The Weekend University Making the best psychology lecturers available to the general public.

AJ Jacobs is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, editor at Esquire Magazine, and maybe one of the most interesting people on the planet today.

His books include: “A Year of Living Biblically”' which documents his attempt to follow every single rule from the Bible as literally as possible, including stoning adulterers, not shaving his beard, and only wearing white; “The Know it All”, which is about reading the Encyclopedia from start to finish; as well as: “My Life as an Experiment”; “The Puzzler”, and “Drop Dead Healthy”.

In this conversation, we explore:

— What AJ learned from 2 months of radical honesty

— The value of boldness and the time AJ accused Oprah Winfrey of farting on set

— The puzzler mindset and the importance of replacing motivated reasoning with curiosity

— AJ’s thoughts on what it takes to write a good book.

And more.

You can learn more about AJ’s work and books by going to: https://ajjacobs.com. His latest book is: The Year of Living Constitutionally and it’s released in May of this year.

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A.J. Jacobs, acclaimed author, journalist, and lecturer, known for his humorous yet insightful writing style, has penned four New York Times bestsellers melding memoir, science, and self-help. He serves as editor at large at Esquire, a commentator on NPR, and a columnist for Mental Floss. Jacobs is renowned for his unique experiments, from reading the Encyclopedia Britannica to living by the Bible's rules, chronicled in his bestselling books. His latest work explores the global family tree's impact on society. A sought-after speaker, Jacobs has appeared on major media outlets and delivered TED talks. He resides in New York City with his family.

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Interview Links:

— AJ’s website - https://ajjacobs.com

— AJ's books - https://amzn.to/49Kf7oC

To access our conference library of 200+ fascinating psychology talks and interviews (with certification), please visit: https://twumembers.com.

Dr Bruce Lipton is an internationally recognised biologist, author, and pioneer in the new science of epigenetics. He is most well known for the idea that beliefs influence gene expression and that biology is not determined by DNA. Dr Lipton is the author of three books, including: The Honeymoon Effect, The Biology of Belief, and Spontaneous Evolution.

In this conversation, we explore:

— The science of epigenetics and how our environment (both internal and external) - influence how our genes are expressed

— Dr Lipton’s views on consciousness and the current state of humanity

— How our subconscious beliefs are programmed before the age of 7 and how this causes self sabotage and internal conflict later in life

— Practical things you can do to reprogram your subconscious to experience more flourishing

And more.

You can learn more about Dr Lipton’s work at www.brucelipton.com.

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Dr Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, is an internationally-recognized leader in bridging science and spirit who is best known for the idea that genes are influenced by belief and DNA does not control biology. A stem cell biologist, bestselling author of The Biology of Belief, and recipient of the 2009 Goi Peace Award, he has been a guest speaker on hundreds of TV and radio shows as well as keynote presenter for national and international conferences.

Dr. Lipton began his scientific career as a cell biologist, receiving his PhD degree from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville before joining the Department of Anatomy at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Lipton has taken his award-winning medical school lectures to the public and is currently a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

In 1982, Dr. Lipton began examining the principles of quantum physics and how they might be integrated into his understanding of the cell’s information-processing systems. His breakthrough studies on the cell membrane showed that the outer layer of the cell is an organic homolog of a computer chip, the cell’s equivalent of a brain. His research at Stanford University’s School of Medicine between 1987 and 1992 revealed that the environment, operating through the membrane, controls the behavior and physiology of the cell, turning genes on and off.

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Interview Links:

— Dr Lipton’s website - https://www.brucelipton.com/about/

— Dr Lipton’s books - https://www.brucelipton.com/books/

Dr. Parker Palmer is an American writer, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change.

He is the Founder of the nonprofit: The Centre for Courage and Renewal and the author of 10 popular books, including: A Hidden Wholeness, The Courage to Teach, an Undivided Life, and Let Your Life Speak, which this interview focuses on.

Expect to learn:

— The primary cause of burnout in modern society

— The extent to which each of us arrive here with a nature and the importance of living in harmony with it

— How to navigate the delicate balance between solitude and community life

— Parker’s thoughts on the purpose of human existence.

And more.

This was a hugely impactful conversation for me, and I think Parker might be one of the wisest individuals I’ve come into contact with. Hope you enjoy this one.

