The Weekend University

Jonathan Fields is an award winning author, entrepreneur, webby-nominated producer, and host of one of the world’s top podcasts - the Good Life Project. He has been featured in outlets including: The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, and FastCompany. His most recent book: “Sparked” provides a simple framework for helping individuals to discover the work that makes them come most fully alive, and it is the focus of this conversation. You’ll learn: — Jonathan’s philosophy of “Maximum Sustainable Generosity” and how this helps him to avoid burnout — The 10 “Sparketypes” and how Jonathan’s assessment can provide deep insights into the work that you find most meaningful and energising — The relationship between your primary sparketype, shadow sparketype, and anti-sparketype — Why thinking small and an experimental mindset are vital if you want to make a meaningful impact in the world. And more. You can learn more about Jonathan’s innovative work at jonathanfields.com and take the assessment at https://sparketype.com. --- Jonathan Fields—the Good Life Guy—delivers insights that spark purpose, possibility, and potential. On a decades-long quest to discover what makes people come fully alive, Jonathan is an award-winning author, Webby-nominated producer, business innovator, and host of one of the world’s top podcasts, Good Life Project. The Wall Street Journal named Good Life Project one of the top self-development podcasts, and Apple featured it on-stage during its legendary annual product event. Jonathan is featured widely in the media, including The New York Times, FastCompany, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNN, The Guardian, O Magazine, SELF, Allure, Outside, Elle, Vogue, Fitness and thousands of other outlets. In addition to writing award-winning and bestselling books like SPARKED: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes Us Come Alive, How to Live a Good Life and Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Fuel For Brilliance, Jonathan has founded several companies with a focus on maximizing human potential. The most recent is Spark Endeavors, where he is the chief architect and driving force behind the world’s first purpose, engagement, and flow archetypes–the Sparketypes®. This powerful tool has been tapped by over 600,000 individuals and organizations, generating more than 30-million data-points and a rapidly growing body of stories, use-cases, applications, and insight-based solutions to help transform how we work, lead and live. On the live or virtual stage, Jonathan captivates with eye-opening ideas, stories, and science. He draws not just from his own experience, but also the wisdom of the many global visionaries he’s interviewed, along with insights from the vast data-set generated by the Sparketype Assessment. It all adds up to a rare ability to take audiences on a joyful journey of discovery. Jonathan’s unique insights and solutions inspire people to put what they learn into action. --- Interview Links: — Jonathan’s website - https://www.jonathanfields.com — Jonathan’s books - https://amzn.to/3wdZQOd

Dr. Dwight Turner, psychotherapist and researcher, discusses intersectionality in therapy, the impact of otherness on the psyche, and how dream work reveals hidden aspects of self. He explores the complexities of privilege, when it becomes toxic, and emphasizes viewing individuals holistically to avoid stereotyping. Turner highlights the challenges minorities face in counseling, the formation of prejudice in childhood, and the role of parents in promoting self-acceptance.

Philip Folsom and Joshua Wenner, founders of K4, discuss healthy masculinity, shadow work, archetypes, and finding your tribe. They explore the 4 Masculine Archetypes, integrating wounded parts of the past, and balancing goodness with power. Topics include designing your perfect day, shadow work, healthy masculinity, fear of success, and honor-based culture through kinship and tribe.

AJ Jacobs is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, editor at Esquire Magazine, and maybe one of the most interesting people on the planet today. His books include: “A Year of Living Biblically”' which documents his attempt to follow every single rule from the Bible as literally as possible, including stoning adulterers, not shaving his beard, and only wearing white; “The Know it All”, which is about reading the Encyclopedia from start to finish; as well as: “My Life as an Experiment”; “The Puzzler”, and “Drop Dead Healthy”. In this conversation, we explore: — What AJ learned from 2 months of radical honesty — The value of boldness and the time AJ accused Oprah Winfrey of farting on set — The puzzler mindset and the importance of replacing motivated reasoning with curiosity — AJ’s thoughts on what it takes to write a good book. And more. You can learn more about AJ’s work and books by going to: https://ajjacobs.com. His latest book is: The Year of Living Constitutionally and it’s released in May of this year. --- A.J. Jacobs, acclaimed author, journalist, and lecturer, known for his humorous yet insightful writing style, has penned four New York Times bestsellers melding memoir, science, and self-help. He serves as editor at large at Esquire, a commentator on NPR, and a columnist for Mental Floss. Jacobs is renowned for his unique experiments, from reading the Encyclopedia Britannica to living by the Bible's rules, chronicled in his bestselling books. His latest work explores the global family tree's impact on society. A sought-after speaker, Jacobs has appeared on major media outlets and delivered TED talks. He resides in New York City with his family. --- Interview Links: — AJ’s website - https://ajjacobs.com — AJ's books - https://amzn.to/49Kf7oC

Dr Bruce Lipton, a pioneer in epigenetics, discusses how beliefs impact gene expression, subconscious programming before age 7, practical ways to reprogram the mind, and the potential for personal empowerment. Topics also cover super learning, brain hemispheres, tapping as a pattern interrupt, and the importance of harmony with nature for a brighter future.

