Many people associate the term "enlightenment" with images of a solitary figure sitting atop a distant mountain peak or a monk focused intently on meditation, but what does this concept look like when navigating our lives in today's complex society? Enlightment, at its core, is about gaining awareness and awakening ourselves to the interconnected nature of existence. Dr. Steve Taylor, a renowned spiritual psychologist, has devoted his life to investigating spiritual awakening. His previous bestselling books provided case histories of dozens of people who experienced profound shifts in consciousness.

In his book, "The Adventure: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Awakening" Dr. Steve Taylor draws upon groundbreaking research and his own awakening experiences, to provide guided meditations, reflective exercises, and various methods aimed at fostering spiritual growth, in addition to lyrical poetry and motivational narratives.

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Steve Taylor as we explore his step-by-step practices for cultivating spiritual awakening.

Dr. Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and the chair of the Transpersonal Psychology section at the British Psychological Society. He is also the bestselling author of several books including Extraordinary Awakenings, The Clear Light, The Fall, Out of the Darkness, The Calm Center, The Leap, and Spiritual Science. Dr. Taylor also writes blog articles for Science American, The Conversation, and Psychology Today. His work has been described by Eckhart Tolle as "an important contribution to the shift in consciousness which is happening on our planet at present."

In his book, Dr. Taylor outlines how to identify and develop the eight qualities that define wakefulness, such as presence, acceptance, gratitude, and disidentification from the ego, use practical exercises and meditation to calm the mind and increase awareness, go beyond the "thought mind" and our typical "sleep" condition to reach ever-higher and deeper levels of spiritual awakening, and use the difficulties of daily life—at home, at work, and in relationships—as opportunities for insight.

If you are interested in learning more about the process and journey of enlightenment, this podcast is for you!

• Purchase Dr. Taylor's book: https://amzn.to/4qz5VLS
• Information about Dr. Taylor's Books: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/books/
• Visit Dr. Steve Taylor's Website: http://www.stevenmtaylor.com/

• Information about Dr. Steve Taylor: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/about-steve-taylor/
• Read Dr. Taylor's blogs and articles: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/essays/
• Events with Steve Taylor: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/events/
• Online programs with Steve Taylor: https://www.stevenmtaylor.com/online-courses/

From alleviating recurring nightmares to finding oneself by discovering your family's secret past, psychoanalysis is a turbulent but rewarding form of psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis establishing it in the 1890's. The approach includes a focus on the unconscious mind, dream interpretation and talk therapy for addressing mental disturbances. Psychoanalysis continues to be a valuable path for gaining inner freedom from a host of mental struggles. In her book, "Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis" Joan Peters takes us through her journey of self-understanding through psychoanalysis – a long practiced but not well understood psychological intervention.

Listen to our conversation with author and Professor Joan Peters as we discuss the many mysteries that lurk just beneath the surface of our psyches.

Joan Peters is a Professor Emeritus of Literature and Writing at California State University, an author, and animal lover. Peters has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago. She began her career with a focus on 17th Century European and British literature, but quickly developed a passion for women´s fiction. She has taught English literature and women´s studies at Middlebury College, Rutgers University and The City College of New York. She is the author of "Not your mother's life" and "When Mothers Work", which tackles the unique struggles young women in the working world face and the challenges of creating healthy work/life balance. She continues to write and lecture about psychoanalysis, sharing her expertise with eager minds as well as write articles for Psychology Today. She currently resides in California with her husband, and their dogs, and chickens.

Joan Peters' book is a groundbreaking memoir offering an in-depth look into her first-hand experience with psychoanalysis. The inner workings of this intricate treatment are rarely discussed, and mostly unknown outside of professional circles. Using skill, creativity, and humour, she shines her light on this deep modality. Her book includes everything from heated conflicts to intense connection that can blossom between patient and analyst, offering readers an inside look into her transformative experience.

Listen to our conversation with Joan Peters to hear about the many ups and downs of psychoanalysis.

If you are interested in learning about Joan Peters' exploration of her own mind, this podcast is for you.

