Jessie Cruickshank | The Science of Hate

In this final episode, Jim interviews Jessie Cruickshank. Jessie holds a master's degree from Harvard and applies brain science to real-life situations. Jim and Jessie talk about the science of hatred, family systems, and state-dependent learning. They talk about the myth of personal growth and how…

General Becky Halstead | The Least Harmful Alternative

In this episode, Ray interviews General Becky Halstead.  General Halstead talks about how to calculate the least harmful alternative in stressful situations, how she keeps her moral grounding in challenging circumstances, and how an awareness of enemy mode helps her stay connected going into hard c…

Congressman Geoff Davis | Us/Them and Politics

In this episode, Ray interviews retired Congressman Geoff Davis. The talk about the "Us vs. Them" divide of politics and how enemy mode is the currency of political gain. They also talk about how the news weaponizes enemy mode to keep attention and boost ratings, and how this broken system is deepe…

Major General Jack Briggs | The "As-If" Self

In this episode, Ray interviews Major General Jack Briggs. Jack is CEO of Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs and talks about how to build strong relational bonds in a low trust environment.  You can learn more about Springs Rescue Mission at https://www.springsrescuemission.org/.

Officer Mike Beller | Policing and Enemy Mode

In this episode, Ray interviews officer Mike Beller on how police officers interact with others who are in enemy mode and the risks that entail. They talk about how people respond differently in public than at home, and strategies for remaining calm while facing difficult and dangerous situations. …

Dr. Naomi Paget | Status Challenges

In this episode, we hear from hospital chaplain Dr. Naomi Paget on her experience as a Japanese-American.  We hear how challenges to status can trigger an enemy mode reaction and how Dr. Paget learned to de-escalate tense situations.

Coaches Jamie and Heather | State-Dependent Learning

In this episode, Ray interviews collegiate volleyball coaches Jamie and Heather. They discuss how understanding enemy mode has allowed them to accelerate their program, challenge their players while maintaining strong relational bonds, and how state-dependent learning allows players to exercise the…

Ryan Brenneman | Intelligent Enemy Mode in the Workplace

In this episode, Ray interviews Ryan Brenneman who worked in medical device sales during the height of the COVID pandemic. He talks about how to identify intelligent enemy mode in co-workers and clients while building a team culture that banks joy instead of running on fear. 

Chris Coursey | Simple Enemy Mode at Home

In this episode, we hear from Chris Coursey, author of The Joy Switch. He explains a four-step process for identifying if our relational circuits are on. He helps us understand why Simple Enemy Mode threatens a thriving marriage and models pathways toward escaping enemy mode.

Lisa from Minneapolis | Engaging with Stupid Enemy Mode

Jim Wilder interviews special guest Lisa from Minneapolis. She tells the story of intervening and de-escalating a stupid enemy mode situation. Jim, Ray and Jeremy then discuss the unique features of stupid enemy mode and the best pathways for re-engaging the relational centers of the brain to escap…