Noble Mind

In this episode, Beth Kurland returns to share about her new book, You Don't Have To Change to Change Everything. Beth teaches us how we can walk ourselves out of survival mode into a state of thriving. She describes six practical strategies to help learn to engage challenges constructively.   Beth Kurland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in Massachusetts with three decades of experience. She is also a TEDx and public speaker, a mind-body coach, and an author of three award-winning books: Dancing on The Tightrope; The Transformative Power of Ten Minutes; and Gifts of the Rain Puddle. Her newest book, published by Health Communications Inc., is You Don't Have to Change to Change Everything: Six Ways to Shift Your Vantage Point, Stop Striving for Happy, and Find True Well-Being. Beth blogs for Psychology Today and is the creator of the Well-Being Toolkit online program. She lives in the Boston area. For more, visit BethKurland.com. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com.   

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Akeem Sule about his work with people experiencing psychosis and other severe mental health symptoms in an inpatient setting. He discusses the potential pitfalls of a purely biological view of mental illness and describes therapeutic interventions that he's found useful with his patients. We also explore the pros and cons of mindfulness and discuss his passion for exploring the mental health themes in hip hop music, film, and television. Dr. Akeem Sule is the Co-founder of HIP HOP PSYCH and a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and an Honorary Visiting Research Associate at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. He is also a Research Associate at Wolfson College, Cambridge University. Dr Sule has taught Psychiatry trainees/resident doctors in United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Egypt, Nigeria, Ireland and India. He is a member of the Association of University Teachers in Psychiatry. His medical degree was at the Ogun State University Teaching hospital, Nigeria. His Specialist Psychiatry training was with the Oxford Rotational Scheme. He also worked at the department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford and Hammersmith PET centre as a Clinical research worker where he did Neuroimaging Research. Dr Sule is an International member of the American Psychiatric Association. In 2009, he was the winner of the Consultant Teacher of the Year award for Bedfordshire and Luton Partnership Trust and joint winner of the Consultant Teacher for Exams award. He is a massive HipHop fan and a diehard Tupac Amaru Shakur fan. Dr Sule has been giving lectures on Public mental health themes in Films and TV shows particularly as it relates to Racism. He has helped to develop a model on the Psychiatry teaching programmes in a US medical school which uses ‘The Wire TV show to teach on mental health themes. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, Dr. Sara Lazar shares about the neuroscience of meditation. Dr. Lazar has been doing research on the effects of meditation for over twenty years and discusses what she's learned about how our emotional processing, executive functioning, memory, and even sense of self can all be impacted by meditation. We also talk about aging and cognition, as well as the potential benefits of yoga practice. Sara W. Lazar, PhD, is an Associate Researcher in the Psychiatry Department at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. The focus of her research is to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation, both in clinical settings and in healthy individuals. She is a contributing author to Meditation and Psychotherapy (Guilford Press). She has been practicing yoga and mindfulness meditation since 1994. Her research has been covered by numerous news outlets including The New York Times, USA Today, CNN and WebMD, and her work has been featured in a display at the Boston Museum of Science. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, we talk to Shaun Glossop about his work building a mindfulness group outside of the usual religious or medical contexts in which it is often taught. We discuss what he has done to reduce barriers to engaging with mindfulness by  finding ways to make practice more accessible and relatable to people in his community. He also discusses the problem of social alienation and isolation in postindustrial society and the importance of creating a space where people can build meaningful connections with each other. Shaun Glossop is the co-founder and director of the Nottingham Mindfulness Center in central England, and has been a meditation practitioner for over 25 years. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate finish their exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism by exploring the Fourth Noble Truth. This Truth describes the Eightfold Path which can lead us towards relief from suffering in this lifetime. The Eightfold Path describes the importance of right speech, action, livelihood, mindfulness, and more. Listen in as Alex and Kate reflect on each of these methods and their applications in daily life. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, Kate and Alex talk to Kris Sutton about healing from chronic pain. She shares her lived experience with pain from multiple medical issues including migraine, endometriosis, and cancer. She describes her work as a pain coach and the power of leveraging the effects of neuroplasticity to help the brain learn to make new meaning of the experience of pain. Kris also describes pain reprocessing therapy, mindfulness, and her work as an Alexander Technique teacher. Listen in to learn about the importance of a self-compassionate approach to pain management and finding common humanity with others who have shared experience. Kris Sutton, MPS, NBC-HWC, CPMC, is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Certified Pain Management Coach. She is also a Certified Alexander Technique teacher, a Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner, and a Certified Mindfulness-Based Pain Practitioner. Kris understands chronic pain. She has experienced several forms of chronic pain starting as a young child, including migraine, fibromyalgia, spinal fusion, endometriosis, and thyroid cancer. She brings this deeply felt, hard-won experience to her work with her clients. Kris has been able to deal with these challenges with the help of many healing modalities, which inform her work with clients. Learn more at https://yourpainguide.com/.  If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. Learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate continue their exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, this time focusing their attention the Third Noble Truth which tells us that the end of our suffering is possible. Listen to how Kate and Alex interpret the meaning of this truth, including traditional Buddhist understandings as well as everyday applications. They explore the small ways we can release our desires our longings in daily life, and how our stress response and perfectionism tend to make it harder to do so.  

