15: Brian Rothberg

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Carlos Canales about his transformative journey from Peru to becoming a pioneering voice in somatic group therapy. Dr. Canales shares how his experience of separation and cultural displacement in early life shaped his innovative integration of Somatic Experiencing with group psychotherapy. Their conversation explores what it means to be truly grounded, how our bodies hold both individual and collective trauma, and why attending to physiological responses deepens rather than diminishes group intensity. Dr. Canales offers powerful insights about cultural difference in groups and demonstrates how recognizing and regulating the body creates space for genuine connection—wisdom born from finding belonging between worlds. Throughout, he makes a compelling case for why attachment theory must evolve to address how our bodies carry culture, while sharing his vision for a future of group therapy that integrates generosity and play alongside rigorous clinical work.

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Nancy McWilliams about her new book "Psychoanalytic Supervision" (2022). Drawing from over 40 years of leading supervision groups, Dr. McWilliams shares her revolutionary approach to tracking therapeutic progress through ten "psychological vital signs"—a hopeful reframe that asks not just "Are they less depressed?" but "Are they more alive? More capable of love, work, and play?" Their rich conversation explores what makes group supervision uniquely powerful, how parallel process operates across multiple therapeutic relationships, and the art of creating safety where supervisees can present their most challenging cases. They also discuss the development of an "internal supervisor" and what it means to shift from symptom-focused thinking to tracking deeper capacities for human flourishing. Finally, Dr. McWilliams reflects on nearly five decades practicing psychotherapy and shares what gives her the most hope about the future of therapeutic work.

In this episode, Angelo talks with Annie Weiss and Yoon Kane who, along with Saralyn Masselink, edited and contributed chapters to “Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership” (2022, Routledge). Their conversation explores how this project sought to address the conspicuous void in professional literature on the complex challenges women group leaders face and how such dilemmas can be understood & skillfully addressed. Intersectionality is also discussed as an organizing principle in the book’s illuminating investigation. Finally, both Yoon’s chapter “Courage to Lead: The Shadow of Racism on Women of Color Leading Psychotherapy Groups” and Annie’s chapter “Training Elastigirl: Developing Strength and Flexibility in Female Group Psychotherapists” are talked about in depth. Check out this incredibly thought-provoking conversation today!

In this thought-provoking interview, Angelo talks with Dr. Macario Giraldo about his pioneering approach to working with groups from a Lacanian perspective. Their conversation delves into the importance of not-understanding, the role of loss in becoming, and how to listen to both the dialogues "in" and "of" the group. They also explore the intriguing interplay between psychoanalysis & spirituality & what Macario calls "the Ethics of the Soul."

In this episode, Angelo talks with Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou about her new book "Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, & Traumatophilia"(2023). Their dynamic conversation explores new ways of thinking about trauma, its potentiating role in psychic life, the radicality of Jean Laplanche, and what it means to 'bend one's will', They also talk about how trauma intersects with eroticism, race, and forms of consent. Finally, they delve into 'exigent sadism' and its role in clinical life & artistic expression. Links: "Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, and Traumatophilia" https://nyupress.org/9781479820269/sexuality-beyond-consent/