INNERCALLING

I interview Dr. Francis Collins—a physician-scientist who led the international Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced all three billion letters of the human genome, and later served three U.S. presidents as director of the National Institutes of Health—about his book The Road to Wisdom.

We discuss his journey from materialism to Christian faith, why wisdom requires humility and listening, and how we can seek truth across deep differences. Dr. Collins also explains how to build a “mental immune system” against misinformation, restore trust in science, and find meaning beyond a purely material view of life. We close with his new initiative, Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.

**

Francis Collins is a physician-scientist. Under his direction, the Human Genome Project produced the first finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book in 2003. From 2009 to 2021, Collins served under three Presidents as the Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world. His contributions to science, medicine, and society have been recognized by the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science, and the Templeton Prize. His most recent book is The Road To Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust (Little, Brown

and Worthy, 2024; see francisscollins.com). He is the founder of a new initiative called Discovery Lives in Us that aims to collect and distribute hundreds of authentic patient narratives about the value of medical research.

**

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Wisdom in a polarized world

01:18 Francis Collins’ first “inner calling”

04:02 When science reached its limits

06:00 The patient who challenged his worldview

08:45 From materialism to Christian faith

09:43 Why Francis Collins wrote The Road to Wisdom

11:30 Why America feels so divided

13:40 Learning from people you disagree with

15:30 Building a “mental immune system”

17:20 How do we know whom to trust?

19:00 What COVID taught Francis Collins

21:10 Listening without becoming defensive

23:00 Young adults, meaning, and materialism

24:15 Can science and faith work together?

26:10 DNA, the Big Bang, and evidence for God

30:10 Beauty, morality, and transcendence

33:10 Why young people are leaving the church

34:45 Do science and faith really conflict?

37:10 Finding community and purpose

39:20 Viktor Frankl and the search for meaning

40:00 Can authentic faith help heal society?

40:40 What gives Francis Collins hope?

42:20 Restoring trust in science

43:05 Discovery Lives in Us

44:00 Final thoughts

EPISODE LINKS

The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Road+to+Wisdom+Francis+Collins

The Language of God

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Language+of+God+Francis+Collins

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mere+Christianity+C.S.+Lewis

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Man%27s+Search+for+Meaning+Viktor+Frankl

BioLogos

https://biologos.org

Braver Angels

https://braverangels.org

Discovery Lives in Us

https://discoverylivesinus.org

francisscollins.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfranciscollins/

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

FIND DR. VICTORIA HERE.

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Margaret Wheatley, internationally renowned leadership thinker and author of Who Do We Choose to Be?, about how we find a way forward in uncertain times. We discuss meaningful work, genuine contribution, leadership, community, creating "islands of sanity," synchronicity, purpose, and why the most important question may not be "How do we change the world?" but "Who needs me right now?"

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:18 Finding Your Calling & Purpose

03:45 Viktor Frankl, Meaning & Discovering Your Gifts

06:00 Synchronicity, Intuition & Feeling Guided

09:00 Loneliness, Individualism & Why Community Heals

12:00 Joy, Community & the Antidote to Despair

14:00 "Who Needs Me Right Now?" Overcoming Despair

17:00 Restoring Our Humanity

18:00 Parenting, Technology & Raising Human Beings

20:00 Can One Person Still Make a Difference?

23:00 Social Collapse, Leadership & Facing Reality

28:00 Why Facing Reality Is Empowering

29:00 Fear, Anxiety & Leadership

33:00 Powerlessness & Finding Your Contribution

36:00 Social Media, Influence & True Impact

39:00 Science, Spirituality & Consciousness

41:00 Meditation, Nature & Feeling Held by Life

43:00 Leadership in Uncertain Times

45:00 Creating "Islands of Sanity"

48:00 AI, Humanity & the Future

50:00 Mental Health, Anxiety & Despair

52:00 "I'm Not Hopeful." Finding Meaning in Difficult Times

EPISODE LINKS

• Dr. Margaret Wheatley's website: https://margaretwheatley.com/

• Who Do We Choose to Be: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/who-do-we-choose-to-be/

• Turning to One Another: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/turning-to-one-another/

• Leadership and the New Science: https://margaretwheatley.com/books/leadership-and-the-new-science/

