The Weekend University

Dr Emily Balcetis is a social psychologist and Professor of Psychology at New York University, whose research focuses on how our visual perception influences motivation, and how we can leverage the cognitive biases inherent in the human mind in a way that makes us more effective at achieving long term goals. She has written 74 scientific publications, given two TED talks, and is the author of the 2020 book: Clearer, Closer, Better. This conversation provides an introduction into some of the key insights from Dr Balcetis’ research, including: — How our everyday perceptions can be thought of as illusions of the mind — Why positive visualisation and vision boards can actually be counterproductive when pursuing goals — How to use “framing”, a narrow focus, “widening the bracket”, and materialisation to achieve goals — How Michael Phelps uses “foreshadowing failure” to succeed and how you can too. — The crucial link between systolic blood pressure and motivation And more. You can learn more about Dr Balcetis pioneering research by going to: https://www.spamlabresearch.com. --- Over the last 20 years, Dr Emily Balcetis has become one of the most sought-after voices on motivation science, researching the factors that contribute to differences in judgments and behaviors among individuals. She delivers lectures, offers training and keynoting hundreds of programs and events at secondary schools, colleges, universities, community organizations, and corporations on the social, cognitive, and motivational mechanisms that lead impact obstacles and successes as people pursue their goals. She is also a frequent commentator on media, blogs, and podcasts, delivering a voice filled with knowledge and respect for the varied challenges people face. --- Interview Links: — Dr Balcetis’ website: https://www.spamlabresearch.com — Dr Balcetis’ books: https://amzn.to/3SfrUtO

Professor Paul Gilbert, a renowned clinical psychologist, discusses the science of compassion and its application in alleviating suffering. Topics include core foundations of Compassion Focused Therapy, working with difficult clients, evolutionary origins of shame and guilt, managing depression, trauma memories, understanding evolution in health professions, and resources offered by the Compassionate Mind Foundation and Compassion-Focused Therapy.

The latest research on autism and the brain is indicating that it affects the brain in much the same way as complex trauma. What does this mean for the delivery of behavioral and social services? If the brain is affected in the same ways as trauma what does this mean for educational, vocational, and developmental goals in the individual's life? How do we progress with treatment based on the research of the last six years? In this session, Robert will introduce the latest research, outline how the brain reacts to both trauma and autism in the same way, and what this means in the real world for treatment services. Using case examples and his own observation, Robert will lay out a method and direction for treatment that is making a profound difference in the lives of the individuals he supports every day. From families to schools to employment and individual struggles, you’ll discover the methods that can bring lasting change to lives, and often reduce or remove the necessity for expensive behavioral services. --- Robert Cox is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. He has been providing services for individuals on the autism spectrum for more than 20 years. He is the creator of the nonprofit The Tristn Jevon Center for Recovery a trauma treatment center in Richmond, Missouri specializing in the treatment of trauma, addictions, and autism. He trains and uses mindfulness practice in the control of anxiety and mental health issues resulting from trauma in his practice and produces the podcast “Mindful Recovery” to bring these topics to all podcast listeners. Links: - Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 - Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events - Robert Cox’s profile: https://liferecoveryconsulting.org/staff/meet-robert/ - Robert Cox’s book: https://amzn.to/3Bp5KN8

Dr Anna Lembke is a Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, a New York Times Bestselling Author, addiction expert, and clinician. There are few people on the planet who know more about dopamine and its role in addiction than Dr Lembke, so it was a real honour to get to sit down and have this conversation with her. I’m growing convinced that understanding how dopamine works in the brain and body is the key not only to breaking addictions, but also to long term flourishing in life, and in this interview, Anna clearly explains why. Expect to learn: — Why rates of depression and anxiety are rising rapidly in affluent societies — Why it’s vital for any mental health professional to understand how dopamine works in the brain — Dr Lembke’s own battle with addiction and what we can learn from it — Anna’s science-based strategies for breaking addictions — The pain/pleasure balance and the role this plays in mental health and wellbeing. And more. You can learn more about Anna’s work at https://www.annalembke.com. --- Dr Anna Lembke is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, keeps an active speaking calendar, and maintains a thriving clinical practice. In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016), which 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 recently appeared on the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives. Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence (Dutton/Penguin Random House, August 2021), an instant New York Times Bestseller, explores how to moderate compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world. --- Interview Links: Dr Lembke's website: https://www.annalembke.com Dr Lembke's books: https://amzn.to/47nIg8g 3 Books Dr Lembke Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: Thoughts without a Thinker - Mark Epstein: https://amzn.to/3a50Ucw The Big Book of AA: https://amzn.to/3AfoU7z Dying Unto Life - Arthur C. McGill: https://amzn.to/3OP4mrb