In this episode, Alex and Lesley Huff sat down for a second, in-depth conversation exploring a range of themes. They discuss how importance it is to paying attention to how we use the tools of mindfulness and compassion so that we can be sure to use them in supportive and healing ways rather than to manipulate our experience or express self-aggression. They also chatted about being with stress during hard times, stopping habits of avoidance, and reclaiming our agency and power.   Lesley Huff, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She started the Change Through Compassion Program, and has practiced mindfulness personally for many years.    If you are a fan of Noble Mind, subscribe to our YouTube channel! Or, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. You can learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, Judith Hill-Weld talks about how trying to control our emotions can interfere with being present in our lives. She discusses the importance of not postponing joy, and describes her passion for working with individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Judith Hill-Weld, M.S., is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, a Self Compassion Informed Therapist, and a Mindful Self Compassion teacher in training.  She has studied with MSC originators Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff.  In addition to her private practice, Judith's writing on psychotherapy and developmental and intellectual disability has been published by NADD, and she has provided consultation and education to clinicians and nonprofits on a variety of topics.  Her approach to therapy is rooted in psychodynamic concepts, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In addition to being a psychotherapist and MSC teacher, Judith is a lover of dogs and poems, and aspires to be a self compassionate mess. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, you can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/noblemind. You can learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. 

In this episode, Lesley Huff talks about the human need for certainty and how this creates challenges in relating to the many unknowns in life. We discuss the paradox that mindfulness practices can help us to make changes in life, but also allow us to be more accepting of who we are in the moment. We explore the potential pitfalls of self-improvement, including its impact on parenting and family life, and the problem of approaching change from a place of self-criticism. Lesley Huff, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She started the Change Through Compassion Program, and has practiced mindfulness personally for many years. 

In this episode, Catherine Coinçon talks about methods of relaxation and visualization to support and enhance our health and well-being. She describes the importance of staying connected to a sense of joy and vitality, and leads a practice to help us connect with our deeper self. Listen in as she shares the history and practice of Sophrology, which is a wellness promoting set of practices developed in the mid 20th Century. Catherine Coinçon studied Modern Literature at the Sorbonne and holds a Master's degree in Caycedian Sophrology. She has been practicing sophrology for more than 20 years. In 2018, she created Sophro-Mobile, a business where she practices Sophrology with clients on the Telephone. She helps her clients understand their stress and emotions, and teaches relaxation and visualization practices to enhance their well-being. She works with clientele of all ages, from childhood through adulthood, as well as business leaders, managers, and people with ADHD or highly sensitive persons. In 2005, an ependymoma surgery left Catherine with disabling symptoms. She was able to use sophrology to aid her healing, and is passionate about sharing this process with others. She also integrates positive psychology and mindful self-compassion into her work. Noble Mind explores the intersections of mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion, and spiritual practice. Join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. For past episodes, show details, and to join our email list, visit www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Patricia Isis shares about the healing potential of engaging in artistic and creative pursuits. She discusses her work as a registered art therapist and what art therapy might look like for different clients, as well as the importance of self-compassion and sharing one's artwork with a supportive and encouraging community. Listen in for her insights and ideas about how to use doodling and other easy and accessible creative activities in a mindful way to bring presence and self-awareness into your everyday life. Patricia Isis, PhD, LMHC, ATR-BC, ATCS  holds a Ph.D in the expressive therapies with an emphasis on art therapy. Dr. Isis is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and a registered board certified art therapist, credentialed supervisor and has trained in Mindful Self-Compassion with the originators of that program, Dr. Chris Germer and Dr. Kristin Neff.  Patricia is certified in Mindful Self-Compassion from UCSD, Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute.  Since 1980, Patricia has practiced art psychotherapy in South Florida and taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) meditation at South Miami Hospital in the Behavioral and Collaborative Medicine Department from 2000 to 2013 and served on the Arts in Healthcare Advisory Committee. In 2014-2015, Dr. Isis authored two chapters respectively, “Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and the Expressive Therapies in a Hospital-based Community” in Mindfulness and the Arts Therapies: Theory and Practice edited by Dr. Laury Rappaport, and “Positive Art Therapy” in The Handbook of Art Therapy edited by Dr. David Gussack and Dr. Marcia Rosal. In the summer of 2016, her first book, The Mindful Doodle Book: 75 creative exercises to help you live in the moment was published integrating mindfulness practices with doodling.  Currently, Patricia provides art therapy services full time in the public schools, maintains a part-time private practice, and facilitates mindful self-compassion programs and mindfulness trainings. Patricia is a popular presenter locally, nationally and internationally. Join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. For past episodes, show details, and to join our email list, visit www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, hosts Kate and Alex continue their exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, with particular emphasis on the Second Noble Truth. This Truth is "the truth of the cause of suffering." Listen in as Kate and Alex unpack the ways that our suffering is caused by desire or longing, wanting things to be other than they are, and in particular the "Three Poisons" of greed, hatred, and delusion. Katherine (Kate) King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William James College. She has a private psychotherapy practice where she works primarily with older adults and individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and chronic medical conditions. She also has a special interest in supporting the well-being of helping professionals. She is involved in research exploring topics such as death anxiety, narrative medicine, and clinical training. Kate is a longtime vajrayana student of Tibetan Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. Learn more at www.drkateking.com. Alex Gokce, MSW has a master's degree in social work from Salem State University and an undergraduate degree in Comparative Government from Harvard University. He has led psychotherapy groups on topics including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body approaches to pain management. He has co-led programs at the Boston Shambhala Center on the topics of trauma and self-compassion. His personal and professional interests center around the individual, societal and intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the sociocultural roots of interpersonal harm.

