Magical thinking is the belief that one's words, actions, thoughts, or use of symbols have an effect on the external world and/or events. In this discussion, Helen Greene will explain how in childhood magical thinking starts, how people use it as a psychological tool, how even people without belief still practice magical thinking, and how to break oneself from falling into these patterns.
Helen comes from a diverse background of beliefs. Raised Catholic then rejecting the church to move into paganism, she was a pagan high priestess for 10 years during her time in that faith. Eventually realizing through education and skeptical inquiry into herself, she came to the conclusion she had no solid evidence for her beliefs which brought her to a more humanistic and realistic worldview. Still studying psychology even out of college, she spends her time trying to understand human behavior, the emotional and psychological understandings of ourselves, and what forms our perspectives and why. On top of her volunteer work here at RfR, she is also a volunteer at the Atheist Community of Austin, an advocate of LGBTQIA+ rights, and a cohost of the podcast Left of the Valley. For fun, she enjoys horror (esp cosmic horror) and sci-fi movies, video gaming, and diving deep into made up world building stories such as the Lord of the Rings.
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E52: Adjustment to Parenthood with Kayce Hodos, LCMHC
E51: Ask A Therapist w/ Kayce Hodos, LPC, Rebecca Williams, LMFT, and Praia Westerband-Otero, LMHC
E50: How Racism & Injustice Affects Our Mental Health w/ Mandisa Thomas & Candace Gorham, LPC
E49: Autonomy, Boundaries, & Consent w/ Marie D'Elephant
E48: Our Community Is Here - Utilizing Support Groups w/ Mandisa L. Thomas
E47: Accepting Your Sexuality After Religion w/ Praia Westerband-Otero, LMHC & Dr Darrel Ray
E46: Sherrie D'Souza - Faces of RfR
E45: Thriving in a Mixed Secular/Religious Relationship w/ Rebecca Williams, LMFT
E44: Grief Without God w/ Kayce Hodos, LPC
E43: Eric Finnegan - Faces of RfR
E42: The Psychology of Religious Trauma w/ Dr Hector Garcia & Dr Darrel Ray
E41: The Psychology of Religion During Crisis w/ Dr. Darrel Ray
E40: Maintaining Mental Health During Social Distancing w/ Dr Darrel Ray
E39: Coming out as Atheist in 2021 w/ Mandisa Thomas
E38: Judgement & Awkward Conversations: Dealing w/ Religious Extended Family w/ Rebecca Williams
E37: Sacred Harm: Abuse Within Religious Fundamentalism w/ David Teachout, LMHC
E36: Cognitive Dissonance: Why It's So Hard For Humans To Change Their Minds w/ Kayce Hodos
E35: Christianity: Seeking Simplicity in a World of Chaos w/ David Teachout
E34: Why We Believe In God(s) w/ Andy Thomson, MD
E33: Painful Endings and New Beginnings w/ Janice Selbie
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