School For Good Living Podcasts

I’ve traveled many places around this globe and talked to many people, some of whom have very interesting views. Today’s guest is one of those people. Rachel Harris has written a book called “Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction and Anxiety”. Over her thirty-five years of experience as a psychologist and 10 years of scientific research, she’s received multiple awards from the National Institutes of Health and published more than 40 scientific studies in peer reviewed journals. Rachel joins Brilliant to talk about her book and about ayahuasca, the benefits that it might have for humanity and what the potential risks are. As a disclaimer for this interview, this substance is currently illegal in the United States. While this subject may not appeal to everyone, there is a lot to be learned from Rachel and her perspective on how this substance has helped her and others on their quest to good living. “You know, this is outside the Western world view and it’s very threatening.” This w

Adii Pienaar is someone who uses his strengths, gifts, and talents in a variety of ways to solve real problems for others. He has been able to implement self-expression into his career of building successful companies. He’s a family man, a seeker, and a learner. He’s also a founder of Cogsy, Conversio, and WooCommerce; which shows he knows a thing or two about building and growing a successful business from the ground up. One of the things that sets Adii apart is his ability to balance creating these successful businesses with the things he values most in life. In addition to his success in the business and tech worlds, he is also a writer. His latest book is called “Life Profitability: The New Measure of Entrepreneurial Success”. He’s also written a book called “Rockstar Business”, another called “Branding”, and even a book of poetry. He’s been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Startups.com. He’s a native of South Africa, where he lives in Cape Town with his wife Jeanne and their two children. You can

Sadhguru is a yogi, a mystic, and an author of many books. His most recent book, as mentioned in this interview, is A Yogi’s Guide to Creating Your Destiny. He is no stranger to public speaking, having been an invited guest to the United Nations, Harvard, MIT, World Economic Forum, and so many more. In his work, Sadhguru has devoted himself to the betterment of mankind and this planet as both a humanitarian and environmentalist. For today’s short interview, we focus in on Sadhguru’s new Green Earth Initiative; a group focused on informing the world of the facts regarding environmental decline, and it’s hopeful reversal. We discuss the importance of this planet, it’s fragile ecology, and the surprising cause of it’s decline. We also talk about the importance of soil, and how it is the root of all life. Lastly, we discuss his tips to writing a book and where to look for inspiration. “Everything that’s happening to you…is entirely your making because human experience comes from within” This week on the

Neal Allen describes himself as pink, fluffy, love. He’s written a book called Shapes of Truth: Discover God Inside You, which is an interesting book to write for someone who declared himself an atheist at the age of 14. In this conversation and in the book, he lays out some interesting ideas about how we can really get in touch with what’s truly inside us and what’s not. Neal worked for many years as a journalist, and he entered the corporate world where he worked as an executive. Ultimately, he left that to explore a life of coaching and service. A lot of his work has involved looking at the identities we live, how we can dissolve those, and how we can create new and more empowering ones. In this interview, Neal describes two of the most shaping periods in his life – the “stop believing my story” period and the “burning down the house” period. We get a taste of his transformation process as he takes Brilliant through one that he describes in his book, where we can go deep into an aspect inside ourselves.

Steven C. Hayes is an amazing thinker. He has written nearly 50 books, and hundreds of articles. He is an originator of ACT therapy and RFT (Relational Frame Therapy). Google scholar data ranks him among the top fifteen hundred most cited scholars in all areas of study, living and dead. His career has focused on human nature, language, cognition, and the application of this to an understanding and alleviation of human suffering. His latest book, and topic of our interview, is called “A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters”. In this episode, Steven C. Hayes talks about psychological flexibility, what it is, how we can cultivate it, why it matters, and how it can change our lives. We talk about something in this interview called “The Dictator within”; how to give distance to and how to get distance from it, to not let it run our lives or ruin our lives. We talk about awareness and attention. We talk about the idea of evolving on purpose, and so much more. Finally, we get into a little bit about w

Todd Rose is an extraordinary man. Convinced we has a bad student, he performed poorly in school and even dropped out of college. Little did he know he would later gain a PHD and become a professor at Harvard University. Todd has since been fascinated with the idea of motivation, and has founded the nonprofit Populace to help transform how we learn, work, and live to help us live more fulfilling lives. Todd joins us today to discuss the relationship between motivation, and the pursuit of happiness. We talk about the phenomenon of the Dark Horse, a person who finds fulfillment in going against the system. We also discuss the definition of fulfillment, as well as the power and productivity that comes when we prioritize fulfillment over other daily motivations. Lastly, we talk about the writing process and how Todd has written his books. “There is nothing to be had for you achieving on someone else’s view of a good life.” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: Motivations, what are they?Dar

David McRaney has worked as an editor, a photographer, a voiceover artist, a television host, a public speaker, a TV producer, and a journalist. David, being a deeply intelligent and thoughtful man, has focused his work on revealing the self-delusions and cognitive biases by which we live our lives. He has written a book called You Are Not So Smart and also runs a blog and podcast by the same name to help provide the world with his findings. David joins me today to discuss this phenomenon of self-delusion, and how each of us sees the world differently. We talk about how our experiences can change the way we view the world, and his deep desire to better understand and know himself. We also touch on how we managed to write his last book while his house was hit by a tornado, and other challenges he faced while writing his books. “You will find a place in your life where you can extract value from the chaos.” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: Our understanding of the world is always cha

