Ep. #90 The Art and Science of Emotions w/ Dr. Alissa Jerud

Dr. Alissa Jerud

Alissa Jerud, PhD. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in the department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Part of Alissa’s work centers around understanding the art and science of emotions. She specializes in working with evidence-based treatments to help with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, panic, phobias, generalized anxieties, and using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills training for those who have difficulties managing their emotions.

In this episode, Shane and Alissa discuss a variety of topics relating to emotions, including what they are, their evolutionary origins and adaptive functions, how they influence our mental processes, their regulation mechanisms, and learning to ride the wave of emotional experiences. They also discuss the process of learning to accept, regulate, and tolerate emotions as a method of learning to have a healthy relationship with one’s emotions.

Check out Alissa’s podcast: The Anxiety Savvy Podcast:

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD: A Deeper Dive with Dr. Thea Gallagher | Episode 12 – The Anxiety Savvy Podcast

Dr. Thea Gallagher joins me in this episode to talk in more depth about exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD. Specifically, we discuss the importance of ritual prevention, why we need to overshoot normal when treating OCD, the rationale for imaginal exposure, and so much more.___About Dr. Gallagher: Thea Gallagher, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health in New York City. She is an expert in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders, including OCD, a frequent media contributor, and co-host of the Mind in View Podcast.
  1. Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD: A Deeper Dive with Dr. Thea Gallagher | Episode 12
  2. Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD with Dr. Lily Brown | Episode 11
  3. Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Episode 10
  4. It's Not "Just Anxiety": Suicide Risk and Prevention in Individuals with Anxiety Disorders | Episode 9
  5. Goodbye Unhelpful Anxiety: Tips & Tricks for Befriending It with Dr. Terri Bacow | Episode 8

Ep. #89 Compassion Focused Therapy for Depression and Anxiety w/ Dr Stan Steindl

Dr. Stan Steindl

Dr. Stan Steindl is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He is also co-director of the UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group.

Stan has over 20 years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, trainer and researcher and works with clients from motivational interviewing and compassion-focused therapy perspectives. His PhD examined combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependency, and he continues to work clinically in the areas of trauma and addiction, as well as having a general clinical practice.

Stan’s research interests are in the areas of motivation, behaviour change, compassion and compassion-based interventions, and especially the role of cultivating compassion and self-compassion in the context of trauma, shame, self-criticism and clinical disorders, as well as promoting psychological well-being.

He is the author of three books and several book chapters and research publications. His books include: Compassion in a T-Shirt: The First 35 Scripts (2020), The Gifts of Compassion: How to Understand and Overcome Suffering (2020), and The Gifts of Compassion: Personal Practice Workbook (2021).

In this episode, Stan and Shane discuss how Compassion-Focused Therapy conceptualizes and works with anxiety and depression. The discussion begins with an overview of the central theory and tenets of CFT and then progresses to a conversation about the three emotional regulation systems. 

Check Out The Compassion Initiative Podcast

Welcome to The Compassion Initiative Podcast Series. This Podcast series features Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby, both Clinical Psychologists. Stan and James are the co-founders of The Compassion Initiative. The podcast series is a relaxed informal ongoing conversation between Stan and James about issues related to compassion. You can access and subscribe to the Podcast on our website: http://www.thecompassioninitiative.com.au

Ep. #88 Men’s Mental Health w/ Elise Micheals

Elise Micheals

Elise Micheals is trauma-informed executive coach focused on men’s mental health. Her coaching program is designed to help men gain clarity on their subconscious blocks to heal trauma and create better lives, businesses, and relationships. “With the combination of Trauma therapy, REBT, CBT, Relationship Science, and Neuroscience, I’ve created easy-to-follow actionable steps that allow you to understand, and heal, quicker.” 

In this episode, Shane and Elise discuss why so many men struggle with mental health, the internal and external roadblocks they face in trying to get help, and some ways we can work to improve these areas. They discuss common cycles of shame, suffering in isolation, being silenced and ignored by society, difficulties when opening up to their partners, the conflict of vulnerability and emotional intelligence.

Ep. #87 A Jungian Perspective on Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and Addiction w/ Vlado Šolc

Vlado Šolc

Vladislav (Vlado) Šolc (pronounced “Schultz”) is a professional psychotherapist and Jungian analyst practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Vlado received training from the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago and Charles University in Prague. He is the author of five depth-psychology-oriented books: Psyche, Matrix, Reality; The Father Archetype; In the Name of God—Fanaticism from the Perspective of Depth Psychology; Dark Religion: Fundamentalism from the Perspective of Jungian Psychology and most recently Democracy and Individuation in the Times of Conspiracy Theories.

In this episode, Vlaso and Shane explore a Jungian perspective on a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma. They discuss how Jungian Analysis facilitates the process of recovery, healing, and individuation. 

Individuation is a psychological process of development through which an individual becomes a unique, self-aware and autonomous person. It was first described by Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist and psychoanalyst, who saw it as a central aspect of the human experience.

Individuation involves the differentiation of the individual from the collective unconscious and the development of a sense of individuality, which includes the integration of conscious and unconscious aspects of the self into a coherent whole. This process can involve the exploration of one’s personal beliefs, values, desires, and fears, as well as the resolution of conflicts between these aspects of the self.

Individuation can be a lifelong process and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural and societal influences, past experiences, and personal growth. It is often seen as a key aspect of personal growth and self-discovery, and can lead to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a deeper understanding of one’s place in the world.

