The Weekend University

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

Dr Jer Clifton from the University of Pennsylvania is one of the world’s leading researchers into how our beliefs and worldview shape almost everything about our lives, including our wellbeing, our relationships, our sense of meaning and purpose, and our basic sense of safety in the world. Some of the key things we discuss in this conversation include: — Jer’s incredible story of saving a stranger from certain death in the subway and how this impacted his later trajectory in life — The pervasiveness of the “belief in a just world” in our society, its good points, but also the hidden downsides — The four “primal” worldviews we all hold and how understanding them can improve both our own quality of life and our relationships with others. And more. You can learn more about Jer’s work and take a short survey to find out what your own primal worldviews are by going to: https://myprimals.com. --- Jeremy D. W. Clifton–everyone calls him “Jer”–received a PhD in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania studying with Dr. Martin Seligman (advisor), Dr. Angela Duckworth (committee chair), and Dr. Rob DeRubeis. His primary research area concerns primal world beliefs, with a secondary focus on measurement. Publications include the foundational 2019 Psychological Assessment article introducing primal world beliefs that was featured in the Washington Post and a 2019 Psychological Methods article on tradeoffs between validity and reliability. He is currently Senior Research Scientist at the Penn Positive Psychology Center, Director of the Penn Primals Project, and teaches research methods in the Penn Masters of Applied Positive Psychology program. --- Interview Links: — Dr Clifton’s profile - https://myprimals.com/jer/ — Dr Clifton’s X - @jerclifton

Professors Donald Hoffman and Anil Seth explore the illusion of reality, the potential consciousness of artificial intelligence, and the downfall of the space-time paradigm. They discuss practical implications of their theories for society and everyday life, challenging traditional beliefs about consciousness and spirituality.

Described as “The Einstein of Consciousness”, Ken Wilber is a fascinating character, who began a zen meditation practice at the age of 11. An intellectual prodigy as a child, Wilber briefly attended Duke University, before dropping out to immerse himself in a rigorous and multidisciplinary self-education. With an IQ of 175, he is the most published philosopher alive, and his 25 books have been translated into 30 languages. His work attempts to integrate all fields of human knowledge into one “theory of everything”, which he calls Integral Theory. This draws connections between fields as far ranging as: systems theory, evolutionary biology, anthropology, quantum mechanics, Jungian psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and eastern mysticism. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. One of the core frameworks in Wilber’s Integral Theory is The 4 Quadrants, which this interview focuses on. If you’re interested in a “deeper dive” after listening to this, you can learn more about Ken’s work by going to https://integrallife.com. --- Ken Wilber, a visionary thinker of inspired genius, is the developer of an integral “theory of everything” that embraces the truths of all the world’s great spiritual, scientific, and philosophical traditions. He is the most widely translated academic writer in America, with 25 books translated into some 30 foreign languages. Ken Wilber currently lives in Denver, Colorado, and is still active as a philosopher, author, and teacher, with all of his major publications still in print. Often referred to as the"Einstein of consciousness studies", Ken Wilber is a preeminent scholar of the Integral stage of human development. He is also the founder of the Integral Institute, which is the first organization fully dedicated to advancement and application of the Integral Approach in relation to contemporary global issues. It was formed in collaboration with over 200 scholars and experts, specializing in education, politics, business, medicine, psychology, spirituality, as well as, law and criminal justice. In 2007 Wilber co-founded Integral Life, a social media-hub dedicated to sharing the integral vision with the world wide community, as well as documenting and catalyzing the progress of the integral movement. --- Interview Links: — Ken’s website: https://integrallife.com/who-is-ken-wilber — Ken’s books: https://amzn.to/3uJYx9a