MindThatEgo Podcast

Check out individual episodes below. The show is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify — feel free to subscribe on your favourite!

MindThatEgo Podcast

🎧 MTE Podcast #6: Let’s Talk About Suicide

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October the 10th is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is suicide prevention. Every 40 seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide. This has to change.

Mental health stigma is reducing. But it’s still incredibly tough to talk openly about suicidal tendencies. We may feel shame. We may feel burdensome. We may want to avoid worrying or upsetting those we love.

However, talking about suicide can be life-saving.

MindThatEgo Podcast

🎧 MTE Podcast #5: Crazywise with Phil Borges

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What if psychological crises were opportunities for spiritual awakening? That’s the question that motivated Phil Borges to direct his documentary, Crazywise. While documenting indigenous and tribal cultures for over 30 years, he realised the healers and visionaries had each undergone a personal transformation our culture may label a breakdown, psychotic, crazy… Unlike in the West, these “disorders” are seen as gifts.

Phil’s Ted Talk on the subject has nearly 2 million views, and it’s easy to see why. Having watched Crazywise on a friend’s recommendation, I was eager to talk to Phil. I wasn’t disappointed — our discussion in MindThatEgo Podcast #5 was fascinating. We cover diagnosis, peer-support, the overuse of prescription drugs, hearing voices, authenticity, and much more.

On a personal level, our discussion was extremely emotional. I’ve shared a few things not many people know about my own crisis, particularly around grief and psychosis. Phil was open-hearted about his experiences, too. It’s a conversation that will no doubt stay with me for a while.

Enjoy the show!

Trigger warning: this podcast episodes contains reference to psychosis and suicide.

MindThatEgo Podcast

🎧 MTE Podcast #4: Eight Step Recovery With Valerie Mason-John

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For MindThatEgo Podcast #4, I’m joined by Valerie Mason-John. Valerie (a.k.a Vimalasara) is an award-winning author, public speaker, and co-founder of Eight Step Recovery.

The structure of our discussion is based on her book, Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. Expanding on the Four Noble Truths, Valerie (and co-author Paramabandhu Groves) distill ancient wisdom to create a practical approach to tackle addiction. These steps are:

  • Step One: Accepting human life will bring suffering.
  • Step Two: Seeing how we create extra suffering.
  • Step Three: Embracing impermanence to show us suffering can end.
  • Step Four: Being willing to step on the path of recovery and discover freedom.
  • Step Five: Transforming speech, actions, livelihood.
  • Step Six: Placing positive values at the centre of our lives.
  • Step Seven: Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery.
  • Step Eight: Helping others by sharing the benefits we have gained.

Listen as Valerie guides us through each step. Drugs, alcohol, food, sex, shopping, social media… None of us escape addiction, to varying degrees. Consequently, the wisdom contained within this eight-step process is beneficial to all of us — spiritual or non-spiritual.

I highly recommend reading the book, which contains an in-depth exploration into the topic, as well as a host of tools and resources. Find more information on the Eight Step program here or send Valerie an email at [email protected] — she’s more than happy to answer questions.

MindThatEgo Podcast, Psychology

🎧 MTE Podcast #3: Banishing Winter Blues With Dr. Kelly Rohan

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The nights are drawing in. Autumn is upon us. For many, the change of season comes and gos with relative ease. But for some, winter is a time of low mood, low energy, junk food, hibernation, or even clinical depression.

For the MindThatEgo Podcast #3, I speak with psychologist and leading expert on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Dr. Kelly Rohan. Kelly has undertaken extensive research around SAD as the Director of Clinical Training at the University of Vermont. Though light therapy is the frequent go-to for combating seasonal depressive symptoms, Kelly’s work has uncovered the important role thinking processes play in regulating seasonal mood.

In fact, the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is more effective than light therapy in preventing relapse. No longer do any of us have to feel helpless victims to our biology and body-clock; by working on our thoughts and creating healthy behaviour patterns, it’s possible to banish winter blues.

Talking points include:

  • The difference between normal fluctuation in mood, Winter Blues and full-blow SAD.
  • What Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is and how it combats SAD.
  • The effectiveness of CBT versus Light Therapy.
  • Noting common cognitive distortions contributing to low mood.
  • Ways to schedule activities to override the habit of hibernation.
  • How cultural messages can give us a bad impression of winter.
  • Mindful exercises to override symptoms.
  • Some example CBT restructuring… with real life examples from yours truly ;)!
  • Practical tools you can start using today to make winter fun and enjoyable.
MindThatEgo Podcast, Relationships

🎧 MTE Podcast #2: Healing From Heartbreak With David Gandelman

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Breakups suck, don’t they? There’s no avoiding it. However, a lot of the pain we experience can be avoided, if only we have the right tools. In Episode #2 of the MindThatEgo Podcast, I’m joined by meditation expert David Gandelman to discuss a topic we can all relate to — heartbreak.

David is the founder of GroundedMind, where he applies his amiable, lighthearted approach to a unique guided meditation program. He’s the co-host of the Energy Matters podcast and teaches meditation at Cornell University. David has 10 years of teaching experience, helping thousands of clients to heal, unlock their creativity and spiritual potential. Many of whom have one burning question — how do I heal from heartbreak?

Talking points include:

  • Attachment, dependency and romantic love.
  • Finding gratitude through grief.
  • The role of forgiveness.
  • The importance of removing energetic bonds.
  • How to clear space to heal, recover, and find new love.
  • Love’s healing power.

This episode includes practical tools as well as a special guided meditation from David. For even more tools, sign up to his free Healing From Heartbreak course.

(Title music: Monday Morning Wake Up Call by David Birch)