Dr. Aaron Berkowitz is a leading voice in neurology, global health and medical education. He’s also concerned and involved with issues of social justice. Aaron has written a book called One by One by One: Making a Small Difference Amid a Billion Problems, to inspire others to see the world differently and get involved in making a positive change. Aaron joins me today to discuss the immense comforts we take for granted in this country, and in particular, modern medicine. We discuss his trips to Haiti and the immense poverty he witnessed in a place that was only a four-hour flight from his home in Boston. Lastly, we touch on his writing process and his message to us all about how we can help change the world. “There are no failures, only failures of imagination.” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: The value of not knowingAn unstructured path into a very structured careerHaiti and its rich historyVoluntourism: does it actually help?How to become a powerful storytellerResources Mentioned

Shirley Hager is an advocate and activist for social and racial equality. From a young age she has had an eye for spotting discrepancies in the way we treat each other. Recently, she joined a group of thirteen indigenous and non-indigenous people who banded together to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s lives and culture. This group recently co-authored a book, The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations. Shirley joins me today to discuss her first encounter with racial inequality as an elementary school student, her lifelong pursuit of equality, and how she gained a particular interest in Native American culture. We talk about the early years of this great nation and settle some little-understood facts about how it got it’s start. Finally, we discuss what it was like writing a book as a group and the unique creative process that they used. “We all have the truth, we are just looking for someone to confirm it.” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: Shirley’s first

Mike Finkel’s bio reads more like Indiana Jones than a Journalist. He has traveled the world in his work for various magazines including climbing volcanos, delving into caves, meeting with native tribes in Tanzania, ascending the mountains of Afghanistan, hunting for extremely rare mushrooms in Tibet, and even investigating the black market human organ trade. He has written various, nonfiction books across a wide range of topics and has another on the way. Mike joins me this week to discuss his latest book, A Stranger In the Woods, which revolves around a man who spent 27 years in the woods of Maine without ever coming in contact with a single person or even lighting a fire. We talk about Mike’s unique creative process and how he chooses the topics for his books. We also talk about how unique and valuable ever person’s story is. “I believe that everybody has a fascinating story to tell, and nobody, if you ask the right questions, is really boring” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: T

Tony Bartelme is a Three-Time Pulitzer Prize nominee, narrative storyteller, and investigative journalist. He has recently spent five months in Tanzania in order to capture and tell the story of brilliant brain surgeon Dilan Ellegala, which began with a post-residency vacation and ended with a revolution of Tanzania’s medical training programs. Tony documented Dilan’s story in a book which he titled A Surgeon in the Village: An American Doctor Teaches Brain Surgery in Africa. Tony joins me today to discuss the impact that a single individual can have, especially the amazing change wrought out by surgeon Dilan Ellagala in Tanzania. We talk about the global shortage of doctors and the immense number of lives that could be saved each year if they only had access to proper surgical care. We also touch on the importance of teaching, and the passing on of our knowledge for the betterment of others. Lastly, we discuss Tony’s unique writing and reporting process. “Failure is a gift, as long as you learn from it

Oren Jay Sofer is a long-time mindfulness teacher, coach, and author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach To Nonviolent Communication. Oren has spent many years studying and practicing Buddhism, Yoga, and Mindfulness. He has since used those skills to lead trainings in various companies on a wide range of mindfulness topics. Oren joins me today to discuss communication and the significant power that our words can have. We talk about the techniques we can use to keep our communication nonviolent and effective. We also touch on the obstacles and challenges that can make communication more difficult, and how to overcome them. “Presence is our natural state.” This week on the School For Good Living Podcast: PresenceThe power of breathBuddhist traditionThe impact of proper communicationWriting skillsThe power of habitResources Mentioned: Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communicationgoodliving.comConnect with Oren: Professional PageSubscribe and sign up for more! Thank y

Don Miguel Ruiz Jr is the author of five books, including his latest publication The Seven Secrets To Healthy Happy Relationships. Don belongs to a family with a rich heritage in the Mexican Toltec tradition. Having learned the tradition from the teachings and preachings of his grandmother, Don now dedicates his life to helping others heal from the wounds that conditional love inflicted upon them. Don joins me today to discuss the importance and power of unconditional love, a mission that he and his family have been dedicated to for generations. We talk about domestication, and how we can influence the person we become. We discuss the idea of commitment and love, and how you can better love others unconditionally. We talk about the difference between guilt and remorse and how it relates to forgiveness. We also touch on the definition of love, and it’s wide array of applications. Lastly, he shares with me his insights on the creative process and what it takes to get a book written. “Whenever I judge some

