The Weekend University

Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author of "High Functioning." As the lead researcher behind the world's first peer-reviewed study on high-functioning depression, Dr. Judith’s work focuses on helping people recognize and address depression before it leads to breakdown. In this conversation, we explore: — What high-functioning depression is and why it often goes unrecognized — How trauma and overworking are connected to hidden depression — Why joy is our "birthright" as humans and how to reclaim it — The biopsychosocial approach to understanding your unique happiness blueprint — Dr. Judith’s five V's framework for cultivating joy: validate, vent, values, vitals, and vision And more. You can learn more about Dr. Judith’s work and book at https://drjudithjoseph.com. — Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, is a globally-recognised, board-certified psychiatrist, researcher and media contributor. She is the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioural Medicine, assistant professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU and chair of the Women in Medicine Board at Columbia University. Dr. Judith is a regular contributor to ITN in the UK and appears frequently in international media including Forbes, CNN, Men's Health, Oprah Daily and Apple TV. A trusted voice on mental health, trauma and emotional resilience, she brings clarity and compassion to conversations that matter. Dr. Judith has over 625k+ followers across TikTok and Instagram, where her mental health videos have reached over 50 million viewers. --- Interview Links: — Dr Juditht's website - https://drjudithjoseph.com — See her Today show interview to learn of Judith’s personal journey and her work in mental health - https://www.today.com/video/dr-judith-joseph-talks-book-high-functioning-reclaiming-joy-235854405618 — Watch her interview on YouTube with Mel Robbins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQu-Ct9-6dg — Listen to her interview with Dr. Sharon - https://podcasts.apple.com/bb/podcast/high-functioning-and-hidden-depression-ft-dr-judith-joseph/id1839332301?i=1000739097190 — And on the ZOE podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJYdI_gdfvs

Dr Lou Cozolino - 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. The work that I do for The Weekend University means I get to explore a wide range of topics, teachers, and practitioners who are at the forefront of the field of psychology. Every so often, I feel like I’ve “struck gold” after discovering someone and I would certainly put Dr Cozolino’s work into this category. In this interview, you’ll learn: — Lou’s experience of being taught by Carl Rogers and what he learned from him — The 4 common factors that underlie all effective forms of psychotherapy — The importance of focusing on principles rather than techniques when educating yourself as a therapist — Why human beings need psychotherapy — The vital ‘half second’ and how this impacts every aspect of our experience — The impact of early experiences on our development — Core shame and why we experience it — Neuroplasticity and why therapists should think of themselves as applied neuroscientists — 3 books that Lou recommends every therapist should read And more. You can learn more about Dr Cozolino’s work at www.drloucozolino.com --- 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. --- Interview Links: — 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 — Dr Cozolino’s website: www.drloucozolino.com --- 3 Books Lou Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Character Analysis - Wilhelm Reich (1st 120 pages): https://amzn.to/3wDWjoV — Becoming a Person - Carl Rogers: https://amzn.to/3wzrxOg — Thou Shalt Not Be Aware - Alice Miller: https://amzn.to/3sJVUQC --- — Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 — Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/

In this episode, I’m joined by two pioneers at the forefront of reshaping our understanding of human consciousness - Professor Donald Hoffman and Dr Iain McGilchrist. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, they’ve both arrived at surprisingly similar conclusions about some of life’s biggest questions and the nature of reality. This conversation explores the parallels—and differences—in their thinking, covering topics like: — The growing scientific evidence that consciousness may be fundamental — The shockingly complex structures that physicists are now discovering beyond spacetime and what this implies — The power of silence for creating breakthroughs in scientific and creative work — The need for both a rigorous scientific and embodied approach to understanding consciousness. And more. You can dive deeper into Iain’s work through his book: The Matter with Things, and Don’s via his book: The Case Against Reality. — Dr Iain McGilchrist is a Psychiatrist and Writer, who lives on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of North West Scotland. He is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context, that of the whole of our physical and spiritual existence, and of the wider human culture in which they arise – the culture which helps to mould, and in turn is moulded by, our minds and brains. He was formerly a Consultant Psychiatrist of the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Trust in London, where he was Clinical Director of their southern sector Acute Mental Health Services. Dr McGilchrist has published original research and contributed chapters to books on a wide range of subjects, as well as original articles in papers and journals, including the British Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He has taken part in many radio and TV programmes, documentaries, and numerous podcasts, and interviews on YouTube, among them dialogues with Jordan Peterson, David Fuller of Rebel Wisdom, and philosopher Tim Freke. His books include Against Criticism, The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning, and Ways of Attending. He published his latest book: The Matter With Things, a book of epistemology and metaphysics. You can keep up to date with his work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com. – Prof. Donald Hoffman, PhD received his PhD from MIT, and joined the faculty of the University of California, Irvine in 1983, where he is a Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Sciences. He is an author of over 100 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence, and The Case Against Reality. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award from the American Psychological Association for early career research, the Rustum Roy Award of the Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. His writing has appeared in Edge, New Scientist, LA Review of Books, and Scientific American and his work has been featured in Wired, Quanta, The Atlantic, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. You can watch his TED Talk titled “Do we see reality as it is?” and you can follow him on Twitter @donalddhoffman. --- Interview Links: — Dr McGilchirst's website - https://channelmcgilchrist.com — Dr McGilchirst's book - https://amzn.to/3oOSFIW — Prof Hoffman’s profile - https://sites.socsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/ — Prof Hoffman’s book - https://bit.ly/3SCwTTA

