Forging Forward: Beating the Winter Blues: Understanding and Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Release Date: 12/14/2025
Forging Forward - Discipline, Therapy, and Leadership: Omar Ritter’s Path to Success
Forging Forward Podcast
In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam sits down with Omar Ritter, author of the book West Point to Wall Street. Omar shares the story of his journey from the demanding leadership environment of the United States Military Academy at West Point into the high-stakes world of finance. Along the way he developed a philosophy centered on discipline, accountability, and building a life based on strong personal standards. In this conversation, Omar talks about what West Point actually teaches about leadership, responsibility, and character, and how those lessons translate into business,...
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Forging Forward: Raising Grounded Kids in a Distracted World | With Flora McCormick
Forging Forward Podcast
What does it actually mean to parent intentionally in a culture that constantly pulls families toward more noise, more pressure, and more consumption? In this episode of Forging Forward, I sit down with Flora McCormick, host of the , to talk about what it looks like to raise grounded, resilient children without falling into perfectionism or burnout. This conversation isn’t about being the perfect parent. It’s about being a steady one. If you care about raising strong, thoughtful kids while staying centered yourself, this one’s for you. Instagram: Email us: About the Hosts: Adam Thorne...
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Forging Forward — AI Therapists Are Here: Interviewing Grok
Forging Forward Podcast
Episode Bio AI therapy is no longer theoretical — it’s already happening. In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam interviews Grok, an AI built for conversation, to explore what happens when technology steps into the therapy room. Through real client scenarios, this episode tests how AI responds to emotional struggle, men who find it hard to open up, and moments of psychological risk — then breaks down what AI does well, what it misses, and what that means for the future of human therapy. Will AI replace therapists — or simply change how people begin the conversation? AI Articles ...
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Forging Forward — When Boundaries Break: Ethics, Power, and Trust in Therapy
Forging Forward Podcast
In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam and Andy address a recent, widely discussed incident in the Bozeman community involving allegations against a therapist who also held a position of public authority. Without naming individuals or speculating on outcomes, the conversation focuses on what situations like this reveal about professional ethics, power dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with working in deeply trusting relationships. They break down why boundaries exist in therapy, how power imbalances can persist even after sessions end, and why ethical standards are designed to...
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Forging Forward — Episode: Moral Fatigue
Forging Forward Podcast
Moral fatigue isn’t burnout, and it’s not depression. It’s what happens when you’re constantly trying to do the right thing in a system that never stops asking more of you. In this episode of Forging Forward, We break down moral fatigue—how it shows up in men who care deeply about their work, their families, and their values, yet feel increasingly numb, cynical, or quietly resentful. We talk about why willpower isn’t the issue, why “just take a break” doesn’t fix it, and how prolonged value conflict slowly drains motivation, clarity, and meaning. This is a grounded...
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Forging Forward — Sleep – NapLab with Derek Hales
Forging Forward Podcast
Go to for the best mattress reviews In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam sits down with , founder of , to break down one of the most misunderstood pillars of mental health: Sleep. Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested. It’s about emotional regulation, decision-making, impulse control, anxiety, depression, and long-term brain health. Yet most people are guessing their way through it with caffeine, willpower, and bad advice. Derek brings a data-driven perspective from years of testing mattresses, sleep environments, and recovery variables, while Adam connects the dots between sleep...
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Forging Forward — Episode: Dry January
Forging Forward Podcast
Email us with questions or comments at: In this episode of Forging Forward, we take an honest look at Dry January and what actually happens when you take a break from alcohol. We talk through the real changes people notice in sleep, anxiety, mood, energy, and focus, along with the psychological shifts that often show up once alcohol is out of the picture. This is not about shaming drinking or pushing total abstinence. It is about paying attention. We explore who Dry January tends to help most, where it can feel harder than expected, and how a short reset can reveal patterns around stress,...
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Forging Forward: Losing Hope
Forging Forward Podcast
Forging Forward — Episode: Losing Hope What happens when the future feels closed, motivation disappears, and everything starts to feel pointless? In this episode of Forging Forward, therapists Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp go straight into one of the quietest and most dangerous emotional states there is: losing hope. They break down how hopelessness actually forms in the nervous system, why people often feel “stuck” even when nothing obvious is wrong, and how long-term stress, depression, trauma, addiction, and burnout slowly train the brain to stop expecting things to get better. This...
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Forging Forward: Gatekeeping
Forging Forward Podcast
About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: If you’re feeling shut out, dismissed, or unsure whether your experiences “qualify,” reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward being heard without having to justify yourself. In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp take on gatekeeping—the often subtle but powerful behavior where someone decides who is allowed to speak, belong, struggle, or be taken seriously. Gatekeeping can show up...
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Forging Forward: Gaslighting
Forging Forward Podcast
Gaslighting About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: If you're struggling with manipulation, emotional abuse, or any mental health concerns, reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward trusting yourself again. As relationships deepen and challenges arise here in Bozeman, many of us experience that unsettling doubt—questioning our own memories, feelings dismissed as "overreactions," or wondering if we're truly "too sensitive." If this sounds familiar,...
info_outlineAs the days grow shorter and the Montana winters settle in here in Bozeman, many of us feel that familiar drag—low energy, persistent sadness, cravings for comfort foods, or just a sense that motivation has packed up and left for sunnier skies. If this sounds like you, you're not alone: it's Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a real form of depression that hits reliably with the changing seasons.
In this enlightening episode of Forging Forward, host Adam Thorne and co-host Andy Kemp—two experienced therapists based right here in Bozeman—dive deep into SAD. They break down what it really is (beyond just the "winter blues"), explore common symptoms like oversleeping, social withdrawal, irritability, and carb cravings, and share evidence-based strategies to fight back. From the power of light therapy and circadian rhythm hacks to cognitive behavioral techniques, lifestyle tweaks, and when medication or professional support might make a difference, Adam and Andy offer practical, hopeful insights drawn from their years helping clients thrive through Montana's long winters.
Whether you're noticing these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, this conversation will empower you with tools to reclaim your energy and mood—no matter how gray the sky gets. Tune in and start forging forward toward brighter days!
About the Hosts:
Adam Thorne
Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965
Andy Kemp
Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276
If you're struggling with seasonal changes or any mental health concerns, reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.