The Weekend University

Επεισόδια

• 
  Owen Barfield, Imagination, & The Evolution of Consciousness - Mark Vernon and Peter Hawkins 23.07.2026 1ώ 2λ

  This episode features a conversation between Dr. Mark Vernon and Professor Peter Hawkins. This discussion is part of a series that Peter will be doing with some of the major thinkers and writers of our time, focusing on the necessary evolution of human consciousness, for humans to be future-fit to live on this planet in a way that makes a net-positive contribution to the wider ecology. The series is being done jointly with: The Weekend University and the Renewal Foundation. Dr. Vernon is a writer and psychotherapist whose work explores figures including William Blake, Dante, and Owen Barfield, making their insights accessible to contemporary readers seeking deeper understanding of consciousness and meaning. His recent book “Awake” examines how poetic imagination can reconnect us with dimensions of reality that modern culture has obscured. Peter is Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, founder of the Academy of Executive Coaching, and a leading authority on systemic leadership, coaching, and organizational transformation. His work integrates insights from psychology, systems thinking, ecology, and philosophy to help leaders navigate an increasingly complex world. His most recent book was: Beauty in Leadership and Coaching, which was published by Routeledge in 2025. In this conversation, they explore: — Why imagination is not just private fantasy, but a way of engaging with a deeper reality — How Owen Barfield's study of language reveals the evolution of human awareness across centuries — The distinction between original participation, separation, and final participation in the development of consciousness — Why addiction can be understood as a spiritual crisis rooted in misunderstanding what truly satisfies — How transforming human desire may help address the ecological and social challenges of our time — The difference between becoming "someone" and becoming "no one" in the spiritual journey And more. You can learn more about Mark's work and writings at markvernon.com and Peter's work at renewalassociates.co.uk. --- Interview links: — Prof. Hawkins’ website - https://renewalassociates.co.uk — Dr Vernon’s website: https://www.markvernon.com/ — Dr Vernon’s book: https://amzn.to/4vD4Mp3
• 
  "Creating" Clients, Scaling Intimacy, & The 7 Levels of Listening - Rich Litvin 16.07.2026 56λ

  Rich Litvin is a master coach with over 20 years experience, an entrepreneur, and the bestselling author of the Prosperous Coach - a book he co-wrote with Steve Chandler in 2013. In this conversation, we explore: — Why creating value should be your focus rather than "making a name for yourself" — The power of "scaling intimacy" rather than scaling your business — Why Rich coaches for insight rather than remedial problem-solving — The counterintuitive approach of raising your prices during economic downturns And more. You can learn more about Rich's work at https://richlitvin.com. --- Rich Litvin is a globally renowned leadership and high-performance coach, author, and founder of 4PC — an elite community for the top 4% of coaches and leaders worldwide. He helps exceptional individuals achieve exponential growth in impact, income, and influence through deep, transformative coaching. Co-author of The Prosperous Coach, Rich has built a global network of over 60,000 coaches and leaders dedicated to mastering the art of powerful client creation. You can check his work at https://richlitvin.com. --- Interview Link: — Rich’s website: https://richlitvin.com
• 
  Understanding Eating Disorders Through Attachment Theory — Rachel Lewis-Marlow 09.07.2026 1ώ

  Rachel is a somatically integrative psychotherapist, dually licensed in counseling and therapeutic massage and bodywork. She is a Certified Advanced Practitioner in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and has extensive experience working with eating disorders. You’ll learn: — The difference between protection and safety and why this matters when treating eating disorders — Rachel’s view of eating disorders as the body speaking directly to us about our experience of belonging — The embodied recovery model, the relational cycle, and how these can be applied in treatment — Major things to avoid when working with eating disorders And more. You can learn more about Rachel’s work at https://embodiedrecovery.org. --- Rachel Lewis-Marlow (she/her) is the Director of The Embodied Recovery Institute which provides training to interdisciplinary eating disorders treatment teams in trauma-informed, attachment-based, and somatically integrative approaches to eating disorders recovery. Rachel is a somatically integrative psychotherapist, dually licensed in counseling and therapeutic massage and bodywork. She is a Certified Advanced Practitioner in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and has advanced training and 25+ years of experience in diverse somatic therapies including Craniosacral Therapy, Energetic Osteopathy, Oncology massage, and Aromatherapy. Rachel began her work with eating disorders in Residential, PHP, and IOP treatment programs. There, she developed the Embodying Recovery group therapy protocol which forms the basis for the EMBODIED RECOVERY for EATING DISORDERS (ERED) treatment model. She provided program development, training, and supervision for the implementation of the ERED model to enhance the effectiveness of current best practices, such as DBT, Interpersonal Process, ACT groups. She also developed the Body Wisdom group protocol, an alternative to the traditional body-image group, which focuses on enhancing the mind-body relationship through mindful experience of and through the body. She has extensive experience as a teacher and presenter, focusing on accessing the body’s unique capacity to give voice to the subconscious and to lay the foundation for healing and maintaining psychological and physical health. In her private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, Rachel specializes in working with people exploring recovery from trauma, eating disorders, and dissociative disorders. --- Interview Link: — Rachel's website - https://embodiedrecovery.org
• 
  Uncomfortable Conversations, Widening Time Horizons, & The 4 Moves of Strategy - Dr. Keita Demming 02.07.2026 1ώ 2λ