Dark Religion: Fundamentalism from The Perspective of Jungian Psychology

Jungian analysts Vlado Solc and George J. Didier set out to explore the psychological dynamics and causes of religious fundamentalism and fanaticism. The book offers an in-depth psychological analysis of what happens when a person becomes possessed by the unconscious energies of the Self.

Dark Religion also reveals that spirituality is an inherent dimension of human life and one of its most essential needs. It only becomes “dark” when it denies, ignores, or separates itself from its vital roots.

The authors coin the term “dark religion” to describe all forms of fanatical, radical and extreme religions. Their study shows how dark religion leads to profound conflicts on both the personal and cultural levels – including terrorism and wars.

Surveys the vast contemporary cultural and religious landscapes. All the while discovering the emergent forms of spiritual praxis in light of postmodernism and the rise of fundamentalism in the new millennium.

Ep. #86 Creating Psychology Content w/ Prudence Leung

Prudence Leung

Prudence Leung is a psychotherapist and online content creator based in Ontario, Canada. She uses her platforms to educate on a variety of psychological concepts including relationship dynamics, stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and more. 

In this episode, we discuss Prudence’s journey of becoming a content creator, including what she has learned, challenges she has faced, and the types of people she interacts with online. We also discuss the current state of mental health and how social media has the power to influence our mental health and psychological care. Furthermore, we discuss the personality profiles of people who leave hateful comments and what they are really trying to communicate to the world. 

Homepage
https://prudenceleung.co/

Ep. #85 Exploring ADHD Healing and Intervention w/ Avigail Gimpel, M.S.

Avigail Gimpel

Avigail Gimpel is an Author, Researcher, Special Educator, Coach and Founder of Hyper Healing – a program dedicated to helping children and adults with ADHD symptoms. 

“Reversing ADHD symptoms became my personal mission. I have dedicated the last twenty plus years to research, development, and implementation of programs for children, adults, and couples struggling with ADHD symptoms. My major discovery was that ADHD symptoms have many different causes, and once we identify the cause of ADHD symptoms, we would be well on our way to reversing them. The program worked!  My children, students, and clients were rocking it.”

“I became passionate about helping every person diagnosed with ADHD identify the causes of their symptoms and choose their personal productivity plan for success. I strongly believe that healing ADHD symptoms should not cost you your life savings. Therefore, my full program is now accessible to anyone looking for guidance through my Best-Selling HyperHealing book series.”

“You, your story, and your lived experience in every detail are important to me, and my understanding of your challenges.  Since ADHD symptoms can be triggered by so many factors including a clash between your healthy personality and your environment, trauma, gut dysbiosis, sleep disturbances, lack of exercise and outdoor exposure, and screen addiction, to name a few, we must identify WHY you are struggling and then carefully craft an intervention plan for you. We will succeed and learn together, one healing intervention at a time.”

https://www.hyperhealing.org/

HyperHealing – Show me the science

Is your child’s ADHD causing you stress? This deep dive into what you’re facing will give any parent reassurance, comfort, and direction.

Trying to be your kid’s best advocate? Not sure how to make the right decision about medication or expensive therapy? Are you driven to understand exactly what the condition means? As a special educator, college lecturer, and mother of six, Avigail Gimpel M.S. has treated hyperactivity in students and her own children for over twenty-five years. Now she’s here to explain the nitty-gritty behind the diagnosis so parents can be empowered through knowledge.

HyperHealing, Show Me the Science is a friendly and informative exploration into the scientific specifics of ADHD. Using personal and client stories, presentation of hard science in layperson terms, and thought-provoking questions, caregivers are gently guided through important information, possible prescriptions, and intervention programs. And with help from this empathetic teacher and mom’s meticulous research, you can finally wrap your head around what attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is and decide on a viable course of action for your family.

Amazon
HyperHealing, The Empowered Parent’s Complete Guide to Raising a Healthy Child with ADHD symptoms

Did your child just join the millions diagnosed with ADHD? (Why are there so many?)Do you KNOW your child is healthy but wish you had more tools (other than stimulant drugs) to help her succeed?Do you find yourself frequently exploding with frustration at your challenging child?In this entertaining and easy to read how-to guide, Avigail Gimpel, mother of six, special educator, college lecturer and parenting specialist will:• Confirm that your child is indeed healthy, and help you untangle the ADHD diagnosis.• Present a complete, clear, step-by-step intervention system to turn you into a ninja parent and get your struggling child back on track.• Explore how scientific research is used to justify medication.• Embrace you in the warmth of the HyperHealing community, an educational and support network for all parents of struggling children.HyperHealing is your complete ADHD coaching program and parenting guide in one book.

Amazon

Ep. #84 Entrepreneurship and Social Media Marketing w/ Maddie Thompson

Maddie Thompson

Maddie Thompson is the Founder of the Mad Social Agency. Maddie’s entrepreneurial roots stem back to high school where she piloted her first business, Social Clothing. Mad Social Agency is a social media marketing agency that specializes in social media management for businesses and personal brands.

Founded during Covid-19 in 2020 as a side hustle, Mad Social Agency (previously Spark Media) quickly grew as many realized that having a social media presence is of importance for marketing. Now, Mad Social Agency has grown to six part-time employees and has managed over 70+ social media accounts.

In this episode Maddie and Shane discuss the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and the world of social media marketing. Maddie walks us through her journey of becoming an entrepreneur starting at the age of 13 to becoming the founder of a successful digital agency. We also discuss some tips, tricks and insights that benefit small businesses when it comes to social media marketing, and the crazy world of social media and its impact on us.

