The Weekend University

Is there just one “you”? We've been taught to believe we have a single identity and to feel fear or shame when we can't control the inner voices that don't match the ideal of who we think we should be. Yet Dr. Richard Schwartz's research now challenges this “mono-mind” theory. “All of us are born with many sub-minds―or parts,” says Dr. Schwartz. “These parts are not imaginary or symbolic. They are individuals who exist as an internal family within us―and the key to health and happiness is to honor, understand, and love every part.” Dr. Schwartz's Internal Family Systems (IFS) model has been transforming psychology for decades. In this session, you'll explore why IFS has been so effective in areas such as trauma recovery, addiction therapy, and depression treatment―and how this new understanding of consciousness has the potential to radically change our lives. You'll learn: ― How honoring and communicating with parts changes our approach to mental wellness ― How to transform your ego, inner critic, and self saboteur into powerful allies ― How IFS demonstrates human goodness by revealing that there are no bad parts ― How to discover your wise, compassionate essence of goodness that is the source of healing and harmony You'll also engage in practical exercises for mapping your parts, accessing the Self, and working with a challenging protector. --- Dr. Richard Schwartz, PhD is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic model that de-pathologizes the multipart personality. His IFS Institute offers training for professionals and the general public. Formerly an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago and later at Northwestern University, he is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. He has published five books and is a sought-after presenter. For more, visit ifs-institute.com. Interview Links: - Dr Schwartz's website: https://ifs-institute.com/ - Dr Schwartz's books: https://amzn.to/3V9YOtA

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, stroke survivor, and bestselling author of My Stroke of Insight and Whole Brain Living. With over 27 million views, her TED Talk is one of the most viewed of all time. In this conversation, we explore: — How a left hemisphere stroke radically shifted Jill's view of identity — What it means to live from a “whole brain” perspective and Dr. Taylor revolutionary model of the four “characters” we all have within us — Why our sense of self is just one “character” of four and how learning to recognize and integrate these characters can help us make better decisions, improve our relationships, and access deeper states of inner peace. — How the “BRAIN huddle” can transform inner conflict into calm clarity. And more. To explore Dr. Taylor's work, visit https://drjilltaylor.com or check out her books My Stroke of Insight and Whole Brain Living. — Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace. Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life. In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine's “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey's “Soul Series” webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke. --- Interview Links: — Dr Taylor's website: https://drjilltaylor.com — Dr Taylor's book: https://amzn.to/43EiPA1

Dr. Tony Nader is a medical doctor, neuroscientist, and the global leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement. He holds an MD from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in neuroscience from MIT. In this conversation, we explore Dr. Nader's provocative claim that consciousness is not a byproduct of the brain—but the ground of all being. Drawing on neuroscience, quantum physics, and thousands of years of contemplative practice, he shares a paradigm that reframes life's biggest questions—from free will and death to the nature of truth, karma, and the self. Expect to learn: — What Maslow got wrong and the practical value of transcending before striving — Why expanding consciousness is the purpose of life — Dr Nader's views on the relationship between the brain and consciousness. — What this model says about death, reincarnation, and the expansion of self And more. You can learn more about Dr. Nader's work at https://drtonynader.com or by exploring his book, Consciousness is All There Is. --- Dr. Tony Nader is a globally recognized leader in the field of consciousness and a renowned neuroscientist with a distinguished academic background. He is the president of Maharishi International University, a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience) and a globally recognized expert in the science of Consciousness and human development. Dr Nader's training includes internal medicine, psychiatry, and neurology, and he is a New York Times bestselling author. His award winning book Consciousness Is All There Is has received the highest praise much like his latest book Super Habits for Success. Dr Nader has had recent discussions with some of the great thinkers, scientists, medical doctors and leaders in the world today. He has been featured by WIRED magazine, BBC, CNN, Gaia Network, and served as keynote for the United Nations, YPO and Stanford university's “Hacking Consciousness”. He's the recipient of numerous award's for his outstanding contribution in human development, environment, education, and health. He currently leads the global Transcendental Meditation organization, succeeding Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and is dedicated to advancing the understanding of consciousness through both scientific and spiritual lenses. --- Interview Links: — Maharishi International University - https://www.miu.edu — Dr Nader's website - https://drtonynader.com — Dr Nader's book - https://amzn.to/45kVWCO

Zack Kass is an AI strategist, futurist, and former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI — the company behind ChatGPT. As a leading voice in the responsible integration of artificial intelligence, Zack has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofits on how to navigate technological change with both foresight and humanity. In this wide-ranging discussion, Zack shares what most people get wrong about AI, the traits that will define those who thrive in the years ahead, and why designing for what machines can't do may be the single most important business (and life) strategy of our time. Expect to learn: — Why personal agency and adaptability are now essential skills — What AI can't do—and why that's where the opportunity is — How to prepare for a future where work no longer defines identity — The importance of learning how to learn (and how to actually do it) — Why “the future belongs to those who obsess” And more. You can explore Zack's writing and newsletter at https://www.zackkass.com. --- Zack Kass is one of the world's foremost authorities on applied AI, transforming the technology's immense power into business strategies and applications that expand human potential. For the last 16 years, Zack has been at the forefront of AI. Most recently, he served as OpenAI's Head of Go-to-Market responsible for building out the sales, solutions, and partnerships teams. Zack played a key role in early efforts at commercializing AI and large language models, channeling OpenAI's innovative research into tangible business solutions while also serving as a personal adviser to many executives deploying the technology across their companies. Today, Zack's mission is to help businesses, nonprofits, and governments navigate the rapidly evolving AI environment. His thought leadership has been featured in top publications, such as Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider. Zack continues to advise Fortune 1000 board rooms, including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Samsung. He is also an Executive-in-Residence at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and Chair of Ruder Finn's AI Advisory Council. --- Interview Link: — Zack's website - https://www.zackkass.com

The spiritual teaching of nonduality, which stems from the Indian philosophy of advaita, teaches that consciousness is the primary reality, the fundamental essence of the cosmos. On the other hand, the current scientific worldview holds that the physical world is primary, and that consciousness somehow, in ways that we do not yet understand, emerges from it. Both views have their challenges. If consciousness is primary, why do we not see it in all things? Conversely if the physical world is primary, how does consciousness arise from something as insentient matter? Peter Russell proposes that the solution to these problems lies in the recognition that information is fundamental to both realities, and physical reality, as we conceive of it, is but a representation of the external world appearing in the mind. This turns our current worldview inside-out; and into one that both beliefs can inhabit. --- Peter Russell studied theoretical physics, experimental psychology, and computer science at the University of Cambridge. He then went to India, to study meditation and Eastern philosophy, and on his return conducted research on the psychology of meditation. A leading thinker on consciousness and contemporary spirituality, he coined the term "global brain" with his 1980s' bestseller of the same name in which he predicted the Internet and the impact it would have on humanity. Other books include The Awakening Earth, Waking Up in Time, From Science to God, and his most recent, Letting Go of Nothing. Peter is a fellow of The World Business Academy, The Institute of Noetic Sciences, The Findhorn Foundation, and an Honorary Member of The Club of Budapest. --- Interview Links: — Peter's website: www.peterrussell.com/index.php — Peter's books: https://amzn.to/3WRrnhd

Tomás Hardiman is a film producer and a survivor of childhood abuse. His recent documentary “The Days of Trees” tells the story of his own experience of childhood sexual abuse, and his long road to recovery. In this conversation, Tomás reflects on the years he spent in the dark, his gradual process of healing, and how he was able to convert his deepest childhood wound into a creative project - a documentary that is now impacting people all over the world. Gabor Maté had this to say about it: 'It's all about healing and transformation, a person finding themselves… I really urge you to see it. A beautiful film.' Here are some of the things we explore in this discussion: — How memory, shame, and repression often intertwine in trauma — Why Tomás almost walked away from the film — The role of creative work in transforming suffering — How Tomás has been able to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. And more. You can watch the film at https://thedaysoftrees.com/ and get 50% off if you use the code: TWU50 when purchasing. --- Tomás Hardiman holds a B.Comm from NUI Galway (1979) and an M.A. in Film and Television Studies from Dublin City University (1992). After graduation he worked in human resources in Dublin before living for a time in Toronto, where he began a professional career in the theatre as General Manager of Mercury Theatre Company. Following his return to Ireland he was appointed Marketing/Publicity Director of The Abbey Theatre where he worked from 1985 to 1993. He then returned to Galway where he ran his own communications and independent film production company, Parzival Productions. From October 2002 to November 2007 he was Managing Director of Galway Arts Centre and the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. He was a member of the board of Theatre Forum, the representative group for Irish arts organisations, from 2005-2007. He continues to produce and manage creative projects across multiple artforms and in 2013 completed a three-year training programme to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique. He produced eleven films between 1998 and 2023. Most recently he collaborated with acclaimed Irish writer/director Alan Gilsenan, to produce a loose trilogy of films about psychological trauma: Meetings with Ivor, The Meeting and The Days of Trees. The latter won the George Morrison Award for Best Documentary at the 2024 Irish Film and Television Awards. --- Interview Link: — Tomás' website - https://thedaysoftrees.com/

In this episode, I speak with Professor Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and author of three bestselling books, including: “The Man Who Tasted Words”, “The Secret World of Sleep”, and “The Seven Deadly Sins”, which this interview focuses on. Drawing on insights from evolutionary biology, genetics, and clinical neurology, Guy makes a compelling case that what we label as “sin” may often have a biological cause, and isn't necessarily a moral failing. Expect to learn: — Why our so-called “sins” evolved as adaptive traits—and why they still serve a purpose — How free will may be more of a spectrum than a binary — Why understanding the biology of behaviour could radically change the criminal justice system — The disturbing story of Robert Alton Harris—and what it reveals about judgment, compassion, and accountability And more. You can learn more about Guy's work at https://www.guyleschziner.com. --- Dr Guy Leschziner is a neurologist with special expertise in sleep disorders and epilepsy. Dr Leschziner is Consultant Neurologist at London Bridge Hospital and Clinical Lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, one of the largest sleep units in Europe. He also practices at London Bridge Hospital and the Cromwell Hospital. He is also Reader in Neurology at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. Under the broad umbrella of sleep disorders, Dr Leschziner is a particular authority on narcolepsy, sleepwalking, Kleine-Levin syndrome and restless legs syndrome. Dr Leschziner is also enthusiastically engaged with public education through a wide range of media work. He presented a popular radio series for the BBC, Mysteries of Sleep, as well as The Secrets of Sleep for Channel 4 television in the UK. He has also been an expert commentator for BBC News and The Guardian. Dr Leschziner is also the author of several books: The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience and the Secret World of Sleep, The Man Who Tasted Words, and The Seven Deadly Sins. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Leschziner's website - https://www.guyleschziner.com — Dr. Leschziner's books: https://amzn.to/4dbnFru

