82: Beth Kurland on Overcoming Threat Mode and Learning to Thrive
Noble Mind
In this episode, Beth Kurland returns to share about her new book, You Don’t Have To Change to Change Everything. Beth teaches us how we can walk ourselves out of survival mode into a state of thriving. She describes six practical strategies to help learn to engage challenges constructively. Beth Kurland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in Massachusetts with three decades of experience. She is also a TEDx and public speaker, a mind-body coach, and an author of three award-winning books: Dancing on The Tightrope; The Transformative Power of Ten Minutes; and Gifts of the Rain Puddle....
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81: Akeem Sule on Better Treatments for People in Crisis & Mental Health in the Media
Noble Mind
In this episode, we talk to Dr. Akeem Sule about his work with people experiencing psychosis and other severe mental health symptoms in an inpatient setting. He discusses the potential pitfalls of a purely biological view of mental illness and describes therapeutic interventions that he’s found useful with his patients. We also explore the pros and cons of mindfulness and discuss his passion for exploring the mental health themes in hip hop music, film, and television. Dr. Akeem Sule is the Co-founder of HIP HOP PSYCH and a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry, Essex...
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80: Sara Lazar on how Meditation Changes the Brain
Noble Mind
In this episode, Dr. Sara Lazar shares about the neuroscience of meditation. Dr. Lazar has been doing research on the effects of meditation for over twenty years and discusses what she’s learned about how our emotional processing, executive functioning, memory, and even sense of self can all be impacted by meditation. We also talk about aging and cognition, as well as the potential benefits of yoga practice. Sara W. Lazar, PhD, is an Associate Researcher in the Psychiatry Department at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. The...
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79: Shaun Glossop on Overcoming Alienation through Better Mindfulness Communities
Noble Mind
In this episode, we talk to Shaun Glossop about his work building a mindfulness group outside of the usual religious or medical contexts in which it is often taught. We discuss what he has done to reduce barriers to engaging with mindfulness by finding ways to make practice more accessible and relatable to people in his community. He also discusses the problem of social alienation and isolation in postindustrial society and the importance of creating a space where people can build meaningful connections with each other. Shaun Glossop is the co-founder and director of the Nottingham...
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78: Kate and Alex on the Fourth Noble Truth of the Eightfold Path
Noble Mind
In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate finish their exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism by exploring the Fourth Noble Truth. This Truth describes the Eightfold Path which can lead us towards relief from suffering in this lifetime. The Eightfold Path describes the importance of right speech, action, livelihood, mindfulness, and more. Listen in as Alex and Kate reflect on each of these methods and their applications in daily life. If you are a fan of Noble Mind, You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter, and join our free Facebook group at . Learn...
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77: Kris Sutton on Healing Chronic Pain, Pain Reprocessing, and Self-Compassion
Noble Mind
In this episode, Kate and Alex talk to Kris Sutton about healing from chronic pain. She shares her lived experience with pain from multiple medical issues including migraine, endometriosis, and cancer. She describes her work as a pain coach and the power of leveraging the effects of neuroplasticity to help the brain learn to make new meaning of the experience of pain. Kris also describes pain reprocessing therapy, mindfulness, and her work as an Alexander Technique teacher. Listen in to learn about the importance of a self-compassionate approach to pain management and finding common humanity...
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76: Alex and Kate on the Third Noble Truth that Liberation is Possible
Noble Mind
In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate continue their exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, this time focusing their attention the Third Noble Truth which tells us that the end of our suffering is possible. Listen to how Kate and Alex interpret the meaning of this truth, including traditional Buddhist understandings as well as everyday applications. They explore the small ways we can release our desires our longings in daily life, and how our stress response and perfectionism tend to make it harder to do so.
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75: Lesley Huff on Being with Stress, Reclaiming Agency, and Avoiding the Misuse of Mindfulness and Compassion
Noble Mind
In this episode, Alex and Lesley Huff sat down for a second, in-depth conversation exploring a range of themes. They discuss how importance it is to paying attention to how we use the tools of mindfulness and compassion so that we can be sure to use them in supportive and healing ways rather than to manipulate our experience or express self-aggression. They also chatted about being with stress during hard times, stopping habits of avoidance, and reclaiming our agency and power. Lesley Huff, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She started the...
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74: Judith Hill-Weld on Grief, Joy, and the Downsides of Emotional Control
Noble Mind
In this episode, Judith Hill-Weld talks about how trying to control our emotions can interfere with being present in our lives. She discusses the importance of not postponing joy, and describes her passion for working with individuals who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Judith Hill-Weld, M.S., is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, a Self Compassion Informed Therapist, and a Mindful Self Compassion teacher in training. She has studied with MSC originators Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. In addition to her private practice, Judith’s writing on...
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73: Lesley Huff on the Paradox of Mindfulness and Potential Pitfalls of Self-Improvement
Noble Mind
In this episode, Lesley Huff talks about the human need for certainty and how this creates challenges in relating to the many unknowns in life. We discuss the paradox that mindfulness practices can help us to make changes in life, but also allow us to be more accepting of who we are in the moment. We explore the potential pitfalls of self-improvement, including its impact on parenting and family life, and the problem of approaching change from a place of self-criticism. Lesley Huff, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She started the Change Through...
info_outlineHappy Autumn! In this episode, hosts Alex and Kate explore the challenges of constant distraction. They discuss ways of managing overwhelming incoming news, information, emails, texts, and more, the emotional toll of such a way of life, and the importance of finding moments of rest, silence, and solitude even during busy times. Listen in for ways to create meaningful moments of pause, and to find insights about the helpful and unhelpful impulses that might be driving you to distraction.
Alex Gokce, MSW has a master’s degree in social work from Salem State University and an undergraduate degree in Comparative Government from Harvard University. He has led psychotherapy groups on topics including mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mind-body approaches to pain management. He has co-led programs at the Boston Shambhala Center on the topics of trauma and self-compassion. His personal and professional interests center around the individual, societal and intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the sociocultural roots of interpersonal harm.
Katherine (Kate) King, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William James College. She has a private psychotherapy practice where she works primarily with older adults and individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and chronic medical conditions. She also has a special interest in supporting the well-being of helping professionals. She is involved in research exploring topics such as death anxiety, narrative medicine, and clinical training. Kate is a longtime vajrayana student of Tibetan Buddhism, and has practiced meditation for over 20 years. Learn more at www.drkateking.com.
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