Episode #25 - Our Cognitive and Emotional Connection to Film Narrative with Dr. Weik von Mossner

Episode #25 - Our Cognitive and Emotional Connection to Film Narrative with Dr. Weik von Mossner

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that steer the social stream of consciousness….Truly a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior. Each episode is a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that navigate us into different directions. Whether we primarily focus on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being….us.

In today’s episode, I examine our emotional connection to film narrative with Dr. Alexa Weik von Mossner….in particular, we focus on documentaries about veganism. She is a writer and ecocritical cultural studies scholar who works on American literature, film, and digital media. Dr. Weik von Mossner’s scholarly research explores contemporary environmental culture from a cognitive perspective with a particular focus on affect and emotion.

After working for several years in the German film and television industry, she earned her Ph.D. in Literature and is currently appointed as Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Klagenfurt in Austria. Currently, Dr. Weik von Mossner is a principal investigator on the research project “Narrative Encounters with Ethnic American Literatures” as well as a researcher on the project “Cinema and Environment: Affective Ecologies in the Anthropocene”.

Along with other prominent researchers, she is developing a new interdisciplinary research field in the environmental humanities, Empirical Ecocriticism. Dr. Weik von Mossner’s academic book publications include Cosmopolitan Minds: Literature, Emotion, and the Transnational Imagination and Affective Ecologies: Empathy, Emotion, and Environmental Narrative. She is also the editor of Moving Environments: Affect, Emotion, Ecology, and Film and the co-editor of

#25 - Our Cognitive and Emotional Connection to Film Narrative with Dr. Weik von Mossner

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The Anticipation of Catastrophe: Environmental Risk in North American Literature and Culture.

In our interview, here’s what we specifically discussed:

-Dr. Weik von Mossner’s experience in German television and her creative writing process.
-The foundation and long-term implications of cognitive ecocritical analysis.
-The depictions and narrativization of food and how they engage audiences.
-How the type of medium can change the imaginary culinary experience.
-Our emotional and neuro reaction to depictions of animal abuse, global warming, and food in general.
-The processes of liberated embodied simulation and how these processes are similar or dissimilar to real-life interactions with physical (edible) objects.
-How the narrative strategies of a documentary, such as Cowspiracy, are mutually reinforcing on the cognitive and affective level.
-The emotionalizing strategies of documentaries on veganism.

To learn more about Dr. Weik von Mossner, visit https://www.alexaweikvonmossner.com/!

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Episode #24 - Exploring the Psychology of our At-Home Environment with Dr. Preston

Episode #24 - Exploring the Psychology of our At-Home Environment with Dr. Preston

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that steer the social stream of consciousness….Truly a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior. Each episode is a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that navigate us into different directions. Whether we primarily focus on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being….us.

In today’s episode, I examine the effect of the at-home environment and space on our mental and emotional well-being with the business psychologist, Dr. Camille Preston. A fitting topic as we move into a winter of escalating COVID cases, social restrictions, possible lockdowns, and rampant remote learning and working. Dr. Preston is the founder and CEO of AIM Leadership—an executive leadership firm that works with leaders, teams, and organizations to align and optimize human capital to drive scalable and sustainable results. Since founding AIM Leadership in 2004, Preston has helped hundreds of leaders navigate the challenges of today's disrupted workplace. She also helps teams work together more effectively by discovering how to map priorities, build trust, and optimize systems.

Beyond her work at AIM Leadership, Preston partners with Blackhorn Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, and serves as part-time faculty at The Center for Creative Leadership. A recognized thought leader on leadership, virtual effectiveness, and team optimization, Camille is the author of two books, Rewired and Create More Flow, a regular contributor to Forbes,

#24 - Exploring the Psychology of our At-Home Environment with Dr. Preston

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Psychology Today, Fast Company, and Thrive, and a sought-after keynote speaker.

