Motivational Interviewing & Beyond

The Craft of Motivational Interviewing

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +1200

This episode of MIB explores MI as a craft, moving beyond a set of skills to a nuanced conversational art form. We aim to explore what it takes to become a practitioner focusing on the intuitive, adaptive and deeply personal aspects of helping. We were joined by Heather Flynn, Patrick Berthiaume, David Rosengren, Mike Porteous and Allan Zuckoff for the unbounded conversation.

The International Motivational Interviewing Summit: Debrief

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +1200

The 2025 Motivational Interviewing Summit was a gathering of
colleagues from around the world to explore the future of MI
practice, and research. Sponsored by the Florida State University Center for Behavioral Health Integration, the MI Summit was held in Tallahassee, Florida, USA on 17-18 May 2025. This interactive collaborative event included roundtable and panel discussions centred on innovations and directions of MI. We had robust exchanges, friendly differences, and good humour through a lively two-day
gathering. In this podcast we reflected on the the learnings and questions that emerged from our time together.

How Much Expertise Do You Need To Be Helpful?

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +1200

In the episode of MIB, Steve and Joel are joined by Terri Moyers, Chris Wagner and Densie Ernst to explore how skillful do you need to be at MI to be hopeful. This conversation compliments up our last episode on "Harmology". We hope you find this discussion stimulating and enjoyable.

We could not do MIB without the generous support of the team at the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Support at Florida State University.

Thanks for listening!
Joel & Steve

Harmology: How Helping Can Cause Unintended Harm

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +1200

In this episode Joel, Steve and friends explore how attempting to help people can sometimes cause harm. Steve lays out four types of people that cause harm. We explore the potentially side of toxic empathy and sympathy. The importance of informed practice. We also begin a conversation on: How much MI do people actually need to know to be helpful? Thanks the guests Brendan Murphy, Shaun Shelly and our host at Florida State University Heather Flynn for sharing your wisdom and experiences.

What would Carl Rogers think about MI?

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +1300

In this episode Steve, Joel and Ange are joined by our good friends Allan Zuckoff and Chris Wagner to explore MI and Person Centered Counselling. Where do these approaches converge and diverge. We did the best we could to explore what Carl Rogers might think about MI if he was alive today. Happy Holidays and we will see next year!

The Future of MI

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +1300

In this episode, Steve, Kendelle and Joel are live from the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers annual Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conversation was with both friends in audience and online. There was a lot of conversational territory covered in an hour and half. Apparently, the use of MI is being explores in a wide range of areas from cultural humility to family relationships and even climate change. Based on this conversation the future of MI is a work in progress.

MI & AI: What is Happening and What Does the Future Hold?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:00:00 +1200

In this episode of MIB, Joel, Kendelle, Steve, Ange and some wonderful guests explore two questions: What exactly is Artificial Intelligence? and What is happening with AI and MI in regards to research, training and practice. As always we welcome ideas and questions form the global MIB community and look forward to seeing you later this month. Guests: David Atkins, Michael Tanana, Catharine Devany Serio, Alex Wait and June Kim.

Motivational Interviewing, 4th Edition: What's in-store? What's changed?

Wed, 31 May 2023 18:00:00 +1200

In this episode, Joel, Kendell, Ange, Molly Magill and the participants will have a conversation with Steve about what to expect to find in the upcoming 4th edition of the MI book. Bring your questions and ideas to share with Steve and everyone.

updated - Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Does MI Have a Place?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +1200

In this episode, Joel, Steve and Ange take a long look at psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) and how MI may or may not fit. We are joined by Joshua Bringle, PhD, Joji Suzuki, MD, Candida Mauer, PhD and Michael Fluop, MD who are all engaged in funded clinical trails ketamine and psylocibin. The conversation was fun, illuminating and mind altering (or changing) for some. The audience chat is included in the Transcript section.

On a side note, MIB is heading into our third year, with 42,000 down loads and continues to build a lovely international community of friends. MI Around the World is a international project offer low cost to no cost MI training in three time zones over the next two months. For more information, please visit us: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/o/dr-joel-porter-18627665246 or emai: miworkshops@mail.com

Hope and MI: Is hope a verb? A noun? How does hope feel? What does it look like? How important is it?

