The Weekend University

Rupert Sheldrake & Peter Hawkins-Morphic Resonance, Science & Spiritual Practices, The Extended Mind

This episode features a conversation between Dr. Rupert Sheldrake and Professor Peter Hawkins. This discussion is part of a series that Peter will be doing with some of the major thinkers and writers of our time, focusing on the necessary evolution of human consciousness, for humans to be future-fit to live on this planet in a way that makes a net-positive contribution to the wider ecology. The series is being done jointly with: The Weekend University and the Renewal Foundation. Rupert is a biologist and author of more than 100 scientific papers and 15 books. Trained at Cambridge and Harvard, he is best known for his work on morphic resonance, as well as his explorations of consciousness, memory, and the nature of scientific inquiry.His most recent book is Ways to Go Beyond and Why They Work, which explores how practices such as meditation, gratitude, pilgrimage, and connecting with nature can transform our lives. Peter is Emeritus Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School, founder of the Academy of Executive Coaching, and a leading authority on systemic leadership, coaching, and organizational transformation. His work integrates insights from psychology, systems thinking, ecology, and philosophy to help leaders navigate an increasingly complex world. His most recent book was: Beauty in Leadership and Coaching, which was published by Routeledge in 2025. In this conversation, they explore: — How morphic fields shape biological form and behavior through collective memory rather than genetic programming alone — Why Professor Sheldrake believes the laws of nature are more like evolving habits than eternal constants — The scientific evidence for telepathy, the sense of being stared at, and other phenomena beyond current materialist frameworks — How spiritual practices across traditions—from pilgrimage to gratitude—demonstrably improve health and wellbeing — Why the loss of ritual and connection to place has contributed to rising mental health challenges in Western societies — The relationship between consciousness, light, and vision that suggests our minds extend beyond our brains And more. You can learn more about Rupert’s work at sheldrake.org and Peter’s at https://renewalassociates.co.uk/. --- Interview Links: — Prof. Peter Hawkins’ website - https://renewalassociates.co.uk — Rupert’s website: http://sheldrake.org/ — Rupert’s books: https://amzn.to/2Gbvijy

Getting Paid to Play, Writing Nonfiction, & Tapping Your “Character Diamond” — Charlie Hoehn

Charlie Hoehn is a marketing strategist, bestselling author, and expert on book publishing who has worked with some of the world's most successful authors, including Tim Ferriss, Codie Sanchez, and Ramit Sethi. After overcoming debilitating anxiety through the power of play, Charlie wrote "Play It Away: A Workaholic's Cure for Anxiety," which became a viral sensation and helped countless people reclaim their mental health. In this conversation, they explore: — How burnout led Charlie to rethink work through play — Why exercise works better when it feels like play, not effort — The common mistake authors make when identifying their ideal reader — How to involve readers as co-creators before a book is launched — The idea that a book should be able to sell itself after the first 10,000 copies And more. You can learn more about Charlie's work at author.inc. --- Charlie Hoehn helps authors, creators, and entrepreneurs scale their impact through high-performance author marketing and business strategy. With which he teaches how to build, launch, and sell books—often helping non-fiction writers reach bestseller status. You can learn more at charliehoehn.com --- Interview Links: — Charlie’s website: https://www.charliehoehn.com and https://www.author.inc

Is AI Shrinking Human Agency? — Jacob Ward

In this interview, Niall speaks with Jacob Ward, former editor-in-chief of Popular Science and technology correspondent for Al Jazeera and NBC News. Jacob is the author of “The Loop”, and creator of the “Hacking Your Mind”. In this conversation, they explore: — How AI may shape our decisions in the same way tools like Google Maps changed how we navigate — How behavioural science is used to make digital products more addictive — The parallels between tech design and older systems of exploitation — Why legal accountability for behavioural harm may help limit manipulation at scale — The human skills needed to protect complex thinking in an AI-driven world And more. You can learn more about Jacob's work at https://www.jacobward.com. --- Jacob Ward is an American science and technology journalist, television correspondent, and author. He is best known as the former editor-in-chief of Popular Science, a technology correspondent for NBC News, and for his book examining artificial intelligence and human behavior. --- Interview Links: — Jacob’s website: https://www.jacobward.com

