The Weekend University

Dr Miller is a New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. She is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology. Her innovative research has been published in more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. Dr Miller’s 2021 book: The Awakened Brain explores the neuroscience of spirituality and offers a bold new paradigm for human flourishing. In this lively and wide ranging conversation, we explore: — The neuroscience of the “awakened brain” — To what extent we can say that spirituality is innate in human nature — The scientific evidence for what Carl Jung referred to as “synchronicity” — How spirituality and depression may be two sides of the same coin and why depression may be viewed as a “call to awakening”. And more. You can learn more about Professor Miller’s work by visiting: www.lisamillerphd.com. --- Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of The Spiritual Child and a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology, and has held over a decade of joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical School. Her innovative research has been published in more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Cerebral Cortex, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Miller is Editor of the Oxford University Press Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality, Founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of the APA journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice, an elected Fellow of The American Psychological Association (APA) and the two-time President of the APA Society for Psychology and Spirituality. A graduate of Yale University and University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her doctorate under the founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, she has served as Principal Investigator on multiple grant funded research studies. Dr. Miller speaks and consults around The Awakened Brain and The Spiritual Child for the US Military, businesses (including tech, finance, HR and sales), personal development, faith based organizations, schools and universities, and for mental health and wellness initiatives. Interview Links: — Dr Miller’s website - www.lisamillerphd.com — Dr Miller’s books - https://amzn.to/3KgI3dp

Professor Dryden is a therapist, trainer, academic and author who has published more than 240 books. In many ways, Windy could be described as a pioneer in the field. He was one of the first in the UK to be trained in CBT, having learned directly from Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, and has since trained therapists all over the world in the approach. He is best known for his work in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which will be the focus of today’s conversation where we discuss: — Windy's "general-specific" philosophy of psychotherapy — The foundational principles of REBT and its benefits compared to other approaches — The A B C's of REBT, and how understanding this simple concept can enhance emotional intelligence — How Windy helps clients drop rigid attitudes and develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with themselves. And more. You can learn more about Professor Dryden’s work by going to www.windydryden.com. --- Windy Dryden is one of the leading practitioners and trainers in the UK in the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) tradition of psychotherapy. He is best known for his work in Rational-Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (RECBT), a leading CBT approach. He has been working in the field of counselling and psychotherapy since 1975 and was one of the first people in Britain to be trained in CBT. He is Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University of London. Interview Links: — Windy’s website: https://www.windydryden.com — Windy’s books: https://www.windydryden.com/books 3 Books Professor Dryden Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Reason And Emotion In Psychotherapy - Dr Albert Ellis- https://amzn.to/3A2qecq — Embodied Theories - Ernesto Spinelli and Sue Marshall- https://amzn.to/3pl0QcE — Single Session Therapy - Moshe Talmon- https://amzn.to/3QqS48X

Delve into the profound connection between compassion and evolution in this enlightening talk by Paul Gilbert. Discover how Compassion Focus Therapy, deeply rooted in understanding affiliative processing, offers insights into our motivations. Explore compassion as a potent motivation, encompassing sensitivity to suffering and an unwavering commitment to alleviating it. Gilbert unveils the core elements of compassion—courage to confront suffering and a resolute dedication to its relief. Learn how compassion intertwines with self-identity, the timeless Golden Rule, and ethical considerations. Gain fresh perspective on compassion's true essence: not mere niceness, but an active engagement with and transformation of suffering. Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the depths of human empathy and evolution. --- Professor Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is a British clinical psychologist, the founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassionate mind training (CMT) and author of books such as The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life’s Challenges, Overcoming Depression. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. Professor Gilbert has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: “To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion”. --- Interview Links: — Professor Gilbert's website: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk — Compassion Focused Therapy: Clinical Practice and Application: https://amzn.to/3ReGXAR --- 3 Books Professor Gilbert Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — The Discovery Of The Unconscious - Henri Ellenberger: https://amzn.to/3uzAWVF — Archetype: A Natural History of the Self - Anthony Stevens: https://amzn.to/3PeTL8F — Civilized to Death - Chris Ryan: https://amzn.to/3yuzOnE