Dr. Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author trained in neuroscience, who speaks internationally on topics such as science and theology, human consciousness, and the problem of evil. She has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 and has also written for The Times. Her books include: Broken Planet, Why, and Am I Just my Brain - which this interview focuses on. Here are some of the questions we explore in this conversation: — The mind-body problem - how could a mindless universe produce conscious beings? — Sharon's views on the explanatory power of panpsychism — How can we make sense of the immense suffering in the world and natural disasters — How our image of God impacts our mental health and wellbeing. And more. You can learn more about Sharon's work and books at https://www.dirckx.org. --- Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author whose work focuses on responding to the spiritual and faith-related questions that people ask today. She is motivated to show how and why the person of Jesus Christ remains as relevant as ever to the pertinent questions of our time, and to do so in an engaging way. Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge. Sharon is invited to speak and lecture across the UK and internationally, in workplaces, universities, schools, churches and conferences. --- Interview Links: — Sharon's website - https://www.dirckx.org — Sharon's books - https://amzn.to/4iFKVPk

Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, who is in the top one percent of most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, and also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior. In addition to the books Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions are Made, Dr. Barrett has published over 260 peer-reviewed, scientific papers appearing in Science, Nature Neuroscience, and other top journals in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as six academic volumes. She has also given a popular TED talk with over 6.5 million views. From this conversation, you'll learn: — Dr Barrett's groundbreaking theory of emotions and its implications for mental health and wellbeing — How emotional "granularity" can enhance your quality of life — Why everything we see is a "concept" and why this matters — Dr Barrett's thoughts on free will and personal responsibility. And more. You can learn more about Dr Barrett's work by going to: www.lisafeldmanbarrett.com --- Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a psychologist, neuroscientist, professor, bestselling author, and one of the most cited scientists in the world. She received a National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award for her revolutionary research on emotion in the brain. These highly competitive, multimillion dollar awards are given to scientists of exceptional creativity who are expected to transform biomedical and behavioral research. She also received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2019, the APS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, and the APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award in Psychology in 2021. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Barrett has testified before Congress, presented her research to the FBI, consulted to the National Cancer Institute, appeared on Through The Wormhole with Morgan Freeman and The Today Show with Maria Shriver, and been a featured guest on public television and podcast and radio programs worldwide. She is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada. --- Interview Links: — Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain - Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://amzn.to/3CWM1VQ — How Emotions are Made - Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://amzn.to/3Rx1BeT — Dr Barrett's website: www.lisafeldmanbarrett.com — Matter and Consciousness - Dr Iain McGilchrist: https://bit.ly/3RGSQz0 3 Books Dr Porges Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Between us by Batja Mesquita - https://amzn.to/3FdYkxT — The End of Trauma by George Bonanno - https://amzn.to/3AW1fbL — How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett - https://amzn.to/3GVdxFl

Professor Marc Lewis is a former Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Toronto and a world leading expert in the neuroscience of addiction. It was particularly interesting to speak with Marc because not only does he have a deep understanding of the neural mechanisms underneath addictive processes, he also has battled with quite severe opioid addictions himself. He is the author of two bestselling books on the subject: Memoirs of an Addicted Brain, and The Biology of Desire. Now, he works as a clinical psychologist in Toronto, specialising in addiction treatment. You'll learn: — How Marc's experiences as a developmental psychologist helped him to develop his groundbreaking learning model of addiction — A simple introduction to the neuroscience of addiction and the brain areas involved — Why it's hard to stop an addictive pattern once it has taken hold — What works (and what doesn't) in recovery. And more. You can learn more about Marc's innovative work by visiting: www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com --- Prof Marc Lewis, PhD is a neuroscientist, professor, bestselling author, and one of the world's leading experts on the neuroscience of addiction. In his academic work, he has authored or co-authored more than fifty journal articles, and for many years was a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Toronto and then Radboud University (Netherlands) before retiring. For the last decade, he has focused on making his work more accessible to a wider audience through books for lay readers, pop science articles, public talks, and interviews. He is the author of two bestselling books on addiction: “Memoirs of an Addicted Brain” and “The Biology of Desire”, a book which Dr Gabor Mate argues “effectively refutes the disease model of addiction.” He is currently practicing psychotherapy as a clinical psychologist in Toronto, working with clients with addictive problems and other difficulties. You can learn more about his work at www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com. --- 6 Books Prof Lewis Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read: — Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear —Dr. Carl L. Hart - https://amzn.to/44MnKfG — High Price: Drugs, Neuroscience, and Discovering Myself — Dr. Carl L. Hart - https://amzn.to/3Kt8YmH — Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction — Szalavitz Maia - https://amzn.to/3NS0p5q — Drinking: A Love Story — Caroline Knapp - https://amzn.to/3NWYaOt — The Night of the Gun — David Carr - https://amzn.to/44SHYod — The Biology of Desire: why addiction is not a disease (The Addicted Brain) —Prof Marc Lewis - https://amzn.to/44QYpBl

In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Paul Gilbert and Professor Jeremy Holmes. Paul is the developer of Compassion Focused Therapy and one of the world's leading clinical psychologists studying the scientific application of compassion in therapeutic practice. Jeremy is an award winning attachment expert, clinician, and author, whose books include: In Search of the Secure Base, Attachment & Psychotherapy, and most recently The Spirit of Psychotherapy. In this wide ranging discussion, we explore: — The difference between “safety” and “safeness” and why this is vital to understand in therapeutic practice — How early attachment dynamics shape our developmental trajectory and relationships throughout life — How attachment theory helped to form the theoretical foundations of Compassion Focused Therapy. And more. You can find Jeremy's books at http://bit.ly/jh-books and learn more about Paul's work at http://compassionatemind.co.uk --- Professor Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is a British clinical psychologist, the founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassionate mind training (CMT) and author of books such as The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life's Challenges, Overcoming Depression. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. Professor Gilbert has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: “To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion”. Professor Jeremy Holmes is a clinician, author, leading Attachment expert, and three-time speaker at The Weekend University. For 35 years, he was Consultant Psychiatrist/Medical Psychotherapist at University College London (UCL) and then in North Devon, UK, and Chair of the Psychotherapy Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 1998-2002. He is visiting Professor at the University of Exeter, and lectures nationally and internationally. In addition to 200+ peer-reviewed papers and chapters in the field of psychoanalysis and attachment theory, his books include John Bowlby and Attachment Theory, Exploring In Security, Attachment in Therapeutic Practice, and most recently: “The Brain has a Mind of Its Own”. He was the recipient of the Bowlby-Ainsworth Founders Award 2009. --- Interview Links: — Jeremy's books - http://bit.ly/jh-books — Paul's work - http://compassionatemind.co.uk

Dr Morgan is a Professor of Counseling & Human Services at the University of Scranton, who has spent thirty years researching, teaching, and writing about mental health and addiction. He is the author of Addiction, Attachment, Trauma and Recovery, which provides a holistic, multidisciplinary framework for understanding and treating addictive processes. In this conversation, we explore: — The extent to which addiction can be viewed as an attachment disorder — The central paradox at the heart of addiction — Why addiction is a “jealous relationship” that crowds out most others — Why addictions localised within individual members can be thought of as “symptoms” of much wider societal problems. And more. You can get a copy of Dr Morgan's book by going to https://bit.ly/oliver-addiction. --- Dr. Oliver Morgan is a distinguished Professor of Counseling & Human Services in the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. With a diverse educational background, he holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, a Master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy, and a doctoral degree in Pastoral Psychotherapy from Boston University. Dr. Morgan's expertise lies in the fields of addiction studies, marital and family counseling, and pastoral care. He has made significant contributions to the academic community through his teaching and publications. As a faculty member since 1990, he has taught various courses in undergraduate and graduate programs, shaping the curriculum in Addiction Studies and Marital and Family Counseling. Dr. Morgan also served as the Department Chair from 1997 to 2009. His publications include an acclaimed book titled "Addiction, Attachment, Trauma and Recovery: The Power of Connection," published in 2019 by W.W. Norton. Additionally, he has co-edited five books covering topics such as Addiction Studies, Catholic Intellectual Thought, and Counseling & Spirituality. Dr. Morgan has authored or co-authored numerous book chapters, proceedings, and peer-reviewed articles on subjects ranging from addiction and pastoral care to spirituality and clinical practice. Beyond his academic endeavors, Dr. Morgan has been involved in service and leadership activities both within the university and the wider community. He has held important roles in university-wide task forces focused on student lifestyles and corporate mission and identity. Furthermore, he co-founded a psychosocial oncology practice in Northeast Pennsylvania, offering support to cancer patients, their caregivers, and loved ones. Dr. Oliver Morgan's contributions to counseling, addiction studies, and his commitment to compassionate care have established him as a respected educator, researcher, and practitioner in the field of counseling and human services. --- 4 Books Dr Morgan Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read: — Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery: The Power of Connection — Oliver J. Morgan - https://wwnorton.co.uk/books/9780393713176-addiction-attachment-trauma-and-recovery — In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction — Dr Gabor Maté - https://amzn.to/4125SLH — The Globalization of Addiction: A Study in Poverty of the Spirit — Bruce K. Alexander - https://amzn.to/46I1yp1 — Addiction and Spirituality: A Multidisciplinary Approach — Oliver J. Morgan - https://amzn.to/3JWpQBU

In this interview, I speak with Dr Steve Taylor, a psychologist, writer, and lecturer at Leeds Beckett University. Dr Taylor is the author of several bestselling books on psychology and spirituality, including: The Leap, Spiritual Science, and most recently Time Expansion Experiences, which this conversation focuses on. Expect to learn: — Why linear time is an illusion of the mind — What near-death experiences and life reviews reveal about the nature of time — Why time feels faster as we age—and what we can do to slow it down — Dr Taylor's views on the extent to which the future is “set in stone”—and the implications this has for free will And more. You can learn more about Steve's work and books at https://www.stevenmtaylor.com. --- Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality. He is a past chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society. His new book is Time Expansion Experiences, and his previous books include The Adventure, Extraordinary Awakenings, The Clear Light, The Fall, Out of the Darkness, The Calm Center, The Leap and Spiritual Science. His books have been published in more than 20 languages, and he regularly appears in the media in the UK, including Radio 4's Prayer for the Day and the BBC World Service. He writes blog articles for Scientific American, The Conversation and for Psychology Today. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as ‘an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present.' Steve lives in Manchester, England, with his wife and three children. --- Interview Links: — Dr Taylor's' website - https://www.stevenmtaylor.com — Dr Taylor's books: https://amzn.to/4hMtAE8

