The Weekend University

Tomás Hardiman, a film producer and survivor of childhood abuse, shares his courageous journey towards healing through his documentary, 'The Days of Trees.' He discusses how trauma shapes memory, shame, and repression, and the role of creative expression in transformation. Tomás reflects on his emotional struggle, almost stepping away from the film, and the profound power of storytelling to connect others in similar pain. His insights into forgiveness and the nature of trauma reveal a deep, transformative process that challenges conventional views on healing and justice.

Dr. Guy Leschziner, a neurologist and bestselling author, dives into the complex interplay between biology and morality. He argues that our so-called 'sins' may have evolutionary roots rather than stemming purely from moral failings. The discussion reveals how genetics and environment shape our behavior, suggesting a more compassionate view of accountability. Leschziner also explores the implications for the criminal justice system and challenges the traditional notions of free will. Expect to ponder the fascinating connections between neuroscience and human ethics.

Dr. Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author trained in neuroscience, who speaks internationally on topics such as science and theology, human consciousness, and the problem of evil. She has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 and has also written for The Times. Her books include: Broken Planet, Why, and Am I Just my Brain - which this interview focuses on. Here are some of the questions we explore in this conversation: — The mind-body problem - how could a mindless universe produce conscious beings? — Sharon’s views on the explanatory power of panpsychism — How can we make sense of the immense suffering in the world and natural disasters — How our image of God impacts our mental health and wellbeing. And more. You can learn more about Sharon’s work and books at https://www.dirckx.org. --- Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author whose work focuses on responding to the spiritual and faith-related questions that people ask today. She is motivated to show how and why the person of Jesus Christ remains as relevant as ever to the pertinent questions of our time, and to do so in an engaging way. Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge. Sharon is invited to speak and lecture across the UK and internationally, in workplaces, universities, schools, churches and conferences. --- Interview Links: — Sharon’s website - https://www.dirckx.org — Sharon’s books - https://amzn.to/4iFKVPk

Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a leading psychologist and neuroscientist, dives into her revolutionary theories on emotions. She reveals that emotions are not instinctual but constructed by the brain based on past experiences and context. The conversation emphasizes the power of emotional granularity, showing how a richer emotional vocabulary can enhance mental health. Dr. Barrett also discusses the interplay between perception and memory, and how our experiences shape our sense of agency and responsibility. Discover how redefining emotions can empower personal growth!

Join Marc Lewis, a former professor of developmental psychology and an expert in addiction neuroscience, as he shares his personal journey and insights. He delves into how early experiences shape addictive behaviors and the cyclical link between identity and addiction. Discover why breaking addiction patterns is challenging and what recovery strategies actually work. Marc also highlights the importance of self-reflection and reframing one's identity in the path to recovery, offering hope and resilience through personal growth.

In this discussion, Paul Gilbert, a pioneer of compassion-focused therapy, and Jeremy Holmes, a leading attachment expert, dive deep into the nuances of therapeutic dynamics. They explore the critical distinction between 'safety' and 'safeness' in relationships and how early attachment influences emotional growth. They emphasize the role of compassion in fostering connection and well-being, underscoring how attachment shapes our capacity for empathy. Their insights make a compelling case for integrating compassion in psychotherapy and caring relationships.

Dr. Oliver Morgan, a seasoned expert in counseling and addiction, shares insights from his thirty years of experience. He discusses how addiction can be viewed as an attachment disorder, and the heartbreaking dynamics of these 'jealous relationships.' Morgan highlights how individual addictions often mirror wider societal issues, suggesting a need for community-based solutions. The conversation weaves in personal narratives, trauma's role in addiction, and the importance of rebuilding relationships for recovery. Hope flows through as he emphasizes the power of human connections in overcoming addiction.

Join Dr. Steve Taylor, a senior lecturer in psychology and bestselling author, as he delves into the mind-bending nature of time. Discover why linear time may be an illusion and how near-death experiences can shape our understanding of life and time. Learn about the intriguing concept of time expansion and its connection to spirituality, as well as practical insights to slow down our perception of time. Taylor's expertise opens up discussions on free will, precognition, and the transformative power of mindfulness in high-pressure situations.

