Insights with Dick Goldberg

Parasocial Relationships: Fans, Followers & Pseudo Relationships

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:21:59 +0000

There are celebrities and online influencers who have thousands, sometimes millions of followers and fans. These people often feel they know the celebrity and may believe they are connected to them personally. This is called a parasocial relationship. It is a one-way relationship and it is widespread in our culture. How does this happen? How does it affect the fan? How does it feel to be on the other side as the one being followed?

Dick’s guest, Dr. Gayle S. Stever is Professor of Social and Behavioral Science at Empire State University of New York and has written three books on parasocial relationships.

Growing from Adversity

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:11:36 +0000

We all face serious setbacks, scary challenges or losses. What if we could not only handle these situations with skill and resilience but also adapt and grow to improve ourselves when life throws us these left curves?

Dick’s guest, Darald Hanusa, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice for over 45 years. He is also Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work.

Artistic Expression as a Therapeutic Tool

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:31:00 +0000

Some therapists are finding that exploring a client’s creativity and artistic expression can lead to better mental health and self awareness. This expression can be via poetry, music, painting or simply journaling their feelings.

Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist and also the author of Alchemy of Blood, a collection of contemporary poems that focus on a variety of topics, including relationships, social and political trends, nature and psychology.

Root 2 Rise: Helping Troubled Teens Turn Their Lives Around

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:39:56 +0000

Dick’s guest, Denise Hanson, is the Founder and Executive Director of Root 2 Rise, a non-profit organization that actually pays a stipend and gives class credit to teens on the verge of dropping out by having them help elementary school kids do better in school.

Teenage Mental Health

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:28:57 +0000

The CDC reports 40% of high school students have persistent sadness or hopelessness. About 20% have seriously considered suicide and 9% have attempted it. These bleak numbers are significantly worse than 25 years ago. How can these troubled teens be better helped?

Dick’s guest is Dr. Steven Stein, a licensed psychologist and founder of North Star Adolescent Day Treatment Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Adult Children Living at Home

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:24:09 +0000

Nearly one out of five adults aged 25 to 34 in America currently live with their parents. And 46% of adults aged 18 to 35 have left home and at some point moved back. Why is this happening and how does this affect all involved?

Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.

Men’s Mental Health (Encore)

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:38:31 +0000

Is American men’s mental health worse than American women’s? Men commit suicide 3 1/2 times more frequently. Men are less likely to seek treatment for addiction or mental health disorders like depression. Do these things relate to the fact that life expectancy of men is 5.8 years less than women?

Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim Hollis is a Jungian psychoanalyst and the author of twenty books, including Under Saturn’s Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men.

Happiness 101

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:17:57 +0000

What really leads to happiness? Who is happiest and why?

Dick’s guest, Rebecca Warner is Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of New Hampshire. She is also the author of several books and research papers on the subject of happiness.

Must Ask Questions Before Marriage: Premarital Counseling (Encore)

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 22:28:30 +0000

What are the tough questions you and your partner need to explore before you commit long term?

Dick’s guest is Michael Reddin, a Licensed Professional Counselor at Madison Psychiatric Associates in Madison, Wisconsin.

When Adult Children Push Their Parents Away: Rupture & Estrangements

insightstalk@gmail.com (Dick Goldberg) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:22:57 +0000

Adult children sometimes cut off their parents by refusing contact. As many as 25% of adults have been estranged from at least one of their parents. A mild form of this estrangement is a rupture that is short term and perhaps less profound. What are the leading causes and what can be done to heal them?

Dick’s guest, Lesa Fischer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in private practice in Madison, Wisconsin.