The Weekend University

Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest and modern Christian mystic who teaches contemplative practice and the Wisdom tradition. She discusses Jesus as a transformer of consciousness. She explores Nag Hammadi and early Christian diversity. She explains kenosis, resurrection as layers of being, humans as bridges between realms, and practices for intentional inner work.

Marc Lewis, neuroscientist and addiction researcher, and Cece Sykes, clinical psychologist and IFS trainer, discuss addiction as an adaptive response rather than a disease. They explore internal polarizations between critical and escape-seeking parts. They unpack neuroscience links to Internal Family Systems, the role of compassion, how therapy reshapes patterns, and practical ways to access calm, curious self-energy.

Caroline Myss, five-time NYT bestselling author and teacher of archetypes and medical intuition, joins to explore symbolism, mysticism, and co-creation. She discusses archetypes as impersonal patterns, how intention shapes consequence, inner guidance and mystical practice. Conversations include reimagining the divine as lawful co-creation and small practices that shift energy and meaning.

Dr. Kevin Tracey, neurosurgeon and biomedical researcher who discovered vagus nerve circuits that control inflammation. He discusses the vagus as a biological brake on inflammation. Bioelectronic treatments for autoimmune and mental health conditions are explored. Stories of life-changing nerve stimulation and the future of targeted, precision nerve therapy are highlighted.

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, cognitive scientist and humanistic psychologist who studies intelligence and creativity, explores vulnerable narcissism and how it blocks self-actualization. He explains the difference between being a victim and a victim mindset. He highlights how the stories we tell shape potential and why shifting from why to what questions increases agency.

Yannick Jacob, an existential life and leadership coach and positive psychologist, helps people face deep philosophical questions. He explores how existential questions shape daily life. He talks about building existential resilience, why avoiding depth leaves us unprepared, the unique courage coaching creates, and why presence is something AI cannot truly replicate.

Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Me, But Better, reports on personality change through research and personal experiments. She discusses letting go of limiting self-narratives. She explores meditation and Buddhist practices to reduce neuroticism. She covers acting outside your comfort zone, social context effects, improv as a practice, and how goals shape trait change.

Donald Robertson, cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist and Stoic scholar, shows how Socratic thinking meets modern therapy. He discusses Socratic questioning, building cognitive and coping flexibility, linking wisdom to emotional wellbeing, clarifying values through practical experiments, and why rigid self-help rules can backfire. Short, practical, and philosophical.

Christopher Bache, professor emeritus and long-term LSD researcher, reflects on 20 years of disciplined high-dose inquiry. He describes journeys from personal healing into encounters with collective consciousness and the diamond soul. Conversations touch on reincarnation, collective dark nights before major shifts, and seeing death as a homecoming.

Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction therapist. He is the Co-Founder of Recovery Egypt, one of the leading treatment and rehabilitation centres in North Africa. He has publications in many international Journals, including the European Journal of Psychiatry. In this conversation, we explore: — Dr Darwish’s radical approach to recovery and how it goes against many of the norms of mainstream psychiatry — How Dr Darwish and his colleague built their recovery centre from scratch and his advice to others who are interested in undertaking similar projects — Why community and connection need to be at the heart of a holistic recovery plan And more. Learn more about Recovery Egypt by going to: https://recoveryegypt.com. --- Dr. Sherif Darwish Abdalla is a consultant psychiatrist and addiction therapist from Egypt. His main area of focus in both work and research is addiction rehabilitation. He is a co-founder of the Recovery Centers for Addiction and Recovery, a prominent treatment and rehabilitation chain in Egypt. Dr. Darwish has published in many international journals, including the European Journal of Psychiatry. He will discuss the motivational challenges that therapists commonly face with their patients, and strategies for early identification and effective management. --- 3 Books Dr Darwish Recommends Every Therapist Should Read: — Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment - and How to Get Help That Works - Anne M Fletcher - https://amzn.to/45A1Xbg — Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception - Abraham J Twerski - https://amzn.to/3M5dZT0 — Motivational Interviewing, Fourth Edition: Helping People Change and Grow - William R Miller - https://amzn.to/45vSodv