Mindspace Podcast: Inspiring Wellbeing

“As if in each of us There once was a fire And for some of us There seem as if there are only ashes now But when we dig in the ashes We find one ember And very gently we fan that ember Blow on it It gets brighter And from that ember we rebuild the fire Only thing that's important is that ember That's what you and I are here to celebrate” - Ram Dass quote, lyrics from “Sit Around the Fire” Some big news before we get to the episode with Jon Hopkins: This episode of the Mindspace podcast will be its last. Joe will be joining the team at the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast as a co-host. The Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast is hosted by Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison. It is a “weekly conversation about psychedelics, research and the therapy that makes them so powerful as agents for lasting change in mental health.” This last episode of the podcast will also be hosted on any of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers platforms. You can find more information about that at psychedelictherapyfrontiers.com. Joe was also recently interviewed on the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast. You can find that episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Jon Hopkins, musician and producer. Jon is a prolific musician who specializes in electronic music. He has been playing music for over 20 years. He has written six studio albums and has collaborated and produced albums for Coldplay and Brian Eno. His album, Singularity, received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album in December 2018. He also collaborated with Brian Eno to create music for Wavepaths. Wavepaths was founded by Mendel Kaelen and Anna Wakefield. The purpose of Wavepaths is to create therapeutic tools that integrate “psychedelic science, machine learning, music theory, psychotherapies and experience design, in collaboration with artists, therapists and researchers.” His newest album, Music for Psychedelic Therapy, was specifically written to be used in psychedelic therapy sessions. In this interview Dr. Joe and Jon explored: - What motivated him to write Music for Psychedelic Therapy - His collaborative project with Brian Eno, Wavepaths - The importance of music in psychedelic therapy and set and setting - How pain is essential for beauty - His Transcendental Meditation practice - How he used Ketamine to write Music for Psychedelic Therapy - Why instrumental music is better suited for psychedelic experiences - The inclusion of a Ram Dass speech in “Sit Around the Fire” - The impact of smartphones on our psyche - What live music is like after an extended break due to COVID Jon's website: jonhopkins.co.uk

“What's healing is the self to part relationship. And that relationship gets built based on the part being able to tell its story without repercussions.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Robert Grant. Dr. Grant is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, a pulmonary physician, a professor of medicine at UCSF, a former researcher in HIV prevention and treatment, and a cofounder of the Healing Realms Center (healingrealmscenter.com). The Healing Realms Center is a clinic specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Grant is especially well known for his work as an IFS therapist specializing in ketamine treatments. IFS was developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz. It is a therapy based on the notion that the human mind is made up of inner parts. And healing involves the cultivation of harmony among these parts. It is commonly used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress. In this interview Dr. Joe and Dr. Grant explored: - How his research into preventing HIV led him to studying IFS - What “parts” mean in the IFS model - The three most common types of parts: Managers, Exiles, and Firefighters - What “self” mean in the context of IFS - How parts become burdened by trauma - The role of “self” in healing - The 6 F's: Find, Focus, Flesh it out, Feel, beFriend, and Fear - What ‘unblending' is - Why IFS fits so well with psychedelics

“In human beings, there is a will and desire to heal. Part of that process is finding and holding onto what is wanting to emerge on that journey. It takes perseverance. It takes courage. It takes time.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Atira Tan (www.atiratan.com). Atira is a somatic trauma specialist in sexual abuse recovery, educator, and activist. She has worked with survivors of child sex slavery, natural disaster survivors, victims of domestic violence, etc. And she has a very compelling TED Talk about these experiences. She is also an Expressive Art Therapist (MA), a senior yoga and meditation teacher, feminine leadership coach, and public speaker. Atira teaches practitioners in trauma-informed plant medicine facilitation. She also works as a psychedelics facilitator at Aya Healing Retreats. She is the Founder and Director of The Art2Healing Project, a non-profit that provides therapeutic support to women and children impacted by child sex slavery. She also provides trauma and psychological support to international NGOs for sex trafficking, abuse, and exploitation. In this interview Dr. Joe and Atira explored: - Her professional history working with trauma survivors - The definition of trauma - What is trauma-sensitive therapy - The different between the responses to trauma for collectivist cultures compared to individualist cultures - What is involved in teaching trauma-informed plant medicine facilitation - What is involved in the preparation, duration, and integration of a trauma-informed psychedelic session - How to create a safe container to hold a psychedelic experience for a participant - What is missing from the modern day psychedelic field - The importance of practitioners and their own personal healing - How to build resilience

“To move through trauma often means going back to what was too much. Often we need to be with someone who is with us saying ‘I'm here. You're safe. It's okay to feel it now.'” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with David Treleaven (davidtreleaven.com). David is a trauma professional, mindfulness teacher, and educator. He is also the author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe Healing. After struggling through symptoms of secondary trauma on a meditation retreat, he developed the Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness (TSM) approach.TSM helps trauma survivors avoid the risks they face when practicing meditation. TSM has been taught to veterans, prisoners, healthcare professionals, first responders, and many others. Through workshops and online courses, David teaches mindfulness providers the tools of TSM, so that they can meet the needs of people struggling with trauma. More information on his online training can be found here: davidtreleaven.com/online-training David has worked with organizations like Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (developed by Google) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School by bringing them the tools and techniques of TSM to their staff and programs. He is also a visiting scholar at Brown University. He is the host of The Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Podcast. He has had guests on like Sharon Salzberg, Rick Hanson, and recently Dr. Joe Flanders! In this interview Joe and David explore: - Challenges with the definition of the word trauma - Is there such a thing as COVID trauma? - Why some people are more resilient in the face of difficult experiences - Neurobiological models of Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) Diagnosing PTS - Approaches to treating PTS - The implications of collective trauma from COVID-19