Dr. James Hollis is one of the world's leading Jungian analysts. Across a career spanning decades, he has written extensively on how we confront the unconscious, navigate midlife, and live with greater courage and self-awareness. His books include: Living an Examined Life, Under Saturn's Shadow, and a Life of Meaning. In this conversation, we explore: — The extent to which Dr. Hollis believes there is a "purposeful intelligence" at work in nature. — How we live a larger life by asking larger questions - and the questions he finds more helpful for leading his clients to a path of enlargement — How to distinguish between ego-based desires and those coming from a deeper place — What Dr. Hollis learned from his near death experience in 2022. And more. You can learn more about his work and books at http://jameshollis.net --- James Hollis, Ph. D., was born in Springfield, Illinois, and graduated from Manchester University in 1962 and Drew University in 1967. He taught Humanities 26 years in various colleges and universities before retraining as a Jungian analyst at the Jung Institute of Zurich, Switzerland (1977-82). He is presently a licensed Jungian analyst in private practice in Washington, D.C. He served as Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years and was Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington until 2019, and now serves on the JSW Board of Directors. He is a retired Senior Training Analyst for the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, was first Director of Training of the Philadelphia Jung Institute, and is Vice-President Emeritus of the Philemon Foundation. Additionally he is a Professor of Jungian Studies for Saybrook University of San Francisco/Houston. He lives with his wife Jill, an artist and retired therapist, in a suburb of Washington, DC. Together they have three living children and eight grand-children. He has written a total of twenty books, which have been translated into Swedish, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Portuguese, Turkish, Italian, Korean, Finnish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Farsi, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Serbian, Latvian, Ukranian and Czech. --- Interview Links: — Dr Hollis' website - http://jameshollis.net — Dr Hollis' books - https://amzn.to/41xg1Co

Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a clinician, researcher, and teacher who has spent his professional life studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences. He specialises in translating emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of effective treatments for traumatic stress and developmental trauma in children and adults. He is the author of the New York Times Bestseller: The Body Keeps the Score, the Founder of Trauma Center in Boston, and currently serves as President of the Trauma Research Foundation. In this conversation, we explore: — The role that neurofeedback can play in healing developmental trauma — Dr van der Kolk's study examining the effects of MDMA on PTSD — The essential difference between those who were traumatised by the 9-11 attacks and those who weren't — How developmental trauma leads to deficits in sensory integration areas of the brain and the most effective treatments for addressing this. And more. You can learn more about Dr van der Kolk's work by going to: https://traumaresearchfoundation.org/ --- Bessel van der Kolk MD spends his career studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences, and has translated emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of treatments for traumatic stress in children and adults. In 1984, he set up one of the first clinical/research centers in the US dedicated to study and treatment of traumatic stress in civilian populations, which has trained numerous researchers and clinicians specializing in the study and treatment of traumatic stress, and which has been continually funded to research the impact of traumatic stress and effective treatment interventions. He has focused on studying treatments that stabilize physiology, increase executive functioning and help traumatized individuals to feel fully alert to the present. ​ His efforts resulted in the establishment of Trauma Center (now the Trauma Research Foundation) that consisted of a well-trained clinical team specializing in the treatment of children and adults with histories of child maltreatment, that applied treatment models that are widely taught and implemented nationwide, a research lab that studied the effects of neurofeedback and MDMA on behavior, mood, and executive functioning, and numerous trainings nationwide to a variety of mental health professional, educators, parent groups, policy makers, and law enforcement personnel. --- 3 Books Dr van Der Kolk Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — John Bowlby - Attachment and Loss - https://amzn.to/4bOd3NK — Daniel Stern - The Interpersonal World of the Infant - https://amzn.to/4e1aTf8 — Ed Tronick - The Neurobehavioral and Social-Emotional Development of Infants and Children (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) - https://amzn.to/459qIwa

In this interview, I'm joined by Derek Sivers. Derek is the Founder of CD Baby — a company he sold for $22 million, and then gave pretty much everything to charity. He has written multiple bestselling books, given TED talks which have reached millions, and been a circus performer for 10 years. There have been few people who have had a bigger positive impact on my thinking than Derek, so it was a real treat to sit down with him for an hour and have this conversation. Expect to learn: — The connection between your beliefs, your emotions, and your actions — How Derek sold his company for $22 million and then instantly gave it all away to charity — His unconventional approach to getting advice from mentors — Why Derek has journalled every day for the past 13 years and why this is the “single most useful thing” he does. And more. You can learn more about Derek's work, books, and philosophy at https://sive.rs. --- Derek Sivers graduated in 1990 from Berklee, where he majored in professional music. He entered as a guitarist and came out a self-proclaimed “everything guy” after studying voice, composition, piano, songwriting, music synthesis, and production. Sivers is best known as the founder of CD Baby(Opens in a new window), the largest online distribution company for independent music. After years of touring, recording, and writing for TV projects, he started CD Baby from his bedroom—almost by accident. When he obtained a merchant account to sell his CDs online (not an easy task in the '90s), musician friends began asking if he could sell their CDs. Soon he was getting calls from strangers, and the foundation for a business was laid. Sivers launched CD Baby in 1998 with a musician-centric ideology that sought to maximize musicians' profits rather than minimize them for company gain. In 2003, Sivers won the World Technology Award and was described by Esquire Magazine as “one of the last music-business folk heroes.” In keeping with his philanthropic ethos, Sivers sold CD Baby in 2008 and gave the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education. In 2011, Sivers published Anything You Want(Opens in a new window), a book chronicling his challenges and triumphs founding, building, and selling CD Baby. In 2013, Sivers launched Wood Egg(Opens in a new window), which publishes guides about how to build companies in Asia. He is a frequent speaker at the TED Conference, with over 5 million views of his talks. --- Interview Links: — Derek's website - https://sive.rs Interview Links: — Derek's website - https://sive.rs — Derek's new book - https://sive.rs/u — Derek's new book (Amazon Link) - https://amzn.to/41HkBPz

In this episode, I'm joined by Linda Thai — a mental health clinician, storyteller, and educator who has had her own lived experiences of individual, collective, historical and cultural traumatization...and healing. I've interviewed many fascinating individuals in the past seven years of running The Weekend University, but there was something different about Linda. It might have something to do with her getting off the grid and living in the wilderness in Alaska, or perhaps it's the eclectic self-education she has immersed herself in. Whatever it is, Linda brings to the table a unique and holistic perspective on attachment, that I think is years ahead of the conventional wisdom. Expect to learn: — The difference between psychology, trauma-informed psychology, culturally-informed psychology, and liberation informed psychology — Where traditional attachment theory falls short — Why we need to redefine the parameters of attachment and take an ecosystem view And more. You can learn more about Linda's work and trainings at https://www.linda-thai.com/. --- Linda Thai, LMSW ERYT-200 is a trauma therapist and educator who specializes in brain and body-based modalities for addressing complex developmental trauma. Linda has worked with thousands of people from all over the world to promote mindfulness, recover from trauma, and tend to grief as a means of self care. Linda's work centers on healing with a special focus on the experiences of adult children of refugees and immigrants. Her teaching is infused with empathy, storytelling, humor, research, practical tools, applied knowledge, and experiential wisdom. She has assisted internationally renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, with his private small group psychotherapy workshops aimed at healing attachment trauma. She has a Master of Social Work with an emphasis on the neurobiology of attachment and trauma. Linda has studied Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, Havening Touch, Flash Technique, and structural dissociation of the personality, and offers the Safe and Sound Protocol, yoga, and meditation within her practice. Linda works on the traditional lands of the Tanana Athabascan people (Fairbanks, Alaska) with those recovering from addiction, trauma, and mental illness. She is passionate about breaking the cycle of historical and intergenerational trauma at the individual and community levels. --- Interview Links: Linda's website - https://www.linda-thai.com/

Join Dr. Richard Schwartz for a life-changing nature immersion combining scenic walks on the breathtaking Camino de Santiago, with deep experiential Internal Family Systems (IFS) workshops along the way: https://theweekenduniversity.com/ifs-camino This experience is tailored for leaders interested in using IFS to create deep inner alignment, so that they can positively impact more lives through their work. Participants will include high-impact creators and leaders from a wide range of backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, broadcasters, executives, and coaches.

Dr Laurence Heller is the founder of the NeuroAffective Relational Model™ - often referred to as NARM. This is a psychobiological approach known to be highly effective for working with developmental trauma. He is the author of “Healing Developmental Trauma”, which is currently published in more than 10 languages. For the past 20 years, Dr Heller has been conducting seminars in the NARM approach throughout the United States, Europe and soon to be worldwide. In this conversation, we explore: — Why NARM does not see the traumatic event as the primary issue and instead views the adaptations that we make to traumatising experiences as the primary issue — The key differences between treating shock trauma and developmental trauma — Why effective therapy requires much more than just extinguishing symptoms — The NARM core survival styles And more. You can learn more about Dr Heller's innovative work by going to: https://drlaurenceheller.com/ --- Dr. Laurence Heller is the founder of the NeuroAffective Relational Model© (NARM), a specialized psychobiological approach to working with developmental trauma. He holds a Ph.D in psychology and was in private practice for over 30 years. The NARM Model is presented in the best selling book Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image and the Capacity for Relationship, which is currently published in more than 15 languages. His new book with Brad Kammer is The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma: Using the NeuroAffective Relational Model to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resolve Complex Trauma presents the clinical model. He is also the co-author of Crash Course, a book on shock trauma: He speaks several languages fluently and for the past 30 years has been conducting seminars in the NARM approach throughout the United States and Europe. He and his teachers present NARM worldwide. He is currently working on a project led by Christina Bethell, Ph.D , a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and others to bring a trauma-informed understanding to Pediatricians and General Practitioners throughout the U.S. Their first article for this project was published in 2021: Social and Relational Health Risks and Common Mental Health Problems Among US Children Published by Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America co-authored with Christina D. Bethell, PhD, MBA, MPH, (lead) Andrew S. Garner, MD, PhD, Narangerel Gombojav, MD, PhD, Courtney Blackwell, PhD, Tanar Mendelson, PhD --- 3 Books Dr Laurence Heller Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — A General Theory of Love - Sir Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard Lannon - https://amzn.to/44DT01L — The Power of Attachment - Diane Poole Heller - https://amzn.to/3WG7NH5 — Healing Development Trauma - Laurence Heller and Aline Lapierre - https://amzn.to/3UJiS7E

