Meredith for Real: the curious introvert

Can we take psi seriously while maintaining critical thinking? Jeffrey Kripal, PhD, explores the YES AND of the ordinary & extraordinary. You’ll hear about precognition, poltergeists, Skinwalker Ranch, time travel, demons & X-Men. Jeffrey Kripal, PhD is the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He is also the author or co-author of thirteen books including, How to Think Impossibly: about souls, ufos, time, belief and everything else. If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 287: IF ALIENS ARE REAL, WHY DOES NO ONE CARE?  Guest: https://a.co/d/9OAQIWihttps://jeffreyjkripal.com/  Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/ meredith@meredithforreal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert  Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/  00:00 – What sounds crazy now, but won’t later?02:15 – Meet Dr. Jeffrey Kripal: real-life Professor X04:10 – What happens when we stop “thinking possibly”?06:30 – Is impossible thinking actually pro-social?09:20 – Beyond self: why impossibility matters11:00 – The John story: a visit from the future15:05 – Why impossible experiences are deeply emotional17:15 – Meredith’s own “it’s gonna be okay” voice19:40 – Breaking time down like a fifth grader23:00 – Is time a function of the brain?26:00 – A child’s prank turns prophetic28:45 – Feeling special but set apart30:12 – “Think-with” vs. “listen-lite”32:18 – Stories that want to be told34:05 – Time as a sales pitch or reality?36:20 – Einstein, relativity & no universal “now”39:14 – Are precognitive visions real physics?42:02 – When religion calls it “the devil”45:15 – Poltergeists as psychokinesis48:20 – Skinwalker Ranch — entity or human?51:05 – Deception vs. evil53:40 – Closing the loop vs. living in openness55:12 – X-Men are real?57:20 – Why we embrace fantasy but reject realityRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Is psychedelic assisted therapy is BETTER than traditional talk therapy? You’ll hear how they’re different, how psychedelics may help not just the combat veteran or trauma survivor, but the functional griever (goes to work every day, acts like everything is fine, but having panic attacks out of nowhere). You’ll also hear about my own experience with psychedelics and different types of medicines for different types of grief. Michael Sapiro, PsyD, is an ordained Buddhist monk, poet & clinical psychedelic psychotherapist. In addition to working extensively with first responders, he is a psychological consultant for SWAT command & a member of a crisis negotiation team. In his new book, Truth Medicine, he details how psychedelic assisted therapy has helped many find peace, purpose and healing after loss & trauma. If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 278: MORBID OR SACRED? LET’S TALK ABOUT DEATH (WITH A DEATH DOULA) Guest: https://a.co/d/eK7nTrw https://www.michaelsapiro.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dr_mike_boise/ Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/ meredith@meredithforreal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert  Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/  0:00 – Why psychedelics and grief belong in the same conversation1:10 – Meet the monk-turned-therapist exploring new ways to heal4:20 – How psychedelics shift what talk therapy can’t reach7:05 – The brain’s default mode network and why it matters9:00 – The surprising ways grief hides in everyday life12:45 – Why the “stages of grief” don’t tell the whole story15:40 – What happens when grief goes untended18:30 – What psychedelics reveal about anger, relief, and forbidden feelings21:50 – Ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin: how each one helps differently25:40 – Why preparation is everything before a psychedelic journey29:30 – What risks you should know before trying psychedelics32:45 – Self-guided journeys vs. guided therapy: what’s the difference?36:50 – How one client went from panic attacks to presence40:10 – How identities like “the grieving mother” can keep us stuck42:20 – Why grief isn’t about “getting it out” but tending it44:15 – Final insights on grief, psychedelics, and telling the truthRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

