In a thought-provoking conversation, Curt Thompson, a Christian psychologist and author, delves into how storytelling and vulnerability shape our mental and spiritual health. He highlights that understanding ourselves requires sharing our narratives and that friendship can free our creativity. Secrets, he explains, drain our mental energy, while being truly seen can heal our brains. Thompson emphasizes the transformative power of deep relationships and the importance of genuine connections in fostering personal growth and healing.
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insights INSIGHT
Mind as an Orchestra
A healthy mind functions like an orchestra with multiple integrated domains working harmoniously.
The prefrontal cortex acts as a conductor enabling differentiation and linkage in mental processing.
insights INSIGHT
Story Shapes Our Being
Being deeply known shapes who we are more than simply acquiring knowledge.
The gospel story frames the meaning behind how we operate and flourish as humans.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Stories Co-Authored From Birth
Curtis shares how from birth, stories about us are told before we have a voice.
Our stories are co-authored by others, helping us understand ourselves truly.
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The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
Iain McGilchrist
This book argues that the division of the brain into two hemispheres is essential to human existence, allowing for two incompatible versions of the world. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, while the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity. McGilchrist takes the reader on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists from ancient to modern times. He argues that the increasing dominance of the left hemisphere in today’s world has potentially disastrous consequences.
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Dan Siegel
The Soul of Shame
Kurt Thompson
The Anatomy of the Soul
Kurt Thompson
The Deepest Place
Suffering and the Formation of Hope
Curt Thompson
In "The Deepest Place," Curt Thompson explores the profound connection between suffering and the formation of hope. He delves into interpersonal neurobiology, demonstrating how our relationships shape our brains and influence our capacity for hope. The book offers practical strategies for cultivating durable hope, emphasizing the importance of community and vulnerability. Thompson challenges readers to confront their deepest wounds and discover the transformative power of love and connection. Ultimately, the book provides a roadmap for navigating life's challenges and finding lasting hope.
Made for People
Made for People
None
Justin Whitmel Early
What if we can’t truly understand ourselves until we tell our stories?
In this episode of the Made for People podcast, I sit down with Christian psychologist and author Curt Thompson to explore how friendship, vulnerability, and storytelling shape our mental and spiritual well-being. We discuss what a mentally healthy mind looks like, why we have a deep desire to be known, and how placing our lives in vulnerable relationships can bring clarity and healing.
We discuss:
✔️ Why we can’t understand ourselves until we tell our stories
✔️ How keeping secrets wastes neuropsychiatric energy
✔️ Why friendship liberates creativity in work and life
✔️ How being seen can literally heal your brain
✔️ Why you’re never writing or telling your story alone
Join us for this fascinating conversation on how deep relationships transform the way we see ourselves, tell our stories, and experience healing.
Made for People Podcast with Justin Whitmel Earley 
