
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

Aug 21, 2023 • 24min
Heal Your Wounded Parts: IFS and Emotional Liberation - Dr Richard Schwartz
Discover the transformative power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in this enlightening interview with Richard Schwartz. Delve into the intricate IFS model, comprising Exiles, Managers, Firefighters, and Self. Learn how Exiles, those inner child parts, hold emotional pain from past traumas. Explore the role of Managers in preventing triggers through inner criticism. Understand the vital role of Firefighters, reactive in managing intense emotions. Uncover the healing core that is your Self, the stable foundation beneath these parts. Join us to explore the journey of self-discovery and healing through the lens of IFS therapy.
If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Dr Schwartz’s most recent book: “No Bad Parts”, or check out some of the other resources available at www.ifs-institute.com.
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Richard Schwartz, PhD., began his career as a systemic family therapist and an academic. Grounded in systems thinking, Dr. Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems (IFS) in response to clients’ descriptions of various parts within themselves. He focused on the relationships among these parts and noticed that there were systemic patterns in the way they were organized across clients. He also found that when the clients’ parts felt safe and were allowed to relax, the clients would experience spontaneously the qualities of confidence, openness, and compassion that Dr. Schwartz came to call the Self. He found that when in that state of Self, clients would know how to heal their parts.
A featured speaker for national professional organizations, Dr. Schwartz has published many books and over fifty articles about IFS. Learn more at: https://ifs-institute.com.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
04:02 - How Do Exiles Reveal Inner Wounds?
11:12 - What Are Managers' Protective Strategies?
18:36 - How to Manage Emotional Explosions?
24:38 - How to Understand The Self that leads to Healing?
32:09 - What's the Role of Self in Loneliness and Healing?
37:12 - How Can You Cultivate an Active Self?
42:18 - How Is IFS Applied to Leadership and Entrepreneurship?
46:44 - What's the Transformative Power of IFS?
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Interview Links:
— No Bad Parts - Dr Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/3DLPSFR
— Dr Schwartz website: https://ifs-institute.com
Books Dr Schwartz Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk: https://amzn.to/3qsJA5O
— The Myth of Normal - Dr Gabor Maté: https://amzn.to/3eru1IS

24 snips
Aug 17, 2023 • 32min
Mark Solms, Anil Seth, Iain McGilchrist, and Donald Hoffman - New Consciousness Paradigms
Embark on a profound exploration of consciousness with neuroscientists Mark Solms and Anil Seth, psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist, and cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman. They discuss consciousness emergence, the brain as a predictive engine, perception, time, emotions, the interplay between matter and consciousness, creativity, resistance, and the deep connections between life, intelligence, and consciousness.

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 4min
An Introduction to DBT - Professor Michaela Swales
Professor Michaela Swales, a leading expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), discusses the integration of Eastern and Western philosophy in DBT, the therapeutic benefits of viewing thoughts and emotions as behaviors, and the four core elements of DBT. She also shares insights on addressing hopelessness in therapy, recommendations for therapists, and the initial steps involved in DBT training and delivery.

Aug 10, 2023 • 59min
Dr Dan Siegel - IntraConnected: The Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging
Dr Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry, explores topics such as post-traumatic growth, the illusion of a separate self, social justice, and the impact of modern culture's 'solo self' perspective. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing interconnectedness and changing the narrative about the self. The podcast also discusses the overview effect, virtual reality, and three recommended books for mindfulness practices and mental health.

