664. Kinky Dopamine Secrets: The Neuroscience of Addiction, Pain and Pleasure - with Dr Anna Lembke
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Release Date: 01/07/2025
714. The Nervous System Survival Guide You've Always Needed – With Jonny Miller
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Why is everyone wired, tired, and teetering on the edge lately? I sat down with nervous system specialist and host of the Curious Humans podcast Jonny Miller to unpack the physiological chaos so many of us are feeling. Jonny breaks down why our systems are overstimulated, how hyper/hypo arousal plays out in daily life, and what we were never taught about calming the hell down. We talk about phone addiction, loneliness, co-regulation, and what resilience really means in an AI-speed world. It’s a conversation that’s both calming and confronting—for coaches, leaders, and anyone trying to...
info_outline
713. The Mindset Behind Muscle and Money - With Luka Hocevar
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
I sat down with Luka Hocevar, a former pro basketball player turned master fitness coach, to dig into why knowledge isn’t enough when it comes to real change. We talk nutrition myths, why people self-sabotage, and what truly drives transformation - from the gym floor to life at large. Luka’s got the science, the scars, and the stories to back it up. We also explore how trauma, belief systems, and even your environment play a massive role in whether your clients follow through… or fall off. This one’s not just for fitness fans - it’s for any coach or curious human trying to understand...
info_outline
712. Beyond the Clichés: The Grounded Truth About Tantra - With Henika Patel
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Tantra teacher Henika genuinely surprised me. Grounded, clear, and refreshingly free of fluff, Henika brings a practical lens to what’s often a misunderstood field. We discuss the overlooked connection between burnout and disembodiment, the role of sensuality in nervous system health, and why pleasure isn’t a luxury - it’s a resource. With a background in law and a deep understanding of trauma-informed practice, Henika offers insight into how we can reconnect with the body in a world that pulls us away from it. A valuable conversation for high performers, caregivers, and anyone feeling...
info_outline
711. Burnout in Your Clients? Here’s What Coaches Need to Know - With Mark Walsh & Dr Helen Machen-Pearce
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Dr Helen Machen-Pearce and I sat down for what we half-jokingly called a “Two Humans and a Robot” episode - because like many of you, we’re using AI tools like ChatGPT in our coaching work. But today’s real topic is something very human: burnout. We dig into what burnout really looks like, not just the textbook symptoms. Between us we’ve got decades of coaching, yoga, and life experience, and in this episode, we try to make sense of what’s useful out there (including from AI), and what still needs good, embodied, human insight. We cover the signs, subtle stages, and recovery...
info_outline
710. The Sensation Signal Every Coach Should Never Ignore - With Brian Trzaskos
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Trzaskos - expert in somatics, embodiment, and practical, sensation-based coaching. With deep roots in physical therapy and Tai Chi, Brian brings a grounded, intelligent approach to the body that immediately impressed me. After a short centering practice perfect for resetting after a busy day, we explore his “body-breath-vision” model, dive into how the nervous system really organizes itself, and unpack what it means to coach from a truly embodied place. Brian’s got some unique and genuinely useful methods, and I could’ve talked with him...
info_outline
709. The Truth About Trauma - With Clay Moffat
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
Performance coach Clay Moffat sits down with me for a no-holds-barred conversation on trauma, resilience, and the mind-body connection. With a background spanning the military, oil and gas, and neuro-linguistic programming, Clay brings a raw, insightful perspective to the ways trauma is synthesized by the nervous system - and how our perception can amplify its effects. Expect practical insights, a few F-bombs, and a refreshingly honest discussion on healing and human behavior. Read more about Clay's work here: ----------------------------------------------- Clay Moffat is a mental...