In this interview, I'm joined by two leading thinkers who are helping to reshape our understanding of consciousness, the nature of reality, and the pursuit of meaning in life: Dr Iain McGilchrist and Dr Bernardo Kastrup. Iain is a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, author, and philosopher perhaps most well known for his Hemispheric Hypothesis and his books: The Master and his Emissary and The Matter with Things. Bernardo is an author, scientist, philosopher, and the Director of the Essentia Foundation. He holds two PhDs - one in philosophy and the other in engineering. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. In this conversation, we explore: — Their views on what consciousness is, the common ground in their thinking, and the differences — The extent to Iain and Bernardo believe we live in a purposeful and intelligent universe, and their perspectives on the question of God — Why they both consider truth to be the most important thing in life — Where they see human life fitting into the larger whole and what case can be made that each of our individual subjective experiences do matter. I hope you get as much from this fascinating discussion as I did from recording it. You can learn more about Iain's work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com, and Bernardo's at https://www.bernardokastrup.com. -- Dr Iain McGilchrist is a Psychiatrist and Writer. He is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context, that of the whole of our physical and spiritual existence, and of the wider human culture in which they arise – the culture which helps to mould, and in turn is moulded by, our minds and brains. He was formerly a Consultant Psychiatrist of the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Trust in London, where he was Clinical Director of their southern sector Acute Mental Health Services. Dr McGilchrist has published original research and contributed chapters to books on a wide range of subjects, as well as original articles in papers and journals, including the British Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He has taken part in many radio and TV programmes, documentaries, and numerous podcasts, and interviews on YouTube, among them dialogues with Jordan Peterson, David Fuller of Rebel Wisdom, and philosopher Tim Freke. His books include Against Criticism, The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning, and Ways of Attending. He published his latest book: The Matter With Things, a book of epistemology and metaphysics. You can keep up to date with his work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com. Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the ‘Casimir Effect' of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo's most recent book is Science Ideated: The fall of matter and the contours of the next mainstream scientific worldview. For more information, freely downloadable papers, videos, etc., please visit https://www.bernardokastrup.com. --- Interview Links: — Dr McGilchirst's website - https://channelmcgilchrist.com — Dr Kastrup's website - https://www.bernardokastrup.com

This week, we welcome Francis Lucille to the show, a renowned teacher of the nondual understanding, who has dedicated his life to helping individuals uncover the ultimate truth of consciousness and reality. Drawing from decades of exploration and teaching, Francis shares insights on some of the following topics: — The ultimate purpose of human life — Why happiness is our natural state — How psychological suffering stems from a belief in separation — Why saying “yes” to life aligns us with consciousness. And more. You can learn more about Francis's work and teachings at https://francislucille.com. --- Francis Lucille is a spiritual teacher in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. A longtime friend and disciple of Jean Klein whom he met in 1975, he was a friend of Robert Linssen, Wolter Keers, Yvan Amar, William Samuel and Robert Adams. He was also influenced by J. Krishnamurti, Krishna Menon and Wei Wu Wei, whom he knew personally. Many contemporary Advaita teachers have attended his teaching events. Francis transmits the ancient teaching of nonduality, the common ground of Advaita Vedanta, Ch'an Buddhism, Zen, Taoism and Sufism. Francis' teachings are not “Neo-Advaitic” but traditional, which means that the experience of our true nature has been transmitted from generation to generation by a lineage of sages. They reflect those of his guru: appreciation for humor, art, music, and poetry, intellectual rigor with a “personal” twist due to his training in Mathematics and Physics, and emphasis on the body and its feelings. --- Interview Links: — Francis' website - https://francislucille.com

In this interview, I'm joined by Seán ÓLaoire - a clinical psychologist, author, modern day mystic, and former priest with a P.h.D in transpersonal psychology. His book: “Setting God Free” explores the harmful effects our image of God as a judgemental father figure in the sky has had on our psychology - both individually and collectively. In this conversation, we explore: — Seán's unique approach to creating a “personal cosmology” and how best to create your own — How problems can be a path to self transcendence, if the right steps are taken — What “christ consciousness” is and how to cultivate more of this in your life — How Seán uses the Jungian practice of “seeding dreams” to gain insights and wisdom from a higher intelligence. And more. You can learn more about Seán's work at https://spiritsinspacesuits.com. --- Seán was awarded a BSc degree (major in Mathematics) from the National University of Ireland. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1972 and spent the next 14 years working among the Kalenjin people of East Africa. He is multi-lingual, speaking six languages. In 1983, Seán authored his first book, written in Kiswahili, "Ukweli ni Nini?" (What is Truth?) Dr. ÓLaoire has a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a licensed Clinical Psychologist. Seán lectures and conducts scientific research on the effects of prayer. Fr. Seán is a Co-Founder and Spiritual Director of Companions on the Journey (COJ), a spiritual community which seeks to recognize the God/divinity within each of us and among all of us. COJ is an independent, non-hierarchical Eucharistic community dedicated to aligning itself with God and healing the separations between us. Each individual's spirituality is seen as derived from his/her own experiences of God, immanent and transcendent, and is illuminated by the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of other spiritual traditions. The "We Are One" interview at the left was done in 2003 and gives a good flavor for Seán's thinking and style of teaching. In the "On the Experience of Divine Guidance" video of 1999, Seán discusses seeking, receiving and following Divine guidance from the perspective of the Christian tradition. For an in–depth synopsis of Seán's teachings, please visit his cosmology page. --- Interview Link: — Seán's website - https://spiritsinspacesuits.com

This week, we welcome Alexis Dean to the show. Alexis is the founder of Dovetail Community—a global network for female entrepreneurs dedicated to fostering authentic connections and mutual support. This episode explores her journey of building an intentional community and the transformative impact this can have on personal and professional life. Expect to learn: — Why building an authentic community is critical for entrepreneurs. — The principles behind creating psychological safety in groups. — How to overcome isolation and build meaningful connections from scratch. — Why Alexis believes that "exclusively inclusive" communities are key to thriving. And more. You can learn more about Alexis and the Dovetail Community at https://dovetail.community. --- Alexis Dean is the Founder and Lead Facilitator of Two Roads, established in 2015. With over 12 years of experience as a facilitator, trainer, speaker, and educator, Alexis has worked with more than 200 corporate teams and school faculties across 21 countries. Her expertise is rooted in a robust academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Education in Experiential Education from Queen's University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the University of Toronto. Additionally, Alexis is trained in the XCHANGE facilitation methodology, based on Appreciative Inquiry, which informs her distinctive approach to fostering and scaling exceptional organizational cultures within diverse groups. Beyond her professional endeavors, Alexis is the host of the Dovetail Community for Women Entrepreneurs. In her personal time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, including trail running, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing, alongside her partner, Scott, and their dog, Albi. --- Interview Links: — Alexis' website - https://dovetail.community

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, bestselling author, and renowned life coach known for her transformative work on living in alignment with your true self. With decades of experience blending science, spirituality, and practical tools, Martha's insights have helped countless individuals overcome anxiety, unlock creativity, and live with greater integrity. Expect to learn: — Why the right hemisphere of your brain holds the key to creativity, connection, and meaning. — Why anxiety spirals dominate modern life—and how to break free from them. — The three fundamental questions your brain is always asking and how to answer them. — The importance of creating a “sanctuary” to restore peace and calm to your life and Martha's tips on how best to do this. And more. You can learn more about Martha's work and latest book: “Beyond Anxiety” at https://marthabeck.com. --- Dr. Martha Beck, PhD, is a bestselling author, coach, and speaker. She has spent a lifetime offering powerful, practical, and entertaining teachings that help people improve every aspect of their lives. Martha holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha's published works include several self-help books and memoirs, including New York Times and international bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star, The Joy Diet, and Expecting Adam. She has also published over 150 magazine articles, including almost two decades of monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine. Martha is a passionate and engaging speaker, known for her characteristic blending of science, spirituality, and humor. As “the best-known life coach in America” (NPR, USA Today), she has spoken to audiences around the world on stage and on The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, and many other television programs. International nature-based retreats are also a big part of Martha's work. Seminar participants travel from all over the world to attend her annual retreats in South Africa and Costa Rica. The rest of the time she lives in the Pennsylvania woods with her family and other assorted creatures. Her passions include nature, pajamas, and YouTube videos of unlikely animal companions. Martha's recent book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was an instant New York Times Best Seller and Oprah's Book Club selection. Her forthcoming non-fiction book, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose, will be out on January 7, 2025. --- Interview Link: — Dr Martha Beck's website - https://marthabeck.com

Johnathan Bi introduces the key insights of René Girard's Mimetic Theory and its surprising practical applications. Expect to learn: — How understanding the hidden forces behind our desires can help us break free from societal pressures, improve our decision-making, and create a life we truly love. — The scapegoat mechanism and how this kept peace in ancient societies for thousands of years until the advent of Christianity — The difference between physical desires and metaphysical desires, as well as the importance of doing things for their own sake. And more. You can learn more about Johnathan's work at https://www.johnathanbi.com. --- Jonathan Bi is an entrepreneur working on a startup in FinTech and a philosopher focusing on Buddhist philosophy, Continental philosophy, and specifically the work of Rene Girard. Among his many projects he and David Perell have created a seven session video course on the ideas of Rene Girard. Originally from China, Jonathan also grew up in Canada, and studied computer science at Columbia. You can learn more about Johnathan's work at https://www.johnathanbi.com. --- Interview Links: — Jonathan Bi's website - https://www.johnathanbi.com

Dr Natalie Fraser is a counselling psychologist and the Founder of the Global Existential Summit, who has recently completed her doctorate in Existential Psychotherapy. In this conversation, we explore: — How engaging with philosophy can improve your quality of life — The importance of going beyond mainstream existential philosophers like Sartre and Heidegger, and taking a wider view — Why philosophy, and particularly existential philosophy, should come with a warning label — Natalie's HEALINGS acronym for reducing suffering. And more. You can learn more about Natalie's work and get your free ticket for the Existential Summit by going to: https://existentialsummit.com. --- Dr Natalie Fraser is a Counselling Psychologist and writer specialising in trauma and sexual violence. She is committed to decolonizing the landscape of global existential philosophies, and founded Existential Offering and The Global Existential Summits. You can learn more about her work at www.existentialofferings.com and www.drnataliefraser.com --- Interview Links: — Dr Fraser's website - https://drnataliefraser.com