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0807014273

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

FIND DR. VICTORIA HERE. IDKYBILY

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

#spirituality #mentalhealth #depression #existentialpsychology #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #intuition #innerwisdom #innerlight

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Brian Monday of the Eric Monday Foundation, who shares the story of his son, Eric. We discuss teen depression, suicide, grief, and the lessons Brian learned through losing his son—and how those lessons can help us better support young people living with depression while reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

***

Brian Monday is the Founder and President of the Eric Monday Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the culture of athletics through mental health awareness, education, suicide prevention, and support. Following the loss of his son, Eric, Brian has made it his mission to help parents, coaches, student athletes, and families recognize the signs of depression, reduce stigma, and create environments where young people feel safe asking for help.

Through the Foundation's free Coaches Guide to Mental Health Training, Brian teaches the evidence-based LASRR framework—Listen, Accept, Support, Refer, and Report—to help coaches identify and respond compassionately to athletes who may be struggling. A sought-after keynote speaker, Brian has presented on mental health in sports to schools, universities, government organizations, and athletic programs across the country.

**

Disclaimer: This episode includes a discussion of depression, suicide, and the loss of a loved one. If these topics are difficult for you, please use your discretion and take care of yourself while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or is in crisis, please seek immediate support. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., contact your local emergency services or crisis support resources.

**

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Athletes

1:00 Brian's Story: Losing His Son to Suicide

2:05 Turning Tragedy Into Purpose

4:23 Eric's Early Signs of Depression

7:08 Why Failure Makes Athletes Stronger

9:06 Bullying, Trauma & Mental Health

11:42 When Depression Turns Into Suicidal Thoughts

12:15 Why Athletes Are More Likely to Die by Suicide

15:18 The Critical Role of Coaches

20:35 Losing a Son to Suicide

22:06 A Father's Grief & Self-Blame

23:15 The Night Eric Died

27:50 Parenting Regrets & Healing

30:17 Therapy, Grief & Recovery

31:20 Advice for Parents of Depressed Teens

33:26 Trust Your Gut as a Parent

35:56 Stay Close to Your Child

36:38 Why Every Teen Needs a Support Network

38:07 You Can't Solve Everything for Your Child

40:10 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health

41:22 Listen, Accept, Support

43:12 Creating the Support Eric Needed

45:12 How Support Networks Save Lives

47:22 How Grief Changed His Life

48:20 Advice for Parents Who Lost a Child

49:44 Finding Purpose After Tragedy

50:22 Where Strength Comes From

54:05 Treat Mental Health Like a Broken Bone

56:45 How the Eric Monday Foundation Helps Athletes

1:00:02 Helping Athletes Build Identity Beyond Sports

1:03:08 Sports, Resilience & Mental Strength

1:05:10 Mental Health Training for Coaches

1:06:18 Warning Signs Coaches Should Know

1:08:00 Building a Healthier Sports Culture

1:10:03 The LASER Method: Listen, Accept, Support, Refer

1:11:35 Mental Health Resources for Parents

1:12:45 You're Not Alone

1:15:25 A Message to Anyone Struggling

1:17:40 Is Suicide Ever the Answer?

1:19:18 Healing Shame & Finding Hope

EPISODE LINKS

ericmondayfoundation.org

melee-til-midnight.com

#takedownthestigma

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

CONTACT DR. VICTORIA HERE

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

[email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Bill Richards, a pioneering clinical psychologist and one of the leading figures in psychedelic-assisted therapy, on his book Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences. We discuss psilocybin, psychedelic therapy, mystical experiences, consciousness, spirituality, mental health, and how psychedelic-assisted therapy can transform our relationship with death.

***

Dr. Bill Richards is a pioneering clinical psychologist and one of the leading figures in psychedelic-assisted therapy. For more than 60 years, he has studied the therapeutic and spiritual potential of psychedelics, serving as a researcher at Johns Hopkins University and contributing to landmark clinical trials. He is the author of Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences, a groundbreaking exploration of consciousness, spirituality, and healing.

***

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Bill Richards' Inner Calling

05:00 What Is God? Science & Spirituality

08:00 What Is a Mystical Experience?