The Hidden Drivers of Polarisation: Why People Become Radicalised — Dr. Joel Vos

In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Joel Vos, a researcher and psychotherapist who specialises in meaning in life, existential psychology, and the roots of polarisation and extremism. Dr. Vos has conducted research at universities across Europe and has worked directly with individuals involved in political movements and radical groups. His work brings together academic research and real-world experience, offering a clear perspective on why people radicalise and how societies can respond. In this conversation, they explore: — Why polarisation and extremism are rooted in threats to meaning in life — The four ways people respond when they cannot live the life they want — Why many government approaches to extremism fall short, and what may work better — The idea of existential compassion, and why it may help reduce conflict — Practical ways to engage with people whose views you strongly oppose And more. You can learn more about Dr. Vos’s work at https://joelvos.com. --- Dr Joel Vos PhD MSc MA CPsychol AFBPsS FHEA is a psychologist and philosopher, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society. He lectures and conducts research at the Metanoia Institute in London. He is the director of IMEC International Meaning Events and Community. He has trained as an existential-humanistic, cognitive-behaviour, group and contextual family psychotherapist. He has given therapy to thousands of clients in different mental health care settings, including his private practice. He has developed psychological treatments which has been validated in clinical trials, and which are now used worldwide. --- Interview Links: — Dr. Vos’ websites: https://joelvos.com — Dr. Vos’ books: https://joelvos.com/books

Boyd Varty — A Lion Tracker’s Guide to Presence, Purpose, and Self Transformation

In this episode, Niall speaks with Boyd Varty, a wildlife tracker, storyteller, and author of the bestselling books “Cathedral of the Wild”, and “The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life”. Boyd grew up at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, where he learned the ancient art of tracking from master Shangaan trackers. In this conversation, they explore: — How a near-death experience at eighteen revealed a state of consciousness beyond fear — Why tracking animals can teach us how to track our own lives and find what we’re truly looking for — The link between disconnection from nature and the search for meaning — Why transformation begins with saying, “I don’t know, but I want to” — How to follow a sense of aliveness in the body as a guide for decisions And more. You can learn more about Boyd’s work, retreats, and books at https://boydvarty.com/ and boydvarty.com/course-listing/track-your-life-masterclass. --- The wildlife and literacy activist Boyd Varty, author of the memoir Cathedral of the Wild, had an unconventional upbringing. Born to a family of conservationists, Boyd grew up on Londolozi Game Reserve in the South African wilderness, a place where man and nature strive for balance, where perils exist alongside wonders. Founded more than 90 years ago as a hunting ground, Londolozi was transformed into a nature reserve beginning in 1973 by Varty’s father and uncle, visionaries of the restoration movement. But it wasn’t just a sanctuary for the animals; it was also a place for ravaged land to flourish again and for the human spirit to be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he came to the reserve to recover. Since childhood, Boyd shared his home with lions, leopards, snakes, and elephants and has spent his life in apprenticeship to the wisdom of nature. Boyd survived a harrowing black mamba encounter, a debilitating bout with malaria, even a vicious crocodile attack, but his biggest challenge was a personal crisis of purpose. As a university student, he studied psychology and ecology, supplementing his education by learning martial arts in Thailand, hiking through the jungles of the Amazon, and apprenticing to a renowned tracker from the Shangaan tribe deepening his intimate knowledge of the natural world. Boyd grew up speaking the local language and learning the true meaning of coexistence between people and with nature. Boyd continues to, like a tracker, follow unconventional pathways. He has worked intensively over the past 7 years in ceremonial spaces as an apprentice to a Peruvian shaman while generating his own system of coaching called “track your life” with draws lessons from the ancient art form of tracking to help people find more meaning, purpose and motivation. At the core of his work is the impulse of life towards healing, wholeness and wildness. He works in both the USA and South Africa to connect people to nature and to their own true inner nature. Boyd Varty is a major voice of the new consciousness. He engages audiences across the world on the subject of forging connections in ourselves, in our communities and with the earth. He speaks to those who long for a way of interaction both simpler and more profound than the way most of us live in the world today. Boyd has a psychology degree from the University of South Africa. He is a certified Master Life Coach, the author of two books and a TED speaker. Boyd has spent the last ten years refining the art of using wilderness as a place for deep introspection and personal transformation. Having taught his philosophy of “Tracking your Life” to companies and individuals all over the world he has been featured in the New York Times and NBC. --- Interview Links: — Boyd’s website: http://boydvarty.com — Track Your Life Masterclass: https://boydvarty.com/course-listing/track-your-life-masterclass