In this episode, we talk to Marisa Mazzo about dealing with avoidance and ways we can face our fears. She explains key principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and discusses her inspiring work helping people heal from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. We dig into the broader problems of fear and avoidance, and discuss skills that anyone can use to get curious, restore safety, and take values-based action in our lives. Marisa T. Mazza, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist, supervisor and founder of choicetherapy, a group practice specializing in evidenced-based treatments for OCD and Anxiety. Dr. Mazza is passionate about providing evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion, to teens and adults struggling with OCD or Anxiety. She provides supervision and consultation to other professionals as faculty at the International OCD Foundation's Behavioral Therapy Training Institute and at the University of San Francisco. Dr. Mazza published The ACT Workbook for OCD.  Noble Mind explores the intersections of mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion, and spiritual practice. Join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. For past episodes, show details, and to join our email list, visit www.noblemindpodcast.com.

Happy Autumn! In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate explore the challenges of constant distraction. They discuss ways of managing overwhelming incoming news, information, emails, texts, and more, the emotional toll of such a way of life, and the importance of finding moments of rest, silence, and solitude even during busy times. Listen in for ways to create meaningful moments of pause, and to find insights about the helpful and unhelpful impulses that might be driving you to distraction. Alex Gokce, MSW has a master's degree in social work from Salem State University and an undergraduate degree in Comparative Government from Harvard University. He has led psychotherapy groups on topics including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body approaches to pain management. He has co-led programs at the Boston Shambhala Center on the topics of trauma and self-compassion. His personal and professional interests center around the individual, societal and intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the sociocultural roots of interpersonal harm. Katherine (Kate) King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William James College. She has a private psychotherapy practice where she works primarily with older adults and individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and chronic medical conditions. She also has a special interest in supporting the well-being of helping professionals. She is involved in research exploring topics such as death anxiety, narrative medicine, and clinical training. Kate is a longtime vajrayana student of Tibetan Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. Learn more at www.drkateking.com. Join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. For past episodes, show details, and to join our email list, visit www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, we talk to Caroline Hoffman about embodiment, mindfulness, and explore the ways that our lives can be improved by learning to be more connected to the experiences of the body. We also discuss her background in yoga, nursing, and massage therapy, and her work using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with people impacted by cancer. Caroline Hoffman is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion and MBSR teacher living in the UK. Caroline completed an undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Melbourne and later became a specialist Intensive Care Nurse. She has been a pioneer in the field of integrated medicine since the 1980s, with many professional trainings including Chinese Acupuncture and Shiatsu. She holds a PhD from University of Southampton and has published research on the psychological and physical benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for people impacted by cancer. Caroline is also a longtime Iyengar yoga practitioner. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, don't forget to hit subscribe! We'd also love for you to come join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. You can also learn about upcoming events, get our show notes, and join our email list at noblemindpodcast.com. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, hosts Kate and Alex take a deep dive into the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, with particular emphasis on the First Noble Truth commonly translated as “life is characterized by suffering.” They unpack some of the linguistic and cultural misunderstandings that can get in the way of the deeper message of this teaching. They connect the four existential givens of death, meaning, isolation, and freedom, to Buddhism and discuss ways of working with these unavoidable challenges in everyday life. Alex Gokce, MSW has a master's degree in social work from Salem State University and an undergraduate degree in Comparative Government from Harvard University. He has led psychotherapy groups on topics including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body approaches to pain management. He has co-led programs at the Boston Shambhala Center on the topics of trauma and self-compassion. His personal and professional interests center around the individual, societal and intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the sociocultural roots of interpersonal harm. Katherine (Kate) King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William James College. She has a private psychotherapy practice where she works primarily with older adults and individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and chronic medical conditions. She also has a special interest in supporting the well-being of helping professionals. She is involved in research exploring topics such as death anxiety, narrative medicine, and clinical training. Kate is a longtime vajrayana student of Tibetan Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. Learn more at www.drkateking.com. Join our free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind. For past episodes, show details, and to join our email list, visit www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Ruth Williamson shares about how we can activate a sense of purpose that brings us more fully alive, as well as how to participate in the world with greater compassion. She shares her insights as a Buddhist chaplain-in-training and what she has learned through social justice ministry work with individuals experiencing houselessness. Ruth Williamson is a trained teacher of Mindfulness and Self Compassion as well as a life and leadership coach. She trained at the Hudson Institute of Coaching and teaches the leadership curricula of Dr. Brené Brown. She has worked deeply in community, non-profit, government and business sectors for over 25 years. Ruth is currently a chaplain-in-training with the Upaya Zen Institute and engaged in social justice ministry addressing houselessness.

In this episode we chatted with Alfie Wishart about addiction recovery, compassion, shame, and the role of spirituality in healing. He shares about his personal recovery journey and also discusses how he works with therapy clients. He explains codependency and how he helps people heal from narcissistic relationships. Listen in for his perspective on the connections between shame and addiction, and his thoughts on learning to distinguish between the ‘true self' and ‘false self. Alfie is a therapist in private practice in Dallas, Texas, a long-time meditator, a licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He is also a Trained Teacher in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindful Self-compassion, and a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.