• To purchase the book visit: https://amzn.to/4rgStwH
• Read reviews of the book: https://www.joankpeters.com/praise-1

• Videos of Podcasts featuring Joan Peters: https://www.joankpeters.com/media
• To read more of Joan Peters work:https://www.joankpeters.com/all#past-works
• Read Joan Peters articles on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/transformative
• Read Joan's article, On the 13th Day of Christmas: How We Intersect With the Holidays https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/transformative/202512/on-the-13th-day-of-christmas-how-we-intersect-with-the-holidays

Using Self-Compassion practices after divorce can help both parents and children. Divorce and/or separation is a stressful but quite common experience for both parents and children. Children often carry guilt, shame, and anger along with many other big feelings that parents often feel ill-equipped to address. In her book, "Two Times as Much Love" Eileen Beltzner tells the story of Alexander, a third-grader struggling with the emotional aftermath of his parents' divorce, and his journey toward self-understanding and personal growth. Beltzner uses engaging storytelling and therapeutic tools rooted in mindfulness and self-compassion. The book models a deep respect for children's inner emotional lives, showing how events like divorce and social rejection can deeply affect a child's self-worth and worldview.

Listen to our conversation with therapist and author Eileen Beltzner as she draws upon her many years of experience to walk us through how children navigate massive life and family changes like divorce.

Eileen Beltzner is a child and family therapist, social worker, and author. She worked as a special care counselor, curriculum writer for children with special needs, and parent-infant therapist. She also established a private practice and developed an employee wellness program of a large hospital. She is a certified mindful self-compassion teacher and trainer, serving several years as a senior faculty member at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, Canada. Her previous books are: The Handbook for First- Time Parents (1987) and How to Tame the Tumbles the Mindful Self-Compassionate Way (2019).

Eileen Beltzner's book is a parent and child read-together story that introduces a number of evidence-based and inner-strength-building practices (e.g., breathing, movement, and thought-challenging strategies). The clarity of the writing and the emotional depth of the story make it both accessible and impactful for readers of all ages, while the practical tools offer real-life value for families navigating relational challenges.

Listen to our conversation with Eileen Beltzner to learn more about creating a unique plan to help parents and kids rebuild their confidence after divorce.

If you are interested in learning about Eileen Beltzner's unique insights, this podcast is for you.

• Purchase Eileen's newest book visit: https://www.eileenbeltzner.com/two-times-as-much-love-1 or https://amzn.to/45Fw6c6
• Learn more about Eileen Beltzner: https://www.eileenbeltzner.com/about-the-author
• Learn more about Eileen's others books: https://www.eileenbeltzner.com/how-to-tame-the-tumbles
• Recommended-Dr.Otto Weininger's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Time-In-Parenting/dp/0973090502

• Check out Eileen Beltzner's website: https://www.eileenbeltzner.com/
• Learn more about Mindful Self Compassion: https://selfcompassionsolutions.com/
• Check out Eileen's podcast: https://mindfulselfcompassiontraining.podbean.com/

Blair Sorrel shares her journey of living with Schizoid Personality Disorder and learning to accept and love herself. She undercovers further elements of her life growing up in a family of origin where she experienced ridicule leading to low self-worth, social anxiety and a debilitating fear of authority figures.

She explores a home life with "poor parenting" which undermined her academic and career disappointments. She reflects on the importance of nurturing caregivers to allow the flourishing of Intelligence and genetics toward success. In her book, "A Schizoid at Smith: How Over Parenting Leads to Underachieving" Blair Sorrel takes us through the combined impact of poor parenting along with a diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder.

Listen to our conversation with author Blair Sorrel as we navigate her struggles to succeed within a context of Schizoid Personality Disorder and a home life that left her feelings unsupported and not accepted.

Blair Sorrel is an author, creator, and animal enthusiast. She served as the "Dollarwise Dilettante" columnist for Free Time, the matchmaker for Together Dating Service, and the apheresis recruiter for New York Blood Services. She established StreetZaps to safeguard dogs and humans from stray voltage, becoming the initial community representative invited by Con Edison to their annual Jodie S. Lane Stray Voltage Detection, Mitigation, and Prevention National Conference.

Blair Sorrel's memoir raises awareness of the mysterious ailment that is Schizoid Personality Disorder. The majority of the book takes place in the 1960s taking a comedic and hopeful perspective.

Listen to our conversation with Blair Sorrel to learn how she shaped her own life and defined success on her own terms.

If you are interested in learning about Blair Sorrel's unique life, this podcast is for you.

• Purchase the book: https://rockingtributes.com/smith/#purchase or https://amzn.to/3Z3qnJt

• Learn more about Blair Sorrel: https://rockingtributes.com/#blair
• Read reviews of the book: https://rockingtributes.com/smith/#reviews

• Check out Blair Sorrel's website: https://rockingtributes.com/

Looking for a new approach for self-help or to support individual or group therapy for those who experienced childhood trauma? In his guidebook, "The Historical Trauma Programme - For Self-help or to Support Individual Therapy" Bill Wahl introduces a comprehensive and science-based model of working with trauma. With over ten years in the field, Counselling Psychologist Bill Wahl and 3 dozen NHS colleagues developed workbook-based models of trauma therapy which can be used for self-help, to support individual therapy, or as a comprehensive model of group therapy. The approach is reflected in two comprehensive and science-based books: The Historical Trauma Programme for Self-help or to Support Individual Therapy and The Historical Trauma Programme for Group Therapy. The books provide guidance whether the trauma is from childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment, etc. The books are filled with strategies to help clinicians in their work and individuals with a trauma history.

