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. 1d ago

    Owen Barfield, Imagination, & The Evolution of Consciousness - Mark Vernon and Peter Hawkins

    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

    Owen Barfield, Imagination, & The Evolution of Consciousness - Mark Vernon and Peter Hawkins
  2. Jul 9

    Understanding Eating Disorders Through Attachment Theory — Rachel Lewis-Marlow

    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

    Understanding Eating Disorders Through Attachment Theory — Rachel Lewis-Marlow
  3. Jun 25

    Joy Tracking, Transforming Consciousness, and Living a Remarkably Charmed Life — Dr. Martha Beck

    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

    Joy Tracking, Transforming Consciousness, and Living a Remarkably Charmed Life — Dr. Martha Beck
  4. Jun 18

    Rupert Sheldrake & Peter Hawkins-Morphic Resonance, Science & Spiritual Practices, The Extended Mind

    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

    Rupert Sheldrake & Peter Hawkins-Morphic Resonance, Science & Spiritual Practices, The Extended Mind
5
out of 5
38 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.

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