The Weekend University

In a thought-provoking conversation, Elizabeth Lacy, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and expert in Schema Therapy, delves into the root causes of addiction. She critiques mainstream treatment models and discusses why they often lead to high relapse rates. Lacy emphasizes the link between unmet developmental needs and addiction, advocating for a holistic approach. Listeners learn how schema therapy can transform maladaptive patterns and foster deep recovery by addressing emotional struggles and cultivating healthier identities.

Dr James Cooke is a consciousness researcher, meditation teacher, and author of The Dawn of Mind. His work blends science and spirituality to offer a fascinating perspective on reality and our place within it. We dive into nondual naturalism, the nature of consciousness, and how understanding these ideas can transform how we live. Here’s what we cover: — What nondual naturalism is and why it matters for everyday life. — The story of James’s awakening experience as a teenager and how it shaped his path. — The benefits of embracing the nondual path, how it naturally leads to feeling more at home in the world, and also why it might not be for everyone. And more. You can learn more about James’s work and access his meditation classes at innerspaceinstitute.org. His book, The Dawn of Mind, is available now. --- James Cooke PhD trained as a neuroscientist after an awakening as a teenager that showed him the reality of spiritual states of consciousness. He holds three degrees from Oxford University (a PhD and Masters in Neuroscience & a BA in Experimental Psychology). He has conducted scientific research for over a decade at institutions such as Oxford University, University of California, Berkeley, University College London, Trinity College Dublin, and Riken Brain Sciences Institute in Tokyo. James is the author of The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive (coming December 2024), which synthesizes science and spiritual insight to offer a radical solution to the Hard Problem of Consciousness. BA in Experimental Psychology, Oxford University MSc in Neuroscience, Oxford University PhD in Neuroscience, Oxford University --- Interview Links: — Dr Cooke’s website - https://www.drjamescooke.com

James Altucher is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, investor, stand up comedian, and podcaster who has founded over 20 companies and published more than 20 books. This was a bit of a surreal experience for me, as there are few people on the planet that have impacted my thinking and approach to business more than James. As you’ll hear in the interview, he has continuously reinvented himself throughout life and boldly thrown himself into strange and challenging situations, such as performing standup on the New York subway, attempting to buy the country Greenland, and giving away everything he owned. In this conversation, we explore: — What James learned from making millions and then losing everything — How the simple practice of writing 10 ideas everyday can change your life — Why radical vulnerability leads to freedom — Strategies for accelerating the learning process — The benefits of viewing yourself as having four “bodies” – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. And more. You can learn more about James’ work by going to https://jamesaltucher.com. --- James Altucher is a successful entrepreneur, angel investor, chess master and prolific writer. He has started and run more than 20 companies and is currently invested in over 30. He is the author of 18 books, including WSJ best-sellers: 'The Power of No' and 'Choose Yourself'. His latest book, "Reinvent Yourself" was #1 in the Amazon store shortly after its release. His writing has appeared in major media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Observer, Techcrunch, The Financial Times, Yahoo Finance and others. His blog, JamesAltucher.com, has attracted more than 20 million readers since its launch in 2010. He hosts a successful podcast, "The James Altucher Show" with guests of the caliber of Tony Robbins, Mark Cuban, Pieter Thiel, Arianna Huffington, Coolio, etc. His podcasts have had over 30 million downloads. Join him at https://jamesaltucher.com or on X @Jaltucher on Instagram @altucher --- Interview Links: — James’ website - https://jamesaltucher.com — James' X - https://x.com/jaltucher — James' Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/altucher

