Into the Magic Shop

When he was just 10 years old, Tenzin Priyadarshi made a non-rational decision to become a Buddhist monk. He ran away from school and took a two-day train journey to one of the most sacred sites in the Buddhist tradition. “I arrived at this temple and I knocked on the door, and this wonderful monk opened the door. And without even me saying hello, he said, oh good, you're here, we were expecting you.”Today, the venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi is an innovative thinker, philosopher, educator, and polymath monk. He's also the president and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.But it hasn't been a smooth journey from that initial foray into Buddhism to his current position. Having finally persuaded his parents to let him follow this spiritual path, he then spent 18 years convincing them to meet the Dalai Lama. “He has cultivated this compassionate presence that he doesn't even need to say anything. He just sits there, and you're basking in that presence, and it simply inspires you to become a better version of yourself.”In this episode of Into the Magic Shop, Tenzin discusses what he learned from spending time with Mother Teresa and Guru Rinpoche, the distinction between rebirth and reincarnation, and how to cultivate a spiritual presence.This is an enlightening episode in more ways than one, download and listen today.  On today's podcast: His journey to becoming a Buddhist monk The Dalai Lama's influence on his parents The distinction between rebirth and reincarnation Why cultivating a spiritual presence is different from dogma

As a child of two Type-A parents, Chip Conley had his success script written for him. But deep down he knew he was destined to write his own story. Today, Chip is the bestselling author and thought leader at the intersection of psychology and business. Having founded the Joie de Vivre hotel chain, of which he was CEO for almost 24 years, he then sold the company and became an advisor to the founders of Airbnb, before founding the Modern Elder Academy, which he describes as the world's first midlife wisdom school.“I had this epiphany, which was, why do we not have midlife wisdom schools, places where people can go and reimagine and repurpose themselves in midlife, because if we're living longer, and people are often staying in the workplace longer by choice and necessity, we need places where people can do a midlife pitstop.”In this episode, Chip talks about his life trajectory and the things that make him happy, (including the things that can make all of us happy). He also discusses what it means to be a modern elder, and how having insight changes everything.“I don't call the midlife crisis a crisis anymore. I call it the midlife chrysalis. Because midlife for a butterfly is the chrysalis. And it is in that dark, gooey space, that the transformation happens between caterpillar and butterfly.”On today's podcast: How to create a sense of meaning for people Why fame is a double-edged sword Roles models in the conscious capitalism movement  Founding the MEA (Modern Elder Academy) Links:https://chipconley.com/

Shep Gordon, legendary talent manager of multiple household names from Alice Cooper to Luther Vandross, isn't actually passionate about music. Despite having managed Alice since 1968, what drives Shep isn't money, but of being of service to others. In this part two episode of Into The Magic Shop, Shep recalls meeting the Dalai Lama for the first time: “We went to see his holiness, I got backstage, and I'll never forget the door opened and he walked in the room and I felt like I had taken the best shower of my life. Like I'd never been that clean ever in my whole life.”What makes a life is caring for others, says Shep, being of service, being non-judgemental, and forgiving. That's the source of real happiness. And the happiest people, says Shep, have a mentor. For Shep, his mentor was the pioneering chef of Nouveau Cuisine, Roger Vergé; a man Shep credits for changing his life. “I think everyone has something to offer to another person. And that's the message at the end of our conversation; everybody has the capacity to be a mentor. It's something you can do. And while it will take time, the joy you receive from that is extraordinarily profound.”On today's podcast: Why he doesn't need a contract with Alice Cooper How Roger Vergé changed his life   Meeting the Dalai Lama The power of mentorship

Shep Gordon is a legendary talent manager (he manages Alice Cooper and has done since 1968), film agent, producer, and was the subject of Mike Myers' directorial debut, the 2013 documentary, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon. As well as managing household names such as Blondie, Eddie Pendergrast, Luther Vandross, to name but a few, the other thing to know about Shep is that he was (according to Emeril Lagasse) single-handedly responsible for creating the concept of ‘celebrity chef'. But, says Shep, none of this was by chance, his destiny was the result of taking action, of using a bit of knowledge and compassion where he could, to get to where he wanted to go. And considering he's cooked for the Dalai Lama, and credits as his mentor (and the man who changed his life), renowned chef, Roger Vergé, he's definitely gone far. From writing Buffalo, NY, history while high, to microdosing, to making Alice Cooper a global superstar, don't miss Shep Gordon's story, in his own words, on this episode of Into The Magic Shop. “I used to look every client in the eye and I'd say, if I do my job perfectly, I will probably kill you. Luckily for you, I'm not perfect. But I'm really good. So you will be maimed. That's the price, you're going to pay for this. You are going to be maimed. And they all laugh. But they all got maimed.”On today's podcast: Do the best you can in the moment Being a star is all about accepting rejection The benefits of microdosing Why Alice Cooper is the embodiment of a good Christian

In 1971, Dr. Phil Zimbardo, a new professor at Stanford University, decided to do an experimental two-week study in which he put good people in bad places. This (now) infamous study is known globally as The Stanford Prison Project. “[We] walked them down to the basement where the prison was, and then stripped them naked and took off the blindfold. The first thing they see is themselves, we had a big mirror for this reason, and they see themselves standing helpless and naked. And [the ‘guards'] say: Welcome to Stanford Prison.” Volunteer students were assigned the role of either prisoner or guard - a role about which they knew nothing. The experiment didn't last the two weeks; Phil ended it after just six days when five of the prisoners had broken down. In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Phil explains why this first-of-its-kind experiment was so insightful in revealing how easily intelligent participants can change their perception and mentality simply as a result of the social situation they're in. To find out more, download and listen to this latest episode.On today's podcast: The Stanford Prison Experiment Why one negative event can change your perception of a person forever What we can all learn about compassion from Ted Lasso