In this episode, we speak with Rochelle Jaffe about working with self-criticism, emotional and physical pain, overwhelm, and anger. Rochelle Jaffe, M.S. is a mindfulness and self-compassion practitioner and psychotherapist in Ashland, Oregon. She works with individuals and groups online and in person.

In this episode we talk to Marc Lesser about how mindfulness and emotional intelligence can be integrated into our work lives- including the ‘work' of being a human, a parent, a spouse, or other meaningful roles we inhabit. He shares essential elements of mindful leadership and discusses how he has brought this insight into corporate settings. Marc Lesser is an author, speaker, workshop leader, executive coach, and Zen teacher. He is the CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company. He helped develop the 'Search Inside Yourself' program within Google, which trains leaders on how to integrate mindfulness, emotional intelligence + business savvy. Marc founded and was CEO of 3 companies and has an MBA from New York University. He was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for ten years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the Western world. Marc's books include Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen, Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, Less: Accomplishing More By Doing Less, and Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration.

In this episode, we talk to Jon Walker about similarities and differences between relaxation and mindfulness as well as how expectations can interfere with mindfulness practice. He also describes practices that can improve our coping in a practical way in daily life, and reflects on some of the challenges of a driven and productivity-focused life. Jon Walker is a retired physician and professor of medicine and is now a teacher of mindfulness and self-compassion. He completed the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield through the Center for Greater Good at University of California, Berkeley. He has also been trained in Mind Body Medicine for physicians, Mindfulness Facilitation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, & Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management.

In this episode, David Teitelman discusses how mindfulness and self-compassion have helped him navigate chronic health conditions, body image issues, and old emotional wounds. David studied classical dance, rose in the corporate world, and cultivated self-criticism as a way of life. After being diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular condition and finding his old approach unsustainable, he discovered that mindfulness and self-compassion provided a radical new way of looking at the world. David now shares these teachings with others as an authorized Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, a facilitator for Center for Mindful Self-Compassion's Circles of Practice, and as the resident mindfulness teacher at Temple Micah in Denver, Colorado. 

In this episode, Kristy Arbon discusses her experiences with self-compassion and her work developing somatic self-compassion to integrate body awareness more fully into these practices. Listen in for Kristy's insights on the connections between Buddhism and self-compassion and how to reconnect with your internal experience and build stress resilience. Kristy Arbon is Founder and CEO of HeartWorks, a training platform designed to teach the skills of trauma-informed mindfulness and self-compassion. Kristy worked with Chris Germer and Kristin Neff to start the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, and she is the creator of somatic self-compassion.

In this episode, we speak to Mirjam Luthe about the importance of gratitude, appreciation, deep listening, and connecting to the natural world. She shares about rituals and strategies she has used with her children to​ develop ​skills of listening, compassion, and ​appreciation at home. We also explore the historical roots of trauma, cultural healing, and the deliberate choices she has made to help herself and her family cope during the pandemic. Mirjam Luthe has a masters degree in International Cultural & Business Studies and spent most of her career engaged in consulting before beginning to teach mindfulness-based interventions in 2008. She is a Certified mindful self-compassion, mindfulness based stress reduction, and yoga teacher as well as an “Awake in the Wild” Nature Meditation Teacher. She is also trained in the Mindful Schools Curriculum, and continuously explores Council Practice and contemplative dialog. Mirjam has taught Mindful Self-Compassion in Germany, Italy, Vietnam and the United States. Since its founding in 2012, she is on the core team of the European Network for Grateful Living founded by Brother David Steindl-Rast. She currently lives with her three teenage children in Freiburg, Germany.

We are hard-wired for survival, not necessarily happiness. So, what can we do to strengthen our capacity for happiness? And how can we apply the principles of self-compassion as we work through challenging times? In this episode of Noble Mind, Victoria Brattini shares about her work teaching mindfulness and self-compassion. She shares how she has learned to live these principles during challenging times in her own life. She describes how to work with the worrying brain using these tools to offer kindness and create space between yourself and your worries. Victoria also discusses how she teaches the science of self-compassion to help students better understand and get inspired to give the practice a try. Listen in to learn three universal triggers of compassion that can help create inner calm in tough moments. Learn more about Noble Mind at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode of Noble Mind, hosts Alex and Kate explain where our internalized messages of self-criticism come from, exploring how it can show up up as a running negative commentary in our heads or a general feeling of demoralization. They discuss why it's useful to identify our patterns of self-criticism, describing how the inner critic can either push us to be perfect and hyper-productive or undermine our willingness to try new things. Listen in for insight on using parts work and mindful self-compassion to acknowledge the negative emotions of self-criticism, engage in the higher thinking necessary to soothe yourself, and choose a path forward.

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Ellenberg explains how the gender roles we internalize from an early age can cause difficulty in our personal lives and even impact the world at large. He describes the “man box” and how it often ignores the complexity of individual men and diverse masculinities. He also describes his work helping men and couples develop comfort with vulnerability to cultivate more intimacy and connection.   Daniel Ellenberg is an executive and leadership coach, organizational trainer, group facilitator, consultant, advisor, therapist, and researcher. He is president of Relationships that Work and directs Strength with Heart men's groups, training, and seminars. He's the immediate past president of the American Psychological Association's division on men and masculinities. Daniel holds a Bachelors in psychology from Boston University and a Doctorate in counseling psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies.

