In this thought-provoking episode, Professor Lisa Feldman Barrett delves into the intricate workings of the brain, and its primary role in regulating bodily systems for overall well-being. Unravel the concept of affect, the ever-present feelings we experience, influencing our responses to life's challenges. Discover the transformative power of emotional granularity, as it enables us to discern and label emotions with precision, impacting our mental health profoundly. Gain insights into how inves...
Jul 27, 2023•19 min
Welcome to an enlightening exploration of the current state of the science of spirituality, featuring three esteemed pioneers in the field: Dan Siegel, Rupert Sheldrake, and Andrew Newberg. In this captivating video, these renowned experts individually present their groundbreaking research and insights, offering a deep dive into the intersection of science and spirituality. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the profound connections between the material and the metaphysical. --- About...
Jul 24, 2023•22 min
In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss: — Why it's important that we become more trauma-informed; both individually and collectively — How trauma impacts the body and nervous system — Why trauma exists on a continuum, and how the same experiences can affect people in different ways — The power of authenticity in the therapeutic relationship — The dangers of unrecognised trauma, and some symptoms that indicate someone may have had a traumatic experience. And a whole lot more. After receiving ...
Jul 20, 2023•39 min
Freud's claims about why we dream were largely refuted with the discovery of the brain mechanisms of REM sleep (between the 1950s and 70s). This lecture will present findings which show that dreaming is not in fact isomorphic with REM sleep, and that it is generated by a part of the brain that is deeply implicated in emotion, motivation, and memory. Recent findings will also be presented from an ongoing study which is seeking to establish that the biological function of dreaming is actually quit...
Jul 17, 2023•35 min
Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett is in the top one percent of the 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. Ba...
Jul 13, 2023•17 min
This episode provides a detailed explanation of the 2nd organising principle of Polyvagal Theory: Neuroception. Learn how the nervous system detects whether situations or people are safe, dangerous, or life threatening. Where do these states leave us on the Autonomic Ladder? And how does it fit into the "Safety/Danger Equation? --- The autonomic nervous system is at the heart of daily living powerfully shaping experiences of safety and influencing the capacity for connection. Polyvagal Theory, t...
Jul 10, 2023•25 min
Dr Fisher is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor at Harvard Medical School. Having trained directly with the likes of Bessel van der Kolk and Pat Ogden, she is now widely recognised as an international expert on the treatment of trauma. Janina is an Advisory Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation and the author of three books including, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma, and The Living Legacy Instructional Fli...
Jul 07, 2023•16 min
Imagination has a valued place in psychotherapy. The images found in memories, relationship entanglements and future fantasies are the raw material of therapeutic work. And yet, faced with a significant dream or transference projection it can be difficult to resist the temptation of a clever interpretation. In this way, imagining is often eclipsed by thinking and the transformative potential of imaginative experience itself is neglected. This talk by Allan Frater will be of interest to therapist...
Jul 03, 2023•53 min
In this captivating video, join us as we dive into the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, TIST, parts work, and the healing of our fragmented selves. Featuring insightful interviews with renowned psychologists Dr. Richard Schwartz, Phd and Dr. Janina Fisher, this compilation offers a comprehensive exploration of parts work and its transformative potential. Don't miss out on this enlightening compilation of interviews with two leading psychologists, Dr. Richard Schwartz, ...
Jul 01, 2023•16 min
Professor Jeremy Holmes - a clinician, author, leading Attachment expert and three time speaker at The Weekend University. In this interview, we discuss the fascinating science of attachment theory, and how it can be applied to enhance therapeutic practice. You’ll learn: — Why it’s vital for anyone working in the helping professions to have a basic understanding of attachment dynamics — The concept of the secure base and its relevance for therapy — The links between attachment and affect regulat...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 7 min
The autonomic nervous system is at the heart of daily living powerfully shaping experiences of safety and influencing the capacity for connection. Polyvagal Theory, through the organizing principles of hierarchy, neuroception, and co-regulation, has revolutionized our understanding of how this system works. We now know that trauma interrupts the development of autonomic regulation and shapes the system away from connection into patterns of protection. For many clients, states of fight, flight, a...
Jun 23, 2023•26 min
Dr Fisher is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor at Harvard Medical School. Having trained directly with the likes of Bessel van der Kolk and Pat Ogden, she is now widely recognised as an international expert on the treatment of trauma. Janina is an Advisory Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation and the author of three books including, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma, and The Living Legacy Instructional Fli...
Jun 19, 2023•16 min
There’s an old AA saying: Hurt people hurt people. This presentation looks at the difficult men who present themselves for therapy either on their own or brought in by their partners. We will look at common themes of trauma in many men’s lives and how best to handle men’s wounds therapeutically; how trauma often translates into overt and covert depression which in turn fuels many typically male issues of self-medication and either sexual or aggressive acting out. Special attention will be paid t...
Jun 16, 2023•46 min
This compilation explores some of the fascinating mysteries of the science of consciousness with four of the leading thinkers in the field: Dr Bernardo Kastrup, Dr Iain McGilchrist, Prof. Donald Hoffman, and Dr Rupert Sheldrake.
Jun 09, 2023•10 min
Rupert is one of the world’s leading teachers on the nondual understanding of consciousness and its application to improving our everyday quality of life. He gives talks internationally and has written several books, including: Being Myself, The Nature of Consciousness, and You Are The Happiness You Seek. In this conversation, you’ll learn: — What the nondual understanding is and how it’s at the core of almost every religious or every spiritual tradition — How understanding this simple idea can ...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min
In this talk, we will seek to demystify and remove the 'loaded' feelings that oftentimes arise for so many when we hear the term "toxic masculinity". The term has become a part of the current lexicon and can serve to castigate half of the human population as inherently 'bad' or 'negative'. Masculinity is not a negative aspect of the human condition in and of itself, but like anything else, left unchecked, almost anything can be harmful without constructive and healthy direction. In the confines ...
