• #98: The Science of Connection - Adam Dorsay, PsyD
    Jan 21 2025

    In this episode, psychologist Adam Dorsay, PsyD, explores the importance of human connection and its impact on well-being. He introduces the four types of connection and examines their role in resilience and life satisfaction.

    The discussion highlights the science behind relationships, the role of vulnerability in building meaningful bonds, and the value of awe in deepening connections. Dr. Dorsay provides practical insights for fostering connection in personal relationships, work, and the natural world, offering strategies to enhance purpose and well-being.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind

    Website: www.fitmind.org

    Show Notes

    0:00 | Introduction to Dr. Adam Dorsay

    1:45 | 4 Types of Connection

    10:02 | Neuroscience of Connection

    21:09 | How to “Know Thyself”

    25:44 | Vulnerability & Courage

    29:24 | Connection to the World

    39:50 | Amazement & Awe

    49:00 | Connect to Your Work

    59:59 | Effective Communication Strategy

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • #97: Predictive Processing & Ultimate Well-Being - Shamil Chandaria, PhD
    Dec 17 2024

    In this episode, Dr. Shamil Chandaria, an expert in consciousness, neuroscience, and AI, shares insights from his work on human experience and the intersection of technology and well-being.

    He discusses the Bayesian brain theory and the free energy principle, explaining how the brain constructs reality by predicting and updating perceptions to reduce uncertainty and surprise.

    Chandaria also explores how meditation helps break habitual thought patterns, offering a deeper awareness of how the brain shapes our experience and revealing profound insights into consciousness.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind

    Website: www.fitmind.org

    Show Notes

    0:00 | Introduction to Dr. Shamil Chandaria

    3:38 | Spiritual Awakening in Human Flourishing

    4:31 | How the Brain Predicts Reality - Bayesian Brain Explained

    9:26 | AI & the Human Brain

    21:33 | Free Energy Principle in Wellbeing

    37:30 | Befriending Difficult Emotions

    43:30 | Boundless Awareness

    54:00 | Effortless Action

    57:17 | Psychedelics & Bayesian Brain

    1:07:29 | Default Mode Network & Predictive Processing

    1:13:12 | Gamma Brain Waves in Long-Term Meditators Research

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • #96: The Science of Forgiveness - Fred Luskin, PhD
    Nov 15 2024

    Stanford psychologist Fred Luskin, PhD, discusses the science of forgiveness, emphasizing the need to process grief as a foundation for emotional healing.

    He explores practical ways to teach forgiveness to children and how adults can approach societal challenges with acceptance and meaning.

    Luskin also introduces his 9 Steps to Forgiveness, a research-based framework for releasing resentment and fostering gratitude, offering listeners actionable tools for resilience and well-being.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.org

    Show Notes

    0:00 | Introduction to Dr. Fred Luskin

    3:23 | Link to 30 Days of Meditation, Science & Bliss course: https://bit.ly/30-day-course

    3:33 | Forgiveness is the Forgotten Step

    5:44 | Forgiveness Defined

    12:30 | Resolving Grievances

    16:22 | Choosing Where to Put Your Attention

    18:50 | Grief Precedes Forgiveness

    26:40 | Power of Forgiveness Anecdotes

    38:40 | 9 Steps to Forgiveness

    46:11 | Revenge is a Life Well Lived

    51:49 | Repainting Your Life Picture

    59:02 | Modeling Forgiveness for Children

    1:06:00 | Forgiveness of Global Issues

    1:10:40 | Next Steps

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • #95: Mental Wellness & Monk Training - Andrew Litchy, ND
    Aug 6 2024

    In this episode, Dr. Andrew Litchy recounts his journey from life as a monk to becoming a naturopathic doctor.

    He shares his insights on how meditation helped him manage ADHD and how it has become integral to both his personal life and professional practice.

    The conversation spans topics from the daily life of a monk and the experience of ordination to practical tips on integrating mindfulness into a busy life.

    Dr. Litchy also discusses practical strategies for training the mind in a hectic world and provides top wellness tips, making this episode a rich resource for anyone interested in meditation and holistic health.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.org

    Show Notes

    0:00 | Introduction to Andrew Litchy

    9:02 | ADHD in Meditation

    12:18 | How Meditation Clicked

    13:25 | Straight Mindful Vipassana

    19:05 | Jhanas Defined

    23:42 | Experience of Ordaining as a Monk

    27:40 | Day in the Life of a Monk

    45:25 | From Monk to Med School

    47:20 | Study on Meditation and HRV

    55:20 | How to Train the Mind in a Busy Life

    1:02:14 | Sticky Notes

    1:10:17 | Homebase for the Mind

    1:13:32 | “Waking From the Dream”

    1:21:10 | Time Is a Construct

    1:25:44 | Meditation Training for Children

    1:31:05 | Top Wellness Tips

    1:36:40 | Most Common Problems Treated in a Naturopathic Doctor’s Office

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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • #94: Exploring Consciousness & Deep Awareness - Doug Kraft
    Jul 2 2024

    How does the mind shape our reality? What happens when the conceptual mind turns off?

