Best Armando Dominguez PhD Health Psychology Podcasts (2025)

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The Truth About Willpower: Why Blood Sugar and Brain Energy Are the Real Keys to Self-Control 20:27

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16h ago20:27

20:27

Ep 110. Unlocking True Willpower: Why Mental Endurance Is Fueled by Blood Sugar and Cognitive Energy The concept of willpower is often misunderstood and overstated. Contrary to popular belief, willpower is not a fixed trait—it’s a dynamic biological and cognitive process that hinges on two key factors: cognitive decision-making and glucose availabi…

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Unlock Your Power: How the 5 Types of Influence Shape Success & Leadership 25:32

10d ago25:32

25:32

Ep 109. Discover the 5 Hidden Powers That Shape Influence, Leadership, and Success From ancient empires to today’s digital age, power has always been the silent force behind human behavior, leadership, and global transformation. But power isn’t always loud or aggressive. In fact, the most effective types of power are often subtle, non-confrontation…

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The Avatar Effect: How AI, Gaming, and Digital Avatars Are Changing Who We Are 23:51

17d ago23:51

23:51

Ep 108. We are witnessing an explosive surge in human-technology interaction—from smartphones, tablets, and touchscreens to AI-driven wearables, virtual assistants, and advanced language models like ChatGPT. The digital interface is no longer just a tool; it's becoming an extension of our identity. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, we…

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How Your Brain Tricks You: The Hidden Power of Assumptions and Visual Perception 24:39

24d ago24:39

24:39

Ep 107. How Your Mind’s Eye Shapes Your Reality: The Hidden Science of Perception and Belief What you see with your eyes—before you ever form a thought—has a powerful impact on how you experience the world. In every moment, your brain builds fast assumptions based on past visual memories and emotional experiences. These snap judgments form your bel…

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Rewire Your Brain: Break Free from Stress, Anxiety, and the Default Mode Trap 25:02

1M ago25:02

25:02

Ep 106. Unlocking Conscious Awareness: How to Rewire Your Brain for Mindfulness, Focus, and Emotional Resilience Did you know that your brain is often operating on autopilot, using what neuroscientists call the default mode network (DMN)? This state, where we function unconsciously through habits and routines, helps us become more efficient—but it …

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The Hidden Link Between Immunity, Stress, and Resilience: Breathwork Explained 25:57

1M ago25:57

25:57

Ep 105. Unlocking True Resilience: How Your Immune System and Breath Control Can Transform Stress into Strength Resilience isn't just about "toughing it out" or pushing through environmental stress. True resilience is biological. It begins deep within the body—at the level of humoral immunity, your blood-based immune response. This internal defense…

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How to Hack the Default Mode Network and Enter Flow State, Neuroscience Explained 23:15

1M ago23:15

23:15

Ep 104. Unlock the Science of Flow State: The Truth About the Default Mode Network (DMN) What if the biggest thing standing in the way of your full potential… was your own brain? Meet the Default Mode Network (DMN) — a critical part of your brain that gives rise to your sense of self, your inner monologue, and the feeling of being separate from the…

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Unlocking Peak Performance: The Power of Neurotransmitters in Achieving Greatness 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

Ep 103. Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in shaping human actions and behaviors, particularly those we label as successful or skillful. Skill building inherently involves effort, and to sustain this effort, there must be a rewarding payoff that reinforces the behavior. In today’s fast-paced world, we constantly strive to elevate our behaviors …

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The Crucible of Personal Growth: How Life’s Challenges Forge Your True Self 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

Ep 102. In today’s modern world, we’ve lost the essential rites of passage that once guided our transition into adulthood and defined our roles within tribes, families, and communities. Without these critical milestones, many people feel lost—like aimless souls drifting without purpose or direction. These individuals often face life’s challenges un…

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Survival, Safety, and Transformation: The Unseen Forces Shaping Your Life Story 27:54

2M ago27:54

27:54

Ep 101. The influence of environment—both our internal personal environment and the external world—significantly shapes and conditions who we become over a lifetime. Sometimes, this impact can be sudden, life-threatening, and even transformative. In the narrative of our lives, we often align ourselves with the charisma, talents, and strengths of a …

