The Weekend University

• Surviving and Thriving in the AI Renaissance — Zack Kass

  Zack Kass is an AI strategist, futurist, and former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI — the company behind ChatGPT. As a leading voice in the responsible integration of artificial intelligence, Zack has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofits on how to navigate technological change with both foresight and humanity. In this wide-ranging discussion, Zack shares what most people get wrong about AI, the traits that will define those who thrive in the years ahead, and why designing for what machines can’t do may be the single most important business (and life) strategy of our time. Expect to learn: — Why personal agency and adaptability are now essential skills — What AI can’t do—and why that’s where the opportunity is — How to prepare for a future where work no longer defines identity — The importance of learning how to learn (and how to actually do it) — Why “the future belongs to those who obsess” And more. You can explore Zack’s writing and newsletter at https://www.zackkass.com. --- Zack Kass is one of the world’s foremost authorities on applied AI, transforming the technology's immense power into business strategies and applications that expand human potential. For the last 16 years, Zack has been at the forefront of AI. Most recently, he served as OpenAI's Head of Go-to-Market responsible for building out the sales, solutions, and partnerships teams. Zack played a key role in early efforts at commercializing AI and large language models, channeling OpenAI’s innovative research into tangible business solutions while also serving as a personal adviser to many executives deploying the technology across their companies. Today, Zack’s mission is to help businesses, nonprofits, and governments navigate the rapidly evolving AI environment. His thought leadership has been featured in top publications, such as Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider. Zack continues to advise Fortune 1000 board rooms, including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Samsung. He is also an Executive-in-Residence at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and Chair of Ruder Finn’s AI Advisory Council. --- Interview Link: — Zack’s website - https://www.zackkass.com

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• Nonduality & The Science of Consciousness - Peter Russell

  The spiritual teaching of nonduality, which stems from the Indian philosophy of advaita, teaches that consciousness is the primary reality, the fundamental essence of the cosmos. On the other hand, the current scientific worldview holds that the physical world is primary, and that consciousness somehow, in ways that we do not yet understand, emerges from it. Both views have their challenges. If consciousness is primary, why do we not see it in all things? Conversely if the physical world is primary, how does consciousness arise from something as insentient matter? Peter Russell proposes that the solution to these problems lies in the recognition that information is fundamental to both realities, and physical reality, as we conceive of it, is but a representation of the external world appearing in the mind. This turns our current worldview inside-out; and into one that both beliefs can inhabit. --- Peter Russell studied theoretical physics, experimental psychology, and computer science at the University of Cambridge. He then went to India, to study meditation and Eastern philosophy, and on his return conducted research on the psychology of meditation. A leading thinker on consciousness and contemporary spirituality, he coined the term "global brain" with his 1980s’ bestseller of the same name in which he predicted the Internet and the impact it would have on humanity. Other books include The Awakening Earth, Waking Up in Time, From Science to God, and his most recent, Letting Go of Nothing. Peter is a fellow of The World Business Academy, The Institute of Noetic Sciences, The Findhorn Foundation, and an Honorary Member of The Club of Budapest. --- Interview Links: — Peter’s website: www.peterrussell.com/index.php — Peter’s books: https://amzn.to/3WRrnhd

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• The Hidden Life of an Abuse Survivor — Tomás Hardiman