Aodhán Moran and Brant Evans are experts in group relations, exploring the hidden dynamics that shape how groups function and how individuals relate within them. Their work combines psychology, mythology, and practical insights to reveal the deeper forces at play in teams, families, and communities. From Jungian archetypes to the scapegoat mechanism, their approach helps people better understand and navigate the complexities of group behaviour. Here's what we explore in this discussion: — What group relations are and why they're essential to understand. — How group dynamics often reflect myths and archetypes — The scapegoat mechanism, how to avoid being scapegoated, and what to do if you find yourself in this unfortunate position. — Why strong emotional reactions often reveal hidden projections. And more. You can get a copy of their book by going to https://bit.ly/group-psychology. --- Aodhán Moran has one foot in psychology and the other in technology. Starting his career in tech and e-commerce, Aodhán worked various roles in start-ups and scale-ups across Galway, San Francisco, and Toronto before pursuing a career in clinical psychology. Aodhán is a certified executive coach through Dr Simon Western's Ecoleadership Institute. His practice is grounded in the analytic-network systems psychodynamic lens, which he uses to coach young entrepreneurs toward self-awareness in their work. As a student of group relations since 2019, Aodhán has attended multiple group relations- style conferences in member, trainee consultant, and staff roles, including The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations' Leicester Conference. Aodhán draws on Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Jonathan Pageau, René Girard, Simon Western, and others in his explorations of individual and group dynamics. Aodhán is particularly interested in the intersection of psychology, mythology, and religion, and how these areas can inform our understanding of individual and group behaviour. Brant Elwood has a MA in Social-Organisational Psychology from Columbia University and is a therapeutic consultant. He has held leadership positions within several therapeutic treatment organizations. During the pandemic, he directed a non-profit that utilised myth and archetypal theory to conduct rites of passage work with young men in the southeast US. Brant draws from the mythopoetic lineage of Robert Bly, Robert Johnson, and others in an attempt to establish a novel style of thinking about groups in communities and organisations. He first attended a Tavistock-style group relations conference in 2015. --- Interview Links: — Aodhán & Brant's Book - https://bit.ly/group-psychology

In this episode, we welcome Dr Iain McGilchrist back to the show. Dr McGilchrist is a psychiatrist and writer, who is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context. He is the author of several books, including the international bestseller: “The Master and His Emissary”, and most recently: “The Matter with Things”. In this conversation, we explore: — The limits of idealism — Why the term “unconscious” is a misnomer and why we should be referring to it as the “superconscious” instead — The extent to which it can be said that we are “co-creating” reality — Why values are not relative — and Dr McGilchrist's thoughts on how they may be built into the structure of being itself — Iain's response to skeptics who say life has no meaning and his view on the root causes of the major crises facing our world. And more. You can learn more about his work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com/. --- Dr Iain McGilchrist is a Psychiatrist and Writer, who lives on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of North West Scotland. He is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context, that of the whole of our physical and spiritual existence, and of the wider human culture in which they arise – the culture which helps to mould, and in turn is moulded by, our minds and brains. He was formerly a Consultant Psychiatrist of the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Trust in London, where he was Clinical Director of their southern sector Acute Mental Health Services. Dr McGilchrist has published original research and contributed chapters to books on a wide range of subjects, as well as original articles in papers and journals, including the British Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He has taken part in many radio and TV programmes, documentaries, and numerous podcasts, and interviews on YouTube, among them dialogues with Jordan Peterson, David Fuller of Rebel Wisdom, and philosopher Tim Freke. His books include Against Criticism, The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning, and Ways of Attending. He published his latest book: The Matter With Things, a book of epistemology and metaphysics. You can keep up to date with his work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com. --- Interview Links: — Iain McGilchrist website - https://channelmcgilchrist.com

Liz Lacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Trainer, who is widely recognised as a leading authority on applying Schema Therapy in the treatment of addiction. This conversation provides an introduction to the core ideas of this innovative approach, covering things like: — The flaws in the mainstream model of addiction treatment and why relapse rates are so high — The relationship between our core developmental needs and addictive processes — Why we should view an addiction as symptom of a deeper issue — How schema therapy can offer a highly effective treatment modality. And more. You can learn more about Liz's work and upcoming training by going to https://elizabethlacy.com. --- Liz Lacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Trainer, who is widely recognised as a leading authority on applying Schema Therapy in the treatment of addiction, aside from treating addictive disorders, she also assesses anxiety disorders, couples, and personality disorders in adults and adolescents. Emotional pain can be caused by various reasons, including recent life events, unresolved past events, and biological reasons. Liz's assessment approach considers all possibilities to develop an effective plan for clients to achieve their life goals. She is an expert in her field and is focused on helping clients achieve their goals, and she also acknowledges that emotional pain can be caused by various reasons and takes a holistic approach to assessment and treatment. You can learn more about Liz's work and upcoming training by going to https://elizabethlacy.com. --- Interview Links: — Liz Lacy's website - https://elizabethlacy.com — Schema Therapy Online - https://www.schematherapyonline.com 3 Books Liz Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs - Johann Hari - https://amzn.to/3p5b18F — In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction- Dr Gabor Maté - https://amzn.to/4125SLH — Schema Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide - Jeffrey E. Young et al. - https://amzn.to/3NytPHu

Dr James Cooke is a consciousness researcher, meditation teacher, and author of The Dawn of Mind. His work blends science and spirituality to offer a fascinating perspective on reality and our place within it. We dive into nondual naturalism, the nature of consciousness, and how understanding these ideas can transform how we live. Here's what we cover: — What nondual naturalism is and why it matters for everyday life. — The story of James's awakening experience as a teenager and how it shaped his path. — The benefits of embracing the nondual path, how it naturally leads to feeling more at home in the world, and also why it might not be for everyone. And more. You can learn more about James's work and access his meditation classes at innerspaceinstitute.org. His book, The Dawn of Mind, is available now. --- James Cooke PhD trained as a neuroscientist after an awakening as a teenager that showed him the reality of spiritual states of consciousness. He holds three degrees from Oxford University (a PhD and Masters in Neuroscience & a BA in Experimental Psychology). He has conducted scientific research for over a decade at institutions such as Oxford University, University of California, Berkeley, University College London, Trinity College Dublin, and Riken Brain Sciences Institute in Tokyo. James is the author of The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive (coming December 2024), which synthesizes science and spiritual insight to offer a radical solution to the Hard Problem of Consciousness. BA in Experimental Psychology, Oxford University MSc in Neuroscience, Oxford University PhD in Neuroscience, Oxford University --- Interview Links: — Dr Cooke's website - https://www.drjamescooke.com

James Altucher is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, investor, stand up comedian, and podcaster who has founded over 20 companies and published more than 20 books. This was a bit of a surreal experience for me, as there are few people on the planet that have impacted my thinking and approach to business more than James. As you'll hear in the interview, he has continuously reinvented himself throughout life and boldly thrown himself into strange and challenging situations, such as performing standup on the New York subway, attempting to buy the country Greenland, and giving away everything he owned. In this conversation, we explore: — What James learned from making millions and then losing everything — How the simple practice of writing 10 ideas everyday can change your life — Why radical vulnerability leads to freedom — Strategies for accelerating the learning process — The benefits of viewing yourself as having four “bodies” – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. And more. You can learn more about James' work by going to https://jamesaltucher.com. --- James Altucher is a successful entrepreneur, angel investor, chess master and prolific writer. He has started and run more than 20 companies and is currently invested in over 30. He is the author of 18 books, including WSJ best-sellers: 'The Power of No' and 'Choose Yourself'. His latest book, "Reinvent Yourself" was #1 in the Amazon store shortly after its release. His writing has appeared in major media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Observer, Techcrunch, The Financial Times, Yahoo Finance and others. His blog, JamesAltucher.com, has attracted more than 20 million readers since its launch in 2010. He hosts a successful podcast, "The James Altucher Show" with guests of the caliber of Tony Robbins, Mark Cuban, Pieter Thiel, Arianna Huffington, Coolio, etc. His podcasts have had over 30 million downloads. Join him at https://jamesaltucher.com or on X @Jaltucher on Instagram @altucher --- Interview Links: — James' website - https://jamesaltucher.com — James' X - https://x.com/jaltucher — James' Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/altucher

Dr Matthew Johnson is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins, and one of the world's most published scientists on the human effects of psychedelics. His research focuses on the behavioural economics of drug use, addiction, and risk behaviour. In this conversation, we explore: — The underlying mechanisms which may help to explain why psychedelics are effective in treating a wide range of mental health problems — What happens in the brain during a psychedelic experience — The potential risks and who should avoid psychedelic medicines — Dr Johnson's advice for mental health professionals considering integrating psychedelic treatments in their practice. And more. You can follow Matt on X @Drug_Researcher. --- Dr. Matthew W. Johnson, is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. He is internationally renowned for his prolific research on the human effects of psychedelics and his groundbreaking work in the behavioural economics of drug use, addiction, and risk behaviour. In 2008, Dr. Johnson published psychedelic safety guidelines, contributing to the resurgence of psychedelic research. He led groundbreaking studies on the psychedelic treatment of tobacco addiction and cancer distress, as well as investigating psilocybin for opioid dependence and PTSD. Dr. Johnson's research extends beyond psychedelics, with influential studies on various psychoactive substances. As President of the International Society for Research on Psychedelics and a respected NIH-funded Principal Investigator, he continues to be a leading figure in the field. Learn more at https://clinicalconnection.hopkinsmedicine.org/participant/matthew-johnson-phd. --- 3 Books Dr Johnson Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — The Meaning of Addiction: An Unconventional View - Stanton Peele - https://amzn.to/3Q6GPF6 — Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered - Lester Grinspoon and James B. Bakalar - https://amzn.to/3PLEwFX — Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond - Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain - https://amzn.to/48O4FfZ

Jodi Wellman is an executive coach, speaker, and author, with a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her TEDx talk, “How Death Can Bring You Back to Life”, has garnered over 1.3 million views, and her new book, “You Only Die Once”, offers a roadmap for living without regrets. Here's what we dive into: — The benefits of contemplating death and why doing so can inspire meaningful life changes. — Jodi's personal practices for keeping death top of mind and how it has transformed her life. — Questions Jodi uses to help her is coaching clients find clarity and purpose. — How Nietzsche's idea of eternal recurrence can challenge us to live in a way we'd want to repeat forever. And more. You can learn more about Jodi's work at https://fourthousandmondays.com. --- Jodi Wellman is a speaker, author, and facilitator on living lives worth living. She founded Four Thousand Mondays to help people make the most of the time they are lucky to be above ground. Jodi has a Master's of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is also an Assistant Instructor in the Master's program and a facilitator in the Penn Resilience Program. She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach. Jodi's TEDx talk is called How Death Can Bring You Back to Life; with over 1.3 million views, it is the 14th most-watched TEDx talk released in 2022, out of 15,900! Her book, "You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets" was published in May 2024 by Voracious (Little, Brown & Company) in the US and Canada, and by John Murray One in the UK. --- Interview Links: — Jodi's website - https://fourthousandmondays.com