  Dr. Keita Demming is a coach, complexity theorist, and author of "Strategy to Action: Running Your Business Without Running You." Based in Toronto, he works with entrepreneurs and leaders to help them navigate complex challenges through powerful conversations and strategic thinking. In this conversation, we explore: — Why conversation is the action that precedes all meaningful change — How to move through hard conversations faster — The four types of problems we encounter (simple, complicated, complex, and chaotic) and why we need different approaches for each — Dr. Demming's four strategic moves for building the future you want — Why simple rules outperform complex structures in dynamic situations And more. You can learn more about Dr. Demming's work and books at https://www.keitademming.com. --- Keita Demming, PhD is an award-winning educator and coach with a mission to transform businesses into idea-driven, people-centered organizations. He helps leaders face difficult conversations, align strategy with action, and build systems and processes that both boost performance and preserve peace of mind. You can learn more at https://www.keitademming.com --- Interview Links: — Dr. Demming’s website: https://www.keitademming.com — Dr. Demming’s book: https://amzn.to/4pjjMWf
• 
  Joy Tracking, Transforming Consciousness, and Living a Remarkably Charmed Life — Dr. Martha Beck 25.06.2026 1ώ 1λ

  In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Martha Beck, a Harvard-trained sociologist, and bestselling author who is widely regarded as the world’s leading life coach. Martha has written six New York Times bestsellers and is currently working on her new book, "The Pyramid and the Pool," which explores the collapse of hierarchical social structures and what might replace them. In this conversation, we explore: — Why Martha gave up everything in her twenties to create space for a more authentic life — The surprising relationship between “stuckness” and transformation — Martha's vision of a society that functions like a pool rather than a pyramid — How her experience raising a child with Down syndrome transformed her views on intellect and happiness — The relationship between integrity, intuition, and evolving consciousness And more. You can learn more about Martha's work, books, and coaching programs at https://marthabeck.com. --- Dr. Martha Beck, PhD, is a bestselling author, coach, and speaker. She has spent a lifetime offering powerful, practical, and entertaining teachings that help people improve every aspect of their lives. Martha holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha’s published works include several self-help books and memoirs, including New York Times and international bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star, The Joy Diet, and Expecting Adam. She has also published over 150 magazine articles, including almost two decades of monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine. Martha is a passionate and engaging speaker, known for her characteristic blending of science, spirituality, and humor. As “the best-known life coach in America” (NPR, USA Today), she has spoken to audiences around the world on stage and on The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, and many other television programs. International nature-based retreats are also a big part of Martha’s work. Seminar participants travel from all over the world to attend her annual retreats in South Africa and Costa Rica. The rest of the time she lives in the Pennsylvania woods with her family and other assorted creatures. Her passions include nature, pajamas, and YouTube videos of unlikely animal companions. Martha’s recent book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was Oprah’s Book Club selection. Her latest non-fiction book, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose, was an instant New York Times Best Seller. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Beck’s website: https://marthabeck.com — Dr. Beck’s book: https://amzn.to/44KbdMc
• 
  Rupert Sheldrake & Peter Hawkins-Morphic Resonance, Science & Spiritual Practices, The Extended Mind 18.06.2026 1ώ 13λ