Every single one of us has the ability to be a hero every day, says extraordinary psychologist and Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, Dr. Phil Zimbardo, who is most well known for what's been described as the Stanford Prison Experiment.More recently, Phil has founded a nonprofit - The Heroic Imagination Project, where he works tirelessly to promote compassion in the world. “Simply put, a hero is someone who comes to the aid of someone else in need. It could be by giving money, but typically it's helping somebody who's been in an accident, or who has some sudden medical problem that needs to be taken to the hospital.”In part one of this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Phil talks about his extraordinary career, the work that he continues to do, and the reality that within all of us is the ability to be kind and compassionate, not only towards ourselves but others as well, and how each of us has the ability to live a more compassionate life. To find out more, download and listen today. On today's podcast: What the Heroic Imagination Project does Why we get struck by the bystander effect Why egocentrism is the enemy of socio-centrism The results of the Good Samaritan Study

The current healthcare system is failing everyone, says practicing neurosurgeon and author of Grief Connects Us, Dr Joseph Stern (Jody). We need to reimagine how healthcare is delivered. Having experienced the grief of losing his sister and her husband, and seeing what the healthcare system is like as a patient: how terrified people are, how in need of help, assistance, and support they are, Jody has made it his mission to treat patients with kindness and compassion.“I feel that the compassion part is the key part. And if you start with that, you have better care, more satisfied patients, healthier patients, happier doctors, and happier systems.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Jody explains why learning to connect to emotions makes you a better doctor, why the idea of perfection among neurosurgeons is dangerous, and why grief is a universal truth and experience that we all share, no matter who you are. “We all need each other, we all need that support, we need that kindness. And the only way to start to change how we do things, how we treat each other, how we interact, is to have that level of kindness.”To find out more, download and listen to Jody.On today's podcast: The nature of grief Why doctors are taught to have distance Our healthcare system is destructive The skills of palliative medicine Care in community is real and attainable Links:Joseph Stern - Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon's Lessons On Love, Loss And Compassion

How can you prepare for death? While it's hard to live every day like it's your last, try and keep regrets to a minimum, advises Dr. BJ Miller, a palliative care physician and a leading voice reframing society's discourse on the field of death and dying. “When you love someone, tell them, act on it. When you want to learn something, go learn it, don't continually put things off. That sort of deferred gratification that we do in the name of discipline can catch up with us in a harsh way.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, BJ answers questions from the audience about how to prepare for death: from saving money for death, to wrapping your head around it's the end of your life - but not life itself. He also discusses why compassion can make you a better caregiver, and how to get involved in the field of palliative care when you don't have a medical background. “To me, design thinking is if we see illness and death as an experience, well, then we get to create for it and condition it… and your mission, your work, is to be a force in this world that helps people suffer less and love more.”To find out more, download and listen today.On today's podcast: How to prepare for death Start saving money for death Live a life where you've minimized your regrets How to be a better caregiver Links: TED talk - What Really Matters at the End of Life Book - A Beginner's Guide to the End

How do you think about death? Dr. BJ Miller is a palliative care physician who invites us to think about and discuss the end of our lives with the lens of a mindful human-centered model of care, one that embraces dying not as a medical event, but rather as a universally shared life experience. “By roping death into your worldview, into your frame of reality, not the opposite of your reality, not the antithesis of your life, but part of it. When you accommodate it, it becomes less frightening. And you tend to live much more richly and potently.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, BJ shares his backstory and why it has so strongly informed his present story. He explains why some people can die before they actually die, the power and importance of joy and compassion, the issue with the West's focus on illness rather than wellness, and why preparing for death helps you live a fuller life.“It's a beautiful thing to behold and it doesn't necessarily have to look like peace, but the trick is those who have done their homework, I guess the bottom line is they don't hate themselves for dying.”To find out more, download and listen today.On today's podcast: The myth of independence The importance of joy and compassion Why the fear of death can stop you from living Links: TED talk - What Really Matters at the End of Life Book - A Beginner's Guide to the End

How can you be more compassionate? James Kirby is a lecturer and a clinical psychologist at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, he's also been a fellow at the Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, but more importantly, he does incredible research in the area of compassion.“If we choose compassion, we're choosing to try to be helpful to someone, or ourselves. We're choosing to help ourselves in a way that will make things slightly easier.”James has also recently published a book called Choose Compassion: Why It Matters and How It Works, and in this episode of Into The Magic Shop, he debunks the myth that compassion is simply a feeling and shows us how compassion is a motivational force with a physiological impact, and that it can not only shape our behavior, but it can impact our relationships with others, and ultimately change the world. He also explains how you can bring a little compassion into your everyday life. “Nothing is more powerful than when you have helped another person and you're reminded of it. It makes you feel so good. And when you think about those types of feelings, it can add more motivation to your future actions.”To learn more, download and listen today.On today's podcast: Difference between empathy and compassion Why humans evolved to be compassionate Connections between parenting and compassion How to bring compassion into your everyday Links: Podcast - Alphabet of the Heart Book - Choose Compassion: Why it matters and how it works

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a globally registered spiritual and humanitarian who has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement to create a stress-free and violence-free society. “Compassion needs two attendants with it all the time. One attendant is wisdom. The other attendant must be detachment. If any one of these is lacking, compassion will suffer itself. Misplaced compassion is no good.  And compassion without detachment is not [compassion].”In this second part of the conversation with Sri Sri, he takes questions from the audience such as: how can you transition from one kind of compassion to another? Can you have spirituality in the absence of faith in a higher power? Why are breathing techniques so impactful on mindset? How can we find compassion to connect us all? And what can we teach our kids about compassion to reduce the number of shootings on school campuses?“If we teach children how to control their anger, their aggression, begin with the little glimpses of meditation, short 1, 5, 10 minutes of meditation, you empower them, you let them have the power over their own raging emotions.”This is a wide-ranging, truly insightful discussion, download and listen today. On today's podcast: Compassion needs two attendants Spirituality in the absence of faith Different types of breathing techniques Finding compassion to connect us all

