Do you have free will? Or are you simply a product of your culture? How much responsibility should you take for your actions? Are your neural pathways fixed early on by a mixture of nature and nurture, or is the possibility of comprehensive, intentional psychological change always open? What role does your brain play in the construction of free will, and how much scientific evidence is there for the existence of it? In this talk, Julian Baggini will explore free will from every angle, blending n...
Mar 10, 2019•1 hr 18 min
If you log onto Facebook, you will see reams of photos of your friends doing happy and fulfilling things, and seemingly cruising through life. Yet below this surface of carefully-staged online impression management, life is a far rougher ride for many adults that they would be likely to admit. Indeed, in a nationwide survey, participants were asked to evaluate whether their life was in a major crisis. 22% said yes, 33% said maybe, and 45% said no. So why is crisis so prevalent in adult life? Doe...
Mar 03, 2019•1 hr 44 min
What really causes depression and anxiety – and how can we really solve them? In this talk, award winning journalist Johann Hari will discuss his recent 40,000-mile journey across the world, where he interviewed social scientists uncovering evidence that depression and anxiety are not caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains – but rather, are largely caused by key problems with the way we live today. Hari’s journey took him from an Amish community in Indiana, to a mind-blowing series of expe...
Feb 17, 2019•1 hr 27 min
Right now, billions of neurons in your brain are working together to generate your conscious experience. How does this happen? According to neuroscientist Anil Seth, we’re all hallucinating all the time; when we agree about our hallucinations, we call it “reality.” This talk will provide an insight into how consciousness emerges from the material brain, and how changes to our brain can result in bizarre experiences of consciousness. You’ll learn about the latest research in the new science of co...
Jan 20, 2019•1 hr 51 min
‘Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill.’ Tony Buzan. This talk from a leading Cambridge Neuroscientist will show you how to tap into your hidden potential using discoveries from the neuroscience of learning. Whether you want to master a new language, learn a new skill, or ace an upcoming exam, developing an understanding of the science of learning is one of the most effective things you can do. The talk will explore the neural mechanisms involved in the learning process, how the b...
Jan 13, 2019•1 hr 52 min
Most of us believe that we are unique and coherent individuals, but are we? The idea of a “Self” has existed ever since humans began to live in groups and become sociable. Those who embrace the self as an individual in the West, or a member of the group in the East, feel fulfilled and purposeful. This experience seems incredibly real, but a wealth of recent scientific evidence reveals that this notion of the independent, coherent self is an illusion – it is not what it seems. In this talk, Profe...
Jan 06, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Dr Kevin Lu will explore Jung’s model of the psyche, with special attention to the definitive concepts differentiating analytical psychology from Freudian psychonanalysis. In particular, the talk will critically assess Jung’s formulation of the archetypal Self, which acts as the end goal of the individuation process. While critiques of Jung’s search for universal patterns of human experience and action — which in turn may have limited his appreciation of the influence exerted by social and conte...
Dec 23, 2018•1 hr 29 min
Every society in human history, except ours, accepted the basic human need to lose control, go beyond the ego, and connect with something bigger than ourselves. This experience became known as ecstasy. In this talk, Jules Evans explores various forms of ecstatic experience, argues that transcendence is good for us and through proper practice, can help us find healing, inspiration, connection and joy. Jules Evans is Policy Director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, Universi...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 35 min
Existential ideas can be found in Eastern and Western philosophies dating back many millennia, and these have inspired psychoanalysts and psychotherapists for over a century. In this talk, Emmy van Deurzen will give a historical overview of the roots and evolution of existential analysis, and will cover the key contributions of existential philosophers to the psychoanalytic movement, including Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Husserl and Heidegger. She will then present the existential-phenomenological s...
Dec 09, 2018•1 hr 38 min
CBT offers evidence-based treatments for common psychological problems as depression, generalised anxiety disorder (worry), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, low self-esteem and anger. Stoicism is having something of a cultural moment, offering a more Western alternative to Buddhism for those searching for a less materialistic and pleasure-driven yet more meaningful and purpose-driven life. Stoicism’s aim is not to repress emotions but to develop wisdom and to become a virtuos...