May 26, 2023•59 min
Richard is a psychotherapist, author, speaker, and the managing editor of The Science of Psychotherapy magazine. He is currently completing his PhD on client-responsive therapy and has spent the past few years investigating the exciting role that curiosity can play in the therapeutic process. Richard is the author of three books including: The Practitioner's Guide to the Science of Psychotherapy, The Practitioner's Guide to Mirroring Hands, and "How the Real World is Driving us Crazy". In my wor...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Brad is a best-selling author who researches, writes, and coaches on performance and wellbeing. His books include Peak Performance, The Passion Paradox, and The Practice of Groundedness, which this interview focuses on. Some of the key topics covered in this conversation include: — Brad's experiences with OCD and how they eventually led to writing the Practice of Groundedness — The importance of prioritising the process over outcomes — The curious paradox of Carl Rogers, and why, counterintuitiv...
May 12, 2023•1 hr
I'll propose an idealist ontology more parsimonious and empirically rigorous than mainstream physicalism, bottom-up panpsychism, and cosmopsychism. The ontology also offers more explanatory power than these three alternatives, in that it does not fall prey to the hard problem of consciousness, the combination problem, or the decomposition problem, respectively. It can be summarized as follows: there is only universal consciousness. We, as well as all other living organisms, are but dissociated a...
May 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Lauren is a Learning Consultant, Educator, and the Founder of The Learning Pirate. She works with organisations to create bespoke, scientifically designed learning programmes using the latest cognitive and behavioural science. She has received qualifications in Neuroscience from Harvard and John Hopkins University. In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, we explore: — What’s happening in the brain during the learning process — How to leverage the principles of metacognition to become intentio...
Apr 28, 2023•56 min
Mark is an author, the host of The Unconventionalists Podcast, and a TEDx speaker with over a million views. His most recent book: Glow in the Dark, provides a masterclass in the art of storytelling, and how you can leverage it to improve almost any area of your life. In this conversation, you’ll learn: — Why stories play such a central role in human life — The psychological benefits of getting clear on your own story and sharing it with others — Mark’s simple framework for telling captivating s...
Apr 21, 2023•53 min
Mick is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, a Chartered Psychologist, and an internationally recognised author, trainer and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential and pluralistic therapies. This is Mick’s seventh engagement with The Weekend University, and today’s conversation focuses on his latest book: “Psychology at the Heart of Social Change”. We cover a wide range of topics, including: — How psychology and evidence-based psychotherapy can info...
Apr 14, 2023•53 min
Fiona is an author, facilitator, and coach, whose clients include: The School of Life, Guardian Masterclasses, and The Wall Street Journal. This interview focuses on Fiona’s most recent book: “Find Your Own Path”, which provides a 12 step process to creating a more meaningful and engaging life. In this conversation, you’ll learn: — How changing our relationship with mortality can help us live more authentically — Fiona’s counterintuitive philosophy on purpose, why it doesn’t have to be grandiose...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Alan is the CEO of Complete, a leadership development consultancy that specialises in developing exceptional leaders, the author of 8 books, and a 5 time TEDx speaker, whose talks have more than 7 million views. In this lively and wide ranging discussion, we explore: → Why Alan transitioned out of his career as a medical doctor into executive coaching → Why the reduction of human suffering can provide a meaningful trajectory to build your working life around → The 4 characteristics to look for i...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Have you ever looked around and wondered, 'Why has everyone found love except me?' you're not the only one. Great relationships don't just appear in our lives - they're the culmination of a series of decisions, including who to date, how to end it with the wrong person, and when to commit to the right one. But our brains often get in the way. We make poor decisions, which thwart us on our quest to find lasting love. Drawing from years of research, behavioural scientist turned dating coach Logan ...
Dec 30, 2022•1 hr 1 min
In this provocative talk, Johann Hari discusses the “chemical imbalance” theory of depression, why it’s so damaging to our mental health—both individually and collectively, and offers an alternative view backed by the latest scientific research.
Dec 15, 2022•12 min
If I have a visual experience that I describe as a red tomato a meter away, then I am inclined to believe that there is, in fact, a red tomato a meter away, even if I close my eyes. I believe that my perceptions are, in the normal case, veridical—that they accurately depict aspects of the real world. But is my belief supported by our best science? In particular: Does evolution by natural selection favor veridical perceptions? Many scientists and philosophers claim that it does. But this claim, t...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 33 min
Many psychologists and philosophers believe that people are hedonists, seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. But what about our appetites for spicy foods, hot baths, horror movies, sad songs, BDSM, and hate reading? How can we explain our choices to suffer—in pursuits such as art, ritual, sex, and sports, and in longer-term projects such as training for a marathon or signing up to go to war? Drawing on research from developmental psychology, social psychology, anthropology, and behavioral economic...
Nov 17, 2022•57 min
As our civilization careens toward a precipice of climate breakdown, ecological destruction, and gaping inequality, people are losing their existential moorings. Our dominant worldview tells us we’re split between mind and body, separate from each other, and at odds with the natural world. This worldview has passed its expiration date: it’s based on a series of flawed assumptions that have been superseded by modern scientific findings. In this talk, author Jeremy Lent will discuss themes from hi...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min
As the theme of this month’s conference is Psychology & Nonduality (https://bit.ly/nd-conference), I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the nondual understanding and its implications for everyday life. So, I’ve spent around 30+ hours researching the subject, and summarised the best of what I was able to find in this podcast. If you’re relatively new to the area and looking to develop a better understanding, this can be a good starting point. Links: TWU's psychology and nonduality conferen...
Nov 02, 2022•20 min
