Ep. 74: Trance as a Tool: Dr. David Spiegel on the History and Evidence-Based Benefits of Hypnosis
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
Release Date: 12/16/2023
Medicine for the Mind: Donald Robertson on Ancient Therapies for Modern Stressors
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
There’s something strangely reassuring about knowing people were wrestling with the similar issues we struggle with over 2,000 years ago — even if they wore togas and wrote with a chisel. Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, acclaimed author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, and one of the world’s leading voices on Stoicism. He’s also the founder of the Plato’s Academy Centre in Athens, and a founding member of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit. On this pod, we talk about the wisdom literature and how it can help with emotional distress;...
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Why Joy Fades: Tali Sharot on The Power of Noticing What’s Always There
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
People think happiness comes from getting everything you want. But the science shows, it’s the absence, the novelty, and the change that bring joy back - Tali Sharot Ever wonder why lasting happiness can feel so elusive? This episode delves into the neuroscience of habituation, and why our brains, despite achieving desires, tend to filter out positive experiences. We'll explore this phenomenon and uncover practical strategies to consciously re-engage with what’s already good in your life. My guest is Dr. Tali Sharot, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor at University College...
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Ep. 84: Reclaiming Experience: Christine Rosen on Being Human in a Disembodied World
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
Does the richness of your world expand or shrink in direct proportion to how much of your life is digitally mediated? My guest argues that by defaulting to digital mediation—where technology filters and facilitates our interactions—we are trading away the richness of real, embodied experience. And in doing so, we risk losing—without even noticing—the very moments that make us happy and resilient. Are we shrinking our capacity for a full, messy, exhilarating experience of being human? Christine Rosen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she explores American...
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Ep. 83: Why Depression Exists: Jonathan Rottenberg on the Evolutionary Origins of Mood
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
In this episode, we explore the human mood system and the origin of depression. My guest is Dr. Jonathan Rottenberg, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Better Outcomes Laboratory at Cornell University. His work examines long-term functioning and well-being after depression and related conditions, with a particular focus on explaining why some people achieve good outcomes. He received his BA from Harvard University, an MA in History from Johns Hopkins University, and his PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. Dr. Rottenberg's research has been covered in popular outlets such...
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Ep. 82: The Divided Brain: Iain McGilchrist On How We See The World
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of the brain’s hemispheres and their profound impact on how we perceive and engage with reality. My guest is Dr. Iain McGilchrist. Iain is a true polymath—a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, philosopher, and literary scholar. He’s been a Fellow of All Souls College at Oxford and an Associate Fellow at Green Templeton College. He’s also a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and previously served as Clinical Director at the Bethlem Royal & Maudsley Hospital in London. He’s been a research fellow in neuroimaging at...
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Ep. 81: The Power of Curiosity: A.J. Jacobs on Living the Constitution and Bridging Differences
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
A.J. Jacobs is a renowned writer and participatory journalist, best known for his immersive, experiment-driven projects that push the boundaries of immersive learning. From living according to the Ten Commandments to exploring radical honesty, A.J. dives headfirst into his experiments, bringing humor and insight into everything he does. His latest endeavor? An exploration of the U.S. Constitution, attempting to live by its original meaning. A.J. is no stranger to this podcast—this is his second appearance, and if you missed our previous conversation, I highly recommend checking out Life As...
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Ep.80: Your Crypto or Your Life. Nat Eliason: Financial Frenzies and Mindful Living
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
In this episode, we dig into FOMO and the temptations of quick wins and the importance of psychologically sustainable, long-term work. My guest is Nat Eliason. Nat is a writer and the author of Crypto Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance. Since he started publishing his writing in 2013, his work has been read by millions of people and spun out multiple businesses ranging from a marketing agency to a tea cafe. It's a wild story. In 2021 Nat set a six-month deadline to make as much money as possible before the birth of his first child,...
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Ep.79: Mind and Matter: Christof Koch on What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
Christof Koch is a pioneering computational neuroscientist and neurophysiologist best known for his groundbreaking work on the neural basis of consciousness. He collaborated with Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, to establish a neurobiological framework for understanding consciousness. Christof served as the President and Chief Scientist of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle and continues his work there as a Meritorious Investigator. He is also the Chief Scientist of the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation in Santa Monica, CA, which funds research aimed at...
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Ep. 78: Beyond the Apple Legend: Guy Kawasaki on Remarkable Journeys with Remarkable People
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
Guy Kawasaki is a pioneering figure in Silicon Valley, celebrated marketing icon, and successful serial entrepreneur. Guy was one of the original Apple employees responsible for launching their Macintosh computer line in 1984 - and then revitalizing Apple again in the 90s when it faced market share challenges from Microsoft and IBM. His role at Apple popularized the term evangelism in marketing and technology. He is an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), and host of the popular Remarkable People podcast. Guy has written over 16 best-selling books, including...
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Ep. 77: Hit or Miss? Merrick Furst on Business Innovation, Customer Illusion, and the Challenge of Authentic Demand
Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks
Outside of the purely physical and physiological, nothing is more challenging than the world of entrepreneurship and business, especially when facing customer indifference and figuring out market demand—the delicate balance between innovation and market reality. How do you do that? Professor Merrick L. Furst runs commercialization and new venture creation and directs undergraduate programs and faculty development in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Before GT, he was a professor at UC Berkeley, president of the International Computer Science Institute at Berkeley, and CEO...
info_outlineOn this episode of our podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of hypnosis, with a focus on demystifying this phenomenon and separating myths from scientific reality. We explore its role in modern therapy and personal well-being.
Dr. David Spiegel is one of Stanford University’s leading psychiatrists, with more than 45 years of clinical experience, and has pioneered over 400 research papers on the power of self-hypnosis. Educated at Harvard and Yale, he is the Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr Speigel has written thirteen books and is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Reveri Health, which offers a clinically backed hypnosis app of the same name.
In our conversation, we cover a wide array of topics, including:
- The definition and understanding of hypnosis.
- A short history of hypnosis, its mystical origins, and its current scientific standing.
- Distinctions between clinical and theatrical hypnosis.
- Debates over the tools and techniques used in hypnosis.
- The controversial subjects of brainwashing and memory recovery.
- Current research and understanding of the neural mechanisms of hypnosis.
- The various types of hypnosis and their applications.
- The relationship between EMDR and hypnosis.
- The effectiveness, suitability, and therapeutic potential of hypnosis.
- The Reveri app, co-founded by Dr. Spiegel
- I share my own experience with the Reveri app, particularly how it helped me with my fear of airplane turbulence.
Join us for this enlightening discussion as we uncover the mysteries and realities of hypnosis.
Enjoy!
For show notes and more, visit larryweeks.com