Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

Author and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo discusses the power of friendship in providing vital energy and meaning to life. He emphasizes living in the present moment, the impact of genuine connections, and challenges the assumption that life is elsewhere. The podcast explores themes of authenticity in creativity, the significance of community support, and the healing influence of friendships in times of grief.

Pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp discusses societal expectations for new moms, the importance of family support, and the benefits of the 5 S's technique for newborn sleep. He also talks about creating the Snoo bassinet, debunking colic misconceptions, and juggling parenting with work at SNHU. Additionally, the podcast covers topics like childhood anxiety, sleep solutions, and emotional connection in parenting.

Guest Sarah Bessey, an author, shares her journey of evolving faith practices and deconstructing religious beliefs. The podcast discusses transitioning from peacekeeping to peacemaking, the importance of community in spirituality, embracing growth, and exploring the interpretation of scripture.

Dr. Niobe Way discusses the crucial need for deep connections in childhood development, challenging traditional gender roles and emphasizing the impact of nurturing relationships. The podcast explores boy culture, gender stereotypes, the importance of good sleep, and conversations on class identity and societal biases. It also touches on the complexities of urban views transplanted onto rural cultures, men's relationship with vulnerable emotions, and the significance of balance and equity in relationships.

Relationship expert Stan Tatkin discusses the bond between hate and love in relationships, exploring childhood injustices and attachment theory. He emphasizes the importance of balance and cooperation in maintaining healthy partnerships, while also delving into topics like prenuptial agreements, hiring challenges, and the significance of shared principles in relationships.

Carol Gilligan, a pioneer in gender development, joins host Elise for a special series on growing up. They discuss childhood, social programming, and personal development, focusing on re-parenting and understanding influences from different perspectives.

Prune Harris delves into the intricacies of energy fields, auras, and the impact of lifestyle choices on vitality. She discusses healing patterns, exploring femininity and masculinity in self-expression, and understanding energy systems within the human body. The conversation also touches on the selection of health products, experiences with ritual supplements, and the effects of repeated psychedelic experiences on the energy system.

Neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth discusses how optogenetics helps understand brain functions and develop targeted treatments. He explores various mental disorders, genetics, and challenges in medication-based treatments. The podcast also delves into the ethical implications of brain manipulation through optogenetics for behavior control.

Philosopher Ken Wilber discusses human development stages, religious beliefs, cultural evolution, and equality values. The conversation explores the integration of different perspectives, pay gaps based on gender and race, levels of consciousness, psychedelic experiences, trauma healing, and multiple intelligences.

Nicole Avant is a philanthropist, filmmaker, and former diplomat. In her recent memoir, Think You’ll Be Happy, Nicole describes attending to the grief and shock of her mother’s unthinkable murder—she was shot in the back by a home intruder in 2021—by creating a living legacy in her honor. Her mom, Jacqueline Avant, had turned her Los Angeles home into a refuge for artists, politicians, and world-changers as the partner to Nicole’s father, entertainment mogul Clarence Avant, who is the subject of Nicole’s beautiful documentary,The Black Godfather. Nicole grew up sitting at the feet of extraordinary artists like Bill Withers, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier watching as her parents navigated the world to make it better for future generations. In today’s conversation, we talk about that legacy—as well as Nicole’s relationship to the divine. Like her parents, she is a master connector—putting people together to see what unfolds.MORE FROM NICOLE AVANT:Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and GratitudeThe Black Godfather, on NetflixFollow Nicole on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.