In this episode of Noble Mind, Anthony Zanesco discusses research on the effects on meditation and the experiences of mind wandering and spontaneous thought. He explains different aspects of mindfulness and shares insights about why most people find meditation to be a difficult task. Listen in to learn more about mysterious microstates that our brains cycle through all day long. Dr. Anthony Zanesco is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies attention and mind wandering, their brain dynamics and underlying neural signatures using EEG, and how meditation and mindfulness training affect one's ability to focus and regulate distraction. He completed his PhD at the University of California, Davis, in 2017. He is currently a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Dr. Amishi Jha in the Psychology Department at the University of Miami.  Join our new Noble Mind Facebook group! www.facebook.com/groups/noblemind

In this episode, Michael Pringle discusses the healing power of self-compassion, describing how it helped him learn to better navigate moments of duress in his personal life. He explains how he was introduced to mindfulness through martial arts and explains how practices like kung fu have helped him develop a range of positive character traits. Michael also shares about his experiences teaching self-compassion and non-violent communication to marginalized and incarcerated youth. Michael Pringle is the cohost of the Kind-Mess Podcast , a show that explores the implications of contemplative practice on our experience of modern life. Michael is also a certified mindful self-compassion teacher, a trauma-sensitive educator for incarcerated youth in Victoria, Australia, and an experienced martial artist.

In this episode, Belinda Siew Luan Khong shares her thoughts about the connections between secular mindfulness and its Buddhist roots. She describes the training that teachers and therapists need to skillfully introduce the Dharma to a Western audience, offering anecdotes from her own clinical work in teaching meditation and mindfulness to diverse individuals and groups. Listen in to learn about Dr. Khong's work integrating existential and Buddhist psychology and find out what's missing from our Western understanding of mindfulness. Dr Belinda Siew Luan Khong practiced as an attorney before moving into psychology. She holds a doctorate in psychology from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia where her research focused on the role of responsibility in Buddhist Psychology, Heidegger's philosophy and Daseinsanalysis (Existential psychotherapy). Currently, she practices as a psychologist. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), the College of Counselling Psychologists. Australian Psychological Society. She also lectures at the Department of psychology, Macquarie University and is an adjunct fellow of the University. She counsels individuals and families on a range of mental health issues including personal growth, meditation and mindfulness. Dr Khong serves on the editorial boards of The Humanistic Psychologist and Mindfulness journals. Her practice and research interests include integrating Western and Eastern approaches to psychology, health and well-being, and she has published extensively in these areas. She was the guest editor of several special issues on mindfulness, Buddhist psychology and Heidegger's philosophy. In 2021, she guest edited a Special Double Issue on Revisiting and Re-Envisioning Mindfulness: Buddhist and Contemporary Perspectives for The Humanistic Psychologist (APA). Dr Khong conducts talks and training workshops on psychotherapy, meditation, and mindfulness in Australia and overseas. 

How do you respond to difficult feedback? Our first instinct is to defend ourselves or our organization, but that only amplifies the frustration of the person who feels wronged. So, how do we change the way we field criticism and complaints? What does it look like to offer a meaningful apology? And how do we work through the process of forgiving ourselves and others? In this episode of Noble Mind, Dorothy Armstrong joins Kate and Alex to explain how she thinks about forgiveness and discuss the myth that forgiving requires us to forget. She describes how our amygdala is hijacked when we feel wronged and offers strategies for helping a person move out of fight-or-flight by giving them the space to tell their story and offering a meaningful apology. Listen in for Dorothy's insight on the five As of responding to difficult feedback and learn how to reframe criticism as an opportunity to listen, learn and change. Dorothy Armstrong serves as Professional Advisor to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and Director of DA Professional, an organization that supports individuals, teams and organizations to enhance communication, leadership and wellbeing. Dorothy regularly presents seminars on the power of apology and learning from feedback, and she leads a Complaints Coaching Program for people in public facing or leadership roles. Dorothy is also a Registered Nurse and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2010.

Would you like the opportunity to begin again in 2022? Since ​Noble Mind began two years and 50 episodes ago, we have all faced significant challenges. Challenges that may have gotten in the way of achieving our goals. So, what does it look like to slow down, step back and begin again? And how might the skills we practice in meditation help us start fresh in the new year? On this milestone episode, Noble Mind hosts Katherine King, PsyD, and Alex Gokce, MSW, sit down to explain how meditation gives us the opportunity to practice beginning again, describing how the intentionality, persistence and forgiveness we learn in meditation apply to other aspects of our lives. They challenge us to reflect on the underlying needs behind the goals we set for ourselves and recognize the many different strategies we might use to meet a given need. Listen in to understand why we tend to tamp down our awareness of our wants and learn how being attentive to your own needs helps you recognize and meet the needs of others. Alex Gokce, MSW has a master's degree in social work from Salem State University and an undergraduate degree in Comparative Government from Harvard University. He has led psychotherapy groups on topics including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body approaches to pain management. He has co-led programs at the Boston Shambhala Center on the topics of trauma and self-compassion. His personal and professional interests center around the individual, societal and intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the sociocultural roots of interpersonal harm. Katherine King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William James College. She was trained in evidence-based treatments within the Veterans' Administration and has a private practice specializing in geropsychology. She is also a member of the Boston Shambhala Center Board of Directors, a vajrayana student of Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. Learn more about Kate at www.drkateking.com.