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +1200

In this episode of MIB, Kendelle, Joel, Angela and guests explore the place of hope in helping people grow and make changes. We take a look at how hope fits with the spirit and practice of MI.

MI With More Than One Person: What Does That Look Like?

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +1300

In this episode we introduce Kendall Bond as part of the MIB team. We are joined by Karen Ingersoll, Tyrel Starks and Chris Wagner to explore how MI can be adapted to work with more than on person in groups counselling, couples therapy, classrooms and sports teams.

Motivational Interviewing in the Political Sphere: Is There a Case for It?

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +1300

In this episode, Steve, Joel, Kendelle Bond and friends from around the world explore if, where and how MI fits into the broader conversations about change. What can MI bring to the conversations outside of the therapy room, locker room or classroom?

Motivational Interviewing as a Catalyst for Building Skills: How Practicing MI Cultivates Good Practice

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 07:00:00 +1200

In this Oceanic episode of MI & Beyond we have Helen Mentha, Tipene Pickett, Kyle McKenzie and Ken McMaster in a conversation to explore how learning and practicing MI improves practice across the spectrum of helping.

Is There a Theory Behind MI? Part II

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +1200

In this episode of MIB, Joel, Ange, Steve, Bill Miller, Molly Magill, Chris Wagner, Paul Earnshaw, Allan Zuckoff will continue the discussion to try to discover if an underlying theory of MI exists (or if one is needed). We are joined by a couple of people from the audience to liven thing up. This is one robust and stimulating conversation for MI Geeks!

Is There A Theory Behind MI? If So, What Is It?

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +1200

In this episode of MIB, Joel, Ange, Terri Moyers, Bill Neto, Kathy Goumas, Allan Zuckoff and other guests will try to discover if an underlying theory of MI exists (or if one is needed). After a a robust opening, the conversation eventually finds it's way to the place where we hoped it would. It looks like we be having a part two of this conversation before too long.

Training People in Motivational Interviewing: What have we learned over the decades?

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +1200

Motivational Interviewing has been disseminated to an untold number of people around the world. In this episode Joel, Ange, Steve and guests from around the world take a look at Motivational Interviewing training over the years. We explore questions such as: What's changed over time? What's stayed the same? Virtual training versus face-to-face training, what’s best? Does everyone really need to be proficient in MI to be helpful?

Motivational Interviewing and a Restorative Approach

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +1200

Best friends with the potential for making an impact at home, school, and in sport? Join Joel, Ange, and Steve with special guests Andy Williams, Orla Adams, Steve Berg-Smith, David Rosengren and Ken McMaster for a bumper discussion on how to improve culture, relationships, and outcomes.

MI Behind Bars: Motivational Interviewing in the World of Corrections

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +1300

Steve, Ange and Joel along with Jennifer Luther (USA), Michael Clark (USA), Ken McMaster (Aotearoa/New Zealand) and Fredrik Eliasson (Sweden) take a look at the past, present and future of MI in area of corrections. This freewheeling and, at times, personal conversation covers a lot of ground.

No Such Thing As A Dumb Question: Ask Us Anything About MI

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +1300

Joel, Steve, Ange, Cristiana Fortini, Ken McMaster and Tipene Pickett were curious to know what questions are about MI are out there. We may not have had all the answers, but we gave it our best shot. We had some thought provoking questions, interesting answers and good fun.

Inside the conversation about change: What is helpful? Where does hope come in? What is harmful?

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 15:00:00 +1300

In this episode of MIB, Joel, Steve, Ange along with Molly Magill, Denise Ernst, Colin O'Driscoll and Rick Cotgreave take a look into what happens in our conversations about change and more. The conversation has some turns and twists that create more questions than answers.

Collateral Damage From Good Intentions: When Attempts at Helping Cause Harm

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +1300

In this third part of the Inside The Conversation of Change, Joel, Steve, Ange, Denise Ernst, Molly Magill, Shaun Shelly, Patrick Berthiaume and friends discuss the idea of harmful conversation, exploring when attempts at helping accidentally cause harm and how to prevent it.

MI Across Cultures: What Makes MI Appealing to People Around the World?