Interview with Christian Brown from Glewee – The Try Hards

With over $8 billion a year spent on influencer marketing, why not tap into a market which seemed so untapped? Seeing exponential growth and a lack of security, organization, and structure within the marketplace, Christian Brown wanted to build a platform that solves all these issues. “Glewew is now in our Web + iOS Application pre-launch phase. Focused primarily on executing marketing tactics in order to bridge the gap between brands and digital content creators. With a small team, they wear many different hats and have learned the importance of teamwork, versatility, and late many nights on slack (a notification noise that now wakes me up from any degree of sleep).” Outside of work Christian is an avid reader, writer, film watcher, and social media aficionado. Having years of experience with social media management, marketing, and brand development I have been around the world and back working with friends and colleagues who have grown exponentially in the influencer space while having a tremendous amount of fun along the way.
  1. Interview with Christian Brown from Glewee
  2. Lessons Learned In The First Year Of Business
  3. Taking The First Step
  4. Let’s Get Down To Business
  5. Entrepreneurs & Coffee
  6. Welcome Back
  7. Let’s Talk To: Cris Decena

Ep. #83 Polyamory, Non-Monogamy, and The Process of Individuation w/ Dr. Joli Hamilton, PhD

Dr. Joli Hamilton

Dr. Joli Hamilton is a Relationship Coach, TEDx Speaker, Jealousy Expert, Research Psychologist, Professor, Author, and Podcast Host. The Relationship Coach for Couples Who Color Outside the Lines! Joli helps people experience the freedom, deep security, and sexual fulfillment that comes when they shift from plain-old monogamy to MORE. More WHAT exactly? Polyamory, ethical nonmonogamy, creative monogamy- Joli guides you out of the standard script and into the life you were meant to have!

“Your relationship can be both open and secure. It is possible. I help people do it every.single.day. Action-takers can have this life. Intentionally designed love, whether it is creatively monogamous or consensually non-monogamous, doesn’t mean sacrificing stability or depth of connection.  But the rules you learned about love won’t get you where you want to go.

You need a masterful coach to guide you. This is your most profound connection- you don’t want to risk losing it just to get laid- you’re an adult. But you also don’t want a walking-dead life just because someone else said buttoned-up was the only way to do love. It’s time to flip over tables and toss the rule books. My signature process gives you the skills you need to take full creative power over your love life!”

In this episode, Joli and Shane discuss her work and studies on polyamory – the practice of having more than one romantic or sexual partner. What exactly does polyamory entail? Who is polyamorous? What are some of the major challenges? What are the benefits? What about jealousy? Is polyamory a pathway to individuation? These are just a few of the topics up for discussion in this episode. 

Check Out Joli’s Podcast: Playing with Fire: Non-Monogamy& Individuation:

149 Relationship Agreements 101 – Playing With Fire

There are a lot of bad ways to make relationship agreements. (Trust us, we’ve been there!) But creating supportive agreements can open up a world of experimentation for you and your partner(s), while also providing safe, solid structures to fall back on. This isn’t our first episode on relationship agreements, and it won’t be the last (we LOVE this topic), but this one’s a must listen–we’re breaking down all the basics. —Learn the difference between relationship agreements and relationship philosophies. —Understand the 3 main types of relationship agreements and why you need to start with ONE SPECIFIC TYPE! —Find out how your unconscious may try to take over the agreement-making process and what you can do about that! Sexual health resources: Planned Parenthood’s STI Resource Center Real Life Relationship Conversations: SPREAD Sexual Health Framework Examples Imago Dialogue is a framework for conversations that was created by Harville Hendrix Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt Ph.D. Learn more by listening to Episode 129 of Playing With Fire Maxx Hill’s Relationship Smorgasbord Are you ready to open your relationship happily? Find out at⁠⁠ ⁠www.JoliQuiz.com⁠ Get the answers you want to create the open relationship of your dreams! Sign up for an Ask Me Anything here
  1. 149 Relationship Agreements 101
  2. 148 Can my attachment style do non-monogamy?
  3. 147 How to build healthy differentiation
  4. 146 Will non-monogamy make it possible to stay together?
  5. 145 How can I handle dysregulation in my relationships?

Ep. #82 Living Free From the Bonds of Your Scars w/ Cody Byrns

Cody Byrns

Cody Byrns is an award-winning speaker and performer with over 16 years of professional experience. Cody’s life underwent a major shift in 2013 after a horrific traffic accident left his body burned and scarred. After years of countless surgeries, and innumerable physical and emotional hurdles, Cody has since founded his own nonprofit Burn Foundation, and is on a mission to spread his story of inspiration, hope, and recovery to everyone he meets.

Cody does not let his scars dictate his identity. He encourages a life of freedom, and wants to help people live free from the bonds of scars

“The good you tend to forget as time goes on, but the challenges and triggers linger around longer than we care to admit. Life presents many challenges that are either a result of your own, or someone else’s doing. But your character is only built inside of your ability to embrace challenges. There’s no way around… only through. Through these experiences, you are tested physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They reveal to you who you truly are at your core and speak to the areas in which you need self-improvement. But you have to be open, to “listen” for the lesson. Let me show you how to rise above challenges and use them as a launching pad to achieve your vision, to move past your perceived limitations. It is time. Be prepared to transform your life.” – Cody 

Get a copy of Scar Release: Breaking Free of Yesterday’s Troubles 

Ep. #81 From Rock Bottom Upwards Through The Synchronicity of Love w/ John David Latta

John David Latta

John David Latta is a mystic, author, teacher, humorist, story-teller and founder & CEO of a multimillion-dollar consumer products company.