In our interview, here’s what we specifically discussed:

-What sparks the drive of a business psychologist.
-The two questions every child and adult need to ask themselves.
-How to unwire and step back from technology to regain focus and clarity.
-How to reconnect with the spaces around us.
-How to extract the very character of the places you travel to and inject them into your home to provide the same neural stimulation.
-How to create an environment that invokes positive energy, inspiration, and flow states.
-How to minimize the attributes that contribute to our stress and anxiety during this time of uncertainty.
-How we can elevate our influence on the environment.

To learn more about Dr. Camille Preston, check out http://www.camillepreston.com/ and https://aimleadership.com/!

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#19 - Discussing the Drawdown Framework for Climate Solutions with Crystal Chissell

#19 - DISCUSSING THE DRAWDOWN FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS WITH CRYSTAL CHISSELL

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

Specifically, I examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that have steered intriguing professionals and people from all walks of life. Each episode is also a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that navigate us into different directions. Whether we primarily focus on the environment or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being….us (and the very factors that who we are).

Today’s focus is global warming and the consequences on our health and communities. I interview the Vice President of Operations & Engagement at Project Drawdown, Crystal Chissell. She draws on her deep experience and interdisciplinary background in local and state government, law, business, and social equity to build effective systems and operating infrastructure. Crystal also leads the cultivation of strategic partnerships and networks the foster public engagement to move the world toward climate solutions. She speaks publicly about climate solutions and serves as an expert resource for news media, interest groups, and advocacy organizations.

Prior to Project Drawdown, Crystal was a practicing attorney, advising the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Environmental Service.

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: Discussing the Drawdown Framework for Climate Solutions with Crystal Chissell

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She served as Mayor of the Town of Highland Beach, Maryland. Crystal holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, an M.S. in Environmental Science from Johns Hopkins University, an M.B.A. from the University of San Francisco, and a B.A. in Journalism from Howard University.

Here’s what we discussed:

-The initiatives of Project Drawdown.
-How Project Drawdown fairly evaluates scientific research to determine whether or not findings are significant signals.
-The relationship between global warming and climate change.
-The contributing factors to the rise in greenhouse gases and global warming.
-How local, state, and federal governments can have a sustainable environmental impact.
-The long-term effects of global warming and the short-term costs of aggressive environmental initiatives.
-How the standard American diet contributes to global warming.
-How communities can collaborate to steer a refreshed social and cultural ecological consciousness.    

To learn more about Crystal Chissell, visit https://drawdown.org/ or their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. To find climate solution resources, also visit https://drawdown.org/drawdown-review.

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The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: Discussing the Drawdown Framework for Climate Solutions with Crystal Chissell

The Challenge

To understand and advance climate solutions, it’s important to understand the sources of emissions and nature’s means of rebalancing the climate system.

Burning fossil fuels for electricity, mobility, and heat. Manufacturing cement and steel. Plowing soils. Clearing forests and degrading other ecosystems. All these activities emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the air. Cattle, rice fields, landfills, and fossil fuel operations release methane—a gas that warms the planet even more. Nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases seep out of agricultural lands, industrial sites, refrigeration systems, and urban areas, adding still more heat-trapping pollutants to Earth’s atmosphere.

Most of these greenhouse gases stay airborne, but not all. Natural biological and chemical processes—especially photosynthesis—bring some of that excess back to plants, soil, or sea. These “sinks” are nature’s reservoirs for absorbing and storing carbon. While most heat-trapping emissions stay in the atmosphere, significant portions are quickly removed by plants on land or taken up by oceans.

Courtesy of www.projectdrawdown.com

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#18 - Regenerative Farming and Food as Medicine with Dr. Ron Weiss

#18 - REGENERATIVE FARMING AND FOOD AS MEDICINE WITH DR. RON WEISS

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

Specifically, I examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that have steered intriguing professionals and people from all walks of life. Each episode is also a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that navigate us into different directions. Whether we primarily focus on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being….us.

