The Avatar Effect: How AI, Gaming, and Digital Avatars Are Changing Who We Are

The Avatar Effect: How AI, Gaming, and Digital Avatars Are Changing Who We Are

Author: Armando Dominguez PhD Health Psychology, Educator, Martial Artist, Researcher May 19, 2025 Duration: 23:51
Ep 108. We are witnessing an explosive surge in human-technology interaction—from smartphones, tablets, and touchscreens to AI-driven wearables, virtual assistants, and advanced language models like ChatGPT. The digital interface is no longer just a tool; it's becoming an extension of our identity. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, we're seeing a dramatic shift in how people connect with technology on a personal and emotional level. Whether it's through custom game avatars, inte...

Ever feel like your brain's ancient wiring is at odds with the demands of modern life? That's the core territory explored in Running Man Self Regulation Skills Project. Hosted by Armando Dominguez, who brings a unique perspective as a PhD in Health Psychology, an educator, a martial artist, and a researcher, this podcast digs into the primal roots of our reactions. It’s about understanding how stress, anxiety, and even physical pain directly hijack our capacity to think clearly and make good decisions, often leading to behavior we might later regret. Each episode unpacks the survival programming we all carry-our inner paleo-caveperson-and how it manifests in today's world. You’ll hear practical discussions that bridge science and daily experience, focusing on why we freeze, lash out, or struggle to choose wisely under pressure. This isn't just theory; it's about gaining tangible insights for recognizing these patterns and developing stronger self-regulation skills. For anyone interested in the intersection of mental resilience, physical fitness, and social behavior, this podcast offers a thoughtful, grounded conversation. Tune in to reframe your understanding of your own instincts and learn to navigate tension with more awareness and control.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Running Man Self Regulation Skills Project
Podcast Episodes
The Power of Stress: From Mob Mentality to Resilient Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:48
Ep 93. Understanding Stress: From Eustress to Distress and Beyond Stress is an inevitable part of life, but not all stress is created equal. In this episode, we dive deep into the two major types of stress: eustress (pos…
Overcoming Rejection: The Power of Embracing Your True Identity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:11
ep 91. Social interaction, with its challenges and complexities, is shaped by deep-rooted influences that play a crucial role in defining who we become as individuals. From the foundational stages of parenting, to naviga…
From Panic to Peace: Transforming Your Response to Stress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
Ep 85. In today’s fast-paced world, stress and sudden surprises can activate our sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response. But what happens when we hold our breath in fear instead of exhaling? Th…