"I envision a day where people would be able to choose to do MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in a safe context to be either able to heal from something together or to grow together, and to support the relationship." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Anne Wagner. Anne is a Toronto-based psychologist and couples therapist, a researcher studying MDMA-assisted therapy, and the founder of Remedy Centre (remedycentre.ca). Remedy is a social venture that provides individual, couples, and group therapy and reinvests the profit from these services into the Remedy Institute, which is “a new charity focused on supporting mental health innovation & research, including with psychedelics, training for aspiring mental health professionals, as well as low to no-cost therapy services for marginalized communities.” She is the principal investigator on a pilot trial studying the impact of MDMA-assisted Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) on PTSD and is planning a study that will examine the impact of MDMA-assisted Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) on PTSD. If you'd like to donate to the Remedy Institute, please check out: canadahelps.org/en/charities/remedy-institute Dr. Joe and Dr. Wagner spoke about: - The origins of Remedy Centre and the newly created non-profit, the Remedy Institute - Her research on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with couples - Using a form of Cognitive Therapy in her protocols, as opposed to more experiential approaches typically used in psychedelic therapy - The advantage of couples therapy over individual therapy in the treatment of PTSD - Transference and counter-transference in couples therapy with MDMA - Integration of couples experiences with MDMA - The roles of co-regulation and self-regulation - How MDMA can be a catalyst for change in couples

“The real medicine is the therapeutic relationship and psychedelics beautifully amplify that.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Rosalind Watts. Dr. Watts is the clinical lead of the Imperial College of London's Psilocybin for Depression trials. Most recently, she designed the treatment protocol for and served as a guide for participants in a study comparing psilocybin to an antidepressant at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. And she is also a consultant psychologist for Small Pharma who are investigating DMT as a treatment for depression. She is a clinical psychologist for more than 6 years, and now specializes in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She is the clinical director for the Synthesis Institute, an organization dedicated to “training practitioners to safely, ethically and effectively support people on a journey for healing using truffles containing psilocybin.” She co-hosts a monthly Psychedelic Integration group, alongside Michelle Baker Jones for participants of psilocybin clinical trials. And she will be launching Twelve Trees Integration, a new 12 month psychedelic community integration program for anyone who has experience with psychedelics. You can sign up for the wait list here: www.drrosalindwatts.com She also developed the psychedelic therapy model ‘Accept, Connect, Embody (ACE)' and an iteration for group-based integration of psychedelic experiences ‘Accept, Connect, Embody, Restore' (ACER). It is based on the Hexaflex model in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Watts and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The surprising results from Dr. Rosalind Watts's recent study comparing psilocybin to an antidepressant - The importance of the therapeutic relationship in healing - The role of psychological flexibility in mental health - The ‘Accept, Connect, Embody' (ACE) model she developed - Her evolving approach to psychedelic integration - The integration online groups she co-founded and co-facilitates - How psychedelics allow people to explore their darkness, whereas antidepressants can hinder that exploration - A guided visualization exercise based on the ACE model - The challenges of integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into mainstream society

"All we're really trying to do is help people practice being more sensitive to their inner and outer surroundings. We're helping people build awareness and feel comfortable being fully awake in every moment of their life." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Steve Rio, former social impact entrepreneur and now 5-MeO-DMT and breathwork guide. He founded and runs the Enfold Institute where he guides small groups through 5-MeO-DMT psychedelic experiences. Steve is also the co-founder of Nature of Work, an 8-week program and company designed help people “build new habits and master your time, energy, and attention.” He was also co-founder and CEO of Briteweb, a social impact agency that “works with nonprofits, foundations and purpose-driven companies and helps them with marketing.” His work centres around helping people build clarity, connection, sensitivity, helping each individual realize their full potential in their life. His focus is currently on his work with guiding small groups through their experiences with 5-MeO-DMT. He and his wife help prepare participants before the experience, during, after with integration. 5-MeO-DMT is extracted from the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad. It can now be synthesized in a lab. It is a close relative to DMT. Steve and Dr. Joe spoke about: What is 5-MeO-DMT? His personal experiences with 5-MeO-DMT and they impacted his life His beliefs on spirituality The public's distrust of institutions The role that top-down institutions will play in the psychedelic renaissance The role that bottom-up, decentralized can and should play in the psychedelic renaissance How he helps participants to prepare for their 5-MeO-DMT retreats, how he guides them throughout the process, and how he helps them integrate their experiences in the later months How 5-MeO-DMT can help people align with their values, build clarity, connection, and develop a sense of peace

"As therapists and guides, we're holding that space for the location of healing to be intrinsic to that person." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Devon Christie. Dr. Christie is a family physician with a focused practice in Multidisciplinary Pain Management and the Senior Lead of Psychedelic Programs at Numinus. She is also a clinical instructor with the UBC Department of Medicine, Kundalini Yoga instructor, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, Relational Somatic Therapist and MDMA-assisted and ketamine-assisted psychotherapist. She also has first hand experience recovering from chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, bulimia, anorexia, and depression. These experiences have served as the foundation for her work. Dr. Christie and Dr. Joe spoke about: - How Devon got into psychedelic medicine and why she believes there is so much promise in this field - The psychedelic paradigm shift in medicine - Healing mechanisms in psychedelic therapies - The role of neuroplasticity, mindfulness, the default mode network, and mystical experiences in healing - Why she believes somatic relational therapy is an ideal approach for psychedelics. - Profound insights from her near death experience - Her own healing journey, recovering from chronic pain, traumatic brain injury and PTSD - How psychedelics can change the world and some of the risks along the way

“Life is tragic, and occasionally it's magic.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Jamie Wheal, author of Recapture the Rapture: Rethinking God, Sex and Death In a World That's Lost Its Mind and the Pulitzer-nominated bestseller Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work. He is also the founder and executive director of the Flow Genome Project whose purpose is to build “world-class training programs on peak performance, optimal psychology and leadership.” His work has been covered in the New York Times, Financial Times, Wired, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and many other publications. Jamie synthesizes history, psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology in order to create techniques and cultural practices centred around transforming human beings through non-ordinary states. Those practices include breathing techniques and psychedelics. Jamie and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The breakdown of the traditional ways of making meaning - The social, political, psychological, and environmental consequences of this breakdown - Jamie's design principles for a new meaning-making operating system - The most reliable and accessible sources of healing, inspiration, and connection - How we can implement this approach to building sustainable communities