In today’s episode, I dive into the world of regenerative organic farming with Dr. Ron Weiss. He is dual board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. As a primary care  physician in New Jersey, Dr. Weiss serves as the executive director of Ethos Primary Care and as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is not only a physician but also a botanist and farmer, and he offers an evidence-based,  food-as-medicine  approach to healing chronic illness and optimizing wellness. Dr. Weiss has been featured in top media, including The New York Times, The New York Post, The Today Show, New Jersey Monthly, and the feature-length documentary, "Eating You Alive."

A vegan-friendly plant-based doctor in New Jersey, Dr. Weiss prescribes the Ethos Diet – an all-organic, ecologically-sustainable, and Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB)  diet – as the cornerstone of his work with patients. He is not your typical doctor.  His primary care practice resides on 342 acres of farm in Long Valley, New Jersey, where he grows "beyond organic" produce for his patients. Otherwise known as the farm doctor, Dr. Weiss believes that food-is-medicine and in a Farm-Based Health Care System. He additionally holds a dual baccalaureate degree in botany and music from Rutgers University….which we explore in great depths.

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: Regenerative Farming and Food as Medicine with Dr. Ron Weiss

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Here’s what we discussed:

-How Dr. Weiss’ passions have intersected.
-Dr. Weiss’ lifelong connection to botany and agriculture.
-The evolution of his medical practice to a regenerative organic farm.
-The effects of chemicals and current farming practices on the soil and the environment.
-The distinction between "beyond organic" and typical organic certifications.
-The foundation of regenerative organic farming and the Farm Ethos Project.
-The debate about the best regenerative practices.
-The recommendations for those farmers with the same connection to the history and cultivation of the land but who haven't pivoted to sustainable, environmentally-mindful practices.
-How we can connect our kids to agriculture in urban settings with a new sustainable organic perspective and the guidance they need to become stewards of the environment.
-The Rockefeller Food System Vision 2050 and Young Farmers Incubator Program.

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To learn more about Dr. Ron Weiss, visit https://www.myethoshealth.com or his Facebook and Instagram pages.

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The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: Regenerative Farming and Food as Medicine with Dr. Ron Weiss

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#17 - What Being a Parent Taught Me About Managing Stress

#17 - What Being a Parent Taught Me About Managing Stress

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

So, what is this podcast specifically about? I examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that have steered writers, filmmakers, psychologists, and industry icons down their paths in life. Each episode is also a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that navigate us into different directions. Whether we primarily focus on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being….us.

Being a father now, it’s amazing what you can learn from your child. My 3-year-old son, Preston, has taught me how to manage stress more effectively without knowing it! What a smart little man.

The ego of a typical adult human may exclaim: Babies teach us nothing! They are little animals trying to survive in nature. What do they know?!

But the truth is that giving birth to a child will change your life forever…and their lessons are endless. As a parent, you’ll always need to think about others, be mindful of your risk-taking behavior, plan ahead, focus on meaningful interaction, and show empathy and sympathy. Just sharing this list reminds me that we should be doing this anyway, with or without a child!

In all honesty, my wife, Sammy, and I haven’t felt the drastic change in life that most people claim. The responsibilities and day-to-day specific approach may have been reshaped but the principles are the same. Although this is true, Preston has inspired new approaches to managing stress.

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: What Being a Parent Taught Me About Managing Stress

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He unknowingly prepared a Stress 101 curriculum for me, his dad: A model of human instinctual behavior. Without a doubt, it made me rethink my needs and how I structured my life to minimize stress.

Here’s what I specifically discussed:

-Recognizing our primary survival needs before pursuing any secondary tasks/projects (and how we cognitively overrule our survival nudges).
-Establishing consistent eating and sleeping routines (and why the human body depends on it).
-Maintaining a consistent reading habit (and the benefits we usually ignore).

To learn more about Michael Moody, check out his book "Redefine Yourself” or say hello on Instagram (@wholeplantpersonaltrainer)!

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