INNERCALLING
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INNERCALLING episodes

  • EP57. "Authenticity comes at a price" — Author Mark Matousek on Struggle, Courage & Emerson's Timeless Wisdom

    I interview author Mark Matousek. We talk about his latest book, Emerson, the Stoics, and Me: Timeless Wisdom for an Authentic Life, as well as the role of craftsmanship, creativity, what it means to stay true to yourself as a writer in the age of AI, and writing as a spiritual practice.


    **


    Mark Matousek is a bestselling author, teacher, and speaker whose work explores personal awakening, self-inquiry, and creative transformation through writing. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including his latest work on Emerson, the Stoics, and Me: Timeless Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. Mark is also the founder of The Secrets Forum, a global community dedicated to exploring the human condition. He is widely known for his method “Writing to Awaken,” which uses journaling and deep questioning as tools for insight, healing, and self-discovery. https://markmatousek.com/


    **

    SHOW LINKS:

    https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-Stoics-Me-Timeless-Authentic/dp/0063059703


    **

    TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 Authenticity Has a Price

    02:00 What Is Your Inner Voice?

    06:00 Writing as a Spiritual Practice

    10:00 Emerson’s Philosophy Explained

    14:00 Spirituality Without Religion

    19:00 How to Trust Yourself

    23:00 The Cost of Being Authentic

    29:00 The Shadow & Hidden Power

    34:00 AI vs Authentic Writing

    41:00 Is AI Killing Creativity?

    47:00 Why Struggle Matters

    54:00 The Beauty of Being Human

    1:03:00 Writing to Awaken Practice

    1:12:00 Advice for Writers

    1:29:00 Death, Meaning & Purpose


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr. Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness: Mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


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

    [email protected]


    1069 W Broad St

    STE 804

    Falls Church, VA 22046


    #writing #spiritualgrowth #stoicism #stoicphilosophy #stoicwisdom #stoicmindset #spirituality #spiritualjourney #spiritualguidance #writingcommunity #writingadvice #transformation #selfinquiry #intuition #innervoice #innerknowing

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr 40 min
  • EP56. Why Do Good Fathers Get Angry? A Candid Discussion on Fatherhood | Dr. David Wen

    I was raised by a single father, so I’ve always had a deep respect for how difficult and essential good fathering is. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. David Wen, a clinical psychologist specializing in parents, children, and families. We talk about why anger is often the first challenge for fathers, and the tension between what you received growing up and the kind of father you want to be. We explore how small moments with your child can make a lasting difference. We also talk about self-care, emotional regulation, and simple in-the-moment tools when things escalate, along with the pressure many fathers carry as providers and how it impacts their capacity to show up at home.

    ***

    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

    **

    00:00 Inner calling: from engineer to psychologist

    02:00 Absent father, immigrant family, raised by four women

    05:00 How do you give what you never received?

    07:00 Inherited temper and breaking the cycle

    09:00 How becoming a psychologist taught him to parent

    10:00 Working with fathers: anger is the first thing to address

    11:00 Parenting is a skill — not just instinct

    13:00 Inherent love vs. learned nurturing

    26:00 Is it healthy for men to express anger?

    28:00 Dr. Victoria's story: raised by a stressed single father

    30:00 Self-care isn't selfish — quality over quantity

    34:00 In-the-moment coping skills: deep breaths, walk away, be random

    36:00 Kids don't break — but parents do

    38:00 Special time: five minutes of focused attention changes everything

    40:00 Join their world — get to know your kid

    43:00 Fatherhood and intuition — starting antidepressants as self-awareness

    50:00 Capacity, coping skills, and the weight fathers carry

    51:00 The provider pressure — learning to be the plus one

    52:00 Advice for new dads: get your temper in check first

    54:00 Your values as a North Star for parenting

    55:00 Encouragement for dads feeling ashamed or disconnected

    56:00 First steps when you feel distant from your child

    57:00 When the child feels wronged: how to still reach out

    59:00 How therapy helps fathers — being seen and supported

    01:01:00 Book rec: 1-2-3 Magic


    ***

    CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


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

    [email protected]


    #parenting #adhd #adhdawareness #parentingtips #parentingjourney #fatherhood #fatherhoodjourney

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    42 min
  • EP55. "Stories may be more important than sex" Nick Sholley LMFT on life as a theater actor, acting, storytelling, AI and modern life

    I interview my friend, therapist and actor Nick Sholley, MSW, about his career in theater - what it was like and advice for any young people who are interested. We also talk about the craft of acting and his advice to follow what feels most alive to you in the moment.


