The Weekend University

Anna Runkle, bestselling author and creator of the Crappy Childhood Fairy YouTube channel, shares her journey of healing from complex PTSD. She discusses "connection wounds" and their impact on relationships. Anna highlights how trauma can lead to avoidance and isolation, revealing practical strategies for developing "connectability." A daily practice she adopted transformed her life, focusing on present actions over past traumas. She also introduces a gamification approach for building social courage and offers valuable resources to aid healing.

In this captivating discussion, philosopher and scientist Bernardo Kastrup explores the nuances of consciousness as the foundational reality. He contrasts Western and Eastern approaches to spirituality and highlights how understanding one's ancestral lineage can deepen life's meaning. Bernardo delves into the concept of the daimon as a guiding force within us and emphasizes the importance of confronting death to realign our values. He provocatively argues that understanding evil is essential to avoid moral blindness, while outlining the distinct tasks of the first and second halves of life.

Douglas M. Gillette, a renowned Jungian psychologist and co-creator of the King, Warrior, Magician, Lover framework, delves into the psyche of modern masculinity. He discusses how life is more about 'sowing' than 'harvesting' and links the contemporary crisis in male identity to evolutionary psychology. Gillette outlines the four masculine archetypes, their shadow expressions, and shares practical techniques for integrating these energies into daily life. He also emphasizes the importance of men's groups and journaling for personal growth.

In this engaging discussion, Ross Douthat, a New York Times columnist and cultural critic, delves into the rationale behind faith in a secular world. He presents the compelling case for God's existence, combining evidence from science and philosophy. Douthat explores the challenges of consciousness and critiques being 'spiritual but not religious.' He reflects on how his battle with Lyme disease transformed his spirituality, emphasizing the importance of discernment in the spiritual journey. A thought-provoking conversation for seekers of meaning!

Dr. Laurel Parnell, an internationally recognized clinical psychologist and developer of Attachment Focused EMDR, delves into the fascinating connection between EMDR therapy and spiritual experiences. She discusses how imagination plays a crucial role in healing developmental deficits and what clients experience during sessions. The conversation highlights the innovative use of bilateral stimulation devices for rapid processing of trauma, and how various EMDR techniques can help reshape negative self-perceptions into a journey of self-acceptance and personal growth.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Stan Tatkin, a leading expert in couples therapy and author of numerous bestselling books, dives into the intricate mechanics of human relationships. He reveals how procedural memory plays a crucial role in our behavior and illustrates the difference between secure functioning relationships and mere secure attachment. Dr. Tatkin also provides insights on navigating conflict with cooperative strategies, emphasizing the importance of establishing mutual agreements for lasting connections. Get ready for a deep dive into the neurobiology of thriving partnerships!

Jerry Colonna, an executive coach and founder of Reboot.io, dives into the significance of ancestral reconnection. He touches on how understanding our heritage fosters empathy and challenges societal norms, particularly the myth of meritocracy. The conversation highlights the impact of disconnection from history on feelings of belonging and safety. Colonna also addresses the stigma surrounding homelessness and addiction, calling for collective empathy. Ultimately, he emphasizes that personal transformation and leadership start with understanding our roots.

Dr Alicia Lieberman is a clinical psychologist, author, and the senior developer of Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Her books include: The Emotional Life of the Toddler, Don’t Hit My Mommy, and Psychotherapy with Infants and Young Children. She has received numerous awards including: the Rene Spitz Award from the World Association for Infant Mental Health, the Hero Award from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and the Whole Child Award from the Simms/Mann Institute. In this conversation, we explore: — The pioneering work of Selma Fraiberg and how this influenced Dr Lieberman’s trajectory — The role that "ghosts" and "angels" in the nursery play in the intergenerational transmission of trauma — The importance of “speaking the unspeakable” and helping children who have experienced trauma to construct adaptive narratives from their experiences. And more. You can learn more about Dr Lieberman’s work at: https://childparentpsychotherapy.com/ --- Dr. Lieberman is the Irving B. Harris Endowed Chair in Infant Mental Health and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs at the UCSF Department of Psychiatry, and Director of the Child Trauma Research Program. She is a clinical consultant with the San Francisco Human Services Agency. She is active in major national organizations involved with mental health in infancy and early childhood. She is past-president of the board of directors of Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, and on the Professional Advisory Board of the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute. She has served on peer review panels of the National Institute of Mental Health, is on the Board of Trustees of the Irving Harris Foundation, and consults with the Miriam and Peter Haas Foundation on early childhood education for Palestinian-Israeli children. Born and raised in Paraguay, she received her BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. This background informs her work on behalf of children and families from diverse ethnic and cultural origins, with primary emphasis on the experiences of Latinos in the United States. Dr. Lieberman is currently the director of the Early Trauma Treatment Network (ETTN), a collaborative of four university sites that include the UCSF/SFGH Child Trauma Research Program, Boston Medical Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center, and Tulane University. ETTN is funded by the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a 40-site national initiative that has the mission of increasing the access and quality of services for children exposed to trauma in the United States. Her major interests include infant mental health, disorders of attachment, early trauma treatment outcome research, and mental health service disparities for underserved and minority children and families. Her current research involves treatment outcome evaluation of the efficacy of child-parent psychotherapy with trauma-exposed children aged birth to six and with pregnant women involved in domestic violence. As a trilingual, tricultural Jewish Latina, she has a special interest in cultural issues involving child development, child rearing, and child mental health. She lectures extensively on these topics nationally and internationally. --- Interview Links: — Dr Liberman’s website - https://childparentpsychotherapy.com/ 3 books that Dr Lieberman recommended — The emotional life of the toddler - Alicia Lieberman - https://amzn.to/46pWmGn — Don’t hit my mommy - Alicia Lieberman - https://amzn.to/3LHCepK — Make Room for Baby - Alicia F. Lieberman, Manuela A. Diaz, Gloria Castro, Griselda Oliver Bucio - https://amzn.to/3ynmyow

Dr. Stephanie Brown, a licensed psychologist and addiction expert with over 40 years of experience, delves into the hidden threat of speed addiction in modern society. She describes addiction as a conflict within oneself and discusses our struggle to accept limitations as a key issue. The conversation explores the impact of technology on emotional connections and advocates for slowing down to foster genuine relationships. Dr. Brown shares strategies for overcoming this contemporary addiction, emphasizing introspection and the importance of human connection.

Dr. Steven Hayes, a prominent psychologist and co-developer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, dives deep into the crucial relationship between attachment, psychological flexibility, and personal healing. He discusses the importance of social context in forming secure attachments and emphasizes the need for viewing individuals as unique rather than averages. Listeners will appreciate his insights on self-compassion and the transformative power of embracing personal struggles. He also introduces the PsychFlex app, a tool for enhancing emotional awareness and personal growth.