Inner Path Seekers | Lessons for Life

In evolutionary psychology, there's often discussion about the mismatch between our modern environment and the way our brains evolved to function. While our lives have transformed dramatically in recent years, our brains haven't kept pace with these changes. This disconnection is particularly striking given the rise in depression and mental health issues globally.Even as modern and wealthy countries achieve unprecedented levels of progress, it's curious that depression and mental health issues seem to be on the rise. This paradox has led psychologists, including Dr. Stephen Ilardi, to question its causes. Could it be that our modern lifestyles are misaligned with those of our ancestors?Based on this mismatch hypothesis, Dr. Ilardi created a 6-step program to naturally treat depression. This program has shown remarkable success, with a 75.3% success rate for those who follow it for 14 weeks. If you're looking to improve your mental health, Dr. Ilardi’s approach offers a promising solution. In this video, you'll learn about Dr. Ilardi’s six steps, as well as two additional strategies that have also proven effective to improve your mental health.To find all the resources mentioned in this video, check out the show notes: https://theipsproject.com/2024/08/8-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-mental-health-today/_____TimestampsThe Mismatch Between Modern-Day Living and Mental Health 00:00 Step 1: Sunlight Exposure 02:17 Step 2: Consuming Omega-3 Fatty Acids 05:53Step 3: Exercise 08:15 Step 4: Social Interaction 11:39 Step 5: Keeping the Mind Occupied 18:18 Step 6: Creating Healthy Sleeping Habits 21:16 The Depression Cure by Dr. Stephen S. Ilardi 26:50The Power of Humor in Improving Mental Well-being 27:21Reducing Alcohol Consumption for Better Mental Health 31:20Final Words 36:19_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this episode, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy.

Sleep is something we all need, whether we like it or not. Almost everyone has questions about sleep and wants to improve it. As we know, not sleeping well for even one night affects us the next day. Many have experienced poor sleep for weeks, months, or years, leading to emotional and physical issues. Yet, people are sleeping worse than ever, with problems like sleep apnea and insomnia on the rise (Dr. Breus discusses these in our interview). Modern life, with its constant noise from cities, cars, planes, and early/late work hours, has worsened sleep quality globally. An episode on how to sleep better at night naturally is long overdue. I reached out to Dr. Michael Breus, the sleep doctor, to educate us and provide tips on better sleep. Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/07/how-to-sleep-better-at-night-naturally-with-dr-michael-breus/ _______ 📚The IPS Academy📚 If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast. Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy. Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course. Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy. _______ 🕒Timestamps🕒 - Intro 00:00  - Why Dr. Breus became a clinical psychologist and a sleep expert 2:57 - The Questions: Overrated/Underrated 8:18 - The use of mouth tape and if it works or not 9:10 - Sleeping in the same bed, overrated or underrated? 10:53 - A white noise machine, overrated or underrated? 14:30 - Morning people, overrated or underrated? 17:41 - The IPS Academy 24:33 - Sleep disorders, overrated or underrated? 25:37 - How to solve insomnia and sleep apnea 31:25 - What Dr. Breus feels is overrated about sleep 34:20 - What Dr. Breus feels is underrated about sleep 41:21 - Exciting advancements in sleep technology 43:54 - Connect with Dr. Breus 46:43 - The final question  47:37 - Outro 48:24 - The IPS Academy 50:03 ______ About The Inner Path Seekers Project (The IPS Project): The IPS Project is an educational platform on life. Here, you can find knowledge about life topics such as mental health, relationships, the workings of the mind, the body & brain, etc.—topics we learn little to nothing about growing up. Learn more about these topics through countless practical articles, animated videos, a book library, online courses, events, a podcast, and more. Start your journey today: https://theipsproject.com/

As someone who once struggled with suicidal thoughts, I understand the importance of raising awareness for suicide prevention. Every year, 703,000 people take their own lives, and this staggering number highlights the urgent need for education on how to support those in crisis. In this interview on the Inner Path Seekers podcast, Rebecca Hooke, a crisis support worker at Lifeline Australia, offers practical advice and valuable strategies for having conversations with someone who might be suicidal. By learning what to say, we can make a difference and help reduce these heartbreaking statistics. If you are here to learn more about this topic and how to be there for someone, thank you for doing so—truly. Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/06/what-to-say-to-a-suicidal-person-lessons-from-a-crisis-support-worker/ _______ The IPS Academy If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast. Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses.  Simply go to ⁠⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy.⁠⁠ What is also interesting to note is that all the courses are quite affordable, as we at The IPS Project do not want money to stand in the way of bettering one's life. Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course. Again, check them out at ⁠⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy⁠⁠. _______ 🕒Timestamps🕒 I am working on them! :)