14 snips
Aug 7, 2023 • 20min
Dopamine: The Hidden Driver of Mental Health - Dr Anna Lembke
In this enlightening talk, join Dr. Anna Lembke, a renowned psychiatrist and author, as she delves into the captivating insights from her book "Dopamine Nation." Discover how our ancient brain wiring propels us to seek pleasure and avoid pain, creating a delicate balance within us. Unravel the profound role of dopamine, the neurotransmitter behind pleasure, motivation, and reward, and how its imbalance can lead to addiction. Dr. Lembke offers a thought-provoking remedy for managing compulsive overconsumption—embrace radical honesty and willingly engage in transformative, albeit painful, activities. Prepare to gain invaluable knowledge about our brain's intriguing mechanisms and take charge of your life with newfound awareness.
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Dr. Lembke was one of the first in the medical community to sound the alarm regarding opioid overprescribing and the opioid epidemic. In 2016, she published her best-selling book on the prescription drug epidemic, “Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop” (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016). Her book 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’s latest book: “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence” is a New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller which explores how to combine the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery to find balance in an overindulgent era.
Dr. Anna Lembke received her undergraduate degree in Humanities from Yale University and her medical degree from Stanford University. She is currently Professor and Medical Director of Addiction Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also Program Director of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.
Links:
- Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5
- Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/
- Dr. Lembke’s website: https://www.annalembke.com
- Dr. Lembke’s book: https://amzn.to/3AWlMfh

Aug 3, 2023 • 22min
Using IFS to Unlock Your Authentic Self - Dr Richard Schwartz, PhD
In this captivating conversation, Richard Schwartz shares his remarkable personal journey of transformation, evolving from a place of aggression and anger to discovering profound self-leadership and healing. Unraveling the depths of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Schwartz elucidates its profound goals - the liberation and harmonization of our internal parts. He thoughtfully critiques the conventional attachment theory, challenging the notion that self can solely emanate from external relationships, emphasizing the significance of seeking self within. Throughout the discussion, Schwartz delves into the uplifting influence of IFS on personal growth and leadership development, not just within himself but also in his organization. Prepare to embark on a transformative exploration of self-awareness and healing, unearthing the power of Internal Family Systems.
If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Dr Schwartz’s most recent book: “No Bad Parts”, or check out some of the other resources available at www.ifs-institute.com.
---
Richard Schwartz, PhD., began his career as a systemic family therapist and an academic. Grounded in systems thinking, Dr. Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems (IFS) in response to clients’ descriptions of various parts within themselves. He focused on the relationships among these parts and noticed that there were systemic patterns in the way they were organized across clients. He also found that when the clients’ parts felt safe and were allowed to relax, the clients would experience spontaneously the qualities of confidence, openness, and compassion that Dr. Schwartz came to call the Self. He found that when in that state of Self, clients would know how to heal their parts.
A featured speaker for national professional organizations, Dr. Schwartz has published many books and over fifty articles about IFS. Learn more at: https://ifs-institute.com.
Interview Links:
— No Bad Parts - Dr Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/3DLPSFR
— www.ifs-institute.com
Books Dr Schwartz Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk: https://amzn.to/3qsJA5O
— The Myth of Normal - Dr Gabor Maté: https://amzn.to/3eru1IS

Jul 31, 2023 • 22min
Understand Your Dreams - Prof. Mark Solms
With his wealth of expertise, Dr. Solms presents an enlightening talk that explores the intricacies of why we dream and unveils the hidden meanings behind these enigmatic nocturnal experiences.
Throughout the lecture, Dr. Solms navigates through cutting-edge research and timeless theories, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the neuroscience behind dreaming. Drawing on his own pioneering studies and decades of exploration, he presents compelling evidence that underscores the importance of dreams in our cognitive and emotional landscapes.
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Professor Mark Solms is best known for his discovery of the forebrain mechanisms of dreaming, and for his pioneering integration of psychoanalytic theories and methods with those of modern neuroscience. He holds the Chair of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital (Departments of Psychology and Neurology). His other positions have included: Honorary Lecturer in Neurosurgery at St. Bartholomew’s & Royal London School of Medicine, Director of the International Neuro-Psychoanalysis Centre, London, and Director of the Arnold Pfeffer Center for Neuro-Psychoanalysis at the New York Psychoanalytic Institute.
Professor Solms’ books include: Clinical Studies in Neuro-Psychoanalysis (winner of the NAAP’s Gradiva Award Best Book, Science Category in 2001), The Brain and The Inner World (2002), and most recently: Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness (2021).
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Links
- Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: bit.ly/new-talks5
- Check out our next event: theweekenduniversity.com/events/
- Professor Solms website: www.psychology.uct.ac.za/psy/staff/pr…rs/marksolms
- Professor Solms book chapter: bit.ly/encyclo-behavioralneuro