Jan is an author, teacher, and psychotherapist with more than 40 years of experience working with addiction and trauma. She is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto and the director of Focusing on Borden, a psychotherapy and training centre. Jan presents internationally on trauma and addiction, and her most recent book: “Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model” has attracted praise from the likes of Gabor Maté, Stephen Porges, and Marc Lewis. In this conversation, we discuss: — Why it’s vital that we bring the body more and more into psychotherapy, particularly when working with trauma and addiction. — How polyvagal theory can help us understand the “mechanism” underlying addictive behaviour — The importance of looking at addictions as adaptive in their historical context — How addictions can be thought of as “state regulation strategies” for the autonomic nervous system. And more. You can learn more about the great work Jan is doing by going to: www.janwinhall.com, and you can find her course with the Polyvagal Institute by going to bit.ly/jw-course. --- Jan Winhall, MSW, FOT is an author, teacher, and psychotherapist in Toronto, Canada. She is author of “Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model”, by Jan Winhall, Routledge, 2021. Jan is an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Social Work, University of Toronto and Co-Director of Borden Street Clinic, a psychotherapy and teaching centre. Jan is a Coordinator with The International Focusing Institute and Director of Focusing on Borden, a psychotherapy and training centre. Jan presents internationally on trauma and addiction. --- Interview Links: — Jan’s book: https://amzn.to/3Du6eko — Jan’s website: https://janwinhall.com — Jan’s course with the Polyvagal Institute: https://bit.ly/jw-course — Polyvagal Theory: A Very Simple Introduction: https://niallmckeever.com/polyvagal-theory-simple-introduction — Polyvagal Theory & Trauma - Deb Dana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SVdQ-CHkA — Revolutionising Addiction Treatment with The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model - Jan Winhall & Stephen W. Porges: https://bit.ly/jw-paper 3 Books Jan Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Focusing - Eugene Gendlin: https://amzn.to/3WiAmYF — Trauma and Recovery - Judith Herman: https://amzn.to/3FzWmsc — The Pocket Guide to Polyvagal Theory - Dr Stephen Porges: https://amzn.to/3t6F52t

Hal is a Professor of Marketing, Behavioural Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA, who Angela Duckworth describes as “one of today’s leading behavioural scientists”. Hal’s research focuses on the psychology of the future self and how you can leverage it to improve decision making and quality of life for both your present and future selves. This conversation explores some of the key ideas from Hal’s new book, including: — The End of History Illusion; what it is, and why becoming aware of it can free you to take a more experimental approach to life — Laurie Paul’s “Vampire Problem” and its implications for the existential decisions in our lives. — The neuroscience of the future self — How we see and treat our future selves as strangers, and how this disconnection leads to sub-optimal decision making — Journaling strategies for strengthening the connection to your future self. And more. Learn more about Hal’s work at: https://www.halhershfield.com. --- Hal Hershfield is a Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and holds the UCLA Anderson Board of Advisors Term Chair in Management. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. Hershfield publishes in top academic journals and also contributes op-eds to the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets. He consults with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and many financial services firms such as Fidelity, First Republic, Prudential, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Avantis. Hal shares five key insights from his new book, Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today. To learn more about Hal, you can follow him on his Twitter @HalHershfield and on his website at https://www.halhershfield.com. --- Interview Links: — Hal’s website: https://www.halhershfield.com — Hal’s book: https://amzn.to/3FI2ttr

Dr. Bernardo Kastrup, an influential author and philosopher with dual PhDs, explores profound themes like sacrifice and meaning. He reveals how Nietzsche’s life mirrors our current cultural dilemmas. Kastrup introduces his concept of the 'Daimon,' showcasing how embracing our roles in life's interconnectedness can lead to purpose. He argues for shifting from individualism to service, linking personal fulfillment with collective responsibility. Delve into the intricate ties between consciousness and reality, and understand how facing struggles can transform your life narrative.

Bonnie is an author, therapist, mentor, and the co-founder of the nonprofit agency: Nurturing the Heart with the Brain in Mind. This is Bonnie’s second appearance on the show, and in this conversation we dive deeper into her unique concept of “Inner Community” and how it can be applied to heal deep-seated wounds from the past, and create a felt-sense of safety in the body. You’ll learn: — How our neurobiology and mirror neurons put us “within each other” — How Bonnie’s unique approach to psychotherapy offers a powerful modality for healing intergenerational trauma — Why “self regulation” is a myth and how we’re built for co-regulation instead — How to apply “radical inclusiveness” to heal the negative parts of ourselves that we have “imported” from others. And more. If you found this interesting, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Bonnie’s book: The Heart of Trauma, and you can learn more about her work by going to https://nurturingtheheart.com. --- Dr Bonnie Badenoch, PhD, is the co-founder of the Nurturing the Heart with the Brain in Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness of the brain, mind, and relationships in the service of creating a more awake and compassionate world. She is the author of Being a Brain-Wise Therapist: A Practical Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology (W. W. Norton, 2008), and is an active member of the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS). You can learn more about her work at www.nurturingtheheart.com. --- Interview Links: — Dr Badenoch’s website: https://www.nurturingtheheart.com — Dr Badenoch’s books: https://amzn.to/47Rbn4C

Dr Mark Widdowson, Senior Lecturer in Psychotherapy and Counselling, discusses the core concepts of Transactional Analysis (TA), the benefits of TA compared with other psychotherapies, "Life Scripts" and how they can be rescripted for a better quality of life, and the importance of understanding that everyone is at the center of their own universe.

Dr David Spiegel discusses the applications of hypnosis in improving client outcomes, its effects on the brain, and a simple test to determine hypnotizability. He highlights the powerful role of hypnosis in trauma treatment and explores the benefits of using hypnosis for post-traumatic stress disorder. The podcast also addresses guilt and helplessness in trauma and emphasizes the effectiveness of psychotherapy in regaining control.