Dr. Laurel Parnell is a leading expert on the therapeutic tool, eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing which is more widely known as EMDR. She has trained thousands of clinicians nationally and internationally, and is the author of several bestselling books, including: “Attachment Focused EMDR”, “Tapping In”, and “Rewiring the Addicted Brain with EMDR-Based Treatment”, which this interview focuses on. In a wide-ranging conversation, we explore: — The neural mechanisms and the connection between the left and right hemispheres which may help to explain why EMDR works — The “Connecting to Consequences” Protocol, and how it can be leveraged to let go of unwanted behaviours and long standing addictions — Dr Parnell's groundbreaking Attachment-Focused EMDR approach and its role in addiction treatment — The incredible power of “Resource Tapping” and how it can be a catalyst for fostering internal secure attachment. And more. You can learn about Dr Parnell's work and forthcoming trainings by visiting: https://drlaurelparnell.com. --- Dr. Parnell is a leading expert on the therapeutic tool, eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing which is more widely known as EMDR. While Dr. Parnell has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally, Dr. Parnell has also taught transpersonal psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and was core faculty at John F. Kennedy University in the Graduate School for the Study of Human Consciousness. Currently, Dr. Parnell teaches EMDR through Alliant International University, Omega Institute, Esalen Institute, ID Institut in Kassel Germany, and the The New York Open Center. You can learn about Dr Parnell's work and forthcoming trainings by visiting: https://drlaurelparnell.com/. --- 3 Books Dr Parnell Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Attachment-Focused EMDR: Healing Relational Trauma - Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/44bM7ni — Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation - Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/439Cbcz —A Therapist's Guide to EMDR: Tools and Techniques for Successful Treatment - Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/4408zjb

Michael Easter is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and professor at the University of Nevada. His books, The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, explore how embracing discomfort and understanding our evolutionary roots can help us lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. Michael's ideas have been adopted by top-tier universities, Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and elite military units. In this conversation, we explore: - Why, despite life getting easier, people are feeling less happy. - The concept of "problem creep" and how it affects our well-being. - Key practices he's integrated from his research, like rucking, stillness, and exploration that can lead to an improved quality of life. - The psychological reasons we struggle with moderation and how the scarcity loop affects our behavior. - The optimal time we should be spending in nature on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. And more. You can learn more about Michael's work at https://eastermichael.com. --- Michael Easter is a leading voice on how humans can integrate modern science and evolutionary wisdom for improved health, meaning, and performance in life and at work. He travels the globe to embed himself with brilliant thinkers and people living at the extremes. He then shares his findings and experiences with people around the world in his books and podcast and TV appearances. He is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a bestseller. The Comfort Crisis been translated into 10 different languages and adopted by Major League Baseball teams, top-ranked NCAA D1 football programs, top-tier universities and law programs, major corporations, and tier-one military units. His work shows that science has many answers. But it also proves that many aspects of the human experience and living well cannot be measured. To that end, his work combines the statistical and mystical. It melds topics ranging from medicine and anthropology to theology and philosophy, along with case studies of everyday people doing extraordinary things. He believes that new discoveries and a deeper understanding don't happen from behind a screen. To that end, Michael's investigations have taken him to meet with monks in ancient monasteries in Bhutan, lost tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, US Special Forces soldiers in undisclosed locations, gene scientists in Iceland, drug kingpins in Iraq, CEOs in Fortune-500 boardrooms, and elsewhere. Michael's work and ideas have appeared in over 60 countries. They've been endorsed by directors of the CIA and Navy SEALs, gold medal-winning Olympians, leading physicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Buddhist and environmental leaders, and more. His writing has appeared in Men's Health, where he's a Contributing Editor, and Outside, Men's Journal, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Esquire, Scientific American, and Women's Health. He's also talked about his work and ideas on the world's largest, most influential podcasts, like The Joe Rogan Experience, Art of Manliness, Impact Theory, NPR, EconTalk, and more. He's spoken to or consulted for various top-tier universities, medical schools, Fortune-500 companies, government agencies, and some of the country's largest nonprofits. When he's not on the ground reporting, Michael is a professor in the journalism department at UNLV. He co-founded and co-directs the Public Communications Institute, a think tank at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and their two dogs, Stockton and Conway. --- Interview Link: — Michael's website - https://eastermichael.com

Geoff Thompson is an BAFTA award-winning writer, screenwriter, and martial artist, who has authored more than forty books. Once a bouncer in Coventry, Geoff turned his life around by making a hierarchy of ”fears“ and directly confronting them, one by one. In this conversation, we explore: — Geoff's life-changing encounter with his former abuser in a Coventry Cafe — Geoff's thoughts on finding your true self and becoming unified as a person. — How limiting beliefs shape our lives and what it takes to overcome them. — The role of truth in Geoff's journey and how it informs his writing. And more. You can keep up to date with Geoff's work on Instagram at: geoff_thompson_official. --- Geoff Thompson is 63 years old. He lives in Stratford Upon Avon. He has published close to fifty books. Some of his work in the self-help genre has been translated into dozens of languages including Russian, Chinese, Japanese, German, and Spanish. His first book, Watch My Back, detailing his experiences working as a nightclub bouncer in Coventry, hit the Sunday Times bestsellers list, was made into a stage play, adapted into to a BAFTA nominated short film starring Ray Winstone, and a BIFA nominated motion picture for cinema. He has also written articles for national magazines and broadsheets, including The Times, Men's Fitness (former columnist), GQ and FHM. Geoff's work as a playwright started when he was invited to join The Royal Court Young Writers Group in London. He has gone onto write many successful plays that have toured nationally and internationally. His stage musical We'll Live and Die in These Towns was produced and performed to great acclaim at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, in 2018, and is in the process of being adapted to film. He is also a BAFTA winning screenwriter, penning multi-award-winning films for luminaries such as Ray Winstone, Paddy Considine, Orlando Bloom, Maxine Peake, Anne Reid, Alison Steadman, Christopher Eccleston and James Cosmo. His most recent feature film, Retaliation starring Orlando Bloom, received great acclaim in the US: it is a muscular biopic about the metaphysical power of forgiveness. Geoff Thompson is one of the world's highest ranking (8thdan) martial arts teachers. The prestigious Black Belt Magazine USA polled him as the number 1 self-defense author in the world. Geoff's new book 99 Reasons to Forgive And Revenge Ain't One is published with O Books. You can keep up to date with Geoff's work on Instagram at: geoff_thompson_official. --- Interview Links: — Geoff's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/geoff_thompson_official

Anita is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally renowned speaker, whose book "Dying to be Me" has sold over a million copies worldwide and received praise from the likes of Dr. Wayne Dyer and Dr. Gabor Maté. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer and falling into a coma, Anita experienced a profound near-death journey that transformed her perspective on life, health, and purpose. Since, Anita has used her insights from this experience to inspire millions around the world. Expect to learn: — What Anita experienced during her near-death experience and what it taught her about life. — Her views on consciousness, synchronicity, and the mind as a "bridge" between the physical and non-physical. — Insights into how fear and emotional stress may contribute to illness. — Why sensitive is the new strong and what it means to truly thrive as an empath. And more. You can learn more about Anita's work at https://www.anitamoorjani.com. --- Anita Moorjani is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, international speaker, and cancer survivor whose profound near-death experience (NDE) has inspired millions worldwide. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002, she battled cancer for four years before falling into a coma and experiencing an NDE filled with unconditional love and wisdom. When she awoke, her cancer had miraculously disappeared. Her story is captured in her acclaimed book Dying to Be Me, which has sold over a million copies in 40+ languages. Moorjani frequently speaks at global events, sharing insights on self-help, spirituality, and healing. --- Interview Links: — Anita's website - https://www.anitamoorjani.com

Roman Krznaric is a social philosopher and bestselling author whose books have been published in more than 25 languages. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University's Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing and the founder of the world's first Empathy Museum. His latest book, History for Tomorrow, explores how we can use historical lessons to confront today's biggest challenges. Expect to learn: — The concept of "history from below" and why moving away from the “great men” narrative matters. — How 17th and 18th-century coffee houses offer a model for taming social media's negative effects. — Insights into temporal intelligence and why long-term thinking is vital for our future. — The hidden history of the “radical flank” and how this has helped to create large scale societal breakthroughs. And more. You can learn more about Roman's work at https://www.romankrznaric.com. --- Roman Krznaric is a social philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to create change. His internationally bestselling books including The Good Ancestor, Empathy, The Wonderbox and Carpe Diem Regained, have been published in more than 25 languages. He is Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University's Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing and founder of the world's first Empathy Museum. His latest book, published in July 2024, is History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity. After growing up in Sydney and Hong Kong, Roman studied at the universities of Oxford, London and Essex, where he gained his PhD in political science. Particularly known for his work on empathy and long-term thinking, his writings have been widely influential amongst political and ecological campaigners, education reformers, social entrepreneurs and designers. An acclaimed public speaker, his talks and workshops have taken him from a London prison to the TED global stage. Roman is a member of the Club of Rome and a Research Fellow of the Long Now Foundation. He previously worked as an academic, a gardener, a conversation activist and on human rights issues in Guatemala – the subject of his book What the Rich Don't Tell the Poor. He is also a fanatical player of the medieval sport of real tennis, whose history he explores in The First Beautiful Game. --- Interview Link: — Roman's website - https://www.romankrznaric.com

