Relationship Wellness with Ken Blackman

Your Brain and Religion with Dr. Andrew Newberg

What goes on in our brain during prayer and meditation? The study of neurotheology seeks to understand this. Through various research methods, including neuroimaging, experts have been able to see both short and long term changes in the brain resulting from meditation, prayer, and mindfulness. In today’s episode, we learn about Dr. Andrew Newberg’s research on the relationship between the brain and religious experiences. Key Topic Timestamps * 01:00 - What is neurotheology? * 09:05 - What happens in the brain during meditation, prayer, mindfulness experiences? * 14:00 - Differences in religious vs. non-religious activity * 17:05 - Group rituals vs. private setting * 20:45 - Mindfulness in religious and spiritual contexts * 23:35 - Long term neurological benefits of these practices * 28:15 - Psychoactive substance approach to enlightenment and spirituality * 35:05 - Permanent enlightenment * 39:55 - Andrew’s personal experience with enlightenment * 45:25 - Recommendations and practical applicability Reading List * How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain by Andrew B. Newberg & Mark Robert Waldman [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25938483-how-enlightenment-changes-your-brain?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vr7Uhg9Bqf&rank=1] * How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings From a Leading Neuroscientist by Andrew B. Newberg [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3639658-how-god-changes-your-brain?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=5iVXhnQlSB&rank=1] * Words Can Change Your Brain: 12 Conversation Strategies to Build Trust, Resolve Conflict, and Increase Intimacy by Andrew B. Newberg & Mark Robert Waldman [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542827-words-can-change-your-brain?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=W5AFr7wYxm&rank=1] * Neurotheology: How Science Can Enlighten Us About Spirituality by Andrew B. Newberg [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36906205-neurotheology?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Xu2PvddWml&rank=4] Misc * Dr. Andrew Newberg’s Website [http://www.andrewnewberg.com/]

Relationship Wellness with Ken Blackman

Human connection is something that’s not easily defined, yet it’s such a fundamental component of human nature. It helps lay the foundation for healthy, lasting relationships while contributing to both physical and mental well being. In today’s episode, we learn about managing emotions, de-escalating conflict, and sex in healthy romantic relationships. Key Topic Timestamps * 01:05 - Introduction to Ken & his work * 03:00 - The importance of human connection * 10:40 - The evolution of emotions * 15:25 - Types of contact & touch * 17:45 - Cultural differences of physical touch * 21:05 - How to have a healthy “fight” with your partner * 22:35 - The contagiousness of emotions & limbic regulation * 24:20 - Managing emotions of ourselves and our partners * 27:50 - Ways to de-escalate conflict with your partner * 30:25 - Sex vs. Human Connection * 32:35 - What is sex? Prosaic vs. Erotic touch * 34:25 - Is it possible to have a healthy, happy relationship without sex? * 35:47 - Difference between men & women: simulate vs. stimulate * 40:10 - The emotional component of women’s pleasure Reading List * A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, Richard Lannon [https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=the+general+theory+of+love&qid=g7XXWRpFF1] * No More Mr. Nice Guy by Robert A. Glover [https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=no+more+mr+nice+guy&search_type=books] * Study between violence & physical touch [http://www.violence.de/prescott/bulletin/article.pdf] Misc * Ken Blackman's website [https://kenblackman.com/] * Ken Blackman's blog [https://medium.com/straight-talkers]

How to Vacation Like an Entrepreneur

For many entrepreneurs, fully disconnecting from work and technology can be very difficult. Even on vacation in a new city, detaching our mind isn’t as easy as it seems. In today’s episode, we go over some great advice on how to unplug and get the most out of your vacation. Key Topic Timestamps * 02:35 - Different purposes of vacation * 06:30 - The importance of switching up your environment * 12:50 - Feldenkrais Method Episode * 15:25 - Preparing to disconnect * 21:45 - Don’t check emails on vacation! * 26:10 - Minimalism episode * 31:10 - Creating a routine on vacation * 33:20 - Don’t squeeze in work * 36:20 - Write it down * 38:40 - Take a leap of faith MiscLearning About the Feldenkrais Method with Anastasi Siotas [https://youtu.be/dR_EHI-juXM]Everyday Minimalism [https://youtu.be/lbD2GrwdQpE]