info_outline
708. How Embodiment Unlocks Business Coaching - With Anke Egger
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
I sat down with Anke Egger, someone with deep roots in embodied work, to talk about how the body offers more than just physical support - it’s a source of real insight for leadership, teams, and personal development. We explored how practices like aikido, yoga, and conscious dance can help people cut through the noise and actually get it, beyond the flipcharts and books. Anke shared her journey from academia to embodiment, how she brings that into corporate spaces, and why movement might just be the fastest route to change. If you’re curious about what it really means to lead from the...
info_outline
707. Embodiment In Motherhood: Presence, Pressure & Staying Sane – With Rebecca Dollard
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
What does it really mean to be an embodied mother in a world that expects you to do it all — and smile while you’re doing it? Rebecca Dollard joins me to talk about the messy, beautiful, full-on experience of motherhood. From identity shifts to sensory overwhelm, and the myth of the ‘perfect mum’, this episode is a reality check with heart. No jargon, no pretending — just a deep, relatable dive into parenting from the body up. Read more about Rebecca's work here: ----------------------------------------------- Rebecca Dollard is a somatic healing practitioner and holistic life...
info_outline
706. From The Mother of Coaching: Lessons For The Next Generation - With Dr Chérie Carter-Scott
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott, a true pioneer in the coaching world and often called “the Mother of Coaching.” Chérie has been shaping the field since the 1970s, and talking with her was like getting a masterclass in wisdom, warmth, and straight-up presence. We cover how coaching has evolved, what makes someone truly coachable, and how culture shapes the coaching process. Chérie also shares stories from her life, insights on finding purpose, and reflections from her new memoir that ties her personal journey to her classic Rules for Being Human. Read more about...
info_outline
705. Inside A Modern Psychedelic Church - With Brian Robertson and Graham Pilger
The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
I caught up with my mates from Austin, Brian Robertson and Graham Pilger, the founders of a psychedelic church that defies all the usual stereotypes. We talked about creating spiritual connection without dogma, and how their community uses psychedelics to foster healing, transformation, and real human connection - with a healthy dose of humor. I’ve done their journeys twice, and they’re not culty, not therapy, and not just a trip. We dive into what actually happens at these events, how they’re integrating embodiment and trust, and what shifts when you bring your mum along for the ride....
info_outlineWhat do kink, dopamine and addiction reveal about the human experience? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford Psychiatry Professor and author of Dopamine Nation, unravels the secrets of addiction and the delicate balance between pleasure and pain. We explore topics such as the neuroscience of kink, the psychology of addictive personalities, and how contemporary issues have reshaped our culture.
With thought-provoking insights, Dr. Lembke examines the hidden forces driving our behaviours - from the "drugification" of modern life to the surprising connections between shame, spirituality, and recovery. We delve into the psychology of craving, the lessons addicts can teach us about resilience, and practical steps anyone can take to avoid falling into dopamine traps.
This episode might challenge some of your conventional thinking (hello pain) while offering grounded, science-based advice for living a more balanced and intentional life - to make sure you get a bit of aftercare to ease the journey. It’s perfect for anyone who's curious about avoiding addictive habits and enjoys a laugh along the way. Refreshingly human and deeply inspiring for all.
Learn more about Anna here: https://www.annalembke.com/
------------------------------------------------------------
Anna Lembke, MD is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she is the author of more than a hundred peer-reviewed publications, has testified before the United States House of Representatives and Senate, has served as an expert witness in federal and state opioid litigation, and is an internationally recognized leader in addiction medicine treatment and education.
In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016), highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to understand the opioid epidemic (Zuger, 2018).
Dr. Lembke appeared in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives.
Her latest book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence (Dutton/Penguin Random House, August 2021) was an instant New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller and has been translated into 35 languages. It combines the neuroscience of addiction with the wisdom of recovery to explore the problem of compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world.
------------------------------------------------------------
Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos
Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques
Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events
Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark?
Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram
------------------------------------------------------------
As a thanks for being a loyal listener, we're sharing a cheeky discount code for $100 OFF our most popular Certification of Embodiment Coaching course:
CEC100PODCAST
More info here: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/