
The Weekend University
The Weekend University aims to make the best psychology lectures available to the general public.
To do this, we organise 'lecture days', on the last Sunday of each month, where you get a full day of talks from leading psychologists, university professors and authors.
This podcast features in-depth interviews with our speakers, so you can learn more about their work.
For more information, please see: http://theweekenduniversity.com
Latest episodes

Oct 5, 2023 • 59min
Rethinking ADHD - Dr Russell Ramsay, PhD
This podcast explores the contemporary understanding of ADHD as a developmental syndrome of self-dysregulation. It discusses the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD and emphasizes the importance of support and understanding. The causes and essence of ADHD are explored, including the role of dopamine deficiency and the reward networks of the brain. The relationship between perfectionism, mood, and cognitive themes in ADHD is examined. The concept of self-regulatory efficacy and its impact on ADHD are discussed, along with strategies for emotional regulation. The use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescents with ADHD is explored, highlighting the importance of finding the right fit for neurodiverse individuals. The concept of procrastivity, task bounding, and time management are also discussed.

9 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
How Therapy Can Change Your Life - Dr Louis Cozolino
Dr Lou Cozolino, a clinical psychologist, discusses the importance of principles over techniques in therapy, the impact of early experiences on development, the concept of core shame, and the role of therapists as applied neuroscientists. They also explore the vital 'half second' and the underlying causes of John's schizophrenia. Recommended books for therapists are also mentioned.

Sep 21, 2023 • 59min
Relational Neuroscience, Spirituality & Inner Community - Dr Bonnie Badenoch
Unlock the secrets of the mind with Bonnie Badenoch, a renowned trauma therapist and author with a unique blend of expertise in literature and mysticism. In this insightful talk, Bonnie delves into the profound impact of fear on our ability to focus and learn, underscoring the critical importance of safety and connection in our lives. Explore the fascinating connection between brain hemispheres, as she discusses Iain McGilchrist's groundbreaking work and how it shapes human connection. Bonnie introduces the concept of the "inner community," shedding light on the significance of embracing the various facets within ourselves and others. Join her in advocating for more empathetic and holistic approaches to therapy and education, ushering in a new era of improved connections and healing. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your understanding of the mind and its potential for growth. Bonnie Badenoch is the author of several books, including: The Heart of Trauma, The Brain-Savvy Therapist's Workbook, and Being a Brain-Wise Therapist.
In this free flowing conversation, we discuss:
— Iain McGilchrist’s hemisphere hypothesis and its relevance for therapeutic practice
— Interpersonal neurobiology, social baseline theory, and the research underpinning Bonnie’s radical approach to healing
— The power of having a “listening partner” and how you can set one up to foster more secure attachment in your world
And more.
You can learn more about Bonnie’s work by going to https://www.nurturingtheheart.com.
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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

Sep 14, 2023 • 31min
Attachment Theory, Compassion, & The Nervous System - Prof. Paul Gilbert OBE
Embark on a thought-provoking journey as we delve into the intricacies of human nature, history, compassion, and evolution. With a poignant analogy of a lost baby's name tag at a hospital, we navigate the balance of good and bad news in life, gaining insights that resonate. Uncover the profound layers of compassion, transcending mere kindness, and discover the resolute commitment to confront suffering's root causes. Professor Paul Gilbert skillfully underscores the pivotal role of comprehending the human brain and the art of crafting intricate social systems. Attachment theories intertwine with the exploration of caring behaviors' evolution, illuminating their profound impact on emotional growth and relationships.
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Professor Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is a British clinical psychologist, the founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassionate mind training (CMT) and author of books such as The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life’s Challenges, Overcoming Depression.
He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. Professor Gilbert has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: “To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion”.
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Interview Links:
— Professor Gilbert's website: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk
— Compassion Focused Therapy: Clinical Practice and Application: https://amzn.to/3ReGXAR
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3 Books Professor Gilbert Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— The Discovery Of The Unconscious - Henri Ellenberger: https://amzn.to/3uzAWVF
— Archetype: A Natural History of the Self - Anthony Stevens: https://amzn.to/3PeTL8F
— Civilized to Death - Chris Ryan: https://amzn.to/3yuzOnE