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The Science of Procrastination: Unlocking Your Survival Instincts to Overcome Fear and Hesitation 27:22

2M ago27:22

27:22

Ep 100. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught in cycles of procrastination, hesitation, and self-doubt, leading to unnecessary stress and limiting our success. Understanding our primal survival instincts – often referred to as the "F's of survival" – can unlock the key to overcoming these challenges. Rooted in biology and psyc…

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Unlock the Power of Attachment Styles & Survival Instincts: How They Shape Your Relationships 28:45

3M ago28:45

28:45

Ep 99. In today's fast-paced world, how we interact with our environment, the stressors we face, and our relationships—whether personal or professional—are deeply influenced by our attachment styles. This powerful psychological concept shapes the way we respond to both positive and negative experiences. Understanding your attachment style is key to…

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Break Free from Ancient Fears: Transform Your Life and Unlock Limitless Potential 25:59

3M ago25:59

25:59

Ep 98. Many of our deepest fears are biologically wired into us, embedded in our ancestral programming that stretches back to primordial times—before written history. These innate, visceral fears are primal and often pre-verbal, shaping the choices we make daily and gripping our ability to truly self-realize. On the transformative path of becoming …

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How Shame, Guilt, and the Need to Belong Impact Your Life and Identity 23:52

3M ago23:52

23:52

Ep 97. Humans, like all animals, have evolved to live in groups for safety, security, and the opportunity to thrive. Our deep-rooted need for belonging—whether to a family, tribe, city, or modern corporation—has been crucial for survival and genetic legacy. According to evolutionary psychology, shame and guilt are powerful self-correcting mechanism…

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Breaking the Positive Feedback Loop of Stress: How to Prevent Burnout and Find Balance 22:06

4M ago22:06

22:06

Ep 96. Every day, we navigate life within a set of personal boundaries. These limits shape our behavior across various settings—from home to school, work, and even casual encounters at the grocery store or one-on-one interactions. Social boundaries, though often unspoken, are essential for maintaining harmony in our relationships and minimizing str…

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Be the Compassionate Jedi: 5 Practical Tips for Transforming Your Life and the World Around You 28:33

4M ago28:33

28:33

Ep 95. In the wake of recent elections, we've witnessed the growing divide in society, with contrasting views and beliefs often fueling hostility—not only between political factions but also among neighbors and citizens around the globe. This polarization has become more evident, leaving us questioning how we can bridge the gap and promote unity. W…

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Why We’re Addicted to Emotionally Driven Decisions – And How to Break Free 28:50

4M ago28:50

28:50

Ep 94. In today’s world of constant social media immersion and emotionally charged commentary, we are bombarded daily with messages designed to shape our opinions, often based on emotions that are carefully crafted to market products to us. These emotional triggers form an invisible bond with consumerism, leading us to believe we need products to f…

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The Power of Stress: From Mob Mentality to Resilient Success 25:48

5M ago25:48

25:48

Ep 93. Understanding Stress: From Eustress to Distress and Beyond Stress is an inevitable part of life, but not all stress is created equal. In this episode, we dive deep into the two major types of stress: eustress (positive stress) and distress (negative stress). Learn how your unique response to stress shapes your mindset, actions, and behavior.…

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The Secret to Mastering Stress: Fitness, Survival, and Thriving in Modern Life 27:33

5M ago27:33

27:33

Ep 92. How Stress Affects Your Body and Mind: Mastering Stress with Fitness Training. Stress is a constant factor in modern life, much like it was for our ancient ancestors. Whether we were paleo hunter-gatherers or navigating today’s fast-paced world, stress triggers a physiological response in our bodies, activating the same fight-or-flight mecha…

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Overcoming Rejection: The Power of Embracing Your True Identity 28:11

5M ago28:11

28:11

ep 91. Social interaction, with its challenges and complexities, is shaped by deep-rooted influences that play a crucial role in defining who we become as individuals. From the foundational stages of parenting, to navigating the school system, and eventually maturing into adolescence and adulthood, we face immense pressure to conform. This pressure…

