In this episode of Doorknob Comments, Grant and Fara chat with Dr. Tom Pollak about the complex relationship between the immune system, the brain, and mental illness. Dr. Pollak is a NIHR Clinical Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London and a specialty trainee general adult psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust with a specialist interest in neuropsychiatry. Listeners will learn how doctors distinguish true autoimmune brain disorders from primary psychiatric conditions, why tests like spinal fluid analysis are complicated but sometimes crucial, and how both “it’s all psychological” and “it’s all biological” explanations can miss the bigger picture. Their conversation offers a nuanced look at how mind, brain, body, and environment interact, and why good psychiatric care requires holding all of those pieces together.

We hope you enjoy. 

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Tom Pollak

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/thomas-pollak [https://open.spotify.com/album/5DElmkiok7kRIIdSHO00LL?si=63ATxTrtQz6hhfNyGAp9qQ]

https://drtompollak.substack.com/ [https://bio.to/greenleaf-integrative]

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

When Psychiatry Meets the Immune System with Dr. Tom Pollak

On today’s episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant are joined by Siddharth Shah, the Founder and President of Greenleaf Integrative. Dr. Shah is a preventive medicine physician whose path into medicine wound through the humanities, a year traveling in India, and early work in interfaith dialogue and social justice. Siddharth talks about how he found his way into psychiatry after leaving medical school twice, the mentors who shaped his approach, and why he sees agency, curiosity, and small wins as central to healing. He also reflects on the challenges of working in a world full of injustice and how practices of rest and embodied presence help sustain both clinicians and the communities they serve.

We hope you enjoy it.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Siddharth Shah

Dr. Shah Guided Meditations [https://open.spotify.com/album/5DElmkiok7kRIIdSHO00LL?si=63ATxTrtQz6hhfNyGAp9qQ]

Greenleaf Integrative [https://bio.to/greenleaf-integrative]

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/  











A Conversation with Dr. Siddharth Shah on Well-being, Resilience, and his Personal Journey

In today's episode of Doorknob Comments, Grant and Fara are joined by Dr. Soe Thein, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founder of the Good Enough Psychiatrist [https://youtube.com/@goodenoughpsychiatrist?si=9bee2KQmY8Aj2RZm] YouTube channel. On his channel, Dr. Thein creates animated videos that explain psychodynamic therapy concepts for a general audience and has won numerous awards for his work. Together, they discuss moments of rupture that can occur in relationships and the importance of repair. They emphasize that occasional ruptures are a normal part of any healthy relationship; what truly matters is how the individuals involved address these breaks and work together to mend what has been damaged.

We hope you enjoy.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Soe Thein

https://downtownpsychiatry.com/about-soe-thein-md

Good Enough Psychiatrist YouTube Channel [https://youtube.com/@goodenoughpsychiatrist?si=coxLqTK512QHHyft]

Why Conflicts Make Relationships Stronger [https://youtu.be/Gmap7_NkLOQ?si=lsfK0vVSGf2NdRSB] -  Video

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Rupture and Repair with Dr. Soe Thein

On today's episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant are joined by Igor Galynker, a psychiatrist, clinician, and researcher known for his work in bipolar disorder, suicide prevention, and the role of family dynamics in psychiatric illness, who currently serves as the Associate Chairman for Research in the department of psychiatry at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Dr. Galynker talks about how he got interested in exploring suicide prevention, the signs that typically appear before someone commits suicide, and how therapists can better attune themselves to these markers.

We hope you enjoy.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, please seek help immediately by contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, visiting the nearest emergency department, or calling 911.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Igor Galynker

https://profiles.mountsinai.org/igor-galynker [https://www.umb.edu/directory/nireisikovits/]

https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/galynkerlab/

https://www.bpfamily.org/about-2

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Suicide Prevention with Dr. Igor Galynker

On today’s episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant are joined by Dr. Daven Morrison, a psychiatrist with deep expertise in organizational and occupational psychiatry. A member of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry and an officer of the Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry, Dr. Morrison shares insights into the psychological dimensions of workplace life. From managing mergers and downsizing to fostering self-aware leadership, he walks us through the core principles of organizational psychiatry.

We hope you enjoy!

