Gabriel Ellis, PhD | The Curious Mind Podcast

Эпизоды

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  Triggers, trauma, and red flags: The problem with pop-psychology 13.08.2026 39мин

  Trigger, Red Flags, Gaslighting, Resilience: Psychological terms are everywhere. Yet although we talk about mental health today more than ever before, sick days, exhaustion, and depression are reaching record levels. How can these two things be reconciled?When we use terms without understanding what they do to our minds, we allow ourselves to be shaped by societal narratives. Drawing on Hegel’s philosophy of the development of developing consciousness, I show why genuine therapeutic success requires a conscious examination and working-through of our own concepts—in order to end unconscious self-harm and achieve genuine self-knowledge.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  The Structure and Function of Needs 02.08.2026 1ч

  Why do some people feel persistently empty despite success, relationships, or wealth? Because they don't actually know their true needs. I explain how our unconscious mind shapes our lives through hidden needs, why we can lose touch with them, and what consequences this has for our vitality, sense of direction, and overall life satisfaction. You'll also learn about a model of six fundamental core needs, along with practical exercises that will help you identify your own needs more clearly and fulfill them in healthier ways. Hopefully, this offers a fresh perspective on the human psyche.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/r6vVhLvCCZ8Homepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  Self-awareness in therapy - needs and worldview 13.06.2026 39мин

  Who are you really? True self-knowledge is more than self-optimization. That's why in this episode I discuss how you can uncover what lies hidden beneath habits, conditioning, and societal expectations. What needs drive your life? What emotional patterns repeat themselves? How do you treat yourself? What unconscious worldviews guide your decisions? The answers to these questions will help you piece together the puzzle of your identity.
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  The Practice of General Self-Knowledge (of the Soul) 26.05.2026 27мин

  What remains of the “I” when the not-self is stripped away? This episode explores practical paths to self-knowledge — from ascetic exercises, emotional control, and observation of thought to Neoplatonic and Gnostic methods aimed at uncovering the “pure spirit.” At the same time, it addresses the radical critique of Max Stirner, who sees in all these ideals merely new forms of subjugation.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.comPhoto by Vitaliy Shevchenko on Unsplash
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  Self-Knowledge: Challenges and Promises 15.05.2026 26мин

  I explore the concept of self-knowledge, tracing its roots from Socrates and Hegel to Buddhism. At the heart of this discussion is the question of which thoughts, feelings, and habits truly belong to our "I"—and which are merely external, learned patterns. I explain why change often only becomes possible when we detach our identity from certain emotions and core beliefs. Additionally, I examine the crucial difference between healthy inner freedom and mere emotional self-control.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  The Architecture of the World | How Your Mind Creates Its Truth | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 21.03.2026 32мин

  We don't see the world; we only see our models of it. Gilbert Simondon's analogy of crystallization illustrates this: our thinking touches reality only at a razor-thin interface. Everything else is a construct, often even a hallucination, fueled by experience and emotion. In this episode, you'll learn how to update your "mental nutrient solution" and thus increase your life satisfaction.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  From Inner Critic to Self-Love | Your Inner Voice | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 10.03.2026 15мин

  Do you notice how negative self-talk undermines your self-esteem? In this video, I'll show you how important your self-awareness is—and how genuine self-empathy, instead of superficial affirmations, strengthens your mental foundation. We'll talk about self-criticism, meditation, therapy, and the path to a healthy inner dialogue.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  Overcoming Anxiety | Self-Help and the Added Value of Therapy | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 23.02.2026 40мин

  When we operate in a kind of trance, like complex machines on autopilot, catastrophic fantasies and old avoidance patterns dictate our actions. In this episode, you'll learn how to create a buffer in your daily life through "pure perception" and mental hygiene, while in the "mental laboratory" of therapy, we rewrite the deep-seated programs of your unconscious. Gabriel Ellis explains how you can move from passive suffering to active responsibility.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.comPhoto by Zhifei Zhou on Unsplash
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  Why Shamelessness Doesn't Make You Free | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 11.02.2026 32мин

  Do you carry a deep sense that you are fundamentally flawed or broken? We are often told that shame is our enemy, yet simply trying to be "shameless" without deep understanding leaves us isolated. In this episode, Gabriel Ellis bridges philosophy (Plato, Spinoza, Nietzsche) with modern psychology (Lacan, Brené Brown) to reveal why shame resilience requires more than just vulnerability—it requires the intellectual courage to understand your own desires.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.comPhoto by The New York Public Library on Unsplash
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  Overcoming Anxiety in six steps | Anxiety Therapy | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 25.01.2026 40мин

  Anxiety often feels overwhelming and leads to avoidance, which increasingly restricts your life. In this video, Dr. Gabriel Ellis explains the proven therapeutic path of proving to your unconscious mind that you can withstand the feared situation. This is achieved through precise confrontation and the consistent prevention of safety behaviors (crutches). Learn how to endure the anxiety curve until it flattens out on its own, allowing you to regain your freedom of action and self-confidence.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  Dangerous or just useless? | Therapist tests AI therapy | Gabriel Ellis, PhD 12.01.2026 46мин

