Goats Help Us Rethink Emotion in the Therapy Room 16:37

3M ago16:37

16:37

In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, host Dr. Brenda Murrow explores what surprising new research on goats can teach us about human connection and therapy. Two recent studies shed light on how these social animals respond to emotional cues, offering valuable lessons for anyone working in a helping profession. The first study, publishe…

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56. Researching the Connection Between External Behavior and Inner States 17:08

3M ago17:08

17:08

What we show on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s happening on the inside—but sometimes the signals are there if we know how to read them. In this episode, Dr. Brenda explores her curiosity about the connection between behaviors, especially in children, and what’s happening internally for survivors of trauma. She draws from polyvagal theory…

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55. Supporting Children’s Emotional Growth Through Play Therapy 19:47

3M ago19:47

19:47

Working with children can be challenging, especially when they are experiencing emotional struggles. In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow examines how children decode emotions in voices and what this means for supporting their social and emotional development through therapy. Drawing on a 2023 study published in Cerebral Cortex, Dr. Murrow highlights…

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54. How Voice Reveals Emotion Beyond Words in Therapy 19:31

3M ago19:31

19:31

In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores the concept of voice prosody — the way something is said beyond the words themselves. Prosody includes the tone, pitch, rhythm, and other vocal qualities that carry emotional meaning and influence how language is experienced, which has implications for therapy. Dr. Murrow…

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53. Inside the Emotional Systems That Shape Us 20:10

4M ago20:10

20:10

In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores how our most basic emotional systems—shared with other mammals—shape both our behavior and overall well-being. Drawing from the work of Jaak Panksepp, Mark Solms, and Temple Grandin, she breaks down how concepts like allostasis, heart rate variability, and emotional flexi…

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52. When Cognition and Behavior Don’t Match: Unconscious Motivation and the Emotional Systems Driving Us 22:03

4M ago22:03

22:03

In this episode, Brenda explores the often-overlooked mismatch between what clients say and what they do. It’s a common experience in therapy: insight is there, but behavior doesn’t shift. This conversation dives into why that happens—and how unconscious motivation plays a powerful role in human behavior. Grounding the conversation with contributio…

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51. Integrating Nonverbal Communication into Clinical Practice 19:57

4M ago19:57

19:57

In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow shares how learning from Dr. Rachaël Draaisma, an expert in horse behavior, has changed the way she shows up in the therapy room. What started as curiosity turned into a deeper appreciation for the power of observation, body awareness, and learning from unexpected places. Brenda talks about what it means to really…

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50. Why Body Language Matters with Dr. Rachaël Draaisma 25:31

4M ago25:31

25:31

In part three of her conversation with Dr. Rachaël Draaisma, Brenda dives straight into one of the most persistent myths in the horse world: that chewing always means a horse is thinking—or being submissive. Turns out, it’s not that simple. Dr. Draaisma helps us unpack what chewing actually communicates and why assuming a single meaning can cause u…

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49. From Fear to Curiosity: Exploring the Seeking System with Dr. Rachaël Draaisma 30:07

5M ago30:07

30:07

In today’s episode Brenda continues her conversation with Dr. Rachaël Draaisma. In part two of this discussion, they move deeper into what it means to support emotional health in animals—not just by shaping their behavior, but by helping them feel safe, curious, and motivated from within. Dr. Draaisma shares how she builds training sessions that wo…

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48. Understanding Calming Signals and Scentwork with Dr. Rachaël Draaisma 22:46

5M ago22:46

22:46

In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow welcomes Dr. Rachaël Draaisma for a truly fascinating conversation about the subtle, yet powerful, language of calming signals—what many in the clinical and animal behavior world might also recognize as appeasement behaviors. Rachaël shares how her work with horses opened a path to understanding the nervous system…

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47. From Horsework to Human Work: Reading the Signals We Miss 24:18

5M ago24:18

24:18

In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores the powerful role of calming signals—those subtle, nonverbal cues used to manage social dynamics, reduce conflict, and build connection. Building on past episodes on appeasement behaviors in dogs and humans, this conversation turns to horses—drawing on the work of two influential authors: Turid Rugaas (do…

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46. How Trauma Shapes Behavior: A Look at Appeasement in Children 26:52

5M ago26:52

26:52

In today’s episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow takes a look into behaviors we sometimes see in children that can feel confusing or hard to understand—like why a child might stay very close to a caregiver who’s actually causing them harm or distress. To start, she shares an example of how horses react unpredictably to things in their environments which helps…

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45. How Trauma Shapes Children’s Behavior and Their Need to Stay Connected 30:07

6M ago30:07

30:07

Dr. Brenda Murrow began her career working with children and quickly realized that young kids don’t always use the language adults expect to describe their experiences. Each child has their own unique way of expressing what they feel and see, which makes understanding them a careful process. This is especially true when working with children who ha…

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44. How Embarrassment Builds Trust in Relationships 24:17