Dr. James Hollis is one of the world’s leading Jungian analysts. Across a career spanning decades, he has written extensively on how we confront the unconscious, navigate midlife, and live with greater courage and self-awareness. His books include: Living an Examined Life, Under Saturn's Shadow, and a Life of Meaning. In this conversation, we explore: — The extent to which Dr. Hollis believes there is a "purposeful intelligence" at work in nature. — How we live a larger life by asking larger questions - and the questions he finds more helpful for leading his clients to a path of enlargement — How to distinguish between ego-based desires and those coming from a deeper place — What Dr. Hollis learned from his near death experience in 2022. And more. You can learn more about his work and books at http://jameshollis.net --- James Hollis, Ph. D., was born in Springfield, Illinois, and graduated from Manchester University in 1962 and Drew University in 1967. He taught Humanities 26 years in various colleges and universities before retraining as a Jungian analyst at the Jung Institute of Zurich, Switzerland (1977-82). He is presently a licensed Jungian analyst in private practice in Washington, D.C. He served as Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years and was Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington until 2019, and now serves on the JSW Board of Directors. He is a retired Senior Training Analyst for the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, was first Director of Training of the Philadelphia Jung Institute, and is Vice-President Emeritus of the Philemon Foundation. Additionally he is a Professor of Jungian Studies for Saybrook University of San Francisco/Houston. He lives with his wife Jill, an artist and retired therapist, in a suburb of Washington, DC. Together they have three living children and eight grand-children. He has written a total of twenty books, which have been translated into Swedish, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Portuguese, Turkish, Italian, Korean, Finnish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Farsi, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Serbian, Latvian, Ukranian and Czech. --- Interview Links: — Dr Hollis’ website - http://jameshollis.net — Dr Hollis’ books - https://amzn.to/41xg1Co

Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a clinician, researcher, and teacher who has spent his professional life studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences. He specialises in translating emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of effective treatments for traumatic stress and developmental trauma in children and adults. He is the author of the New York Times Bestseller: The Body Keeps the Score, the Founder of Trauma Center in Boston, and currently serves as President of the Trauma Research Foundation. In this conversation, we explore: — The role that neurofeedback can play in healing developmental trauma — Dr van der Kolk’s study examining the effects of MDMA on PTSD — The essential difference between those who were traumatised by the 9-11 attacks and those who weren’t — How developmental trauma leads to deficits in sensory integration areas of the brain and the most effective treatments for addressing this. And more. You can learn more about Dr van der Kolk’s work by going to: https://traumaresearchfoundation.org/ --- Bessel van der Kolk MD spends his career studying how children and adults adapt to traumatic experiences, and has translated emerging findings from neuroscience and attachment research to develop and study a range of treatments for traumatic stress in children and adults. In 1984, he set up one of the first clinical/research centers in the US dedicated to study and treatment of traumatic stress in civilian populations, which has trained numerous researchers and clinicians specializing in the study and treatment of traumatic stress, and which has been continually funded to research the impact of traumatic stress and effective treatment interventions. He has focused on studying treatments that stabilize physiology, increase executive functioning and help traumatized individuals to feel fully alert to the present. ​ His efforts resulted in the establishment of Trauma Center (now the Trauma Research Foundation) that consisted of a well-trained clinical team specializing in the treatment of children and adults with histories of child maltreatment, that applied treatment models that are widely taught and implemented nationwide, a research lab that studied the effects of neurofeedback and MDMA on behavior, mood, and executive functioning, and numerous trainings nationwide to a variety of mental health professional, educators, parent groups, policy makers, and law enforcement personnel. --- 3 Books Dr van Der Kolk Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — John Bowlby - Attachment and Loss - https://amzn.to/4bOd3NK — Daniel Stern - The Interpersonal World of the Infant - https://amzn.to/4e1aTf8 — Ed Tronick - The Neurobehavioral and Social-Emotional Development of Infants and Children (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) - https://amzn.to/459qIwa