Look, Just Tell Me What To Do.

Today I interview Dr. Joshua Pepper, professor of astrophysics and recent employee of NASA. I ask him all the questions: how do we discover exoplanets, what is dark matter, does he think we're alone in the universe and what about that new toy taking all those neat pictures of really, really old galaxies? We also touch on what it takes to become an astrophysicist and what it's like to sit down with a bunch of other like minded scientists and have a beer or two. 

Enjoy!

My contact info: 

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com

This is the first of a series that indicates that we are really serious. You can see because we use All Caps. Check this one out. Definitely the best one of these we've done so far.

Today I get to know Reese, my other partner at Square One Studios. Reese is our tech sorcerer, our editing software whisperer and as he puts it "Professional Sam Wrangler". 

Today we discuss everything from Reese's favorite apple, his love affair with broken watches, to his multilayered relationship with mushrooms.

In the end, we both agree that authenticity and clear communication appear to be the hallmarks of a solid friendship.

Listen and enjoy.

My contact info:

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com 

Today I talk with Sam Lamott, the creator of the podcast, "How To Human" about...getting to know Sam Lamott. Really, this is an episode about friendship and what it takes to make friends: the defenses, expectations and projections--and all of that coming from two directions at once.  

A few other topics we will cover: body dysmorphia, missing fathers, mentorship, addiction, and what it means to live, or not live, in the future.

Lastly, we will also discuss our upcoming business venture—an audio video production company in Marin county.

Our awesome studio:

https://www.square1.studio

Sam's awesome podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-human-with-sam-lamott/id1310883492

My Contact Info:

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com

Today we speak with Jonathan Parkhurst about his salvation from the clutches of addiction. John goes into detail about how his extreme internal strife led to a catastrophic relationship with crack cocaine. In addition, John will discuss his mission to help others struggling with chemical dependency through his revolutionary company and website GoSeekHaven.com, which offers a Craigslist-type structure for those seeking affordable housing and treatment for substance abuse. 

A few words about Jonathan:

As Founder & CEO, Jonathan Parkhurst is a leader and innovator in the recovery industry. Jonathan owned one of the largest continuums of care sober living companies in Northern California, Stepping Up. In 2015 Stepping up was acquired by Cornerstone Sober living.  After being acquired, Jonathan started a consulting firm focused on organizations with a need to scale either top talent or topline revenue.  As a strategic partner in talent acquisition and market acquisition, Jonathan led talent growth for companies like Enphase Energy, GoPro, and WeWork. Jonathan served on the Board of Marin County Drug and Alcohol, he is the Northern California Outreach Coordinator for the Black Americans in AA, As a homeless activist. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Homes for the Homeless. He experienced homelessness in San Francisco before going on to become a tech entrepreneur and app innovator. Jonathan is also a veteran of Desert Storm. Today, he is using his experience to give back and help others transition from drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and other afflictions.

You can learn more about John's company, Go Seek Haven here: 

https://goseekhaven.com

My contact information: 

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com

Brad Smallwood, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, discusses the myriad changes that have occurred since the world opened back up: shifts in urban geography—blocked off streets, multiplying parklets, restaurants spilling out onto our sidewalks. 

Also, are habits around masking here to stay? And are people spending less time on their cell phones in social situations? What affects might covid have on the learning and behavioral patterns of children and teenagers?

In the second half of the show, we spend time cutting loose, because that's probably what everyone else is ready to do: we discuss the dying art of the fidget spinner, poke fun at overused, hackneyed therapeutic phrases, as well as review the thousands of hours of movies and television we have consumed over the past two strange years. 

Contact: 

http://bradfordsmallwood.com

Or

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com 

Today we examine the various forms of depression, tools to mitigate serious symptoms of depression as well as resources for those suffering with this disease. In addition, we will also focus on suicidal thoughts and how to recognize when and if they pose a serious threat.

** National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

** If you are seeking low cost therapy, try googling "Low cost" or "Free" therapy in your area. The Bay Area alone has numerous low fee/no fee clinics available to the public. 

Benjamin Russack LMFT

415.497.1908

[email protected]

benjaminrussack.com

Today we speak with working class hero and “Refuse Engineer, Ben. Every day Ben rises at the crack of 11pm to make the very early morning rounds to pick up your recycling in the city of San Francisco. We will be looking at the strange things he finds while on the job—everything from sections of people’s fount lawns, money, skateboards and adult…toys.

We will also be taking a look at how to manage your recycling. What sort of things can and cannot go into those bins? What to you do when your bin is full?

Fair warning: Today’s episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual activity, violence and extreme human suffering. Listener discretion is advised. 

My contact info: [email protected] or benjaminrussack.com 

A couple helpful links:

https://sf311.org/help/sf311-mobile-app

https://www.recology.com/recology-san-francisco

Today we talk with Dan Chaison, former US Army sergeant deployed to Afghanistan, who went on to become a United States Senate foreign policy aide. At times, Dan’s experience granted him a devastating view of how even the wildest personal beliefs are formed, changed over time, or staunchly remain unchanged. Dan will comb through his career experiences for examples of media disinformation, the life and death consequences of group think, how projection works to bring people together against a common foe and the near impossible task of teasing out the differences between the stories we tell ourselves and the actual facts at hand. We will also look at what it really means to step into an opposing person’s perspective and the importance of promoting discourse among those with whom we disagree. 

Please note:  some of Dan’s recollections from his experience in the military may prove disturbing or upsetting to those who have experienced war. 

Should you have any questions for Dan: [email protected]

My contact information: [email protected]/ 415.471.1908

Today we talk to Dr. Amy Lawson about her journey from Christian Fundamentalism to a scholar of Jungian and Archetypal Studies. We will also look at philosophical structures that seem inherently at odds with one another as well as how to go within and choose which philosophy works best for ourselves. 

Amy's podcast!  Stuffofdreams.fireside.fm 

You can also contact Amy at [email protected]

You can contact the host at: [email protected] or visit my website at Benjaminrussack.com