The Compassion Podcast

Michael Juberg interviews Dr. Simon Cottle, a media and communication professor emeritus at Cardiff University, about his work on global crises and the role of media. Dr. Cottle discusses his latest book, "Communicating a World in Crisis," which explores how various communication fields, including journalism, can address interconnected global issues, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach and the importance of compassion in media narratives.

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Deanna Varley, a postdoctoral research associate at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney. Her research is interested in understanding factors that contribute to psychological distress and how early life experiences influence mental health later in life.

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Darcy Harris, a Professor of Than-natology at King's University College at Western University in Canada. She also maintains a private clinical practice specializing in issues related to change, loss, and transition. In addition, she is a faculty member of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Her research focuses on Grief and Loss, Compassion Focused Therapy, Compassion, Palliative Care and Sociology of Death and Dying, to name a few. Dr. Harris shares her journey into studying political grief, which began in 2016 after witnessing the emotional reactions to Donald Trump's election victory. She explains the concept of political grief, which stems from the disruption of one's "assumptive world"—the framework of beliefs and expectations that provide a sense of safety and predictability.

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Myriam Mongrain, a clinical psychologist and Full Professor of Psychology at York University in Canada. She is an active clinician and researcher. Her Positive Psychology lab explores topics related to human flourishing, existentialism, and compassion-based training.

Dr. Olga Klimecki, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses her research on mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and compassion in this interview. She explores how mindfulness and compassionate practices can enrich lives, improve brain health, and even foster conflict resolution on both individual and societal levels.

Dr. Lynn Reeder from the Charter for Compassion discusses her work promoting compassion-driven initiatives from local community projects to global research collaborations. She highlights the Charter's impact across 470 cities worldwide and shares insights on innovative projects like "Seeds of Compassion" in Ballarat, Australia. Dr. Reeder also explains her role in advancing compassion science through research initiatives and networks, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and action at all levels to create a more compassionate world.

Across the world, democracy is in retreat. In many nations, far-right populist leaders are gaining ground while everywhere elections are becoming increasingly susceptible to interference by rogue states. The result is increased distrust in politics and divisions in society. In this panel, we will explore the guiding role that compassion can play in helping us not only reinvigorate support for democratic ideals but also create political systems that are inclusive, cooperative, and effective in improving the lives of citizens.

With the avalanche of information coming at us every day, closing down our minds and hearts seems to be the only way to survive. In this climate of distraction and division, Nate Klemp, PhD, will talk about the new science and age-old practices we can use to experience more moments of openness.

On 7 July 2017 – following a decade of advocacy by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and its partners – an overwhelming majority of the world's nations adopted a landmark global agreement to ban nuclear weapons. It entered into force on 22 January 2021. In this talk with Claire Yorke, expert on empathy and international security and convenor of the GCC's working group on International Relations, Daniel Hogsta - Interim Director of ICAN - will talk about how the treaty was won, the lessons he learned, and why peace is always possible.

10,000 children die every day from hunger-related illnesses and globally more than 1 billion children live in poverty. This despite the fact we have the resources and the wealthy to alleviate poverty and end hunger. To build a compassionate world today and have it last into the future, we must start to invest properly in the care, nurturance, and wellbeing of the youngest among us. This panel explored how we can do that.

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird and GCC President Rick Hanson discuss the topic of decolonizing mindfulness and using neuroscience research to examine how mindfulness approaches and traditional Indigenous contemplative practices can train the mind and positively change the structure and function of the brain. They discuss the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, including neurodecolonization, which involves combining mindfulness approaches with traditional and contemporary secular and sacred contemplative practices to replace negative patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior with healthy, productive ones.

Join best-selling author Gretchen Rubin and GCC President Rick Hanson in conversation about how we can tap into our five senses as a path to a happier, more mindful life. Gretchen Rubin has been studying happiness and human nature for over a decade, and will be sharing about her latest book Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.

Dr. Jud Brewer, New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change, shares the practice of cultivating curiosity for others. If we are to overcome the sense of division that grips many societies today, we have to generate a sense of real understanding with each other. That starts with curiosity: asking questions, developing empathy, and walking in one another's shoes. This practice will help you to harness your curiosity to gain a deeper appreciation and greater knowledge of the world and the people around you.

This meditation features a loving-kindness practice aimed at fostering feelings of goodwill and kindness towards oneself and others. It guides listeners through various stages, including focusing on breath, visualizing loved ones and acquaintances, and extending kindness to oneself and the broader community, all while maintaining a centered and calm mindset.

Men and boys are struggling with loneliness, isolation, anxiety, depression, and meaninglessness more than ever. The situation is dire. With our culture's deeply embedded expectations for men and boys to be tough, unemotional, self-sufficient, and avoid anything considered feminine, they're offered little to no support or means to live outside of a restrictive, rigid male persona (AKA the Boy Box and the Man Box). It doesn't need to be this way. In this panel, we explore various aspects of a paradigm shift away from the rigid-based masculinity beliefs and behaviors toward more prosocial, integrated and sustainable expressions of masculinity. In particular, we highlight the profound, yet often overlooked, importance of compassion and self-compassion in the daily lives of men and boys.

This meditation from Elisha Goldstein, "Relax and Retune," will guide you through deep relaxation techniques focusing on breath awareness and muscle relaxation. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of control, recognizing and releasing mental distractions, and appreciating the act of self-care through meditation.

"Deepen your connection with the art of Tonglen meditation, guiding you through a transformative journey to cultivate compassion, courage, and relief from suffering. Experience the power of breath, visualization, and heart-centered intention as you extend peace and healing to yourself and others."

In this practice you'll be guided through a mindfulness practice to settle the mind, using various anchors such as sounds, bodily sensations, or breath. The practice encourages gentle, non-judgmental awareness, inviting you to return to the present moment whenever their mind wanders. The session concludes with a gentle reawakening and a moment of connection and awareness.

In this practice you'll be guided to reflect on the compassion you feel for loved ones and then direct that same compassion towards yourself, acknowledging your own struggles and pain, and embracing them with kindness and care, ultimately fostering self-compassion and resilience.

The practice encourages you to cultivate and practice compassion towards yourself, people close to you, colleagues, and strangers, emphasizing that empathy and warm-heartedness can be extended even when there are disagreements or boundaries.

Steve Hickman is a clinical psychologist. He is a retired Associate Clinical Professor, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, and former Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and COO of the Global Compassion Coalition.

In this guided meditation, listeners explore the "transformation technique," a method to address life's challenges through vocalization, positive intention, compassion, and actionable reflection. The session emphasizes self-awareness and acceptance, guiding participants towards a balanced approach to difficulties.