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Daven Morrison

https://www.ourgap.org/committees/work-organizations

https://www.morrisonltd.com/about-us/daven-morrison-m-d

https://www.aoop.org/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

If you like our podcast, please leave a review! Thanks in advance!

Organizational Psychiatry with Dr. Daven Morrison

In today's episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant are joined by Kate Werble, a longtime friend of Fara's and founder of her own New York City art gallery. They talk about the intimidating world of contemporary art, breaking down the mystique of the gallery scene and offering practical advice on how to begin engaging with galleries. Kate emphasizes that looking at art is a skill developed over time, encouraging curiosity over expertise for newcomers interested in learning how to engage with art. Finally, they talk about what art is ultimately about and what it offers psychologically. 

We hope you enjoy it. 

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Kate Werble

https://www.katewerblegallery.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kate_werble_gallery/?hl=en [https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/child-adolescent-psychiatry/trauma-systems-therapy-training-center]

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/



Looking at Art with Kate Werble

In today’s episode of Doorknob Comments, Grant and Fara sit down with Dr. Glenn Saxe to discuss the development and impact of Trauma Systems Therapy (TST), a model that addresses both emotional regulation in traumatized children and the complexities of their social environments. Dr. Saxe highlights how TST’s open-source approach has allowed practitioners worldwide to innovate and adapt the model for diverse settings, from child welfare to refugee care. The conversation explores the importance of honoring intergenerational wisdom while adapting to new challenges like cyberbullying and the digital age. They also touch on the promise of causal data science to advance psychiatric research and the need to embrace complexity rather than oversimplify mental health solutions. 

We hope you enjoy. 

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Glenn Saxe

https://med.nyu.edu/faculty/glenn-saxe [https://thoughtforms.life/]

https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/child-adolescent-psychiatry/trauma-systems-therapy-training-center 

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

If you like our podcast, please leave a review! Thanks in advance!

Bringing Clarity to Psychiatric Chaos

On today's episode of Doorknob Comments Fara and Grant are joined by Dr. Michael Levin, the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor of Biology and the Director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. Dr. Levin publishes across developmental biology, computer science, bioengineering, and philosophy of mind, with work spanning from fundamental conceptual frameworks, to applications in birth defects, regeneration, and cancer. Fara and Grant discuss Dr. Levin's groundbreaking research, how he came to his research interests, and the potential linkages or applications his research might have for the future of therapeutic care.

We hope you enjoy.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Michael Levin

https://thoughtforms.life/ [https://www.farawhitemd.com/]

https://drmichaellevin.org/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Engineering Body and Mind with Michael Levin

On this episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant focus on why people often struggle to do things that are good for them while continuing habits that might be harmful. They discuss the concept of multiple self-states or personality parts that can sometimes conflict with each other, leading to procrastination, guilt, and difficulty in enjoying leisure activities. The conversation touches on topics such as the challenges of balancing productivity with self-care, the role of brain activity in procrastination, and the importance of self-reflection in understanding one's own motivations and behaviors. Throughout the episode, Fara and Grant draw on psychoanalytic theories, personal experiences, and clinical observations to offer insights into how individuals can better navigate their internal conflicts and make more constructive choices. 

We hope you enjoy. 

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Embracing Your Many Sides for Growth & Productivity

On today's episode of Doorknob Comments, Grant and Fara sit down with Erica Krakovitz, a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist, to explore the complexities of relationships, self-trust, and emotional healing. They dive into the patterns that keep people stuck in toxic dynamics, the role of intuition in recognizing red flags, and how different therapeutic approaches—like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR—can help people rebuild their sense of self. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, questioning your relationship, or simply curious about how therapy works, this conversation sheds light on the deep psychological forces that shape our connections with others.

We hope you enjoy.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Erica Krakovitz

https://www.drkrakovitz.com/ [https://www.umb.edu/directory/nireisikovits/]

https://www.instagram.com/drericakrakovitz/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Valentine's Day Episode: Relationships, trauma and psychotherapy with Dr. Erica Krakovitz

Doorknob Comments was named for a phenomenon that sometimes happens at the end of a therapy session, when the patient may mention something important and riddled with conflict, right as you’re walking out the door. Equal parts frustrating and enlightening, it surfaces key issues which may--or may not!-- get addressed anytime soon.