Dr. Sabina Brennan is a neuroscientist, chartered health psychologist, and bestselling author. Known for her ability to translate complex neuroscience into practical advice, Sabina empowers people to take control of their brain health and manifest their goals more effectively. Her latest book, *The Neuroscience of Manifesting*, offers a scientific framework for understanding manifestation and its real-world applications, grounded in cutting-edge brain research. Expect to learn: — What manifestation really is and the myths that need debunking. — How neuroscience can explain the power of manifestation. — The psychological processes and brain areas involved in effective manifesting. — Why self-compassion is such a vital component of the process. And more. You can learn more about Sabina's work at https://superbrain.ie. --- Sabina Brennan is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the ADAPT Centre in Trinity College Dublin where she is a principal investigator in E-Health. Prior to this she was a research assistant professor at the School of Psychology and a principal investigator at the Institute of Neuroscience. She was co-director of the NEIL Research Programme and director of the NEIL Memory Research Unit which profiles cognitive function in a cohort of ~1000 Irish adults aged 50 and over. Understanding differential decline in cognitive ageing and dementia, cognitive reserve, brain health, modifiable risk and protective factors and the development of interventions to prevent or delay the onset of decline, She was a member of the applicant team that secured the biggest philanthropic grant (138 million) in Irish history She coordinated ASAPS, an FP7 Project under the 2012-HEALTH-2012 which promoted brain health and brain research outputs of this project include a website (www.hellobrain.eu) a series of films and a brain health app She is principal Investigator on a US funded 2-year project aimed at assessing the Impact of relationship-based mealtime intervention on quality of life, cognitive function, social connection, mood, BMI, and walking speed. She is also a principle investigator on a 3-year cohort study, DeStress looking at Cognitive function, caregiver stress and cortisol: Mechanisms and implications for prevention of adverse health consequences in spouse dementia caregivers. funded by the Medical Research Charities Group and the Health Research Board. She is Principle Investigator on a project that developed a series of 10 films (www.freedliving.com) aimed at addressing fears about memory loss and dementia. She has co-supervisor PhD students investigating Protective Effect of Cognitive Reserve against Cognitive Impairment (IRCHSS), a second PhD, looking at the relationship between caregiver stress and frailty and indices of cognitive decline, (IRC Enterprise Partnership scheme and third investigating the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline. Her own PhD thesis entitled 'Neurocognitive and Electrophysiological Indices of Cognitive Performance in Ageing' explored individual differences in cognitive performance in healthy elderly and aimed to identify neurocognitive and electrophysiological markers that index cognitive decline. As part of the TCIN-GSK Neurodegeneration Programme she was responsible for a research project aimed at identifying novel cognitive, electrophysiological and behavioural endpoints in human participants that offer greater sensitivity to age-induced cognitive changes than previous endpoints. --- Interview Links: — Sabina's website - https://superbrain.ie.

Byron Reese is a futurist, and technologist, who is most well known for exploring big questions about humanity's place in the universe and our collective future. In his thought-provoking new book “We Are Agora”, he outlines a scientific hypothesis for viewing humanity as a conscious superorganism, raising fascinating questions about what this means for how we live and work together. Expect to learn: — The practical implications of seeing ourselves as part of a larger whole. — How the internet might function as humanity's “nervous system”. — Why Byron sees cities, not countries, as the primary units of human evolution. — How a shift in perspective could help to shape our future as a species. And more. You can learn more about Byron's work at https://byronreese.com. --- With over 25 years as a successful tech entrepreneur, Byron Reese is uniquely suited to speak on the transformative effect of technology on the workplace and society at large. Byron delights audiences worldwide and has been invited to share his reasoned optimism and vivid and energetic presentations on the future with audiences on every continent, including Antarctica. Known as the “Future of” guy, Byron has spoken on the future of AI, the future of work, the future of banking, the future of education, the future of the planet, the future of agriculture, the future of finance, and the list goes on. When not speaking, he writes books that explore the intersection of technology and humanity and covers topics such as robotics, consciousness, progress, natural resources, and superorganisms. Bloomberg Businessweek credits Byron with having “quietly pioneered a new breed of media company.” The Financial Times of London reported that he “is typical of the new wave of internet entrepreneurs out to turn the economics of the media industry on its head.” Byron and his work have been featured in hundreds of news outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, Reader's Digest, NPR, and the LA Times Magazine. Byron holds numerous patents and has started and sold multiple companies, including two NASDAQ IPOs. As a lifelong entrepreneur with multiple IPOs and successful exits, Byron frequently speaks to business audiences on how to excel in the world of tomorrow and how to deploy technology successfully. He states: “Technology multiplies human ability. That's its trick. It magnifies us. We can move more bricks with a forklift than we can on our backs. Technological advancement is not to be feared; rather, it should be welcomed, for by enhancing human ability, we enhance our productivity and, therefore, our standard of living. This is why we live so much more lavish and prosperous lives than our great-grandparents. An hour of our time is vastly more productive than was an hour of theirs.” With a gift for storytelling, Byron captivates audiences worldwide with the message that technology is empowering us to build a better world, and he invites his listeners to imagine this better world and build it. --- Interview Links: — Byron's website - https://byronreese.com

A.J. Jacobs is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and “human guinea pig” known for his immersive experiments and unique approach to nonfiction writing. His books include: “The Year of Living Biblically”, “Drop Dead Healthy”, “It's All Relative”, and “The Year of Living Constitutionally”, which this conversation focuses on. Expect to learn: — The concept of creativity as a muscle and how A.J. applies it daily. — How method writing became his career and what advice he has for aspiring authors. — How to discern which ideas to pursue and which to set aside. — The art of taking social risks, like carrying a musket in New York City. — How writing with a quill has improved AJ's thinking as well as his productivity and creativity. And more. You can learn more about A.J's work at https://ajjacobs.com and follow him on substack at: https://experimentalliving.substack.com. --- A.J. Jacobs, acclaimed author, journalist, and lecturer, known for his humorous yet insightful writing style, has penned four New York Times bestsellers melding memoir, science, and self-help. He serves as editor at large at Esquire, a commentator on NPR, and a columnist for Mental Floss. Jacobs is renowned for his unique experiments, from reading the Encyclopedia Britannica to living by the Bible's rules, chronicled in his bestselling books. His latest work explores the global family tree's impact on society. A sought-after speaker, Jacobs has appeared on major media outlets and delivered TED talks. He resides in New York City with his family. --- Interview Links: — AJ's Substack - https://experimentalliving.substack.com — AJ's website - https://ajjacobs.com

Simon Mundie is an author, BBC Sports Reporter, and host of “A New Way of Being” Podcast. After spending many years covering elite level sports and getting to know many of the world's leading athletes personally, Simon began to see parallels between what he was witnessing on the sporting field and what he was learning about from the ancient nondual wisdom tradition. He's recently published a book exploring this connection, which this interview focuses on. Expect to learn: — Why success isn't always synonymous with happiness and what we would be wiser to aim for instead. — The key spiritual insights that can be gained from studying the lives of elite level athletes — The importance of doing things for their own sake, and not being overly fixated on the outcome. And more. You can learn more about Simon's work and get a copy of the book: “ Champion Thinking” at https://www.simonmundie.com. --- Simon Mundie is a journalist, broadcaster and speaker who has interviewed hundreds of the world's top athletes, coaches, philosophers and thinkers for his critically acclaimed A New Way of Being podcast. He was the BBC Radio 1 sports presenter for eight years, and now presents on BBC Radio 4's flagship Today Programme, and is a reporter for BBC TV. He lives in London. --- Interview Links: — Simon Mundie's website - https://www.simonmundie.com/

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Robert Glover — a therapist, coach, writer, and relationship expert with over 40 years of professional experience. He is the author of “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, which has helped thousands of men world-wide break free from the hidden epidemic of nice guy syndrome, improving their relationships, career, and overall quality of life in the process. In this conversation, we explore: — How the early programming that helped us to survive as infants becomes maladaptive later in life — Robert's Strategies for self soothing in stressful situations — The origins and hidden dangers of nice guy syndrome — What women really want in men and the importance of creating emotional tension in relationships. And more. You can learn more about Dr Glover's work at https://www.drglover.com. --- Dr. Robert Glover, therapist, coach, speaker, and educator is a relationship expert with over 40 years of professional experience. The author of the groundbreaking, No More Mr. Nice Guy, the best-selling Dating Essentials for Men, and the recently released, Dating Essentials for Men: Frequently Asked Questions, Dr. Glover has helped thousands of men world-wide transform their lives and get what they want in relationship, sex, and career. --- Interview Links: — Dr Glover's website - https://www.drglover.com/

Dr Ned Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, author, and world authority on ADHD. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 21 years. He is the Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. Dr Hallowell has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself. In this conversation, we explore: — Why the term ADHD is a misnomer — The surprising link between ADHD and Addiction, and why people with ADHD are 5 to 10 times more likely to struggle with an addiction than the general population — The benefits of getting an ADHD diagnosis, and the potential costs of not getting one if you suffer it — Practical strategies for managing ADHD and Addiction And more. You can learn more about Dr Hallowell's innovative work by going to: https://drhallowell.com. --- Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell is a distinguished psychiatrist specialising in ADHD, renowned globally for his expertise. A graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, he spent 21 years on the Harvard Medical School faculty. Dr Hallowell, who has ADHD and dyslexia himself, employs a strength-based approach to neurodiversity, assisting thousands in leading fulfilling lives over four decades. Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers across major U.S. cities, including Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Seattle, he has written 20 bestselling books on various psychological topics, notably co-authoring the groundbreaking Distraction series in 1994. Dr. Hallowell has made numerous media appearances and is a regular columnist for ADDitude Magazine. Residing in Boston with his wife Sue and three children, he is also available for speaking engagements. --- Interview Links: — Dr Hallowell's website: https://drhallowell.com — Dr Hallowell's books: https://amzn.to/3N1MZnZ

Steve is the Founder and Chief Compassion Officer of Organic Intelligence. For over two decades, Steve has dedicated his life to understanding and healing trauma, and his paradigm-shifting approach has impacted countless lives across the globe. Steve's Organic Intelligence method brings together mindfulness practices with biological and systems theory to create a revolutionary new model of treatment. This interview provides an introduction to some of the core ideas and philosophies underlying the approach, and how they can be applied in healing addiction. You'll learn: — Why, at their core, many therapies use a system of negative reinforcement and how the organic intelligence approach flips this on its head. — The counterintuitive concept of “orientation” and how it can be applied to accelerate the innate healing potential of our mind and body — Why organic intelligence offers a powerful treatment for those struggling with addiction and the importance of not doing too much, too soon, in the recovery process. And more. You can learn more about Steve's work at: https://organicintelligence.org. --- Steven Hoskinson is an author and teacher in Post-Trauma Growth. He founded Organic Intelligence® (OI™) and has trained thousands of therapists, coaches and helping professionals worldwide. Steve is Adjunct Faculty for JFK School of Psychology at National University, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Advisory Board Member for The Trauma Foundation, former Senior International Instructor for the SE® Trauma Institute, and has presented at professional conferences worldwide. Dedicated to empowering healers and teachers, he has created a host of programs for Post-Trauma Growth, including the OI Coach Certification program, the End of Trauma™ Course for personal resilience, and The End of Trauma Podcast. --- Interview Links: — A Non-Directive Positive Reinforcement Framework for Trauma and Addiction Treatment. International Body Psychotherapy Journal - Download for Free at https://organicintelligence.org — 5 Minute Video: "3 Misconceptions of Trauma Work" - https://youtu.be/JAUAaaMQrsg — The End of Trauma Podcast - https://www.endoftrauma.org 3 Books Steve Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — The heroic client: A revolutionary way to improve effectiveness through client-directed, outcome-informed therapy by Duncan, B. L., Miller, S. D., & Sparks, J. A. - https://amzn.to/42FJcBy — Uncommon therapy: The psychiatric techniques of Milton H Erickson MD by Jay Haley - https://amzn.to/3pbDyJM — The job is enjoyment: The end of trauma course workbook. Self-Published, Organic Intelligence (in press) Hoskinson, S. (2023) - https://organicintelligence.org/end-of-trauma-course

