In this episode, Dr. Puder hosts a conversation with Dr. Miriam Steele, a leading expert in reflective functioning (RF), mentalization, and attachment theory. They explore the origins of RF from the pioneering work of Peter Fonagy and John Bowlby in the London Parent-Child Project, its role in predicting secure attachments and sensitive parenting, and distinctions from empathy. Conversation topics include cutting-edge research on mentalization-based treatment (MBT) and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders, therapist RF's impact on patient outcomes, body image representations, and smartphone effects on parent-child bonds.

By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.5 Psychiatry CME Credits.

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In this compelling episode, Dr. David Puder sits down with New York Times bestselling author and psychotherapist Daniel Smith to explore his latest book, Hard Feelings: Finding the Wisdom in Our Darkest Emotions. They dive deep into the often-avoided world of "negative" emotions like shame, envy, and annoyance, revealing how these hard feelings carry profound wisdom rather than being obstacles to banish. Drawing from Smith's personal experiences, they discuss double binds, screen memories, dissociation, and the freezing response that shame can trigger. The conversation also covers annoyance as a temperament trait tied to highly sensitive, hyperpermeable nervous systems, noise sensitivity struggles, links to traits like idealization/devaluation in borderline patterns, and much more. Listen now for raw, insightful reflections on emotional authenticity and mental health.

By listening to this episode, you can earn 2.0 Psychiatry CME Credits.

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In this episode, Dr. Puder engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Douglas Flemons, a seasoned marriage and family therapist and author of the newly released Empathic Engagement in Clinical Practice. Drawing from over 30 years of supervising family therapists, Dr. Flemons redefines empathy as an active, pursued skill rather than a passive feeling, distinguishing it sharply from sympathy. Explore common misconceptions, the pitfalls of sympathetic responses, debates on cognitive versus affective empathy, the role of microexpressions and universal affective states, and practical strategies for building genuine therapeutic connections without imposing interpretations or judgment.

By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.25 Psychiatry CME Credits.

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