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How Embracing Death Can Help You Live Fully: Unlocking the Power of Mortality 29:50

5M ago29:50

29:50

Ep 90. Embracing Mortality: How the Awareness of Death Can Empower Your Life The concept of death is often considered a morbid preoccupation by many, yet it holds profound wisdom for those seeking to unlock their full potential. Death serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality, pushing us to make the most of the limited time we have. By embraci…

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The Power of Words: How Your Narratives Influence Your Happiness and Well-Being" 24:47

6M ago24:47

24:47

Ep 89. What drives human behavior to survive and thrive is our innate need for basic sustenance—breathing, drinking, and eating—actions that fuel life. These essential actions trigger the release of pleasure chemicals, including dopamine, which create euphoric feelings and positive reinforcement. This euphoric payoff not only validates our survival…

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Unlock Your Mind's Potential: The Mind-Body Connection and Personal Transformation 29:32

6M ago29:32

29:32

Ep 88. The forces that shape human behavior and identity are deeply rooted in our biological and psychological makeup. Our physical biology, mental capacity, and social environment all play pivotal roles in defining who we are. However, one of the most significant influences on our lives is how we perceive ourselves—our self-image and internal narr…

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Mastering Self-Regulation: How Breathing and Posture Shape Your Stress Response 23:29

7M ago23:29

23:29

Ep 87. How Our Reactions to Stress and Environment are Shaped by Self-Regulation: Mastering Emotional Control, Breathing, and Posture Our responses to external situations, environments, and relationships are deeply influenced by our physical state, mental perceptions, and emotional regulation. Effective self-regulation occurs at the intersection of…

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Free Your Breath, Free Your Life: A Guide to Stress Relief and Well-Being 24:37

7M ago24:37

24:37

Ep 86. Unlock the Power of Your Breath: A Journey to Stress Relief and Emotional Freedom Breath is our ever-present companion, influencing how we experience joy, fear, terror, and bliss. The way we breathe is an adaptive response shaped by our patterns over time, especially when faced with environmental stressors. Our brain's survival circuits guid…

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From Panic to Peace: Transforming Your Response to Stress 26:18

7M ago26:18

26:18

Ep 85. In today’s fast-paced world, stress and sudden surprises can activate our sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response. But what happens when we hold our breath in fear instead of exhaling? This often leads to anxiety and neurotic behaviors, which can be detrimental to our mental health. When we don’t have effective copi…

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Transforming Your Response: The Role of Memory in Daily Adaptation 26:19

7M ago26:19

26:19

Ep 84. How Memory Shapes Our Adaptability to Life’s Challenges Memory plays a crucial role in how we adapt to our environment. The malleable nature of memory significantly influences our beliefs about the world around us, as well as our reactions and adaptations to daily situations. When our memories and experiences are predominantly negative, we a…

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Unlock Your Potential: The Transformative Power of Lucid Dreaming 29:47

8M ago29:47

29:47

Ep 83. Unlocking the Power of Dreams: Enhancing Skills and Self-Understanding Dreams play a crucial role in our lives, often seen as a way to solve problems and consolidate memories. However, there's much more beneath the surface of our understanding of dreams. They not only help us navigate challenges but can also significantly enhance our physica…

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Secret Language of the Body: Embracing Mind-Body Awareness for Healing and Compassion 28:42

8M ago28:42

28:42

Ep 82. The concept of the mind-body connection has evolved into a more nuanced understanding: mind-body awareness. This perspective indicates that rather than viewing the mind and body as separate entities, we recognize their intricate relationship as interconnected. Recent advancements in technology, such as MRI and fMRI, have provided us with dee…

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How Experiences Shape Learning: The Role of Observational Learning in Our Development 28:42

9M ago28:42

28:42

Ep 81 Have you ever asked your children, "Where did you learn that?" or found yourself reflecting on your own upbringing when someone asks you the same? These common questions highlight the profound impact of observational learning on our development. Often, what our children say or do stems from experiences outside the home—experiences that can ra…