    ***

    Nick Sholley is an actor and licensed therapist.

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/peter-n-sholley-mft-great-barrington-ma/84815


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


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

    [email protected]


    1069 W Broad St

    STE 804

    Falls Church, VA 22046

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr 11 min
  • EP54. Susan Murphy | Finding Your Voice—On Stage and In Life | SISTERSONG

    I interview Susan Murphy about how to find your authentic voice, particularly as a woman. There's a voice within each of us that you may not realize you have - it's your true one.


    *This episode contains a discussion of suicide and grief. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Please take care of yourself while listening.


    ---

    Susan Murphy has had a decades-long career in the broadcast industry. In both TV and radio, she's been on-air and behind the scenes mostly in New York. She's taught at the college level and has kept her hand in voice over work. Susan is now coaching new TV reporters and podcasters.


    susanmurphyvosot.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-murphy-a649406/

    ***

    4:00 What is your authentic voice — the physiology

    5:00 The societal messages that silence women

    19:00 Coaching pace, rhythm, and melody in your voice

    20:00 What boldness means when it's not about volume

    26:00 Authenticity, essence, and why women hide behind their voice

    29:00 How Susan raised herself — and walked into a boardroom at 23

    32:00 Where confidence starts — it starts with your voice

    33:00 What you hear is what you get

    35:00 Your gut, your diaphragm, and where inner calling lives

    36:00 Imposter syndrome and social media

    39:00 Why we're afraid of dead air and what algorithms are doing to us

    43:00 Finding your voice as political action

    45:00 Women and the discomfort of power

    47:00 You are never too much — and what to say when someone tells you that you are

    50:00 Spirit, faith, and where your voice really comes from

    51:00 The dark night of the soul

    56:00 A message for anyone who is struggling


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


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

    [email protected]


    1069 W Broad St

    STE 804

    Falls Church, VA 22046


    #vocalcoach #broadcasting #vocalpower #vocalconfidence #confidence #womenempowerment #womeninbusiness #womenpower

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr
  • EP53. Dr. Jennifer Young | Kinship & Interbeing, Refugee Mental Health

    How do we stay connected to one another even when the world is pulling us apart? How can we remember a sense of kinship and cultivate it in our communities? I invited my friend and colleague, Dr. Jennifer Young, onto the show to share her thoughts on this very topic as well as the nonprofit she recently started to support refugee mental health. We talk about what it's like to follow an inner calling to become a psychologist when your immigrant parents think you're crazy for wanting to listen to people for a living. We talk about being the only Asian American in the room, finding your voice when the standard doesn't look or sound like you, and what it took for each of us to keep going anyway.


    Dr. Young shares why she started Kin-nection, why she believes human compassion will be the thing people are searching for 20 years from now, and why we can't rely on AI to do the work that requires human connection. We go places I didn't expect — intergenerational trauma, Guan Yin, a clairvoyant, and what our ancestry and lineage has to do with the work we feel called to do.


    ***

    Dr. Jennifer T. Young is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified EMDR therapist, and intercultural psychology consultant. She is the founder and president of Kin-nection, a nonprofit building community among mental health and language professionals to serve vulnerable, displaced populations. Jennifer has served as a psychologist at U.S. Peace Corps Headquarters, a consulting psychologist at the Headington Institute supporting humanitarian aid workers, and has worked in university and college counseling centers in CA. She holds a PsyD from Alliant International University and a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine.


    https://drjennifertyoung.com/

    https://www.kin-nection.org/

    **

    2:00 she knew at nine — the first inner calling

    4:00 the high school hotline

    6:00 becoming a psychologist as a woman of color

    16:00 when your immigrant parents think you're crazy

    25:00 advice for young people of color in the field

    27:00 finding your voice as an Asian American clinician

    35:00 what are your roots, really?