Dr. Parker Palmer is an American writer, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is the Founder of the nonprofit: The Centre for Courage and Renewal and the author of 10 popular books, including: A Hidden Wholeness, The Courage to Teach, an Undivided Life, and Let Your Life Speak, which this interview focuses on. Expect to learn: — The primary cause of burnout in modern society — The extent to which each of us arrive here with a nature and the importance of living in harmony with it — How to navigate the delicate balance between solitude and community life — Parker’s thoughts on the purpose of human existence. And more. This was a hugely impactful conversation for me, and I think Parker might be one of the wisest individuals I’ve come into contact with. Hope you enjoy this one. --- Dr. Parker J. Palmer, born on February 28, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, is a highly respected American author, educator, and activist. He has dedicated his life to exploring the integration of personal growth, education, spirituality, and social change. Parker's journey includes obtaining degrees in Sociology, teaching roles, and experiences in community organizing and adult education. His most notable contributions revolve around the concept of "The Courage to Teach," which emphasizes the importance of merging personal identity with professional practice in education. Palmer's books such as "The Courage to Teach," "The Hidden Wholeness," and "Let Your Life Speak" delve into themes of authenticity, community, and spirituality in daily life and work. Palmer's work extends beyond education, focusing on promoting dialogue, understanding differences, and advocating for social justice and compassionate leadership. His teachings emphasize deep listening, empathy, and creating spaces for genuine reflection and connection. Through his writings, teachings, and activism, Parker J. Palmer continues to inspire educators, leaders, and individuals striving for integrity and purpose in navigating today's complex world. --- Interview Links: — Dr Palmer’s website - https://couragerenewal.org/parker-j-palmer/ — Dr Palmer’s books - https://amzn.to/49WVR7X

Dr. Lou Cozolino, a clinical psychologist and author, shares insights on becoming a better therapist, including the value of embracing mistakes, learning from Carl Rogers, and navigating complexities in psychotherapy. Topics include avoiding common therapist errors, embracing confusion, and the importance of genuine relationships in therapy.

Professor Bruce Hood is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol and has been a research fellow at Cambridge University and UCL, a visiting scientist at MIT, and a faculty professor at Harvard. He is the author of several books, including: Possessed, The Self Illusion, Supersense, and most recently: The Science of Happiness, which this interview focuses on. Expect to learn: — How malleable our happiness is and the extent to which we can influence it in later life — The counterintuitive skills and habits of happiness, including striking up conversations with strangers — The self illusion and the distinction between the “I Self” and the “Me Self” — The role that altruism and secure attachment play in the happiness equation. And more.. Follow Bruce on Twitter at @profbrucehood and get a copy of the book at bit.ly/bruce-happiness --- Prof. Bruce Hood, PhD, is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol, known for his captivating engagement with the public. With diverse research interests spanning from the origins of supernatural beliefs to cognitive development, he founded Speakezee, the world's largest expert speaker network. Formerly a Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer, he's authored popular science books such as "SuperSense" and "The Self Illusion," and has received prestigious awards including an Alfred Sloan Fellowship and recognition from the Society of American Psychological Science. --- Interview Links: — Prof. Hood’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/profbrucehood — Prof. Hood’s book - https://t.co/WCnH1rDFIr

Exploring the link between materialism, addiction, and nature alienation through non-duality. Insights on living a fulfilled life. Delve into realization beyond sensory perception. Embrace a view of life as a service to nature. Unveil the damaging effects of materialistic culture. Embrace solitude for inner peace. Discern between nature and ego. Align with nature for a well-lived life.

Dr Janina Fisher is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor at Harvard Medical School. Having trained directly with the likes of Bessel van der Kolk and Pat Ogden, she is now widely recognised as an international expert on the treatment of trauma. Janina is an Advisory Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation and the author of three books including, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma, and The Living Legacy Instructional Flip Chart (2022). She is best known for her work on integrating mindfulness-based interventions into trauma treatment, and she is also the creator of Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) therapy. In this conversation, we discuss: — Dr Fisher's experiences training with Bessel van der Kolk in the 1990s — The left and right brain "split", and how trauma gets stored in the body as implicit memories — The limitations of the "Uni-Consciousness" Model and why a parts paradigm is more effective for healing trauma — Why secure attachment is the number one variable in mental health and how to cultivate "earned secure attachment" internally And more. You can learn more about Dr Fisher's work at www.janinafisher.com. --- Janina Fisher, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor, Harvard Medical School. An international expert on the treatment of trauma, she is an Advisory Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation and the author of three books, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation (2017), Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: a Workbook for Survivors and Therapists (2021), and The Living Legacy Instructional Flip Chart (2022). She is best known for her work on integrating mindfulness-based interventions into trauma treatment, and she is also the creator of Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) therapy. Interview Links: — Healing the Fragmented Selves - Dr Janina Fisher: https://amzn.to/3ANKAGp — Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: a Workbook for Survivors and Therapists - Dr Janina Fisher: https://amzn.to/3Blo1ux — The Living Legacy Instructional Flip Chart (2022): https://amzn.to/3cQbAx3 3 Books Dr Fisher Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Introduction to IFS - Dr Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/3qaOt3y — Healing the Fragmented Selves - Dr Janina Fisher: https://amzn.to/3ANKAGp — Getting Through The Day - Nancy Napier: https://amzn.to/3KJoiKu