Terrified and stalked by an oppressive fear of death, John David Latta was a single dad with two children facing rock bottom, loneliness and bankruptcy. Hard work, arguments and logic were getting him nowhere, the competition was tough, and he was in over his head.

In his new book, The Synchronicity of Love, John shares his extraordinary stories of what happened when, while at rock bottom, he threw himself into Unconditional Love with sincerity and earnestness. His stories about his journey inspire, uplift, heal, shock, awaken and transform. They contain the seeds of potential to change habits, beliefs and one’s deepest assumptions about what is possible and have the power to radically transform anyone’s life.

John is sharing his very personal stories about his journey and of the supreme value in embracing deep and lasting personal transformation – in love, in business, in money, in relationships, in health and so much more. And John is sharing his message that even the most stuck, rigid and logical people can transform in unimaginable ways.

The Synchronicity of Love

“This book is a wonder. I can’t praise it enough. The tone is beautiful. Full of imagery, and full of heart, raw and honest. An incredible voice. The stories here are exquisitely inductive. This is the best book I’ve ever read in this genre.” -Carolyn Conger, PhD, International consultant, spiritual teacher and author of Through the Dark Forest

“This book revels in brilliant possibility – John’s insights are sweeping and vast. Put this book on your bedside, close your eyes, flip to a page, and let the love and synchronicity inform you.” -Alexandra Folz, MSN, Intuitive
Author of The Heirloom

AMAZON

Ep. #80 The Hidden Meanings in Relationships w/ Deborah Lukovich, Ph.D

Deborah Lukovich, Ph.D

Deborah Lukovich holds a PhD in Depth Psychology which focuses on understanding the nature of the unconscious. She is a coach, author, blogger, and podcaster where she offers insights and teachings to help people explore the deeper meaning of life through stories, conversation, and education. 

Deborah is back to discuss her latest framework for understanding relationships from a depth psychology perspective using the 3 P’s: Purpose, Projection, Permanence.

“These three words capture every aspect of relationship between all human beings, but they just play out more dramatically in those of a romantic nature.”

Looking at relationship dynamics and interactions through the lens of purpose, projection, and permanence provide a deep way of understanding what is really going on and together they can work towards a deeper connection, growth, and fulfillment. 

In this episode, Deb and Shane discuss the hidden purpose and deeper meaning of relationships, how projection largely determines the way we relate to each other, and how clinging to the idea of permanence can be destructive. 

“We often don’t discover the deeper purpose of a relationship until after one has ended. Or if we’re lucky, we get a little glimpse when we have the humility to explore a conflict or dissatisfaction rather than avoid it. It can feel mind blowing to discover this ulterior motive that has been hiding from the ego, which thinks it knows exactly why we do what we do.” 

Your Soul is Talking. Are You Listening? 5 Steps to Uncovering Your Hidden Purpose

“Has something in your life fallen apart? Do you crave more meaning and purpose? Maybe you’re struggling with divorce, addiction, job loss, or depression, or just curious about a recurring dream or odd coincidences that keep showing up. These are all ways your Soul reveals clues about your deepest desires.

In her book, Your Soul is Talking: Are You Listening? author and coach Deborah Lukovich, wants to get you excited about exploring the most important final frontier—your inner world. The Soul speaks through dreams, symbols, meaningful coincidences, relationships, films, and even depression and injuries. This book teaches you the language of the unconscious required to decode its messages.

Dr. Lukovich writes through the lens of her personal experience of midlife unraveling, and her willingness to share awkward experiences will empower you to explore your own. Conversational instruction is sprinkled with humor as she guides you to learn and apply practical approaches to tapping into the wisdom of your unconscious.“

Amazon

Deborah’s Dose of Depth Podcast:

Terrapsychology, Enchantment & Re-Storying: A Chat w/Dr. Craig Chalquist, Academic Program Director of Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation at National University. – Dose of Depth

What's your relationship with place? Can you feel the places you live or visit speaking to you about their experience?  Do you have an irrational preference to live near the water? Or a hatred for suburban living? In this episode, I’m excited to have a chat with my new depth psychology buddy and a fellow alum of Pacifica Graduate Institute. Dr. Craig Chalquist is the Academic Program Director of Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation at National University. A former psychotherapist and long-time graduate instructor and administrator, Craig teaches and writes at the intersection of psyche, place, philosophy, myth, leadership, and dream. Craig has so much on his website:  https://www.chalquist.com/Check out his community Enchantvale: https://www.enchantivism.org/Books: https://www.chalquist.com/booksTikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@drchalquist  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_chalquist/?hl=en Facebook Public Page: http://www.facebook.com/chalquistPodcast RSS feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2005413.rssYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drchalquistI love Craig’s mind, but even I was overwhelmed by the comprehensive nature of his dissertation, which is titled: Re-storying Our Lore: Fiction, Vision, and Imagination as an Earth-Honoring Wisdom Path. Two of his books are specifically about Terrapsychology, which you’ll learn about. One is more practical and titled, Change the Game: 20 Strategies for Inventive Real-Life Problem-Solving, and another is a work of fiction titled, Soulmap: A Novel. I promise if you can let go of the mind and allow and receive our conversation, you will have a new kind of experience. Deborah Lukovich, PhDSupport Dose of Depth with a monthly donation of $5. Click here to learn more.Check out my work at http://www.deborahlukovich.com, where you can also subscribe to receive notifications of all kinds of FREE content. Check out my book, Your Soul is Talking. Are You Listening? 5 Steps to Uncovering Your Hidden Purpose. You can now buy it on http://www.bookshop.org if you're looking for an alternative to Amazon.Follow me on Instagram @dlukovich engage with 4,700+ followers on Twitter @deblukovich or become a friend on Facebook. Check out Soul Talk 101, a series of mini-lessons on how to explore your unconscious offered through my YouTube Channel. #depthpsychology #terrapsychology #enchantment #transformation #findingyourself #dreams #archetype #archetypalpsychology #cgjung #depthpsychologycoach #midlife #sciencefiction #fantasy #unconscious #nature #relationshipwithplace #planet Support the Show.
  1. Terrapsychology, Enchantment & Re-Storying: A Chat w/Dr. Craig Chalquist, Academic Program Director of Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation at National University.
  2. Guided Active Imagination for Anxiety (and other negative emotions)
  3. The Film Aquaman and The Book of Revelation (blog post)
  4. The Intersection Between Vulnerability & Creativity: A Chat w/JD Edwin, Author of the Headspace Series
  5. Need Your Ass Kicked? Rob Thomas Shows Up in a Dream (blog post)