🎙️Join us in this episode of The IPS Podcast for an enlightening conversation on an often-overlooked yet incredibly powerful tool for improving both our physical and mental well-being: humor! In this episode, we sit down with stand-up comedian and the world's first humor engineer, Andrew Tarvin, to explore how injecting humor into our lives can lead to happier, healthier, and more successful outcomes.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/04/how-to-laugh-your-way-to-health-and-success-with-andrew-tarvin/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:31The Meaning of Humor: Andrew’s Perspective 02:32 - 07:31Humor is a Skill Anyone Can Learn 07:32 - 11:19The Origin Story of Humor That Works 11:20 - 15:05The (Health) Benefits of Humor 15:06 - 24:06An Exercise in Improv: Listen, Laugh and Connect 24:07 - 36:37Support The IPS Podcast 36:38 - 37:50The 7 Humor Personas 37:51 - 46:50Simple Exercises for More Humor in Everyday Life 46:51 - 57:18Practical Tips for Incorporating Humor 57:19 - 1:01:31Outro 1:01:32 - 1:05:33_______About The Inner Path Seekers Project (The IPS Project):The IPS Project is an educational platform on life. Here, you can find knowledge about life topics such as mental health, relationships, the workings of the mind, the body & brain, etc.—topics we learn little to nothing about growing up. Learn more about these topics through countless practical articles, animated videos, a book library, online courses, events, a podcast, and more. Start your journey today: https://theipsproject.com/.

It was an absolute delight to have had renowned sex educator and coach, Ruth Ramsay on the IPS podcast in Episode 037, titled 'Improve Your Sex Life with Sex Educator and Coach Ruth Ramsay.' Now, it's our pleasure to welcome her back for this bonus episode, which is, once again, a treasure trove of resources and practical takeaways to improve your sex life starting today.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/03/how-to-have-a-great-sex-life/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒- Intro 00:00 - 02:44 - Is there anything that people who are listening should know about actively working on their sex life and what this does for other areas of their life that they might not realize right now? 02:45 - 08:17- What are some great ways to prevent sex from getting boring that many listeners might not have explored? In the first years of your relationship, it isn’t too hard, but after 10, 20, 30, … years, it becomes a lot more difficult to keep things exciting. 08:18 - 16:43 - How do you navigate a relationship where one partner would have very different desires from the other partner? 16:44 - 23:27- What would be a great piece of advice or exercise for non-binary or transgender people who are listening right now? 23:28 - 26:59- The IPS Academy 28:15 - 38:00- What is something that most men feel ashamed or very insecure about surrounding sex, their bodies, and/or the emotional and physical skills they need for intimacy? 28:15 - 38:00- What is something most women feel ashamed or very insecure about surrounding sex, their bodies, and/or the emotional and physical skills they need for intimacy? 38:01 - 49:48- Outro 49:49 - 51:26- The IPS Academy 51:27 - 52:53 _______About The Inner Path Seekers Project (The IPS Project):The IPS Project is an educational platform on life. Here, you can find knowledge about life topics such as mental health, relationships, the workings of the mind, the body & brain, etc.—topics we learn little to nothing about growing up. Learn more about these topics through countless practical articles, animated videos, a book library, online courses, events, a podcast, and more. Start your journey today: https://theipsproject.com/.