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Mastering New Skills: How Dopamine Drives Your Learning Journey 30:11

9M ago30:11

30:11

Ep 80 Behaviors and skills either caught like a contagion or taught. Learning new skills and behaviors is an exciting journey, often driven by observing and imitating others. This process of skill acquisition is not only thrilling but also fueled by dopamine, which enhances feelings of pleasure and motivation. As you progress through the stages of …

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Desire, Free Will, and Survival: A Deep Dive into Human Motivation and Happiness 27:23

9M ago27:23

27:23

Ep 79. Discover the profound insights from philosophical and psychological perspectives on desire, free will, and human behavior. The Buddha famously stated that desire is the root of all suffering, a concept explored through various lenses of thought. Arthur Schopenhauer believed that every interaction is a microcosm of the universal strivings tha…

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The Halo Effect and Recency Bias: Unmasking Emotional Dysregulation in Celebrity Worship 27:10

9M ago27:10

27:10

Ep 78 In this insightful exploration, we delve into the Halo Effect, Recency Bias, and Hypnotic Effects and their profound impact on emotional dysregulation. Discover how our admiration for celebrities and heroes often leads us to elevate them beyond their true worth, distorting our perception and judgment. When we pedestalize individuals due to th…

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The Energy Drain: Unpacking Attentional Fatigue in Our Daily Lives 26:28

10M ago26:28

26:28

n today’s episode, we explore the intriguing concept of attentional costs and their impact on our energy levels. Have you ever felt drained after engaging in a new experience or facing a frightening event? This phenomenon, known as attentional fatigue, occurs when our brain’s focus is stretched thin, especially in environments that constantly chang…

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Easy Visualization Methods; Boost Your Sports Performance and Health Recovery 29:03

10M ago29:03

29:03

Episode 76. Unlock the Power of Visualization for Peak Performance and Recovery: Techniques Anyone Can Use Visualization techniques are widely recognized at the elite athletic level, benefiting individual sports like golf and swimming as well as team sports such as rugby, American football, basketball, and hockey. The core concept here is that ment…

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Harnessing Positive Thinking: Transforming Stress into Opportunity 24:32

11M ago24:32

24:32

Ep 75 In modern times, navigating life from physical survival to fiscal stability brings inevitable stress and difficulty. Overcoming challenges not only builds resilience but also triggers growth in the Anterior Mid Cingulate Cortex. Conversely, frequent fear responses can amplify the Amygdala’s influence. Harnessing positive thoughts and imagery …

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The Power of Mentorship and How Kindness Shapes Our Growth. Paying Kindness Forward: A Journey of Learning and Gratitude 22:56

11M ago22:56

22:56

Ep 74 On my journey through life, I've been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors who profoundly shaped my perspective and growth. Their guidance fostered my curiosity, allowing me to ask questions—even the difficult ones—that ignited my passion for learning. Through brainstorming sessions and adventurous explorations, these experiences have i…

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Language and Communication. Unlocking the Power of Metaphor 26:49

11M ago26:49

26:49

Ep 73. Communication takes various forms to transmit information, but often our interpretations can be inaccurate. Language serves as an imperfect medium to convey the messages and thoughts of our minds to others. Aristotle once described spoken language as "sound with meaning," emphasizing its role as a conduit of thought. Metaphor, a product of l…

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We Tend to Follow our own Placebos. Navigating Life's Path 25:14

12M ago25:14

25:14

Ep 72. Placebos are known for their powerful effects in pharmaceutical experiments. In our daily lives, we rely on beliefs, expectations, and predictions to guide our ethical decisions, adhere to guidelines, and shape our behaviors. These psychological placebos are crucial as we strive for success. Our personal experiences and observations profound…

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Use Biofeedback Tools for Improving Your Skills of Self Regulation Skills for When it Counts 25:19

12M ago25:19

25:19

Ep 71. Mastering any skill, including self-regulation, demands consistent practice and repetition. Achieving the level of unconscious competence where skills are second nature requires ongoing dedication. However, you don't have to reach this pinnacle to reap rewards from self-regulation techniques. Throughout your journey, you can benefit signific…