Ep. #79 Subjective Experience and Identity Politics w/ Reema Patel

Reema Patel

Reema Patel holds a B.A. from McGill University and a J.D. from the University of Windsor. After working in Mumbai in the youth non-profit sector and in human rights advocacy, she has spent the last ten years working in provincial and municipal government. Such Big Dreams is her first novel, an excerpt of which won the Penguin Random House Student Award for Fiction at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. She lives in Toronto, where she works as a lawyer. 

In this episode, Shane and Reema discuss her experiences of returning back to India that inspired the writing of her novel, Such Big Dreams. They discuss topics of identity, social norms, colonialism, and subjective experience. Our perspectives and experiences change depending on the context in a world filled with identity politics. One’s experience in Canada is distinctly different from one’s experience in India – despite you remaining the same. Social context and subjective perception and experience shape how we interact with others and experience the world.

Such Big Dreams: A Novel

A savvy former street child working at a law office in Mumbai fights for redemption and a chance to live life on her own terms in this fresh, propulsive debut novel about fortune and survival.

“A heartbreaking yet hopeful story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds.”—Etaf Rum, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman Is No Man

“A savvy former street child working at a law office in Mumbai fights for redemption and a chance to live life on her own terms in this “smart, haunting, and compulsively readable” debut novel about fortune and survival.” – Amy Jones, author of We’re All in This Together

Amazon
Goodreads

Ep. #78 Dark Religion, Conspiracism, and The Religious Instinct w/ Jungian Analyst Vladislav Šolc

Vladislav Šolc

Vladislav (Vlado) Šolc (pronounced “Schultz”) is a professional psychotherapist and Jungian analyst practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Vlado received training from the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago and Charles University in Prague. He is the author of five depth-psychology-oriented books: Psyche, Matrix, Reality; The Father Archetype; In the Name of God—Fanaticism from the Perspective of Depth Psychology; Dark Religion: Fundamentalism from the Perspective of Jungian Psychology and most recently Democracy and Individuation in the Times of Conspiracy Theories.

Episode

In this episode, Shane and Vlado discuss the psychology behind conspiracism, fundamentalism, and mythologies. Using a Jungian framework, they examine how and why conspiracy theories become powerful psychological tools. Other topics include the religious instinct, the unconscious, morality, individuation, purpose, meaning, and psychological defense mechanisms. 

To understand the profound rise in conspiracy theories in recent times, Vlado explores how conspiracies function as an unconscious protective mechanism against the inferiority of consciousness and subsequently also inflates the ego. Conspiracy theory adoption is archetypal in nature and parallels mythological structures. The strong resistance of conspiracism to rational correction can be understood by examining how the “Inadequate and noncredible representations of numinous energies in consciousness unwittingly contribute to the creation of structures with notable mythological parallels” (Šolc, 2019).

“Thinking is free from the unconscious influence of the Self only to the extent that it is able to recognize and to relate to numinous contents, on one hand, and to withdraw projections from the object, on the other. A symbolic perspective offers a nondismissive understanding of the reasons for strong adherence to conspiracy theories. Exploring conspiracy theories as symbols rather than rational constructs offers more fruitful solutions to our current social problems.” (Šolc, 2019)

Reference

Šolc, V. (2019). Dark Religion and Conspiracy Theories: An Analytical Viewpoint. Jung Journal, 13(4), 14-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/19342039.2019.1676142

Dark Religion: Fundamentalism from The Perspective of Jungian Psychology

Jungian analysts Vlado Solc and George J. Didier set out to explore the psychological dynamics and causes of religious fundamentalism and fanaticism. The book offers an in-depth psychological analysis of what happens when a person becomes possessed by the unconscious energies of the Self.

Dark Religion also reveals that spirituality is an inherent dimension of human life and one of its most essential needs. It only becomes “dark” when it denies, ignores, or separates itself from its vital roots.

The authors coin the term “dark religion” to describe all forms of fanatical, radical and extreme religions. Their study shows how dark religion leads to profound conflicts on both the personal and cultural levels – including terrorism and wars.

Surveys the vast contemporary cultural and religious landscapes. All the while discovering the emergent forms of spiritual praxis in light of postmodernism and the rise of fundamentalism in the new millennium.

