The Weekend University

Insights for Evolving Consciousness.

Insights for Evolving Consciousness In-depth interviews with leading thinkers at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, culture, and spirituality. This show is for you if you’re interested in: – Reducing suffering — in yourself and others – Continuously upgrading your perspective – Realising more of your potential – Experiencing a greater sense of awe, meaning, and connection in everyday life. New episodes every Thursday.

  1. Building Existential Resilience — Yannick Jacob

    6D AGO

    Building Existential Resilience — Yannick Jacob

    In this episode, Niall speaks with Yannick Jacob, an existential coach, philosopher, and educator with over 15 years of coaching experience. Yannick helps people explore the deeper philosophical questions behind everyday life. His approach blends existential philosophy with practical coaching to develop what he calls “existential resilience.” In this conversation, they explore: — How big existential questions are always at work beneath the surface of our lives — How building “existential resilience” helps us face life’s inevitable challenges — Why avoiding depth and complexity may feel comfortable but leaves us unprepared — The value of coaching as a space to courageously face yourself — How presence is something AI can never truly replicate in coaching relationships And more. You can learn more about Yannick’s work at https://www.coachingandmediation.net or explore his resources for coaches at https://rocketsupervision.com. — Yannick Jacob is an existential life and leadership coach, coach-trainer & supervisor, positive psychologist, and mediator whose work combines existential philosophy, positive psychology, and leadership development. He has led academic programs (including being Programme Leader of the MSc Coaching Psychology at University of East London), designs and trains ICF-accredited courses and supervises coaches globally. His focus is on helping individuals re-think what success, happiness, and purpose look like, through coaching, supervision, and philosophical reflection. You can learn more at https://www.coachingandmediation.net. --- Interview Links: — Yannick’s website: https://www.coachingandmediation.net — Resources for coaches at https://rocketsupervision.com.

    1h 5m
  2. The Science of Changing Your Personality — Olga Khazan

    FEB 12

    The Science of Changing Your Personality — Olga Khazan

    In this episode, Niall speaks with Olga Khazan, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of “Weird” and “Me, But Better”. Drawing on research and personal experimentation, Olga shows how our personalities are more flexible than we often realise—and how intentional change can lead to greater fulfilment and success. In this conversation, they explore: — Why personality change often starts with letting go of limiting self-narratives — How Buddhist principles can reduce neuroticism and anxiety — Why acting against your natural tendencies sometimes brings unexpected benefits — The link between personality traits and life outcomes — How setting meaningful goals can support positive personality change And more. You can learn more about Olga’s work at http://olgakhazan.com. --- Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic. Prior to that, she was The Atlantic’s Global editor. She has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Forbes, and other publications. She is the author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change and Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World. --- Interview Links: — Olga’s website - https://olgakhazan.com — Olga's new book: Me, But Better - https://amzn.to/4rBLDly — Sneak peeks from Olga's book - https://olgakhazan.substack.com

    1h 1m
  3. Socrates, Cognitive Flexibility, & Why Modern "Self Help" is Ruining Lives — Donald Robertson

    FEB 5

    Socrates, Cognitive Flexibility, & Why Modern "Self Help" is Ruining Lives — Donald Robertson

    Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist, author, and a leading expert on ancient Stoic philosophy and its modern applications. Originally from Scotland and now based in Canada, he has spent his career examining how ancient philosophy can help address modern psychological challenges. In this episode, Niall speaks with Donald about his book: “How to Think Like Socrates” and the continued relevance of Socratic philosophy for modern life and mental wellbeing. In this conversation, they explore: — Why Socrates was a “street philosopher” who brought philosophy into everyday life — How Socratic questioning can build cognitive flexibility and soften rigid thinking — The link between wisdom and emotional wellbeing that underpins cognitive therapy — Why clarifying values matters for living a meaningful life — How ancient philosophical practices can be applied to modern psychological challenges And more. You can learn more about Donald’s work at http://donaldrobertson.name. — Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist and trainer. He is one of the founding members of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit, and the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre nonprofit in Athens, Greece. Donald specializes in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and known as an expert on the relationship between modern evidence-based psychotherapy and classical Greek and Roman philosophy. His work is highly interdisciplinary, combining philosophy, history, and psychology. He was born in Irvine, Scotland, and grew up in Ayr. He worked as a psychotherapist for about twenty years in London, England, where he had a clinic in Harley Street, and ran a training school for therapists. He emigrated to Canada in 2013 and began focusing more on writing and consultancy. He now divides his time between Greece and Canada. Donald is an experienced public speaker. His therapy practice specialised for many years in helping clients with social anxiety and self-confidence issues. His work, and that of his colleagues, has often featured in the media of different countries, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, etc. --- Interview Links: — Donald’s website - http://donaldrobertson.name — Donald's books - https://amzn.to/4bwfdUY