6M ago24:17

24:17

We often think we need to show up perfectly, but the truth is—our imperfections are doing more work than we realize. In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow talks about how information moves between beings, especially through non-verbal signals, and how something as simple as embarrassment can actually build trust. Humans, like many species, show appeas…

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43. The Psychology of Appeasement: What Dogs Teach Us About Connection 21:51

6M ago21:51

21:51

In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores how understanding animal behavior—especially in dogs—can deepen our insight into human communication and relationships. Dr. Murrow reflects on her own experience learning French and how it made her more aware of cultural nuances in language—particularly terms of endearmen…

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42. Observing Eye Contact in Dogs for Better Connection 15:34

6M ago15:34

15:34

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on what helps us feel seen, safe, and connected. And sometimes, the most powerful connection doesn’t need words at all. It begins with eye contact. In this episode, Brenda reflects on the power of eye contact and what it tells us about connection, safety, and trust—both in our relationships wit…

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41. Art and Science Combined for Better Mental Health Practice 17:52

6M ago17:52

17:52

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 children experience mental health challenges each year. And, 122 million people live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, highlighting a critical gap in care. This is why Brenda is passionate about podcasting on mental health—both to raise…

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40. Insights from Research That Transform Therapy Practice 31:03

7M ago31:03

31:03

In this episode, Brenda takes a step back to reflect on several of her recent research-based episodes—and how what she’s learned is continuing to shape the way she practices. Revisiting past studies has helped her see just how much of what we do in the therapy room is grounded in awareness, relationship, and presence. Across these episodes, one the…

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39. The Research on Mimicking and Connection 16:26

7M ago16:26

16:26

There are so many things that influence a therapy session—and not all of them are spoken. In this episode, Brenda is continuing the exploration into the less obvious dynamics that shape the therapeutic relationship. Encouragement, presence, attunement—they’re all part of the work. But there are also layers we don’t always consciously notice. One of…

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38. Increasing Alignment in the Therapy Room: Ways to Make Sense of Differences Between Statements and Nonverbal Signals 16:03

7M ago16:03

16:03

In therapy, we often listen closely to what’s being said—but what’s not being said can sometimes offer even more insight. A client may describe their week as “fine” or say they’re “managing,” but their body is heavy, their eyes are downcast, and their facial expressions suggest something else entirely. This kind of misalignment—between verbal langu…

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37. Strengthening Relationship Patterns Through Disruption and Repair 24:54

7M ago24:54

24:54

In today’s episode, Brenda explores how relationships—whether with clients in our professional lives or in our personal lives—are strengthened not by perfection, but by disruption and repair. Drawing from Beebe and Lachmann’s 1994 paper, she explains how the concept of a "good enough therapist" and the ability to repair mistakes is essential in bui…

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36. How Animals Detect Human Nervous System States Through Scent 17:56

8M ago17:56

17:56

Brenda has often shrugged off the question, “Can horses really smell fear?” But in this episode, she takes a closer look—and the research is fascinating. When someone walks into their first equine session feeling nervous, it’s not just body language the horse is picking up on. There’s now scientific evidence that animals, including horses, can dete…

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35. Exploring Physiological Synchrony in Therapy Settings 25:44

8M ago25:44

25:44

By exploring the latest research on how our nervous systems interact—whether between humans or across species—Brenda aims to provide therapists with the knowledge to deepen their connections with clients and improve therapeutic outcomes. In recent podcast episodes, Brenda has explored how physiological interactions, both between humans and animals,…

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34. Observing Physical Reactions to Strengthen Interventions 15:35

8M ago15:35

15:35

Mental and physical health don’t operate in isolation; they influence each other in profound ways. Stress, anxiety, and emotional distress often manifest physically, whether through muscle tension, changes in posture, or even pupil dilation. But what do we do with this information as therapists? Understanding these real-time physical responses can …

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33. How Your Natural Skills as a Therapist Help Improve HRV and How to Strengthen The Impact 18:38

8M ago18:38

18:38

Heart rate variability (HRV) plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and mental health. Research shows that higher HRV is linked to improved well-being, making it an important consideration for therapists. In this episode, Brenda continues the discussion on HRV, exploring how it connects to psychotherapy and how clinicians can integrate it int…

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32. The Connection Between Horse and Human HRV—Why It’s Important 12:50

9M ago12:50

12:50

In this episode, Brenda dives into two studies about heart rate variability (HRV) in horses and humans, and how they can inform therapy practices. These studies reveal some surprising similarities between our nervous systems and those of horses, giving us new ways to think about improving therapeutic approaches. The first study, published in 2011 b…

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31. Understanding Heart Rate Variability to Improve Therapy Outcomes 20:53

9M ago20:53

20:53

Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked indicators of both mental and physical health. It’s closely linked to anxiety, depression, trauma, heart disease, and more. But for therapists, HRV offers even greater value—it provides insight into whether a patient is in shutdown, stuck in fight-or-flight mode, or able …

