The Weekend University

Ken Wilber, a renowned philosopher and author of over 25 books, discusses his integral theory that seeks to unify diverse fields of human knowledge. He highlights the concepts of 'waking up' versus 'growing up' in spirituality. Wilber delves into developmental stages of consciousness, showcasing their impact on societal evolution. He introduces the five types of wholeness: waking up, growing up, cleaning up, opening up, and showing up, encouraging a broader understanding of personal and interpersonal development.

Explore parts work, harm reduction, and compassion in addiction treatment with Dr. Marc Lewis and Dr. Andrew Tatarsky. They challenge the disease model, emphasize empathy, and discuss the future of addiction therapy. Learn about Internal Family Systems, choice in recovery, and the limitations of traditional approaches.

Listen to Jan Winhall and Cece Sykes discuss using Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems to heal addiction. They explore trauma's link to addiction, empowering self-criticisms, and a holistic approach for recovery. Discover the interconnected nature of trauma and addiction and their upcoming Holistic Recovery Course.

Daniel Kirby is a serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and coach who has founded and exited a number of companies. In addition to being named as one of the most innovative people in Europe in 2018, he is also the creator of the Getahead Festival and has raised more than 14,000 for a children’s charity by completing 6 marathons in 7 days in the Sahara Desert. Recently, Dan has pressed the “reset” button on his life, choosing to focus on helping founders master the inner game of entrepreneurship. In this conversation, we explore: — How the practice of active journaling can transform your life — How to distinguish between deep creative callings and shallow passing wants — Thinking tools to for creating mental clarity And more. You can keep up to date with Dan’s work on Linkedin by going to: bit.ly/dan-kirby — Dan Kirby is an award winning entrepreneur who lives in the UK's Peak District with his wife, 3 teenage daughters, 4 cats and 2 dogs. He is a partner in the New York based coaching program CounterpartOS and a top 2.5% global podcaster with Honey I Blew Up The Business. You can connect and know more about Dan by following him at bit.ly/dan-kirby. — Interview Links: — Dan’s Linkedin - bit.ly/dan-kirby

Dr Bruce Alexander is an internationally recognised author and psychologist perhaps most well known for his “rat-park” experiment and dislocation theory of addiction. Few people on the planet have contributed more to our understanding of the social and contextual factors driving addiction, so it was a real privilege to have this conversation. In this episode you’ll learn: — Why psychology is only one piece of the addiction puzzle and the importance of taking a wider view — The extent to which belonging to a culture can be thought of as a basic human need; as essential to our wellbeing as food and water, and what happens in its absence — The historical factors driving the addiction crisis — Bruce’s famous rat park experiment and how this is slowly leading to a paradigm shift in how we see addictions And more. You can learn more about Bruce’s work by going to: www.brucekalexander.com --- Dr Bruce K. Alexander is a renowned Canadian psychologist and professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of addiction and his influential theory known as the "Rat Park" experiment. Bruce Kenneth Alexander was born on December 13, 1939, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Oregon, earning his Ph.D. in experimental psychology. Throughout his career, Alexander focused on studying addiction and its underlying causes, challenging prevailing theories that viewed addiction as solely a result of chemical dependency. He sought to explore the social and environmental factors that contribute to addictive behavior. Alexander's work highlighted the importance of social connections, environmental factors, and personal fulfillment in preventing and treating addiction. He argued that creating supportive communities and addressing the root causes of addiction, such as social isolation and psychological distress, are crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Beyond his research, Alexander has been a vocal advocate for drug policy reform and has been critical of the war on drugs. He has called for a shift toward harm reduction strategies and the implementation of evidence-based approaches to address substance abuse. Bruce K. Alexander has published numerous articles and book chapters on addiction, psychology, and drug policy. His work continues to inspire researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in the field of addiction studies. --- 4 Books Dr Alexander Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read: — Scenes and studies of savage life - Sproat, Gilbert Malcolm, 1832-1913 - https://bit.ly/SSS-UBC2023 — Addiction and Devotion in Early Modern England — Rebecca Lemon - https://amzn.to/3XIBCW7 — Crack in America: Demon Drugs and Social Justice — Craig Reinarman and Harry G. Levine - https://amzn.to/433VtQE — Coming Clean: Overcoming Addiction without Treatment — Robert Granfield and William Cloud - https://amzn.to/3ppAqKN

Dr. Samuel Wilkinson, a Yale professor and psychiatrist, discusses the purposeful nature of life, our capacity for good and evil, the importance of relationships for happiness, and cognitive illusions affecting our search for fulfillment. He explores the balance between selfishness and altruism in human nature, the significance of social interactions in psychiatry, and the critical role of positive relationships in mental well-being and personal development.

