In this podcast episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. Jim Doty interviews financier Anthony Scaramucci, known for his brief role as the White House Director of Communications from July 21 to July 31 in 2017, about his background and career. They discuss Scaramucci's upbringing as a child of first generation middle-class Italians, his father's work ethic and commitment to Scaramucci's education which led him to Tufts, then Harvard University. Scaramucci reflects on the motivations that drove his ambitions and shares his feelings about President Trump, expressing his concerns about political corruption and the decline of the middle class. He emphasizes the importance of ending gerrymandering and revoking the Citizens United ruling, as well as the potential for third-party candidates and the need for inclusive democracy.

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. Jim Doty welcomes Dr. Yuria Celidwen, an Indigenous and climate activist of Nahua and Maya descent, born into a family of mystics, healers, poets, and explorers from the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Together, Dr. Celidwen and Dr. Doty delve into a discussion about the impact of European colonialism and Western capitalism on Indigenous Peoples and the environment. They emphasize the need to honor and preserve Indigenous languages and cultures, recognizing the immense cultural and biodiversity loss caused by historical and ongoing injustices. They also explore the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in terms of land rights and education and shed light on the systemic changes required to rectify these injustices and advocate for the return of lands to Indigenous stewards. Dr. Celidwen speaks about the importance of Intergenerational wisdom and the value of community involvement. The conversation also dives into the topics of cultural appropriation and the commodification and ethical implications of Indigenous traditions, such as the use of Spirit medicines or psychedelics for Westerners. Overall, this episode of “Into The Magic Shop” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring Indigenous cultures in our collected quest to address environmental concerns and work towards a more just and sustainable future.

In this podcast episode of "Into The Magic Shop," Dr. Jim Doty interviews Amandine Roche, a human rights lawyer, author, traveler, and seeker, who has a fascinating story to share. They discuss how they initially met through Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as well as their mutual admiration for spiritual leaders such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Amandine delves into her background, highlighting her passion for human rights, her insatiable curiosity to explore different cultures around the world, which ultimately led to her relief work with the United Nations, all in pursuit of inner peace and a greater understanding of humanity. One significant aspect of Amandine’s life journey was the book she wrote about Ella Maillart, a Swiss adventurer, whom she had the privilege of communicating with before her passing. Their exchanges left a lasting impact, fueling her desire to follow in Maillart’s footsteps and explore the uncharted territories of Afghanistan. Through these travels, she experienced a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing, which ultimately led her to a life dedicated to humanitarian efforts, meditation for PTSD relief workers and world peace.

In a captivating discussion, cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman explores the realms of trauma, personal growth, and optimism. He sheds light on tragic optimism, emphasizing the strength found in struggle versus toxic positivity. The conversation navigates Maslow's hierarchy, stressing self-actualization's importance while advocating for minimalism. They tackle the duality of human behavior, from light to dark personality traits, and explore the transformative power of empathy and vulnerability in overcoming life's challenges. Kaufman also touches on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics and the healing potential of humor.

In this episode of the "Into the Magic Shop" podcast, Dr. Jim Doty engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, one of the preeminent female spiritual teachers in the world, and author of the recent book, Hollywood to the Himalayas, A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Together, they delve into the profound topic of finding freedom in life's journey and overcoming trauma. Sadhvi shares her personal experiences of suffering and how they have shaped her understanding of herself, from a childhood of privilege, to a PhD student at Stanford to her fateful trip to India, where she has a deep spiritual awakening that forever changes her perspective. Dr. Doty and Sadhvi explore the power of the narratives we create for ourselves and the significance of forgiveness and letting go. They also touch upon the role of psychedelics in healing and spiritual exploration.

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. James Doty interviews venture capitalist and award-winning social entrepreneur Sophia Swire about her life, work, and experiences in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Sophia reflects on her upbringing, her connection to Afghanistan, and her decision to work in finance before realizing her desire for more meaningful work. She shares pivotal moments in her life, including her involvement in drafting Pakistan's drugs policy and her journey in the fashion trade by launching the global fashion trend for pashmina shawls, helping to fund 250 village schools for girls on the Afghan-Pakistan border and moving the needle on Nepal’s GDP. Sophia also discusses her passion for education and empowering women, her efforts to support women entrepreneurs, such as GEDI, a woman-owned, impact investing venture capital firm, and her recent work in Afghanistan. She invites listeners to support Future Brilliance, a mission-driven venture focused on empowering women in Afghanistan and other regions.

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. Jim Doty welcomes Rick Doblin as his guest. They discuss Rick's journey and how he got involved in his life work, including his experiences with psychedelics, his involvement in the construction industry, and his passion for psychedelic research and drug policy reform. Rick shares personal stories, including his encounters with renowned figures in LSD research and his own experiences with various therapies and psychedelic substances. They also explore topics such as the Good Friday Experiment, the future of psychiatry, the relationship between meditation and psychedelics, and the potential benefits of microdosing. The episode concludes with discussions on psychedelics in Jewish traditions, generational trauma, and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.

In this episode of “Into The Magic Shop,” Dr. Jim Doty welcomes Rick Doblin as his guest. They discuss Rick's journey and how he got involved in his life work, including his experiences with psychedelics, his involvement in the construction industry, and his passion for psychedelic research and drug policy reform. Rick shares personal stories, including his encounters with renowned figures in LSD research and his own experiences with various therapies and psychedelic substances. They also explore topics such as the Good Friday Experiment, the future of psychiatry, the relationship between meditation and psychedelics, and the potential benefits of microdosing. The episode concludes with discussions on psychedelics in Jewish traditions, generational trauma, and the importance of understanding our shared humanity.

Renowned Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman discusses empathy, happiness, and compassion. He highlights the connection between mindfulness and the body, the misconception of selflessness in Buddhism, and the value of psychedelics. Thurman emphasizes the significance of wisdom, being realistic, and the necessity of compassion programs in universities.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jim Doty interviews Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford, Director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab and author of “The War on Kindness.” Zaki and Doty explore the three intersecting circles of emotional empathy, cognitive empathy and empathic concern and its connection to compassion. While they discuss how individuals with high empathic concern are more likely to seek contact with suffering individuals, they also describe the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in maintaining compassion without experiencing burnout. The conversation then shifts to the impact of the pandemic on empathy and the importance of taking action in the face of global suffering. They discuss the concept of effective altruism and the role of emotions in motivating people to give. They also delve into the issues of cynicism, skepticism with cynicism and the conflation of wealth with wisdom. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of hope, and the tentative title of Zaki’s new book, “The Hopeful Skeptic.”