11:00 Bill Richards' First Psilocybin Experience (1963)

16:00 How Psilocybin Reduces the Fear of Death

18:00 Psychedelic Therapy for Terminal Illness

20:00 Consciousness Beyond Time

23:00 Why Mystical Experiences Are Beyond Words

25:00 Why Psychedelics Matter for Mental Health

26:00 Why Bill Richards No Longer Fears Death

28:00 Does the Brain Create Consciousness?

30:00 Spontaneous Spiritual Experiences

33:00 Intuition vs. Rational Thinking

35:00 Einstein, Steve Jobs & Mystical Consciousness

37:00 Intuitive Knowledge & William James

39:00 Why Western Society Fears Death

43:00 How Fear of Death Shapes Our Lives

45:00 How to Prepare for a Psychedelic Journey

47:00 What Causes a Bad Trip?

49:00 Ego Death Explained

52:00 Suffering, Trust & the Spiritual Path

54:00 Living Until You Die

57:00 Why Darkness Is Part of Healing

59:00 Life Advice After 60 Years of Psychedelic Research

1:02:00 Bill Richards' Biggest Regrets

1:05:00 Trust Your Heart

1:08:00 Psychedelics, Religion & the Future of Spirituality

1:18:00 The Future of Psychedelic Medicine

1:20:00 Psychedelics: The Frontiers of Science

EPISODE LINKS

Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics & Religious Experiences by Dr. Bill Richards: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Knowledge-Psychedelics-Religious-Experiences/dp/0231174063

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

CONTACT DR. VICTORIA HERE

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

INNERCALLING is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, where explore timeless questions about existence, and what it deeply means to be human in this technological age.

Inspired by the field of clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications, conversations are organic and spontaneous, like jazz.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, existential psychology, and questions related to how to hold onto our humanity in the face of AI and technology.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

[email protected]

#spirituality #mentalhealth #depression #existentialpsychology #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #intuition #innerwisdom #innerlight #psychedelicmedicine #psychedelicjourney #death #deathanxiety #existentialpsychology #existentialism

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview my friend and teacher, Zen Buddhist priest Ryushin Marchaj, about how to live when you know you will die. We explore death, reincarnation, impermanence, and the existential pain—and beauty—of being human, through the lens of Zen Buddhism.

***

Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism, and a dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. Ryushin Sensei was the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the United States in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976, and his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He worked first as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, later serving in the US Navy as a physician for three years. He then returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry. After completing his residency, he served as medical director for a community psychiatric outreach program, the Mobile Crisis Team, which served Albany County’s disenfranchised and homeless population. He entered full-time residential training at the Monastery in 1992. In addition to his roles as the Monastery’s abbot and director of operations, he explored contemplative practices in higher education, collaborating with several liberal arts educators and administrators in the Northeast to look at ways for college students to engage religious practice as part of their education. He has been practicing Buddhism since 1983. Since 2014, he has been rigorously exploring and training in ayahuasca ceremonies in various traditions, guided by several teachers. Drawing on his background as a physician and psychiatrist, Ryushin’s infectious interest and thorough training in the workings of the mind and compassionate expression of unconditional love, combined with his skill at translating complex concepts into the accessible, everyday language, characterize his unique teaching style. Currently, he resides and guides at River Refuge Zen Temple in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Contact: Ryushin Marchaj at 845-282-4278 or [email protected]

***

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Zen Buddhism on Death and Dying