How do you create a stress free and violence free society? This is the question driving Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a globally registered spiritual and humanitarian who has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement to bring about this very thing. We're all born the same way, says Sri Sri. We all have an innate quality to connect with everybody and to maintain our compassionate innocence. Just look at children; up until the age of two they have this innate empathy and compassion which (sadly) diminishes as they age. If this is a manifestation of their cultural environment, what mechanisms can we put in place to prevent that change in behavior patterns? “Nobody teaches us how to manage our emotions, how to manage our own mind. And this is where spiritual knowledge comes into play. It tells you how breath, body, mind, they're all related, and the mind can be changed.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Sri Sri shares his wisdom on the need to provide children compassionate, loving and caring role models, why we need to learn how to let go of insecurity in order to create happiness within ourselves, what we can learn from suffering (both our own and others'), and why we need to listen to our breath through meditation. “What really bothers us is a sensation in the body and the feeling in the mind. And breath is the intermediary. Using breath you can cleanse these so-called negative emotions.”On today's podcast: We are all born the same way Breath, body and mind are all connected Why affluence and happiness aren't linked Learning from suffering Breathing is the link between body and mind

Did you know that when you experience great stress in your life it can have a tangible, negative effect on your physiology? But, says Kamlesh D. Patel (Daaji to his friends and followers), spiritual leader, author, and fourth spiritual Guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation, the reverse is also true. If you have a calm mind and are compassionate, the parts of your brain associated with reward and pleasure are activated. And when you're in this state, it actually increases your longevity.  “Once I was able to open my heart and look at the world through the lens of compassion and gentleness and acceptance, then that changed everything in a positive way but it also changed how people responded to me.”If you haven't discovered The Heartfulness Way, then don't miss Daaji, a modern-day guru, on this episode of Into The Magic Shop. Daaji explains about the different Chakras and the effect they have on you, the origins of heartfulness practice, and why when you meditate with a focal point on the heart, it can have an extraordinary impact on everything physical, mental and spiritual.On today's podcast: The different Chakras and the effect they have on you The impact of stress on physiology The origin of heartfulness The impact of yogic transmission on meditation

Eckhart Tolle, author of bestselling book, The Power of Now, was 28 and on the brink of ending his life through suicide, when one night a thought occured to him: if he couldn't bear to live with himself, was there more than one of him?“At that moment an inner separation happened between my unhappy self and my deeper sense of I or beingness, which I now call consciousness itself.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Eckhart discusses the negative self-talk we hear in our heads, why science doesn't know what thought is, why so much of our thinking has to do with wondering about what's going to happen next, and why you are not your thoughts:“If your consciousness is the vast ocean, and thinking is the waves and ripples on the surface of the ocean, and every wave and ripple has a very short lived life, it's very fleeting like every thought, but it pretends to have an independent existence.”Download and listen to Eckhart today, and join the thousands of individuals who have gained insights into their own lives, transforming them for the better.“Is it a revolutionary statement to say there's only ever the present moment, that's all you ever have, not the future, and not the past, you can never experience anything in the future. In that sense, the future will never come. Because when it comes, it's the present. There's only ever this moment.”On today's podcast: What thoughts actually are Why we don't need to spend hours meditating  How to live in the now What we can learn from a dog's sense of being Links:Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle, author of bestselling book, The Power of Now, was 28 and on the brink of ending his life through suicide, when one night a thought occured to him: if he couldn't bear to live with himself, was there more than one of him?“At that moment an inner separation happened between my unhappy self and my deeper sense of I or beingness, which I now call consciousness itself.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Eckhart discusses the negative self-talk we hear in our heads, why science doesn't know what thought is, why so much of our thinking has to do with wondering about what's going to happen next, and why you are not your thoughts:“If your consciousness is the vast ocean, and thinking is the waves and ripples on the surface of the ocean, and every wave and ripple has a very short lived life, it's very fleeting like every thought, but it pretends to have an independent existence.”Download and listen to Eckhart today, and join the thousands of individuals who have gained insights into their own lives, transforming them for the better.“Is it a revolutionary statement to say there's only ever the present moment, that's all you ever have, not the future, and not the past, you can never experience anything in the future. In that sense, the future will never come. Because when it comes, it's the present. There's only ever this moment.”On today's podcast: What thoughts actually are Why we don't need to spend hours meditating  How to live in the now What we can learn from a dog's sense of being Links:Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now

The British have described Stephen Fry as a national treasure possessed with a brilliant mind, a natural wit, and an extraordinary verbal facility. He's an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, and writer. In fact, he does it all. He is also considered the epitome of a renaissance man. He's also known for his virtuosic command and comical manipulation of the English language, both in speech and writing. “Why should we praise someone who's born, compassionate and dis-praise someone who is born callous, or narcissistic and malignant, like the last president, for example?”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Stephen shares his thoughts on the nature of suffering, why effective altruism is actually cold hearted, the enormous problem with capitalism at the moment, and delves into the question of what humanity really means. “Society could not survive unless the vast majority of people are kind. It just could not. But you get into this narrative that people will take advantage of you if you're kind.”To hear all this and more, download and listen to this incredible episode. On today's podcast: The nature of suffering Why effective altruism is cold-hearted The problem with capitalism What really is humanity

When American neuroscientist, David Eagleman, was eight years old, he fell off the roof of a house. As he fell, he thought how long it was taking to hit the ground, and how this must be what it was like to be Alice in Wonderland. Later, he calculated that he only fell for 0.6 seconds. The time distortion he experienced in that life threatening situation stuck with him, underpinning his adult journey through neuroscience. In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, David shares his subsequent research around time distortion - why enjoyable times pass quickly and why we lost track of days and weeks during COVID. “So in the case of judging how long something took, it's all about how much memory you've laid down.”And did you know, only 5% of what we ‘see' actually comes from our eyes? From why eyewitness testimonies aren't to be trusted, to what consciousness is, and what happens during a near death experience - don't miss David explain why our memories construct what we think is reality. “The brain is locked in silence and darkness, it doesn't see or hear or smell anything. All it can do is say, okay, look, I've got these spikes coming up these cables, what should I pay attention to?”This is a fascinating episode you don't want to miss. On today's podcast: How the brain constructs time Your eyes don't actually see the outside world The nature of consciousness  What is a near death experience Links:www.eagleman.com