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Time is on My Side; How we Experience Time Jumping in the Bouncy House and Under Stress 26:17

1y ago26:17

26:17

Ep 70. Time is an element of every human experience. How we experience fun and joy often goes hand in hand with time moving too quickly leaving us whishing we could do things again or wishing the fun would last forever. When we experience painful events we feel the dilation or even the dragging or "hanging time" that makes the uncomfortable and pai…

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Time Perception in Stress and Flow States: When One Second is Forever 26:16

1y ago26:16

26:16

Ep 69. Explore how stress and anxiety affect our perception of time. Learn about time dilation in relation to familiar skills and the flow state, and discover how self-regulation skills can influence these experiences positively. When faced with stress and anxiety, many people perceive time as slowing down or even stopping—a common experience durin…

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Traditions, Conservation and Innovation: the Role of Tradition in Skill Building and Self-Regulation 23:40

1y ago23:40

23:40

Ep 68. Explore the significance of tradition in skill preservation and self-regulation. Understand how deeply embedded behaviors affect reactions and learn to evaluate their relevance in modern contexts for improved self-awareness and growth. Tradition often evokes images of family gatherings and preservation of valuable skills across generations. …

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Dynamic Attention, the Cost of Attention, Speed Of Perceptual Presentation and Prosopagnosic Events 24:39

1y ago24:39

24:39

Ep 67. Explore how attention functions beyond simple on/off responses. Learn about the role of novelty and survival instincts in shaping our focus, and discover practical tips for maintaining attentiveness in daily life. Attention is more than a simple on/off switch—it’s a dynamic process influenced by the novelty and perceived value of incoming in…

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Lying as a Survival Advantage; Social Camouflage and the Amygdala Response 24:14

1y ago24:14

24:14

Ep 66. Explore the psychology behind dishonesty and ethical boundaries. Learn about the conditioning effects of lying, its implications in different contexts like business and studies, and reflect on the influence of internal and external factors. Dishonesty can become a learned skill, making it easier to engage in when there’s perceived survival o…

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Break Free from Habitual Thinking: Embracing Creativity, and Improved Outcomes in Your Life 28:06

1y ago28:06

28:06

Ep 65. Explore how breaking habitual thought patterns can lead to creativity and personal growth. Learn practical strategies to envision goals, leverage time effectively, and make incremental steps towards a fulfilling life. Our daily mindset often reflects our ingrained patterns of behavior, shaped by underlying thoughts and beliefs. While seeking…

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Relaxing into Pain, Painful Beliefs, Actual Pain and Pain as an Opinion 24:30

1y ago24:30

24:30

Ep 64. Explore effective ways to manage physical, emotional, and mental pain. Learn how beliefs and expectations influence our responses and discover techniques to observe and alleviate pain through mindful practices. Painful events in life can manifest as physical, emotional, or mental distress, often accompanied by beliefs and expectations of wor…

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Practicing Kindness: The Three Gates Approach to Self Regulation 23:16

1y ago23:16

23:16

Ep 63. Explore the Three Gates technique for promoting mindfulness and kindness in daily interactions. Learn how to cultivate compassion and peace by being mindful of our words and actions, fostering a harmonious social environment. The Three Gates technique offers valuable tools for self-regulation and promoting kindness in everyday life. When fee…

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Nurturing Your Inner Voice: the Voice that No-one Hears 22:18

1y ago22:18

22:18

Ep 62. Explore the impact of our inner voice on authenticity and self-trust. Learn how nurturing self-kindness and acceptance can lead to transformative personal growth and enhanced social interactions. Our inner voice, deeply personal and private, influences how we filter our thoughts and navigate social interactions. It serves as our internal gui…

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Embracing Altruism: Self-Compassion and Social Interactions with Grace Under Pressure 21:43

1y ago21:43

21:43

Ep 61. Explore the concept of altruism in daily life and the importance of extending compassion and acceptance to oneself. Learn practical tips for cultivating self-compassion, embracing mistakes, and fostering personal growth with grace. Altruism enriches our social interactions, yet we often overlook extending the same compassion and patience to …