210: Carole Lieberman, The Terrorist Therapist® & Chad Kultgen, The Necessary Conversation

In this episode of Meredyth with a Why, I sit down with Dr. Carole Lieberman, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist you may know as The Terrorist Therapist and host of Dr. Carole’s Couch, along with Chad Kultgen, co-host of The Necessary Conversation. Together, we dive deep into politics, terrorism, mental health, and the polarizing figure of Donald Trump. This conversation was raw, challenging, and exactly what I believe we need more of… people with opposing views sitting down to actually listen, question, and debate. Here’s what we got into: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) – Dr. Lieberman breaks down why she’s pushing to include TDS in the DSM and shares her criteria for mild, moderate, and severe cases. Strong Leadership vs. Authoritarianism – We discussed immigration, ICE detentions, tariffs, protests, and what “protection” really looks like in America. From Media Violence to 9/11 – Dr. Lieberman opens up about how 9/11 shifted her life’s work from media violence to terrorism and national security. Guns & the Second Amendment – Why she went from opposing guns to defending the right to bear arms against government overreach. Her Roots & Training – From her New York upbringing to studying under Anna Freud in London, she shares how her background shaped her worldview. Finding (and Missing) Common Ground – We push each other on topics like abortion, corruption, tariffs, and accountability—and discover where agreement surprisingly shows up.   For me, this was less about winning an argument and more about showing that we can have tough conversations without shutting each other down. Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between, I think you’ll walk away challenged, curious, and maybe even inspired to keep the dialogue going. — 00:00 Introducing Dr. Carole Liemberman and Chad Kultgen 01:12 Discussing Trump Derangement Syndrome 08:47 Political Violence and TDS 28:25 Obama's Influence and Media Violence 37:27 Controversial Statements and Public Perception 38:20 Authoritarianism and Historical Comparisons 46:44 Trump Derangement Syndrome: Mild to Severe Cases 01:04:21 Trump's Financial Gains and Alleged Corruption 01:11:53 Concluding Thoughts — Ready to dive even deeper? I’m handing you the keys to the castle! If you loved this episode and want more, don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss out! Let’s stay connected. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 🔗  Connect with Dr. Carole Leiberman: Website: terroristtherapist.com/aboutdrcarole/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/CaroleLiebermanMD  Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-caroles-couch-radio-show/id298963620  🔗  Connect with Chad Kultgen: Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thenecessaryconversation?_t=ZS-8zbvoAL2Dmq&_r=1  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@TheNecessaryConversation