Psychology America With Dr. Alexandra

I consider agape love to be the highest form of love and I’m so excited to share this topic with you.  On this show Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, and I discuss the following and more: What is the definition of agape love and how is it different than other forms of love, such as Eros (romantic love) or love among family?  Are feelings of love necessary to practice agape love?  How does agape love fit in with justice and fairness?  How does agape love fit in with other virtues defined by psychology and religion?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  Dr. Enright is the Aristotelian Professor in Forgiveness Science in the School of Education's Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   For his work in the peace movement, Dr. Enright has been named the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven boo

Affairs, which soared during COVID,  are addictive and can cause harm all around.  In this episode psychologist guests Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery, Dr. Marcy Pasternak and Dr. Tamsen Thorpe share their expertise on the different types of affairs, how affairs impact children, the personality types of those who are more likely to have affairs, steps to take to heal from an affair and more.    In my practice I find that affairs can be painful and debilitating not only for the injured party but for individuals trying to get out of one.   Learn about how there are emotional affairs, virtual affairs, sexual-only affairs and fantasy affairs.  Learn about the intergenerational effects of a child being alienated (cut off) from a parent in hostile, high conflict divorces.    Our expert guests provide resources for how to heal after the effects of an affair.  Dr. Marcy Pasternak, PhD (marcypasternak@gmail.com) is a clinical and forensic psychologist who practices in New Jersey.  She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinic

This episode’s guest is Dr. Sean Sullivan, psychologist and the author of The Mind Master’s Silent Journey and Be Your Purpose:  10 Science Based Steps to Feeling and Performing Your Best.  Dr. Sullivan has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and the Huffington Post. During the pandemic, the University of California approved piloting a mode of therapy that Dr. Sullivan developed called “Shift Therapy” at the Santa Cruz campus (UCSC). After two years of successful pilots, UCSC’s Health Center subscribed their entire 20,000+ member community to receive Shift Therapy in 2023.   Through this episode we discuss the following and more:   *    the value of 5 minutes of exercise before meditating to settle your mind *    A technique in which you purposely introduce your triggers in order to gain mastery over the *    Visiting “the silence” or stillness within yourself daily  *    A specific approach to meditation, which Dr. Sean Sullivan has developed into an app *    “Backward time stamping.”  This comes at

This is the last of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.   This episode answers the question: What are the physical and emotional risks of not forgiving?  The following is a complete list of episodes in this series:  What is the definition of forgiveness?  What are the benefits of forgiveness?What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?Is forgiveness just about religion? What is it to work the “forgiveness muscle?”What are some of the criticisms of the idea of forgiveness?Why is an “eye for an eye” not the best way?If I forgive, I’m afraid I’ll forget OR if I forgive, I’m afraid I won’t forget.Why is forgiveness better than a neutral attitude toward the wrongdoer?Isn’t forgiveness unhealthy repression?Do I forgive if the person continues to hurt me?Should I forgive immediately or should I take som

This is the 16th of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. This episode answers the question: Can forgiveness and justice happen together?    Dr. Enright brings in Aristotle in his answer . . . The following is a complete list of episodes in this series, which can be found at the Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra podcast: What is the definition of forgiveness?  What are the benefits of forgiveness?What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?Is forgiveness just about religion? What is it to work the “forgiveness muscle?”What are some of the criticisms of the idea of forgiveness?Why is an “eye for an eye” not the best way?If I forgive, I’m afraid I’ll forget OR if I forgive, I’m afraid I won’t forget.Why is forgiveness better than a neutral attitude toward the wrongdoer?Isn’t forgiveness unhealthy

This is the 15th of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. This episode answers the question:  How often should one forgive?  The following is a list of the other episodes in the series:  What is the definition of forgiveness?  What are the benefits of forgiveness?What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?Is forgiveness just about religion? What is it to work the “forgiveness muscle?”What are some of the criticisms of the idea of forgiveness?Why is an “eye for an eye” not the best way?If I forgive, I’m afraid I’ll forget OR if I forgive, I’m afraid I won’t forget.Why is forgiveness better than a neutral attitude toward the wrongdoer?Isn’t forgiveness unhealthy repression?Do I forgive if the person continues to hurt me?Should I forgive immediately or should I take some time first?What if multiple p

This is the 14th of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.    This episode answers the question:  How long does it take to get emotional relief after forgiving, if at all?     Stay tuned for the 15th episode:  How often should one forgive?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsi

This is the 13th of a 17 part series of super brief, stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the 14th episode:  How long does it take to get emotional relief after forgiving, if at all?Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, visit

This is the 12th of a 17 part series of super brief stand alone podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the 13th episode:  What if multiple people have hurt you, how do you decide who to forgive first?Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, vi

This is one of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each stand-alone show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the 12th episode as Dr. Robert Enright answers this question: Should I forgive immediately or should I take some time first?Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and

This is the tenth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the 11th episode as Dr. Robert Enright answers this question:  Do I forgive if the person continues to hurt me?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enrigh

This is the ninth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the tenth episode as Dr. Robert Enright answers this question:  Isn’t forgiveness just unhealthy repression?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright,

This is the eighth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the ninth episode:  Why is forgiveness better than a neutral attitude toward the wrongdoer?   Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, visit internati

This is the seventh of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the eighth episode, which answers the question:  If I forgive, I’m afraid I’ll forget OR if I forgive, I’m afraid I won’t forget. . . Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgivenes

This is the sixth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness. Stay tuned for the seventh episode, which answer the question:  Why is "an eye for an eye" not the right way?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, visi

This is the fifth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.    In this show you will learn about how resentment has physical effects on the body!  Stay tuned for the sixth episode, which answer the question:  What are some of the criticisms of the idea of forgiving?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the Universi

This is the fourth of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts (5 - 10 minutes each) on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.    Stay tuned for the fifth episode, which answer the question:  What is it to work the forgiveness muscle?     In this episode learn about the wonderful concept of "bearing the pain."  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisco

I'm excited to share the third of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.   The following brief episode answers the question:   What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?    Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   To learn more about forgiveness and Dr. Robert Enright, visit internationalforgivenes

I'm excited to share the second of a 17 part series of super brief podcasts on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, I will ask just one question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.   The following brief episode answers the question:   What are the benefits of forgiveness?  (What’s in it for the person forgiving?)  Stay tuned for the third question, which answer the question:  What are the two paradoxes of forgiveness?  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeutic settings.  Dr. Enright is a professor of Educati

Is there someone from your life that you need to forgive? The following super brief episode is one of a  17 part series on the topic of forgiveness.  In each show, Dr. Alexandra asks just one new question of Dr. Robert Enright, PhD, internationally renowned expert on the science and psychology of forgiveness.  The following brief (five minute) episode answers the question:  What is the definition of forgiveness?   Stay tuned for the next brief episode, which answers:  What are the benefits of forgiveness?  (What’s in it for the person forgiving?)  Dr. Robert Enright is the 2022 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology by the American Psychological Foundation.  As the founder of the scientific study of forgiveness, Dr. Enright has authored seven books and over 100 publications on the topic and related topics, including studies on cross-cultural interpersonal forgiveness.   Dr. Enright developed an early intervention to promote a model of forgiveness that can be self-taught or used in therapeu