Many are familiar with the age-old wisdom that emphasizes the positive impact of nature on one’s well-being. Those who have immersed themselves in the tranquility of forests, mountains, oceanfronts, or other natural settings can attest to the profound sense of wellness they impart.Beyond the intuitive understanding that nature feels good, there is actually also an extensive amount of research spanning over a decade that substantiates the remarkable impact it has on both our physical and mental health.To delve in-depth into this topic, I invited, as a guest of our show, Dr. Melissa Lem—a family physician who is an internationally recognized proponent of nature and health, and who is also the Director of PaRx. An initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, PaRx is driven by healthcare professionals who want to improve patients’ health by connecting them to nature.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/02/dr-melissa-lem/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at ⁠https://theipsproject.com/academy⁠._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 0:00 - 02:57Back to basics: why prescribe nature? 02:58 - 05:07Dr. Lem’s childhood hero: Dr. Suzuki 05:08 - 10:37The PaRx project 10:38 - 16:38Who benefits from a nature prescription? 16:39 - 18:21The science behind it all 18:22 - 22:30The healing power of nature 22:31 - 25:17How much nature time we need to reap the benefits 25:18 - 30:08The IPS Academy 30:09 - 31:25How much nature is enough? 31:26 - 34:00Nature time reduces loneliness 34:01 - 35:01The 3/3300 rule: more nature for everyone 35:02 - 35:55Bringing nature indoors 35:56 - 38:49Getting the most out of your nature time 38:50 - 41:55Measuring the effectiveness of nature 41:56 - 44:22The upwards trend of nature prescription 44:23 - 47:15Exciting upcoming research and projects 47:16 - 49:14The future of nature prescriptions 49:15 - 51:39Final question 51:40 - 55:00Outro 55:01 - 57:13

Sex educator and coach ⁠Ruth Ramsay⁠ shares key pieces of advice and tips on how to consciously improve your sex life here in this episode.Ruth has made notable appearances in the media, boasting a rich background that spans over a decade as a striptease artist. She now holds a transformational coaching diploma and supports clients by blending her coaching skills with her life experience. Beyond this, she has contributed to discussions around the intricate world of sex through her writing and played a pivotal role in establishing the first union for adult workers in the UK.She is also a passionate activist for sexual rights, earning recognition through an award for her advocacy of the erotic rights of people with disabilities. Notably, her TEDx Talk, 'Revamp Your Sex Life In Six Minutes,' ranked up an extraordinary 1.5 million views within just a few months.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: ⁠https://theipsproject.com/2023/12/ruth-ramsay-improve-your-sex-life/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 03:33Where shame, negativity, and stigma around the topic of sex, eroticism, and sexuality often come from 03:33 - 06:28If you have shame around sex, here is what Ruth wants you to know first 06:28 - 09:30How Ruth became a striptease artist 09:30 - 16:20 The shame people tried to inflict on Ruth 16:20 - 17:50Two key bits of advice Ruth received at The London School of Striptease 17:50 - 19:08Ruth's thoughts on today's glamorization of the striptease industry through Instagram and Tiktok 19:08 - 22:19The IPS Academy 22:19 - 23:35Why Ruth became an adult sex educator and coach 23:35 - 29:35What happens during sex coaching, who it is for, who it isn't for 29:35 - 32:35Ruth's Tedx Talk 'Revamp your sex life in 6 minutes' 32:35 - 36:05The subjects Ruth would teach in school if she were invited to do so for a year 36:05 - 41:59Resources about anatomy and sex science 41:59 - 43:12Resources to learn and explore more about what you physically like 43:12 - 47:20Tantra 47:20 - 49:06Sex surrogacy 49:06 - 53:59The damaging side of not being recognized as a sexual being 53:59 - 56:35The work Ruth did with disabled people 56:35 - 1:00:48How to change your self-image if you don't see yourself as sexy or erotic 1:00:48 - 1:05:31How to start talking with your partner about desires, fantasies, etc. 1:05:31 - 1:08:35Podcast suggestions about sex education 1:08:35 - 1:10:07Would you want a round two with Ruth? (Let us know! :)) 1:10:07 - 1:11:01Where to connect with Ruth Ramsay 1:11:01 - 1:13:11Online courses by Ruth Ramsay 1:13:11 - 1:14:23The final question 1:14:23 - 1:14:55Outro 1:14:55 - 1:15:59The IPS Academy 1:15:59 - 1:17:25

