The Weekend University

• Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: An Introduction - Dr Andrew Tatarsky, PhD

  Discover a transformative approach to recovery in this episode with Dr Andrew Tatarsky, PhD. Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (HRP) offers a groundbreaking alternative to traditional methods, prioritizing understanding and empathy over immediate abstinence. Driven by personal experiences, Dr. Tatarsky unveils the limitations of abstinence-only treatment. Explore the depths of addiction with a focus on deciphering intricate motivations and meanings behind behaviors. This therapeutic journey champions collaboration, respecting autonomy, and delving into personal and relational significance. Dive into the art of "urge surfing" and learn how to craft new pathways for self-care, even if total abstinence isn't the initial destination. Dr Tatarsky is an internationally recognised leader in the treatment of problematic substance use and the developer of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. He has specialized in substance use treatment for over 35 years working as a counselor, psychologist, program director, trainer, advocate and author. Dr Tatarsky advocates for a psychobiosocial understanding of addiction and an integrative harm reduction approach to treatment. This conversation provides an accessible introduction to Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, covering things like: — The limitation of the disease model of addiction and abstinence-only based approaches — The importance of meeting clients “where they’re at” and gradually empowering their recovery process — How to use strategies such as “urge surfing” and “18 alternatives” to gradually move beyond addiction — Why it’s important to have a bio-psycho-social lens on addiction. And more. You can learn more about Dr Tatarsky’s work by going to www.andrewtatarsky.com. --- Andrew Tatarsky is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of problematic substance use and other potentially risky behaviors. He has specialized in the field of substance use treatment for 35 years working as a counselor, psychologist, program director, trainer, advocate and author. He has devoted his career to developing a comprehensive psychobiosocial understanding of the broad spectrum of substance use problems and an integrative harm reduction psychotherapy approach to treating this spectrum. This treatment is described in his book, Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems, and several professional papers that extend the approach. The book has been released in paperback and Kindle, published in Poland by the Polish Office of Drug Prevention and has been translated into Spanish and is available in a free pdf. Dr. Tatarsky is Founder and Director of the Center for Optimal Living in NYC, a treatment and professional training center based on Integrative Harm Reduction Therapy (IHRP) for the spectrum of substance misuse and other high-risk behaviors. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the City University of New York and is a graduate of New York University’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. He is a member of the medical and clinical advisory panels to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services of New York State. Dr. Tatarsky is a founding member and twice past-president of the Division on Addiction of New York State Psychological Association. --- 3 Books Dr Tatarsky Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: An Alternative Approach to Addictions, Second Edition — Patt Denning & Jeannie Little - https://amzn.to/3Q2BxL6 — Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide to Controlling Your Drug and Alcohol Use Second Edition — Patt Denning & Jeannie Little - https://amzn.to/3Ojmr2u — Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems — Andrew Tatarsky - https://amzn.to/3O3Ge4G

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• Transforming Consciousness with Taoism, IFS, Tai Chi & Panpsychism — George Thompson

  George Thompson is a filmmaker, Tai Chi practitioner, and creator dedicated to inspiring balance for both people and planet. After experiencing anxiety and burnout, George embarked on a transformative journey that took him from the Wudang Mountains in China to the wilderness of Scotland. In this conversation, we explore: — Why discovering Tai Chi was a pivotal moment in his trajectory — How compassion naturally arises from true understanding — The power of investigating our thoughts and feelings as messengers of unmet needs — How to cultivate playfulness and sincerity without being serious — George's journey from atheism to panpsychism and how this shift changed his relationship with nature And more. You can learn more about George's work through his YouTube channel or his website: https://www.balanceispossible.com. --- George Thompson is a filmmaker, storyteller, and educator dedicated to making ancient wisdom practical for modern life. As the founder of Balance Is Possible!, he leads a global team sharing teachings on Tai Chi, Daoist philosophy, and the art of living in harmony with oneself and nature. After years of struggling with anxiety and disconnection, George travelled to China’s Wudang Mountains, where he studied Tai Chi and Daoism under Master Gu. There, he discovered that balance isn’t about perfection—but about learning to move with life’s natural flow. Through his courses, films, and online community, George helps people reconnect to purpose, clarity, and inner peace. His unique teaching style blends humour, emotional honesty, and spiritual insight, making profound ideas accessible and engaging. Today, George’s work reaches millions worldwide through films like The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself and the world’s largest online Tai Chi school. Supported by mentors such as Chungliang Al Huang and Deng Ming Dao, he continues to inspire others to embrace their full potential and live with compassion, creativity, and balance. -- Interview Links: — George’s website: https://www.balanceispossible.com/ — George’s recommended books: https://bit.ly/472aEh7