If you've ever wondered why you aren't achieving all you want out of life, or you're skeptical of the concept of manifestation, then don't miss Dr. Tara Swart, physician, neuroscientist, executive advisor and senior lecturer at MIT in the Sloan School, and the author of the best selling book, The Source, The Secrets Of The Universe, The Science Of The Brain, on this week's Into The Magic Shop. Tara, a reformed doctor who subsequently discovered coaching, is incredibly passionate about disseminating simple pragmatic neuroscience base messages that change the way people live, and the way people work. “I've always specialized in managing extreme levels of stress for executives. So I would say that that's the biggest thing that holds people back from reaching their potential.”She has a particular interest manifesting intention:“When you set your intention, when you use the proper cues to put your intention into your subconscious. That's when all of these opportunities and benefits manifest themselves.” Tara shares her story from medical school, to discovering coaching, to writing The Source. She also talks about why fear is one of our biggest drivers, why ghosts exist in the executive suite, how formative our early years are, what makes a great leader, and why manifesting is about using your brain power to create opportunities therefore making them more likely to materialize in your life. “If your happiness depends on an outside thing, you will never be happy because it will always be the next thing and the next thing.”On today's podcast: The greatest challenge that limits leaders  Why fear is one of our biggest drivers How formative our early years are Why we need to be more self compassionate Set an intention to achieve life goals Links: https://www.taraswart.com/the-source/ The Aristotle Project

“Growing up, I remember entertaining my friends, my cousins, my siblings with storytelling. I would stage plays. I would write the play and they would act it out. It was my first love.”Not many of us can pinpoint the exact moment our lives changed forever. For Khaled Hosseini, the New York Times best-selling Afghan American novelist, author of The Kite Runner, as well as two other novels including One Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Mountains Echoed, it was December 27 1979.As a young boy watching the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan, Khaled knew this was a momentous event. Today Dr. Hosseini is an Ambassador for the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) and in this episode of Into The Magic Shop he talks about his experience as a refugee, his own survivor's guilt, and why the power of stories move us to take action. “I believe in the power of storytelling, Jim, I think stories, be they in the form of plays, or films or music, or I happen to be deeply partial to literature, I think they're the single best means we have of feeling empathy for others.”So what made a successful doctor change course and become a writer, and what is Khaled's take on war and the refugee crisis?To find out more, you'll have to download and listen to this podcast.  On today's podcast: His experience as a refugee The ongoing crisis in Ukraine Making the transition from medicine to writing What we all can do to help refugees The power of storytelling Links:United Nations High Commission on Refugees

Frank Ostaseski is a Buddhist teacher and a pioneer and leader in the field of end of life care. “I don't know exactly how we prepare for dying. I know that we can use the spectre of death as a way to show us how to live our life really fully. And that may be the best preparation for dying, a life fully lived.”Frank founded the first Zen hospice project in 1987, and guided that for almost 20 years, and subsequently then founded The Metta Institute, where he's trained hundreds of people in end of life care. “Knowing that the people we love will die reminds us how we want to care for them. Now, how do we want to attend to this relationship? It's not to scare us. It's to encourage us to recognize what it is that matters most.”In today's episode, Frank shares his journey from the beginning of his spiritual practice, to founding the San Francisco based Zen center, why you need to focus rather than seek, the beauty of a wonder walk, the value of listening, being comfortable in our vulnerability, our immense capacity for love, and why we shouldn't wait until we die to learn the lessons that death has to teach us. “The very process of dying is actually conducive to our waking up… People often discover something about themselves that they didn't know before. And this isn't because of some religious or even spiritual practice. It's because they came in contact with something true about themselves.”On today's podcast: What is it that brings us to spiritual practice? The beauty of a wonder walk When dealing with death, lead with humanity The value of listening Love people until they can love themselves again Have the courage to be vulnerable Links: The Five invitations @fostaseski Book - The Five Invitations

If you've experienced personal suffering, an incredibly powerful way to begin healing is through meditation, as Sharon Salzberg, New York Times best selling author, Buddhist meditation teacher, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, discovered back in 1969. Having come through a childhood involving considerable loss and turmoil, Sharon's eyes were opened to Buddhism during an Asian philosophy course at the State University of New York, Buffalo. That one class would determine her life direction. “That was an immense liberation right there. It was a moment of belonging that was very, very different than anything I had felt before. And then I heard in the context of that class, that there were methods that were practices called meditation. And if you practice them, you could actually be a lot happier.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Sharon shares how important a sense of agency is for us to actualize our potential as humans, how we can overcome our negative self dialogue through meditation, why we're so fearful of showing our true selves, and why we need equanimity in our lives. “Equanimity doesn't mean indifference, but it's like a spaciousness of approach that actually enhances compassion. It doesn't diminish compassion.”So, if you've been wondering about the transformative power of meditation, if you're keen to learn more about Lovingkindness meditation, don't miss Sharon Salzberg. On today's podcast: People who have the least, give the most Discovering Buddhism and meditation Handling negative self dialogue Why we're so fearful of showing our true selves The Buddhist concept of equanimity Links: Book - Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves And The World Book - Real Love: The Art Of Mindful Connection