Dr Matthew Johnson is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins, and one of the world’s most published scientists on the human effects of psychedelics. His research focuses on the behavioural economics of drug use, addiction, and risk behaviour. In this conversation, we explore: — The underlying mechanisms which may help to explain why psychedelics are effective in treating a wide range of mental health problems — What happens in the brain during a psychedelic experience — The potential risks and who should avoid psychedelic medicines — Dr Johnson’s advice for mental health professionals considering integrating psychedelic treatments in their practice. And more. You can follow Matt on X @Drug_Researcher. --- Dr. Matthew W. Johnson, is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. He is internationally renowned for his prolific research on the human effects of psychedelics and his groundbreaking work in the behavioural economics of drug use, addiction, and risk behaviour. In 2008, Dr. Johnson published psychedelic safety guidelines, contributing to the resurgence of psychedelic research. He led groundbreaking studies on the psychedelic treatment of tobacco addiction and cancer distress, as well as investigating psilocybin for opioid dependence and PTSD. Dr. Johnson’s research extends beyond psychedelics, with influential studies on various psychoactive substances. As President of the International Society for Research on Psychedelics and a respected NIH-funded Principal Investigator, he continues to be a leading figure in the field. Learn more at https://clinicalconnection.hopkinsmedicine.org/participant/matthew-johnson-phd. --- 3 Books Dr Johnson Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — The Meaning of Addiction: An Unconventional View - Stanton Peele - https://amzn.to/3Q6GPF6 — Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered - Lester Grinspoon and James B. Bakalar - https://amzn.to/3PLEwFX — Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond - Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain - https://amzn.to/48O4FfZ

Jodi Wellman, an executive coach and author with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, discusses powerful insights on embracing mortality. She explores how contemplating death can drive meaningful life changes and inspire intentional living. Jodi shares personal practices that keep death in focus, assisting her clients in finding purpose. The conversation includes Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, emphasizing living as if you'd want to repeat every moment. Prepare for a transformative dialogue about living life without regrets.

Dr. Laurel Parnell, a leading authority on EMDR therapy, dives deep into the complexities of trauma and addiction. She discusses the innovative 'Connecting to Consequences' protocol for breaking unwanted habits. Parnell also sheds light on her Attachment-Focused EMDR approach, emphasizing its revolutionary impact on addiction treatment. The power of 'Resource Tapping' for fostering secure attachments is explored, alongside the neural mechanisms that make EMDR effective. Tune in for transformative insights on healing and recovery!

Michael Easter is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and professor at the University of Nevada. His books, The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, explore how embracing discomfort and understanding our evolutionary roots can help us lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. Michael’s ideas have been adopted by top-tier universities, Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and elite military units. In this conversation, we explore: - Why, despite life getting easier, people are feeling less happy. - The concept of "problem creep" and how it affects our well-being. - Key practices he's integrated from his research, like rucking, stillness, and exploration that can lead to an improved quality of life. - The psychological reasons we struggle with moderation and how the scarcity loop affects our behavior. - The optimal time we should be spending in nature on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. And more. You can learn more about Michael’s work at https://eastermichael.com. --- Michael Easter is a leading voice on how humans can integrate modern science and evolutionary wisdom for improved health, meaning, and performance in life and at work. He travels the globe to embed himself with brilliant thinkers and people living at the extremes. He then shares his findings and experiences with people around the world in his books and podcast and TV appearances. He is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a bestseller. The Comfort Crisis been translated into 10 different languages and adopted by Major League Baseball teams, top-ranked NCAA D1 football programs, top-tier universities and law programs, major corporations, and tier-one military units. His work shows that science has many answers. But it also proves that many aspects of the human experience and living well cannot be measured. To that end, his work combines the statistical and mystical. It melds topics ranging from medicine and anthropology to theology and philosophy, along with case studies of everyday people doing extraordinary things. He believes that new discoveries and a deeper understanding don’t happen from behind a screen. To that end, Michael’s investigations have taken him to meet with monks in ancient monasteries in Bhutan, lost tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, US Special Forces soldiers in undisclosed locations, gene scientists in Iceland, drug kingpins in Iraq, CEOs in Fortune-500 boardrooms, and elsewhere. Michael’s work and ideas have appeared in over 60 countries. They’ve been endorsed by directors of the CIA and Navy SEALs, gold medal-winning Olympians, leading physicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Buddhist and environmental leaders, and more. His writing has appeared in Men’s Health, where he’s a Contributing Editor, and Outside, Men’s Journal, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Esquire, Scientific American, and Women’s Health. He’s also talked about his work and ideas on the world’s largest, most influential podcasts, like The Joe Rogan Experience, Art of Manliness, Impact Theory, NPR, EconTalk, and more. He’s spoken to or consulted for various top-tier universities, medical schools, Fortune-500 companies, government agencies, and some of the country’s largest nonprofits. When he’s not on the ground reporting, Michael is a professor in the journalism department at UNLV. He co-founded and co-directs the Public Communications Institute, a think tank at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and their two dogs, Stockton and Conway. --- Interview Link: — Michael’s website - https://eastermichael.com

