Heavens: The Boy and His Robot, with Writer/Director Rich Ho
The Broken Brain
Another great conversation from the Cinequest Film Festival! Rich Ho spent the past 13 years making his movie "Heavens: The Boy and His Robot," a coming of age story centered on bravery, community, and dedication, set in sci-fi world. He talks to us about story telling and how he learned to overcome personal fear and dedicate himself to a project. The making of this film is a story of goals, follow through, and Rich's relationship with his children. Please visit to support the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, our highlighted charity for the month of March.
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Helping Children in Grief with Dr Korie Leigh
The Broken Brain
Grief is a complex thing, and can be difficult to approach with children. Dr Korie Leigh is one of the nation's leading experts on childhood grief & pediatric palliative care, a consultant to the Sesame Street Workshop, and the author of the new book "When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief." Today she shares principles to help children through the most difficult times, whether they are coping with loss or suffering from serious illness of their own. Follow her work and check out the book: The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Rights for...
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How did Irish immigrants become a big part of the USA police force?
The Broken Brain
What is with the stereotype of the Irish Cop? I have seen this in fiction, when I was young it seemed like half of fictional law enforcement were Irish. In the real world Irish culture has a strong present in the culture of modern day policing. Where did it come from? This week's dive into cultural history is a story of immigration, discrimination, brutal capatilism leading to mass corruption, and how an immigrant group can be pressured into infighting with other immigrants. For Patrons of the show (who get the second half) there is also a touching story of modern Irish advocacy and...
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Plan C: a heist movie about competing values, with Claire & Scott Cavalheiro
The Broken Brain
Cinequest Fim Festival is in full swing, which means interviews with Indie Artists! Today we discuss the film "Plan C," with writer/director Scott Cavalheiro, and star Claire Cavalheiro. Plan C is a heist movie focused on doing the wrong things for what feel like the right reasons: helping family. The highlighted charity this month is CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Follow and support their important work at åç
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Monday Mental Tip: Destructive Deductions
The Broken Brain
What information to we use to diagnose and deduce what is going on in a situation? What is a useful or less-useful way of going about this? The highlighted charity this month is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA. Go to to learn about and support this wonderful nonprofit working to support and protect the rights of immigrants.
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The Odd Use of the Isolation Helmet
The Broken Brain
The Isolation Helmet was an inventive, and quite odd, treatment device for mental health. Today we revisit this former episode of Thursday Thistory, with one important difference: Everyone gets the FULL episode! Try to control your excitement! Usually these history lessons are only available in full to Patreon donors, but everyone gets this one. The highlighted nonprofit this month is CHIRLA: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Go to to learn more and support this amazing and important organization.
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Jonny Durgan, Writer & Director of G.S.W.
The Broken Brain
Jonny Durgan is the writer & director of the new short film "G.S.W." now making the film festival circuit. This powerful film looks at a unique aspect of a school shooting, seen through the experience of a pair of EMTs near the site. Follow the process of this film, including a trailer and it's eventual general release, at The Broken Brain's highlighted charity this month is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Follow and support their important work at
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Dr Joy Harden Bradfor profile Patreon Sample
The Broken Brain
Today's dive into history of psychology focuses on a modern pioneer in therapy: Dr Joy Harden Bradford. She is the founder of Therapy For Black Girls, a platform for education, advocacy, and mental health treatment focused on the needs of Black women and girls. Her foundational work is based on overcoming obstacles such as bias, medical discrimination, and stigma of seeking out therapy. You can follow her work at This is a sample of this Thursday Thistory, a weekly dive into psychology, available in full to supporting patrons of the show. Consider supporting the show at
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Reducing Stress & Burnout with Heart Attack Survivor, Dr Joseph Luftman
The Broken Brain
Dr Joseph Luftman is a Physician specializing in Sports and Family Medicine. After suffering a massive heart attack, often called a widowmaker level attack, he began to focus on reducing elements of stress and burnout through mindfulness, recognizing stress buildup, contemplation, and how sound can be useful in finding calm amidst chaos. Follow his work at www.saturationofsound.com and read his new book: The Widowmaker's Gift This month our highlighted nonprofit is The Lavender Rights Project. Go to www.lavenderrightsproject.com to support this organization, helping Black Trans individuals...
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Mental Health Tip: Celebration as a form of self-care
The Broken Brain
With the recent passing of Rev. JesseJackson, many have been concerned at the lack of celebration and respect being shown by the current administration, including lack of official direction to fly flags at half-mast, and Mike Johnson's flat refusal to consider Jackson's potential for interment in the Capital Rotunda. Lack of respect or outright erasure of civil rights can contribute to advocacy burnout, or stress from the current political climate. Along with many other forms of action, openly celebrating causes or individuals is a form of self-care. Today I want to share a brief story...
info_outlineThe Isolation Helmet was an inventive, and quite odd, treatment device for mental health. Today we revisit this former episode of Thursday Thistory, with one important difference: Everyone gets the FULL episode! Try to control your excitement! Usually these history lessons are only available in full to Patreon donors, but everyone gets this one.
The highlighted nonprofit this month is CHIRLA: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Go to www.CHIRLA.org to learn more and support this amazing and important organization.