We all need a purpose to help us feel fulfilled, but Lynne Twist, founder of the institute ‘The Soul of Money', author of Soul of Money, and co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance, has made a bigger commitment. She wants to transform the conditions of life on this planet. Lynne isn't just a global visionary, she's actively working toward alleviating world hunger, as well as supporting social justice and environmental sustainability. “With the climate crisis it's the Mother speaking very convincingly: ‘you're off course, I'm giving you feedback, big, big, powerful feedback. It's happening for you, not to you, it's humbling you. You need to change course'.”In this latest episode of Into The Magic Shop, Lynne shares her incredible journey from developing her spirituality as a child, to winning the Stanford poetry contest, to becoming a pro-activist, and subsequently discovering EST (Erhard Seminar Training, later Landmark Forum) with Werner Erhard, before meeting Mother Theresa.“Whether people believe in God or not, when you saw Mother Teresa, you saw the largest definition of what we would call God. Not somebody in the sky somewhere, but the experience of God living within a human being.”Mother Theresa taught Lynne that money is called currency because it's a current, it's not designed to be accumulated. Money, like water, needs to flow, to purify, clean and grow. “The vicious cycle of wealth is challenging and intractable, and it has as much misery as the vicious cycle of poverty.”So, if you're looking to live a more purposeful life, download and listen to Lynne's story and let her inspire you to take action.On today's podcast: Why we are a manifestation of our past Why EST was transformational  Meeting Mother Theresa and working to end world hunger Why privilege is as brutal as poverty Why the pandemic and climate crisis are happening for us Links: The Soul of Money Institute and Lynne Twist Global Compassion Fellowship

Your past does not define your present, and it certainly does not define your future. Today's guest is living proof of that. Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She ultimately overcame her demons through mountaineering, and is the first openly gay woman to climb the Seven Summits. Her determination to overcome her trauma saw her first try to run away from it, before seeking solace in alcohol, becoming a functioning alcoholic:“And that's something that I've candidly shared in the book, that journey of how we fool ourselves, how we can pretend to appear something else.”Her mother persuaded her to take part in an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, and as she was high, she recalls her inner child grabbing her hand and pulling her into the mountains. “That was the most magical vision that I had from this powerful session of ayahuasca, which is what has led me to this incredible journey.”Without knowing what or how she was going to do it, she headed to the Himalayas to get to base camp on Mount Everest. “Instead of being afraid, there was this powerful reconnection, there was this sense of safety and security that I had never felt from any other human.”Sylvia's incredibly moving story demonstrates how resilient we truly are. So, if you're looking for a focus, for a purpose, let Sylvia's story inspire and encourage you. On today's podcast: Surviving sexual abuse The transformative power of psychedelics for trauma Finding courage through mountaineering Her foundation - Courageous Girls Links:https://www.silviavasla.com/

If you're curious about the practical science of lasting happiness, don't miss New York Times best selling author of Buddha's Brain and most recently, Neurodharma, Rick Hanson, on this episode of Into The Magic Shop. When you see people who operate at the upper reaches of human potential, it can seem a million miles away when you're down in the trenches of everyday life. “The qualities that we see in people who are very far along, [even] farther along than I am, are really helpful when you're dealing with stress. It's useful to have a lot of emotional balance. It's useful to have strong, steady mindfulness. It's useful to have an open, caring, warm heart as you deal with things like the Coronavirus.”Rick's latest book draws upon the latest brain science and applies it to the most penetrating analysis of the mind. We all have the potential to handle stress, heal old pain, feel at ease with others, and rest in the sense of our natural goodness.“You're reminding me of those lines from Gurdjieff, the mystic last century who said, drugs are like a telescope. They'll show you what's possible, but then you've got to walk there on your own. And I think that's true for a lot of things.”So, how can you grow a little today, to improve your tomorrow? To learn 7 practical ways to change your brain and your life for the better, download and listen to this episode. On today's podcast: 7 practices of the highest happiness Why we need to be self compassionate  How dopamine can help you meditate Why focusing on the whole brings you into the present Is consciousness simply a neurochemical process? Links:https://www.rickhanson.net/books/neurodharma/

Humor can be your biggest secret weapon in business. So much so, this episode's guests, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, wrote the book, ‘Humor, Seriously', about it. In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Jennifer and Naomi discuss just how much humor can impact business and how it can ultimately change everything. Because humor isn't just an emotional response, it plays a huge role on our mental and physical health, as well as our general well being, it even affects our longevity:“The biggest thing to overcome is to recognise this is not about telling jokes and being funny. It's about fundamentally shifting our mindset and navigating the world in a different way. And that is on the precipice of a smile.”From why funnier bosses are deemed to be more competent, to what can you do when your joke falls flat, in this incredibly revealing episode, let the stand up comedian and the Stanford professor share with you why humor is all about making a connection:“Laughter is a fundamental melody of human conversation. It is something that is so easy to connect people. And it's a melody that we all know the tune to, and we all know how to sing along.”On today's podcast: How humor impacts our health Why humor is all about making connection How to use the levity reframe The four different humor styles What to do when your joke fails Links:Humor, Seriously

What is it about A-listers that we find so appealing? They're no more special than the rest of us. Yet their impossibly glamorous existence is a world away from what we know. But are their lives and experiences really in stark contrast to ours? In today's episode of Into The Magic Shop, Jim lifts the curtain on A-List actor Jon Hamm, best known for playing Don Draper in Mad Men, revealing the monumental challenge he had to face of losing his Mom to cancer when he was just 10 years old:“I recall from back in those days of thinking, what's tomorrow, what's the next day, what's the next month, what's the next year, what's the future? And feeling bereft in a lot of ways but not really having the capacity to understand it or put it into words.” Don't miss Jon opening up about his childhood and early career. From how therapy helped him finish college, why he gave himself 5 years to make it in Hollywood, how he defines success, and why you can't let your past define your future.“I've got a lot of friends who've gone through a lot of things in their lives: success, unhappiness, and every place on the spectrum. And there's always something to be learned from it. And if you're going to let it define you, then that's a rough road. If you're going to use it to help move forward, that's the more therapeutic way to do it.”So how much do you really know about the people who are hugely successful on the silver screen? Because, as you'll discover in this episode, all that glitters isn't gold. On today's podcast: How losing his Mom to cancer shaped his early life How a therapist helped him get back on track Finding success with We Were Soldiers His first acting role as Winnie the Pooh Why you can't let your past define your future