“Psychedelics open things up and create opportunity. And integration is the work you do after to make sure you derive benefit from that experience.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Andrew Rose, a very experienced practitioner in Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI). He is a certified mindfulness teacher, formerly the director of programming and digital strategy at Mindspace, and currently the director of programming and content at Numinus. He now leads the PHRI program at Numinus. He is also an assisting trainer at Fluence, an organization that offers educational programs in psychedelic integration and psychedelic-assisted therapy. He also co-runs a community organization called Plant Parenthood, a digital community of parents who are interested in the intersection of family and the intentional therapeutic use of psychedelics. For more information on the PHRI programs at Mindspace or Numinus, check out mindspacewellbeing.com/services/psychedelics and numinuswellness.com/services/psychedelic-harm-reduction-and-integration Andrew and Dr. Joe spoke about: - What is integration - What is Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) - The importance of setting intentions - How psychedelics can reduce the rigidity of our minds and open us up - Examples of integration practices - What you can do if you've had a destabilizing psychedelic experience - The marriage between mindfulness, integration, and psychedelic experiences

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Gabor Maté, retired physician, author, and world renowned educator. Dr. Maté has more than 20 years experience in family practice and palliative care. He has worked for more than a decade at the Portland Hotel in downtown East Side Vancouver with patients who suffer from mental illness and addiction. He is a world renowned expert in trauma, addiction, child development, psychedelics, and the relationship between stress and illness. He is the best selling author of four books like When the Body Says No and The Realm of Hungry Ghosts, for which he won the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize. And he is currently finishing his fifth book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture due out in April 2022. His works have been translated into more than 25 languages. And he also offers online video courses including Wholehearted's Healing Trauma and Addictions. His work now centres around educating the public on the impact of trauma and human development and training therapists in Compassionate Inquiry. Compassionate Inquiry is a therapeutic method developed by Dr. Maté whose focus is on helping the patient to “recognize the unconscious dynamics that run their lives and how to liberate themselves from them.” He also just released The Wisdom of Trauma on June 8th, 2021, a movie about his life's work. Dr. Maté and Dr. Joe spoke about: - Gabor's personal history with trauma - How traumatic experiences affect human development - The effects of trauma and stress during pregnancy and childhood on human development - How children adapt to trauma - The relationship between modern society, parenting, and child development - The wisdom of trauma - The definition of addiction - His view of the problems with the disease model approach to addiction - His non-pathologizing approach to understanding and treating addiction - The link between trauma and physical illness - The role of psychedelics in healing trauma - What he is optimistic about

“The best way to change an emotion is with another emotion.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Les Greenberg, a world renowned psychotherapist and researcher. He is one of the creators of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and professor at York University in Toronto. EFT centres around utilizing emotion to transform emotion. It is a different approach from the current major schools of psychotherapy like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He is also the founder and director of the Emotion-Focused Therapy clinic where he provides therapy for individuals and couples and trains therapists in EFT. Dr. Greenberg is the author of 17 books like Changing Emotion With Emotion and Emotion-Focused Counselling in Action. And he has published over 100 scientific papers and has written over 80 book chapters. Dr. Les Greenberg and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The role of emotions in our lives and how they’re implicated in mental health problems - How to transform emotions - How his background as an engineer influences his work as a psychologist and researcher - Chair work - The role of the therapist in EFT - How EFT is different from other experiential therapies

"We have to design treatments that are fully biological, psychological, and sociological at their core. Psychedelics represent that, and psychiatry has started to take notice." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Kyle Greenway. Dr. Greenway is a senior resident in psychiatry at McGill University. He runs a clinic in Montreal where he and his team treats patients using ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. His work centres around the intersection of biology, psychology, and sociology for the treatment of his patients. And he has a deep understanding of why psychedelics are so effective in the treatment of many mental illnesses. Dr. Greenway and Dr. Joe spoke about: - How psychedelics differ from other psychiatric treatments and why they appear to be so effective - The role of psychotherapy in psychedelic treatments - The potential mechanisms in the therapeutic actions of psychedelic treatments - The importance of integration therapy after a psychedelic experience - How ketamine-assisted psychotherapy actually works

“Mindfulness is both gift and challenge at the same time.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Michael Bunting. Michael is a business leadership consultant with a focus on mindfulness in the workplace. He is the founder of The Mindful Leader, an online resource for developing mindful leadership skills and WorkSmart Australia, a leadership consultancy. His consulting work focuses on cultural transformation in organizations with mindfulness training at the core of his services. He has worked with companies like Novartis Pharma, Qantas, Hilton Hotels, and Rio Tinto. He is also the author of The Mindful Leader, A Practical Guide to Mindfulness Meditation, and a contributor to Extraordinary Leadership. Michael and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The importance of mindfulness and changing the culture at organizations - How mindfulness consulting actually works - How to bring mindfulness into the workplace with ethics and integrity - Leaders’ role in creating culture the promotes mental health and well-being - The importance of honesty and respect in an organization’s health - The most important characteristics of great leaders - The connection between mindfulness, self-awareness, and behavioural change - How organizations should approach remote work

