ACTIVISM


"As a scientist, I think that being able to critically examine things is key to being a happy, healthy human being. I want all people to be able to employ the principles of critical thinking to become scientific skeptics - being open minded, but demanding evidence before accepting something as truth or factual."

To this end, Dr. Lack attempts to spread skepticism and its sibling freethought to as many people as possible. This includes his numerous public talks, his writings, and his work with the Secular Therapist Project.

PUBLIC TALKS AND MEDIA APPEARANCES

  • Is there an Oklahoma Octopus? – interviewed by Rachel Hopkin for KGOU’s “How Curious” podcast (September 2023, listen online)
  • Ask A Skeptic: Is my phone listening to me? – inaugural column for eSkeptic (April 2023, read online)
  • Top questions to ask about Bipolar Disorder treatment - interviewed by Claire Gillespie for an article on the HealthCentral website (February 2023, read online)
  • Treating religious fear and anxiety – interviewed for the Divorcing Religion podcast by Janice Selbie (January 2023, watch online)
  • My Brother’s OCD – interviewed by Harry To for a story about the impact his brother’s OCD has had on their family (November 2022, read online)
  • Problemas comunes en el tratamiento del TOC – interviewed by the Asociación Latinoamericana de Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo (August 2022, watch online) 
  • When therapists push religion – interviewed by Jonathan MS Pearce for the OnlySky network (April 2022, read online)
  • Psychology of religion: An interview with Dr Caleb Lack – wide ranging interview by Jonathan MS Pearce for the A Tippling Philosopher podcast (January 2022, watch online)
  • How Eeyore became the patron saint of the depressed – interviewed by Brian VanHooker for MEL magazine (October 2021, read online)
  • Interview with Dr. Caleb Lack – an episode of the Knowledge Brews Supreme podcast by John Chancey (September 2021, listen online)
  • Living with OCD in a pandemic – interviewed by Jane E. Brody for her “Personal Health” column in the New York Times (August 2021, read online)
  • Dr. Caleb Lack - Interviewed by Gray Thomas on The Expanded Self (August 2021, listen online)
  • Evidence based mental health care - interview on the Serious Inquiries Only podcast. (July 2021, listen online)
  • Clinical psychologist says specific language used in this political climate can lead to turmoil – interview on NBC affiliate KFOR. (January 2021, watch online)
  • Oklahoma mother terrified for her sons, feels they might participate in armed protests - interview on NBC affiliate KFOR. (January 2021, watch online)
  • K9 Cop Shop Talks – two interviews for Canines on Duty, discussing our beliefs and how they impact those around us, including animal companions. (February 2020, watch online part 1 / part 2)
  • Critical Thinking - interviewed by Robert Stanley on The Right to Reason about the importance of critical examination of yourself and others. (September 2019, listen online)
  • What makes a good secular therapist? An interview by Scott Douglas Jacobsen for Uncommon Ground Media. (March 2019, read online)
  • Psychological Science and Preying on Predatory Journals - interviewed by Matthew Facciani on the Science Social Hour regarding his research and activism. (March 2019, listen online)
  • Suicide, Holidays, and What to do to Help. Two members of the board of YesLoveOKC sat down with me to discuss depression, suicidality, and warning signs of those. (December 2018, watch online)
  • Sexual Assault. Myself and others were interviewed by Robert Stanley on The Right to Reason about sexual assault and its consequences. (October 2018, listen online)
  • The Psychology of Conspiracy: An Interview with Dr. Caleb Lack. In this episode of the Mad Scientist Podcast, Chris Cogswell interviewed me about the Illuminati, Satanic ritual abuse, and critical thinking. (October 2018, listen online)
  • Secular Therapy: Ending the Dogma of Alcoholics Anonymous. Scott Jacobson interviews me about the differences between evidence-based and 12-step programs for substance use. (July 2018, read online)
  • Does faking religion lead to depression? A story from The Daily Beast about recent research, including commentary by myself. (March 2018, read online)
  • The Munditious Podcast. A wide-ranging interview with Jesus Ramones covering secular therapy, evidence-based practices, and my journey into non-belief. (March 2018, listen online)
  • Clinical psychology and secular therapy - session 3. Interview by Scott Douglas Jacobsen for Conatus News. (December 2017, read online)
  • Clinical psychology and secular therapy - session 2. Interview by Scott Douglas Jacobsen for Conatus News. (October 2017, read online)
  • A Discussion with Melissa Huff & Dr. Caleb Lack of the Secular Therapist Project – interview for the Secular HubCast. (October 2017, listen online)
  • Dr. Caleb Lack on AA and secular therapy. Interview by Scott Douglas Jacobsen for The Canadian Atheist. (September 2017, read online)
  • Clinical psychology and secular therapy - session 1. Interview by Scott Douglas Jacobsen for Conatus News. (September 2017, read online)
  • Skeptic Review Feature Story: Reasons to Believe. A very positive review of the documentary "Reasons to Believe" by Ben Fama Jr., which I star in. (August 2017, read online)
  • "Reasons to Believe" screening Q&A. I sit down with producer Mesa Fama and director Ben Fama Jr. to answer questions about belief after screening the film at the University of Central Oklahoma (April 2017, watch online)
  • How to understand how we think. A wide-ranging interview on the podcast Reality Trip (April 2017, watch online)
  • The atheists struggling to find therapists in the Bible Belt. A long article in The Atlantic about secular therapy and why it is needed. Includes interviews with myself and another Secular Therapy Project member. (March 2017, read online)
  • Why are people hating on eating clean? - interview by Signe Rousseau for Canvas8 (March 2017, read online)
  • Trigger warnings and safe spaces. I discuss the idea of 'safe spaces' and whether trigger warnings are useful on the Thinking Atheist podcast. (January 2017, watch online)
  • Interview with Caleb W. Lack of the Secular Therapist Project. In depth interview for Conatus News on the STP. (December 2016, read online)
  • Science or pseudoscience? Knowing how to tell the difference. A very positive review of my sixth book, co-written with Jacques Rousseau, on PsycCRITIQUES (November 2016, read online)
  • Mental Health - Podcast interview for the Gaytheist Manifesto focusing on mental health issues, particularly as applied to secular and LGBTQ individuals. (September 2016, watch online)
  • Have you ever heard of 'genetic sexual attraction'? News coverage that I was interviewed for after a mother and daughter in Oklahoma were charged with incest (September 2016, watch online)
  • Dr. Caleb Lack - Clinical Psychologist, Researcher. I was the guest for this episode of Amy on the Radio, where we discussed my new book, belief, mental health, and answered listener questions. (June 2016, listen online)
  • Dr Caleb Lack, Director of Secular Therapy Project, Interviewed. I was interviewed by Patheos writer Jonathan Pearce about my new position as director of the STP. (February 2016, read online)
  • Outside of the box education and secular therapy. I was interviewed about my recent TEDx talk regarding new media assignments in the classroom and work with the Secular Therapy Project on the Reality Trip Podcast. (January 2016, watch online)
  • When your therapist tries to save your soul. Interviewed by Valerie Tarico of AlterNet on religion, psychology, mental health, and the Secular Therapy Project (January 2016, read online)
  • Review of ‘Psychology Gone Astray.’ A very positive review of our book, by Brady J. Phelps in The Journal of Mind and Behavior (Fall 2015, read online)
  • Teaching outside the box. An invited TEDx talk on how to use classroom assignments to reach around the world. (September 2015, watch online)
  • UCO psychology professor examines history of scientific sexism and racism in new book. Article on the release of my fourth book. (July 2014, read online)
  • The psychology of belief. I was interviewed by Seth Andrews on The Thinking Atheist podcast about how and why we believe the things we do (July 2014, watch online)
  • UCO's AAUP chapter honors faculty for service. Article showcasing a research award that I received. (May 2013, read online)
  • Protesting a "psychic." News coverage of the Skeptics@UCO protesting supposed medium John Edward's visit to Oklahoma City. (March 2012, watch online)
  • Trend or trash? Interview about sexually provocative language on clothing worn by teenagers. (August 2011, watch online)
  • Taking bold claims with a grain of salt – article about the formation of the UCO Skeptics campus group (August 2011, read online)
  • Cyberbullying and teens. Interview about the impact that online bullying can have on mental health. (June 2011, watch online)
  • Social networks and privacy. News coverage of research on social media usage that myself and my students presented at Oklahoma Research Day 2010. (November 2010, watch online)
  • Scott's Research Presented Across the Pond – story on research my undergraduates helped conduct that was presented at a conference at the University of Cambridge (April 2010, read online)
  • Atkins school board hears proposal from Ark. Tech professor – news story on research I proposed before the Atkins, AR school board (September 2008, read online)