Buddhist yogi Drukpa Kunley is the embodiment of crazy wisdom. And while the stories of his behavior seem crazy to us, Drukpa Kunley's outrageousness comes from a place of insight. From his point of view, we're the crazy ones—trapped in our thoughts about reality and unable to see things as they actually are. In this episode, Lama Liz Monson joins Kate and Alex to discuss the Tibetan roots of crazy wisdom. She introduces us to fifteenth-century Tibetan yogi Drukpa Kunley, describing his commitment to exposing religious hypocrisy and leveraging outrageous behavior to wake people up. Listen in to understand how crazy wisdom is misunderstood in the West and learn how the bawdy stories of Drukpa Kunley can lead us to a spiritual awakening. Lama Liz Monson is the Spiritual Co-Director of the Natural Dharma Fellowship, a Dharma organization based in the New England area and the Managing Teacher at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, a Buddhist meditation retreat center in Springfield, NH. She has been studying, practicing, and teaching Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages for over thirty years. Liz holds a PhD in the Study of Religion from Harvard University and an MFA in Writing and Poetry from Naropa University. She is interested in developing practical methods for incorporating the Buddhist teachings into everyday life through the practices of kindness and compassion, through direct engagement in the natural world, and by focusing on ways to recognize the natural state in every moment of our lives. Liz is the co-translator of More Than a Madman: The Divine Words of Drukpa Kunley (Kuensel Press, 2014), a translation of the autobiography of the Tibetan yogi, Drukpa Kunley, and author of Tales of a Mad Yogi: The Life and Wild Wisdom of Drukpa Kunley (Snowlion, 2021). Liz is currently writing a book on Tantra for Shambhala Publications.  Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

When pain persists, over time it changes our brain. As pain-related neural connections grow stronger and stronger, ultimately our experience of pain worsens. But what if we could leverage mindfulness-based interventions to rewire our brains and reduce the impact of pain over time? On this episode of Noble Mind, Dr. Melissa Day joins Kate and Alex to discuss the neurological roots of pain and explain how the meaning we make of pain impacts the amount of pain we feel. She describes how mindfulness retrains the brain to process pain differently and ‘turns the volume down' on our suffering. Listen in for insight on the relationship between pain, self-efficacy, and acceptance. Listen in to hear about Dr. Day's innovative program for treating chronic pain with the principles of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Melissa Day completed her MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology and post-doctoral research fellowship in pain psychology at the University of Washington. She is now an endorsed Clinical Psychologist and Health Psychologist in Australia, and works as an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland. Dr. Day's program of research has focused on implementing randomised controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based interventions for pain. She recently published a sole authored book with Wiley titled, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Clinical Manual and Guide. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Willa Blythe Baker joins Kate and Alex to discuss the experiential divide between mind and body that serves as a source of suffering. She describes the difference between the conceptual and feeling body and explains four ways that the body can be a source of wisdom. Listen in for Willa's insight on bringing together body, mind, and breath and stay tuned until the end to hear Willa guide a grounding meditation practice. Willa Blythe Baker PhD is an author, translator and authorized teacher (lama) in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is the founder of Natural Dharma Fellowship and its retreat center Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH and has been on faculty at Harvard Divinity School, the Mind and Life Institute, Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, SanghaLive and One Earth Sangha. Her books include The Wakeful Body: Somatic Mindfulness as a Path to Freedom, Everyday Dharma, and The Arts of Contemplative Care.  Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Dr. Steven Hickman shares about his new book, Self-Compassion for Dummies, and describes his love of teaching self-compassion to skeptics and beginners. He explains what mindful self-compassion is, and how it can work as an antidote to our fight, flight, and freeze responses. He also describes the more fierce side of self-compassion, exploring what makes self-compassion a courageous act and how it helps us navigate difficult emotions. Listen in for Dr. Hickman's insight on the danger in trying to eliminate suffering, learning to see your inner critic in a new way, and motivating yourself through self-compassion. A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Steven Hickman is the Executive Director of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and Founding Director of the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. Dr. Hickman is also a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and trainer and the author of the new book, Self-Compassion for Dummies. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

The inner critic seems like an enemy, viciously attacking our character and fostering self-doubt. But what if that critical voice is really just worried about us? What if we could relate to our inner critic differently by recognizing its fears? In this episode, Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin discuss how the processes of Inner Relationship Focusing and Untangling facilitate healing and personal growth. They describe the personal experiences that led to the development of these methods and share how cultivating self-in-presence can help us hold space for our most challenging thoughts and emotions. Listen in for Ann and Barbara's take on the inner critic as someone who wants the best for you and how to work with this part in a radically new way. Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin have been involved in Focusing since the 1980s. Barbara serves as a Certified Coordinator for the International Focusing Institute and Accrediting Mentor for the British Focusing Association. Ann is internationally known as one of the leading innovators of Focusing, and she has written several books on the topic, including the bestseller The Power of Focusing. Together they have co-created both Inner Relationship Focusing and Untangling. Learn more at http://www.focusingresources.com. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

We tend to think of self-compassion as an act of gentleness, and the tender side of self-compassion is all about soothing, reassuring and accepting ourselves. But sometimes getting angry, saying no and taking action is the most compassionate thing you can do for yourself, and that's where fierce self-compassion comes in. In this episode of Noble Mind, Dr. Neff joins Kate and Alex to discuss her new book, Fierce Self-Compassion, explaining how fierce self-compassion gets expressed as protecting, providing for and motivating ourselves. She introduces us to the difference between fierce and tender self-compassion, describing how gender role socialization hinders our ability to access both. Listen in for Dr. Neff's insight on self-compassion as a spiritual practice and learn how the expression of anger can serve as an act of compassion. Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She's a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the 1st empirical studies on self-compassion nearly 20 years ago. She's author of the bestselling book Self-Compassion. Along with her colleague Chris Germer, she developed the Mindful Self-Compassion program, taught worldwide, and co-wrote The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. Her newest book is Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. To take a self-compassion test, find research articles, or download guided meditations, go to www.self-compassion.org.