“When a couple takes MDMA, they throw the ledger out the window, and they dig down to the core issues.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Julie Holland. Dr. Holland is a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology. She is the author of five books including Good Chemistry, Moody Bitches, and Weekends at Belleview, and she is the editor of Ecstasy: The Complete Guide. She has been featured on CNN, Fox, Good Morning America, and the Today Show as a mental health expert and has a private practice in New York. She has a long history as an advocate for the safe and therapeutic use of psychedelics and cannabis and is a medical monitor of two studies organized by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Dr. Holland and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The role of the parasympathetic nervous system - The benefits of connecting to ourselves and how to do it - The role of mindfulness and psychedelics in accessing parasympathetic states and connecting to ourselves - Why connecting to other is essential for health and well-being - The power of MDMA to promote healing through connection with others - How psychedelics can contribute collective healing around ongoing traumas such as the pandemic, climate change, political polarization, etc. - How to navigate the more challenging aspect of internet relationships and the role that oxytocin plays in that - The future of psychedelic medicine

"As we shift to going back to school during this pandemic, there is an opportunity for everybody to ask, 'what do you have control over in your life?'" In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Tamara Soles. Tamara is a psychologist specializing in child mental health and well-being. Her practice focuses primarily on coaching parents on how to best support their children in developing resilience. She is the founder and director of The Secure Child clinic, which provides therapy for children, coaching for parents, and workshops and classes. Her website DrTamaraSoles.com has lots of useful content for parents as well as links to her podcast, This Hour Has 50 Minutes. Dr. Soles and Dr. Joe spoke about: - The challenges associated with back-to-school in general - The unique challenges of back-to-school during the pandemic - How Tamara helps parents cope with the anxiety through meaning-making - The impact of government and school board safety plans - Early warning signs of distress that parents and teachers should be looking out for - Tamara’s best strategies to navigate back to school anxiety - How to think about supporting and disciplining a child in difficult moments

“Choosing the meanings that are consistent with the life that we would ideally like to live is the heart of the Mindfulness-to-Meaning Theory.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Professor Norman Farb. He is a professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. He’s best known for his research on the neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. He studies the mental habits that determine our sense of well-being. He is also a co-founder of the Mindfulness-to-Meaning Theory (MMT). MMT hypothesizes that the reason why mindfulness is effective is because over the long term it can change the foundational interpretations or meanings that we have about ourselves, the world, and the future. Dr. Farb and Dr. Joe spoke about: - How mindfulness meditation changes our sense of self and how this plays out in the brain - Our brain’s default mode network and its role in well-being - The importance of balancing routine and creativity - The role of mindfulness in helping us break out of rigid ways of thinking and being - The meaning and relevance of Eudaimonic well-being - And how psychedelics fit into all of this

"Relationships are the keystone of our lives. They are as important to us as our next breath." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Sue Johnson. Sue is a pioneer in the field of couples therapy. Alongside Dr. Les Greenberg, Dr. Johnson developed emotionally focused couples and family therapy (EFT), which is a couples therapy based on the newest research surrounding relationships: attachment theory. She is also the author of many books like Hold Me Tight, Created for Connection, and Love Sense and is the founder of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), which offers training to therapists in EFT. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Joe spoke about: What is emotionally focused couples and family therapy (EFT)? What is attachment theory? The importance of building a securely attached relationship rather than focusing on communication skills over emotions How we are bonding mammals The 3 factors that define the quality of intimate relationships The 5 stages that an EFT therapist guides their clients through The differences between EFT and more conventional therapies The state of the modern world and EFT’s perspective on it If you’d like to seek services in couples therapy and EFT, please visit our site for more information.

“I don't think the fear of disease or the fear of adverse consequences is what gets anybody to make a long term change. I think it's connecting with the positive aspect of whatever it is you're choosing.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Kara Nance. Kara is a physician, double-board certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She is the founder of WellessenceMD, a medical practice in Chicago with an innovative, integrative approach to primary care and weight management. Kara is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher and uses mindfulness with her patients to address the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural components of diet. Kara takes Dr. Joe on a fascinating tour of nutrition science, clinical best-practices, and the wisdom she has gained from many years of practice. Their conversation covered: An analysis of several popular diets including the Ornish, paleo, ketogenic, and plant-based approaches The scary truth about sugar The challenges of managing our kids sugar intake The role of the microbiome How mindfulness can promote healthy eating And a variety of practical tips and tricks to maintain healthy eating habits If you’d like to learn how to practice mindfulness to help with your diet, eating habits or any other unhelpful habits, please reach out to Mindspace: mindspacewellbeing.com.

“While optimism is certainly associated with individual well-being, it’s what allows us to take action. If you’re a pessimist, then why bother?” In this episode, Dr. Joe speaks with Susan Clayton, Professor of Psychology and Chair of Environmental Studies at the College of Wooster. Susan is a globally-recognized authority on the mental health impacts of climate change. She is the lead author of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) report on Mental Health and Our Changing Climate and a contributor to the upcoming report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. She is also the author and editor of the Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Conservation Psychology and Identity and the Natural Environment. Her work focuses on the intersection of mental health, environmentalism, and social psychology. In this episode, Dr. Joe and Professor Clayton explore: - The basic scientific facts of climate change - The mental health impacts of climate change, including eco-anxiety - The economics and politics of climate change - Recommendations for building resilience in the face of eco-anxiety - The possibility of broad social and economic transformation to adapt to climate change If you’d like some support in coping with your concerns about climate change, Mindspace can help. We are launching an eco-anxiety support group in January and we have a few psychologists who specialize in this area. Please visit mindspacewellbeing.com/eco-anxiety for more information. For more information on eco-anxiety check out Dr. Joe’s article on the Mindspace blog and his interview on Radio-Canada.