5 snips
Sep 11, 2023 • 34min
The Power of Nervous System Regulation - Irene Lyon
Expert in somatic experiencing and trauma resolution, Irene Lyon, discusses the power of nervous system regulation. The podcast explores trauma's impact on physiology, the interplay between personality and individuality, and the journey of healing and resilience. Topics include recognizing and responding to trauma in the body, the 'smart body smart mind' program, and the importance of creating a compassionate society.

Sep 7, 2023 • 1h 4min
Neuroscience, Synchronicity, and the Awakened Brain - Dr Lisa Miller, PhD
Dr Miller is a New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University.
She is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology. Her innovative research has been published in more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals.
Dr Miller’s 2021 book: The Awakened Brain explores the neuroscience of spirituality and offers a bold new paradigm for human flourishing.
In this lively and wide ranging conversation, we explore:
— The neuroscience of the “awakened brain”
— To what extent we can say that spirituality is innate in human nature
— The scientific evidence for what Carl Jung referred to as “synchronicity”
— How spirituality and depression may be two sides of the same coin and why depression may be viewed as a “call to awakening”.
And more.
You can learn more about Professor Miller’s work by visiting: www.lisamillerphd.com.
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Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of The Spiritual Child and a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology, and has held over a decade of joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical School. Her innovative research has been published in more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Cerebral Cortex, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Miller is Editor of the Oxford University Press Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality, Founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of the APA journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice, an elected Fellow of The American Psychological Association (APA) and the two-time President of the APA Society for Psychology and Spirituality. A graduate of Yale University and University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her doctorate under the founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, she has served as Principal Investigator on multiple grant funded research studies. Dr. Miller speaks and consults around The Awakened Brain and The Spiritual Child for the US Military, businesses (including tech, finance, HR and sales), personal development, faith based organizations, schools and universities, and for mental health and wellness initiatives.
Interview Links:
— Dr Miller’s website - www.lisamillerphd.com
— Dr Miller’s books - https://amzn.to/3KgI3dp

Sep 4, 2023 • 54min
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy: An Introduction - Professor Windy Dryden
Professor Dryden is a therapist, trainer, academic and author who has published more than 240 books. In many ways, Windy could be described as a pioneer in the field. He was one of the first in the UK to be trained in CBT, having learned directly from Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, and has since trained therapists all over the world in the approach. He is best known for his work in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which will be the focus of today’s conversation where we discuss:
— Windy's "general-specific" philosophy of psychotherapy
— The foundational principles of REBT and its benefits compared to other approaches
— The A B C's of REBT, and how understanding this simple concept can enhance emotional intelligence
— How Windy helps clients drop rigid attitudes and develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with themselves.
And more.
You can learn more about Professor Dryden’s work by going to www.windydryden.com.
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Windy Dryden is one of the leading practitioners and trainers in the UK in the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) tradition of psychotherapy. He is best known for his work in Rational-Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (RECBT), a leading CBT approach. He has been working in the field of counselling and psychotherapy since 1975 and was one of the first people in Britain to be trained in CBT. He is Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University of London.
Interview Links:
— Windy’s website: https://www.windydryden.com
— Windy’s books: https://www.windydryden.com/books
3 Books Professor Dryden Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Reason And Emotion In Psychotherapy - Dr Albert Ellis- https://amzn.to/3A2qecq
— Embodied Theories - Ernesto Spinelli and Sue Marshall- https://amzn.to/3pl0QcE
— Single Session Therapy - Moshe Talmon- https://amzn.to/3QqS48X

