The Weekend University

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

In this interview, I’m joined by Derek Sivers. Derek is the Founder of CD Baby — a company he sold for $22 million, and then gave pretty much everything to charity. He has written multiple bestselling books, given TED talks which have reached millions, and been a circus performer for 10 years. There have been few people who have had a bigger positive impact on my thinking than Derek, so it was a real treat to sit down with him for an hour and have this conversation. Expect to learn: — The connection between your beliefs, your emotions, and your actions — How Derek sold his company for $22 million and then instantly gave it all away to charity — His unconventional approach to getting advice from mentors — Why Derek has journalled every day for the past 13 years and why this is the “single most useful thing” he does. And more. You can learn more about Derek’s work, books, and philosophy at https://sive.rs. --- Derek Sivers graduated in 1990 from Berklee, where he majored in professional music. He entered as a guitarist and came out a self-proclaimed “everything guy” after studying voice, composition, piano, songwriting, music synthesis, and production. Sivers is best known as the founder of CD Baby(Opens in a new window), the largest online distribution company for independent music. After years of touring, recording, and writing for TV projects, he started CD Baby from his bedroom—almost by accident. When he obtained a merchant account to sell his CDs online (not an easy task in the ’90s), musician friends began asking if he could sell their CDs. Soon he was getting calls from strangers, and the foundation for a business was laid. Sivers launched CD Baby in 1998 with a musician-centric ideology that sought to maximize musicians’ profits rather than minimize them for company gain. In 2003, Sivers won the World Technology Award and was described by Esquire Magazine as “one of the last music-business folk heroes.” In keeping with his philanthropic ethos, Sivers sold CD Baby in 2008 and gave the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education. In 2011, Sivers published Anything You Want(Opens in a new window), a book chronicling his challenges and triumphs founding, building, and selling CD Baby. In 2013, Sivers launched Wood Egg(Opens in a new window), which publishes guides about how to build companies in Asia. He is a frequent speaker at the TED Conference, with over 5 million views of his talks. --- Interview Links: — Derek’s website - https://sive.rs Interview Links: — Derek’s website - https://sive.rs — Derek's new book - https://sive.rs/u — Derek's new book (Amazon Link) - https://amzn.to/41HkBPz

In this episode, I’m joined by Linda Thai — a mental health clinician, storyteller, and educator who has had her own lived experiences of individual, collective, historical and cultural traumatization...and healing. I’ve interviewed many fascinating individuals in the past seven years of running The Weekend University, but there was something different about Linda. It might have something to do with her getting off the grid and living in the wilderness in Alaska, or perhaps it's the eclectic self-education she has immersed herself in. Whatever it is, Linda brings to the table a unique and holistic perspective on attachment, that I think is years ahead of the conventional wisdom. Expect to learn: — The difference between psychology, trauma-informed psychology, culturally-informed psychology, and liberation informed psychology — Where traditional attachment theory falls short — Why we need to redefine the parameters of attachment and take an ecosystem view And more. You can learn more about Linda’s work and trainings at https://www.linda-thai.com/. --- Linda Thai, LMSW ERYT-200 is a trauma therapist and educator who specializes in brain and body-based modalities for addressing complex developmental trauma. Linda has worked with thousands of people from all over the world to promote mindfulness, recover from trauma, and tend to grief as a means of self care. Linda’s work centers on healing with a special focus on the experiences of adult children of refugees and immigrants. Her teaching is infused with empathy, storytelling, humor, research, practical tools, applied knowledge, and experiential wisdom. She has assisted internationally renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, with his private small group psychotherapy workshops aimed at healing attachment trauma. She has a Master of Social Work with an emphasis on the neurobiology of attachment and trauma. Linda has studied Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, Havening Touch, Flash Technique, and structural dissociation of the personality, and offers the Safe and Sound Protocol, yoga, and meditation within her practice. Linda works on the traditional lands of the Tanana Athabascan people (Fairbanks, Alaska) with those recovering from addiction, trauma, and mental illness. She is passionate about breaking the cycle of historical and intergenerational trauma at the individual and community levels. --- Interview Links: Linda’s website - https://www.linda-thai.com/

Join Dr. Richard Schwartz for a life-changing nature immersion combining scenic walks on the breathtaking Camino de Santiago, with deep experiential Internal Family Systems (IFS) workshops along the way: https://theweekenduniversity.com/ifs-camino This experience is tailored for leaders interested in using IFS to create deep inner alignment, so that they can positively impact more lives through their work. Participants will include high-impact creators and leaders from a wide range of backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, broadcasters, executives, and coaches.