  This episode features a conversation between Dr. Rupert Sheldrake and Professor Peter Hawkins. This discussion is part of a series that Peter will be doing with some of the major thinkers and writers of our time, focusing on the necessary evolution of human consciousness, for humans to be future-fit to live on this planet in a way that makes a net-positive contribution to the wider ecology. The series is being done jointly with: The Weekend University and the Renewal Foundation. Rupert is a biologist and author of more than 100 scientific papers and 15 books. Trained at Cambridge and Harvard, he is best known for his work on morphic resonance, as well as his explorations of consciousness, memory, and the nature of scientific inquiry.His most recent book is Ways to Go Beyond and Why They Work, which explores how practices such as meditation, gratitude, pilgrimage, and connecting with nature can transform our lives. Peter is Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, founder of the Academy of Executive Coaching, and a leading authority on systemic leadership, coaching, and organizational transformation. His work integrates insights from psychology, systems thinking, ecology, and philosophy to help leaders navigate an increasingly complex world. His most recent book was: Beauty in Leadership and Coaching, which was published by Routeledge in 2025. In this conversation, they explore: — How morphic fields shape biological form and behavior through collective memory rather than genetic programming alone — Why Professor Sheldrake believes the laws of nature are more like evolving habits than eternal constants — The scientific evidence for telepathy, the sense of being stared at, and other phenomena beyond current materialist frameworks — How spiritual practices across traditions—from pilgrimage to gratitude—demonstrably improve health and wellbeing — Why the loss of ritual and connection to place has contributed to rising mental health challenges in Western societies — The relationship between consciousness, light, and vision that suggests our minds extend beyond our brains And more. You can learn more about Rupert’s work at sheldrake.org and Peter’s at https://renewalassociates.co.uk/. --- Interview Links: — Prof. Peter Hawkins’ website - https://renewalassociates.co.uk — Rupert’s website: http://sheldrake.org/ — Rupert’s books: https://amzn.to/2Gbvijy
• 
  Getting Paid to Play, Writing Nonfiction, & Tapping Your “Character Diamond” — Charlie Hoehn 11.06.2026 1ώ 1λ

  Charlie Hoehn is a marketing strategist, bestselling author, and expert on book publishing who has worked with some of the world's most successful authors, including Tim Ferriss, Codie Sanchez, and Ramit Sethi. After overcoming debilitating anxiety through the power of play, Charlie wrote "Play It Away: A Workaholic's Cure for Anxiety," which became a viral sensation and helped countless people reclaim their mental health. In this conversation, they explore: — How burnout led Charlie to rethink work through play — Why exercise works better when it feels like play, not effort — The common mistake authors make when identifying their ideal reader — How to involve readers as co-creators before a book is launched — The idea that a book should be able to sell itself after the first 10,000 copies And more. You can learn more about Charlie's work at author.inc. --- Charlie Hoehn helps authors, creators, and entrepreneurs scale their impact through high-performance author marketing and business strategy. With which he teaches how to build, launch, and sell books—often helping non-fiction writers reach bestseller status. You can learn more at charliehoehn.com --- Interview Links: — Charlie’s website: https://www.charliehoehn.com and https://www.author.inc
• 
  Is AI Shrinking Human Agency? — Jacob Ward 04.06.2026 1ώ 4λ