Aug 31, 2023 • 31min
The Evolutionary Psychology of Compassion - Prof. Paul Gilbert OBE
Delve into the profound connection between compassion and evolution in this enlightening talk by Paul Gilbert. Discover how Compassion Focus Therapy, deeply rooted in understanding affiliative processing, offers insights into our motivations. Explore compassion as a potent motivation, encompassing sensitivity to suffering and an unwavering commitment to alleviating it. Gilbert unveils the core elements of compassion—courage to confront suffering and a resolute dedication to its relief. Learn how compassion intertwines with self-identity, the timeless Golden Rule, and ethical considerations. Gain fresh perspective on compassion's true essence: not mere niceness, but an active engagement with and transformation of suffering. Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the depths of human empathy and evolution.
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Professor Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is a British clinical psychologist, the founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassionate mind training (CMT) and author of books such as The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life’s Challenges, Overcoming Depression.
He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. Professor Gilbert has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: “To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion”.
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Interview Links:
— Professor Gilbert's website: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk
— Compassion Focused Therapy: Clinical Practice and Application: https://amzn.to/3ReGXAR
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3 Books Professor Gilbert Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— The Discovery Of The Unconscious - Henri Ellenberger: https://amzn.to/3uzAWVF
— Archetype: A Natural History of the Self - Anthony Stevens: https://amzn.to/3PeTL8F
— Civilized to Death - Chris Ryan: https://amzn.to/3yuzOnE

Aug 28, 2023 • 41min
Nervous System Regulation, Self Sabotage, & Somatic Healing — Irene Lyon
Irene Lyon is a somatic experiencing practitioner and nervous system expert, who has dedicated the past twenty years of her life to understanding the role that the nervous system plays in healing from past traumas, and setting us up for flourishing in life.
She has studied extensively under the likes of Peter Levine, Kathy Kain, and Stephen Terell - so she brings both a wide-ranging and in-depth perspective to her work.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
— Why the nervous system is the central component around which all other aspects of well-being revolve
— How trauma gets "stored" in the body and what can be done to heal
— To what extent our behaviour is "hardwired" or malleable to change
— Irene's theory on the origins of self sabotage
And more..
You can learn more about Irene's work at: https://irenelyon.com.
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Irene Lyon, MSC. and nervous system expert, teaches people around the world how to work with the nervous system to transform trauma, heal body and mind, and live full, creative lives. To date, her online programs and classes have reached over 9,500 people in over 90 countries. Irene has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical and Health Science and also has a knack for making complex info easy for ALL of us to understand and apply to our lives. She has extensively studied and practices the works of Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, Peter Levine (founder of Somatic Experiencing), and Kathy Kain (founder of Somatic Practice). Irene spends her free time eating delicious food, hiking in the mountains or walking along the Pacific Ocean in her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Interview Links:
— Smart Body Smart Mind (Irene's course): https://smartbodysmartmind.com/
— The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk: https://amzn.to/3P4lvfO
— The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog - Bruce Perry: https://amzn.to/3oNg9Lb
— The Polyvagal Theory: Explained: https://youtu.be/8AnHlx3qZ30
— Born for Love - Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz: https://amzn.to/3zTA0i5
— Edgar Cayce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce
— Discovering Your Soul's Purpose - Dr Mark Thurston: https://amzn.to/3zOhiY3
— Story of Edgar Cayce: There Is a River - Thomas Sugrue: https://amzn.to/3Q2ivBJ
— The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health Through Drugless Therapy: https://amzn.to/3Jqcufy
3 Books Irene Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Scared Sick - Robin Karr-Morse: https://amzn.to/3oQVTIv
— When the Body Says No - Dr Gabor Maté: https://amzn.to/3vDRfRP
— Travels - Michael Criechton: https://amzn.to/3JpzJqg

7 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 23min
Reset Your Dopamine System - Dr Anna Lembke
Dr Anna Lembke, esteemed psychiatrist and Stanford professor, explores the impact of our neurobiological mechanism designed for a world of scarcity and danger in the current world of abundance and leisure. She discusses the addictive potential of smartphones, social media, online pornography, video games, and online shopping. She also delves into the increasing accessibility and potency of substances like opioids and pornography, the impact of COVID on addiction recovery, and the usefulness of a 30-day dopamine fast to improve mental and emotional well-being.
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