Trump Transition: No Calm Before the Storm

Trump Transition: No Calm Before the Storm

Author: Really American Media January 17, 2025 Duration: 1:47:11

As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel discuss this unsettling transition period, the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and the alarming tactics that have compromised the Senate's confirmation process. 

Alongside our hosts today is Dr. Matt Ditty, a clinical social worker and expert in dialectical behavioral therapy, who brings his eloquence and wisdom to provide tips for managing the psychological challenges of what lies ahead.

Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia

Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump 

Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4

Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump

Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/

For the last 8 years, our hosts have always been some of the most vocal leaders calling out Trump’s severe personality disorders and cognitive decline. We’ll analyze how this impacts his decision making and discuss the worrying implications of Pete Hegseth's nomination process-where intimidation has pressured senators to overlook crucial background checks, and silence potential witnesses.

Dr. Ditty provides us with unique guidance for managing the stress and anxiety that accompany these challenging political times. An expert in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Diddy prescribes powerful tools to help us maintain our balance amidst such uncertainty. 

Like some of our previous guests, he also stresses the need for radical acceptance to empower individuals—which means acknowledging reality, without passively resigning to it. 

And we’ll examine the ugly phenomenon of Trump’s world of fiction, where corporate media has let his disinformation and lies ultimately shape the narrative. 

Like every one of our episodes, this is a call to action. We are urging listeners to remain vigilant and courageous amidst the coming storm. As society grapples with the normalization of ethically questionable behaviors, maintaining a firm grasp on truth, and our anxiety, becomes more important than ever. That's why the hosts, along with Dr. Ditty, are so strongly advocating for a healthy, grounded, mental well-being.

Be sure to join Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel next time as they speak out about Trump, provide their expert analysis of current events, and empower our audience to stand tall in these tumultuous times.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


Each week, psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal sit down for a session focused on a singular, complex subject: the mind of Donald Trump. In their Shrinking Trump podcast, produced by Really American Media, they apply their clinical expertise to publicly available behavior and speech, methodically documenting signs of cognitive decline and exploring the ramifications of his diagnosed malignant narcissism. They are joined by a roster of expert guests from various fields, turning each episode into a nuanced discussion that goes beyond standard political commentary. Dr. Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins psychiatry professor and founder of the Duty To Warn association, brings a particular urgency to these conversations, framing them within a broader ethical context. This isn't about partisan politics; it's a forensic psychological examination of a figure who has profoundly impacted the national landscape. Tuning in, you'll hear a careful, evidence-based analysis that breaks down rhetoric and action through a clinical lens, offering listeners a distinct perspective found in few other news and politics podcasts. The dialogue is direct, informed, and dedicated to understanding the psychological drivers behind the headlines, providing a deeper framework for interpreting ongoing events.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 70

Shrinking Trump
Podcast Episodes
This series on Trump’s mental condition comes to a close [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:45:09
On this last show, your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review Trump’s bizarre speech in Quantico while explaining their decision to end the series. They are joined by Really American’s Justin Horwi…
The Jimmy Kimmel canceling is a tipping point for democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:08
Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review the insidious way the Trump administration is using the Kirk assassination to end freedom of speech. They are joined again by Dr. Vince Greenwood, an expe…
Epstein Files Frenzy and Court Losses Fuel Trump’s Collapse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:25
One of your favorite psychologists, Harry Segal, is back to describe and interpret Trump’s strange behaviors this week, from his tone-deaf response to the Epstein-Maxwell victims to his mysterious medical symptoms. Since…
Trump stumbles over Epstein while aiming at Chicago [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:32
Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, present “this week” in Trump’s power grab encouraged by the Supreme Court. They are joined by the great Andy Borowitz who brings his humor and insight to this da…
Trump faces push-back as he sinks in the polls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:08
Your favorite shrinks, John Gartner and Harry Segal, present “this week” in Trump’s cognitive decline, as well as an extended excerpt of Pritzker’s heroic speech pushing back on federal threats to Chicago. While describi…
Trump’s pathological relationship with Putin is on full display [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:24
Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review Trump’s disastrous Alaska summit and marvel at how he has reverted to Putin’s absurd Ukraine talking points. They also speak with Richard Wood, eminent cl…
Is Trump becoming “the demented dictator?” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:07
Is Trump becoming “the demented dictator”? That’s the question driving the latest episode of Shrinking Trump, as clinical psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal sit down with Dan Rodricks, the legendary former Baltim…
Even Republicans can’t miss Trump’s walk on the roof! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:00
Your favorite clinical psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, observe how the media is turning again, however slowly, to Trump’s mental decline. They are also joined by James Fishkin, professor at Stanford, whose w…
Finally, Trump’s grip on the country has begun to slip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:45
Your favorite clinical psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, observe more signs of Trump’s cognitive decline as well as his loss of support among independents. Is it starting to look like 2020 all over again? Be s…