Topic: How To Think in an Age of Fanaticism

Fanaticism is characterized by an outlook or behaviors marked by intense and uncritical devotion. Such a zealous and unthoughtful approach to one’s political, religious or social beliefs is one ingredient that foments the hatred and violence we see in terrorist acts and the “domestic cold war” we have in the U.S. As individuals, and as a nation, how do we develop the tools to think clearly in an age of fanaticism and break the cycle of fear and anger.

This week's show is dedicated to the memory of a courageous and compassionate woman BARBARA CLEAVER TILSNER, 66, Co-founder of Mothers of AIDS Patients, Los Angeles.

Barbara joined me and other American educators in Russia, in 1991, to help bring compassion and understanding to a nation in fear and turmoil. As part of the delegation, which I put together for my non-profit the International AIDS Project, Barbara brought a mother's love to assist us in helping the former Soviet Union avoid or minimize the oncoming devastation of the AIDS epidemic, at a time when other's feared to speak out.

The loss of her 26 year old son, Scott Cleaver, to HIV/AIDS motivated her to help other mothers and fathers to reach out in their grief.

Barbara, a non-smoker, died on August 2 of lung cancer.
I take this opportunity to honor her and her family.

- Stuart

Guest: Constance Kaplan, MFT

Constance Kaplan is a Marriage, Family and Child Psychotherapist who specializes in working with the unique issues of creative artists and their families.

Ms. Kaplan is President of the Association for Psychoanalytic Thought of Southern California, an affiliate of the Southern California Psychoanalytic Society. APT is part of a nationwide professional organization that applies contemporary psychoanalytic ideas to compelling issues and settings such as the changing family, sexuality, spirituality, childrearing, the media, science, politics and the workplace as analytic ideas evolve in the 21st century. She is on the Committee for Gay and Lesbian Issues and the Committee for Psychotherapy Associates at The American Psychoanalytic Association. She is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Ms. Kaplan is a founding board member of Wendy's Hope, an affiliate of the City of Hope.

Ms. Kaplan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, Child psychotherapy from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and is a graduate of the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training Program at the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute.

Her diverse private psychotherapy practice is located in West Los Angeles.