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, New York Times Bestselling Author, and world-renowned coach. She has published ten books, including Finding Your Own North Star, Diana Herself, and The Way of Integrity, which this interview focuses on. Expect to learn: — How Martha’s Near Death Experience radically altered her trajectory in life — The incredible psychological benefits of radical honesty — How to tap into your right brain when creating a vision for your life — Martha’s view on the purpose of human life And more. You can learn more about Martha’s work, books, and courses at marthabeck.com. --- Martha Beck's journey began with dreams of academia, but life led her to motherhood and Harvard degrees. Embracing rest, she found her calling as an author and life coach. With "The Way of Integrity," a New York Times Best Seller, she empowers readers worldwide. As president of Martha Beck, Inc., she speaks globally, offering workshops and coaching through Wayfinder Life Coach Training. Martha's mission centers on ending suffering, promoting integrity, compassion, inclusion, and antiracism. Her work fosters a more just, compassionate world. You can learn more about Martha’s work, books, and courses at https://marthabeck.com. --- — Martha Beck’s website - https://marthabeck.com — Martha Beck’s books - https://amzn.to/4digxJk

Dr Iain McGilchrist, a psychiatrist and writer, delves into his hemispheric hypothesis explaining societal addiction. Topics include the decline of Western civilization, left hemisphere dominance, ingredients for human flourishing, and the concept of the sacred and embedded values in being.

Professor Donald Hoffman is a cognitive neuroscientist and the author of more than 90 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence and The Case Against Reality. He is best known for his theory of consciousness, which combines evolutionary theory with mathematics to make a compelling case that the reality we see every day is an illusion created by our minds. In this conversation, we explore: — The groundbreaking scientific research being conducted by physicists into the “structures” beyond spacetime — Donald’s theory of conscious agents — The implications his theory of consciousness has for our understanding of the purpose of life And more. You can follow Donald on Twitter @donalddhoffman - https://x.com/donalddhoffman — Prof. Donald Hoffman, PhD received his PhD from MIT, and joined the faculty of the University of California, Irvine in 1983, where he is a Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Sciences. He is an author of over 100 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence, and The Case Against Reality. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award from the American Psychological Association for early career research, the Rustum Roy Award of the Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. His writing has appeared in Edge, New Scientist, LA Review of Books, and Scientific American and his work has been featured in Wired, Quanta, The Atlantic, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. You can watch his TED Talk titled “Do we see reality as it is?” and you can follow him on Twitter @donalddhoffman. --- Interview Links: — Prof Hoffman’s profile: http://www.cogsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff — Prof Hoffman’s book: https://bit.ly/3SCwTTA

Dr Sue Johnson was the developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and a pioneer in adult attachment and couples therapy, who sadly passed on April 23, 2024. With over 30 years of peer reviewed clinical research demonstrating its effectiveness, Dr Johnson received several awards for her contribution to the development of EFT, including the Order of Canada and the Family Psychologist of the Year from the American Psychological Association. She was the best selling author of several books, including “Hold Me Tight”, which has sold over one million copies worldwide and helped countless couples improve their relationships. You can learn more about Dr Johnson’s pioneering work by visiting: https://drsuejohnson.com and EFT training at https://iceeft.com. --- Dr. Sue Johnson was a leading innovator in the fields of couple therapy and adult attachment. She was the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research. Sue has received numerous awards acknowledging her development of EFT, including the APA’s “Family Psychologist of the Year” in 2016 and the Order of Canada in 2017. Her best-selling 2008 book Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love has taught countless couples how to enhance and repair their love relationships. It remains one of the best-selling relationship help books on the market today. It has since been adapted into a workshop format. Sue’s 2014 book, Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science in Romantic Relationships, outlines the latest understanding of why and how we love, based on scientific evidence and cutting-edge research. You can learn more about Dr Johnson’s pioneering work by visiting: https://drsuejohnson.com and EFT training at https://iceeft.com. --- Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Therapy Beyond Bargaining 09:49 - Relationships in the Digital Age 20:37 - Relationship Therapy 35:00 - Relationship Change 43:17 - Attachment & Emotional Well-being 49:01 - Mental Health Impact 52:53 - Emotion-Focused Therapy --- 3 Books Dr Johnson Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: Attachment in Adulthood, First Edition: Structure, Dynamics, and Change - https://amzn.to/42xt6LU A Secure Base - https://amzn.to/497ax3W Hold Me Tight: Your Guide to the Most Successful Approach to Building Loving Relationships - https://amzn.to/4bwCJ1C Interview Links: — Dr Johnson’s website - http://drsuejohnson.com/ — EFT training - https://iceeft.com