    1h 7m
  4. Consciousness Beyond Death: Findings from 20 Years of LSD Research — Christopher Bache

    JAN 29

    Consciousness Beyond Death: Findings from 20 Years of LSD Research — Christopher Bache

    In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Christopher Bache about his 20-year exploration of consciousness, including 73 high-dose LSD sessions undertaken as part of a disciplined, structured inquiry. Dr. Bache is a Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. Dr. Bache’s journey moved beyond personal healing into encounters with collective consciousness and what he calls the diamond soul. His work brings together philosophy, spirituality, and direct investigation of non-ordinary states of awareness. In this conversation, they explore: — How psychedelic experiences revealed the boundary between individual and collective consciousness — The evolutionary purpose of reincarnation and its role in human development — Why a collective dark night of the soul may precede a major shift in consciousness — How meeting suffering, personal and collective, can open the way to deeper freedom — Why Dr. Bache understands death as a homecoming rather than an ending And more. You can learn more about Dr. Bache’s work at http://chrisbache.com. — Christopher Bache is professor emeritus in the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University, adjunct faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Emeritus Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and on the Advisory Council of Grof Legacy Training. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Bache’s website - https://chrisbache.com — Dr. Bache’s book: https://amzn.to/3NLkPRl

    1h 6m
  5. Can Community Heal Addiction? - Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla

    JAN 22

    Can Community Heal Addiction? - Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla

    Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction therapist. He is the Co-Founder of Recovery Egypt, one of the leading treatment and rehabilitation centres in North Africa. He has publications in many international Journals, including the European Journal of Psychiatry. In this conversation, we explore: — Dr Darwish’s radical approach to recovery and how it goes against many of the norms of mainstream psychiatry — How Dr Darwish and his colleague built their recovery centre from scratch and his advice to others who are interested in undertaking similar projects — Why community and connection need to be at the heart of a holistic recovery plan And more. Learn more about Recovery Egypt by going to: https://recoveryegypt.com. --- Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction therapist from Egypt. His main area of focus in both work and research is addiction rehabilitation. He is a co-founder of the Recovery Centers for Addiction and Recovery, a prominent treatment and rehabilitation chain in Egypt. Dr. Darwish has published in many international journals, including the European Journal of Psychiatry. He will discuss the motivational challenges that therapists commonly face with their patients, and strategies for early identification and effective management. --- 3 Books Dr Darwish Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment - and How to Get Help That Works - Anne M Fletcher - https://amzn.to/45A1Xbg — Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception - Abraham J Twerski - https://amzn.to/3M5dZT0 — Motivational Interviewing, Fourth Edition: Helping People Change and Grow - William R Miller - https://amzn.to/45vSodv

    1h 1m
  6. The Easiest Way to Nondual Consciousness — Richard Lang

    JAN 15

    The Easiest Way to Nondual Consciousness — Richard Lang

    Richard Lang is a philosopher, author, and the leading proponent of the "Headless Way" – a method of self-inquiry first developed by Douglas Harding. After meeting Harding at age 17 in 1970, Richard has spent over five decades exploring, practising, and sharing the Headless Way Approach. In this conversation, we explore: — The revolutionary insight that you cannot see your own head, and what this simple observation reveals about consciousness and identity — How our sense of self changes depending on the "range of the observer" and why this matters — Why Richard believes Douglas Harding discovered "the center" that religions and science have been seeking — How this understanding transforms our relationship with others, death, time, and purpose And more. You can learn more about Richard's work and join his global community at https://headless.org. — Richard Lang was a student of Douglas Harding, author of “On having no head” and the founder of a contemplation method called "The Headless Way". As Richard describes it, The Headless Way is a modern way of seeing our true nature, the limitless ’space’ we are looking out of. Richard has been practising and sharing the Headless Way for over fifty years now, and has also written several books about it. His mission is to make seeing our true nature as widely available as possible. --- Interview Links: — Richard Lang’s website - https://headless.org — Richard’s YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/headexchange

    56 min
  7. Overcoming High Functioning Depression & Reclaiming Joy - Dr. Judith Joseph