  In this interview, Niall speaks with Jacob Ward, former editor-in-chief of Popular Science and technology correspondent for Al Jazeera and NBC News. Jacob is the author of “The Loop”, and creator of the “Hacking Your Mind”. In this conversation, they explore: — How AI may shape our decisions in the same way tools like Google Maps changed how we navigate — How behavioural science is used to make digital products more addictive — The parallels between tech design and older systems of exploitation — Why legal accountability for behavioural harm may help limit manipulation at scale — The human skills needed to protect complex thinking in an AI-driven world And more. You can learn more about Jacob's work at https://www.jacobward.com. --- Jacob Ward is an American science and technology journalist, television correspondent, and author. He is best known as the former editor-in-chief of Popular Science, a technology correspondent for NBC News, and for his book examining artificial intelligence and human behavior. --- Interview Links: — Jacob’s website: https://www.jacobward.com
• 
  The Hidden Drivers of Polarisation: Why People Become Radicalised — Dr. Joel Vos 28.05.2026 1ώ 1λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Joel Vos, a researcher and psychotherapist who specialises in meaning in life, existential psychology, and the roots of polarisation and extremism. Dr. Vos has conducted research at universities across Europe and has worked directly with individuals involved in political movements and radical groups. His work brings together academic research and real-world experience, offering a clear perspective on why people radicalise and how societies can respond. In this conversation, they explore: — Why polarisation and extremism are rooted in threats to meaning in life — The four ways people respond when they cannot live the life they want — Why many government approaches to extremism fall short, and what may work better — The idea of existential compassion, and why it may help reduce conflict — Practical ways to engage with people whose views you strongly oppose And more. You can learn more about Dr. Vos’s work at https://joelvos.com. --- Dr Joel Vos PhD MSc MA CPsychol AFBPsS FHEA is a psychologist and philosopher, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society. He lectures and conducts research at the Metanoia Institute in London. He is the director of IMEC International Meaning Events and Community. He has trained as an existential-humanistic, cognitive-behaviour, group and contextual family psychotherapist. He has given therapy to thousands of clients in different mental health care settings, including his private practice. He has developed psychological treatments which has been validated in clinical trials, and which are now used worldwide. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Vos’ websites: https://joelvos.com — Dr. Vos’ books: https://joelvos.com/books
• 
  Boyd Varty — A Lion Tracker’s Guide to Presence, Purpose, and Self Transformation 21.05.2026 1ώ 2λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Boyd Varty, a wildlife tracker, storyteller, and author of the bestselling books “Cathedral of the Wild”, and “The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life”. Boyd grew up at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, where he learned the ancient art of tracking from master Shangaan trackers. In this conversation, they explore: — How a near-death experience at eighteen revealed a state of consciousness beyond fear — Why tracking animals can teach us how to track our own lives and find what we’re truly looking for — The link between disconnection from nature and the search for meaning — Why transformation begins with saying, “I don’t know, but I want to” — How to follow a sense of aliveness in the body as a guide for decisions And more. You can learn more about Boyd’s work, retreats, and books at https://boydvarty.com/ and boydvarty.com/course-listing/track-your-life-masterclass. --- The wildlife and literacy activist Boyd Varty, author of the memoir Cathedral of the Wild, had an unconventional upbringing. Born to a family of conservationists, Boyd grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in the South African wilderness, a place where man and nature strive for balance, where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded more than 90 years ago as a hunting ground, Londolozi was transformed into a nature reserve beginning in 1973 by Varty’s father and uncle, visionaries of the restoration movement. But it wasn’t just a sanctuary for the animals; it was also a place for ravaged land to flourish again and for the human spirit to be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he came to the reserve to recover. Since childhood, Boyd shared his home with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the wisdom of nature. Boyd survived a harrowing black mamba encounter, a debilitating bout with malaria, even a vicious crocodile attack, but his biggest challenge was a personal crisis of purpose. As a university student, he studied psychology and ecology, supplementing his education by learning martial arts in Thailand, hiking through the jungles of the Amazon, and apprenticing to a renowned tracker from the Shangaan tribe deepening his intimate knowledge of the natural world. Boyd grew up speaking the local language and learning the true meaning of coexistence between people and with nature. Boyd continues to, like a tracker, follow unconventional pathways. He has worked intensively over the past 7 years in ceremonial spaces as an apprentice to a Peruvian shaman while generating his own system of coaching called “track your life” with draws lessons from the ancient art form of tracking to help people find more meaning, purpose and motivation. At the core of his work is the impulse of life towards healing, wholeness and wildness. He works in both the USA and South Africa to connect people to nature and to their own true inner nature. Boyd Varty is a major voice of the new consciousness. He engages audiences across the world on the subject of forging connections in ourselves, in our communities and with the earth. He speaks to those who long for a way of interaction both simpler and more profound than the way most of us live in the world today. Boyd has a psychology degree from the University of South Africa. He is a certified Master Life Coach, the author of two books and a TED speaker. Boyd has spent the last ten years refining the art of using wilderness as a place for deep introspection and personal transformation. Having taught his philosophy of “Tracking your Life” to companies and individuals all over the world he has been featured in the New York Times and NBC. --- Interview Links: — Boyd’s website: http://boydvarty.com — Track Your Life Masterclass: https://boydvarty.com/course-listing/track-your-life-masterclass
• 
  The Deeper Truths Hidden Inside Christianity — Aaron Abke 14.05.2026 1ώ 1λ

  In this interview, Niall speaks with Aaron Abke, an author and spiritual teacher who left a career in ministry to pursue a deeper understanding of consciousness and spiritual awakening. After what he describes as a transformative two-week period where he was “incapable of suffering,” Aaron devoted his life to understanding freedom from suffering and helping others find it. In this conversation, they explore: — The difference between “outcome happiness” and “no reason happiness” — How Aaron defines the ego, and why he sees it as innocent rather than something to fight — Why he believes only what we don’t give can ever be lacking in our lives — How surrendering personal control can lead to greater freedom and fulfilment — His perspective on “Christ consciousness” and what it means to see divinity in others And more. You can learn more about Aaron’s work at http://www.aaronabke.com. — Aaron Abke is the author of The Three Beliefs of Ego. A spiritual teacher and thought leader who delivers a fresh new perspective on self-realization, his online academy for consciousness expansion, 4D University, has more than 10,000 members. Multiple Gaia TV series, chart-topping spirituality podcasts, and SiriusXM radio programs have showcased Abke’s passion and purpose, which is to awaken this planet to the awareness of our oneness. He lives in Austin, Texas. Visit him online at http://www.aaronabke.com. --- Interview Links: — Aaron’s website: http://www.aaronabke.com — Aaron’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aabke — Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronabke — Aaron’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronAbke — Aaron’s Book: https://amzn.to/4rsmgDj
• 
  Healing Traumatic Attachment Patterns — Dr. Janina Fisher 07.05.2026 53λ

