After a PhD in molecular biology & five years in biotech I woke up one day and thought, I need an adventure! So I bought a campervan, checked out some organic farms with the wonderful WWOOF scheme, and took some time to train in Bhakti Yoga.
Please join me on this adventure as I interview thinkers from different fields of enquiry about fundamental questions of consciousness and reality.
Sahanika Ratnayake's Aeon article on the problem of mindfulness struck me as a fascinating read. Join us as we chat about mindfulness, psychotherapy, the self, Buddhism, and all sorts!
7 Jun 2020
David Egan - Suffering & Flourishing
Professor David Egan studied both analytic and continental philosophy, with interests in aesthetics, ethics, the history of philosophy, and, increasingly, Buddhist philosophy. This diverse range of interests is unified by an interest in how we find and make meaning in our lives, and the image of ourselves that becomes manifest in this meaning-making activity. I’m especially interested in the moments where that self-image gets punctured and what those moments teach us about the possibility of human flourishing. For more information, check out David's:
Website
Book
Aeon profile
18 Nov 2019
Michael Ruse - A Meaning to Life
Professor Michael Ruse is a British-born philosopher of science who specialises in the philosophy of biology and works on the relationship between science and religion, the creation–evolution controversy, and the demarcation problem within science. Ruse currently teaches at Florida State University. He has written over 50 books, his most recent being 'A meaning to life (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-meaning-to-life-9780190933227?cc=gb&lang=en&).' Join me for a fascinating discussion with Michael on topics ranging from monism to biology to free will and getting older.
21 Oct 2019
David Quammen - The Tangled Tree of Life
In this episode, renowned science writer David Quammen will be taking us on a whistle-stop tour of the history of molecular biology, some of the key players, as well as three very central questions: 1. Is the tree of life...a tree? 2. What is an organism 3. What is a species. Prepare yourself for some fascinating surprises!
7 Oct 2019
Brenda Dunne - Consciousness!
Have you ever wondered, 'what is the empirical evidence for non-brain based consciousness, and its effects on the world?' If so, you are in for a treat, as I chat with Brenda Dunne about her elaborate experience in the front line of consciousness research. Laboratory manager at the Princeton Engineering Anomolies Research (PEAR) Institute for 28 years, the lab collected a huge body of data, indicating beyond doubt that consciousness is something we can indeed study, and which deserves special recognition. Brenda has authored and co-authored many books, and continues today to be involved in many forums. Enjoy the show!
2 Sept 2019
Sharon Hewitt Rawlette - Coincidences!
I have been waiting for a long time to come across a book like this - The Source & Significance of Coincidences. As you read it, you'll notice that Sharon Rawlette Hewitt has left no stone uncovered in her research into coincidences. I feel like in this initial conversation we only just got the ball rolling...I've so many more questions!
17 Aug 2019
Perry Marshall & Denis Noble - Evolution 2.0
I was recently counting my blessings when Denis Noble, author of 'Dance to the Tune of Life: Biological Relativity (https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/dance-to-the-tune-of-life/721483A1B5BB01E837BC8A8435E52710),' agreed for me to interview him, because I am very interested in his perspective on physiology. To my surprise, he put me in touch with Perry Marshall, author of 'Evolution 2.0 (https://evo2.org/),' and they both agreed to talk with me about the ongoing excitement around questions of information and purpose that are driving our understanding of evolution theory to a new level. Not one to miss!
1 Aug 2019
Garland Allen - Mechanistic & Holistic Biology
Professor Garland (Gar) Allen is a highly distinguished historian of biology; indeed he was there for the inception of the very field itself within the mid-20th Century! I'm particularly interested in the different ways of approaching the idea of 'life,' and Gar helps me to understand some of the context in which ideas have been at play over the years. We talk about the mechanistic views, as well as more holistic and vitalistic accounts that have been debated through the history of biology. I get the feeling that we only scratched the surface, however this will be a fantastic introduction for anyone interested in the big picture of biological thought. For more information, check out his very intuitive and comprehensive 2017 book, Scientific Process and Social Issues in Biology Education (https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319443782).
31 Jul 2019
Michael Ruse - Biology, Buddhism & Beyond
Professor Michael Ruse is a British-born philosopher of science who specialises in the philosophy of biology and works on the relationship between science and religion, the creation–evolution controversy, and the demarcation problem within science. Ruse currently teaches at Florida State University. He has written over 50 books, his most recent being 'A meaning to life (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-meaning-to-life-9780190933227?cc=gb&lang=en&).' Join me for a fascinating introductory discussion with Michael on topics ranging from Buddhism to biology to free will.
23 Jun 2019
Denis Noble - The Third Way of Evolution
To a biologist, Professor Denis Noble will need no introduction. His books - The Music of Life: Biology beyond the Genome (2006) and Dance to the Tune of Life: Biological Relativity (2016) - affected me considerably. His poetic writing style juxtaposed with convincing scientific evidence leads one to reconsider what one has been taught regarding the very nature of 'the organism.'
In this podcast episode, Denis Noble delves into why the Modern Synthesis needs a serious rethink, and how a significant group of scholars is spearheading the way in this pursuit: they go under the umbrella of The Third Way of Evolution. Tune in for this riveting discussion!
17 Jun 2019
Akhandadhi das - Qualia and the Brain
Akhandadhi das is a Bhagavata Vedanta philosopher and theologian, who speaks on BBC Thought of the Day (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06pq9zw), and has a particular interest in consciousness and 'qualia.' As neuroscience becomes more able to read the brain, I ask Akhandadhi das what this means in relation to our qualitative experience of the world, and what the implications may be.
17 Jun 2019
Bob Ulanowicz - Marrying Physics & Ecology
A fascinating conversation with Bob Ulanowicz, author of the book 'A Third Window: Natural Life Beyond Newton and Darwin (https://www.templetonpress.org/books/third-window),' into the realms of process ecology and an alternate way of understanding living systems.
17 Jun 2019
Introduction to Chasing Reality
Find out about my journey as a scientist and spiritual practitioner, and how I’m trying to bring it all together.
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