How do we live longer, healthier, happier lives? That is the question David DeSteno, psychology professor at Northeastern University, explores in his new book - How God Works: the science behind the benefit of religion. In this latest episode of Into The Magic Shop, David shows how inextricably linked religion and psychology is, and the rewards that a religious life can bring: “Religions tell people: you should be good, you should be kind, you should be honest. But within the practices they're also giving people the tools to make that so .... Saying you believe in God doesn't predict anything, but engagement in spiritual practices, people who do that live longer, healthier, and happier lives.”While religious practices around the world demonstrably improve emotional and physical well being, David says you don't have to be religious to benefit from the wisdom of religion: “If you look at religious rituals, things like Ash Wednesday, it's a reminder that death may come sooner for any of us. And when that happens people turn toward the things that bring true happiness in life: social connection, care, and service toward others.”So, if you're looking for a way to live a more meaningful, fulfilled life, don't miss David share how to incorporate religious rituals into your life, in a non-religious manner. On today's podcast: What techniques actually improve people's lives How religion helps us deal with life's challenges Why faith practices increase people's health The benefits of practicing gratitude  Links:How God Works

The world that we know is dying, says Marianne Williamson, New York Times bestselling author, spiritual leader, political activist, and presidential nominee for the 2020 election. So how courageous are we willing to be? How blunt are we willing to be? How serious are we willing to be? How much truth telling are we willing to tell? Now is the time to say the quiet part out loud. Marianne recalls her father telling her as a child: ‘go and beat the system, kids, beat the system'. And she's been doing that ever since: “They use the culture war issues to distract us from the real problem, which is the corporate ownership of our Congress and White House. You know, our Congress is a system of legalized bribery at this point.”In this latest episode of Into The Magic Shop, Marianne discusses all things public policy, kindness, compassion and miracles:“I have optimism about everything because I believe in miracles. But I believe that the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”We will get it right in the end, says Marianne, the question is though, whether the change will be a painful violent one, or a wise and tender one? On today's podcast: How Biden hasn't made good on his election promises The corporate ownership of Congress and The White House Becoming an anti war demonstrator activist The intentional universe Links: www.candidatesummit.com A Course In Miracles

Where does our experience of self fit in with our experience of consciousness? “I can notice a sound, and notice that consciousness is prior to that sound and not reducible to it, not merely identical to it. The fact that I can notice a sound from outside the sound itself, proves to me that I'm not the sound. The sound is an object from the point of view of consciousness, so too with the sense of self.”This is just one of the many topics discussed in this Into The Magic Shop episode with esteemed neuroscientist, philosopher, and New York Times bestselling author of five books, Sam Harris. Why do we still hold onto religious beliefs when we live in the age of science? How much freewill do we actually have given that fundamentally our mere existence is a biochemical process? Why is consciousness such a hard topic to explore? And what is the illusion of self? “I'm not saying that people are illusions. And it's not a mystery, really, that I wake up as me in the morning, and I don't wake up as you. It's more the sense that there is a subject, very likely in our heads, which is the actual position from which we experience our experience. And if there is an experience there, well, then that must be appearing in consciousness in some way. Otherwise it couldn't be noticed.”This is one philosophically exploratory episode that covers a lot of ground, so sit back, open your mind and get ready to head into the magic shop to find out more. On today's podcast: The problem of death and impermanence Why we still rely on religion What is freewill? Consciousness is not the feeling of self The illusion of self Links:Sam Harris

If you suffer from an illness, either mental illness or physical illness, take a moment and think back to your childhood - was it ‘a happy childhood'? Dr. Gabor Maté has dedicated his life to exploring the nature not only of addiction but of trauma too. He's discovered that diseases don't just come along randomly, out of the blue - they reflect the course of a person's life, beginning in childhood. And nowhere is this more true than for addiction: “The whole point about addiction is that it's a short term benefit for long term pain. So what I'm saying about addiction is that it's not a disease, it's actually a solution to a problem, the solution of emotional pain.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Gabor reveals how he's never met someone with addiction who didn't have childhood trauma: “Parents often have their own issues, invariably, as parents, as I did, we pass on our issues to our kids until we've worked them out ourselves. So a lot of these happy childhoods despite all the parental love and even the external stability, there is a lot of emotional suffering.”From how to train yourself not to be reactive, to how adverse childhood experiences impact us in later life, this episode is varied, but it all comes back to one thing and that is this:“The desperation to find peace and resolution is not going to come from the outside. And that's where you have to start reflecting internally. But you have to get there. And usually it takes us a lot of suffering to get to that point.”On today's podcast: Addiction stems from childhood trauma Train yourself not to be reactive Adverse childhood experiences Why the prison system itself is criminal The importance of expressing your own truth

Everyone has questioned who they are and what their purpose is at one point or another, but very few of us have left our spouse and four children behind to head West and go look for some answers. But then not many of us are comparable to Werner Erhard, developer of Erhard Seminar Training (EST), later Landmark Forum.“What motivated me was to discover something that actually made a difference. And for a long time it was about performance. And then it morphed from performance into who am I really? What is it to be really, and just the sense that there was something well beyond what was available to me.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Werner shares what drives his desire for self-development and his passion for helping others with their own journeys, through the creation of EST.  “It's a fact that we get into this groove over time. Now, some people have a very successful groove. And others of us have either a less than successful or even a disastrous groove. That's not who anybody is really. And the work that I've been able to develop allows people to complete that aspect of themselves by owning it.”So just how do you transform yourself? And is it possible for anyone to get to simply being? These are the questions Jim and Werner explore in this incredibly illuminating episode. So if you want to be free to be and free to act, instead of being burdened by the reality in which you live, download and listen today.  On today's podcast: The origin of EST  Looking to discover rather than know Why EST has expanded into corporate training What ruthless compassion really is