  In this interview, I’m joined by Dr Janina Fisher — a clinical psychologist, author, and former trainer at Harvard Medical School. She is the developer of Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment and widely regarded as a leading pioneer in the field of attachment and trauma-informed care. This conversation focuses on how Janina's insights and approach can be applied to working with traumatic attachment. Expect to Learn: — Why frightened or frightening parenting can be just as harmful as abuse. — The relationship between traumatic attachment and borderline personality disorder — How attachment patterns influence the “window of tolerance” — Dr Fisher’s advice for the next generation of therapists. And more. You can learn more about Dr Fisher’s work at https://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. --- 3 Books Dr. Janina Fisher Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Healing Trauma: Attachment, Mind, Body and Brain — Dan Siegel and Marion Solomon - https://amzn.to/4fOVm38 — Neurobiology Essentials for Clinicians — Arlene Montgomery - https://amzn.to/4dzfIex — Handbook of Attachment — Jude Cassidy and Phillip Shaver - https://amzn.to/3YBqiO0 Interview Links: — Dr Janina’s website - https://janinafisher.com
• 
  Dr. Christof Koch - Exploring the Further Reaches of Human Consciousness 30.04.2026 51λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Christof Koch, Chief Scientist of the MindScope Program at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, former Professor at Caltech, and author of “Then I Am Myself the World”. Dr. Koch is a leading researcher in the science of consciousness and a key proponent of Integrated Information Theory. In this conversation, they explore: — Why consciousness may be fundamental, while physical matter exists only in relation to other things — How an experience on a beach in Brazil changed his understanding of reality — The discovery of “covert consciousness” in patients thought to be in vegetative states — How the perturbational complexity index (PCI) shows a clear boundary between conscious and unconscious states, and why this matters — How Integrated Information Theory approaches the question of free will You can learn more about Dr. Koch’s work at https://christofkoch.com. --- Dr. Christof Koch is a Meritorious Investigator at the Allen Institute. Christof received his baccalaureate from the Lycée Descartes in Rabat, Morocco, his B.S. and M.S. in physics from the University of Tübingen in Germany and his Ph.D. from the Max-Planck Institute for biological Cybernetics in 1982. Subsequently, he spent four years as a postdoctoral fellow in the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1987 until 2013, Koch was a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, from his initial appointment as Assistant Professor, Division of Biology and Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 1986, to his final position as Lois and Victor Troendle Professor of Cognitive & Behavioral Biology. See here for Christof’s academic pedigree and his students. Christof joined the Allen Institute for Brain Science as Chief Scientific Officer in 2011 and became President in 2015. Christof writings and interests integrate theoretical, computational and experimental neuroscience with philosophy and contemporary trends, in particular artificial intelligence. His latest book, Then I Am Myself the World: What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It, publish in May 2024. His previous book, Consciousness: Confessions of a Romantic Reductionist, blends science and memoir to explore topics in discovering the roots of consciousness. Stemming in part from a long-standing collaboration with the late Nobel Laureate Francis Crick, Christof authored the book The Quest for Consciousness: A Neurobiological Approach. Koch also authored the technical books Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons and Methods in Neuronal Modeling: From Ions to Networks, and served as editor for several books on neural modeling and information processing. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Koch’s website: https://christofkoch.com — Dr. Koch’s book: https://amzn.to/4mIKG9W
• 
  Integrative Attachment Therapy — Dr. David Elliott 23.04.2026 1ώ 3λ