Joe Polish is described by many as “the world's most connected man”, Joe is the Founder of Genius Network and Genius Recovery. The former is one of the world's largest and most exclusive communities of entrepreneurs, while the latter is a nonprofit Joe established with the aim of changing the global conversation around addiction. He is the author of two books: Life Gives to the Giver and What's In it For Them, which this interview focuses on. His story is pretty incredible too. After suffering sexual abuse as a child, Joe later fell into problematic substance use and other forms of addiction to numb the pain. When he eventually managed to get sober with the help of 12-step meetings, he then set up a carpet cleaning business, taught himself marketing, and gradually became one of the most connected entrepreneur's on the planet. To give you an idea, he's the person Richard Branson goes to for marketing advice for his nonprofits. This conversation will give you an idea into Joe's thinking and philosophy as we discuss things like: — The surprising connection between entrepreneurship and addiction — How thoughtfulness can radically improve your life — Why Joe invests more time, attention, money, and effort into relationships than any other area of life, and why you should too — How suffering creates opportunities for connection — What he learned from taking a year long sabbatical. And more. You can learn more about Joe's work and book at: joepolish.com, Genius Recovery at https://geniusrecovery.org, and Genius Network at https://geniusnetwork.com --- Joe Polish is the Founder of Genius Network®, one of the highest level groups in the world for Entrepreneurs. He curates the Annual Genius Network Event, Genius Network ($25,000), and 100k ($100,000), all three groups being home to some of the most successful Entrepreneurs alive, and is considered one of the most influential Connectors in the world. Joe has also helped build thousands of businesses and generated hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients. He has been featured in INC, Fortune, Forbes, Success, U.S News & World Report, among others, and has spoken at Stanford University. Joe also hosts three of the top ranked marketing and business podcasts on iTunes, including iLoveMarketing, 10xTalk, and GeniusNetwork. He's also changed the lives of many others through his charitable causes including: The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Artists For Addicts, Genius Recovery, JoeVolunteer.com, as well as being the single largest contributor to Sir Richard Branson's charity, Virgin Unite. His documentary “CONNECTED: The Joe Polish Story,” premiered at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Mann's Chinese Theatre), and his documentary “Black Star” won the Audience Choice Award at the Sedona Film Festival. Joe's mission with Entrepreneurs and Genius Network® is “to build a better entrepreneur,” and his mission with Genius Recovery is “to change the global conversation of how people view and treat addicts with compassion, instead of judgment and to find the best forms of treatment that has efficacy and share those with the world.” --- Interview Links: — Joe's website - https://joepolish.com

Dr Pat Ogden is the creator of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Method, a pioneer in somatic psychology, an author, international lecturer and one of the leading voices revolutionising our approach to healing trauma. Her books include “Trauma and the Body”, “Sensorimotor Psychotherapy”, and “The Pocket Guide to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Context”, which advocates for an anti-racist perspective in psychotherapy practice. In this conversation, you'll learn: — What sensorimotor psychotherapy is, how it was developed and the foundational principles it is built upon. — Why the body is “a manifestation of the unconscious”, how each of our bodies tell a story and how to tune in to the story that your body might be telling you. — How relational misattunements in early life are stored somatically, and how the developing self is defined both by who our caregivers perceive us to be, and also who they deny us to be — The role our sociocultural context plays in our mental health and wellbeing. — The importance of taking an experiential approach to your therapeutic education. And more. You can learn more about Dr Ogden's work at: www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org. --- Pat Ogden, PhD, is a pioneer in somatic psychology, the creator of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy method, and founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.  Dr. Ogden is trained in a wide variety of somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches, and has over 45 years of experience working with individuals and groups.  She is co-founder of the Hakomi Institute, past faculty of Naropa University (1985-2005), a clinician, consultant, and sought after international lecturer. Dr. Ogden is the first author of two groundbreaking books in somatic psychology: Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy  and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment (2015) both published in the Interpersonal Neurobiology Series of W. W. Norton. Her third book in this series, The Pocket Guide to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, published in 2021, and she is working on Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents and Families with Dr. Bonnie Goldstein. Her current interests include groups, couples, children, adolescents, and families; complex trauma; Embedded Relational Mindfulness; implicit bias, intersectionality and culture; the relational nature of shame; presence, consciousness, and the philosophical/spiritual principles that underlie Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. --- Interview Link: — The Pocket Guide to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Context: https://amzn.to/3yHyYnq 3 Books Dr Ogden Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — The Pocket Guide to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Context - https://amzn.to/3EES0xB — The Body Keeps the Score - https://amzn.to/3GHsUkn — Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment - https://amzn.to/3guqET7

Order your copy of Thomas' new book to receive special bonuses at https://www.attunedbook.com. --- Thomas Hübl, PhD, is a teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change by integrating modern science with the insights of humanity's wisdom traditions. Since the early 2000s, he has led large-scale events on the healing of collective trauma, with a special focus on the shared history of Israelis and Germans, and facilitated healing and dialogue around racism, oppression, colonialism, and genocide, among other topics. He is the author of two books: Healing Collective Trauma and Attuned, which this interview focuses on. In this conversation, we explore: — Why we should think of relating as an active, updating process — How trauma harms development and communication — The extent to which we can say that the human nervous system is both collective and ancestral. And more. You can learn more about Thomas' work and books at: https://thomashuebl.com/ --- Thomas Hübl, PhD, is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change, integrating the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. Since the early 2000s, he has led large-scale events and courses on the healing of collective trauma. He is the author of Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma—and Our World and Healing Collective Trauma: A Process for Integrating Our Intergenerational and Cultural Wounds. He has served as an advisor and guest faculty for universities and organizations, as a coach for CEOs and organizational leaders, and is currently a visiting scholar at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. --- Interview Links: Thomas' website - https://thomashuebl.com/

Dr Bernardo Kastrup is an author, scientist, philosopher, and the Director of the Essentia Foundation. He holds two PhDs - one in philosophy and the other in engineering. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. This conversation mostly focuses on Bernardo's unique perspective on UAPs (also commonly referred to as UFOs). We also touch on the significance of Carl Jung's book: “Answer to Job” and its potential for providing a sustainable source of transcendent meaning in a secular world. Expect to Learn: — Bernardo's two theories to understand and explain UAPs — Why it's more likely that UAPs are terrestrial rather than extra terrestrial — The link between mystery and meaning, and how a lack of the former depletes the latter. And more. You can learn more about Bernardo's work at: https://www.bernardokastrup.com. --- Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the ‘Casimir Effect' of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo's most recent book is Science Ideated: The fall of matter and the contours of the next mainstream scientific worldview. --- Interview Links: — Dr Bernardo Kastrup's website - https://www.bernardokastrup.com.

Satya Doyle Byock — a psychotherapist, writer, and the Director of the Salome Institute of Jungian Studies. Satya is the author of “Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood,” a book which argues that quarter life is a key developmental stage in its own right that we need to honour — both individually and collectively. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, and the Guardian. In this conversation, we explore: — How Jungian psychology can help us to navigate the key developmental periods in our lives — The 4 stages of growth and the need to separate from parental influences to find our own path — The difference between meaning types and stability types and why understanding this is the key to a healthy and productive life — Satya's stick figure exercise which she uses to help clients find clarity on life's big decisions. And more. You can learn about Satya's work and book at https://satyabyock.com --- Satya Doyle Byock is the author of “Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood,” now out in paperback from Random House (US) and Penguin Press (UK). Quarterlife has also been translated into French, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Satya's work has been featured on NPR's LifeKit, Morning Edition & Weekend Edition, The New York Times, The Guardian, Oprah Daily, The New York Post, Literary Hub, and many podcasts including Apple News in Conversation, Goop, Pulling the Thread, BBC Woman's Hour, and The Podcast with a Thousand Faces (The Joseph Campbell Foundation Podcast). (All links to the above can be found here.) Satya is a practicing psychotherapist in Portland, Oregon, and the director of The Salome Institute of Jungian Studies, where she regularly teaches online seminars. She was also the co-host of the now-completed podcast on Carl Jung's Red Book. You can follow her writing and join her monthly gatherings via her Substack newsletter Self & Society at https://satyadoylebyock.substack.com/ --- Interview Links — Satya's website - https://satyabyock.com

Ken Wilber is a philosopher and the author of more than 25 books which have been translated into 30 languages. His work attempts to integrate all fields of human knowledge into one “theory of everything”, which he calls Integral Theory. This draws connections between fields as far ranging as: systems theory, evolutionary biology, anthropology, quantum mechanics, Jungian psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and eastern mysticism. This interview introduces some of Wilber's key ideas, including: stages of development; waking up, cleaning up, and growing up; and the 4 quadrants. If you're interested in a “deeper dive” after listening to this, you can get a copy of Ken's new book by visiting: https://bit.ly/radical-wholeness --- Ken Wilber, a visionary thinker of inspired genius, is the developer of an integral “theory of everything” that embraces the truths of all the world's great spiritual, scientific, and philosophical traditions. He is the most widely translated academic writer in America, with 25 books translated into some 30 foreign languages. Ken Wilber currently lives in Denver, Colorado, and is still active as a philosopher, author, and teacher, with all of his major publications still in print. Often referred to as the"Einstein of consciousness studies", Ken Wilber is a preeminent scholar of the Integral stage of human development. He is also the founder of the Integral Institute, which is the first organization fully dedicated to advancement and application of the Integral Approach in relation to contemporary global issues. It was formed in collaboration with over 200 scholars and experts, specializing in education, politics, business, medicine, psychology, spirituality, as well as, law and criminal justice.In 2007 Wilber co-founded Integral Life, a social media-hub dedicated to sharing the integral vision with the world wide community, as well as documenting and catalyzing the progress of the integral movement. --- Interview Links: — Ken's website: https://integrallife.com/who-is-ken-wilber/ — Ken's books: https://amzn.to/3uJYx9a