Irene Lyon is a somatic experiencing practitioner and nervous system expert, who has dedicated the past twenty years of her life to understanding the role that the nervous system plays in healing from past traumas, and setting us up for flourishing in life. She has studied extensively under the likes of Peter Levine, Kathy Kain, and Stephen Terell - so she brings both a wide-ranging and in-depth perspective to her work. In this conversation, you'll learn: — Why the nervous system is the central component around which all other aspects of well-being revolve — How trauma gets "stored" in the body and what can be done to heal — To what extent our behaviour is "hardwired" or malleable to change — Irene's theory on the origins of self sabotage And more.. You can learn more about Irene's work at: https://irenelyon.com. --- Irene Lyon, MSC. and nervous system expert, teaches people around the world how to work with the nervous system to transform trauma, heal body and mind, and live full, creative lives. To date, her online programs and classes have reached over 9,500 people in over 90 countries. Irene has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical and Health Science and also has a knack for making complex info easy for ALL of us to understand and apply to our lives. She has extensively studied and practices the works of Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, Peter Levine (founder of Somatic Experiencing), and Kathy Kain (founder of Somatic Practice). Irene spends her free time eating delicious food, hiking in the mountains or walking along the Pacific Ocean in her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. --- Interview Links: — Smart Body Smart Mind (Irene's course): https://smartbodysmartmind.com/ — The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk: https://amzn.to/3P4lvfO — The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog - Bruce Perry: https://amzn.to/3oNg9Lb — The Polyvagal Theory: Explained: https://youtu.be/8AnHlx3qZ30 — Born for Love - Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz: https://amzn.to/3zTA0i5 — Edgar Cayce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce — Discovering Your Soul's Purpose - Dr Mark Thurston: https://amzn.to/3zOhiY3 — Story of Edgar Cayce: There Is a River - Thomas Sugrue: https://amzn.to/3Q2ivBJ — The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health Through Drugless Therapy: https://amzn.to/3Jqcufy 3 Books Irene Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Scared Sick - Robin Karr-Morse: https://amzn.to/3oQVTIv — When the Body Says No - Dr Gabor Maté: https://amzn.to/3vDRfRP — Travels - Michael Criechton: https://amzn.to/3JpzJqg

Dr Anna Lembke, esteemed psychiatrist and Stanford professor, explores the impact of our neurobiological mechanism designed for a world of scarcity and danger in the current world of abundance and leisure. She discusses the addictive potential of smartphones, social media, online pornography, video games, and online shopping. She also delves into the increasing accessibility and potency of substances like opioids and pornography, the impact of COVID on addiction recovery, and the usefulness of a 30-day dopamine fast to improve mental and emotional well-being.

Join Richard Schwartz, a pioneering systemic family therapist and creator of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, as he delves into the fascinating world of our inner emotional landscape. Discover how 'Exiles' harbor past traumas, while 'Managers' and 'Firefighters' navigate emotional turmoil. Schwartz emphasizes the healing potential of the 'Self', highlighting self-compassion as a key to personal growth. Whether for individuals or leaders, IFS offers transformative strategies to unlock authenticity and foster emotional resilience.

Embark on a profound exploration of consciousness with neuroscientists Mark Solms and Anil Seth, psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist, and cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman. They discuss consciousness emergence, the brain as a predictive engine, perception, time, emotions, the interplay between matter and consciousness, creativity, resistance, and the deep connections between life, intelligence, and consciousness.

Professor Michaela Swales, a leading expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), discusses the integration of Eastern and Western philosophy in DBT, the therapeutic benefits of viewing thoughts and emotions as behaviors, and the four core elements of DBT. She also shares insights on addressing hopelessness in therapy, recommendations for therapists, and the initial steps involved in DBT training and delivery.

Dr Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry, explores topics such as post-traumatic growth, the illusion of a separate self, social justice, and the impact of modern culture's 'solo self' perspective. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing interconnectedness and changing the narrative about the self. The podcast also discusses the overview effect, virtual reality, and three recommended books for mindfulness practices and mental health.

In this enlightening talk, join Dr. Anna Lembke, a renowned psychiatrist and author, as she delves into the captivating insights from her book "Dopamine Nation." Discover how our ancient brain wiring propels us to seek pleasure and avoid pain, creating a delicate balance within us. Unravel the profound role of dopamine, the neurotransmitter behind pleasure, motivation, and reward, and how its imbalance can lead to addiction. Dr. Lembke offers a thought-provoking remedy for managing compulsive overconsumption—embrace radical honesty and willingly engage in transformative, albeit painful, activities. Prepare to gain invaluable knowledge about our brain's intriguing mechanisms and take charge of your life with newfound awareness. --- Dr. Lembke was one of the first in the medical community to sound the alarm regarding opioid overprescribing and the opioid epidemic. In 2016, she published her best-selling book on the prescription drug epidemic, “Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop” (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016). Her book was highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to understand the opioid epidemic (Zuger, 2018). Dr Lembke’s latest book: “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence” is a New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller which explores how to combine the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery to find balance in an overindulgent era. Dr. Anna Lembke received her undergraduate degree in Humanities from Yale University and her medical degree from Stanford University. She is currently Professor and Medical Director of Addiction Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also Program Director of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Links: - Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 - Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ - Dr. Lembke’s website: https://www.annalembke.com - Dr. Lembke’s book: https://amzn.to/3AWlMfh