Listen to our conversation with psychologist and author Bill Wahl as we discuss his helpful ideas and strategies for living life after trauma.

Bill Wahl is an Author and Registered Counselling Psychologist in the UK. He has over 25 years as an NHS psychologist specializing in adults who have experienced childhood trauma using both individual and group therapy models. Interestingly, Bill has also written several fiction books including The Art of Impossibility, The Edge of the World, and Existence and Other Stories. In his spare time, Bill enjoys the hobbies of brewery and photography.

Bill Wahl's Historical Trauma approach, supports readers in gaining necessary support, safety, and stability. He guides you with research-based trauma knowledge regarding the impact of childhood struggles, with guidance on how to integrate experiences, improve self-awareness, work through the past, and reinforce trauma recovery. Bill addresses unresolved emotions, attentional difficulties, body-based distress, traumatic memories, traumatic core beliefs, and or other symptoms.

Listen to our conversation with Bill Wahl to learn about how to build a stronger relationship with yourself and others after trauma.

If you are interested in learning about Bill Wahl's unique, experiential, and therapeutic process for overcoming the impacts of trauma, this podcast is for you.

• Purchase the Historical Trauma Programme Self Help/Individual Therapy book: https://amzn.to/45Cu9x9
• Purchase the Historical Trauma Programme Group Therapy book: https://amzn.to/3ZBzNvU
• Learn more about Bill Wahl: https://www.billwahlphotography.com/about
• Learn more about the Historical Trauma Programme: htpcommunity.org

• Check out Bill Wahl's photography website: https://www.billwahlphotography.com/
• Check out Bill Wahl's other books: https://amzn.to/49PA3xr
• Find Bill Wahl's Instagram here: http://www.instagram.com/billwahlphotography/

It seems clear to me, that if we are constantly striving to experience only pleasure we will certainly land in a hurting world of pain.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger, which the brain produces) that plays a big role in the experience of pleasure.

Instant hits of pleasure can keep us hooked into a cycle of gratification that results in an escalating need for reward, but instead leads to anxiety and a thirst for satisfaction that is never fulfilled. Our brains produce chemical jolts that can be evoked by emoji text messages; Facebook "likes"; shopping excursions we cannot afford; as well as drugs, alcohol and sex. Many of these reward pathways are more accessible than ever, often keeping us constantly seeking more, without a lasting satiety.

Listen our conversation with Dr. Anna Lembke, M.D., Psychiatrist, Professor, Author. She is Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is also the author of bestseller "Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence" as well as "Drug Dealer, MD, How Doctors were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It's So Hard to Stop".

Dr. Lembke's books help us to understand that brain chemicals are involved in a potentially dangerous reward pathway, especially where there is ease of access to ever intensifying stimulants/drugs and other activities that reinforce the pleasure cycle. She explores meaningful strategies for withdrawing from pleasure, bringing balance through pain, or the capacity to tolerate discomfort.

In her book "Dopamine Nation" she shares her own experience of getting hooked into reading paranormal vampire novels which took her down a pathway of ever intensifying reading content. She is a beacon of hope in understanding the complicated and deep struggles of those ensnared in the path of addiction, whatever the brand.

In her Ted Talk on the opioid epidemic and the connection to pain management, she is able to expose some of the drivers to over prescribing opioids, and the dangers related to this. She also goes over some socio-medico alternatives to more opioid prescribing.

She offers insight into the pleasure-pain mechanism and how it is wired into our brains. She also brings recognition towards the fact that in an overabundant world, where we are encouraged to incessantly seek pleasures; we reduce our capacity to remain quiet, content or peaceful within ourselves. She explains that the richest countries in the world have the highest rates of addiction, suicide, and pain.

Her book covers many examples of those struggling with addictions of various kinds and the dangers of avoiding pain of any kind. She describes dopamine fasting and how profoundly beneficial this can be in resetting an overstimulated system to a greater place of balance.

Do you have a question or concern about addiction; a story to share; or a desire to try out Dopamine Fasting? Listen us in the conversation with Dr. Lembke and her important work in finding balance from addiction.