Ep. #77 Ancient Traditional Wisdom w/ Kim Wheatley

Kim Wheatley

Kim Wheatley is an Ojibwe Anishinaabe Grandmother from Shawanaga First Nation Reserve who carries the spirit name Head or Leader of the Fireflower and who is Turtle Clan. She has appeared on TV, radio and in many news articles connected to her passion for Indigenous Knowledge sharing. Kim has worked with over 34 First Nation communities, having organized many Indigenous events, and she has authored 4 books, and has received multiple awards.  She also volunteers on a variety of boards as an Indigenous Advisor. She also works as an Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant.

In this episode, Shane and Kim discuss Kim’s way of life and way of knowing. Kim spends much of her time educating people about First Nation wisdom, heritage, and integration into the world. We discuss the historical gap in knowledge about the First Nation peoples, and how we can utilize ancient traditional wisdom to make the world a better place for everyone.  Kim highlights that there is a strong rise of truths in the world, where people are now getting to write their own stories and tell their truths. 

We discuss some of Kim’s traditional healing systems, governance systems, and way of life as a part of nature – not separate from it. Kim shares some ancient wisdom about balance and harmony – understanding that there is a place in creation for us to be a part of and not apart from nature in order to have a good life. Understanding the seasonal cycles of relationship and responsibility. Understanding that all parts of creation are beautiful and sentient, with a job and a purpose that benefits the greater good. Understanding that the Earth is a life-giver who gives birth to us and everything we need to lead a good, long life. 

Kim shows us how and where we have lost our way in this world, and how we are making decisions that lead to destruction and damage of our life-giving planet.  We can make different choices to change our relationship with nature, hopefully providing some restitution and positive impact to return to a better state of balance and harmony.   

Ep. #76 Sound Alchemy w/ Ian Morris

Ian Morris

“The majority of mainstream meditation music is created for entertainment and not true healing.

During an urgent need to heal my body, I didn’t want any of that music in my consciousness, so I began to create it for myself. Now I create frequency minded music for others to heal. What makes LtS music unique and effective is that it is always made with frequency in mind and the intentions to heal.”

Ian Morris, Founder & Sound Alchemist

In this episode, Ian and Shane discuss the transformative power of sound (frequency). They discuss how the universe can be understood in terms of frequency – everything resonates and vibrates (string theory). Sound has the potential for great healing and change in a person’s life. Other topics discussed include the nature of the universe, social interactional patterns, and individual and collective transformation. 

“Frequency-minded music is a simple and enjoyable path to a healthier lifestyle. Listening just 20 minutes a day helps support the following: Focus & Memory, Creativity, Clearing Energetic Blocks, Calm Anxieties, Improve Sleep” – ListeningToSmile

Access Listen to Smile’s albums:

https://listeningtosmile1.bandcamp.com/ 

Ep. #75 Split Second Unlearning: A Theory of Psychophysiological Dis-ease w/ Matt Hudson

Matt Hudson

Matt Hudson is a Health Coach with over 25 years studying the human mind in different forms including neuroscience and quantum physics. The main principles of Matt’s work are based around these models: Biofield Science, External Screen Model, The Sub-conscious Mind, General Adaption Syndrome, & Non-verbal Communication.

“Split-second Unlearning – A rapid way to clear fear. Like other theories of mind, the SSU model provides a scaffold to support potential explanations of physical ill health. The model combines several psychological and neurological theories to offer a new perspective on the treatment of common mental health issues such as stress and anxiety, as well as more nebulous conditions, such as unexplained pain or fibromyalgia (i.e., chronic primary pain). In brief, SSU proposes that a traumatic past experience is linked with a physiological response.

When a person encounters subsequent ‘reminders’ of that experience, consciously or unconsciously, that physiological response is re-triggered. Over time, the cumulative effect of this low-level yet persistent physical and psychological stress leads to a wide range of symptoms. If the connection between the trigger memory, or ‘reminder’, and the response can be severed, then the symptoms may improve. Having the ability to neutralize a traumatic memory and its associated stress response has significant implications for an individuals’ allostatic load (Peters et al., 2017) and consequently for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.” 

https://mindreset.app/

MindReset App as an Eye Movement-based Emotional Memory Reconsolidation Interference.

In the MindReset app we implement a method we have developed over the past 25 years with tried and tested behavioural change work in private practice. A method we call Split Second Unlearning (SSU), which is based on a process of “unlearning” traumatic responses at the speed in which they were originally created. This is achieved by use of eye tracking to detect the eye pattern of the emotional memory access, followed by destabilization of the emotional memory, then interruption of the eye movement patterns causing a memory reconsolidation interference and finally reassessment of the eye patterns to ensure the intervention was successful.

Learn More About The Science

The MindReset App is a revolutionary new way to train your subconscious mind. Built using ground-breaking eye tracking software, just like my research and findings, this approach reads your thought process based on your body language and interupts the signals to allow you to clear your EMI.

Learn More

Ep. #74 Love and Soul-Making w/ Stacey Shelby, Ph.D.  

Stacey Shelby, Ph.D.

Stacey Shelby, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, educator, and depth psychotherapist. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in BC, Canada, a certified clinical dream tender, and she has studied in folk medicines and yoga traditions. She is adjunct faculty teaching the psychology of romantic love at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. She holds a masters and Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies.