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 20:00:00 +1300

In this episode of MIB, we explore the appeal and helpfulness of MI across cultures, languages and borders. Joel, Ange and Steve are joined by friends and colleagues from Brazil, South Africa and Aotearoa/New Zealand to share ideas and stories from training and practicing MI to get a better understanding of international and cross cultural adoption of MI.

Motivational Interviewing and Addictive Behaviours: What have we learned in 35 years?

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 20:00:00 +1300

In this episode, Steve, Ange & Joel are joined by Denise Ernst (USA), Simon Adamson (New Zealand), Shaun Shelly (South Africa) and surprise guest Molly Magill (USA) to explore how MI has changed the way we think about and work with addictions and addictive behaviours. The conversation meandered into a range of areas from about how we hold people in mind and in heart to do we need the word "treatment" anymore.

Does Listening Save Time?

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 16:00:00 +1200

In this MIB episode David Rosengren, Margo Bristow and Onna Brewer join in and try to answer Steve's question: Does Listening Save Time? We spent a lot of time talking about listening.

Behaviour Change: Is That All That Matters?

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +1200

Welcome. In this episode Steve, Joel and guests have a well rounded conversation about change. We explore the limitations and unearth question about focusing only behaviour change as an acceptable outcome. Heather Flynn, Kathy Goumas and others join in the conversation to help connect some of the dots and deepen our understanding of what it means to help others. Steve also does some foreshadowing of the fourth edition of the Motivational Interviewing.

Compassion Fatigue: What's Going On Here?

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +1200

In the episode Steve, Joel and guests Stan, Brendan and others explore the upper limits of caring for others. We talk about Compassion Focused Therapy, self-compassion, compassion vs. empathy, therapist shame, vicarious trauma and more. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!

Virtual Training and Learning In The Time of COVID: Where To From Here?

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +1200

In this episode we explored the universe of virtual learning and training with Susan Dopart (USA) and Ken McMaster (New Zealand) . How has COVID fast tracked and required us to adapt to a new teaching, training and learning environment? We were also joined by Pip Mason, Steve Berg-Smith and Onna Brewer to further explore the personal challenges of moving from training in the room to training in cyberspace.

Supporting Autonomy: How Long is a Piece of String?

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:00:00 +1200

In this episode Joel and Steve are joined by Russell Calderwood (Wales), Fredrik Eliasson (Sweden), Margo Bristow (USA) and Brendan Murphy (Ireland) to take deep dive in role of supporting autonomy while helping people change.

Giving Advice & Feedback: Sport, School and Beyond

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +1200

This episode starts with Madtv 's clip Stop It with Bob Newhart and Mo Collins. Afterwards, Joel and Steve are joined by colleagues Andrew Brownhill, Orla Adams and Judith Carpenter to explore what advice and feedback actually are. Is it a task to be done, a skill to learn or art form? Steve provides a live demonstration of he offers advice and feedback. There are questions and comments from the audience

Sport and Empathy

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:00:00 +1200

This Episode focuses in on the role of empathy in sport. We had three guests that are involved with working with professional athletes who are trying to change the culture of who athletes both young and old are treated by coaches. Does empathy have a place in sport? How can empathy support optimal performance? Is coaching about more than just winning?

Listening in a Time of Uncertainty

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +1200

Our flagship episode of Motivational Interviewing & Beyond (MIB) was focused on the importance of listening in this time of uncertainty. As we found our way into learning how to do a webinar and inviting people to join, we covered a lot conversational ground.

Hesitating? COVID Vaccination and How to Approach Ambivalence

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +1200

Steve and Joel have a robust conversations with experts in vaccinology, diabetes, motivational interviewing and general medicine on vaccinations, ambivalence and hesitancy. There is a MI demonstration of how to approach the topic and questions from the audience in this episode.

The Therapeutic Cocktail: Can Blending Approaches Lead to Better Outcomes?

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +1200

Joel and Steve along with Allan Zuckoff, Terri Moyers, Chris Wagner and Kathy Goumas explore the topic of psychotherapy integration. This lively conversation covers a lot ground from the history of therapy integration to what makes an effective therapist. There are spontaneous appearances and questions from the audience.