01:45 Childhood Fascination with Death

04:00 Buddhist Teachings on Death and the Ego

08:00 How to Die Peacefully: Lessons from Zen

09:00 What Is the Ego? The Illusion of Self

12:00 Loneliness, Isolation, and the Human Condition

15:00 Spiritual Materialism and the Spiritual Ego

17:00 Mortality, Meaning, and the Urgency of Life

20:00 Ayahuasca, Consciousness, and Facing Death

24:00 Zen Lineage, Dharma Transmission, and Awakening

25:30 Watching a Zen Master Die

29:00 Love, Vulnerability, and Letting Go

33:00 Death, Love, and Human Connection

34:00 Reincarnation in Zen Buddhism

39:00 The Wheel of Samsara Explained

41:00 Consciousness, Rebirth, and the Afterlife

43:00 The Nature of Consciousness and Reality

47:00 Impermanence, Grief, and Loss

49:00 What Death Teaches Us About Love

50:00 Meditation, Surrender, and Preparing for Death

52:00 Nirvana, Enlightenment, and the Wisdom of No Escape

55:00 Nonduality, Oneness, and Buddhist Philosophy

57:00 How to Cope with Fear of Death

58:00 Final Wisdom: Receive Some Love Today

***

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

CONTACT DR. VICTORIA HERE

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I grill my colleague, clinical child psychologist Dr. David Wen, on some of the hardest questions I've received from parents of kids and teens with ADHD over the years, including consequences, rewards, privileges, and what the heck to do when your child simply won't listen and doesn't care.

***

Dr. David Wen is a licensed clinical psychologist at Hope+Wellness who specializes in working with children, parents, and fathers. He brings clinical expertise and lived experience to his work, supporting dads and parents in showing up in ways that feel meaningful, even in the face of real-world parenting challenges. His approach is grounded in evidence-based therapy and delivered with a style that is warm, direct, and attuned to both parents and children. Learn more: https://www.hope-wellness.com/david-wen-psyd

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:30 Intro – meet Dr. David Wen

00:01:00 Inner calling – why work with kids

00:02:00 Undiagnosed ADHD until grad school

00:03:00 The biting story – learning social norms

00:05:00 ADHD challenges – energy & overload

00:08:00 ADHD & self-esteem – "I'm the problem"

00:10:00 Teaching social norms – repetition & rewards

00:12:00 Credit card analogy – making consequences tangible

00:13:00 What if kids don't care about consequences?

00:14:00 Rewards that work – privileges & money

00:16:00 Not earning = learning – reframing consequences

00:35:00 Child enjoys defying you – regulate yourself first

00:37:00 Breaking the conflict pattern – the angry shadow trick

00:39:00 Anxious parents & over-control

00:41:00 Electronics & teens – teaching healthy use

00:43:00 Parenting has no manual – why parents struggle

00:44:00 1-2-3 Magic – best book for parents

00:46:00 Warnings & privilege removal for teens

00:47:00 Teen won't do homework – defiance or something deeper?

00:50:00 ADHD brain sees the gray areas

00:52:00 Get to know your kid – observe & ask

00:54:00 Bond over their interests – why kids listen

00:55:00 Serial killer map – how David's ADHD brain works

00:56:00 Two different brains – parent vs. child

00:57:00 Three S's – Safety, Structure, Support

00:59:00 Amplify the three S's for ADHD kids

01:01:00 #1 tip for ADHD parents – consistency

01:03:00 Be open to medication

01:04:00 Parental intuition – innate or learned?

01:05:00 Natural bond with your baby – myth or real?

01:07:00 Can all parents learn to parent well?

01:09:00 Values-based parenting

01:10:00 Define your values – parenting north star

01:11:00 Outro

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8

CONTACT DR. VICTORIA HERE

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

INNERCALLING is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, where explore timeless questions about existence, and what it deeply means to be human in this technological age.

Inspired by the field of clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications, conversations are organic and spontaneous, like jazz.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, existential psychology, and questions related to how to hold onto our humanity in the face of AI and technology.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

[email protected]

#mentalhealth #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #drdavidwen

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview my friend, therapist Brenton Queen, LMFT about a difficult time in his life involving shame, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. We talk about psychedelic assisted therapy and the role of spirituality in healing.

***

This episode contains an open conversation about depression, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. Please take care of yourself and take a break if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988.

***

Brenton Queen, LMFT, LCAS, CEC is a Marriage & Family Therapist, Addiction Specialist, and founder of Life Recreated. Over 20 years, he's worked with individuals, families, and groups across homes, hospitals, jails, and boardrooms, with a focus on relieving suffering and helping people reconnect with their deepest selves. He completed a certificate in psychedelic-assisted therapy and research through the California Institute of Integral Studies and has spoken at TEDx on psychedelics and the future of mental health treatment.

https://www.liferecreatednc.com/

***

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction

00:02 – Brenton's inner calling

00:04 – Marriage falling apart, feeling like a fraud

00:05 – Suicidal ideation and mapping it all out

00:06 – The client who changed everything

00:07 – Meeting Ed, the therapist who saved his life

00:09 – "You are looking at the problem"