    44:00 the path to working with refugees internationally

    49:00 why refugee mental health matters now

    53:00 founding Kin-nection

    57:00 what Kin-nection is and how it works

    1:00:00 why human compassion will outlast AI

    1:06:00 the inner calling that wouldn't leave

    1:12:00 intergenerational trauma and ancestry

    1:17:00 what an inner calling really feels like

    1:24:00 Asian American women and leadership

    1:31:00 advice if you feel an inner calling

    1:39:00 100 years from now — what do we hold onto?


    ***

    CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr. Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


    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.

    44 min
  • EP52. A Zen Buddhism Perspective on Consciousness and AI | Ryushin Marchaj #inclusivespirituality

    Could AI be conscious? What exactly is consciousness in the first place? I ask my teacher Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj for a conversation on AI, consciousness, plant medicine, as well as the nature of oneness. Ryushin draws on 40 years of Buddhist practice and his work with sacred plant medicine to explore ordinary versus extraordinary states of consciousness, why separateness is an illusion, and what this all means about consciousness. We talk about intimacy with reality, and what happens when we simply pay attention to the present moment. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore: if everything is made of the same fabric of reality, where does AI fit in?


    ***

    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]


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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. ✌🏼💛


    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr 12 min
  • EP51. Qi, Life Force Energy & How it Works | Deng Ming Dao

    I believe everything is energy and that this is obvious and not woo woo at all. Chinese medicine refers to energy as qi, and it is a fundamental part of understanding life and health. In this episode, I invite Deng Ming-Dao, author and Taoist teacher, to talk about what the heck qi is, why it makes complete sense, what Western medicine is critically missing.


    ***

    Deng Ming-Dao studied qigong, internal martial arts, and meditation under Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years. He is the author of 365 Tao, Chronicles of Tao, and Scholar Warrior, among other books translated into fifteen languages. His work explores how ancient Taoist practices, including the cultivation of qi, can be integrated into modern life.


    ***

    In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade interviews Deng Ming-Dao, an author and martial artist who has practiced Daoism throughout his life, to explore Qi as breath and universal energy, the mind-body integration in traditional Chinese medicine, the spiritual dimensions of martial arts practice, and how societal structures suppress our natural vitality. They discuss the importance of checking in with one's energy, the decline of intact communities, and living in balance with the Dao by supporting all life.


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    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 made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


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

    [email protected]


    1069 W Broad St

    STE 804

    Falls Church, VA 22046


    #drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr 8 min
  • EP50. AI: It's what you demand of it that it becomes — Dr. Carl Lejuez, when asked if using AI is considered cheating for students

    I've been wondering how best to support students, kids, and young adults with AI, so I reached out to one of the most brilliant scientists, leaders, and visionaries I know — Dr. Carl Lejuez, Provost of Stony Brook University. He is a former clinical psychology mentor of mine who had a huge impact on my career and taught me a lot about leadership. Whenever he talks, I listen — so of course I invited him on the show to share his thoughts with us.


    ***

    Carl W. Lejuez is the provost at Stony Brook University, New York State’s top-ranked public university and a flagship of the State University of New York. As the university’s chief academic officer, he oversees a broad portfolio of schools and colleges; academic services; and research centers and institutes. He is also renowned in the field of Clinical Psychology, with research that focuses on the use of basic laboratory research findings for the development of behavioral interventions to address a wide range of psychological conditions including mood disorders, addictions, and personality disorders for marginalized and underserved populations.


