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In this episode Deepak and I discuss the practical side of spirituality. He explains what scientific research has discovered about how a spiritual practice can significantly alter your life. Deepak also gives me a guided meditation. The meditation is in the second half of this part and includes a deconstruction of the method and why it works. Recorded in 2019 this episode, Part 2 of 2, continues to give and give. Come for the conversation, stay for the powerful meditation.

In this week’s "best of" episode, part 1 of 2, Deepak and I chatted about the nature of consciousness, He unloaded his extensive knowledge of the cosmos, described what it means to be embodied, shared his understanding of what a belief in God is or means, and listed some of the reasons people suffer from existential crises. It was a wonderful exchange. Enjoy. (Originally published September, 2019)

Best-selling author of The Tapping Solution, Nick Ortner is here! He describes the technique known as Tapping, which is a natural healing method that combines ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. . Nick tells us the science behind Tapping (also known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT) and describes how it effects the brain and the body. Tapping, he says, can turn off the flight-or-flight mode, to help the body relax and heal. He has been developing and practicing this technique for a long time, and has helped people from all walks of life--including high functioning athletes, people with chronic pain, those suffering from grief, and others. In this episode (originally published in 2021) Nick also does a live Tapping demo with me to help me with a specific issue I’m dealing with.

Actor, author, presenter Ross Kemp joins me for a conversation we’ve wanted to have for a long time. Ross is renowned for playing the iconic character Grant Mitchell in the long-running British soap opera "EastEnders," but I wanted to discuss some of the extreme situations he has faced (i.e. reporting on gangs) over his years working on documentary projects, and what those experiences have meant to him. We also discuss his series “Ross Kemp Living With…,” in which he covers knife crime, online gambling, homelessness, and more. Ross is a warm, insightful soul, with thoughtful takes on societal issues.

Wise, grounded, candid and clear, psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry is here, discussing the nuanced challenges we, as parents, bring to our roles of raising our children. This is a rich and fascinating conversation about projection, boundaries, and how to prevent ourselves from passing our own trauma or bad habits onto our kids. Philippa is the author of amazing and helpful books, including “The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Parents Will Be Glad That You Did).”

He's the co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Humane Technology. (You may also remember or recognize him from the 2020 film "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix. It’s a must-see. We spoke not longer after the film was released.) Trained as a computer scientist, and formerly an ethicist at Google, Harris is now an exciting and innovative activist for reforming technology. In this episode, Tristan explains the power of the attention economy, revealing how social media sites are engineered to capture our time and monetize our brain impulses without us even realizing that it’s happening. He also, thankfully, discusses how he is optimistic that positive change is possible in the tech industry. Can we ensure that our future doesn’t turn into products merely mined for our attention, time, and data. How can we can change these algorithmic paradigms to serve us. rather than the other way around? Listen, learn, reflect. Podcast, co-hosted by Tristan Harris: "Your Undivided Attention" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-undivided-attention/id1460030305

This week’s conversation is energetic, wordy, delightfully heated, and rich in fascinating reflections. I’m joined by the musician, artist, comedian, writer, songwriter (he is best known for his musicals Matilda, and Groundhog Day). We discuss everything from creativity and politics to consciousness. A rationalist and atheist, Tim explains his world view and how he finds beauty and comfort in a meaningless universe.

Documentarian, TV presenter (the Discovery Channel's "60 Days" series), bushcraft instructor, and mental health advocate Ed Stafford is a survivalist in every sense of the word. Among other things, he holds the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon. In this episode we talk about how to cope in an extreme world! We discussed some solutions Ed has found in terms of honing our bushcraft skills and interacting with the natural world in order to feel connected to ourselves and our lives. Ed also reveals what life in the military was like, and the two of us open up on how crippling loneliness can be, not just during the Covid-times (when the interview was conducted and originally published) but in our lives in general. What is it we really need, to live meaningfully and happily? Listen, learn, and be inspired to go outside to find greater peace. [Interview begins at 8:10] More Info: Ed’s bushcraft courses can be found at http://bushcraft.academy/online-courses Twitter: @Ed_Stafford Instagram: @ed_stafford My meditation podcast Above the Noise is only on Luminary, Please check it out: http://luminary.link/meditate

How should we be implementing our own spiritual practices in order to grow from very particular and peculiar challenges? American motivational speaker, life coach and New York Times best-selling author (The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith and Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dream), Gabrielle Bernstein spoke with me about how we are looking after ourselves (this conversion took place and was originally published during the first year of the pandemic). Gabrielle explains some excellent therapy techniques, particularly the Internal Family Systems (IFS) practice, a therapy that has helped her considerably. We also discuss the tendency known as “spiritual bypassing,” where we try and use our spirituality or meditation to bypass difficult feelings and situations, rather than incorporating those challenges into our practices. It is a very connected and grounding episode that we hope you get something from! [Interview begins at 8:04.] MORE INFO http://gabbybernstein.com Twitter: @gabbybernstein Instagram: @gabbybernstein My meditation podcast Above the Noise is only on Luminary, Please check out it: http://luminary.link/meditate

Social geographer, explorer, and photographer.Bradley Garrett talks to us about the fascinating insights he gleaned while writing about and living with Doomsday Preppers for his book “Bunker: Building for the End Times.” From billionaire’s bunkers to off-grid communities, this “architecture of dread," revealed some surprising traits among its builders, he says–including a tendency to transcend political ideology, identity politics, or any kind of ideals. Their aim is to be prepared to live self-sufficiently and in harmony--in order to survive the worst! What can we learn from this mentality and why has it come about? This conversation was originally released in July of 2021--although as temperatures rise worldwide it feels more relevant than ever. MORE INFO Learn more about Bradley’s work and book at: https://www.bradleygarrett.com My meditation podcast "Above the Noise" is only on Luminary, Please check out it: http://luminary.link/meditate

Entrepreneur, best-selling author, philanthropist, and business strategist Tony Robbins brings his infectious curiosity to Under the Skin! In this episode, we talk about emerging treatments and technologies in the world of health--including the power of stem cells, self-healing techniques, and more from Tony's research into precision medicine. Plus: we discuss the patterns and cycles of human nature, and the power of pure grit and determination. Our conversation took place in early 2022. Enjoy. More Info: Get Tony's book here: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/tony-robbins-books// My meditation podcast, Above the Noise, is available only on Luminary. Please check it out: http://luminary.link/meditate

Some of us are so conditioned to be composed at all times we’ve lost the ability to relax, let go, or even cry. Dr. David Berceli, an expert in trauma intervention and conflict resolution, teaches people, through his simple TRE exercises (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), how to release trauma from the body in order to aid illness, both physical and mental. In this episode, he tells me how he discovered these techniques, and we discuss the similarities between the tremors that help release trauma, and various ecstatic states of transcendent bodily feeling. We also discuss the idea of post-traumatic growth: Do we grow and learn from our trauma, and does it ultimately makes us stronger? For more information on David’s work go to: traumaprevention.com