Dr. Shelby is the founder of the Squamish Counselling Clinic (an in-person clinic in Squamish, BC) and also Dr. Stacey Shelby and Associates, (a video-based team of depth-oriented therapist). She has her own thriving therapy practice working over Zoom, where she works with adults in various stages of personal transformation. She is gifted at working with the symbolic language of the soul and she is dedicated to honoring the soul as it presents in the lived experience of daily life.

She is the author of two depth psychology books: Tracking the Wild Woman Archetype: A guide to Becoming a Whole In-Divisible Woman (2018); and Love and Soul-Making: Searching the Depths of Romantic Love (2022), both published by Chiron Publications.

Episode Description

In this episode, Stacey and Shane discuss the psychology of love, relationships, suffering, flourishing, and divinity. Using the myth of Eros (love) and Psyche (soul), we explore the transcendental, archetypal energies of love as the central power of life that inspires creativity, meaning, growth, and connection. 

The book Love and Soul-Making explores various relationship themes and dynamics, including love, passion, desire, beauty, sex, marriage, and the union of outer and inner reality. People in relationships are often confronted with challenges and hardships. If we willingly engage with and surrender to these hardships, we may find a roadmap to a life of authenticity, creativity, meaning and purpose. Ultimately, love and relationships are a calling from your soul to live an inspired life that is aligned with the great power/soul of the universe. 

Love and Soul-Making: Searching the Depths of Romantic Love

Love and Soul-Making brings awareness to both the patriarchal origins of romance and the unarguably magical, archetypal experience of love. Relationships can serve as an alchemical vessel for the development of the soul as part of the individuation process. The struggles of relationships, whether one is partnered or not, can allow us to engage more deeply with the psyche and can guide us further into her territory.

For those experiencing romantic difficulties, the myth of Psyche and Eros can serve as a guide to the stages involved in soul-making and how that is enacted in human relationships. This book encourages contemplating relationships both literally and metaphorically. With metaphorical vision, we create possibility for the alchemical transmutation process and the development of the soul. This book provides context to the soul-making process, and it can help to re-animate your creativity and vitality. Soul (Psyche) follows what she loves (Eros).

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Tracking the Wild Woman Archetype: A Guide to Becoming a Whole, In-divisible Woman

Who is a woman before socialization? Why do we struggle in relationships? Why do we suffer? How can we find abiding peace?

By midlife, a woman may become conscious of some of the ways culture has overdomesticated her, and she may have become aware of her own wild, instinctual animal nature. The wild woman archetype within a woman’s psyche is an expression of her innate, soulful essence. Many women within patriarchy become socialized in a way that leads them to be overly “civilized” or overly “domesticated” almost from birth and that domestication affects how they express their sexuality and conduct relationships. When a woman becomes conscious of the wild woman archetype, she then becomes free to explore sexuality and relationships on her own terms. Paradoxically, the struggles experienced in relationships and with sexuality may be the catalysts that bring her into deeper engagement with psyche and into the realm of the wild woman archetype. This is explored as a process of psychological development that occurs at midlife in relation to Carl Jung’s notion of individuation. The psyche has an impetus towards unification and wholeness—towards becoming an in-divisible whole.

Relationships can serve as the alchemical vessels of a woman’s psychological transformation. Tracking the Wild Woman Archetype finds that the paradoxes and impossibilities of love serve to create a more profound woman who is more conscious of the manifold world of unconscious archetypes. It tracks the process of individuation and alchemical transformation through the study of texts, the author’s lived experience, and imaginal ways of knowing, such as dreams, synchronicities, and active imaginations.

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Ep. #73 How Language Made Us Human w/ Simon Prentis

Simon Prentis

My professional life has been spent working with different cultures and languages in over fifty countries. Much of my work has been with the broadcast media, mainly for Japan, but I have also worked extensively on projects with musicians, fashion designers, film directors, dancers and architects, and done my fair share of graft with patent lawyers, investment bankers, academics and advertising agencies. A fully-qualified member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting since 1990, I have translated four books and reams of technical documents over the years, and given testimony as an expert witness in high-profile intellectual property and patent disputes. I have also written about translation and interpreting for professional journals, and taught and presented papers on these subjects at educational institutions and international conferences. Drawing on my wide experience with language and other cultures, I have now written a book which explores the back story of our journey with language: how it started, what it does to us, how we use it, and where it takes us.

In This Episode

In this episode, Simon and I discuss some amazing insights about language development and its impact on our evolution. We explore the origins of language and how this mode of communication ultimately catalyzed culture as we know it today. Language development is essential for cognitive development as we know it. There is great power in our words.

Our ability to speak and understand speech is fundamental to understanding how our civilizations came to be. Language allows us to share ideas, express our thoughts and emotions, and ultimately propagate a growth in consciousness. 

Given the fundamental power of language, the question of its origin is paramount. Simon argues that language evolved from analogue grunts (noises) to digital (compound) sounds/words. By combining a short string of individual sounds (phones), suddenly, there is exponential growth in the availability of ‘words’ that can exist to represent so many different things. However, this development has not come without great challenges – challenges in belief, identity, application, and knowledge. 

Why are we the only animals who wear clothes, drive cars, trawl the internet, and send robots to Mars? Speech! tells the remarkable story of the simple yet radical trick that transformed a puny, naked ape into the mighty Homo Sapiens. Unravelling the thrilling tale of the struggle for knowledge over superstition and ignorance, Simon Prentis traces our roller-coaster ride from hunter-gatherer to urban hipster with style, insight, and wry good humour.

Reviews:

“Vital reading, intelligent and entertaining. The author takes us on a tour of what it means to be human, and does it with wit and confidence. It intrigues and entertains by turns, a cross between Bill Bryson and Richard Dawkins.” 

