This episode of I'm Fine is proudly sponsored by the Medical Research Foundation. The Medical Research Foundation is at the forefront of tackling often-overlooked health challenges, from chronic pain to areas of medical health that don’t receive the attention they deserve. Your support can help fund groundbreaking medical research to transform lives.

In today’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Heathcote, a senior lecturer in Health Psychology at King’s College London. Funded by the Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Heathcote and her team are leading one of the first-ever behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the impact of chronic pain in childhood cancer survivors.

Dr. Heathcote delves into the science of pain, explaining how it’s both a sensory and emotional experience shaped by our bodies and minds. She also shares insights on her cutting-edge work developing digital tools to reshape young survivors’ beliefs about their bodies, fostering resilience and empowering them to live fuller lives despite chronic pain.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:19 Sponsor Message: Medical Research Foundation

00:59 Meet Dr. Lauren Heathcote

02:03 Understanding Pain in Cancer Survivors

05:37 Biopsychosocial Model of Pain

06:32 Cancer Treatment Success Stories

08:30 Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors

10:12 Psychological Impact of Cancer

11:41 Core Beliefs About the Body

20:27 Digital Health Interventions

28:39 Influence of Medical Language

29:38 The Psychological Impact of Post-Cancer Monitoring

30:48 Research on Doctor-Patient Communication

31:36 Mindset and Cancer Recovery

32:44 Exploring Body Resilience

34:15 Positive Psychology and Flow State

35:41 Balancing Positivity and Realism

37:14 Mind-Body Connection in Pain Management

47:03 Interoception and Pain Perception

48:09 A Scientist's Journey

51:51 Supporting Cancer Pain Research

52:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

Get Involved: Join us in supporting the Medical Research Foundation to help fund research like Dr. Heathcote's. Visit https://www.medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk/ to learn more.

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Sponsored by: Medical Research Foundation

Host: Jean Campbell

Guest: Dr. Lauren Heathcote

Executive Producer: Jean Campbell

Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach

Composer: Eduoardo Vella

Jean sits down with Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation and renowned Transcendental Meditation (TM) teacher, whose students include Oprah, Jerry Seinfeld & Martin Scorsese. Bob shares his personal journey from a politically charged upbringing to discovering the power of TM and becoming an advocate for its transformative effects. The conversation dives deep into how TM can help individuals manage chronic stress, trauma, PTSD, and pain, making it a crucial tool for healing both the mind and body.

Bob recounts his early skepticism towards meditation and how a trusted friend introduced him to TM, which led to a profound sense of inner calm and relaxation. He discusses how TM benefits groups ranging from veterans and first responders to students and fashion models, helping people from all walks of life handle the pressures of modern existence.

Listeners will hear Bob's reflections on the unique impact of TM on both physical and emotional health, touching on concepts like post-traumatic growth, resilience, and the importance of cultivating a calm mind to navigate life's challenges. The episode also explores how TM offers a gateway to deep relaxation, reduces cortisol levels, and fosters inner equanimity, even in the face of stress and pain.

Jean and Bob delve into the history and mission of the David Lynch Foundation, an organization that brings TM to underserved communities, including veterans, students, and survivors of domestic violence. Bob highlights the foundation’s work to integrate TM into healthcare systems and its vision for making this practice accessible to everyone.

The David Lynch Foundation, founded in 2005, has a mission to provide TM to at-risk populations, including inner-city students, veterans suffering from PTSD, and women and children who have endured trauma. Their goal is to incorporate TM into global healthcare systems, making this powerful practice accessible to all.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, natural, and effortless technique practiced for 20 minutes twice a day. It allows the mind to settle into a state of deep relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting mental clarity and resilience. Unlike other forms of meditation that require concentration or mindfulness, TM focuses on transcending ordinary thinking to access a state of restful alertness.

Key Takeaways:

• TM helps manage chronic stress, trauma, and pain by fostering a state of deep relaxation.
• The David Lynch Foundation is working to integrate TM into healthcare systems and make it accessible to all, especially underserved communities.
• TM promotes post-traumatic growth, resilience, and emotional healing, making it a powerful tool for managing both physical and emotional pain.

00:00 Introduction and Appreciation

00:45 Early Life and Political Aspirations

01:56 Discovering Transcendental Meditation

03:41 Impact of Transcendental Meditation

04:25 Personal Experiences with Trauma

07:54 Understanding PTSD and Complex PTSD

10:46 Transcendental Meditation and Healing

15:17 Meditation in Modern Healthcare

19:12 The Science Behind Different Meditations

25:38 Expanding the Window of Tolerance

27:52 Meditate America Initiative

29:13 The Pandemic of Chronic Stress

30:29 Meditate America: A Lifeline Program

32:00 The Mind-Body Connection

35:26 The Role of Pain in Our Lives

39:10 Personal Journey with Transcendental Meditation

50:18 The David Lynch Foundation

52:12 Timeless Wisdom for a Calm Mind

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Host: Jean Campbell

Guest: Bob Roth

Executive Producer: Jean Campbell

Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach

Composer: Eduardo Vella

In this episode, Jean is joined by Dr. James Kustow, psychiatrist, adult ADHD specialist, and author of the new book How to Thrive with Adult ADHD. Dr. Kustow shares insights from his decades of experience in the field, offering a fresh perspective on ADHD and how it affects both the mind and body. He dives into the emotional, physical, and social challenges that people with ADHD face and explains how understanding the disorder can lead to transformative change.

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It's characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning or development.

Key Points:

• Introduction to Dr. James Kustow and his new book How to Thrive with Adult ADHD.
• Global statistics: ADHD affects about 5% of the population worldwide.
• The emotional and physical challenges of living with ADHD.
• How ADHD goes beyond attention issues, including emotional dysregulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• Dr. Kustow's unique approach to managing ADHD, focusing on both body and mind.
• Why understanding and managing ADHD can lead to real, positive change in one’s life.

Resources:

• Dr. James Kustow’s Book: How to Thrive with Adult ADHD
• The Grove Practice: https://www.thegrovepractice.com/about/about-us/

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Host: Jean Campbell

Guest: Dr. James Kustow

Executive Producer: Jean Campbell

Producer: Wicked Child Studio, Hailey Rovner Malach

Composer: Eduardo Vella