    ***

    0:00 innercalling: why a provost followed purpose over comfort

    2:00 Redefining success: happiness vs. value in leadership

    4:00 Ego and leadership: the hardest thing about stepping up

    6:00 How a university provost actually uses AI day to day

    8:00 The one rule for using AI: never first, never last

    9:00 Using AI for self-reflection and psychological honesty

    11:00 Is using AI cheating? Where is the line for students?

    14:00 Why students are afraid of being accused of AI cheating

    16:00 First-generation college students and the AI gap

    18:00 Moving from fear to creativity with AI in education

    20:00 Can AI help you become a better leader?

    25:00 How to stop AI from being sycophantic

    26:00 Advice for parents: how to use AI with your kids

    27:00 AI removes friction, but friction is how we learn

    30:00 AI limitations: why humans are still more creative

    32:00 Should parents be worried about AI?

    35:00 Honest leadership and the power of self-examination

    36:00 The difference between solving problems and empowering others

    40:00 The future of AI: what life could look like in 100 years


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is an authentic, unhurried conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

    Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


    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.

    42 min
  • EP49. The AI Con: Big Tech & What They Don't Want You to Know | Dr. Emily Bender

    I've been trying to understand AI on a more in depth, nuanced level, but all I could find were youtube videos predicting AGI and the eventual doom of the human species. I found this awesome book called The AI Con and am excited to host one of the authors, Dr. Emily M. Bender, on the show today. We talk about how language shapes our understanding of AI, the dangers of synthetic text generation, accountability in tech companies, and the importance of human connection. We reflect on how chatbots exploit our natural language processing, the environmental costs of large language models, and how to stay connected with our humanity even with the rise of this new technology.

    ***

    Dr. Emily M. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and the Information School at the University of Washington. Her research interests include multilingual grammar engineering, computational semantics, and the societal impacts of language technology. She is the co-author of recent influential papers such as Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data (ACL 2020) and On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜(FAcct 2021) and the book (with sociologist Dr. Alex Hanna), The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want.


    In her public scholarship, Bender brings linguistic insights to lay audiences to cut through the hype about "AI" and facilitate understanding of the actual functionality of the systems being sold under that name. In 2022 she was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and in September 2023 she was included in the first-ever TIME100AI list.


    https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/

    bsky: @emilymbender.bsky.social

    fedi: @[email protected]

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/


    ***

    SHOW LINKS

    Look behind the curtain: Don’t be dazzled by claims of ‘artificial intelligence’. Emily M. Bender. The Seattle Times May 11, 2022.

    The Myth of AGI, Alex Hanna and Emily M. Bender, Tech Policy Press, June 3, 2025.

    https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/stochasticparrots/

    Moral crumple zones: https://estsjournal.org/index.php/ests/article/view/260


    ***

    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 WITH DR. VICTORIA

    Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

    Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

    Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


    * * * *

    WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

    innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


    WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

    Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


    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.

    49 min
  • EP48. Everything we've been taught about power is wrong — Dr. Nancy Wadsworth on how to hold healthy, grounded power | Deconstructing Power Part 3

    I interview Dr. Nancy Wadsworth about why everything we've been taught about power is wrong. We explore grounded power, toxic power, leadership, confidence, authenticity, trauma, intuition, self-trust, mental health, psychology, nervous system regulation, people-pleasing, spirituality, and emotional healing. What is grounded power? Why do successful people still feel powerless? How do trauma and the need for approval disconnect us from ourselves? How can you build authentic confidence by trusting your inner voice and your body?


    **

    Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/


    **


    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 us today. I'm grateful you're here and for your support. If you'd like to connect with Dr. Victoria, you can find her here:


    Dr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.com

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

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

    Inquiries: [email protected]


    #politics #politicalscience #power #intuition #innerknowing #innervoice #politicalanalysis #connection #mentalhealth #intuition #personalgrowth #currentevents

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

    1 hr 27 min

About INNERCALLING

From the publisher's feed

Hi there, I’m Dr. Victoria Ranade. I’m a clinical psychologist, but mostly I’m a person who followed an inner calling to discover my love for dogs, including my Welsh Terrier Mei Mei. Welcome to…