• Anna Lembke, MD: https://www.annalembke.com/
• Ted Stanford University – Dr. Anna Lembke: https://tedx.stanford.edu/lineup/anna-lembke
• The Psychology of An Addict Explained by Dr. Anna Lembke: https://youtu.be/2-mWbVNpBMg
• The Social Dilabout:blankemma: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81254224
• Rich Roll: The Neuroscience of Addiction: https://www.richroll.com/podcast/anna-lembke-623/
• Anna Lembke – Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Lembke
• Daily Motivation – The richest countries have the most misery: https://youtu.be/9Zd9qvJUr-o

• Resetting pleasure/pain balance through Dopamine Fasting Dr. Lembke: https://youtu.be/9Zd9qvJUr-o
• The Social Dilemma – Reclaim your screen time: https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/reclaim-your-screen-time/
• Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Lembke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3JLaF_4Tz8

"Embodied" approaches to healing include expressive movement, guided imagery, ritual, music and creative expressive interventions. This goes beyond static medication and breathing exercises and into more dynamic practices. Pioneer Toni Bergins, brings active movement or "embodiment" into the toolkit offered in her book, "Embody: Feel, Heal, and Transform Your Life Through Movement" Bergins turns the processing of pain and trauma into an expressive art aligned with the most recent research. Her trauma-informed approach helps you release old struggles and shows you to stop over-thinking and get moving!

Listen to our conversation with author and creator of JourneyDance Toni Bergins as we discuss her approach for embodied healing through expressive movement, guided imagery, ritual, music, and creative expression.

Toni Bergins, M. Ed., is an author, holistic health practitioner and teacher. For 27 years, has led transformational workshops at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. She has lead her JourneyDance workshops at Institute, Omega Institute, 1440 Multiversity, The New York Open Center, Pure Yoga, and Blue Spirit. JourneyDance has grown to be an annual event since Toni first presented her workshop at the Omega Institute in 2008. Toni also shares her talents by writing and creating videos for her website, journeydance.com.

Toni Bergins' book gives readers a potent method for addressing trauma so that individuals can face it, recover, and learn to appreciate themselves for who they are. Her book includes Toni's prescription for a comprehensive healing journey, comprised of five core elements:

1. Music, to foster imagination and healing to change mood;
2. Movement, to enhance presence and release old patterns and traumas;
3. Mystical Inquiry, to guide readers into shamanic states using imagery and creative visualization;
4. Prayers and Invocations, to raise energetic vibrations to a positive place; and
5. Journaling, to process inner self-awareness learned on the dance floor.

If you are interested in learning about Toni Bergins' unique, experiential, and therapeutic process, this podcast is for you.

• Purchase the book visit: https://amzn.to/3NYWFD9
• Learn more about Toni Bergins: https://journeydance.com/toni-bergins/

• Check out Toni Bergin's website: https://journeydance.com/
• Check out Toni Bergin's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/journeydanceTM
• Listen to Toni Bergin's Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EUGtrZ46D55CIkQH0lvMF?si=hoLe0r61SFeV8d_smzcJYA

In her book, "A Very Narrow Bridge: Reflections of a Psychologist", Dr. Rickey Miller shares her story guiding readers toward a greater understanding of life and the development of compassion for yourself and others. Her book takes an important look at suffering, resilience and healing. This memoir is a follows the author and her patients through heartbreak, grief, and anxiety toward joy, inspiration, and love.

She encourages us to ask questions and truly consider alternative paths to where we are stuck. She suggests that we fail to ask ourselves if a situation is truly working for us and what steps could we take to end something that is no longer right. She engages you in questions that can lead you toward your best life.

Listen to our conversation with psychologist & author Dr. Rickey Miller as we talk all about the common humanity in struggling.

Dr. Rickey Miller is an author and Registered Psychologist with over 40 years of experience in the field. She has a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo and was the Staff Psychologist at Toronto General Hospital where she created the first pain management program in a psychology department in a general hospital in Toronto. Prior to her retirement, she was also a member of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the Canadian Academy of Psychologists in Disability Assessment. Outside of her work, Dr. Miller enjoys music and playing the violin with the York Symphony Orchestra.

We get a window into Dr. Miller's own struggles, raising a gay daughter and a son with a developmental handicap, a divorce and the effort of caring for an aging mother, facing loss, adversity and questioning her own religious beliefs. She addresses universal human struggles both within her own life and those of her patients.

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Miller as we her inspiring life experiences and those of her patients.