    The answers might be found in the depths of meditation.

    Doug Kraft has delved into the complexities of the mind from various perspectives: as a psychotherapist, writer, minister, meditation teacher, and through the lenses of bio-energetics and neuroscience.

    In this episode, we discuss consciousness and the mind's role in constructing our reality. We explore how to train our brains to achieve lasting contentment.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.org

    SHOW NOTES

    0:00 | Introduction to Doug Kraft

    1:20 | Home Retreat Experience

    8:15 | Dependent Origination

    14:23 | What is Consciousness?

    23:31 | How the Mind Constructs Reality

    36:24 | The Man Who Lost $100,000

    45:04 | Exercise for Glimpsing Deep Awareness

    47:48 | Practice Insight - Redirecting Attention

    LINKS

    • Doug's website: https://easingawake.com/
    • Doug's retreat talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DutrLDZo1Yk&t=2403s
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    1 hr
  • #93: Neuroplasticity, Meditation & the Predictive Brain - Ruben Laukkonen, PhD
    Sep 6 2022

    How does the brain work at its deepest levels? And to what extent can we radically upgrade it, creating neuroplastic changes?

    Ruben Laukkonen, PhD is a cognitive neuroscientist, contemplative, speaker, and poet.

    His eclectic background includes competing semi-professionally in Muay Thai Kickboxing, founding two businesses (including the first online market for bitcoin in Australia), and intensive meditation training.

    Dr. Laukkonen is currently a principal investigator and lecturer at Southern Cross University and holds honorary fellowships at VU Amsterdam and The University of Queensland. He uses methods such as behavior, neuroimaging, machine learning, and phenomenology to empirically investigate some of the rarest states of human consciousness.

    This episode is a full tour of the mind, including a deep dive into some of those rare states of consciousness and what they reveal about achieving the highest levels of human happiness.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.com

    SHOW NOTES

    0:00 | Introduction to Ruben Laukkonen, PhD

    2:02 | Early Experience

    10:45 | How the Mind Makes Itself

    22:18 | Predictive Processing & Agitation

    25:30 | Why There's Always Something Wrong

    31:28 | Chain of Causality in the Mind

    36:00 | The Mind Rebuilding After Deepest Levels of Meditation

    38:25 | Meditation for Reconditioning the Mind

    52:06 | Doing Nothing Very Well

    53:14 | Stages of Meditation & Predictive Processing

    1:08:28 | Cessation & Awakening Research

    1:17:12 | Jhanas - Stages of Deconstruction

    1:24:22 | Rapid Fire Questions

    LINKS

    • https://rubenlaukkonen.com
    • https://fitmind.com/give
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • #91: The Science of Creativity & Imagination - Anna Abraham, PhD
    Jun 21 2022

    Dr. Anna Abraham is a psychologist and neuroscientist who investigates creativity and how we can optimize this key trait. She’s also a leading scholar on the study of human imagination.

    On this episode, we discuss the key ingredients of a creative mind, how to become more creative, and how the brain can tell the difference between real and imaginary worlds.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.com

    SHOW NOTES

    0:00 | Intro to Anna Abraham, PhD

    1:44 | Imagination More Important Than Knowledge?

    4:45 | Imagination Defined

    7:53 | How We Experience Real vs. Imaginary Worlds

    17:20 | Fiction Crossing Into Reality

    21:35 | Overlap of Memory & Imagination

    29:28 | Ingredients of a Creative Mind

    42:08 | Ways to Build Creativity

    48:35 | Predictors of Creativity

    58:12 | Rapid Fire Questions

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • #90: Master of Sleep - Nick Littlehales
    May 17 2022

    Nick Littlehales has been an elite sport recovery coach for nearly a quarter-century and is the bestselling author of Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps... and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind.

    On this episode, we uncover the common myths and misunderstandings about sleep. We also discuss the circadian rhythm, chronotypes, polyphasic sleep, and treating sleep as recovery.

    FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
    Website: www.fitmind.com

    SHOW NOTES

    0:00 | Intro to Nick Littlehales

    1:42 | Sleep Tips

    3:45 | Becoming a Sleep Coach

    7:28 | How the Pros Optimize Sleep

    9:38 | What to do Before You Sleep

    19:36 | Understanding Circadian Rhythm

    26:10 | Polyphasic Sleep: Importance of Naps

    28:58 | 7 Key Sleep Recovery Indicators

    37:27 | How to Improve Sleep

    43:54 | Microrest

    45:20 | Rapid Fire Questions

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    50 mins