What exactly is hypnosis? And how much do we truly understand about the subconscious and the thoughts that lurk deep in our minds? Hypnotist Luke Chao joins the podcast to discuss both the theories of hypnosis and the practical applications of hypnotherapy that are often used to help people quit smoking and conquer fears such as public speaking.

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Mike Holding is a wildlife cinematographer who makes wildlife films in the heart of Africa’s wilderness. Based out of Botswana, he has collaborated on many wildlife documentaries including the critically acclaimed series Planet Earth. Mike joins the podcast to discuss common preconceptions regarding the wildlife filmmaking process, what he has learned from his time living amongst animals and how humans can become more connected to our natural environment.

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Amit Gupta was a successful entrepreneur by all accounts, having started several very innovative and successful companies. But when he was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia at a young age, his whole life changed immediately. At one point being given less than 25% chance of surviving, Amit's story is a phenomenal recount of resilience, friendship and reflection.

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Circumcision of newborns is a Jewish and Muslim tradition. Beyond that, demographic studies suggest that over 50% of males in the United States are circumcised. Yet ultimately, circumcision in the typical circumstance equates to performing an elective surgical procedure on a non-consenting newborn. How has the situation come to be as such? Yale and Harvard Ethicist Brian Earp joins the podcast to discuss the ethical considerations and preconceptions surrounding both male and female circumcision.

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When we meet somebody, we immediately apply certain stereotypes to try and “figure out” who they are. The first three things that we subconsciously assess in any encounter are a person’s age, gender and race. Yet while the anti-racism and anti-sexism movements are prevalent in society, the widespread issue of discrimination on the basis of age is rarely considered. Dr. Rachael Stone joins the podcast to explain how stereotypes develop, and in particular, how stereotyping based on age contributes to many false preconceptions.

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Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) encompasses both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In Canada and many parts of the world, MAID is slowly becoming incorporated into medical practice, in order to help end the suffering of patients who no longer wish to live. But how will the medical field adjust to this change in paradigm, which is in many ways contrary to the traditional role that doctors have always had in saving lives, not ending them? Palliative Care physician Dr. Craig Goldie joins the podcast.

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It can be tough to understand how so many Americans are on the "pro-gun" side of the gun debate. For many, the issue seems simple - "guns are bad, and we should do everything we can to limit them". But what is the background of gun legislation? What is the often well-informed and intelligent perspective of many people who support gun rights yet also share the same goal of lowering crime rates in the United States? Trevor Burrus of the Cato Institute joins the podcast to shed some light on this complicated issue.

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Society conditions us to have particular expectations regarding our careers. Many believe that our work must align with our passions. As the adage goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. But is that realistic? And should blending passion with your career always be the goal? Entrepreneur Seira Flores joins the podcast to challenge the preconceptions regarding what makes a fulfilling career.

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The Death Penalty is the most severe sentence that can be passed down onto someone in the judicial system. John H. Blume of Cornell University is the Samuel F. Leibowitz Professor of Trial Techniques and the Director of the Cornell Death Penalty Project. He joins Zale to discuss the preconceptions regarding capital punishment and some of the disturbing realities of arbitrariness, unreliability and prejudice that are embedded in its sentencing patterns.

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Yoga teacher Karina Guthrie shares her insights on yoga and what it can unlock for those who practice it. How and why did yoga in Western culture develop differently from its origins in the East? When referring to concepts like "energy" and "soul", are these meant metaphorically, or as real entities? Karina is a yoga teacher and coordinator at The Practice in Bali, Indonesia.

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