SECULAR THERAPIST PROJECT

The Secular Therapist Project (STP) is a program of the non-profit organization Recovering from Religion. The STP exists to connect those seeking mental health help with secular therapists (be they psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, or others) who use evidence-based practice in their work. Dr. Lack took over as Director of the STP in January 2016, after being a member of the evaluation team for three years, and stepped down in January 2020. He is still an active member of the site, as well as a volunteer to provide psychotherapy to individuals in The Clergy Project. 

Read "When Your Therapist Tries to Save Your Soul" or "Dr Caleb Lack, Director of the Secular Therapy Project, Interviewed" to learn more about the STP and why it's such a needed service. Apply to be a client or a potential therapist at SecularTherapy.org.

A calm scene of a man telling stories beside a river

Lullaby Legends with Lack

Timeless stories from across the ages and around the globe, delivered just in time for bed and narrated by everyone's favorite clinical psychologist, Dr. Caleb Lack. Let the soothing tones and wonderful tales help ease your transition to the land of dreams.

 Featuring well known and obscure myths, folklore, fairy tales, and even some modern stories, this podcast spotlights a different theme or culture each week. From Egypt to Greece, Rome to central Africa, Ireland to China, Australia to the Americas, everywhere is fair game.

 Intro and outro music by William King (http://bit.ly/3nBDQZA). 

Available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music, updated weekly.

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