Mental Health

Orly Israel wants to prove that everyone has the capacity to be a great communicator. So he sets up a table every Saturday, where he posts up and just listens.

from Greater LA

Psychologist and author Dacher Keltner shares the science and mysteries surrounding awe, and suggests we make finding awe part of our daily lives.

from Life Examined

Is there a benefit to watching videos of police brutality? Do they galvanize people to fight for change or do they numb viewers to trauma?

Indirect trauma is psychological cost of watching police brutality videos

Is there a benefit to watching videos of police brutality? Do they galvanize people to fight for change or do they numb viewers to trauma?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Three people who were apparently experiencing mental health crises have been killed by the LAPD this year. Many question where de-escalation teams were.

Lack of mental health intervention shrouds recent LAPD killings

Three people who were apparently experiencing mental health crises have been killed by the LAPD this year. Many question where de-escalation teams were.

from Greater LA

A new field of psychology examines how food and eating are linked to mood.

Is food linked to mood? Emotional eating isn’t a failure, it’s a part of our humanity

A new field of psychology examines how food and eating are linked to mood.

from Good Food

Can happiness come from life’s biggest sorrows? Poet Ross Gay explores the idea in his new book called “Inciting Joy.”

Time for ‘sorrow potluck’ — shed heavy feelings, dance, and connect

Can happiness come from life’s biggest sorrows? Poet Ross Gay explores the idea in his new book called “Inciting Joy.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Journalist and author Will Storr explains how status influences everything we do. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we all seek to be of value and feel accepted.

Playing the status game, and why we can’t hide from it

Journalist and author Will Storr explains how status influences everything we do. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we all seek to be of value and feel accepted.

from Life Examined

Life Examined shares the best reads of 2022. From books about joy, heartbreak, and the superpowers of animals, this list has something for everyone.

Life Examined’s Best Reads of 2022

Life Examined shares the best reads of 2022. From books about joy, heartbreak, and the superpowers of animals, this list has something for everyone.

from KCRW's Best of 2022

Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth explains the value of friendship and what we can learn from primates about the value of social bonds.

The science of friendship and the value of listening

Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth explains the value of friendship and what we can learn from primates about the value of social bonds.

from Life Examined

Dr. Gabor Maté’s new book strips back the realities of the neoliberal system that has been plaguing the health of US and the world citizens.

Who’s crazy, you or your nation?

Dr. Gabor Maté’s new book strips back the realities of the neoliberal system that has been plaguing the health of US and the world citizens.

from Scheer Intelligence

A Los Angeles journalist with brain trauma turned to specialists who recommended ketamine treatment. It’s known as the party drug “special K,” but it gives her relief.

Ketamine chronicles: Party drug gives this Angeleno relief from brain trauma

A Los Angeles journalist with brain trauma turned to specialists who recommended ketamine treatment. It’s known as the party drug “special K,” but it gives her relief.

from Greater LA

Educator, meditation specialist, and author Sharon Salzberg shares her personal journey to meditation and how it fundamentally changed her life.

What’s meditation really about? Specialist Sharon Salzberg explains.

Educator, meditation specialist, and author Sharon Salzberg shares her personal journey to meditation and how it fundamentally changed her life.

from Life Examined

Author and former professional poker player Annie Duke explores why quitting should be viewed more favorably and shares some strategies on knowing when to walk away.

The art of quitting: Is there wisdom in walking away?

Author and former professional poker player Annie Duke explores why quitting should be viewed more favorably and shares some strategies on knowing when to walk away.

from Life Examined

How do mental health diagnoses shape the identities of people experiencing them? Author Rachel Aviv explores this in “Strangers to Ourselves.”

‘Strangers to Ourselves’: How we internalize ‘what’s gone wrong’

How do mental health diagnoses shape the identities of people experiencing them? Author Rachel Aviv explores this in “Strangers to Ourselves.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Poet and essayist Ross Gay shares stories of joy and theorizes that the experience of joy might possibly be the best tool for uniting and depolarizing us as a people.

Inciting joy: Poet Ross Gay on gardening, grief, and basketball

Poet and essayist Ross Gay shares stories of joy and theorizes that the experience of joy might possibly be the best tool for uniting and depolarizing us as a people.

from Life Examined

Californians ages 18-24 are experiencing more anxiety and depression compared to past years, and many are struggling to get help due to financial costs or a lack of access to services.

No issue is trivial: Why it’s critical to address young adult mental health

Californians ages 18-24 are experiencing more anxiety and depression compared to past years, and many are struggling to get help due to financial costs or a lack of access to services.

from Greater LA

Months into this school year, some LAUSD students are anxious, depressed, and lonely, says teacher Aviva Alvarez-Zakson.

LAUSD teachers provide first line of mental health defense for students

Months into this school year, some LAUSD students are anxious, depressed, and lonely, says teacher Aviva Alvarez-Zakson.

from Greater LA

Opioid overdoses are a public health crisis — but largely ignored. One LA-based group aims to change that by making Narcan and fentanyl test strips accessible to all.

Ending opioid overdoses: Tools exist, we aren’t using them

Opioid overdoses are a public health crisis — but largely ignored. One LA-based group aims to change that by making Narcan and fentanyl test strips accessible to all.

from KCRW Features

Philosopher Kieran Setiya offers a guide to navigating life’s hardships and living well.

Kieran Setiya: A philosopher’s guide to life’s hardships

Philosopher Kieran Setiya offers a guide to navigating life’s hardships and living well.

from Life Examined

City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell is leading an effort to create a so-called “Office of Unarmed Response and Safety” to shift nonviolent calls away from the LAPD.

Mental health crises should be handled by unarmed pros, says Mitch O’Farrell

City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell is leading an effort to create a so-called “Office of Unarmed Response and Safety” to shift nonviolent calls away from the LAPD.

from KCRW Features