“The word psychedelic was coined by Humphry Osmond. Psyche comes from the Greek word for spirit or soul, and delic means manifesting. So psychedelic means manifesting the mind.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Elizabeth Nielson and Dr. Ingmar Gorman on the renaissance of psychedelics in western medicine and culture. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has the potential to transform how a wide range of mental health problems are treated. Elizabeth and Ingmar are both at the forefront of this renaissance. Elizabeth is a clinical psychologist specializing in addictive and mood disorders. She is the Director of Education and Training for the Psychedelic Education and Continuing Care Program at the Center for Optimal Living. She is also involved as a researcher and therapist on studies of psilocybin and MDMA, most notably with Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) the Experimental Therapeutics Research Laboratory at NYU Langone School of Medicine. Ingmar is also a clinical psychologist. He works with populations who have had experiences with psychedelics and other psychoactive compounds. He is the Director of the Psychedelic Education and Continuing Care Program at the Centre for Optimal Living. He is the site co-principal Investigator and therapist on a MAPS Phase 3 clinical trial MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder. And he is an NIH-funded fellow at NYU and a board member of Horizons Media. In this episode Joe, Elizabeth, and Ingmar discussed: - The history of psychedelics and how we arrived at the psychedelic renaissance - Current science and applications of psychedelics - The subjective experience of these compounds and their clinical action - The role of mindfulness in psychedelic-assisted therapy - Future directions in this field Mindspace will be hosting Ingmar and Elizabeth in Montreal on Friday, November 1st. They will be offering a brief presentation and Q&A for the public. And on Saturday and Sunday, they will be leading an introductory workshop on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for healthcare professionals.

“How do we resist anxiety? We can hold it with kindness.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Judson Brewer. Jud is a psychiatrist, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University and the Director of Research and Innovation at Brown’s Mindfulness Center. He has become an authority on the application of mindfulness in the treatment of anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders and his work has been featured in some of the top medical and neuroscience journals as well as in the popular media. His 2019 TED talk is ranked the 4th most popular of the year. Jud’s research and clinical work are highly innovative, partly because of his integration of traditional Buddhist psychology with modern neuroscience and psychology. In recent years he has focused on making his work accessible to the general public and has produced online programs for helping people reduce anxiety (Unwinding Anxiety), overeating (Eat Right Now), and smoking (Craving to Quit). He is also the author of The Craving Mind: from Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love - Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits. Joe and Jud discussed: - Jud’s theory that anxiety is actually an addiction to worry - The reward-based learning model that underlies the development of all habits, including anxiety, addictions and eating disorders - How mindfulness can help “unwind” anxiety and other unhelpful habits - The role of the brain’s Default Mode Network in getting us caught in unhelpful habit loops - Why episodes of mental illness often recur If you’d like to learn how to practice mindfulness to help with your anxiety or any other unhelpful habits, please reach out to Mindspace: mindspacewellbeing.com

"I like going against the current. It’s a lonely place, but you have your own lane.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Sugar Sammy, a comedian who has performed over 1700 shows in 32 countries in fluent English, French, Hindi, and Punjabi. He got his first break in 2011, when he started touring a bilingual show called You’re Gonna Rire across Montreal. In 2016, he started performing in France to critical acclaim. GQ France said that “the funniest man in France is a Quebecer.” He is now a judge on La France a un incroyable talent, the French version of America’s Got Talent. Sugar Sammy is known to uniquely tailor his shows to the culture of the audience he’s performing for. He told Dr. Joe that he’s “making a show about you guys. I’m not making it about myself.” His style balances a deep understanding of another culture with mockery. The New York Times described him as a “fearless comic with a talent for provoking both laughter and outrage.” Starting in September, Sugar Sammy begins his tour across Canada. Joe and Sugar Sammy spoke about: - The neighbourhood in Montreal that he grew up in and how it shaped his career - How he develops his show from scratch for the country that he’s in - How being an outsider helped his comedy career and life - Diversity in Quebec - The differences between Montreal and other Canadian cities, Quebec and France, and Canada and the US - His confrontational style - On social media backlash - On staying sane in the entertainment industry

"When I write music, I go back and forth between being mindful and then putting that mindfulness aside to let some kind of sub-personality inhabit me." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Conner Molander, guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist for the Montreal indie band Half Moon Run. The band plays a mix of electronic music, indie rock, and folk and have achieved commercial and critical success with their first two albums Dark Eyes and Sun Leads Me On. They are now putting the finishing touches on a third album due out in fall 2019 and hitting the road for an international tour in July 2019. Conner is thoughtful and introspective and has a lot to say about art & creativity, the music business, psychology, and mindfulness. The interview with covers: - The role of flow, mindfulness, and the self in the creative process. - The tension between commercial success and authentic artistic expression - How the demands of life on the road with the band sapped Conner’s creative energy and how he managed to restore it - How Conner sees and copes with celebrity Connect with Conner on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Half Moon Run on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and check out their site. Connect with Dr. Joe on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Stay up to date with the Mindspace Podcast by joining the newsletter. Learn more about Mindspace’s therapy, coaching, and mindfulness training programs here. Follow Mindspace on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram

“At its deepest, I think that MBSR really allows people to trust themselves and their own wisdom.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with senior mindfulness teacher Susan Woods about contemporary mindfulness and its relationship with Buddhism. They take a deep dive into where Mindfulness-Based Programs (MBP) sometimes align with and sometimes diverges from traditional Buddhist teachings, covering, among other topics like the place for ethics and values in Mindfulness-Based Programs, the role of the mindfulness teacher and the importance of their personal meditation practice, and how mindfulness teacher-training programs are designed. Susan Woods is a clinical social worker and senior Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teacher, advisor, trainer, and supervisor. She has worked with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Zindel Segal to develop mindfulness teacher-training curricula and has been training health professionals since 2005. Susan is responsible for the professional certification programs at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute (MBPTI) at UC San Diego and Centre for Mindfulness Studies (CMS). Susan recently published her first book, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Embodied Presence and Inquiry in Practice, which is now available on Amazon and New Harbinger. She will be in Toronto for a book launch on June 18th and in Montreal for a 2-day teacher training on Inquiry in October, hosted by Mindspace and CMS. You can find more information about her and her work at slwoods.com. Mindfulness Teacher Training Programs in Montreal Susan’s mindfulness teacher-training programs are available at Mindspace, in partnership with CMS. Please visit the professional development section of our website to learn more about the MBSR and MBCT facilitation certificates and the events scheduled in Montreal and Toronto. Mindfulness-Based Programs in Montreal Mindspace offers a variety of Mindfulness-Based Programs in Montreal, including MBSR, MBCT, and MSC. Information on our schedule and teachers is available on our site mindspacewellbeing.com.