  Dr. David Elliott is a clinical psychologist, former president of the Rhode Island Psychological Association, and Harvard graduate. He teaches internationally on attachment, personality, and psychotherapy process, and is the co-author of Attachment Disturbances in Adults. In this conversation, we explore: — The ‘ideal parent figure’ method and how it can be applied to heal attachment wounds — The three pillars of integrative attachment therapy — The benefits and limitations of the therapist becoming the client's good attachment figure. And more. You can learn more about Dr. Elliott’s work at https://www.davidelliottphd.com. --- Dr. Elliott received his Ph.D. in Psychology in 1989 from Harvard University. His clinical training while at Harvard included externships at the Tufts University Counseling Center, the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Massachusetts, and a clinical psychology internship at McLean Hospital, the psychiatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at McLean Hospital, where he worked on the Adolescent and Family Treatment Unit and at the hospital’s mental health outpatient clinic. He was licensed as a Psychologist in Massachusetts in 1990, and in Rhode Island in 1993. Recognizing from an early age that there are many dimensions to human experience, any and all of which can contribute to well-being or to difficulty, Dr. Elliott has maintained a commitment to learning and understanding the whole range of human possibility — from the deepest confusions and struggles of psychosis, to the patterns of personality that create personal and relational conflicts, to the development of the self in ways that promote both independence and intimacy, and to higher levels of growth that allow for flourishing and even a recognition of oneself as beyond the limits of the personal self. --- Interview Links: — Dr Elliott’s website - https://www.davidelliottphd.com 3 Books Dr Elliott Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World - Sue Marriott & Ann Kelley - https://amzn.to/4cn9ttG — A Compelling Idea: How We Become the Persons We Are - Alan Sroufe - https://amzn.to/4cvP31X — Attachment Disturbances in Adults: Treatment for Comprehensive Repair - Daniel P. Brown & David S. Elliott - https://amzn.to/4cvPcCx
• 
  What Neurosurgery Taught Me About Materialism, Consciousness, and Free Will — Dr. Michael Egnor 16.04.2026 1ώ 5λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Michael Egnor, a professor of neurosurgery at Stony Brook University who has performed over 7,000 brain operations. He is also director of the neurosurgery residency program and has published extensively on the relationship between mind and brain. In this conversation, they explore: — Why decades of brain mapping research suggest that reason and free will cannot be produced by neural activity — Cases of patients missing large portions of their brain who function normally — What paradoxical lucidity in dementia patients reveals about consciousness — How research on patients in persistent vegetative states challenges materialist assumptions — Why evidence from neuroscience points to the existence of an immaterial mind And more. You can learn more about Dr. Egnor’s work through his book, “The Immortal Mind". — Michael Egnor’s practice includes patients diagnosed with Arnold Chiari deformity, hydrocephalus, cranio-synostosis, brain tumors, and spina bifida, as well as children with severe head trauma. He has an international reputation for research on hydrocephalus, and he is on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Hydrocephalus Association in the United States. --- Interview Link: — Dr. Egnor’s Book: https://amzn.to/4bIAiv3
• 
  Navigating “Possession” in Psychotherapy — Robert Falconer 09.04.2026 1ώ 2λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Robert Falconer, a writer, consultant, and teacher who has spent nearly two decades working with complex psychological experiences that sit outside conventional therapeutic frameworks. Robert is the author of ten books and specialises in working with people experiencing what Internal Family Systems calls “unattached burdens” — intrusive psychological patterns that seem to originate outside a person’s own history. His most recent book, “Spirit”, documents a decade of written dialogues on consciousness and healing. In this conversation, they explore: — Why the belief that minds are isolated and impermeable may contribute to psychological distress — How intergenerational trauma can be passed down through epigenetic mechanisms — The difference between parts of ourselves and external psychological influences — Why fear is the main way intrusive patterns maintain their influence — The role of interoception in mental health, and how Internal Family Systems approaches these cases And more. You can learn more about Robert’s work at http://robertfalconer.us. --- In 2023, Bob published his book about IFS and unattached burdens – The Others Within Us: Internal Family Systems, Porous Mind, and Spirit Possession, and it quickly became a best-seller in its category. Prior to that he co-authored Many Minds, One Self (2017) with Richard Schwartz and since then he has published When You’re Going Through Hell …Keep Going (2024), and his latest book, Spirit (2025), a summary of many of the journals of his daily dialogues with Spirit. For the past 20 years or so Bob has devoted himself full-time to IFS work (Internal Family Systems Therapy). In that time he has completed all levels of IFS training offered, and has been a program assistant more than 18 times. Bob has been at many workshops and events with Richard Schwartz both as assistant and participant. In addition to studying with many of the other senior IFS trainers, For all of his therapeutic work, both professional and personal, Bob now uses IFS almost exclusively. Before this Bob used and explored many forms of therapy, starting with Ericksonian hypnotherapy which he studied with Carol Erickson. He received his master’s degree and hypnotherapist certificate under her tutelage. Then he met and began studying with Jack and Helen Watkins, the creators of Ego State Therapy. Before beginning his graduate work, starting in 1971, Bob was a regular at with the Esalen Institute where he has attended more than 120 events and workshops. At Esalen Bob met and worked with many of the leaders of the human potential movement and focused on Gestalt Therapy mainly with Mariah Fenton Gladys and Christine Price. In the 80s and 90s Bob also studied codependency and addictions with Pia Mellody. --- Interview Links: — Robert’s website: https://robertfalconer.us/ — Robert’s books: https://amzn.to/4t2AuLX
• 
  Behavioural Coaching, Meaning-Making, and Finding the Middle Way — Eric Zimmer 02.04.2026 1ώ 1λ