Dr. Federico Faggin is a physicist, engineer, and the inventor of the microprocessor - the technology which paved the way for the digital age; making modern computing, the internet, and smartphones possible. In recent decades, Federico has turned his attention to developing a scientific theory of consciousness based on the latest developments in quantum physics. In this conversation, we explore: — How “quantum fields” may possess consciousness and free will as fundamental properties — Why meaning, not information alone, is the foundation of reality — How Federico’s theory explains the relationship between the body, mind, and consciousness — Why cooperation and love, rather than competition, emerge as the natural organizing principles in this framework And more. You can learn more about Dr. Faggin's work in his book "Irreducible". — Federico Faggin, born in Vicenza, Italy, is a physicist and pioneering inventor in computing. He co-designed one of Italy’s first transistorized computers, developed the MOS Silicon Gate Technology, and led the creation of the world’s first microprocessor, the Intel 4004. He founded Zilog, Cygnet Technologies, and Synaptics, pioneering innovations like the Z80 microprocessor, Touchpad, and Touchscreen. Today, he leads the Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation, advancing the scientific study of consciousness. Faggin has received major honors including the Marconi Prize, Kyoto Prize, National Medal of Technology, and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His autobiography, SILICON: From the Invention of the Microprocessor to the New Science of Consciousness, is available worldwide. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Faggin’s X account: https://x.com/fedefaggin?lang=en — Dr. Faggin’s book: https://amzn.to/4rUbshE

Mick is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, a Chartered Psychologist, and an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. This is Mick’s sixth appearance at The Weekend University, and I can think of very few people on the planet that have both the breadth and depth of knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy as him. This particular conversation focuses on his research into working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy. Here are some of the key things you’ll learn: — What relational depth is and why it’s critical for anyone working in the helping professions to be aware of — Martin Buber, the difference between “I - It” and “I Thou” Modes of Relating and how Buber’s philosophy can enhance therapeutic work — The biggest barriers to relational depth and how to avoid them — The best practices for creating the conditions of relational depth with clients, and why you can’t force it — Mick’s advice to his younger self before becoming a psychotherapist. And more. You can learn more about Mick’s work at www.mick-cooper.co.uk --- Professor Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including New Zealand, Lithuania, and Florida. His books include Existential Therapies, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and The Handbook of Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. His latest work is Integrating Counselling and Psychotherapy: Directionality, Synergy, and Social Change. Mick’s main areas of research have been in shared decision-making/ personalising therapy, and counselling for young people in schools. In 2014, Mick received the Carmi Harari Mid-Career Award from the American Psychological Association. He is also a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Academy of Social Sciences. You can follow him on twitter: @mickcooper77 --- Interview Links: — Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Dave Mearns & Mick Cooper: https://amzn.to/38liKax — Existential Therapies - Mick Cooper: https://amzn.to/3PJXDiN — I and Thou - Martin Buber: https://amzn.to/3apzCh0 — Further resources on relational depth can be found on Mick’s website: https://mick-cooper.squarespace.com/relational-depth --- 3 Books Mick Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behaviour Change - Michael Barkham, Wolfgang Lutz & Louis Castonguay: https://amzn.to/39WQFqd — Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients - John Norcross: https://amzn.to/3t0iCnP — The Gift of Therapy - Irvin Yalom: https://amzn.to/3yX33Be --- — Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks5 — Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events