682. Jill Bolte Taylor

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist who is now affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. Her most recent 2021 book is WHOLE BRAIN LIVING: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life.

Dr. Taylor is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations about the beauty of our human brain and how we can work with ourself to live a more peaceful life. In 2008 she gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 28.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Taylor was chosen as one of TIME Magazine's “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” web-cast.

Website: drjilltaylor.com

Dr. Taylor's "My Stroke of Insight" TED talk

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and transcript of this interview

Interview recorded May 14, 2023.

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump

00:05:33 - The Evolutionary Goal of Humanity

00:11:07 - The Experience of the Present Moment

00:17:04 - Developing the Whole Brain

00:23:18 - Understanding the Dynamics of Relationships

00:28:43 - Understanding Character Two and Emotional Pain

00:33:33 - Understanding the Little Character Two

00:38:03 - The Richness of Human Emotions

00:42:05 - Autism and Brain Circuitry

00:47:10 - The Potential Risks of Whole Brain Living and Psychedelics

00:52:44 - Exploring the Options for Bipolar Disorder and PTSD

00:59:58 - The Beauty of Humor

01:07:06 - The Interface of Individuality and Universality

01:16:07 - Bringing Balance and Meaning Into Life

01:25:16 - The Differences in Perception and Information Processing

01:32:07 - The Absurdity of Language and Consciousness

01:37:18 - The Value Structure of Character Four

01:44:01 - Changing the Model of Enlightenment

01:48:18 - The Existence of Free Will

01:53:44 - The Subtle Work of Cells and Neuronal Networks

01:59:21 - The 90-Second Rule & Addiction in the Brain

02:04:19 - Exploring Selective Mutism and Addiction

02:11:27 - Dealing with Fear of the Future and Worry

02:17:51 - Farewell and Thank You