“Research shows that mindfulness gives athletes greater access to flow states.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Joe speaks with Pete Kirchmer, Mindfulness Coach and Program Director of UCSD Center For Mindfulness mPEAK (Mindful, Performance Enhancement, Awareness & Knowledge). The mPEAK curriculum builds on the foundation of MBSR to help people cultivate an optimal mindset for performance and life around it. Pete works with athletes, executives, leaders, musicians, dancers, law enforcement, military personnel, first responders and anyone else who pushes themselves towards excellence. He is also developing the mPEAK Coach Training program, for mindfulness teachers who want to work with performers. The interview explores the rich territory around mindfulness and performance. As many practitioners know, mindfulness can enhance focus, clarity, and purpose. And yet it is not obvious how to integrate the practice into the goal-oriented context of performance. After all, mindfulness is typically associated with acceptance of present-moment experience and a detachment from outcome, whereas performance is all about outcome. Joe and Pete take a deep dive into these issues, exploring: - How to make sense of the apparent paradox between mindfulness and performance - The link between mindfulness and flowSome concrete examples of how to bring mindfulness into performance experiences - How Pete uses his own mindfulness practice to sustain his own energy and passion - Some experiences Pete has had working with clients who you would expect to be highly skeptical about mindfulness training If you or your organization are interested in this approach, Mindspace has an experienced team of Mindfulness Coaches in Montreal, including Joe, who can guide you through mindfulness training and its integration into peak performance. Please reach out at mindspacewellbeing.com or info@mindspacewellbeing.com.

“I think the most successful people understand what a good investment is, and I think investing in alignment between values and action is one of the best investments one can make.” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe welcomes Adrian Schauer, CEO of Alayacare, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist. Alayacare is Adrian’s third startup. It provides software for home health care agencies with the mission “to enable the type of care we would want our loved ones to receive at home.” They now have 130 employees and their software enables hundreds of thousands home healthcare visits every month around the world. Last year, they raised over $13 million. Adrian is also active as an angel investor and sits on the board of several companies. He is also the co-founder of the Madiro Fund, a non-profit that seeks “to invest in sustainable local projects promoting the health of communities in sub-Saharan Africa.” In this conversation, Joe and Adrian explore the theme of creating and sustaining meaning at work, both for individuals and leaders in organizations. They cover: - Adrian's purpose as an entrepreneur - How he approaches keeping his employees and stakeholders engaged and inspired - How mindfulness has impacted the culture at Alayacare - The importance of aligning actions with clearly articulated values - both personally and professionally - What practices he relies on to stay healthy, balanced, motivated, and energized One final note: Mindspace has an increasingly robust offering to organizations interested in improving engagement, culture, and well-being. Our team brings expertise in mindfulness and 30+ years experience in management consulting to the table. So if this is something your organization is considering, please visit mindspacewellbeing.com or reach out at info@mindspacewellbeing.com.

"If we can cultivate compassion, that's the very best thing we can do both for ourselves and for others." In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe welcomes Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist monk, writer, translator, humanitarian, and photographer. Matthieu was born in France in 1946, to French philosopher Jean-François Revel and artist Yahne Le Toumelin. He trained as a scientist and got a Ph.D. in molecular genetics in 1972, but moved to Nepal to become a Buddhist monk, rather than pursue an academic career. He has been in Nepal ever since.  Matthieu's unusual journey and training give him a truly unique perspective on the intersection between contemplative traditions and contemporary science. He shares these insights in his long-standing involvement with the Mind and Life Institute, translation of ancient Buddhist texts, public speaking, and writing best-selling books, including Happiness, the Art of Meditation, and In Search of Wisdom. He is also the Dalai Lama’s French interpreter and close friend. In 2000, after exhibiting never-before-seen brain activation while meditating in a brain scanner, he was playfully nicknamed “the happiest man in the world.” Matthieu is also highly active as a humanitarian, supporting animal rights and creating Karuna-Shechen, an organization dedicated to “developing and managing programs in primary health care, education, and social services for the under-served populations of India, Nepal, and Tibet.” All of the proceeds of Matthieu's books, photographs, and events are donated to Karuna Canada, the Canadian chapter of which is based in Montreal. Matthieu is actually going to be in Montreal this month (Saturday, April 13th), for an event put on by Karuna-Shechen, called Meeting of the Minds: Taking Care of Life. On the panel sits people from all walks of life: Steven Laureys, a neurologist, Maria João Pires, a world renowned pianist, Alexandre Jollien, a philosopher, and a worker who spent 15 years in animal slaughterhouses. Matthieu hopes the event will be "a two fold fulfillment of aspirations of oneself and that of others." All proceeds of the event will go to Karuna Shechen projects in Asia. I'd like to apologize for the quality of the audio for this episode. Unfortunately, this interview came together at the very last minute, and Matthieu's internet was not working correctly. However, you'll find a full transcript of the interview at our blog: https://www.mindspacewellbeing.com/episode-14-true-happiness-with-buddhist-monk-matthieu-ricard/ In this conversation, Dr. Joe and Matthieu spoke about: - Matthieu's thoughts on the explosion of the popularity of mindfulness - The fundamental research he is involved with in regards to meditation - His concerns about modern society and the environment and climate change - What he calls happiness - How altruism and love can save yourself and the world

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe focuses on well-being in the legal profession. Working in law is one of the most demanding and stressful jobs in the world: tight deadlines, long hours, a hyper-competitive culture, and the weight of supporting demanding clients. In 2016 a study showed that lawyers and law students suffer from substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and stress in far greater numbers than the general population. In the first half the podcast, Joe speaks with Yan Besner, a partner at Osler, a national law firm. Yan is recognized as one of the best real estate lawyers in Canada. Joe and Yan discuss: - Yan’s struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress as a young lawyer - The therapies that helped him recover - How he maintains his mental health these days - How the culture in law firms is slowly changing to support mental health In the second half of the podcast, Joe speaks with Bree Buchanan, co-chair of the National Task Force on Lawyer Wellbeing. Bree is leading a cultural transformation that will help promote mental health in the legal profession. Joe and Bree discuss: - The 2016 study showing that lawyers and law students disproportionately suffer from substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and stress - How lawyers can cope with these problems - Her personal struggles with substance abuse, anxiety, and depression - How her work in this space aligns with her life purpose.