In this episode, Noble Mind co-host Katherine King, PsyD describes the Four Reminders, a traditional Buddhist teaching that can inspire us to engage more fully in mindfulness, meditation, and other meaningful practices. Sharing from her own experiences, she describes how appreciation of the preciousness of life, awareness of our own freedoms and privileges, as well as the realities of death, impermanence, and karma, can all help move us to practice and study with more commitment and enthusiasm.   Katherine King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at William James College. She is a member of the Boston Shambhala Center Board of Directors, a vajrayana student of Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. She writes a blog for Psychology Today and has been featured in such publications as Buddhadharma, Women's Health, and American Public Media's Marketplace. Learn more about Kate and sign up to stay in touch at www.drkateking.com. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

The Franciscan tradition of Catholicism teaches about the interconnectedness of all being. It's about seeing the divine in ourselves and all of creation. So, what do meditation and mindful self-compassion look like from a Franciscan point of view? Hans Baars is a former Dutch Franciscan Priest who served in Pakistan from 1959 to 1986, before leaving the priesthood and returning to the Netherlands. There he married and lived until 1996 when he migrated to Australia. Hans speaks fluent Dutch, classical Latin and Greek, French, German and English, and he has translated three books on Francis of Assisi. In this episode of Noble Mind, Hans joins Kate and Alex to share his experience of the divine in all things, discussing how as a Franciscan he sees all of creation as brothers and sisters. He explains the importance of experiencing the sacred over conceptual frameworks of God and makes connections among different religious traditions. Listen in for Hans' insights about language, the origin of the word compassion, and his experiential approach to meditation and mindful self-compassion.

Systems of oppression establish a hierarchy, giving one group power and privilege over others. And people who identify as BAME or BIPOC carry feelings like shame, grief, and anger as a result. So, how can marginalized communities use mindful self-compassion as a tool to fight oppression from the inside and respond to challenging situations, thoughts, and emotions in a new way? In this episode, Sydney Spears discusses how mindful self-compassion benefits BAME or BIPOC identified individuals and describes the power of practicing mindful self-compassion together in community. She shares from her personal and teaching experience, explaining how self-compassion can help people regain control of the narrative of their own lives. Listen in for Sydney's insights about trauma, oppression, and how the human experience of suffering serves as a point of connection among us all. Sydney Spears, PhD, is the Director of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging at the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, and through the organization, she facilitates an online MSC course for people who identify as BIPOC or BAME. Sydney is also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, consultant and advocate dedicated to cultivating a more compassionate, equitable and unified world.

In this episode of Noble Mind, Kathryn joins Kate and Alex to discuss what it looks like to apply the principles of self-compassion in daily life, describing how the resistance to rest shows up and what we can do to overcome it. She explains how our bodies are easily forgotten when our minds are filled with chatter and shares the consequences she suffered from neglecting her own self-care. Listen in for Kathryn's insight on the benefit of the self-compassion retreat experience and learn how immersing yourself in mindful self-compassion is not self-indulgent—but a true gift to the people you love and lead. Kathryn Lovewell is the cofounder of Kind Mind Academy and bestselling author of The Little Book of Self-Compassion, Every Teacher Matters: Inspiring Well-Being Through Mindfulness and The Voices in My Head. An award-winning emotional health and wellbeing specialist and Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Senior teacher, Kathryn is passionate about making MSC accessible to the everyday person. In August, she is leading a five-day online silent retreat, Embracing Self-Compassion with Mindfulness, with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Richard Goerling joins Kate and Alex to share his experience teaching the skills of mindfulness and compassion to police, military personnel, and other first responders. He discusses healthy and harmful aspects of police culture and the impact of  occupational trauma on men and women in law enforcement. Listen in for Richard's insights on resilience, the ideal of warrior humanitarianism, and how mindfulness teachers might learn to be more culturally competent in serving these individuals. Richard Goerling is the Founder of Mindful Badge, an organization that delivers evidence-based skills training to support the health, humanity and performance of first responders. Richard is also a retired police officer and military veteran, certified mindfulness trainer, and an NIH-funded co-investigator on research exploring mindfulness training and its impact on police officers.

