Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults with Dr Christine Silverstein
The Broken Brain
Dr Christine Silverstein believes that young people are strong, and that their strength increases the more the believe in themselves. As a Behavioral Health RN, author, and clinical hypnotist she specializes in helping children to find empowerment through healthy self-talk, academics, and strong relationships. Follow her work at and The Because Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to helping former victims of human trafficking to rebuild their lives, and is the charity of focus this month. You can get involved with their work at
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Foster Care and Step Parenting, with Debbie Ausburn
The Broken Brain
Debbie Ausburn is a social worker and the author of "Raising Other Peoples Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me About Bringing Together A Blended Family." She shares her experiences as a Foster and Step Parent, and the lessons learned from successes and mistakes connecting and parenting children in situations where trust must be earned instead of assumed. Donate, participate, and promote The Because Organization, this month's highlighted nonprofit. They work with survivors of human trafficking, helping people to build safe and healthy lives after emerging from these abusive...
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What is Smart Horror? With Dalin & Izzy
The Broken Brain
What kind of scary movies do you like? What type of storytelling do you find to be smart and compelling? It's Halloween time, a time for spooky, scary stuff, and I am joined by two movie and Halloween experts, Dalin Rowell of "It's Reely a Podcast, and Isabel Teran of "Hearsing Around," and "That's Bodacious Dude! 80 Radical Movies from the Eighties." Visit www.becauseorganization.org to visit this month's highlighted charity AND participate in their virtual walk/run event from anywhere in the world. Your contributions help survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives.
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Join The Because Organization's Fundraiser for Survivors of Trafficking
The Broken Brain
Marcia Holt & Bill Cottringer return to the show to share details about the virtual walk/run fundraising event for The Because Organization, a nonprofit providing virtual and in-person services for survivors of Human Trafficking, and helping them to stabilize their lives vocationally, psychologically, medically, and in whatever other ways needed. Less than 8% of Human Trafficking related nonprofits address the needs of the individual AFTER escaping a trafficking situation. Go to to sign up for this event, which runs from 10/26-11/9, and participate from anywhere in the world. Any...
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Diagnosis, Assessment, and ADHD with Dr Barry Herman
The Broken Brain
The way in which we diagnose mental health conditions has been key to the treatment world. Much of this has historically been done through patient report and observable behavior. As time has gone by assessment instruments and tools have been developed to help, but the individual assessment will always be important. Dr Barry Herman, medical director for Mentavi, joins today to share information about diagnosis, particularly for ADHD and related issues. Go to www.mentavi.com to follow his work. The Because Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to helping those who have survived human...
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Can I fight Trauma with Joy? MC McDonald says YES!
The Broken Brain
Dr Mary-Catherine (MC) MCDonald is a Research Professor, Trauma Recovery Expert, and the Author of "The Joy Reset." Her expertise is in the use of joy to combat the effects of trauma. Going deeper than just the philosophy of joy, she shares actionable techniques to reduce trauma symptoms. We also like & dislike some of the same trends in therapy. Follow her work @mcphd on Instagram. Go to www.becauseorganization.org to support The Because Organization, helping survivors of trafficking to establish healthy lives. Participate in their virtual walk/run from anywhere in the world during...
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Purple Crayons, by Dr Ross Ellenhorn
The Broken Brain
Remember "Harold and the Purple Crayon"? So does Dr Ross Ellenhorn, our guest today and the author of "Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life." Dr Ellenhorn uses the framework of the world of Harold and the Purple Crayon to showcase the importance of individuality and creativity when dealing with mental illness, addiction, and health. The charity of focus this month is The Because Organization, a nonprofit in Philadelphia helping people who have survived human trafficking to build their lives. Go to to learn more AND to participate in their virtual walk-a-thon fund raiser.
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Women of Gotham, with Dalin Rowell
The Broken Brain
What kind of women characters do we find in Batman stories? How do they interact with Batman, The BatFamily, and the world of Gotham? Dalin Rowell, host & creator of "It's Reely a Podcast," joins me to discuss this year's Batman episode, where we focus on Characters such as Catwoman, Batgirl, Talia al Ghul, Baby Doll, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and more! Including the under-discussed Andrea Beaumont! One more plug for the September charity-of-focus: go to www.akshayapatra.org, to share and support this wonderful nonprofit providing hot midday meals to students in India.
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The Human Animal, with Frank Forcich
The Broken Brain
Frank Forcich is a biologist and health educator. He teaches people to understanding life through the lens of what attributes human beings have as animals within the natural world, and to assess how we are influenced by health and habitat. His perspective helps to break down the things that influence the way we form culture, community, and how we make decisions on a group and individual level. Learn more about his work at Visit to support this month's highlighted nonprofit. Akshata Patra is an NGO base din India, with a focus on providing a hot midday meal for youth in school.
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Choices & Redemption in the new film 55, with Filmmaker Shyam Madiraju
The Broken Brain
Shyam Madiraju is the writer & Director of It tells the story of a young pickpocket who faces hard decisions about survival, morality, and what power we have over our own lives. Look for the film streaming on Video On Demand, and follow Shyam's work on Instagram @mad_n_shy The highlighted nonprofit this month is Akshaya Patra, an NGO based in India that provides hot midday meals for children attending school. Go to to learn more, support, and share this charity.
info_outlineDebbie Ausburn is a social worker and the author of "Raising Other Peoples Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me About Bringing Together A Blended Family." She shares her experiences as a Foster and Step Parent, and the lessons learned from successes and mistakes connecting and parenting children in situations where trust must be earned instead of assumed.
Donate, participate, and promote The Because Organization, this month's highlighted nonprofit. They work with survivors of human trafficking, helping people to build safe and healthy lives after emerging from these abusive situations.