Medical Herbalism with Lily Canetty-Clarke

Herbal Medicine is an approach to health that dates back thousands of years. In addition to various vitamins and nutrients, plants and herbs contain thousands of powerful phyto-chemicals. Phyto-chemicals are compounds only found in plants that are linked to many different health benefits and healing properties. In today’s episode, we learn about Herbal Medicine and the importance of a holistic approach when it comes to our health. Key Topic Timestamps * 01:30 - How Lily got into herbal medicine * 07:00 - Lily’s role as a Clinical Herbalist * 09:50 - Herbal Medicine vs. Modern Pharmaceuticals * 13:15 - Skepticism of Herbal Medicine * 15:50 - Naturopath vs. Herbalist * 22:25 - Is Herbal Medicine safe? * 24:55 - Herbal Medicine for stress & anxiety * 32:00 - Herbal Medicine for sleep * 37:55 - Is it okay to nap during the day? * 39:55 - Tinctures & Herbs * 40:45 - The proper way to make a cup of tea * 44:55 - Lily’s favorite resources on Herbal Medicine * 48:25 - How to find a practitioner that’s right for you * 51:05 - How to get a video consultation with Lily Reading List * The Handmade Apothecary: Healing Herbal Remedies by Vicky Chown & Kim Walker [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35072373-the-handmade-apothecary] * Spice Apothecary: Blending and Using Common Spices for Everyday Health by Bevin Clare [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52484101-spice-apothecary] * Dispensing with Tradition: A Practitioner’s Guide to Using Indian and Western Herbs the Ayurvedic Way by Anne McIntyre & Michelle Boudin [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32871805-dispensing-with-tradition?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=7oGGFIoaNg&rank=1] Misc * Aviva Romm [https://avivaromm.com/] * Lara Briden [https://www.larabriden.com/] * Lily Canetty-Clarke's website [https://www.lilycanettyclarke.com/] * Lily Canetty-Clarke's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lilycanettyclarke/]

Learning About the Feldenkrais Method with Anastasi Siotas

The Feldenkrais Method is an alternative health approach that focuses on gentle movements and mindfulness to improve overall mental and physical well being. It’s benefits include improving mobility and range of motion as well as flexibility and coordination. With roots in physics, anatomy, and biomechanics, this powerful method helps students gain an awareness of their body resulting in enhanced mind-body experience. In today’s episode, we learn the basics of this method with Guild Certified Feldenkrais Assistant Trainer, Anastasi Siotas. Key Topic Timestamps * 01:15 - What is the Feldenkrais Method? * 02:55 - Different ways to practice this method * 05:05 - Functional Integration vs. other alternative healing methods * 10:30 - Osteopathy vs. Feldenkrais * 15:00 - How Anastasi got into this method * 17:40 - Most common challenges of the Feldenkrais method * 23:30 - Key aspects of optimal posture * 28:30 - QOR360 Chair * 35:30 - Emotional and mental benefits of practicing the Feldenkrais Method * 38:40 - How to get started and learn more about this method * 43:45 - Brief anatomy lesson from Anastasi * 48:00 - Breath work & Feldenkrais Reading List * The Elusive Obvious by Moshe Feldenkrais [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/635693.The_Elusive_Obvious_or_Basic_Feldenkrais?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=vIKWlVmsec&rank=1] * Awareness Through Movement by Moshe Feldenkrais [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179438.Awareness_Through_Movement?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WO1Tq5rCit&rank=1] * The Potent Self: A Guide to Spontaneity by Moshe Feldenkrais [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/635697.The_Potent_Self?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=9Z1LpeqfD1&rank=1] * Biotensegrity: The Structural Basis of Life by Graham Scarr [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29284769-biotensegrity?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=pGBRdVQ6Vi&rank=2] Misc * QOR360 Chair [https://qor360.com/] * Feldenkrais Method [https://feldenkrais.com/] * Biotensegrity & Dr. Stephen M. Levin [http://www.biotensegrity.com/] * Anastasi Siotas [https://siotas.com/] * Anastasi Siotas Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anastasi.siotas] * Anastasi Siotas Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anastasisiotas/] * Feldenkrais Crete [https://www.facebook.com/siotas/] About Mike and Eric Mike Caha’s LinkedIn [https://cz.linkedin.com/in/mikecaha] Eric Sangerma’s LinkedIn [https://es.linkedin.com/in/ericsangerma] Mike Caha’s Medium [https://medium.com/@mike_caha] Eric Sangerma’s Medium [https://medium.com/@eric_sangerma]