In this episode, we discuss the difference between addiction & dependence, convenient diagnoses, compulsive sexual behavior within bipolar disorder & OCD, how to identify sex addiction & what recovery looks like.Dr. Joshua Grubbs is an addiction researcher who found his interest in sex addiction in college (not as exciting as it sounds). He’s since published over 100 papers on sexual compulsive behavior disorder & serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Center on Alcohol, Substance use & Addiction at the University of New Mexico.This episode originally aired February 13, 2023.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 156: SHOULD SEX BE SAVED FOR MARRIAGE? Guest: https://twitter.com/JoshuaGrubbsPhD https://www.joshuagrubbsphd.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-grubbs-a3aa05267/ https://www.lifeafterpornography.com/privacy33621776 Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/ meredith@meredithforreal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/ 0:00 – Why we tackle taboo topics 2:16 – Is “sex addiction” just an excuse? 3:21 – Meet the researcher untangling the myth 5:41 – What really makes something an addiction? 9:11 – From ancient myths to modern labels 13:26 – Why novelty (not tolerance) drives porn use 17:51 – Cheater… or compulsive addict? 22:41 – When hypersexuality is a symptom, not a sin 26:41 – Addiction, OCD, or trauma response? 31:31 – How shame makes people self-diagnose 36:56 – The classic cases researchers look for 41:16 – Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore 45:51 – What recovery actually looks like 50:21 – Why you should be cautious online 54:11 – Where to learn more from Dr. Grubbs 56:31 – Next episode: psychedelics & griefRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Rachel Bernstein is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Cult Specialist & the Host of the IndoctriNation Podcast. She has spent the last 35 years helping former cult members & those who have had loved ones in cults, focusing on emotional abuse recovery, identity repair & moral injury. In this episode she explains the psychology of political allegiance, why religion & politics always fuse together, thought stopping cliches & media influence vs media manipulation.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 229: IS YOUR HAPPINESS BEING POLITICIZED? CULTURE, CORTISOL & THE BRAINGuest: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/rachelbernsteintherapy | https://www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ | https://open.spotify.com/show/1prXo4iIxUfjYpfX671cUD?si=3522f54be4ae456f | https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/book--journal.html Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Michael Glawson is a PhD philosopher of science, technology, religion & ethics. As an ethicist, he has created corporate ethics training for government organizations & fortune 500 companies. In this episode, he puts into plain language the ever evolving world of AI. We cover Anthropic’s recent report of their AI technology blackmailing two of their executives in a recent sandboxed experiment, why AI isn’t as smart as you think, why AI can re-write its own rules, what experts think about our future with AI, the reality of robot romance & practical tips for the average person.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 168: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE: AI, SMART CITIES & DATA NESTING DOLLSGuest: https://www.instagram.com/michaelglawson/ | https://www.facebook.com/michaelglawson | https://x.com/MichaelGlawson | https://linktr.ee/michaelglawson | michaelglawson@me.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmglawson/Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Before Lauren Sisler was an Emmy award-winning ESPN sideline reporter, she was an 18-year-old in her dorm room when she found out that her parents had died just hours of each other due to a hidden battle with opioids.When her world came crashing down, the next decade became a wrestling match with the truth. In this episode, she’s going to share her story & unpack her thoughts on legacy, shame & identity for what you’re sure to find as a more relatable American experience.We talk about how her parents secret financial problems & prescription drug addiction led to compartmentalized identities, the pain of truth vs the pain of denial & how shame & grief can create a confusing mess.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 278: MORBID OR SACRED? LET’S TALK ABOUT DEATH (WITH A DEATH DOULA)Guest: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSisler | https://www.instagram.com/laurensisler/ | https://x.com/LaurenSisler | https://a.co/d/ep7fTHcHost:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Our first ever FEED DROP SWAP! I'm personally endorsing UAP STUDIES Podcast because I know how much you all love the UFO topic! This week's episode is a sample of their show - an episode I picked that I think you'll love. Listening supports my show, but the real magic happens when you also subscribe to the UAP Studies Podcast & download a few episodes for later (they are doing the same for us)! The UAP Studies Podcast is hosted by Jason Guillemette, Dr Michael Glawson & Katie Paige. Each episode unpacks aspects of high strangeness with names you might know like Garry Nolan, Jacques Vallee & Michael Masters & promise to be the deep dive you’re NOT getting anywhere else.  This episode is with veteran investigative journalist George Knapp & you'll hear him reflect on his Netflix documentary experience, challenges in UFO journalism & Skinwalker Ranch stories you’ve never heard before!Guest podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uapstudies/ | https://www.youtube.com/@UAPStudies | https://www.linkedin.com/in/uapstudies/ |  https://www.facebook.com/uappodcast/ | https://x.com/UapStudies | https://open.spotify.com/show/5oK09tjBdQUKC6ypBqtoDu?si=b0c6ee2f28694153   Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Dr. Benjamin Bergen is a Cognitive Science professor at the University of California San Diego, the author of the book, What the F, and was featured on the Netflix series “The History of Swear Words.” Here he shares what makes a word bad, discusses the future of cussing, the efficacy of word prohibition & the cultural influence of cursing etymology around the world.This episode originally aired August 22, 2022.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 245: IS SKIPPING SMALL TALK AN OPTION? UBERS, ELEVATORS & FAMILY [REMASTERED]Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-bergen-a89b763/  | https://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-K-Bergen/e/B00DVR8POC/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dskHost:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Pranic healing, known as acupuncture without needles, is a type of biofield therapy belonging to the family of naturopathic medicine. Jason Yuan is a certified Associate Pranic Healer, with a bachelor’s in Biology & a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Acupuncture. In this episode, you’ll hear how pranic healing helped him go from hospitalized with eczema to nearly completely healed, pranic healing vs placebo vs reiki & what this modality’s success may tell us about the nature of consciousness.  If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 285: IS HEART COHERENCE A CHAOS CURE-ALL? HEALTH, BEHAVIOR & INTUITION Guest: https://www.instagram.com/pranichealingpodcast/ | https://www.drjasonyuan.com/ | https://x.com/DrJasonYuan | https://www.facebook.com/drjasonyuan | https://stan.store/drjasonyuan | https://www.princetonventure.studio/consciousness Host:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/

Catherine De Noir has two Masters degrees & is a PhD student. She has also been a brothel manager in Western Europe for nine years. You’ll hear stories of clients like the unironic plumber & the man who sold his house as well as insights from the sex workers, like the secret of their top earning woman. We discuss what these moments teach us about the things that connect & disconnect us from each other & what her hopes are for the future of sex work.If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 214: WHAT ARE THE RULES OF MONOGAMY? THE PSYCHOLOGIST SWINGERGuest: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_de_noire/ | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573525179649 | https://www.tiktok.com/@kate.denoire | https://onlyfans.com/catherinedenoireHost:  https://www.meredithforreal.com/  | https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/  | meredith@meredithforreal.com | https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal  | https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ | https://uwf.edu/university-advancement/departments/historic-trust/Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/