• Learn more about Dr. Miller: https://rickeymillerpsychologist.com/about/
• Purchase the book visit: https://amzn.to/4aaYiVz

• Check out Dr. Miller's blog: https://rickeymillerpsychologist.com/blog/
• See Dr. Miller's other media appearances: https://rickeymillerpsychologist.com/media/
• Get in contact with Dr. Miller: https://rickeymillerpsychologist.com/contact/
• Learn more about Dr. Miller's research: https://rickeymillerpsychologist.com/my-research/

Having dedicated her life to helping others through emotional moments, Dr. Bea MacKay knows better than most that there are many things we cannot control in life. In her book, "Let Go of the Outcome and Let Things Fall Together", she shares strategies for dealing with events we cannot change without feeling defeated. Her approach to mental health, embraces emotional wellbeing.

Listen to our conversation with psychologist & author Dr. Bea MacKay as we talk all about her approach to reconnecting with your emotions and yourself.

In this book, she walks you through how you can combine rational thought with sensory experience to create new neural pathways that lead to new and varied sensations that are calming, healing, and enjoyable. With a balance of practical information and real world life stories, her book is a great resource for anyone motivated to deal with their emotions head-on.

Dr. Bea MacKay is author and Psychologist helping individual, couples, and families for over 30 years. She has a Ph.D. from University of British Columbia. She lives in B.C. with her family enjoying outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and swimming. Dr. MacKay has also written "Two-You Work: How to Work with the Self in Conflict"; "The Power of Connection"; and "Train Your Brain, Sports Psychology" (coming soon).

Realizing that traditional therapy is not appropriate for everyone, Dr. MacKay also has an online platform "Bea in Balance" offering blogs, quizzes, and advice to those seeking tools in a more accessible format.

Listen to our conversation with Dr. MacKay as we discuss how to live a better, happier, and fuller life working with your emotions and not against them.

If you are interested in Dr. Bea Mackay's insights and a new approach to understanding yourself, this Podcast is for you.

• Learn more about Dr. MacKay: https://beainbalance.com/about-bea/
• Purchase the book visit: https://amzn.to/4qief2k
• Learn more about Dr. MacKay's other books: https://amzn.to/3ZQeSoS

• Read Dr. MacKay's blog: https://beainbalance.com/blog/
• Sign up for training with Dr. MacKay: https://beainbalance.com/training/
• Check out Dr. Bea MacKay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bea_in_balance/

If you have ever struggled with a person in your life that displays behaviors such as: lack of empathy; entitlement; a need to be the center of attention; negative reactions to any critical feedback; a grandiose sense of self; arrogance; manipulation and gaslighting; a need to be in control; demeaning and blaming of others and much more than this conversation will be of interest to you!

"Narcissism: A Contemporary Introduction" by Dr. Richard Wood is a well-researched book that provides you with a deep understanding of the psychological terrain of the Narcissist. He distinguishes and explains three main types of narcissism:

1. Healthy forms of narcissism that are necessary for effective personal, cultural, and creative development;
2. Severe, pathological narcissism that can cause extreme human suffering; and
3. Malignant Narcissism that is part of the spectrum of narcissistic personality disorder.

Listen to our conversation with psychologist & author Dr. Richard Wood as we talk about all the different ways narcissism can show up in today's society.

Dr. Richard Wood is a registered psychologist based in Ontario, Canada. He is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Psychologists in Disability Assessment (CAPDA) and the author of A Study of Malignant Narcissism: Personal and Professional Insights (2022) and Psychoanalytic Reflections on Vladimir Putin: The Cost of Malignant Leadership (2024). In addition to being a founding member of CAPDA, Dr. Wood served the Ontario Psychological Association in a variety of functions before becoming its president in 1989 and was an associate professor in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, a department of the University of Toronto Medical School, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Dr. Wood has been working with clients for over 50 years and provides long and short term psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families. He is also a member of the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Dr. Wood's book helps psychologists and psychoanalysts learn how to identify, assess, and treat patients with narcissistic personality traits by providing clinical examples throughout. Students looking for a thorough and jargon-free introduction to narcissism will gain insight into this condition through his methodical approach laid out in this book.

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Wood as we discuss his insights of the complicated condition known as Narcissism.

If you are interested in learning more about narcissism through the psychoanalytic lens, this show is for you.

• Learn more about Dr. Wood: https://www.drrichardwood.com/about-dr-wood
• Purchase his book: https://amzn.to/4qiriAU
• Contact Dr. Wood: https://www.drrichardwood.com/contact-us

• Learn more about narcissism: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/narcissism