  Tomás Hardiman is a film producer and a survivor of childhood abuse. His recent documentary “The Days of Trees” tells the story of his own experience of childhood sexual abuse, and his long road to recovery. In this conversation, Tomás reflects on the years he spent in the dark, his gradual process of healing, and how he was able to convert his deepest childhood wound into a creative project - a documentary that is now impacting people all over the world. Gabor Maté had this to say about it: 'It's all about healing and transformation, a person finding themselves… I really urge you to see it. A beautiful film.' Here are some of the things we explore in this discussion: — How memory, shame, and repression often intertwine in trauma — Why Tomás almost walked away from the film — The role of creative work in transforming suffering — How Tomás has been able to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. And more. You can watch the film at https://thedaysoftrees.com/ and get 50% off if you use the code: TWU50 when purchasing. --- Tomás Hardiman holds a B.Comm from NUI Galway (1979) and an M.A. in Film and Television Studies from Dublin City University (1992). After graduation he worked in human resources in Dublin before living for a time in Toronto, where he began a professional career in the theatre as General Manager of Mercury Theatre Company. Following his return to Ireland he was appointed Marketing/Publicity Director of The Abbey Theatre where he worked from 1985 to 1993. He then returned to Galway where he ran his own communications and independent film production company, Parzival Productions. From October 2002 to November 2007 he was Managing Director of Galway Arts Centre and the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. He was a member of the board of Theatre Forum, the representative group for Irish arts organisations, from 2005-2007. He continues to produce and manage creative projects across multiple artforms and in 2013 completed a three-year training programme to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique. He produced eleven films between 1998 and 2023. Most recently he collaborated with acclaimed Irish writer/director Alan Gilsenan, to produce a loose trilogy of films about psychological trauma: Meetings with Ivor, The Meeting and The Days of Trees. The latter won the George Morrison Award for Best Documentary at the 2024 Irish Film and Television Awards. --- Interview Link: — Tomás’ website - https://thedaysoftrees.com/

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• Morality or Biology? Rethinking the Dark Side of Human Nature — Dr Guy Leschziner

  In this episode, I speak with Professor Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and author of three bestselling books, including: “The Man Who Tasted Words”, “The Secret World of Sleep”, and “The Seven Deadly Sins”, which this interview focuses on. Drawing on insights from evolutionary biology, genetics, and clinical neurology, Guy makes a compelling case that what we label as “sin” may often have a biological cause, and isn’t necessarily a moral failing. Expect to learn: — Why our so-called “sins” evolved as adaptive traits—and why they still serve a purpose — How free will may be more of a spectrum than a binary — Why understanding the biology of behaviour could radically change the criminal justice system — The disturbing story of Robert Alton Harris—and what it reveals about judgment, compassion, and accountability And more. You can learn more about Guy’s work at https://www.guyleschziner.com. --- Dr Guy Leschziner is a neurologist with special expertise in sleep disorders and epilepsy. Dr Leschziner is Consultant Neurologist at London Bridge Hospital and Clinical Lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, one of the largest sleep units in Europe. He also practices at London Bridge Hospital and the Cromwell Hospital. He is also Reader in Neurology at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. Under the broad umbrella of sleep disorders, Dr Leschziner is a particular authority on narcolepsy, sleepwalking, Kleine-Levin syndrome and restless legs syndrome. Dr Leschziner is also enthusiastically engaged with public education through a wide range of media work. He presented a popular radio series for the BBC, Mysteries of Sleep, as well as The Secrets of Sleep for Channel 4 television in the UK. He has also been an expert commentator for BBC News and The Guardian. Dr Leschziner is also the author of several books: The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience and the Secret World of Sleep, The Man Who Tasted Words, and The Seven Deadly Sins. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Leschziner’s website - https://www.guyleschziner.com — Dr. Leschziner’s books: https://amzn.to/4dbnFru

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• Are You More Than Just Your Brain? — Dr Sharon Dirckx

  Dr. Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author trained in neuroscience, who speaks internationally on topics such as science and theology, human consciousness, and the problem of evil. She has appeared on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 and has also written for The Times. Her books include: Broken Planet, Why, and Am I Just my Brain - which this interview focuses on. Here are some of the questions we explore in this conversation: — The mind-body problem - how could a mindless universe produce conscious beings? — Sharon’s views on the explanatory power of panpsychism — How can we make sense of the immense suffering in the world and natural disasters — How our image of God impacts our mental health and wellbeing. And more. You can learn more about Sharon’s work and books at https://www.dirckx.org. --- Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author whose work focuses on responding to the spiritual and faith-related questions that people ask today. She is motivated to show how and why the person of Jesus Christ remains as relevant as ever to the pertinent questions of our time, and to do so in an engaging way. Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge. Sharon is invited to speak and lecture across the UK and internationally, in workplaces, universities, schools, churches and conferences. --- Interview Links: — Sharon’s website - https://www.dirckx.org — Sharon’s books - https://amzn.to/4iFKVPk

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