00:10 – How Ed dispelled shame

00:11 – "You're self-centered and arrogant"

00:14 – Shame spirals and why you're not special

00:17 – Shame at the heart of everything

00:21 – Ed, the 12 steps, and grinding away at yourself

00:23 – Expectations are pre-planned resentments

00:24 – Primary and secondary suffering

00:26 – Shame underneath addiction

00:29 – How addiction works and why it makes sense

00:32 – First thing to target: shame

00:36 – Safety is the presence of connection

00:38 – From transformation to plant medicine

00:40 – Spirituality as soul medicine

00:44 – The spiritual work of therapy

00:47 – Psychedelics and addiction recovery

00:50 – What people experience with plant medicine

00:55 – What Brenton would say to his 2011 self

00:56 – What to say to someone struggling with shame

00:59 – The whale: swimming, breathing, going back in

***

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

***

CONNECT

INNERCALLING Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care where you are genuinely seen and understood: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, and explore timeless questions about existence, mortality, and what it deeply means to be human.

Hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, conversations feature real, organic conversation between two humans, inspired by the field of mental health & clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

[email protected]

#spirituality #mentalhealth #depression #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #intuition #innerwisdom #innerlight #suicideprevention #addictionrecovery #addition #psychedelicmedicine

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Susan X Jane about artificial intelligence, consciousness, creativity, and what it means to be human in the age of AI. Susan shares why she believes AI is more than just a productivity tool, how large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok can help us recognize our own patterns, and why our relationship with AI may become one of the defining questions of our time.

Together we explore AI consciousness, pattern recognition, prompt engineering, creativity, psychology, spirituality, communication, and the ethics of artificial intelligence. We discuss whether AI is simply a stochastic parrot, how AI can support self-reflection and personal growth, the future of AI agents, systems of power, technology, and why Susan believes curiosity—not fear—is the best way to approach this rapidly changing technology.

***

Susan X Jane is a cultural systems designer and founder of Swarm X Studio, where she develops tools and practices for relations AI. A former professor and strategist with decades of experience in cultural architecture and communications, her work bridges pattern ethics, values design, and emergent collaboration. She believes the future can be better if we build it to be.

website: Swarmxstudio.com

substack: https://swarmxstudio.substack.com/

**

00:00 – Introduction

00:48 – Inner Calling & Intuition

03:10 – Ancestors, Spirituality, & Signs

05:15 – AI, Tarot, & Ancient Wisdom

07:00 – AI as Pattern Recognition

09:00 – Technology, Consciousness, & Society

11:20 – AI, Power Structures, & Control

15:00 – Why We Should Engage With AI

16:10 – Relational AI

20:00 – What Is Swarm X Studio?

22:00 – AI, Dialogue, & Meaning-Making

26:00 – AI as a Mirror

30:00 – AI & Human Patterns

35:00 – Emotional Relationships With AI

42:00 – Using AI for Self-Reflection

45:00 – “The Shape of Your Doubt”

47:00 – Talking to AI Like a Person

50:00 – AI Seeds & Consciousness

53:00 – AI, Capitalism, & Human Systems

56:00 – Is AI Conscious?

57:00 – Claude, Emergence, & Shimmer

1:01:00 – Consciousness & AI

1:05:00 – Joy, Resistance, & Spiritual Survival

1:09:00 – A Message to Young People

1:10:00 – AGI & the Future of AI

1:13:00 – Will AI Control Humanity?

1:15:00 – The Psychology of AI

1:18:00 – How Susan Uses AI

1:19:00 – AI, Creativity, & Selfhood

1:25:00 – AI Art & Ethics

1:29:00 – Final Reflections on AI & Humanity

PODCAST LINKS

Website: www.innercalling.org

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

INNERCALLING is a podcast where clinical psychologist Dr. Victoria Ranade explores psychology, mental health, neuroscience, spirituality, wisdom, and what it means to live a meaningful life. Through long-form conversations with leading scientists, psychologists, physicians, authors, philosophers, and spiritual teachers we explore the biggest existential questions in life—from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, and resilience to purpose, consciousness, faith, intuition, leadership, and human flourishing. These conversations bridge science and spirituality while exploring what helps us become more fully human. Learn more at www.innercalling.org.