Geoff Thompson, a BAFTA-winning writer, martial artist, and author of nearly fifty books, shares his profound journey of overcoming adversity. He discusses a life-altering encounter with his former abuser and emphasizes the healing power of forgiveness. Listeners will be inspired by his insights on transforming negativity into personal growth through creativity and love. Geoff also explores finding one’s true purpose and the critical role of confronting fears to cultivate emotional resilience and self-awareness.

Anita Moorjani, a New York Times bestselling author and renowned speaker, shares her incredible journey from terminal cancer to transformative healing. She recounts her near-death experience filled with unconditional love, reshaping her views on consciousness and life. Anita emphasizes how emotional stress influences health and reveals that being sensitive can be a powerful strength for empaths. Listeners are inspired to embrace fearlessness through self-love and to recognize their true essence beyond societal expectations.

Dr. Sabina Brennan is a neuroscientist, chartered health psychologist, and bestselling author. Known for her ability to translate complex neuroscience into practical advice, Sabina empowers people to take control of their brain health and manifest their goals more effectively. Her latest book, *The Neuroscience of Manifesting*, offers a scientific framework for understanding manifestation and its real-world applications, grounded in cutting-edge brain research. Expect to learn: — What manifestation really is and the myths that need debunking. — How neuroscience can explain the power of manifestation. — The psychological processes and brain areas involved in effective manifesting. — Why self-compassion is such a vital component of the process. And more. You can learn more about Sabina’s work at https://superbrain.ie. --- Sabina Brennan is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the ADAPT Centre in Trinity College Dublin where she is a principal investigator in E-Health. Prior to this she was a research assistant professor at the School of Psychology and a principal investigator at the Institute of Neuroscience. She was co-director of the NEIL Research Programme and director of the NEIL Memory Research Unit which profiles cognitive function in a cohort of ~1000 Irish adults aged 50 and over. Understanding differential decline in cognitive ageing and dementia, cognitive reserve, brain health, modifiable risk and protective factors and the development of interventions to prevent or delay the onset of decline, She was a member of the applicant team that secured the biggest philanthropic grant (138 million) in Irish history She coordinated ASAPS, an FP7 Project under the 2012-HEALTH-2012 which promoted brain health and brain research outputs of this project include a website (www.hellobrain.eu) a series of films and a brain health app She is principal Investigator on a US funded 2-year project aimed at assessing the Impact of relationship-based mealtime intervention on quality of life, cognitive function, social connection, mood, BMI, and walking speed. She is also a principle investigator on a 3-year cohort study, DeStress looking at Cognitive function, caregiver stress and cortisol: Mechanisms and implications for prevention of adverse health consequences in spouse dementia caregivers. funded by the Medical Research Charities Group and the Health Research Board. She is Principle Investigator on a project that developed a series of 10 films (www.freedliving.com) aimed at addressing fears about memory loss and dementia. She has co-supervisor PhD students investigating Protective Effect of Cognitive Reserve against Cognitive Impairment (IRCHSS), a second PhD, looking at the relationship between caregiver stress and frailty and indices of cognitive decline, (IRC Enterprise Partnership scheme and third investigating the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline. Her own PhD thesis entitled 'Neurocognitive and Electrophysiological Indices of Cognitive Performance in Ageing' explored individual differences in cognitive performance in healthy elderly and aimed to identify neurocognitive and electrophysiological markers that index cognitive decline. As part of the TCIN-GSK Neurodegeneration Programme she was responsible for a research project aimed at identifying novel cognitive, electrophysiological and behavioural endpoints in human participants that offer greater sensitivity to age-induced cognitive changes than previous endpoints. --- Interview Links: — Sabina’s website - https://superbrain.ie.