Dr Laurence Heller is the founder of the NeuroAffective Relational Model™ - often referred to as NARM. This is a psychobiological approach known to be highly effective for working with developmental trauma. He is the author of “Healing Developmental Trauma”, which is currently published in more than 10 languages. For the past 20 years, Dr Heller has been conducting seminars in the NARM approach throughout the United States, Europe and soon to be worldwide. In this conversation, we explore: — Why NARM does not see the traumatic event as the primary issue and instead views the adaptations that we make to traumatising experiences as the primary issue — The key differences between treating shock trauma and developmental trauma — Why effective therapy requires much more than just extinguishing symptoms — The NARM core survival styles And more. You can learn more about Dr Heller’s innovative work by going to: https://drlaurenceheller.com/ --- Dr. Laurence Heller is the founder of the NeuroAffective Relational Model© (NARM), a specialized psychobiological approach to working with developmental trauma. He holds a Ph.D in psychology and was in private practice for over 30 years. The NARM Model is presented in the best selling book Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image and the Capacity for Relationship, which is currently published in more than 15 languages. His new book with Brad Kammer is The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma: Using the NeuroAffective Relational Model to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resolve Complex Trauma presents the clinical model. He is also the co-author of Crash Course, a book on shock trauma: He speaks several languages fluently and for the past 30 years has been conducting seminars in the NARM approach throughout the United States and Europe. He and his teachers present NARM worldwide. He is currently working on a project led by Christina Bethell, Ph.D , a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and others to bring a trauma-informed understanding to Pediatricians and General Practitioners throughout the U.S. Their first article for this project was published in 2021: Social and Relational Health Risks and Common Mental Health Problems Among US Children Published by Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America co-authored with Christina D. Bethell, PhD, MBA, MPH, (lead) Andrew S. Garner, MD, PhD, Narangerel Gombojav, MD, PhD, Courtney Blackwell, PhD, Tanar Mendelson, PhD --- 3 Books Dr Laurence Heller Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — A General Theory of Love - Sir Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard Lannon - https://amzn.to/44DT01L — The Power of Attachment - Diane Poole Heller - https://amzn.to/3WG7NH5 — Healing Development Trauma - Laurence Heller and Aline Lapierre - https://amzn.to/3UJiS7E

Iain McGilchrist, a psychiatrist and author known for his hemispheric hypothesis, and Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher and scientist focused on metaphysical idealism, dive into the mysteries of consciousness and reality. They discuss the nature of truth as life’s core, examine individual experiences' significance in a purposeful universe, and explore the balance of love and rationality. Their insights challenge conventional perceptions of God and highlight the intricate connections between intelligence and human existence, all while advocating for deeper understanding and meaning.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Francis Lucille, a spiritual teacher steeped in Advaita Vedanta, shares insights on the ultimate purpose of human life and why happiness is our natural state. He explores how the belief in separateness fuels psychological suffering and emphasizes the importance of saying 'yes' to life to align with our true consciousness. Through personal reflections, he contrasts transient joy with deeper interconnected qualities that define our essence and encourages listeners to embrace the inseparable nature of love and existence.

In this interview, I’m joined by Seán ÓLaoire - a clinical psychologist, author, modern day mystic, and former priest with a P.h.D in transpersonal psychology. His book: “Setting God Free” explores the harmful effects our image of God as a judgemental father figure in the sky has had on our psychology - both individually and collectively. In this conversation, we explore: — Seán’s unique approach to creating a “personal cosmology” and how best to create your own — How problems can be a path to self transcendence, if the right steps are taken — What “christ consciousness” is and how to cultivate more of this in your life — How Seán uses the Jungian practice of “seeding dreams” to gain insights and wisdom from a higher intelligence. And more. You can learn more about Seán’s work at https://spiritsinspacesuits.com. --- Seán was awarded a BSc degree (major in Mathematics) from the National University of Ireland. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1972 and spent the next 14 years working among the Kalenjin people of East Africa. He is multi-lingual, speaking six languages. In 1983, Seán authored his first book, written in Kiswahili, "Ukweli ni Nini?" (What is Truth?) Dr. ÓLaoire has a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a licensed Clinical Psychologist. Seán lectures and conducts scientific research on the effects of prayer. Fr. Seán is a Co-Founder and Spiritual Director of Companions on the Journey (COJ), a spiritual community which seeks to recognize the God/divinity within each of us and among all of us. COJ is an independent, non-hierarchical Eucharistic community dedicated to aligning itself with God and healing the separations between us. Each individual's spirituality is seen as derived from his/her own experiences of God, immanent and transcendent, and is illuminated by the teachings of Christ and the wisdom of other spiritual traditions. The "We Are One" interview at the left was done in 2003 and gives a good flavor for Seán's thinking and style of teaching. In the "On the Experience of Divine Guidance" video of 1999, Seán discusses seeking, receiving and following Divine guidance from the perspective of the Christian tradition. For an in–depth synopsis of Seán's teachings, please visit his cosmology page. --- Interview Link: — Seán’s website - https://spiritsinspacesuits.com

This week, we welcome Alexis Dean to the show. Alexis is the founder of Dovetail Community—a global network for female entrepreneurs dedicated to fostering authentic connections and mutual support. This episode explores her journey of building an intentional community and the transformative impact this can have on personal and professional life. Expect to learn: — Why building an authentic community is critical for entrepreneurs. — The principles behind creating psychological safety in groups. — How to overcome isolation and build meaningful connections from scratch. — Why Alexis believes that "exclusively inclusive" communities are key to thriving. And more. You can learn more about Alexis and the Dovetail Community at https://dovetail.community. --- Alexis Dean is the Founder and Lead Facilitator of Two Roads, established in 2015. With over 12 years of experience as a facilitator, trainer, speaker, and educator, Alexis has worked with more than 200 corporate teams and school faculties across 21 countries. Her expertise is rooted in a robust academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Education in Experiential Education from Queen's University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the University of Toronto. Additionally, Alexis is trained in the XCHANGE facilitation methodology, based on Appreciative Inquiry, which informs her distinctive approach to fostering and scaling exceptional organizational cultures within diverse groups. Beyond her professional endeavors, Alexis is the host of the Dovetail Community for Women Entrepreneurs. In her personal time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, including trail running, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing, alongside her partner, Scott, and their dog, Albi. --- Interview Links: — Alexis' website - https://dovetail.community