How can diet and lifestyle decrease stress and anxiety in your life? In this latest episode, Dr. Dean Ornish, considered by many to be the father of the fastest growing trend in medicine today: lifestyle medicine, discusses the connection between mind, body and spirit.“Science, love, spirituality and meaning are what everything is really about. It's the basis of healing. It's the basis of joy. If it's meaningful, it's sustainable.”Dean hit rock bottom in his early twenties, and was at one point contemplating suicide as a way out. But as the saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. And for Dean, that teacher came in the form of an ecumenical spiritual teacher named Swami Satchidananda, who told him: “Nothing can bring us lasting health and happiness. That's the bad news. The good news is we already have it.”Dean changed his diet, learned to meditate, did some exercise, had more love in heart, and transformed his life. “And so the question is not, ‘how can I get what I think I need to be happy and healthy'. But rather, ‘how can I stop disturbing what's already there?' And that's a really empowering realization.”If you're suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. If you're looking to heal. If you're wondering what you can do to protect yourself better against COVID. If you're ready to change your diet and lifestyle to a plant based one, don't miss Dean Ornish on Into The Magic Shop.On today's podcast: Learning from ecumenical spiritual teacher Swami Satchidananda Nothing can bring you lasting happiness The value of meditation Stopping and reversing Alzheimers with lifestyle changes Increasing your resistance to COVID Links: Book - Undo It! Effect of comprehensive lifestyle changes on telomerase activity

Many of us have significant struggles with addiction, and while they may not be completely private, not many of us have had to address our personal failings in such a public forum as Hunter Biden, second son of US President Joe Biden. “So many families or individuals get lost in hiding the reality of their own addiction. And the problem, the more you hide from the light, the darker it gets.”In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Hunter shares what it's like to grow up in the public space and learn how to address his own personal failings while moving forward in the world. Because we have to remember that behind all of this is a human being striving to survive. “One of the principles that I try to live by is to take responsibility for the things that I am responsible for. And, not to be trite, but also realize the things that I have the ability to change in my life, and realize the ones that I don't.”In Hunter's memoir, Beautiful Things, he talks about his history, his childhood, losing his mother and sister in a car accident in which he was grievously injured too, and then losing his brother Beau to glioblastoma, as well as his years of alcohol and cocaine abuse, and how Melissa's love saved him.“That's the hard work that people don't understand. That it's done not just by the addict, but by the people that love them.”If you're struggling with tragedy, if you find it hard to focus on life's beautiful moments, if you're learning to overcome your failings, or you need inspiration to help you move forward in your life, don't miss Hunter Biden on Into The Magic Shop.On today's podcast: The genesis for Beautiful Things Being public about his addiction All addiction has a root in trauma Social connections are key to a long life Links: Gabor Maté  Beautiful Things - Hunter Biden

Introducing Into the Magic Shop, launching October 2021.

In this podcast episode, host Jim Doty and Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson discuss the influence of corporate entities on politics and the need for policies that prioritize the safety, health, and wellbeing of the American people. They touch on the issue of brainwashing and the need for people to understand the policies being propagated against them by the political parties they support. Williamson proposes an economic bill of rights that includes policies such as a living wage, education, and healthcare. They also discuss the need for a president who has the courage to stand up to corporate interests and prioritize the well-being of the American people. Doty shares his project to address the mental health crisis through an app that uses facial expressions, voice analysis, and conversational AI to connect with people who are stressed and anxious.

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Tay to his students) was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who spent his life promoting compassion, kindness to others, and being a tireless advocate for human rights, nonviolence, and peace. In Part Two of Tay's episode on Into The Magic Shop, he continues the conversation around suffering and compassion, because says Tay, where there is no suffering, there is no happiness either. “We don't want to send our children to a place where there is no suffering. Because in such a place, you have no chance to learn to be understanding and compassionate. It is by touching suffering, understanding suffering, that you can generate love and compassion.”And to truly understand compassion, says Tay, you have to truly understand love in terms of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. “We cannot do the healing of the world unless we have enough of that energy, understanding, and compassion. Because really, our society needs that kind of energy.”To learn more about transforming suffering into compassion, download and listen to this episode. On today's podcast: What you learn on a Plum Village retreat  Understanding mindfulness of compassion The four elements of true love How to cultivate the energy of compassion Links:The Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh (Tay to his students) was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and one of the best-known and respected Zen masters. A peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher, and founder of Plum Village, Tay is recognized as the main inspiration for “engaged Buddhism”, and is considered by many to be the father of mindfulness. Buddhist monks learned hundreds and hundreds of years ago, (and scientists are only now catching up to) that when we're compassionate, not only does it improve the lives of others, but it's a great benefit to us too. When individuals are compassionate, and this is backed up by science, it's when our physiology works best.But, says Tay, people are afraid of being compassionate towards others in case they are overwhelmed by another's suffering. Meaning we have to learn how to handle our own suffering first before we can help others with theirs. In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Tay explains why we don't need to spend thousands of hours meditating to be mindful, why we can practice mindfulness through simple daily tasks, and why when you become more compassionate to yourself, and learn to love yourself, you become capable of loving and taking care of other people. “If we understand our own suffering, then it will be much easier for us to understand the suffering of another person, and that is why the meditation on compassion, on suffering should begin with yourself.”On today's podcast: Change the brain through mind training If there is no suffering, there is no happiness How to be mindful in our daily life How to nourish yourself through happiness Links: The Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh CCARE - The Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education