Michael Moss is a Pulitzer prize winning reporter and author of Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions. Michael is known for his work as an investigative reporter and his time spent digging into the food industry and their questionable tactics. He has been a reporter for the Wall Street Journal before joining the New York Times in 2000. He has been a guest on various talk shows, including The Daily Show and CBS This Morning. Michael joins me today to discuss the life of an investigative reporter. We talk about some of his greatest discoveries and how he dug them up. We also talk at length about the food industry and how they have adapted their products to play to our natural inclination towards sugar. He details to me a dilemma between the “go” brain and the “stop” brain; and how sugar can confuse the two. We finish by talking about the creative process and how it differs for investigative reporters. “You can’t jog off junk food.” This week on the School For Good Livi

Boyd Varty is an experienced tracker, a skill he gained from a growing up on the Londolozi Wild Game Reserve in South Africa. He spent his early years exploring the terrain and learning the trade of a tracker, before taking over the reserve that his grandfather started. It was there that he met a particular woman who opened his eyes to the more important things in life. He has since ventured to do the same for others, striving to help them “track” their lives and discover their true purposes. He has written two books in this effort, The Lion Tracker’s Guide To Life, and Cathedral of the Wild: An African Journey Home. Boyd joins me today to talk about his unique journey through life, including what it was like to grow up on an African game reserve, and a higher calling he found that urged him to leave. We talk about the skills that an experienced tracker must gain, and how they apply to coaching. He also sheds a very unique and naturalistic perspective on what it means to live a good life. “Let go of the

Edward Creagan is a two-time author, and the Mayo Clinic’s first provider to be board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. He has written over 500 scientific papers and has spoken at more than 1000 presentations around the world. Doctor Ed began his interest and journey toward hospice care at the early age of eight years old. He has since grown in his passion for end-of-life care and is determined to help caregivers do their job without burning out. Doctor Ed joins me today to discuss the importance of making other’s days better, how to properly care for others, and how to do so healthily. We also talk about the dying process, and the best way to help others through it. We talk about the role of the caregiver, and the immense toll it can have on a person who does it full time. Lastly, we discuss the importance of thorough end-of-life financial planning. “If you don’t take care of yourself, there’s no backup. There’s nobody left to take care of your spouse, your neighbor, your friend or your par

Pam as worn many hats in her time, but above all she is a traveler and a writer. Pam has lived a very eventful life, starting with her senior year trip to Israel just as they entered a war. She has hiked across the Middle East, relying heavily on the help and kindness of strangers. She has survived abusive relationships and talks heavily to the value of being listened to. She shares all these lessons and more in her new book The Same River Twice. Pam joins me today to discuss the various powerful experiences she has been through in her life, and the wide range of life lessons she gained along the way. We discuss the many amazing strangers she met along her journeys, and why she trusted them so much. She tells me about her history in writing, how she got started and why she still writes today, as well as how her writing has evolved over time. We also talk about what inspired her to write it these lessons and experiences down in her new book The Same River Twice. “I know why you are silent. I know why you

Jim Davidson is a lifetime climber and expedition leader, spending over thirty years of his life pursuing the tallest peaks this Earth has to offer. Jim has summited Mount Everest, where he survived earthquakes, avalanches, and he’s even escaped alone from an 80 foot deep glacial crevasse. He was hiking Everest in 2015, when a record-setting earthquake shook the mountain, trapping dozens of hikers in the snow. After miraculously surviving that day, he returned in 2017 and summitted the mountain. This experience, and what he learned from it, has been the main inspiration for Jim’s recent book The Next Everest. Jim joins me this week to talk about his life-long interest in hiking, and his endless search for “awe”. We also discuss Jim’s fascinating view on time and how he uses it help maintain a healthy lifestyle. We talk about the physical and mental strain that affected his body as he hiked Everest, and the methods he used to combat both. Jim is especially good at goal setting, which we dig into a little bi

As the TIME’s magazine “most influential person in space”, Avi Loeb is at the forefront of all things interstellar. Avi is the longest standing chairman over the Harvard Black Hole Initiative, and has served as the lead advisor for space at the White House. Avi has spent the vast majority of his life studying the stars and pioneered research into the first stars that came into existence in our universe. Avi’s latest efforts have been focused on the young people, trying to motivate them to pursue their interests in the field of science and continue the ongoing research into the mystery of space. Avi joins me this week to discuss his latest book, Extraterrestrial, and the amazing interstellar discovery that formed the foundation for it’s climb to number one on the New York Times Bestseller list. We discuss the possibility of alien life, and the possible source of the remarkable space anomaly Avi and his team discovered in 2017. Avi shares with me his passion for the sciences and his disagreement with the cur

Roman Krznaric is the author of the book The Good Ancestor: A Radical Prescription for Long-Term Thinking, which shares six practical ways we can retrain our brains to be future-focused. He guides us on how we might shift our priorities to saving our planet and the quality of humanity beyond ourselves now. Roman is also the founder of the world’s first Empathy Museum, a founding faculty member at School of Life in London, and an empathy advisor to organizations including Oxfam and the United Nations. Both his book and life experiences offer advice on how to live in a way that impacts future generations for the better. In this podcast, Roman shares his own life story and journey to discover the true importance of what it means to be a good ancestor and to think of future generations rather than only yourself. Listen as he shares his own personal experience and advice on how to live this out, how to set goals with the future in mind, and how to be a good ancestor.   “We discover ourselves through looking