“Seldom if ever have I read a non-fiction book that has kept me so engaged and fascinated as this. This should be read in every school everywhere in the world!” 

“An exhilarating read, from start to finish – I particularly like the astonishing variety of information the author has collected. For me, it’s an absolute page-turner… a thoroughly entertaining book.”

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Ep. #72 The Power of Compassion w/ Dr. Stan Steindl

Dr. Stan Steindl

Dr. Stan Steindl is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He is also co-director of the UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group.

Stan has over 20 years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, trainer and researcher and works with clients from motivational interviewing and compassion-focused therapy perspectives. His PhD examined combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependency, and he continues to work clinically in the areas of trauma and addiction, as well as having a general clinical practice.

Stan’s research interests are in the areas of motivation, behaviour change, compassion and compassion-based interventions, and especially the role of cultivating compassion and self-compassion in the context of trauma, shame, self-criticism and clinical disorders, as well as promoting psychological well-being.

He is the author of three books and several book chapters and research publications. His books include: Compassion in a T-Shirt: The First 35 Scripts (2020), The Gifts of Compassion: How to Understand and Overcome Suffering (2020), and The Gifts of Compassion: Personal Practice Workbook (2021).

In this episode, Stan and I discuss the healing and transformative power of compassion. We discuss cultivating a compassionate mind and working towards living a more balanced, kind, and peaceful life. According to the Compassion-Focused Therapy psychological model, humans have at least three emotional regulation systems. (1) A threat and self-protection system that, when activated, manifests emotionally in the form of anger, disgust, fear, anxiety, and shame. (2) A drive and excitement system that motivates people to find and acquire food, mates, resources and status. (3) A soothing and social-safety system which regulates our feelings of contentment, peacefulness, and safety.

If there is an imbalance between these three emotional regulation systems, mental distress and suffering can arise. People who are highly self-critical and self-shaming may not have had enough stimulation of the soothing system or too much activation of the threat system. This imbalance may lead people to find it difficult to feel and express kindness towards themselves. They may be highly sensitive to criticism or rejection, whether real or perceived and internalize that disapproval. The goal of CFT is to correct this imbalance in the emotion regulation systems.

Check Out The Compassion Initiative Podcast

Welcome to The Compassion Initiative Podcast Series. This Podcast series features Dr Stan Steindl and Dr James Kirby, both Clinical Psychologists. Stan and James are the co-founders of The Compassion Initiative. The podcast series is a relaxed informal ongoing conversation between Stan and James about issues related to compassion. You can access and subscribe to the Podcast on our website: http://www.thecompassioninitiative.com.au

Ep. #71 A Look Into Consciousness w/ Dr. Steven C. Hayes

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D

Steven C. Hayes is a Nevada Foundation Professor of Psychology in the Behavior Analysis program at the University of Nevada. An author of 47 books and nearly 670 scientific articles, his career has focused on an analysis of the nature of human language and cognition and the application of this to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering.

He is the developer of Relational Frame Theory, an account of human higher cognition, and has guided its extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based methods. He is a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy (PBT), a new approach to evidence-based therapies more generally.

Dr. Hayes has written a small number of books for the public, in addition to his many books for professionals. His first, Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life (written with Spencer Smith) was written up in a five page story in Time Magazine in February 2006 and for a time was the #1 best selling self-help book in the United States. His latest, A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters, tells the scientific and personal story of psychological flexibility and topped out as among the top 800 best selling books on Amazon. His TEDx Talks (here and here) and YouTube presentations for the public exceed 1 million views.

In this episode, Steven and Shane discuss the nature of human consciousness, our experience of it, and how an understanding of it connects us to something much greater. Steven’s life work has been dedicated, at least in part, to understanding human psychology. Consciousness is an essential feature of our life – it is that by which, and from which, we experience everything. Self-consciousness is a phenomenon which appears to be uniquely human (as far as we know). Our knowledge of our own consciousness places us in a remarkable position to explore, question, and try to understand it.

Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between our understanding of human psychology, consciousness, and suffering. How can we work to alleviate suffering, both in our own lives and in those of other people is a fundamental question of our time. 

Get a copy of A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters

In this landmark book, the originator and pioneering researcher into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lays out the psychological flexibility skills that make it one of the most powerful approaches research has yet to offer. These skills have been shown to help even where other approaches have failed. Science shows that they are useful in virtually every area–mental health (anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD); physical health (chronic pain, dealing with diabetes, facing cancer); social processes (relationship issues, prejudice, stigma, domestic violence); and performance (sports, business, diet, exercise).

How does psychological flexibility help? We struggle because the problem-solving mind tells us to run from what causes us fear and hurt. But we hurt where we care. If we run from a sense of vulnerability, we must also run from what we care about. By learning how to liberate ourselves, we can live with meaning and purpose, along with our pain when there is pain.

Although that is a simple idea, it resists our instincts and programming. The flexibility skills counter those ingrained tendencies. They include noticing our thoughts with curiosity, opening to our emotions, attending to what is in the present, learning the art of perspective taking, discovering our deepest values, and building habits based around what we deeply want.

Beginning with the epiphany Steven Hayes had during a panic attack, this book is a powerful narrative of scientific discovery filled with moving stories as well as advice for how we can put flexibility skills to work immediately. Hayes shows how allowing ourselves to feel fully and think freely moves us toward commitment to what truly matters to us. Finally, we can live lives that reflect the qualities we choose.