Having made the decision to become a Buddhist Monk at just 10 years old, the venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi, the president and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has dedicated his life to promoting empathy and conflict resolution, and is involved in the ongoing dialogue between Buddhism, meditation, and neuroscience.“One of the things I've found is that if you have to tell me [that you're on the path to spiritual enlightenment], then you're not on the path, because your actions are the manifestation of being on the path.”In this episode of Into the Magic Shop, Tenzin discusses the role we all play as teachers in one another's life, the three forms of generosity promoted in Buddhism, why we need to learn to step out of fear so that we can make better choices and better decisions, and the contrast between solitude and loneliness. “Solitude is a choice. It's a willful choice. Loneliness is generally an imposition. It comes from certain kinds of feeling of alienation or experiences of alienation.”To learn more about Tenzin's work at the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values, download and listen to this episode.  On today's podcast: How to overcome the need for validation The difference between judgment and discernment How to find light amid the darkness Why empathy is a public health issue

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jim Doty interviews Lara Love Hardin, author of "The Many Lives of Mama Love," about her memoir and her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming the CEO of her own literary agency. They discuss topics such as addiction, identity theft, suicide, and redemption. Lara shares her experiences of self-compassion, public humiliation, and her time in jail. She also discusses the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system and the nonprofit organization she co-founded to provide support for women in custody. The conversation also touches on Lara's journey into stand-up comedy and her involvement in the pet cemetery business.

In this episode of the “Into the Magic Shop” Dr. Jim Doty interviews Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, a Zen teacher and author, about his journey towards healing and self-discovery. Sensei Ellison shares his experiences with bullying and struggling with his sexuality, and how the teachings of Sensei White helped him find solace in stillness. Dr. Doty and Ellison discuss the importance of finding a practice that supports self-love and coming back to one's values, as well as the need to examine oneself and seek help when necessary.Ultimately, the path to liberation is a long and tortuous one, but staying on it can lead to self-discovery and self-love. What matters is the practice of deep patience, steadfastness, humility, and the importance of companionship on the path towards healing. For more on Koshin Paley Ellison's work see: Contemplative Medicine Fellowship (https://zencare.org/contemplative-medicine-fellowship/); Foundations In Contemplative Care (https://zencare.org/foundations/); his latest book: Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/koshin-paley-ellison/untangled/9781538708323/?lens=balance).

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop” host Jim Doty speaks with David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley's Haas school of business where Aaker is a specialist in marketing with a focus on brand strategy. Dr. Doty and Aaker, who has won numerous awards in the science of marketing and was inducted into the American Marketing Association's Hall of Fame in 2015, discuss the intersection of brand awareness, brand loyalty and compassion.Aaker emphasizes the need for authenticity and passion behind a company's social programs to avoid accusations of tokenism or self-serving behavior. He also gives examples of successful social purpose campaigns, such as Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign, which had a significant impact on women's self-esteem and confidence while also increasing Dove's business.Aaker argues that creating signature programs is the most effective use of resources and can have a significant impact on a company's success. He suggests expanding successful programs and creating a long-term plan to leverage and scale them. The conversation ends with a discussion on the power of purpose-driven branding and its potential to have a positive impact on society.

In this episode of "Into the Magic Shop," Dr. Jim Doty welcomes Bob Thurman as a guest to discuss compassion. Thurman shares his thoughts on the relationship between empathy, happiness, and compassion, emphasizing that empathy fuels compassion. He also discusses the importance of happiness and joy in cultivating compassion and explains the concept of self-compassion. Thurman explores the connection between mindfulness and the body and the delusion of the false self, which is a more fearful and angry orientation of being separate from others. He also touches on the misconception of selflessness in Buddhism and the value of psychedelics. Thurman concludes by highlighting the significance of wisdom and being realistic.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jim Doty interviews Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford, Director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab and author of “The War on Kindness.” Zaki and Doty explore the three intersecting circles of emotional empathy, cognitive empathy and empathic concern and its connection to compassion. While they discuss how individuals with high empathic concern are more likely to seek contact with suffering individuals, they also describe the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in maintaining compassion without experiencing burnout. The conversation then shifts to the impact of the pandemic on empathy and the importance of taking action in the face of global suffering. They discuss the concept of effective altruism and the role of emotions in motivating people to give. They also delve into the issues of cynicism, skepticism with cynicism and the conflation of wealth with wisdom. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of hope, and the tentative title of Zaki's new book, “The Hopeful Skeptic.”

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. James Doty and psychologist, professor and author, Shauna Shapiro, explore the relationship between mindfulness and compassion, emphasizing the importance of intention, attention, and attitude in mindfulness practice. The conversation touches on how mindfulness creates a space to pause and choose a response that opens to right intention and compassion. They also mention the danger of mindfulness being used solely for personal gain. Dr. Doty and Shapiro discuss the impact of shame and negative self-talk, the potential role of psychedelics in creating an environment of unconditional love, acceptance and self-exploration, as well as the importance of community; and the power of words and perception. They conclude by saying how difficult circumstances such as poverty, disruptive environments, and unfairness can hinder mindfulness and compassion. But through acceptance one can lead to effective responses and change.

In a recent episode of the "Into the Magic Shop" podcast, Dr. Jim Doty and Dacher Keltner, author of "Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life," "The Power Paradox," and most recently, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life," discuss the significance of compassion and self-transcendence in society, particularly in affluent areas where the philosophy of altruism is often rejected. Keltner discusses how his studies on economic inequality, power abuses, and structural issues show how they can divide and blind us to our common humanity. Keltner and Dr. Doty discuss how meaning comes from being involved with things that are bigger than yourself. Keltner emphasizes how contemplative traditions are crucial for bringing about greater good at the societal level. He also critiques author Ayn Rand's philosophy of rejecting altruism, which tends to thrive in wealthy areas. Dr. Doty adds that compassion is what will ultimately save humanity and that persuading even a few individuals to promote it worldwide can be incredibly influential. They both agree that even a single act of compassion can create a tsunami of positive change. Tune in to the "Into the Magic Shop" podcast on popular podcast platforms or on the show's website to discover more about the transformative power of compassion and self-transcendent states.