  Get Your Copy of Eric's New Book: https://www.oneyoufeed.net/book/ In this episode, I speak with Eric Zimmer— a behavioural coach, podcast host, and writer—whose work blends spirituality with the science of behaviour change. Eric is best known as the host of the award winning “One You Feed Podcast”. In this conversation, we explore: — Why lasting change requires both inner and outer transformation — How to move beyond shame and identity-based thinking — The power of reframing behaviour as a puzzle to be solved rather than a problem to be fixed — What it means to be “on your own side”, and how this fuels personal growth — Why self-compassion and accountability are not opposites—but partners And more. You can learn more about Eric’s podcast, membership, and programs at oneyoufeed.net --- A behavior coach, Certified Interfaith Spiritual Director, podcast host, and writer, Eric Zimmer is endlessly inspired by the quest for a greater understanding of how our minds work and how to intentionally create the lives we want to live. At the age of 24, Eric was homeless, addicted to heroin and facing long jail sentences. In the years since he has found a way to recover from addiction and build a life worth living for himself. Eric works as a behavior coach and has done so for the past 20 years. He has coached hundreds of people from around the world on how to make significant life changes and create habits that serve them well in achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves. In addition to his work as a behavior coach, he currently hosts the award-winning podcast, The One You Feed, based on an old parable about two wolves at battle within us. With over 600 episodes and over 30 million downloads, the show features conversations with experts across many fields of study about how to create a life that has less suffering and more fulfillment and meaning. Guests on the show include scientists, authors, researchers, teachers, thought leaders, spiritual gurus, and public figures and all offer practical, actionable wisdom that listeners can readily apply to their daily lives in order to act their way into a better experience of living. His story and his work have been featured in the media including TedX, Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal, the BBC and Brain Pickings. --- Interview Links: — Eric’s website - https://www.oneyoufeed.net — Get Your Copy of Eric's New Book: https://www.oneyoufeed.net/book/
• 
  Was Jesus Really Teaching Nonduality? - Cynthia Bourgeault 26.03.2026 1ώ 13λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest, author, and teacher of contemplative practice and the Wisdom tradition. She is the author of multiple books, and has spent decades exploring the relationship between Christian mysticism and consciousness transformation. In this conversation, they explore: — Why the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts suggests a more diverse early Christianity — How Jesus’s mission may have centred on the transformation of human consciousness — The practice of kenosis and why “clinging to nothing” is central to spiritual development — What the resurrection reveals about different levels of consciousness and being — Why human beings may serve as a bridge between material and non-material realms And more. You can learn more about Cynthia’s work at https://wisdomwaypoints.org. --- Cynthia Bourgeault is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude and sailing the waters around her seaside hermitage in Maine and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom paths. Cynthia is a core faculty emeritus at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has been honored by the annual Watkins Review as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in 2021. Cynthia grew up in the rolling countryside just west of Philadelphia and experienced her first tastes of silence and mystical presence during the weekly Meeting for Worship at the Quaker school she attended. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies, where she specialized in early music and liturgical drama: training that would prove to serve her well in her later work as a spiritual teacher. She studied at the Philadelphia Divinity School and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1979. In 2013 she became a core faculty member of the center for Action and contemplation, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The strength of a lineage depends on the strength of its students, Cynthia believes. From the start she has taken an active interest in mentoring a new generation of Wisdom teachers and leaders, and it has been a joy to watch their emergence. You will meet many of them right here on this website, featured in the forum and profile sections, or leading the practices and book groups While retirement continues to elude her, she does steal as much time as she can for hermit solitude, exploring the spiritual cutting edges, and “messing about in boats.” You can learn more about Cynthia’s work at https://wisdomwaypoints.org. --- Interview Links: — Cynthia's websites: http://wisdomwayofknowing.org and https://wisdomwaypoints.org — Cynthia's book: https://amzn.to/4rW8SXs
• 
  Healing Addiction with Internal Family Systems — Marc Lewis and Cece Sykes 19.03.2026 1ώ 7λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Professor Marc Lewis and Cece Sykes about addiction, Internal Family Systems therapy, and the neuroscience of behavioural change. Professor Lewis is a neuroscientist and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, specialising in developmental psychology and addiction. He is the author of “Memoirs of an Addicted Brain” and “The Biology of Desire”. Cece is a clinical psychologist with over four decades of experience supporting trauma survivors and people with addiction. She is the author of “Internal Family Systems Therapy for Addictions”. In this discussion, they explore: — Why addiction is best seen as an adaptive response to emotional difficulty rather than a disease — How the polarization between critical and escape-seeking parts maintains addictive patterns — The neuroscience behind why parts emerge in specific moments and contexts — Why bringing compassion, rather than judgment, to addictive behaviours creates the conditions for change — How Internal Family Systems therapy helps people access their capacity for self-regulation And more. You can learn more about Professor Lewis at https://memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com and Cece at https://www.cecesykeslcsw.com. --- Prof Marc Lewis, PhD is a neuroscientist, professor, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading experts on the neuroscience of addiction. In his academic work, he has authored or co-authored more than fifty journal articles, and for many years was a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Toronto and then Radboud University (Netherlands) before retiring. For the last decade, he has focused on making his work more accessible to a wider audience through books for lay readers, pop science articles, public talks, and interviews. He is the author of two bestselling books on addiction: “Memoirs of an Addicted Brain” and “The Biology of Desire”, a book which Dr Gabor Mate argues “effectively refutes the disease model of addiction.” He is currently practicing psychotherapy as a clinical psychologist in Toronto, working with clients with addictive problems and other difficulties. --- Cece Sykes, LCSW, ACSW; IFS Senior Trainer, US and international. Contributed to Levels 1 and 2 IFS training manuals and teaches L1 as well as L2 Trauma and Addiction. Cece has over thirty years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples and families, specializing in work with the effects of trauma and addiction. Her chapter on compassionate approaches to addictive process appears in IFS: Innovations and Elaborations, 2016, Routledge. Cece also has special interests in spiritual practices intersecting with therapy and in the impact of psychotherapy upon the life of the therapist and she lectures, consults and leads workshops on all of these topics. Cece lives and works in the city of Chicago. --- Interview Links: Interview Links: — Professor Lewis’ website: https://memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com — Professor Lewis’ books: https://amzn.to/4rIga10 — Cece’s website: https://www.cecesykeslcsw.com — Cece’s book: https://amzn.to/4btvzfm
• 
  Caroline Myss: Archetypes, Seeking Divine Guidance, & Co-Creating a Better World 12.03.2026 1ώ 2λ

