The Being Human Podcast with Richard Atherton

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Betsy Polatin, author of Humanual - A Manual for Being Human - and former professor of the Alexander Technique at Boston University College of Fine Arts. Betsy's work combines movement principles and anatomical knowledge to foster self-awareness, resilience, and holistic healing, helping individuals overcome traumas and stress for enhanced personal growth and well-being We discuss: How not to ground The Spirit-Mind-Body Why we get traumatised Dealing with trauma Why we need to go beyond 'techniques' Links: Betsy's Website Humanual: A Manual for Being Human - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Wendy D'Andrea, a professor of psychology at The New School in New York, where she specializes in trauma and psychobiology. She also works with Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) at The Trauma Research Foundation as its Chief Science Officer. Wendy's career began early, working with sexual assault survivors. She has gone on to become a researcher of extraordinary breath, having studied widely across the psychobiological effects of trauma to a panoply of trauma treatments at the individual and community levels. We discuss: Her challenging childhood as a carer Working with assault survivors Trauma-informed sports Psychedelics and integration The psychobiology of trauma Links: The Trauma Research Foundation The New School Trauma and Affective Psychophysiology Lab  

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Greg Wrenn, an associate English professor at James Madison University, blending climate science with literary studies. His book, "Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis" explores healing from complex PTSD through connecting with nature, psychedelic plants, and the beauty of endangered coral reefs. Greg's approach is deeply intertwined with his appreciation for the natural world, which he looks to as a source of recovery and understanding. His work reflects a journey of personal healing, advocating for ecological compassion and mental wellness through a unique fusion of his academic focus and individual experiences. We discuss: Awakening to an abusive childhood The trap of therapy First Ayahuasca ceremony Integration of the psychedelic experience New freedom Links: Mothership - The Book Dreamglade Center

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Hunter Hastings, an eclectic professional whose career encompasses roles as an economist, venture capitalist, education reformer and co-author of 'Aberrant Capitalism'. Born in a working-class family in the industrial northeast of England, his career trajectory has seen him engaging in global branding and consulting and contributing significantly to the realm of business education. Hunter is fascinating as a man who, while working in venture capitalism, clearly sees the ills of financial capitalism and is passionate about transforming the way future business leaders prioritize service for the betterment of society. We discuss: In defence of the consumer The rot of Financial Capitalism A new vision for business education Entrepreneurship as process, not personalities What leaders and managers can change right now Links: Hunter's Website Hunter's LinkedIn Page Aberrant Capitalism - The Book The Value Creators Bialla Venture Partners

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Lauren Magers, who has to be the highest-energy woman I've ever met. She's been told she could be the 'female Tony Robbins', and I can understand why. She went from winning a top soccer college scholarship to a national sales leader in outdoor advertising sales. Her drive was such that she refused to leave the office without making 100 cold calls a day!  At 27, she found herself as co-leader of an Inc. 5000 company and a mother of four. She discovered that in order to create the happy family life she lacked as a child, she would need a system. Thus, the Happy Life System was born. The Happy Life System is not just a game; it's a transformative tool. It introduces gamification into daily life skills for children, empowering them to understand and leverage the 'why' behind their actions. By fostering adaptability and promoting conscious awareness, the system turns routine activities into exciting opportunities for personal growth.  We discuss: Being forced to eat soap as a child Discernment in preserving energy Reframing our view of children Gamifying Family Happiness Loving from a distance Links: The Happy Life System Get 20% Off Lauren's Crack the Parenting Code Course

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Rick Jordan, a man with a veritable panoply of hats. Entrepreneur, pastor, podcaster, keynote speaker, IT and cybersecurity CEO, and author of the book 'Situational Ethics', Rick gives his all in every area of his life. An early family tragedy set him on a path of high achievement, faith and giving back.  We discuss: Losing his father at 16 Making $30k over Christmas in commission at 17 Relaxing the ego for impact The real lesson from Noah's Ark The right relationship with money Links: Rick's Website Situational Ethics - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week's guest is Jan Winhall, a seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist and author of the book 'Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model'. Jan had a remarkable start to her career. In her early twenties, she found herself leading group sessions for incest survivors. Over time, she learned the power of the Felt Sense and then how to integrate this with the Polyvagal Model.  We discuss: Beyond Fight-Flight: The Polyvagal Theory The importance of the Felt Sense in healing The nonsense of the DSM diagnoses The issue with 12-step programmes You can cure your addiction Links: Jan's Website Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   I am delighted to welcome Peter Levine back on the show. Peter is a world-renowned trauma recovery expert and the creator of the Somatic Experiencing method. While discussing his latest book, An Autobiography Of Trauma, Peter bravely delves into the painful childhood experiences and the early steps that led him to develop his somatic approach. We discuss: Taking our dreams seriously The role of psychedelics Confrontations with the academic establishment His life's mission Links: Peter's Website An Autobiography of Trauma - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week, I speak with Lou Lebentz, trauma specialist, mental health campaigner, author, speaker, and therapist. With over 25 years of working in the mental health arena and a deeply personal understanding of the impact of trauma, Lou has developed The Voyage Academy, a theoretical model used for helping others navigate their healing journeys. Her approach is trauma-informed, emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding, and resilience. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of recovery and the possibility of finding hope and healing. We discuss: From the rag trade to The Priory Recovering from psychosis  Integrating and befriending the body Alignment and community support The journey from trauma to resilience Links: Lou's Website The Voyage Academy Lou's Books

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week, I speak with Michael OBrien, a speaker, author, business coach, and the creator of the Pause, Breathe, Reflect movement. Whilst enjoying his life leading marketing for a $700m brand, in July 2011, whilst out riding his bike, Michael was slammed through the windshield of a speeding Ford Explorer. The devastating impact broke bones and damaged nerves throughout his body. Experiencing depression as the enormity of his injuries bore down on him, Michael learned the power of gratitude and mindfulness. Having now left corporate life, Michael is on a mission to share the strategies that have worked for him with the world. We discuss: The simple gratitude practice that resulted in his Last Bad Day The breathing technique that started his mindfulness journey  How he used his Pause, Breath, Reflect approach to powerfully navigate corporate life  Links: Michael's Website The Pause Breathe Reflect app Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows - The Book