Healing America

Explicit content warning

10/07/20 • 9 min

Episode #1 in a 6-episode exclusive series. On Poli-Psych 101, host Renie Schoenkerman talks to psychological experts about all the stuff we see playing out in America today. From professors to clinicians, forensic experts and self helpers, they explore the costs of emotional illiteracy and benefits of emotional intelligence.
In this episode, Renie shares her own story of chaos; growing up in a home with an abusive, mentally Ill parent and how it has led to finding her purpose through her work and podcast. Now, as a Marriage and Family Therapist, she models a relational approach to problem solving and helps us all to open our minds and grow our worlds. Renie focuses on solutions instead of problems, seeking to raise consciousness and understanding and do some mending in America.

Previous Episode

Welcome to Poli-Psych 101

On November 8th, 2016, it became clear that Donald Trump would become the 45th President of the United States. For some, this was great news. For others, it evoked real grief and tears.
For me, I took to my notebook. I'm Renie Schoenkerman, I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist. I've seen what happens in families when someone with mental illness is at the helm. Now imagine what that can do to a country. In Poli-Psych 101, we try to understand what's happening in this moment of American history, through an integrated psychological lens.
This is not about politics or party. It's about living through the mental insanity that is so divisive. Families can't speak to each other, friends are on the outs -- our communities are crumbling.
Relationships are the bedrock of our existence. So we need a relational approach to problem solving. In Poli-Psych 101, we'll explore the costs of emotional illiteracy in the age of the mad king, uncover the benefits of emotional intelligence, moving into the post pandemic era; and extract lessons that will help us develop emotional intelligence so we can learn from our mistakes and live again with dignity, hope, a little grace.
I hope you and your family will join me and my family for a little national family therapy In Poli-Psych 101.

Next Episode

The Cost of Emotional Illiteracy in the Age of the Mad King

Episode #2 in a 6-episode exclusive series. This podcast began as treatment notes on election night in 2016. Without knowing much about Donald Trump, I knew some of what we as a nation could expect based on his public behaviors for decades; after all the best predictor of future behavior is past and current behavior.
What's clear from decades of direct observation of Trump is that he has a rigid idiosyncratic behavior pattern. It is predictable and it is avoidable. I thought it was clear as day, but yet this was and is not obvious to everyone -- regardless of party.
This is not about party. This is about psychology and in this case, abnormal psychology. As our culture increasingly promotes narcissism through social media and technology, this could really happen to anyone. I took it for granted before the election that obviously everyone saw what I saw; it was directly observable, but apparently not.
And over the past three and a half years, we've had to suffer as a nation. My hope in this podcast is to help you develop your own integrated psychological lens, just like in therapy, to gain insight and awareness, maybe a new perspective, a tool and grow our shared consciousness.
In this episode, we discuss the costs of emotional illiteracy. What is emotional illiteracy and what are the real costs? We'll increase our EQ by hearing from two experts to who will teach us what to look for in order to spot these types, these traits, these psychological malignancies that are identifiable, predictable and absolutely avoidable.
GUESTS:

Dr. Cynthia Lermond is a Licensed Psychologist and Community Program Director specializing in Forensic Psychology. She is an experienced professional whose skills and interests include: forensic evaluations and expert witness testimony; clinical oversight and program development of multi-disciplinary treatment teams; psychotherapy, risk assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment planning in forensic settings; and training, education and clinical supervision of staff, students and interns.
John Snibbe, Ph.D. is a retired Clinical Psychologist who began the journey called retirement in March on 2012 after 40+ years of working. He has served in variety of clinical operations like psychiatric hospitals, a psychotherapy clinics and emergency services. He has also worked with LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has authored or edited four books and many research articles. His pre-retirement assignment was managing 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Services for the southern half of Los Angeles County. Like many professionals who have worked in high-octane environments, coming to the tipping point of unlimited leisure and infinite horizons was seductive and frightening. Finding meaning in later life has been a complex learning process requiring persistence, exploration and flexibility.

Mentioned in this episode:

My Grandmother's Hands

Snakes in Suits
Client 9: Rise and Fall of Elliott Spitzer

Greater Good Science Center