Ever felt weighed down by invisible pain or chronic illness nobody else can see? In this powerful conversation, trauma specialist Samira Rajabi gets refreshingly candid about her own decade-long journey navigating conditions like a benign brain tumor, headaches, and hearing loss.

Drawing from her book All My Friends Live in My Computer: Trauma, Tactical Media, and Meaning, Samira shares coping strategies for the daily struggle of invisible suffering. Discover mindset shifts, tactics for reducing stigma, and insights into radical presence despite inescapable pain.

You can find Samira at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Sean Mackey about the science of pain.

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Are you plagued by restlessness, lack of focus, and sleeplessness? Discover Dr. Romie Mushtaq's "The Busy Brain Cure" in this engaging interview. An award-winning neurologist, she reveals the surprising effects of chronic stress on our brains - and her revolutionary 8-week Brain Shift protocol to rewire for calm and clarity. Regain your mental edge through simple, research-backed micro-habits.

You can find Dr. Romie at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Light Watkins about meditation.

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Explore the mystical world of psychedelic guides with Rachel Harris, Ph.D., author of Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground. In this fascinating discussion, Harris pulls back the veil on the intuitive, somatic ways women elders have been guiding others on sacred psychedelic journeys for decades.

Discover the critical role of the shaman in holding the ceremonial container, the differences between Western guides and indigenously trained shamans, and wise advice for anyone curious about ethically exploring this realm. Whether you're new to psychedelics or a seasoned journeyer, this eye-opening conversation offers a rare glimpse into the underground traditions surrounding entheogenic medicines like ayahuasca.

You can find Rachel at: Website | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Gazzaley about the science of psychedelics.

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Does it feel impossible to concentrate these days? You're not alone. In this fascinating discussion, the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention - and How to Think Deeply Again reveals the hidden forces conspiring to hijack our attention spans. From predatory tech platforms to childhood culture shifts, Johann Hari exposes the surprising modern factors undermining our focus.

But it's not all bad news - he also shares empowering solutions for reclaiming our minds. You'll learn practical tips to sharpen your concentration alongside Johann's vision for an "attention movement" to reshape society. If you want to think deeply, achieve your goals, and live more purposefully in our frantic world, don't miss this essential listen.

You can find Johann at: Instagram | Website | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley on brain function, memory, focus, and his lab's psychedelics research impacting emotions and health.

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When award-winning author Emma Gannon burned out writing a book redefining success, she took a radical year away from nearly all work. Hear her raw journey barely able to function, winding down her podcast, and stripping life's essentials.

But one project remained: her Substack newsletter—a lifeline for creative rebirth. Emma shares the profound freedom of letting go, reclaiming her voice through solitude, and emerging with a "smaller but better" life of true integrity and ease.

If you've ever felt disillusioned by society's idea of "making it," Emma's courageous reinvention is a bold masterclass in choosing yourself.

You can find Emma at: The Hyphen Substack | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Cleo Wade on words for tender times.

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Trapped by thoughts and beliefs? Anger, grief keeping you stuck? Inspiring teachers Byron Katie and Lama Rod Owens overcame suffering through radical self-inquiry. Learn Katie's "The Work" method and Owens' "Radical Dharma" approach blending Buddhism and his Black, queer identity. Find clarity and freedom in every moment.

Episode Transcript

You can find Byron Katie at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Byron Katie

You can find Lama Rod Owens at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Lama Rod

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Exhausted, cynical, and ineffective? You could be experiencing burnout. In this candid conversation, Dr. Neha Sangwan provides a radical reframe, defining burnout as a profound mind-body disconnect from ignoring our core needs while chasing society's narrow "success."

Drawing from her book Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life, Dr. Sangwan outlines a holistic "burnout triad" and life-changing 5-part framework to realign your energy across physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains. Discover potent yet simple ways to escape the cycle by reconnecting to your deepest values.

You can find Neha at: Website | Instagram | “The Awareness Prescription for Burnout” interactive PDF | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Yvonne Ator on our sister podcast, SPARKED, about ways to reframe burnout.

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Author Marisa Renee Lee dives deep into her book Grief Is Love: Living with Loss, recounting personal losses that sparked an awakening - grief stems from love, a vital truth for healing. She dispels myths about "moving on" from grief, instead advocating to embrace it.

Marisa shares how marginalized communities face disproportionate grief with little support, underscoring the need for change. You'll learn about self-compassion, vulnerability, and creating "certainty anchors" amidst uncertainty.

Whether facing deep loss or supporting a loved one, this conversation provides a refreshing perspective on an inevitable experience.

You can find Marisa at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Claire Bidwell Smith about moving through grief.

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What if the games we play reveal deeper truths about human nature and society? In this mind-expanding conversation, neuroscientist Kelly Clancy, author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World explores the profound role of games and game theory in understanding ourselves and actively shaping reality itself.

Get ready to rethink what constitutes "winning" and embrace an "infinite game" philosophy focused on mutual flourishing over ego-driven conquests.

You can find Kelly at: Website | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Nir Eyal about becoming indistractable.

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Stanford neuroscientist Sean Mackey, MD, PhD reveals pain is highly subjective, shaped by our beliefs and experiences - not just injury signals. He unpacks chronic pain's persistence, promising treatment strategies like brief behavioral therapies, and research toward personalizing care through biomarkers and digital platforms. An illuminating look at pain's complexities.

You can find Sean at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. David Spiegel about the surprising science of hypnosis, pain & habit change.

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