Dec 02, 2018•1 hr 50 min
This lecture will explore Carl Jung's unique approach to the psychology of religion, which will include a critical assessment of his controversial Answer to Job and his reservations regarding westerners turning to eastern religions and practices. While it is clear that Jung struggled with his own belief and the role of religious institutions in maintaining psychological well-being, there may be an indication that the ambivalence with which he regarded organised religion shifted as he approached ...
Nov 18, 2018•1 hr 22 min
A new renaissance is currently underway in scientific research into psychedelic substances. Dr David Luke - senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Greenwich, will explore the latest research into psychedelic substances: - For their potential use in treating mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and addiction - As catalysts for genuine mystical experiences and spiritual orientation - For how both mental health and mystical experience interact with psychedelics Dr David...
Nov 17, 2018•1 hr 17 min
Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including Australia, Lithuania and Florida. Mick’s books include Existential Therapies (Sage, 2017),Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2018), and The Handboo...
Nov 06, 2018•44 min
Jules Evans is the Policy Director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London and a leading researcher into ecstatic experience. He runs the world’s biggest philosophy club, the London Philosophy Club, which has over 9,000 members. Jules’ first book, ‘Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations’ explored how Greek philosophy – particularly Stoicism, inspired Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It was published in 19 countries and was selected by Matthew Syed ...
Oct 23, 2018•51 min
Ivan Tyrrell worked for many years as a psychotherapist specialising in brief therapy for depression and anxiety, and now spends most of his time lecturing and writing. In 1997, he co-founded the Human Givens approach and has co-authored numerous best-selling books on mental health and wellbeing, counselling, dreaming, depression, and the origins of creativity and consciousness. In this interview, we discuss: - How and why the Human Givens approach was created - The relationship between dreams, ...
Oct 15, 2018•53 min
Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers and 13 books. He is a leading researcher into anomalous phenomena and was named among the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for 2013, as ranked by the Duttweiler Institute, Zurich, Switzerland’s leading think tank. He studied biology and biochemistry at Cambridge University where he earned his Ph.D., followed by a fellowship at Harvard where he spent a year studying philosophy and history. Some of his books include: ‘T...
Oct 09, 2018•1 hr 5 min
Dr. Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality, including Making Time, The Leap and Spiritual Science. Eckhart Tolle has described his work as 'an important contribution to the shift in consciousness happening on our planet' and he has twice been named in Mind, Body, Spirit magazine’s list of the ‘100 most spiritually influential living people’. Learn more about Dr Taylor's work here. In ...
Oct 01, 2018•58 min
Professor Paul Gilbert is the Founder of Compassion Focused Therapy and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 35 years, with a special focus on shame and the treatment of shame based difficulties. He has written and edited 20 books and established the Compassionate Mind Foundation in 2006. He was awarded an OBE in March 2011. This episode focuses on Paul’s most recent book: ‘Living Like Crazy’ (https://a...
Sep 24, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Dr Kevin Lu is the Director of the MA in Jungian and Post Jungian studies at the University of Essex and a former member of the Executive Committee for the International Association for Jungian Studies. His publications include articles and chapters on Jung’s relationship to the discipline of history, critical assessments of the theory of cultural complexes, and Jungian perspectives on graphic novels and their adaptation to film. In this conversation, we discuss: - Early influences that shaped C...
Sep 18, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Dr Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, lecturer and writer researching consciousness, memes, and anomalous experiences, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth. Susan is a TED lecturer, blogs for the Guardian, and often appears on radio and television. The Meme Machine (1999) has been translated into 16 other languages; more recent books include Conversations on Consciousness (2005), Zen and the Art of Consciousness (2011), Seeing Myself: The new science of out-of-body experiences ...
Sep 06, 2018•36 min