    JAN 8

    Overcoming High Functioning Depression & Reclaiming Joy - Dr. Judith Joseph

    Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author of "High Functioning." As the lead researcher behind the world's first peer-reviewed study on high-functioning depression, Dr. Judith’s work focuses on helping people recognize and address depression before it leads to breakdown. In this conversation, we explore: — What high-functioning depression is and why it often goes unrecognized — How trauma and overworking are connected to hidden depression — Why joy is our "birthright" as humans and how to reclaim it — The biopsychosocial approach to understanding your unique happiness blueprint — Dr. Judith’s five V's framework for cultivating joy: validate, vent, values, vitals, and vision And more. You can learn more about Dr. Judith’s work and book at https://drjudithjoseph.com. — Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, is a globally-recognised, board-certified psychiatrist, researcher and media contributor. She is the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioural Medicine, assistant professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU and chair of the Women in Medicine Board at Columbia University. Dr. Judith is a regular contributor to ITN in the UK and appears frequently in international media including Forbes, CNN, Men's Health, Oprah Daily and Apple TV. A trusted voice on mental health, trauma and emotional resilience, she brings clarity and compassion to conversations that matter. Dr. Judith has over 625k+ followers across TikTok and Instagram, where her mental health videos have reached over 50 million viewers. --- Interview Links: — Dr Juditht's website - https://drjudithjoseph.com — See her Today show interview to learn of Judith’s personal journey and her work in mental health - https://www.today.com/video/dr-judith-joseph-talks-book-high-functioning-reclaiming-joy-235854405618 — Watch her interview on YouTube with Mel Robbins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQu-Ct9-6dg — Listen to her interview with Dr. Sharon - https://podcasts.apple.com/bb/podcast/high-functioning-and-hidden-depression-ft-dr-judith-joseph/id1839332301?i=1000739097190 — And on the ZOE podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJYdI_gdfvs

    49 min
  8. Why Psychotherapy Works - Dr. Louis Cozolino, PhD

    JAN 1

    Why Psychotherapy Works - Dr. Louis Cozolino, PhD

    Dr Lou Cozolino - a clinical psychologist, author and professor based in Beverly Hills, California. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA and an M.T.S. from Harvard University. He has been a Professor at Pepperdine since 1986 and lectures around the world on psychotherapy, neuroscience, trauma, and attachment. The work that I do for The Weekend University means I get to explore a wide range of topics, teachers, and practitioners who are at the forefront of the field of psychology. Every so often, I feel like I’ve “struck gold” after discovering someone and I would certainly put Dr Cozolino’s work into this category. In this interview, you’ll learn: — Lou’s experience of being taught by Carl Rogers and what he learned from him — The 4 common factors that underlie all effective forms of psychotherapy — The importance of focusing on principles rather than techniques when educating yourself as a therapist — Why human beings need psychotherapy — The vital ‘half second’ and how this impacts every aspect of our experience — The impact of early experiences on our development — Core shame and why we experience it — Neuroplasticity and why therapists should think of themselves as applied neuroscientists — 3 books that Lou recommends every therapist should read And more. You can learn more about Dr Cozolino’s work at www.drloucozolino.com --- Dr. Lou Cozolino practices psychotherapy and consulting psychology in Beverly Hills, California. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA and an M.T.S. from Harvard University. He has been a professor at Pepperdine since 1986 and lectures around the world on psychotherapy, neuroscience, trauma, and attachment. With more than 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist and coach, Lou works with adults, adolescents and families as they face a wide variety of life’s challenges. Lou’s primary method as a therapist is one of connection, attunement, and interaction. Working primarily from a psychodynamic model of treatment, he also employs strategies and techniques from the other forms of therapy he has studied including CBT, family systems, and humanistic/existential. --- Interview Links: — Why Therapy Works: https://amzn.to/3wt90El — The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: https://amzn.to/3MBxcKw — The Making of a Therapist: https://amzn.to/3lnbuha — The Development of a Therapist: https://amzn.to/3wtNOhF — Dr Cozolino’s website: www.drloucozolino.com --- 3 Books Lou Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Character Analysis - Wilhelm Reich (1st 120 pages): https://amzn.to/3wDWjoV — Becoming a Person - Carl Rogers: https://amzn.to/3wzrxOg — Thou Shalt Not Be Aware - Alice Miller: https://amzn.to/3sJVUQC --- — Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 — Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/

    1h 3m
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4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Insights for Evolving Consciousness In-depth interviews with leading thinkers at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, culture, and spirituality. This show is for you if you’re interested in: – Reducing suffering — in yourself and others – Continuously upgrading your perspective – Realising more of your potential – Experiencing a greater sense of awe, meaning, and connection in everyday life. New episodes every Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Insights for Evolving Consciousness.
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    280
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Weekend University

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