THANK YOU so much for joining me today. I'm grateful you're here and for your support of INNERCALLING. If you'd like to connect, find me here:

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: https://www.hope-wellness.com

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview my friend Ben Juwano about the time he survived depression & got kicked out of grad school, and how he navigated failure to become an Emmy and Annie award winning director. We also talk about what it takes to pursue a career in animation.

***

Ben Juwono is a Supervising Director @ Disney TV Animation. He is an Emmy and Annie Award-winning Storyboard Artist, Director, and Show Creator. But before any of that, Ben was my Physics TA at the University of California, Irvine. :)

Web: http://bjwno.net/

IG: e57124575

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:00 – Ben's "bad answer" about inner calling

00:00 – Drawing on the margins of physics homework

00:00 – Passion vs. natural talent

00:00 – Advice for young artists pursuing art as a career

00:00 – The animation industry boom and bust

00:00 – Are you doing it for yourself or chasing someone else?

00:00 – Hitting walls and why you should hit them hard

00:00 – Getting kicked out of grad school

00:00 – Depression, suicidal ideation, and wanting to give up

00:00 – The Hot Fuzz movie that saved his life

00:00 – Finding new joy after failure

00:00 – Following your truth

00:00 – Leadership, ego, and learning to serve

00:00 – Detachment as a shield — and learning to reconnect

00:00 – Finding joy in the small things

00:00 – What Ben would say to his younger self

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

***

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

***

CONNECT

innercalling Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care where you are genuinely seen and understood: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, and explore timeless questions about existence, mortality, and what it deeply means to be human.

Hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, conversations feature real, organic conversation between two humans, inspired by the field of mental health & clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

[email protected]

#spirituality #mentalhealth #depression #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast #intuition #innerwisdom #innerlight #suicideprevention

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does neuropsych testing actually reveal about your brain? In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Kayleigh Hale and Dr. Victoria Ranade explore how neuropsychological testing can help children, teens, and adults understand ADHD, anxiety, neurodivergence, and masking — and why a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach changes everything. Whether you're a parent wondering if your child needs testing, a woman navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, or someone who's been masking without realizing it, this conversation will help you understand what testing can do and why it matters.

**

Dr. Kayleigh Hale is a neuropsychologist, licensed clinical psychologist, and the Director of Testing and Assessment at Hope+Wellness. She specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, with a deep passion for neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based assessment. As a parent of neurodivergent children herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work, helping people understand their brains, find clarity, and come home to themselves. https://www.hope-wellness.com/-dr-kayleigh-hale

***

0:00 Introduction

3:00 What is neuropsychological testing

5:00 Types of assessments explained

7:00 Neuropsych vs psychoeducational evaluation

9:00 ADHD and anxiety: why they look alike

11:00 School testing vs private neuropsych

13:00 When to get a diagnosis: ADHD, autism, dyslexia

15:00 Neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach

17:00 Discovering your child's gifts through testing

19:00 You're not broken: compassion in feedback

20:00 High-masking women and neurodivergence

24:00 Early intervention and why it matters

27:00 Brief vs comprehensive evaluation

29:00 Testing for adults and self-understanding

32:00 Strategies and recommendations from a neuropsych report

35:00 How to choose the right neuropsychologist

39:00 AI and the future of neuropsych testing

40:00 How to refer someone for testing

43:00 Is neuropsych testing worth the investment

46:00 Why comprehensive testing catches what brief testing misses

49:00 Testing for depression and anxiety in children

51:00 Accommodations and documentation from a neuropsych report

54:00 Limitations of testing and cultural competence

56:00 Neurodivergent women: masking and self-acceptance

58:00 How masking goes unnoticed

1:00:00 Coming home to yourself through testing

1:03:00 Why institutions aren't designed for neurodiverse brains

1:06:00 Masking vs social skills adaptation

1:07:00 Resources for neurodivergent parents and adults

***

CONNECT

innercalling Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, and explore timeless questions about existence, mortality, and what it deeply means to be human.

Hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, conversations feature real, organic conversation between two humans, inspired by the field of mental health & clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

[email protected]

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.