“Stress is a friend, but it can become an enemy if you don’t take care of it.” - Professor Sonia Lupien This episode of the Mindspace Podcast is dedicated to Bell Let’s Talk day, January 30th, 2019. Please share this post on social media (see instructions below) to contribute to mental health initiatives focusing on anti-stigma, care and access, research, and workplace health. In this episode, Dr. Joe talks with professor Sonia Lupien. Sonia is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Montreal. She is also the Founder and Director of the Centre for Studies on Human Stress. Sonia is a highly prolific research scientist, with dozens of publications in some of the top journals in her field. In recent years though she has directed some of this ambition to making her scientific discoveries more accessible to the public. For example, she set up a website to explain all of her lab’s findings in accessible language. She published Par Amour du Stress (the english version is called Well Stressed). And she appears regularly on local radio and TV. She also recently released a stress management iPhone app called iS.M.A.R.T., which was funded by Bell Let’s Talk. Sonia was generous enough to share with us one of her worksheets from her DeStress for Success program. You can download it here. It’ll come in handy during the podcast. In this episode, Sonia and Joe discussed: - The basics of stress physiology - The upside of stress and the importance of the stress mindset - How stress is impacted by social media - The link between stress and mental health - The strategies her research has identified as the most effective for reducing stress To help support the Bell Let's Talk campaign please share this episode on social media. And if you want to support the Bell Let's Talk campaign directly in other ways, on January 30th, Bell will donate 5 cents for the following actions: 1. Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk and every Bell Let’s Talk video view on their Twitter page 2. Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk video view on their Instagram page 3. Facebook: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or every Bell Let’s Talk video view on their Facebook page 4. Snapchat: Every snap sent using the Bell Let’s Talk filter or every Bell Let’s Talk video view 5. Texts and Phone Calls: Every mobile and long distance call and text made by Bell Canada And finally, if you are struggling with stress in any way, please feel free to reach out to Mindspace for information on our therapies, mindfulness trainings, and workplace programs at mindspacewellbeing.com.

“I think that we can boil down well-being to two basic questions: How successful are you in moving towards your goals? And how well integrated are your various goals?” In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with professor Colin DeYoung. The purpose of the Mindspace podcast is to inspire well-being: to help us all move toward a healthier, more joyful, and more meaningful life, for ourselves and our communities. We are convinced that a scientific understanding of well-being provides a strong foundation for this pursuit and Colin is an exceptional guide to this area of science. Colin DeYoung is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He specializes in the study of personality and its biological bases. He is well-known for his Cybernetic Big Five Theory, which provides a unifying theory for personality psychology and personality neuroscience. More info on Colin’s research can be found at deyoung.psych.umn.edu/. This episode is particularly relevant at this time of the year - it’s the beginning of 2019 and for many of us, it is a period of reflection - a moment to clarify our hopes and dreams for the next 12 months. The podcast today should align nicely with this state of mind as Colin talks a fair bit about the philosophical bases of well-being science. The conversation also addressed the impact of the following variables on well-being: - Personality - Habits - Values - Goals - Mindfulness meditation Colin and Joe speak about the Big 5 theory of personality and how it has surpassed the Myers Briggs approach to become the dominant model in personality science. If that discussion makes you curious about your own personality, you could get a report on your Big 5 profile by filling in a simple questionnaire. Which will soon be available on the Mindspace website.

“I would very much hope that the Canadian and the provincial governments would stop pussyfooting around, and start giving some real and concrete advice on how to use cannabis responsibly.” Dr. Claude Cyr is a family physician who has been practicing for over twenty years. He prescribes medical cannabis to his patients judiciously. He is a part time lecturer at the McGill University Department of Family Medicine and an associate researcher for the Quebec Cannabis Registry. He is widely considered a pillar in the medical cannabis community. In 2015, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced his intention to legalize cannabis. One year later, Claude founded Doctors for Responsible Access (DRA) to bring the medical community into the conversation of legalization. The DRA’s primary focus is on the potential negative impact that legalization could have on youth and the mentally ill. In this conversation, Claude provides a level-headed, balanced, and nuanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of legalization of cannabis. In this episode, Joe and Claude discussed: - The medical uses of cannabis - The potential benefits and drawbacks of cannabis on mental health - How to responsibly use cannabis - How to give advice to your teenagers on using cannabis - The medical potential of psychedelics

“Good leadership is, yes, about listening. It's about understanding. But it's also about creating contexts in which people can become activators and create new possibilities for themselves. I feel like I am succeeding when the people around me are fulfilled and engaged and self actualized.” In this episode of the MindSpace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Kim Manning. Kim is a professor, researcher, and principal of the Simone de Beauvoir institute at Concordia University in Montreal. She is also a community organizer, an advocate for transgender rights, and a politician. After transitioning from her research in Chinese politics and Maoist ideology, Kim became involved in social action research, namely an advocate for transgender rights and the dignified treatment of that community. She began her journey because of a transformative experience she had with a gender nonconforming family member. That experience led her to play an integral part of passing Bill C-16, legislation which looks to extend Canada’s Human Rights Act and Criminal Code to protect gender expression and gender identity. Kim recently transitioned to a career in politics, which she sees as the pursuit of her highest purpose. She is currently running to be the federal Liberal party’s nominee in the Montreal riding of Outremont, where she feels she can best serve her community. To find out more about her political campaign, please visit kimmanning.ca. For more on her academic work, please visit her Concordia profile. Joe and Kim discuss: - Her personal experience with a gender nonconforming family member that inspired her to become an advocate for the transgender community - Her role in supporting Bill C-16 and confronting its critics, including Jordan Peterson, the U of T professor who got a lot of attention for his views on the Bill. - The excitement and challenges of her political campaign - How her family, her sense of purpose, her meditation practice, and even Zumba classes(!) help her maintain a modicum of balance in her crazy life.