No one is immune to sickness. Whether we are talking about a cold or a mental illness. Yes, even if you are a doctor, you can still get sick physically. And yes, even if you are a psychologist, you too can suffer from mental illness. No one is immune. But what do you do when dark thoughts consume you? How can you be there for yourself? In this video, Jellis Vaes, a mental health coach and founder of The IPS Project, an educational platform on life, explains step-by-step how to use The Wellness Plan—a tool to help you be there for yourself during such moments. _______📦RESOURCES📦Podcast episodes: Lessons about Life and Death from a Cancer and a Cardiac Arrest Survivor | Dr. Martin Inderbitzin and Jellis VaesDr. Guy Macpherson, Ph.D. What is Psychological Trauma and How to Heal ItMark Henick – Mental Health Advocate, Coping with Suicidal Thoughts Sean Galla, Founder of Men’s Group: Being a Man Is Not Easy/The Hardships Men Face Websites:5x3 white cardsList of suicide crisis linesWarmline_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒No one is immune 00:00 - 02:33The importance of reminders in our life 02:33 - 04:27The Wellness Plan 04:27 - 04:46Step 1: Warning signs 04:46 - 05:30Step 2: Internal coping strategies 05:30 - 06:46Step 3: People and social settings that provide distraction or people whom I can ask for help 06:46 - 07:45Step 4: Professionals or agencies I can contact during a crisis 07:45 - 10:30Step 5: Reasons for living 10:30 - 12:27Make it visible 12:27 - 14:03The IPS Podcast 14:03 - 15:14Outro 15:14 - 16:08

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming reinvention architect Craig Standland, who knows all about how to reinvent your life after watching his own crumble in 2013, when the FBI came knocking at his door, for a second round on the podcast.In this episode we delve deeper into Craig’s current occupation as a reinvention architect, what that means, and how he guides others as they navigate big life changes and end up becoming better people because of it. Craig is also the author of the best-seller ‘Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison’, and gave an inspiring TEDx talk on the subject. If you’d like to spend even more time with him, both are really worth checking out.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/09/how-to-reinvent-your-life-craig-stanland/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒The IPS Academy 00:00 - 00:51Intro 00:51 - 04:46 What most people wish for when they want to reinvent themselves 04:46 - 08:20 The most common age group Craig works with on reinvention 08:20 - 10:00 What people don't understand about the work Craig does as a reinvention architect 10:00 - 17:18 What Craig's own reinvention journey looked like and how he discovered the tools he uses today with clients 17:18 - 23:00 The four A's 23:00 - 26:02 Three major components to living a rich, fulfilling, and meaning-driven life 26:02 - 32:26 How to find your core values 32:26 - 35:11 The difference between healthy and unhealthy core values 35:11 - 39:00 Exercises to establish your core values 39:00 - 41:50 How to create a system that works for you 41:50 - 45:33 The fears that held Craig back on his own reinvention journey and how he got past them 45:33 - 50:39 The IPS Academy 50:39 - 51:55 What Craig did on his 50th birthday 51:55 - 55:36 What Craig would say to young people who feel pressured to get everything right in life 55:36 - 1:01:10 How to get a healthy view of success 1:01:10 - 1:04:28 When Craig realized meaning and fulfillment were more important than just money 1:04:28 - 1:07:50 Creating a catalyst in your life towards actions that create the life you want to live 1:07:50 - 1:14:06 Upcoming books Craig is working on 1:14:06 - 1:19:37 There is always a reason for behavior: Good people do bad things too 1:19:37 - 1:24:00Where to find and connect with Craig 1:24:00 - 1:26:15 Final question 1:26:15 - 1:28:09 Outro 1:28:09 - 1:29:08 The IPS Academy 1:29:08 - 1:30:35

If you see me today talking to strangers on The IPS Podcast and doing these videos here, you wouldn’t say that I used to be a very shy person. But I was. In fact, it’s quite an understatement. I was always the quietest person in the class or in any room. Through the years, all this changed when I applied all the techniques, skills, and knowledge (and a lot of effort and work) of the ways to talk to anyone, and when I did the deeper inner work of increasing my self-confidence and taking a hard look at my own self-limiting beliefs.These are all things that I am sharing here in this extended video. If you are a shy or insecure person (or both), try applying everything shared in this video and giving it time. True change, like with me, is bound to happen.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/08/how-to-talk-to-anyone/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:101Ways to Get a Conversation GoingSmile and Be Approachable 02:10 - 06:25Pay Attention 06:25 - 09:17Pretend you Have to Give a Presentation About That Person and Be Genuinely Interested 09:17 - 11:18Use a Card Game 11:18 - 13:37Remember Their Name 13:37 - 15:50Practice Empathy 15:50 - 19:05Seek Connection 19:05 - 20:102How to Improve Your Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence 20:10 - 20:31Do Things That You Want to Do But Scare You 20:31 - 24:24Challenge Self-Limiting Beliefs 24:24 - 31:253. Practice, Practice, and Practice 31:25 - 32:45Outro 32:45 - 33:19The IPS Academy 33:19 - 34:44