How To Change Your Perspective, With CBT Pioneer David Burns, MD

You know those days: You wake up in a dark mood, sure that everything is terrible and doom is imminent. And then you have a conversation, or read a book, or hear a song, or have some experience that changes your mood entirely. Your perspective has shifted. That’s what we’ll be talking about in this episode with David Burns, MD.

Dr Burns is a pioneer in the field of cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT, and the author of best-selling books on the topic, including Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and The Feeling Good Handbook.

We’ll also hear from photographer Tyson Wheatley on five steps to taking better pictures. And Alice and Melissa discuss two books that changed how they see the world.

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In This Episode

Introduction (0:00 – 5:37)

Alice and Melissa leave the studio and record in a new environment, in an attempt to change their perspectives. Will it change how they podcast? You’ll have to listen to find out.

The Interview: David Burns, MD (5:52 – 23:59)

CBT pioneer David Burns visits The Upgrade to talk about the ins and outs of cognitive behavioural therapy: How examining and shifting your thoughts can change your mood. He also tells us about his new spin on CBT that’s proving to be even more dramatically effective.

Five Steps to Taking More Interesting Photos (25:12 -33:12)

Photographer Tyson Wheatley explains how changing your perspective can help you take more interesting and compelling pictures — and how, exactly, you can change your perspective.

Book Hacker (34:05 – 39:51)

Alice and Melissa discuss two books that changed how they view the world, literally and figuratively.

Upgrade of the Week (41:30 – 46:53)

Melissa, Alice and Dr Burns talk about their upgrades: Dimming bright screens in the early morning with Dark Reader and Deluminate, beating procrastination by doing one small thing, and using CBD oil to beat anxiety.