In this episode, I talk with Amber Emily Smith about her devastating experience following the drowning of her son, River. Amber shares insights from her new book, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor, reflecting on grief, healing, and the duality of joy and sorrow.

We discuss how she and her husband, musician Granger Smith, took practical steps to navigate their loss together and protect their marriage. We talk about her devastating second loss, another "bathroom floor" moment when she suffered a miscarriage.

This conversation offers comfort and encouragement for anyone grappling with loss.

Click here for the transcript⁠ ⁠

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Amber's book, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor

Amber's website (merchandise, her foundation, and more!)

⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

Pre-order my new book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery

In this episode, I have a powerful conversation with Aundi Kolber, an author and therapist specializing in trauma. We explore how past experiences shape healing, emphasizing the importance of honoring pain rather than suppressing it.

Aundi shares her personal insights on complex PTSD and the concept of 'trying softer' to foster awareness of emotional needs.

We discuss the neuroscience of trauma, strategies for expanding our window of tolerance, and the role of compassion in healing. Additionally, we touch on Aundi's newest book, Take What You Need. This conversation serves as an invitation to embrace healing and self-discovery.

Click here for the transcript⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Note: Computer-generated transcripts are not perfect.)

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Aundi's website

Aundi's new book, Take What You Need

Aundi's book, Strong Like Water

Aundi's book, Try Softer

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

Pre-order my new book, ⁠⁠⁠The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery

In this episode, I welcome back my friend Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, as he shares his profound journey of grappling with alcoholism through the lens of his faith.

Jon recounts his struggles and a pivotal moment that ignited his path to recovery, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues rather than just the addiction itself. He outlines a four-step process for transformation that includes abiding in Christ and practicing radical vulnerability, showcasing how a genuine relationship with Jesus provides a foundation for true healing.

Our discussion highlights the significance of authenticity in community and the power of sharing struggles to foster support and accountability. Jon's story serves as an inspiring reminder of resilience and the ongoing journey toward spiritual growth, encouraging listeners to confront their challenges with honesty and faith.

⁠Click here for the transcript⁠

Resources and Links

In this episode, I explore the themes of constriction, grief, and emotional overwhelm, drawing on my experiences as a neurosurgeon and the profound impact of personal loss.

I introduce Triple H Therapy—healing, hope, and higher performance, an approach inspired by my medical background that aims to unlock personal potential through cultivating these elements.

We discuss how understanding past traumas can empower healing and the actionable nature of hope in transcending current difficulties. I outline the importance of pursuing higher performance alongside emotional and mental well-being, and I share a roadmap for future discussions that will equip listeners with practical tools for self-brain surgery, emphasizing the transformative power of neuroplasticity.

This episode marks the start of a journey towards reclaiming agency and fostering a vibrant, purpose-driven life.

Click here for the transcript⁠ ⁠⁠

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

Pre-order my new book, ⁠The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery

In this episode, I have a beautiful conversation with author, recording artist, and podcaster Tanya Godsey. Tanya's first book is the outstanding Befriending God, in which she shares her insights on forming a personal relationship with God.

Our talk challenges the notion of God as inaccessible, as we touch on the significance of emotional honesty, prayer as a dialogue, and the shared experiences of grief and resilience. Tanya emphasizes how suffering can enhance our understanding of God's nature and love while underlining the importance of community in spiritual journeys.

This episode will encourage you to explore a dynamic relationship with God and pursue the transformative potential of befriending the Creator of your soul.

Click here for the transcript⁠

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tanya's book

⁠Tanya's music⁠

Tanya's website

⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

In this episode, I speak with John Burke, a New York Times bestselling author and expert on near-death experiences. We interview each other, and this episode will be released on both of our podcasts.

We examine themes of consciousness, the soul, and the afterlife through the lens of science, particularly neuroscience and quantum physics. Drawing from John's research with over 1,500 near-death experience testimonies, we explore universal perceptions of divinity and the inherent themes of love and purpose.

John shares personal anecdotes related to grief and healing, discussing the brain's response to trauma and the potential for neuroplasticity. We also delve into how near-death experiences challenge traditional views on consciousness, the impact of ancestral trauma, and practical strategies for mental renewal.

Click here for the transcript⁠

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠

John's amazing book, Imagine the God of Heaven

John's website

⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

In this episode, I discuss the power of confronting limiting labels like "anxious" and "broken" with health coach and author Erin Kerry.

She shares her journey of overcoming trauma and mental health struggles, emphasizing that these labels do not define us. We explore practical tools for healing, including holistic approaches that encompass physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Be sure to listen for a chance to win one of three copies of Erin's book, Live Beyond Your Label!

Click here for the transcript (Remember that computer transcripts often misspell names; Erin's last name is Kerry)

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠

Erin's book, ⁠Live Beyond Your Label

Erin's Website

Erin's podcast, Sparking Wholeness

⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

Our special guest for this episode is Dr. Curt Thompson, an acclaimed psychiatrist and author of one of my favorite books, The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope.

Join me for a profound discussion about trauma, suffering, and the healing journey. You'll learn from Curt that suffering is shaped not just by traumatic events but by individual responses and narratives.

The conversation explores the need for community and support, highlighting that healing involves integrating past experiences into a hopeful narrative rather than forgetting them. Dr. Thompson discusses the neuroscience of trauma and therapeutic practices like EMDR that aid in emotional processing.

The episode will encourage you to confront your pain and seek connection, showcasing that hope can arise from suffering and that your future is not solely defined by it.

Click here for the transcript.

Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Thompson's website

⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

In this episode, we discuss how shifting attention and perspective are key tools for self-brain surgery, a practice for mastering our thoughts to take control of our lives. I take you back to my time in the Iraq war to teach you how this perspective shift creates mental resilience in confronting fear and anxiety.
We examine how both sides of the brain contribute to perspective and problem-solving, and I'll teach you how to shift your focus and rewrite you narratives. This powerful technique reinforces the idea that we can shape our realities through mindful choices and self-discovery.

Click here for the transcript
Resources and Links⁠⁠

Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

In this episode, I discuss the implications of artificial intelligence with Dr. Robert Marks, author of Non-Computable You.

Dr. Marks is a distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Baylor University, and one of the world's leading experts in AI.

We explore common fears surrounding AI's potential to replace humans and achieve consciousness, contrasting these notions with insights from Dr. Marks's book. He argues that intrinsic human qualities, such as creativity and emotional depth, are beyond the reach of AI's deterministic nature.

Our conversation addresses the historical context of AI fears, emphasizing a rational approach to technology, and positions AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human roles. We also reflect on cultural narratives about AI, including the emergence of movements blending technology and metaphysics, ultimately encouraging you to appreciate the complexity of humanity amid advancing AI technologies.

Click here for the transcript

Resources and Links

Dr. Marks's work at the Discovery Institute

⁠Self-Brain Surgery Playlist on Spotify⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

(Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)