  In this episode, Niall speaks with Caroline Myss, a five-time New York Times bestselling author and internationally recognised teacher in human consciousness and medical intuition. Caroline has spent decades exploring the relationship between biography, consciousness, and the patterns that shape human experience. Her work brings together mystical theology, archetypal psychology, and the question of how intention and choice influence health and personal transformation. In this conversation, they explore: — Why human development may move from the love of power to the power of love — How the symbolic realm shapes physical reality — The role of archetypes as impersonal patterns that organise human consciousness — Why intention, rather than action, determines the consequence of our choices — How guidance from the non-physical realm operates in moments of genuine need And more. You can learn more about Caroline’s work and courses at https://myss.com. — Caroline Myss is a five-time New York Times bestselling author and internationally renowned speaker in the fields of human consciousness, spirituality and mysticism, health, energy medicine, and the science of medical intuition. Caroline established her own educational institute in 2003, CMED (Caroline Myss Education), which offers a diverse array of programs devoted to personal development and draws students from all over the world. Caroline then pursued her interest in the language of symbols, myths, and archetypes, conducting research that enabled her to profile an individual’s “Sacred Contract,” a complex of 12 archetypal patterns that reflect in mythic language the agreements the soul made prior to birth. Based on this work, Caroline released “Sacred Contracts”, which became her third New York Times bestseller. Caroline followed with two more New York Times bestsellers, “Invisible Acts of Power” in 2004 and “Entering the Castle” in 2007. Caroline’s interest in mysticism and the nature of mystical consciousness only deepened following the writing of Entering the Castle. She pursued her interest in the nature of grace, the consciousness of the soul and the mystical phenomenon of healing that transcends reason in “Defy Gravity”, released in October 2009. In 2020, Caroline released a book on prayer, including 100 of her personal prayers, “Intimate Conversations with the Divine”. In addition to her written work, Caroline has produced more than one hundred audio/visual products on subjects that include healing, spirituality, personal development, and the study of archetypes. --- Interview Links: — Caroline’s website: https://myss.com — Caroline’s books: https://amzn.to/4rZIa0X — Caroline’s online courses: https://myss.com/online-courses — Caroline’s live workshops: https://myss.com/in-depth-experiences