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The Thinking Mind Podcast

"If you are interested in your mind, emotions, sense of self, and understanding of others, this show is brilliant."

Learn something new about the mind every week - With in-depth conversations at the intersection of psychiatry, psychotherapy, self-development, spirituality and the philosophy of mental health. 

Featuring experts from around the world, leading clinicians and academics, published authors, and people with lived experience, we aim to make complex ideas in the mental health space accessible and engaging. 

This podcast is designed for a broad audience including professionals, those who suffer with mental health difficulties, more common psychological problems, or those who just want to learn more about themselves and others. 

Hosted by psychiatrists Dr. Alex Curmi, Dr. Anya Borissova & Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson. 

Listeners have also said:

"Every episode is enlightening, the approach, conversations and depth of information is deeply enriching. So refreshing to hear practitioners with this level of insight into human behaviour. Thank you for the work and for sharing."

Podcast related enquiries: thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com.

If you would like to work with Dr. Curmi: alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com

Disclaimer: None of the information in the podcast is intended as medical advice for any one invididual.

The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

Today Alex discusses David Lynch's 2001 classic Mulholland Drive with David Shariatmadari. David is a writer and editor at the Guardian and is the author of Don't Believe A Word: The Surprising Truth About Language.

Including themes such as splitting, repression, the shadow, and the effects of guilt and moral injury - this film remains a beautiful, dark and enigmatic look at human psychology. 

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. 

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E154 | Thinking Films: Mulholland Drive (w/ David Shariatmadari)

Sophie McBain is an award-winning freelance writer based in Boston. She writes longform narrative nonfiction, profiles, book reviews and essays for the Guardian, the Observer, the Times, New Statesman magazine and others.

Today she discusses her recent Guardian article: Are We Living in a Golden Age of Stupidity? - about the potential cognitive affects of AI overuse. 

Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/18/are-we-living-in-a-golden-age-of-stupidity-technology

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. 

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E153 | Does AI Make us Dumber? (w/ Sophie McBain)

Prof. Ziad Nahas is a psychiatrist and researcher who treats adult patients with mood disorders and treatment resistant depression and specializes in performing deep brain stimulation and electro-convulsive therapy. Dr. Nahas is Professor and Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Today we discuss a case study of a 44 year old man with treatment resistant depression treated with PACE (Personalized Adaptive Cortical Electro-stimulation) a novel, personalised form of brain stimulation. 

The Case Study and video of the study patient (alias Mike) can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ziad-nahas-67526015a_neuroscience-mentalhealthinnovation-functionalmri-activity-7360347911529910272-C08F?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAFjWpikBGe7Oel-gcC_2ZupvuXI-t9RkwCM

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

Check out Alex on the Examined Life Podcast here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-alex-curmi-how-should-we-prepare-for-a/id1680728280?i=1000738070553

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. 

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E152 | How Brain Stimulation Cured Lifelong Depression (w/ Prof. Ziad Nahas)

Today Alex discusses the 1998 high-concept drama The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Peter Weir, about a man unknowingly trapped in a reality tv show. Including themes such as control, trauma, truth over comfort, paranoia and the price of freedom. 

Presented by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-170117699

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi.

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E151 | Thinking Films: The Truman Show (1998)

Paul Flynn is the founder and CEO of Harbor London, with over 25 years of experience in building and leading organisations. His core focus is on the clinical management and development of high-performing mental health services, overseeing a multidisciplinary team that includes over 100 Consultants delivering care across a broad range of psychiatric and psychological specialties.

Disclaimer: The Thinking Mind does not have any financial affiliation with Harbor London. 

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. 

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E150 | Addiction, ADHD and the Price of Success (w/ Paul Flynn)

Hilary Beard is a psychotherapist at the South London and Maudsley NHS trust. She is a practicing CAT therapist and trainer. She was a founding member of the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT) and was the chair for ACAT from 1994 - 1997. 

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Episode produced by Ellis Ballard and Alex Curmi. 

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E149 | Cognitive Analytic Therapy (w/ Hilary Beard)

Professor Derek Tracy is the Chief Medical Officer of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Derek is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and an honorary Professor at Brunel Medical School. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 20 book chapters.

Prof. Tracy has written two chapters in Evolutionary Psychiatry: Current Perspectives on Evolution and Mental Health, published by Cambridge University Press:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/evolutionarypsychiatry/2A1862AA7A2D78F946A34475D98425EB

Today Derek and Alex discuss human evolution, and how a mismatch between the ancestral and modern enivornments may be contributing to many contemporary physical and mental health problems. 

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

Alex's Guardian article on this topic: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/sep/21/how-modern-life-makes-us-sick-and-what-to-do-about-it

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174371597

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E148 | Is Modern Life Making Us Sick? (w/ Prof. Derek Tracy)

Today Alex discusses the classic 2013 financial crime epic the Wolf of Wallstreet directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Margot Robbie and Jonah Hill. Including themes such as narcissism, behaviour control, addiction and moral disengagement. This episode does not contain financial advice. 

Presented by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

Podcast with Jordan Belfort's ex-wife Nadine Macaluso:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiaVUdXV2UY

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-170117699

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E147 | Thinking Films: The Wolf of Wallstreet (2013)

Professor David Nutt is a Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London and Chair of Drug Science, an organisation which aims to educate the public about drugs and their effects. 

A world-leading researcher on how drugs affect the brain, he’s published over 500 papers and 34 books — including Drugs Without the Hot Air and his autobiography Nutt Uncut. A former Chair of the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, he’s known for challenging drug policy with science and reason. 

David is also a regular voice in the media and hosts the Drug Science Podcast, exploring the truth about drugs, their uses, and their impact on society.

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi with Dr Anya Borissova. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training. Dr. Anya is a academic registrar psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley trust. 

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://thinkingmindblog.substack.com/p/psychedelics-technology-and-love

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E146 | Should We Decriminalise Drugs? (w/ Prof. David Nutt)

Gillie is a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor with more than 30 years’ experience. She specialises in working with survivors of coercive, cultic or spiritual abuse, trauma including rape and sexual abuse, thought-reform (brainwashing) and undue influence. She works with former cult members, including those brought up in a cult (second and multi-generation) and those who joined or were recruited (first generation).

Gillie set up Hope Valley Counselling in 2006 after achieving her Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy. Here she further developed her model for counselling former cult members and survivors of spiritual abuse and undue influence. 

Further resources:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/spirituality-and-psychiatry/pathological-spirituality/0F993FFB842601BF7492EFB708EBA769

 https://www.hopevalleycounselling.com/walking-free-workbook

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.

Check out The Thinking Mind Blog on Substack: https://thinkingmindblog.substack.com/p/psychedelics-technology-and-love

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

E145 | Surviving a Cult (part 2 of 2 w/ Gillie Jenkinson)

Have you ever been convinced of something, beyond all doubt? Many people have a strong sense that their views are right and couldn't possibly be wrong. So how do we come to hold strong convictions and why is it hard to consider we could be mistaken? American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that Judgement Day would take place on May 21, 2011 "beyond the shadow of a doubt". Camping, who was then president of the Family Radio Christian network, claimed the Bible as his source. Through the eyes of his followers, the award winning documentary Right Between Your Ears explores how people believe, how we turn beliefs into certainties, and mistake them for the truth. This is an interview with the makers of the documentary Sheila Marshall and Kris de Meyer. 

Watch here- http://www.rightbetween.com/- Follow them on twitter/instagram @RightBTW - Write to us here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcast

If you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Interview #6: The End of the World and Cognitive Dissonance (Sheila Marshall and Kris de Meyer)

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