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• Sleepwalking, Insomnia, Circadian Rhythms: The Incredible Science of Sleep — Dr. Guy Leschziner

  In this episode, I speak with Professor Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and leading sleep specialist who has spent over a decade as the clinical lead at one of Europe's largest sleep disorder centers. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, clinical practice, and evolutionary biology, Guy explores the fascinating world of sleep—from its biological functions to its profound impact on our physical and mental health. Expect to learn: — Why studying the extremes of human behavior helps us understand normal brain function — How sleep affects everything from immune function to cognitive performance — The surprising way our brain's "glymphatic system" cleans toxins during deep sleep — Why insomnia treatments like CBT-I are so effective and how they work. And more. You can learn more about Guy's work at https://www.guyleschziner.com. --- Guy Leschziner, Ph.D., is a neurologist specializing in sleep disorders and epilepsy, serving as Consultant Neurologist at London Bridge Hospital and Clinical Lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, one of Europe’s largest sleep units. He is also Reader in Neurology at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. Dr. Leschziner is the author of The Nocturnal Brain, The Man Who Tasted Words, and The Seven Deadly Sins, and has presented sleep-focused series for BBC Radio and Channel 4. --- Interview Links: — Guy’s website: https://www.guyleschziner.com/ — Guy’s book: https://amzn.to/3VvTnb6

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• Rebuilding Connectability After Attachment Wounds & Trauma — Anna Runkle

  Get Anna Runkle's new book, CONNECTABILITY. You can order via the following link: https://bit.ly/4dTK9xz — more links below 👇 Anna Runkle is a bestselling author and creator of the popular YouTube channel "Crappy Childhood Fairy." After overcoming her own complex PTSD through innovative self-regulation techniques, she has dedicated her life to helping others heal from developmental trauma and reconnect with themselves and others. In this conversation, we explore: — What "connection wounds" are and how they affect our ability to form meaningful relationships — How neurological dysregulation from trauma creates barriers to connection and what to do about it — The simple but powerful daily practice that transformed Anna's life after decades of struggling with trauma symptoms — Practical strategies for developing "connectability" even when social situations feel overwhelming — Why focusing on "what can I do right now?" rather than "why did this happen?" creates real healing And more. You can learn more about Anna's work, books, and free resources at https://crappychildhoodfairy.com. — Anna Runkle leads a movement to help men and women worldwide to heal trauma symptoms and change their lives—whether or not they have access to professional help. More than 900,000 men and women worldwide subscribe to her YouTube channel, blog, courses and coaching programs, where she teaches the principles and techniques she has used to recover from her own Childhood PTSD. Her approach includes simple, self-directed exercises to calm emotional triggers and neurological dysregulation, and to begin changing the self-defeating behaviors that are common for people who have lived much of their lives dysregulated. She lives with her husband and two sons in the San Francisco Bay Area. -- Interview Links: — Order Anna's NEW Book: CONNECTABILITY: https://bit.ly/4dTK9xz — Order Anna's 2024 Book: RE-REGULATED: https://bit.ly/3yqaena — Anna's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CrappyChildhoodFairy — Anna's Website: https://crappychildhoodfairy.com — Free Daily Practice Course: http://bit.ly/CCF_DailyPractice — Quiz: How Connectable Are You? https://bit.ly/48QTuFL

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• 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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