The Weekend University

• Bernardo Kastrup: Aligning with Nature’s Will, Eastern vs Western Spirituality, & Understanding Evil

  Dr. Bernardo Kastrup is a philosopher, scientist, and author whose work challenges mainstream materialism. With a background in computer engineering and a Ph.D. in philosophy, he has become one of the world's leading advocates for metaphysical idealism—the view that consciousness, not matter, is the fundamental reality of the universe. In this conversation, we explore some of the key ideas from Bernardo’s latest book, "The Daimon and the Soul of the West," including: — The key differences between the Western and Eastern Mind — The relationship between context and meaning in life, and how powerful it can be to recognise the ancestral lineage within you. — The concept of the daimon—an impersonal force of nature that expresses itself through us — How confronting death and our relationship with evil can lead to greater wisdom and authenticity — Why the second half of life requires a completely different approach than the first. And more. You can learn more about Bernardo’s work at https://www.bernardokastrup.com. — Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the ‘Casimir Effect’ of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo’s most recent book is Science Ideated: The fall of matter and the contours of the next mainstream scientific worldview. -- Interview Links: — Dr Kastrup’s website: https://www.bernardokastrup.com — Dr Kastrup’s book: https://amzn.to/46hinsO

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• The 4 Jungian Archetypes Driving Male Psychology — Douglas Gillette

  Douglas Gillette is a bestselling author, Jungian psychologist, and co-creator of the influential King, Warrior, Magician, Lover framework that has transformed our understanding of masculine psychology. His work explores the archetypal patterns that shape human development and the journey toward psychological wholeness. In this conversation, we explore: — Why Douglas believes we are "sowing" in this life but the "harvest" lies elsewhere — How evolutionary psychology can help to explains the current crisis in masculine identity — The four masculine archetypes and their shadow expressions — Practical techniques for integrating these archetypal energies in everyday life And more. You can learn more about Douglas's work and books by visiting https://douglasgillettecreations.com. — Douglas M. Gillette is a scholar-writer, teacher, and spiritual guide whose work bridges myth, religion, depth psychology, and human transformation. He co-authored the influential book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine and has written several others published internationally. A former pastoral counselor and United Church of Christ pastor, he now teaches, writes, and leads workshops on spirituality, imagination, and the unfolding of the soul. You can learn more through his work at www.douglasgillettecreations.com -- Interview Links: — Douglas’ website: https://douglasgillettecreations.com — Douglas’ book: https://amzn.to/4mya1ln

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• Is it Rational to be Religious? — Ross Douthat

  Ross Douthat is a New York Times columnist, author, and podcast host. His latest book, "Believe," presents a rational case for faith in an increasingly secular world, drawing on evidence from science, philosophy, and human experience to make a compelling argument for the existence of God. In this conversation, we explore: — Why the strongest case for God rests at the intersection of multiple converging lines of evidence — How the "hard problem of consciousness" challenges purely materialist explanations of reality — Why being "spiritual but not religious" might be a reasonable starting point but not a desirable permanent state — The importance of discernment in navigating the spiritual landscape — How Ross's five-year battle with Lyme disease transformed his relationship with God And more. You can find Ross's work in his New York Times column, his book "Believe," and his podcast "Interesting Times." — Ross Douthat is a best-selling author, columnist, and cultural critic whose work explores the intersections of politics, religion, and society. He has been an opinion columnist for The New York Times since 2009 and was previously a senior editor at The Atlantic. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Privilege: "Grand New Party", "Bad Religion", "To Change the Church", "The Decadent Society", and his memoir "The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery". His latest book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious (2025), makes a compelling case for the enduring importance of faith in modern life. Douthat graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He lectures widely on religion, politics, and culture, and lives in New Haven, Connecticut, with his wife, journalist Abigail Tucker, and their children. --- Interview Links: — Ross' YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@InterestingTimesNYT/videos — Ross' X account: https://x.com/douthatnyt — Ross' book: https://amzn.to/3IlxZCj

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• Attachment-Focused EMDR — Dr. Laurel Parnell

  Dr. Laurel Parnell is an internationally recognised clinical psychologist, author, consultant, and the developer of the innovative treatment approach: Attachment Focused EMDR She has trained thousands of clinicians nationally and internationally, and is the author of several bestselling books, including, “Tapping In”, “Rewiring the Addicted Brain”, and “Attachment Focused EMDR” which this interview focuses on. In a wide-ranging conversation, we explore: — The link between EMDR and spiritual experiences — The role of imagination in attachment focused EMDR and how it can be applied to heal developmental deficits — What happens during an attachment focused EMDR session, both in the client’s internal world and in the therapy room. And more. You can learn more about Dr Parnell’s work and upcoming trainings via https://parnellemdr.com --- Dr. Parnell is a leading expert on the therapeutic tool, eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing which is more widely known as EMDR. While Dr. Parnell has trained thousands of clinicians in EMDR both nationally and internationally, Dr. Parnell has also taught transpersonal psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and was core faculty at John F. Kennedy University in the Graduate School for the Study of Human Consciousness. Currently, Dr. Parnell teaches EMDR through Alliant International University, Omega Institute, Esalen Institute, ID Institut in Kassel Germany, and the The New York Open Center. You can learn about Dr Parnell’s work and forthcoming trainings by visiting: www.drlaurelparnell.com --- 3 Books Dr Parnell Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Attachment Focused EMDR - Dr Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/3UB7HhB — A Therapist's Guide to EMDR - Dr Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/3yfxuV3 — Rewiring the Addicted Brain - Dr Laurel Parnell - https://amzn.to/3ygRfvl

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• The Neurobiology of Thriving Relationships — Dr Stan Tatkin

  Dr Tatkin is a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of the psychobiological approach to couples therapy, often referred to as PACT. He is assistant clinical professor in the family medicine department at the University of California. Dr Tatkin has authored numerous bestselling books on attachment and couples therapy, including: Wired for Love, Wired for Dating, In Each Other’s Care, and Your Brain on Love. In this conversation, we explore: — How human beings behave according to procedural memory most of the time and why this is important to understand in couples work — Why relationships can be so difficult for humans — The difference between a secure functioning relationship and secure attachment And more. You can learn more about Dr Tatkin’s work by visiting: thepactinstitute.com --- Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, is a best-selling author, clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of a Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy® (PACT). He has a clinical practice in Calabasas, CA, where he has specialized for the last 15 years in working with couples and individuals who wish to be in relationships. He and his wife, Tracey Boldemann-Tatkin, developed the PACT Institute to train clinicians to help challenging couples find secure-functioning relationships. He is the author of best-selling books We Do, Wired for Love, Wired for Dating and Love and War in Intimate Relationships, as well as the audio books Your Brain on Love and Relationship Rx. Dr. Tatkin also teaches family medicine residents at Kaiser Permanente, Woodland Hills, CA, and is an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. He travels throughout the United States and abroad with the PACT Institute teaching therapists how to help couples build secure-functioning relationships. --- 3 Books Dr Stan Tatkin Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications - Jude Cassidy - https://amzn.to/4aIbYGJ — Lyons-Ruth, K., L. Dutra, M. R. Schuder, and I. Bianchi. 2006. "From Infant Attachment Disorganization to Adult Dissociation: Relational Adaptations or Traumatic Experiences?" Psychiatric Clinics of North America 29 (1): 63–86. - https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-03379-005 — Schore, A. N. 2000. "Attachment and the regulation of the right brain." Attachment & Human Development 1 (2): 23–47. - https://www.allanschore.com/pdf/SchoreAttachHumDev.pdf

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