If you love Harry Potter you are probably excited by the title but if you are not hold your horses and give our insightful guest Vanessa Zoltan a chance: the principles we discuss can be applied to your favourite books, music and movies and even if you don't care about any of these things this discussion will make you consider your spiritual life and why it's helpful to cultivate one even if you're an atheist (like Vanessa is). In their hit podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text Vanessa and her co-host Casper ter Kuile use different practices to unlock the mysteries of the books. This deepened understanding can help all of us to live a life that is based on our values and that uses role models to handle moments of crisis well. For more episodes go to http://strengthsphoenix.com/listen To rewire your brain for more positivity and self-compassion check out http://gum.co/brainwash

089 - What Harry Potter can teach you about Spirituality with Vanessa Zoltan - The Positive Psychology Podcast

The science of the good life, huh? Sorry this is not about booze, sex and rock n'roll (or whatever is en vogue right now).   In fact we talk about a lot of things that tree huggers would love: appreciation of beauty, gratitude, positive emotions, relationships and well, love. However we, that is positive psychologists and positive psychology practitioners buried ourselves in books, set out to experiment and then write it all up in a writing style that is about as exciting to read as watching an avocado turn brown. And that's the problem: if you are not an academic you probably want a little bit more excitement, than pages and pages of densely written journals can provide. Even if you are an academic, who has time to read all the interesting stuff out there anyways? So in an effort to save your eyes taking on a comically rectangular shape the positive psychology podcast brings the science of the good life to your earbuds. It's not all treehugger style though; sometimes we might get quite serious, for example when exploring things like post-traumatic growth or positive parenting. Subscribe if you want to benefit from the scientific insights into happiness and meaning while you are on the go. Let me know where you are while you are listening to this. If you like it review it, because that's the only way other people can find it too.

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For all the peeps who are not into rap but want to shake their booty to original music made by yours truly I give you Goofballs Unite!   What’s a revolutionary thing to do? It’s to badly dance in your truth Unconcerned with a perfect appearance Or propagating eternal youth   Do you remember what you didn’t do? All in the name of being cool? Don’t waste tonight and realise The marketing slogans made you shy   If you look at me from behind It’s not a twerk that you will find. Got no idea what my ass is doing but I am having a great time.   You’ve skipped leg day all your life your squats are shaky but the groove’s divine Hit the dancefloor don’t be shy   Goofballs ahoi, let’s unite   (Bridge) There they are smirking away Eyerolls rolling throwing shade Sometimes they’re just in your thoughts They should never call the shots In their world they’re the height of cool Unless they change they peak at school How bizarre would it be to let losers determine your destiny?   My jiggly bits wrote half this song how dare I praise ‘em? That’s so wrong Imagine me having the gall A big girl that claims space at all   Hey I bust out of my seams still got plenty of self-esteem Hit the dancefloor, don’t be shy Goofballs ahoi, let’s unite   The most revolutionary thing to do Is to badly dance in your truth Unconcerned with a perfect appearance Or propagating eternal youth   When you’re connected to your bliss How will they sell their stupid shit? How will they keep on ruling you? If you live the values that you choose?      

Goofballs Unite (The Body Image Anthem)

This episode was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend about her teenage daughter. While body image is particularly hard to navigate in your teens even as adults many of us struggle. Today we'll talk about why multiple perspectives are important, what doesn't help, and what I call the offense and the defense.

121 - Body Image - The Positive Psychology Podcast

Casper ter Kuile is on a mission to build a world of joyful belonging and one of the ways to get there are rituals. In times of trouble and change rituals can give us something to replenish our physical, mental and spiritual resources. Casper and I chat about how rituals are different from habits, how we can find rituals that really are an expression of our true self and that even the most mundane objects, such as milk cartons, can be used to engage more deeply with life. I've been wanting to chat to Casper since 2016 because he's someone who is truly invested in bringing innovation to spirituality. He is also the host of a hugely popular podcast called "Harry Potter and the Sacred Text". Long term listeners might recognize this podcast as the other creator Vanessa Zoltan talked about it back in 2016 on episode 89.

120 - The Power of Ritual with Casper Ter Kuile - The Positive Psychology Podcast

What is happening in the US right now is an extreme version of things that have been around for hundreds or probably thousands of years. If you are confused or surprised by what’s happening in Minneapolis and other cities you need to listen. How to be Antiracist 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice Transcript

We Need to Talk

In this episode we look at ways to steer through the crisis while accounting both for the hard and the positive. We'll look at common ways anxiety and depression take over your brain and how to replace those patterns with something more healthy.  Transcript

089 - What Harry Potter can teach you about Spirituality with Vanessa Zoltan - The Positive Psychology Podcast

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