18 snips
Jul 27, 2023 • 19min
How to 10x Your Emotional Intelligence - Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett
In this thought-provoking episode, Professor Lisa Feldman Barrett delves into the intricate workings of the brain, and its primary role in regulating bodily systems for overall well-being. Unravel the concept of affect, the ever-present feelings we experience, influencing our responses to life's challenges. Discover the transformative power of emotional granularity, as it enables us to discern and label emotions with precision, impacting our mental health profoundly. Gain insights into how investing in diverse experiences and learning can shape our future, "seeding" our brains for positive changes and empowering us to embrace personal responsibility. Uncover the path to enhanced resilience and a brighter life in this compelling talk.
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Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett is in the top one percent of the most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, and also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.
In addition to the books Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions are Made, Dr. Barrett has published over 260 peer-reviewed, scientific papers appearing in Science, Nature Neuroscience, and other top journals in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as six academic volumes. She has also given a popular TED talk with over 6.5 million views.
You can learn more about Dr Barrett's work by going to: www.lisafeldmanbarrett.com
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Interview Links:
— Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain - Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://amzn.to/3CWM1VQ
— How Emotions are Made - Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://amzn.to/3Rx1BeT
— Dr Barrett’s website: www.lisafeldmanbarrett.com
— Matter and Consciousness - Dr Iain McGilchrist: https://bit.ly/3RGSQz0
3 Books Dr Barrett Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Between us by Batja Mesquita - https://amzn.to/3FdYkxT
— The End of Trauma by George Bonanno - https://amzn.to/3AW1fbL
— How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett - https://amzn.to/3GVdxFl

Jul 24, 2023 • 22min
Dan Siegel, Rupert Sheldrake, and Andrew Newberg - Science and Spirituality
Welcome to an enlightening exploration of the current state of the science of spirituality, featuring three esteemed pioneers in the field: Dan Siegel, Rupert Sheldrake, and Andrew Newberg.
In this captivating video, these renowned experts individually present their groundbreaking research and insights, offering a deep dive into the intersection of science and spirituality. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the profound connections between the material and the metaphysical.
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About the Scientists:
Dan Siegel, a renowned neuroscientist and author, delves into the fascinating realm of interpersonal neurobiology, shedding light on the brain's engagement with spiritual experiences.
Rupert Sheldrake, the visionary biologist and TED speaker, challenges conventional scientific assumptions, unveiling a new understanding of interconnectedness and consciousness.
Andrew Newberg, the pioneering figure in neurotheology, explores how the brain processes religious and spiritual practices, elevating our comprehension of the transcendental.
In this thought-provoking video, you'll encounter:
— The neural underpinnings of spiritual experiences and their impact on our perception of self and the universe.
— Fresh perspectives on the nature of consciousness and its profound relationship to spirituality.
— The scientific exploration of meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices, and their effects on brain function.
— Cutting-edge research on how spirituality fosters mental and emotional well-being.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to glean valuable insights from these three thought leaders as they share their pioneering work in the realm of spiritual science.

Jul 20, 2023 • 39min
Becoming Trauma-Informed: An Introduction - Dr Guy Macpherson, PhD
Dr. Guy Macpherson, a trauma expert, discusses the importance of being trauma-informed, the impact of trauma on the body and nervous system, how trauma varies among individuals, the power of authenticity in therapy, signs of unrecognized trauma, and more. He emphasizes the need to recognize trauma on a continuum and the significance of seeking help from trauma-trained therapists.
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