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30. How Do We Know When Mental Health Needs Support? 16:40

9M ago16:40

16:40

Mental health is deeply personal and shaped by emotional well-being, behavioral adjustment, and the ability to handle daily life. Emotions like anxiety and depression are normal responses to challenges, but when they interfere with functioning, they may require support. The key question is: When does a normal emotional experience become a mental he…

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29. Understanding Mental Health and How Healing Begins 19:57

9M ago19:57

19:57

Mental health is a complex and essential part of our lives, but many people overlook how many ways we can improve it. Therapy is often the go-to solution, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. So, what does mental health really mean, and how can we know when we’ve made progress? This week, Brenda has been reflecting on these big questions and expl…

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28. Brenda and Kinsey Rone on the Power of Therapist Connection 21:13

10M ago21:13

21:13

Brenda and Kinsey bring their series to a close with one final episode—but this time, the tables turn. Instead of Kinsey leading the conversation, Brenda takes the opportunity to ask Kinsey a few questions about what led her to pursue psychology, her motivations, and the licensing that shaped her career. Kinsey shares how her path in mental health …

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27. More Than a Profession: Brenda’s Love for Psychology 19:41

10M ago19:41

19:41

Brenda and her colleague and friend, Kinsey Rone, LCPC, continue their conversation from last week, digging deeper into what drives Brenda’s work and the heart behind it. This isn’t just about therapy—it’s about the love for psychology that inspired the podcast and the curiosity that keeps her learning. So much of this work is about staying open. O…

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26. A Conversation with Brenda: Exploring Passion and Purpose in Therapy 28:20

10M ago28:20

28:20

Today’s episode is a special one. We’re switching things up as Brenda takes a seat on the other side of the conversation. Joining her is longtime friend and colleague, Kinsey Rone, a fellow mental health therapist who knows Brenda’s journey in the field firsthand. But today, Kinsey isn’t just here as a friend—she’s here to interview Brenda, giving …

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25. Aligning Intentions and Actions: Lessons from Dance Therapy 32:27

10M ago32:27

32:27

Non-verbal communication holds incredible power in therapy. In today’s episode Brenda highlights the intersection of Dance Movement Therapy and Video microanalysis, inspired by research from Rebecca Houghton and Dr. Beatrice Beebe. Together, these approaches offer new insights into movement and communication in therapeutic settings. Brenda reflects…

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24. Exploring the Research Behind Awe Walks and Their Emotional Impact 24:00

10M ago24:00

24:00

In today’s episode, Brenda unpacks a research study that explores the profound impact of something as simple as a walk. The study focused on older adults and how engaging with awe during a walk could change their emotional and mental well-being. Participants were asked to take weekly walks and snap photos along the way—pictures of themselves and an…

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23. How Erikson’s Stage 5 Guides Therapy for Adolescents 19:04

11M ago19:04

19:04

Today, Brenda wraps up her series on Erik Erikson’s 8-stage model by focusing on Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion, a pivotal phase for adolescents aged 12-18. This stage, that Brenda often calls the "trying on coats" phase, is all about self-discovery and the search for identity. Why is this important? As Brenda explains, understanding Erikson’…

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22. Understanding and Supporting the Industry vs. Inferiority Stage in Therapy 19:57

11M ago19:57

19:57

In today’s episode, Brenda takes listeners into the 4th stage of Erikson’s model—Industry vs. Inferiority. This stage, typically between the ages of 6 and 11, is all about children figuring out their abilities and learning to feel competent. Brenda highlights how, during this stage, kids start putting in a lot of effort, but they’re also grappling …

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21. A Closer Look at Erikson’s Stage 3: Navigating Initiative vs. Guilt in Early Childhood 21:49

12M ago21:49

21:49

In this week’s episode, Brenda brings listeners into one of her favorite stages in Erikson’s eight-stage model: Stage 3, which focuses on children aged 3 to 5. This is the stage of initiative versus guilt, a time when little ones are beginning to assert their independence and explore the world in new and exciting ways. Brenda reframes the concept o…

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20. Understanding Autonomy vs. Shame: A Closer Look at Erikson’s Second Stage of Development 17:55

1y ago17:55

17:55

Brenda introduces Erikson’s second stage of development, Autonomy vs. Shame, and highlights the importance of supporting a child’s growing sense of independence. Occurring between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, this stage is a pivotal time when toddlers begin to explore their abilities and assert their own choices. At this stage, children are j…

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19. Understanding Children Through Erikson’s First Stage of Development 17:25

1y ago17:25

17:25

In today’s episode, Brenda introduces Erikson’s first stage of development, Trust vs. Mistrust, and explores how to understand a child’s world beyond direct questions. This foundational stage, typically ranging from 0-18 months old, lays the groundwork for their entire emotional and cognitive development, making it essential to tune into behaviors …