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Dr. Parker J. Palmer, born on February 28, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, is a highly respected American author, educator, and activist. He has dedicated his life to exploring the integration of personal growth, education, spirituality, and social change. Parker's journey includes obtaining degrees in Sociology, teaching roles, and experiences in community organizing and adult education.

His most notable contributions revolve around the concept of "The Courage to Teach," which emphasizes the importance of merging personal identity with professional practice in education. Palmer's books such as "The Courage to Teach," "The Hidden Wholeness," and "Let Your Life Speak" delve into themes of authenticity, community, and spirituality in daily life and work.

Palmer's work extends beyond education, focusing on promoting dialogue, understanding differences, and advocating for social justice and compassionate leadership. His teachings emphasize deep listening, empathy, and creating spaces for genuine reflection and connection. Through his writings, teachings, and activism, Parker J. Palmer continues to inspire educators, leaders, and individuals striving for integrity and purpose in navigating today's complex world.

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Interview Links:

— Dr Palmer’s website - https://couragerenewal.org/parker-j-palmer/

— Dr Palmer’s books - https://amzn.to/49WVR7X

Dr Louis Cozolino is 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. He has authored 10 books, including The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy, Attachment-Based Teaching, and The Making of a Therapist, which is the focus of this conversation.

You’ll learn:

— How Lou would approach his education and training if he was starting again from scratch.

— The most common mistakes therapists tend to make and how to avoid them.

— What Dr Cozolino learned from being a direct student of Carl Rogers in the 1970s

— The value of embracing confusion and complexity in psychotherapy.

And more.

You can learn more about Lou’s work by visiting: https://drloucozolino.com.

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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.

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Interview Links:

— Dr Cozolino’s website: https://www.drloucozolino.com

— 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

Professor Bruce Hood is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol and has been a research fellow at Cambridge University and UCL, a visiting scientist at MIT, and a faculty professor at Harvard.

He is the author of several books, including: Possessed, The Self Illusion, Supersense, and most recently: The Science of Happiness, which this interview focuses on.

Expect to learn:

— How malleable our happiness is and the extent to which we can influence it in later life

— The counterintuitive skills and habits of happiness, including striking up conversations with strangers

— The self illusion and the distinction between the “I Self” and the “Me Self”

— The role that altruism and secure attachment play in the happiness equation.

And more..

Follow Bruce on Twitter at @profbrucehood and get a copy of the book at bit.ly/bruce-happiness

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Prof. Bruce Hood, PhD, is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Bristol, known for his captivating engagement with the public. With diverse research interests spanning from the origins of supernatural beliefs to cognitive development, he founded Speakezee, the world's largest expert speaker network. Formerly a Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer, he's authored popular science books such as "SuperSense" and "The Self Illusion," and has received prestigious awards including an Alfred Sloan Fellowship and recognition from the Society of American Psychological Science.

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Interview Links:

— Prof. Hood’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/profbrucehood

— Prof. Hood’s book - https://t.co/WCnH1rDFIr

Rupert Spira is a non-dual teacher, philosopher, author, and proponent of the Direct Path, based in Oxford, UK. Bernardo Kastrup is an author, philosopher, and the executive director of Essentia Foundation, whose work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has PhDs in philosophy and computer engineering, and previously worked at CERN.

In this conversation, we explore:

— An introduction to non-duality and the empirical evidence in support of it

— The link between the materialist worldview and widespread addiction in our society

— The possibility of an addiction arising because of a disconnection from nature

— Rupert and Bernardo’s definition of a life well lived.

And more.

Learn more about Bernardo’s work by going to: https://www.essentiafoundation.org and Rupert’s at https://rupertspira.com.

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Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the ‘Casimir Effect’ of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo’s most recent book is Science Ideated: The fall of matter and the contours of the next mainstream scientific worldview. For more information, freely downloadable papers, videos, etc., please visit https://www.bernardokastrup.com.

From an early age, Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality, beginning to meditate at the age of seventeen and studying the teachings of the classical Advaita Vedanta tradition over the next twenty years. In 1997 he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, who introduced him to the Direct Path teachings of Atmananda Krishna Menon and to Jean Klein and the Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. More importantly, Francis directly indicated to him the true nature of experience. Rupert lives in the UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the US. You can learn more about his work at https://rupertspira.com.

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3 Books Rupert Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:

— The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle - https://amzn.to/44wkyEY

— You Are the Happiness You Seek - Rupert Spira - https://amzn.to/44x8KT4

— Be Who You Are - Ramana Maharshi - https://amzn.to/46GzEJS