This week I spoke with comic, author and film director Richard Ayoade. Richard Ayoade is amazing. I fell sort of gently in love with him. We spoke about fame and navigating the media, the art of comic performance and intention, the difference between greatness and mediocrity and lots and lots more! Richard’s new book Ayoade On Top is out now!

#97 Art, Greatness & “Turning” (with Richard Ayoade)

A weekly interview series from Russell Brand that examines what's beneath the surface—of the people we admire, the ideas that define our time, and the history we’re told. Speaking with guests from the worlds of academia, popular culture, and the arts, Russell seeks to uncover the ulterior truth behind our constructed reality. And have a laugh.On his new podcast ‘Above the Noise’ Russell guides us all—curious beginners, spiritual skeptics, and experienced practitioners—in brief, 10-minute meditations. Listen to Above the Noise on Luminary

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In this episode Deepak and I discuss the practical side of spirituality. He explains what scientific research has discovered about how a spiritual practice can significantly alter your life. Deepak also gives me a guided meditation. The meditation is in the second half of this part and includes a deconstruction of the method and why it works. Recorded in 2019 this episode, Part 2 of 2, continues to give and give. Come for the conversation, stay for the powerful meditation.

Deepak Chopra  Deep Meditation

In this week’s "best of" episode, part 1 of 2, Deepak and I chatted about the nature of consciousness, He unloaded his extensive knowledge of the cosmos, described what it means to be embodied, shared his understanding of what a belief in God is or means, and listed some of the reasons people suffer from existential crises. It was a wonderful exchange. Enjoy. (Originally published September, 2019)

Deepak Chopra on Cosmology and Consciousness

Best-selling author of The Tapping Solution, Nick Ortner is here! He describes the technique known as Tapping, which is a natural healing method that combines ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. .
Nick tells us the science behind Tapping (also known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT) and describes how it effects the brain and the body. Tapping, he says, can turn off the flight-or-flight mode, to help the body relax and heal. He has been developing and practicing this technique for a long time, and has helped people from all walks of life--including high functioning athletes, people with chronic pain, those suffering from grief, and others. In this episode (originally published in 2021) Nick also does a live Tapping demo with me to help me with a specific issue I’m dealing with.



On Calming Stress and Anxiety--with Tapping, ft. Nick Ortner

Brené Brown is an expert researcher in vulnerability, courage and shame. This conversation is one of my all-time favourites. [Originally released in 2019, but still nourishing for anyone seeking spiritual wisdom from one of the best.] For more conversations like this, as well as meditations by Russell Brand, subscribe to the Luminary Channel on Apple podcasts or directly on Luminary at https://luminary.link/russell
Brené Brown is the author of multiple #1 New York Times bestseller books, and her TED talk on vulnerability has over 60 million views, making it one of the most viewed ever. She also has inspiring specials on Netflix (i.e. “The Call To Courage”).

Brené Brown on Vulnerability and Power

[Special free episode] Inspired initially by the art of freediving, James Nestor has since explored the vital role that breath, and breathing correctly, plays in our evolution as human beings and our health right now. Are we breathing wrong and what can we do to change it? How powerful is our breath really?

James reveals the incredible feats and control people have acquired by harnessing their breath, something we carry around with us 24/7. Is there some ulterior reason why this free, accessible and innate ability is not widely proliferated? This episode may make you very aware of your breathing while you’re listening, but it might also change your life!

More Info:
James is the author of "Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves" and "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art"
This best of Under the Skin episode was recorded in the spring of 2021. Subscribe to the Luminary Channel on Apple to hear all episodes of "Under the Skin," as well numerous meditations from Russell Brand, in his series "Above the Noise." Learn more at https://luminary.link/russell

#97 Art, Greatness & “Turning” (with Richard Ayoade)

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