In this special college-football-bowl-season episode, Dr. Debra Kawahara sits down with two distinguished guests: Aaron Taylor, former Notre Dame All-American and College Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, CBS Sports analyst, and mental-wellness advocate, and Dr. Ron Stolberg, acclaimed sports psychologist and distinguished professor at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant. Together they explore the emotional, psychological, and performance-related challenges athletes face during one of the most pressure-packed times of the year. The discussion spans identity transitions after sports, the role of preparation and mindset, social media pressures, team culture and leadership, and the importance of joy, purpose, and connection. With vivid personal stories and actionable psychological tools, this conversation gives listeners a rare look at the human side of competition.

Get your popcorn ready! In this episode of Wellness in Today’s World, Dr. Danny Wedding joins Dr. Debra Kawahara to discuss the intersection of psychology and cinema, focusing on his book “Movies and Mental Illness.” He shares insights on how films can educate about mental health, the evolution of his book over five editions, and the importance of accurate portrayals of mental illness in media. The discussion also covers the challenges of balancing cinematic quality with psychological accuracy, examples of good and bad portrayals in film, and the broader implications of mental illness in society. Dr. Wedding emphasizes the value of using films as educational tools in psychology and the ongoing relevance of his work in understanding mental health through cinema.

In this episode of Wellness in Today's World (recorded Sept. 5, 2025), Dr. Debra Kawahara interviews Dr. Tania Israel, an expert in navigating political divides and LGBTQ advocacy. They discuss the increasing political divisiveness in society, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the emotional impact of polarization. Dr. Israel shares insights on effective dialogue strategies, the importance of perspective taking, and the hopeful movements working to bridge divides. The conversation emphasizes the need for emotional regulation and curiosity in discussions, providing listeners with practical tools to engage across differences.