In this episode of the MindSpace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Dr. Zindel Segal. Zindel is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders at the University of Toronto. He is best known for co-founding Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), along with his UK colleagues, Mark Williams and John Teasdale. MBCT is an adaptation of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s eight week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for people suffering from depression. It combines the tools of cognitive therapy with the practice of mindfulness. The focus is on changing the relationship with one’s thoughts rather than the thoughts themselves. It has proven to be especially effective in preventing the relapse of depressive episodes. Zindel has made an enormous contribution to the field of clinical psychology. His impact is reflected in an impressive publication record: he is an author of over 100 scientific publications, some in high profile medical journals and some featured in popular news media such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN Health and the New York Times. He is also an author of 10 books, including 2 very well-known ones on MBCT: 1) The Mindful Way Through Depression, which is a guide to using mindfulness to manage mood and 2) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, which is the bible for teachers of MBCT. In this episode, they discuss: - The story behind the creation and evolution of MBCT - Zindel’s take on how exactly MBCT and CBT are helpful for managing mood - The challenges he and is team are facing around the dissemination of MBCT - The current science of mindfulness and well-being

Rob is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa. He specializes in the study of shyness, social withdrawal, and social anxiety in childhood. He is also the director of the Pickering Centre for Research in Human Development. He has published hundreds of journal articles and book chapters, as well as several books, including his most recent ones Quiet at School and the Handbook of Solitude. In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with professor Robert Coplan. They discussed: - The characteristics of shyness as a temperamental trait - The extent to which shy children are vulnerable to mental health problems later in life and what interventions protect their development - Recommendations to parents for best supporting shy children - How parents should manage anxious adolescents’ academic performance anxiety and smartphone use

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with Pascal Auclair about meditation and its role in cultivating well-being. They discuss: - Pascal’s background and how he got into practicing and teaching meditation, including some interesting stories from long retreats he has sat. - His take on how meditation helps people live healthier and happier lives - explored through some practical examples from real life. What people can do to enjoy some of the benefits of meditation, even if they don’t have time for long, silent retreats. - Pascal’s perspective on the “secular mindfulness movement,” including some recent challenges from the scientific community, suggesting that all meditation teachers should develop greater sensitivity to the mental health problems that can arise in meditation. - The reason for his commitment to Social Justice in his practice and teaching.

Dr. Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University. She is the author of more than 140 scientific publications and books including her most recent, iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy–and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. In this episode, Dr. Joe speaks with Jean Twenge about the impact of smartphones on adolescent mental health. They also discussed Dr. Twenge’s research on generations and what she has learned about iGen, her findings about the mental health problems this generation is facing and why she thinks it is associated with if not caused by their smartphone use, and what parents and professionals can do about these issues.

In this episode of the podcast, Joe interviews David Treleaven. David is a writer, educator, and trauma professional living in the Bay area, whose work focuses on the intersection of mindfulness, trauma, and social justice. He is quickly becoming an important figure in the mindfulness community, especially since the release of his book Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. He received his master’s in counselling psychology at the University of British Columbia and a doctorate in East-West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is currently a senior teacher with Strozzi Institute, which helps leaders embody skillful action and integrate personal and social transformation. In this episode, David tells Joe about the basics of how mindfulness can help with trauma recovery. They also spoke about some of the risks involved in using mindfulness unskillfully with trauma survivors. And they spent some time unpacking David’s claims that trauma is inherently political, and that mindfulness teachers ought to develop greater sensitivity to the social and political context of trauma.

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe Flanders interviews his mentor, Dr. Patricia Rockman. Dr. Rockman is probably the Canadian authority on mindfulness teacher training and has a strong international reputation in this field. She has taught close to 150 Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) groups, trained dozens of mindfulness teachers through the certification programs at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, and brought mindfulness to many organizations. She’s an associate professor with the University of Toronto and the Director of Education and Clinical Services at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies. In this conversation, Dr. Rockman tells Joe about what contemplative dialogue is, her work at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, power and politics in the mindfulness field, what a good mindfulness teacher is, and how her students have influenced her life and practice.

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe Flanders interviews Dr. Willoughby Britton, Professor of Psychiatry, and Dr. Jared Lindahl, Professor of Religious Studies, both at Brown University. Joe and his guests discuss the emergence of contemplative neuroscience, Dr. Britton's critical stance on mindfulness research and the whole mindfulness movement, Jared's take on the importance of sensitivity to individual differences and cultural diversity in mindfulness and meditation, and finally they share their views on the potential adverse experiences that can occur while meditating.

Christian is an unbelievably successful business man. He worked for a global pharmaceutical company for many years, before making the transition to advertising in 2013. He took the lead of the health division at Tank which quickly became an industry standout, thanks largely to Christian’s smarts and leadership. But in the spring of 2017, a series of bad sales numbers triggered a downward spiral into mental illness that would leave him panicked, 30 pounds underweight, and unable to get out of bed. In this episode of the podcast, Christian tells Joe about his plunge into anxiety and depression, the “mental boot camp” that got him going again, his “recipe” for maintaining well-being, and how he talks about the experience with his colleagues. He also tells us why, after all that, he considers the experience a gift. Christian offers rare and inspiring examples of how corporate leaders can embody openness, humility, and courage when dealing with mental health in the workplace. His story also highlights the importance of making self-care a priority, the impact of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and mindfulness meditation, and the value of understanding well-being as a skill to be developed and maintained.