The Weekend University

In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a cognitive scientist, humanistic psychologist, and author of “Rise Above”.

Scott has spent his career redefining human potential and helping people overcome limiting beliefs. Despite being placed in special education as a child due to an auditory learning disability, he earned his PhD and is now one of the most cited psychologists in the world.

In this conversation, they explore:

— The difference between being a victim and having a victim mindset

— Why vulnerable narcissism can block self-actualisation

— How the stories we tell ourselves shape our potential

— The value of shifting from “why” questions to “what” questions

— Scott’s approach to self-actualisation coaching and connecting to your core self

And more.

You can learn more about Scott’s work at https://scottbarrykaufman.com.

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Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. His early educational experiences made him realize the deep reservoir of untapped potential of students, including bright and creative children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. Dr. Kaufman is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world for his research on intelligence and creativity.

Dr. Kaufman is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. He hosts The Psychology Podcast which has received over 30 million downloads and is widely considered among the top psychology podcasts in the world. He is also a regular keynote speaker. If you’d like him to speak at one of your events, you can make a request here.

Dr. Kaufman’s writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review, and he is the author and editor of 11 books. In his most recent book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential, his explores the limiting beliefs and widespread anxiety that puts us in boxes, lowers our expectations, and holds us back in our lives.

In addition to teaching at Columbia, Dr. Kaufman has also been a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and NYU. Dr. Kaufman received a B.S. in psychology and human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon, an M. Phil in experimental psychology from the University of Cambridge under a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Yale University (see his dissertation Beyond General Intelligence: The Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence). He is founder of Self-Actualization Coaching, receiving his formal coaching training from Positive Acorn. He is also an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Wellbeing Science.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Kaufman's website: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/

— Dr. Kaufman's book: https://amzn.to/4rvXC4C

In this episode, Niall speaks with Yannick Jacob, an existential coach, philosopher, and educator with over 15 years of coaching experience.

Yannick helps people explore the deeper philosophical questions behind everyday life. His approach blends existential philosophy with practical coaching to develop what he calls “existential resilience.”

In this conversation, they explore:

— How big existential questions are always at work beneath the surface of our lives

— How building “existential resilience” helps us face life’s inevitable challenges

— Why avoiding depth and complexity may feel comfortable but leaves us unprepared

— The value of coaching as a space to courageously face yourself

— How presence is something AI can never truly replicate in coaching relationships

And more.

You can learn more about Yannick’s work at https://www.coachingandmediation.net
or explore his resources for coaches at https://rocketsupervision.com.

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Yannick Jacob is an existential life and leadership coach, coach-trainer & supervisor, positive psychologist, and mediator whose work combines existential philosophy, positive psychology, and leadership development. He has led academic programs (including being Programme Leader of the MSc Coaching Psychology at University of East London), designs and trains ICF-accredited courses and supervises coaches globally. His focus is on helping individuals re-think what success, happiness, and purpose look like, through coaching, supervision, and philosophical reflection. You can learn more at https://www.coachingandmediation.net.

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Interview Links:

— Yannick’s website: https://www.coachingandmediation.net

— Resources for coaches at https://rocketsupervision.com.

In this episode, Niall speaks with Olga Khazan, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of “Weird” and “Me, But Better”.

Drawing on research and personal experimentation, Olga shows how our personalities are more flexible than we often realise—and how intentional change can lead to greater fulfilment and success.

In this conversation, they explore:

— Why personality change often starts with letting go of limiting self-narratives

— How Buddhist principles can reduce neuroticism and anxiety

— Why acting against your natural tendencies sometimes brings unexpected benefits

— The link between personality traits and life outcomes

— How setting meaningful goals can support positive personality change

And more.

You can learn more about Olga’s work at http://olgakhazan.com.

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Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic. Prior to that, she was The Atlantic’s Global editor. She has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Forbes, and other publications. She is the author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change and Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World.

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Interview Links:

— Olga’s website - https://olgakhazan.com

— Olga's new book: Me, But Better - https://amzn.to/4rBLDly

— Sneak peeks from Olga's book - https://olgakhazan.substack.com

Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist, author, and a leading expert on ancient Stoic philosophy and its modern applications. Originally from Scotland and now based in Canada, he has spent his career examining how ancient philosophy can help address modern psychological challenges.

In this episode, Niall speaks with Donald about his book: “How to Think Like Socrates” and the continued relevance of Socratic philosophy for modern life and mental wellbeing.

In this conversation, they explore:

— Why Socrates was a “street philosopher” who brought philosophy into everyday life

— How Socratic questioning can build cognitive flexibility and soften rigid thinking

— The link between wisdom and emotional wellbeing that underpins cognitive therapy

— Why clarifying values matters for living a meaningful life

— How ancient philosophical practices can be applied to modern psychological challenges

And more.

You can learn more about Donald’s work at http://donaldrobertson.name.

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Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist and trainer. He is one of the founding members of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit, and the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre nonprofit in Athens, Greece.

Donald specializes in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and known as an expert on the relationship between modern evidence-based psychotherapy and classical Greek and Roman philosophy. His work is highly interdisciplinary, combining philosophy, history, and psychology.

He was born in Irvine, Scotland, and grew up in Ayr. He worked as a psychotherapist for about twenty years in London, England, where he had a clinic in Harley Street, and ran a training school for therapists. He emigrated to Canada in 2013 and began focusing more on writing and consultancy. He now divides his time between Greece and Canada.

Donald is an experienced public speaker. His therapy practice specialised for many years in helping clients with social anxiety and self-confidence issues. His work, and that of his colleagues, has often featured in the media of different countries, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, etc.

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Interview Links:

— Donald’s website - http://donaldrobertson.name

— Donald's books - https://amzn.to/4bwfdUY

In this episode, Niall speaks with Dr. Christopher Bache about his 20-year exploration of consciousness, including 73 high-dose LSD sessions undertaken as part of a disciplined, structured inquiry. Dr. Bache is a Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University.

Dr. Bache’s journey moved beyond personal healing into encounters with collective consciousness and what he calls the diamond soul. His work brings together philosophy, spirituality, and direct investigation of non-ordinary states of awareness.

In this conversation, they explore:

— How psychedelic experiences revealed the boundary between individual and collective consciousness

— The evolutionary purpose of reincarnation and its role in human development

— Why a collective dark night of the soul may precede a major shift in consciousness

— How meeting suffering, personal and collective, can open the way to deeper freedom

— Why Dr. Bache understands death as a homecoming rather than an ending

And more.

You can learn more about Dr. Bache’s work at http://chrisbache.com.

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Christopher Bache is professor emeritus in the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University, adjunct faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Emeritus Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and on the Advisory Council of Grof Legacy Training.

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Interview Links:

— Dr. Bache’s website - https://chrisbache.com

— Dr. Bache’s book: https://amzn.to/3NLkPRl