  Can artificial intelligence replace a real therapist? Many people in psychological distress are turning to AI like ChatGPT. In this realistic experiment, psychotherapist Gabriel Ellis tests whether ChatGPT, with good prompts, can operate as a client-centered therapist comparable to Carl Rogers. The result is, in most cases, a clear and well-founded warning about the limitations of AI in psychotherapy.Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  ChatGPT fails as a psychotherapist | AI put to the test | Dr. Gabriel Ellis 18.12.2025 53мин

  Can AI tools like ChatGPT serve as a substitute for psychotherapy, at least for advanced users? In this live-simulated session, the user becomes frustrated with too much information or simply receives bad advice. As a therapist, ChatGPT is a well-structured con artist who can summarize unempathetically but cannot read between the lines.In the next episode, I will simulate a client a client who is exceptionally well-informed. Let's see if there is any chance for ChatGPT to be a decent therapist after all!Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/CPjrpkgH-McHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  Psychotherapist tests ChatGPT: Dangerous for inexperienced users! 05.12.2025 40мин

  In this episode, I introduce the problematic nature of therapy with "artificial intelligence." I show what happens when an inexperienced user tries to use AI as a psychological advisor. I explain why this type of use can quickly lead to misunderstandings and is even dangerous — and why genuine professional guidance remains indispensable.In the next two episodes, I will simulate a client who has some experience with self-development, and finally, a client who is exceptionally well-informed. Let's see how that turns out!Free introductory consultation: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/Email: therapy@gabriel-ellis.com
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  Ways out of Loneliness - Considerations and Exercises 25.04.2025 35мин

  Loneliness is not a weakness, but a reflection of our times. I will illuminate the necessary insights and fundamental practices for overcoming loneliness and isolation. You'll learn how to develop realistic expectations for social encounters and which exercises you can use to bring more courage, empathy, and authenticity into your interactions.Free introduction call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/
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  Social Recognition and its Philosophical Roots 11.04.2025 24мин

  Why are other people so fundamental to our consciousness?Even in the womb, our consciousness begins to engage with the "Other"—through the body, through sensations and perceptions. Later, young children project mental qualities onto inanimate objects and enter into quasi-social relationships with them. Overall, our long phase of dependency on parents makes us particularly sensitive to recognition and social connection... These are key components I explore to show why social perception and recognition are the foundation of our sense of self—and why they can never be fully resolved.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com
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  Metasocial World, Herd Mentality, and Loneliness 28.03.2025 40мин

  This episode explores how modern digital life contributes to social isolation. Social media fosters constant social comparisons, depleting our social energy and raising unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others. As a result, real-life interactions become increasingly exhausting and unsatisfying. Herd psychology plays a crucial role: people align with the opinions and behaviors of their digital surroundings, reinforcing echo chambers and distorting social validation. At the same time, suppressed aggression finds an outlet in social media, creating the illusion of a like-minded community – an illusion that ultimately leads to disappointment in real-life relationships. This dynamic further fuels loneliness and social withdrawal.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/02jwT8w39IcHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com
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  The New Loneliness - Causes and Effects 14.03.2025 24мин

  Social isolation is increasing significantly in our modern society. But why? In this episode, I introduce the causes and context of this growing problem. Technological developments, urbanization, individualism, and the decline of social gathering places have led to more and more people experiencing loneliness. At the same time, anxiety, depression, and economic pressure further reinforce this trend.https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/https://www.npr.org/2025/01/29/1227543269/antisocial-century-derek-thompsonYoutube: https://youtu.be/5Hnvf07X5nYFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com
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  At Home in Contentment - Ayatana and the Truth 28.02.2025 37мин

  There are places in the mind that go beyond immediate sensory perception - both positive (contentment and peace) and negative (despair and sadness). But what does it mean in ancient Buddhism to find a true home in the depths of the Dhamma? I describe similarities with the Greek Logos and how truth and inner stability belong together.Free discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/Gu-evzKY9rwHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com
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  Beyond the Sensory Realm - The Mystical Traditions 14.02.2025 22мин

  After giving a first introduction to the "home of the ego" from a Buddhist perspective, in this episode I bring examples of other mystical traditions. It seems that whenever people are inspired by wisdom or devotion they develop similar techniques for transcending normal consciousness. Examples are from from Plotinus, Christian, Islamic and Jewish mystics. The next episode will return to Buddhism and to how the shift in consciousness is carried out technically.Youtube: https://youtu.be/C35HmEYG2NsFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com
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  Giving the Ego a New Home - Ayatana in Buddhism 31.01.2025 15мин

  This episode dives into the Buddhist concept of Āyatana, the “home base” of our ego that shapes how we experience the world. While we usually operate within the sensual realm, Buddhism teaches that through spiritual practice, we can transcend this and access higher levels of awareness, such as meditative concentration and liberation.Short Ayatana article: https://www.academia.edu/45655783/%C4%80yatana_the_Buddhas_forgotten_teachingLonger article: https://www.academia.edu/43117230/%C4%80yatana_in_Early_BuddhismFree discovery call: https://calendly.com/gabriel-ellis/30minYoutube: https://youtu.be/FY9VPKLIXBwHomepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com