In this episode of Noble Mind, Dr. Fisher joins Kate and Alex to discuss her new book, describing the physiology of trauma and what makes it a ‘living legacy.' She explains why mindfulness-based treatments are helpful to trauma survivors, offering insight on what it means to be triggered and how we remember traumatic events with our feelings and bodies—not just our minds. Listen in for Dr. Fisher's advice on using somatic resources to navigate triggers and learn how paying attention to your body is central to the healing process. Dr. Janina Fisher is an international expert on the treatment of trauma and author of the groundbreaking book, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors. She also serves as Assistant Director of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, an educational organization that provides high-level trainings for mental health practitioners and the public at large. Dr. Fisher's new release is called Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists. Noble Mind explores topics related to mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Dr. Marcela Matos joins Kate and Alex to define shame, describing how the emotion serves an adaptive social function but can also cause us problems when it is too pervasive and shapes our identity. She explores why common shame experiences become traumatic for some people and goes on to explain how compassion, love and acceptance function as powerful antidotes to shame. Listen in for Dr. Matos' insight on supporting individuals with traumatic shame memories and learn more about her research on the range of resistances, blocks, and fears of compassion. Dr. Marcela Matos is a clinical psychologist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She has done extensive training in compassion-focused therapy and authored more than 70 scientific papers on topics of compassion, shame, self-criticism, psychopathology and wellbeing. Dr. Matos recently served as lead on a global research project exploring the protective role of compassion in the COVID-19 pandemic. Noble Mind explores topics related to mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode of Noble Mind, Chenxing Han shares about the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Asian American Buddhists that she encountered while conducting interviews for her new book, Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists. She discusses how these voices get erased from the mainstream story of western Buddhism and the history and important stories that get lost as a result. She describes her vision of a panethnic, pan-sectarian Asian American Buddhist identity, walking us through her distinctions among first-generation, second-generation and multigenerational Buddhists in the US. Listen for her insights on coping with anti-Asian violence, finding your path as an Asian American, and learning what you can do to create more inclusive Buddhist communities. Chenxing Han is a Bay Area writer whose work has appeared in Buddhadharma, Pacific World and the Journal of Global Buddhism, among many other publications. She earned an MA in Buddhist Studies from the Graduate Theological Union and spent a year as Chaplain Resident at a community hospital in Oakland before writing her first book, Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, spirituality, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

In this episode, Dr. Charlesly Joseph joins Kate and Alex to discuss his spiritual journey from growing up Episcopalian to embracing the dharma and finding his way to back to church and sangha in a time of personal difficulty. He explores the parallels between Buddhism and Christianity and reflects on the power of engaged Buddhism to address racial injustice. He also shares how being a physician informs his meditation practice and how he thinks about sickness, old age and death. Charlesly Joseph, MD is a father, husband and physician (among multiple intersectional identities) practicing in Albuquerque NM. He is interested in engaged Buddhism and making connections between the dharma and his Episcopalian roots. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

Understanding self-compassion in theory is one thing, but practicing self-compassion in your daily life is another. If you commit to regular practice, you can learn to recognize your pain and respond with care and kindness. Better yet, self-compassion gives you the courage to navigate challenging experiences. So, how do we develop self-compassion and make it part of our everyday lives? In this episode, Noble Mind hosts Katherine King, PsyD and Alex Gokce, MSW share what self-compassion means to them, challenging us to build the reflex of care in response to our own suffering and treat ourselves as we would a good friend. They describe how they were each introduced to the idea of self-compassion, weighing in on how the practice makes mindfulness possible and deepens the way we give care to others. Listen in for insight on cultivating self-compassion in your life through consistent practice and learn how self-compassion can make you braver and more active in the world. Noble Mind explores mindfulness, meditation, and psychology. Get more details, join our list, and get show notes at www.noblemindpodcast.com.

​In this episode of Noble Mind, Deirdre Fay, MSW joins Kate and Alex to discuss the practical skills that help people healing from trauma and attachment pain. She discusses how our longing for connection provides important guidance about unmet attachment needs. She explains how the skills of mindfulness and concentration can help trauma survivors, challenging us to see our triggers as messages from the past—and opportunities for healing. Listen in for insight about the skills Deirdre teaches in Becoming Safely Embodied and learn her practical approach to recovering from trauma. Deirdre Fay, MSW, is the author of the new book, Becoming Safely Embodied: A ​Guide to Organize Your Mind, Body, and Heart to Feel Secure in Your World. She has also developed the Safely Embodied Network, a platform designed to give trauma survivors the tools to heal and build a fulfilling life. She has 40-plus years of experience integrating attachment theory, contemplative trauma treatment, yoga and meditation to create a radically positive approach to healing trauma.

In this episode of Noble Mind, Dr. Sarah Bowen joins Kate and Alex to discuss her work developing mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) for addiction and addictive behaviors. She explains how relapse is normal part of the recovery journey for most people and why shame doesn’t work as a prevention strategy. She also shares what differentiates mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) from traditional relapse prevention and other methods of working with addiction. Learn how MBRP helps to change our relationship with cravings and gives us agency over our behavior. Listen in for Dr. Bowen’s insight on navigating problematic habits that emerged during the pandemic for many of us. Dr. Sarah Bowen is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-creator of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Treatment for Addictive Behaviors. She also serves as an Assistant Professor at Pacific University and Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Bowen received her doctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. G. Alan Marlatt, and she is the coauthor of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician’s Guide. Noble Mind is a podcast exploring mindfulness, meditation, and psychology. In each episode, hosts Alex Gokce, MSW, and Katherine King, PsyD host inspiring conversations with psychologists, authors, and other thought leaders seeking real world wisdom you can bring into daily life. Get show notes, suggest interviews, sign up for bonus content, and more at noblemindpodcast.com.